The Future of Customer Service

By: Jean Paul Mojica, Technology Reporter

Kiosks were first introduced in the late 1970s by Murray Lappe. They were originally built with the purpose to access information. 50 years later, they are still serving the same function with an added use in areas for self-checkout in stores. 

A kiosk is a computer terminal which provides access to information, implemented for its convenience.

Kiosks can be found in banks as ATMs, check-in machines in airports, fast food restaurants to order food, and prescription machines in pharmacies.

The price of a kiosk can range from $600 to $5000.

Apple has introduced their own Kiosk mode available for iPads, where it can be set up as a self-service device to be implemented in stores.

WJPS senior, Kevin Juarez, stated, “I believe the kiosks are great, especially considering they can increase the amount of jobs there are involving the repairs and updates of kiosks. Even though they may take some jobs, they will add just as many.” 

Kiosk technology and jobs have provided work for technicians and overall decreased rates of queue times to receive a service, as seen from data from “Appetize”, displaying nearly a 40% decrease in time to order due to kiosks.

WJPS teacher, Ms. Mills, commented, “I think it’s good if you are in a rush. I like putting in the order myself. I prefer someone taking my order, regardless if kiosks are faster.”