It’s all in a name
Our industry has many faces so it’s not surprising that it how many names it has as well!
When we first started out with Genkiosk we focused on paid internet access and as a result we tended to refer to the hardware as “Internet Kiosks”. However, as the industry started to grow and diversify so too did our software. As a result the Genkiosk team receives many enquiries from around the world for what is essentially the same product, but most often with a different name. Self-service kiosk, ATM, info-point, vending machine…these have all been used to describe a very similar concept.
Genkiosk – first choice for Information Kiosks
James Oladujoye (CEO, GWD Media – creators of Genkiosk) shares his thoughts on what to consider when purchasing software for information kiosks.
Information kiosks are big business, which means a bewildering aray of options! Whether it’s for government, retail, charity or general use, there are a number of factors to think through, and pitfalls to be wary of when choosing your kiosk software. Read more about Genkiosk – first choice for Information Kiosks →
Learning from Social networks
James Oladujoye (CEO) explores ways in which his company and others could learn from the social networking phenomenon.
Often I have been described as being a dreamer.
And that makes me very proud. Star gazing is fun and every now and again it’s comforting to predict correctly.
In this vein I have some strong beliefs about how systems like machine management platforms – such as Genkiosk – should interact with data-overloaded users.
Firstly let’s stop for a minute to take a look at how Social networks such as Twitter and Facebook share information.
Each signed up-user has to prioritise and choose whether to act upon 1000’s of messages, updates, photos, invitations etc.
The needs of the individuals can be quite different. For example, I use Facebook to stay in contact with friends I have known from my early life, whereas my brother who is younger than me is very much more in the now, using it to organise events and share time sensitive information such as birthdays, get-togethers and sports events.
Having a way to manage all these different needs within one common interface is a real trick.
From Internet to Splinternet & how this challenges self-service
Firewalls and paid walls are springing up all over the web. Add to that a mish-mash of the technological and political and you could argue that there is a compelling inevitability to the splitting up of the Internet. 
The Economist Weekly has said “Powerful forces are threatening to balkanise the Internet,” and whilst you might say that this is overdoing it – we must not forget that big business is investing in Facebook and others in a bid to corral the most users.
There are many similarities in the retail high street sector where the small shops are challenged (and often beaten) by the broad brush pile-them high sell-them cheap superstores.
Read more about From Internet to Splinternet & how this challenges self-service →
Why making machines talk is good for the whole planet
Whether it’s described as Domotics or Home Automation, the very notion of remote management of consumer & domestic appliances can send shivers down the spines of some people… whilst it is seen as a positive and logical – even evolutionary – step by others.
To some it conjures up notions of robots taking over and information being held by large faceless organisations.
It’s worth noting however that this technology is already here today! You’ll find it in aeroplanes, ATM’s, smartphones, cars, satnavs and many other sensor-rich machines. These are all benefits – right?
Living in a Googled world raises issues of privacy that our generation has to try to come to terms with – deciding what is acceptable and what is not.
Read more about Why making machines talk is good for the whole planet →
Biz rules – in the pursuit of business intelligence
James Oladujoye co-founder and CEO of GWD Media – the creators of Genkiosk. Why business rules can radically change the way organisations interact with their kiosks – or any other remotely managed machines.
We are at the outset of the Information Age where seemingly everything is in the now.
On stock markets, fortunes are lost and won in fractions of a second. News is made available instantly and globally. With communications accelerating at speed and booming in scale, we take it for granted that we can keep in touch with others wherever and whenever we choose. Now.
It’s all well and good having email, Facebook, mobile phones, SKYPE etc – great for communication with people.
Read more about Biz rules – in the pursuit of business intelligence →
