Self-Service Bill Payment Kiosks are win-win for all
A bill payment kiosk saves on costs for billers, increases convenience for customers and brings in extra revenue for any retailers who agree to have the machines installed.It can also be a vital service for the “unbanked” (people who do not have a bank account), and this is one of the reasons why there has been such a massive boom in their use in the countries of Eastern Europe, where there are now more than 500,000 self-service kiosks using innovative kiosk software.
The machines allow users to pay for things such as insurance premiums, utility bills and mobile phone credit. They can be used to pre-pay for TV and internet services or to add to a pension fund or pay taxes. There are also several other services available, such as allowing the customer to deposit or transfer money, pay back money owed to a bank or add credit to a bank or electronic account.
The popularity of bill payment kiosks has also increased as more people see electronic wallets as a viable alternative to traditional bank accounts. Customers register these e-wallets at one of the self-service kiosks and the kiosk software will then generate a PIN code and allow users to top it up when they choose.
In Eastern Europe, many banks have joined the kiosk industry as these bill payment machines can be significantly cheaper than traditional ATMs. The banks have also caught on to the fact that installing these machines, sometimes called ‘light’ ATMs, has massive money-saving potential, especially when it comes to staffing and real estate costs. The equipment and kiosk software require minimal maintenance and they allow customers the convenience of being able to pay bills or use the other services on offer at any time of the day or night.
The popularity of self-serve bill payment technology is growing in the UK, with various examples already in operation. In London’s Enfield borough, customers can use machines to pay their rent, businesses rates or council tax, and there is a similar facility in Eastbourne. Some Scottish users have access to machines placed in public buildings and libraries.