In beginning your endeavor, you must first know that there are some distinct differences from what is involved in running a payphone route. Kiosks are a new concept for most, and understanding that choosing a suitable product is not as simple a task as choosing a payphone manufacturer. There are several factors to consider. Your foremost concern should be to have a product that works. Clearly, an out of order kiosk is not only collecting dust without pulling in any revenue; but the more time it spends dysfunctional, the more potential users will lose their confidence in using such a machine. Therefore, it is imperative to have proactive mechanisms in place to minimize downtime. Your software vendor should definitely have a Network Operating Center (NOC). A NOC is a physical location which continuously monitors and updates kiosks under its supervision. The main purpose of this center is to attempt remote recovery of any errors that it may have detected on the kiosks. If the NOC is unsuccessful at remote recovery, it should dispatch the proper maintenance figure to physically rectify the situation. Secondary to uptime, the NOC has many other features that are vital to the business side of your operation. The NOC enables web based revenue reports, follows traffic patterns to determine possible on-site problems (i.e. dirty components, inadvertent "out of order" signs, bill jams, etc.), updates advertising or web link content on the User Interface, does credit card verification, and furnishes the kiosk with the latest software version released by the software provider. Even with the NOC in place, it should not be the sole method of downtime prevention. Locally, there should be a rebooting device of some sort that will monitor the kiosk periodically for software problems. Should it encounter any problems, it will automatically reboot the system into the kiosk application without the need for physical intervention. We have found this device to significantly cut down on the maintenance visits to our kiosks. After securing the reliability and stability of your software, you should examine the features that it has to offer. It is very important to provide software that is conducive to the end users' needs. Our many focus groups have attributed the void in online users to two basic reasons. The first is that they may not have the means to afford the Internet; with the costs involved in purchasing a computer and the monthly recurring fees involved with acquiring an ISP connection; it can be more of a commitment than people can afford. Naturally, with internet kiosk terminals, allowing users access for a nominal fee and limited commitments, the first issue is easily remedied. The second reason why 50% of the US population doesnit seek out the many benefits the web has to offer, is simply intimidation. After delving deeper into the causes of their fears, we discovered ATM machines to create a computer friendly environment that is intuitive enough for anybody to figure out. Since the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) has been such a success over the last 3 decades, it only makes sense to have a user interface that is as simple, quick and easy to understand as an ATM. Additionally, providing perks like video eri1ail, word processing, spreadsheet programs, and pop email capabilities will enhance your kiosk to market to a much broader array of end users. In addition to choosing software, it is noteworthy to say that the hardware that you select should be reliable. In order to ensure compatibility and tested quality control methods, I would recommend choosing a manufacturer that can provide the software in conjunction with the hardware. This will limit conflicts related to components that may not be designed or intended for use with the software. The hardware should be able to accommodate future versions and increased memory requirements. Quality is another issue that cannot be overlooked when selecting kiosk components ( computer, monitor, bill acceptor, card reader, printer, speakers, microphone, keyboard, mouse, etc.). We have learned that the cost of ownership on low end parts will lead to prolonged and repeated downtime, and in the long run, cost more than putting in a more durable and reliable component. Basically, being pennywise and dollar foolish is not the most sensible way to go.

PERIPHERALS

Choosing the right features and components to enhance your kiosk should be application dependant. If the location is geared towards a younger audience, then the options should be suitable for that group. This means having a kiosk that can be reached by a shorter user, more game sites, video email feature, more rugged components, and easy-clean surfaces. In the case of a more business-Iike clientele, features that can eradicate the need to carry a laptop on trips, such as word processors and spreadsheet pro grams are good for usability. But peripheral features such as a comfortable seated kiosk with a workspace are imperative for prolonged usage. Card swipe readers are also a must for easy charges to expense accounts. Whether the kiosk will qualify for Voice over Internet Protocol (VolP) or not is dependent on many different factors. Typically, if you are focusing on locations with high payphone call volume or prepaid calling card usage, there will be a demand for low cost long distance/international calls. With this in mind, you may want to look into infusing the VolP option into your kiosk. VolP can provide an affordable, high quality phone call, which can increase the revenue on your kiosks. Being that TouchNSurf has a Patent Pending solution on Public Access Terminals with VolP, it would be in your best interest to find out more about this technology and the costs involved at: www. touchnsurf.com/VOIP.htmL There are a variety of other peripheral components to choose from; however, choosing which location will warrant what features can be a tumultuous task. Hence, the best way to decide what additions would best suit your needs would be to start without some of the pricier options to first validate the location of the kiosk, then add them on to enhance usage.

PLACEMENT

Once you have chosen the product that you will be placing, the next most important task is choosing the location to place your kiosks. The rule of thumb to follow when choosing your locations is to pick places where people have time on their hands. Another factor to consider is the demographics of the patrons. Are they mostly travelers? If so, are they leisure or business travelers? Are they a younger age group (i.e. hostels, family fun centers, arcades)? Or are they adult clientele (i.e. business hotels, casinos) laundromats, etc...)? How much time does an average visitor spend at the location? For example, in an airport, train or bus terminal, there is usually ample layover time that people will have the need to use the internet. Hence a properly positioned kiosk would be ideal for such a location. Being creative in your decision-making is imperative. On occasion, we are pleasantly surprised by some locations because they may cater to a group that kiosks are ideal for. Locations that have a great deal of international travelers, government accounts, corporate accounts, or some sort of attraction that may create a steady traffic flow are generally the best types of kiosk sites. The position of the kiosk( s ) within a given location is also extremely important in generating revenue. Most people are not aware that such a technology exists; therefore, you must place the kiosk in a visible spot where potential users can become aware of its presence upon entering a locale. Make sure that there is proper lighting and foot traffic to create a comfortable and safe environment for users.

PROMOTIONS

Often times, KSPs are so caught up in picking the right product and placing it in a good location, they forget the basic fundamentals. The most important aspect to consider in creating a successful kiosk business is to create awareness about the kiosk. Putting up clear and visible signage that are concise and direct will definitely bring users to your kiosk( s) .Somewhere on your signs it should state what the kiosk does. Sometimes this could be as simple as a bright sign that says, "INTERNET". Again, being cognizant of your target audience will behoove you, so you know what features you are promoting. If the kiosk is in a conference center, you may want to emphasize the business tools that your software offers. If the kiosk is in an amusement park, you may want to have large signs that will market the video email to kids. H you have any give-aways, or cross promotions that you want to endorse, the signage is a good place to do it. Employee awareness is essential to the survival and success of your kiosk. When the front desk personnel or the coffee shop staff where your kiosk{s) are, don't know what the kiosk does or how it works, then you are excluding yourself from free onsite assistants that can become instrumental to the triumph of your undertaking. Be certain to train all staff and employees that are situated near the kiosk so that they will be willing to guide potential users to the kiosk. An empty look and a shrug of the shoulders should not be the response a patron gets when they ask, "Where can I check my email ~ Some other promotional tactics that will increase usage revenue and create ancillary revenue streams for your kiosk{ s) are advertising, database accumulation and promotional usage cards. Advertising is a form of revenue that can be established as soon as you place your first kiosk. There are always local businesses that are looking for additional marketing. By offering them an advertising spot on your kiosk interface for monetary compensation or in exchange for endorsement of your kiosk, you will be able to significantly reduce your Return on Investment. Having a program with free giveaways, where users may benefit from providing you with their consensual information, will give you a database that you can use to market to, or create another stream of revenue from your kiosk database. promotional usage cards worth free usage time will also increase awareness and familiarity with your kiosk( s) to generate return users.

PARTNERSHIPS

Getting involved in the kiosk business does not necessarily require a large capital investment. Hence, finding partners that are willing to take on the risk with you is really not so difficult. Knowing where to look for potential partners/investors takes some innovative thinking. By creating partnerships, you will be able to alleviate some of your monthly recurring costs, your up-front costs and spread your route out over a wider geographic area. Some software/hardware providers are confident enough in their product and in the nature of this industry that they are willing to partner in locations with KSPs on a 50/50 basis. In some cases, they may be willing to place the kiosks in locations that you may provide for revenue share, at no cost to you. At TouchNSurf, we frequently enter these ventures in order to help the proliferation of the kiosk marketplace. You will find that there are many other payphone service providers that are interested in getting involved in this industry, but may want to double the number of units they could otherwise put out with their allotted capital.