Tactile Technologies, an organisation synonymous with touch-screen technology and the creation of applications involving this type of hardware, today revealed some details of two of the many solutions with which it has recently been involved.
At the CSIR, for example, it is the Visitor Identification System (VIS). Since security at access points is a priority and large numbers of visitors are received, having control over them is paramount. The VIS utilises a kiosk that uses fingerprint and national identity information to ease visitors through security points, while precisely identifying and recording the visitor’s identity.
The kiosk features a digital camera for photographing each visitor; a fingerprint scanner; a sticker printer that issues visitors with an identification sticker for use during their visit; a bar code scanner for capturing the serial number of any laptops and/or cameras they have with them; and a touch-screen as the kiosk’s primary interface. It also includes fully customisable software to suit any venue or specific event. Tactile Technologies manufactures and assembles the entire unit.
A second example is at DHL, where self-service terminals allow people to enter and process their shipments on the unit, instead of having to fill out the traditional printed ‘waybills’. A queue-busting solution that enhances customer experience and customer satisfaction. Again, Tactile Technologies manufactures and assembles the entire unit, with the first batch already deployed within the organisation and being readily accepted.
“Both of these cases are the result of a proper analysis having been undertaken and completed, a process that is required for each new application,” commented Mauro Mercuri, Group Director of Tactile Technologies. “Questions such as what is the value add that is trying to be achieved? What are the business challenges that are needed to be resolved? What are the objectives that need to be met and how is the solution to be deployed and monitored? How does the solution involve the business itself? How does one involve the staff? all need to be answered. These are just some of the criteria we study together with each organisation that is looking at interactive self-service solutions as a tool.
“We are able to offer sound advice and guidance to anyone when it comes to developing and deploying self-service solutions,” continued Mercuri. “Whether it is designing terminals from scratch or assisting in the implementation of interfaces for display, printing, payment and identification purposes, we have the experience to help achieve what is necessary.
“As we have been involved over the years with numerous private and public sector organisations, and across a wide span of industries that provide solutions that always involve interfacing to either internal company staff or the public,” concluded Mercuri, “we are able to utilise this expertise in helping our clients with each new application they need to develop.”
