What is a Touchscreen Kiosk

A kiosk is an enclosure for a PC. There are many designs, a typical one looks like (fig a): Inside the kiosk are a PC, touchscreen monitor, And a UPS. All Securely locked (fig b). To use, simply touch the monitor with your finger (fig c).

fig a		fig b		fig c

Where are Touchscreen Kiosks used in public service

Wherever information needs to be given to people who do not have computer skills. While applications are endless, some examples in India are:

• Indian Railways - PNR enquiry, Seat availability and Train Schedules at Churchgate, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkatta, Gaya, many others
• Duplicate bills, payment acceptance systems- MTNL Delhi, BSNL Chennai, BSES.
• Hospitals - Escorts, Wockhardt, Vijaya - information about health care
• Mandi prices, health, land records, govt forms, passport applications, video mail - Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Bangalore Passport Office, Post Office, Umeed Khanna Foundation Sangrur
• Banks - account information - Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Bank of Punjab, Citibank, Vallabhai Cooperative Bank.
• Tourist Information - Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, Sikkim, Andamans, Kolkatta
• Museums - Sanskriti foundation, Rail Museum, National Science Centre
• Monuments - A MicroTouch touchscreen kiosk at the base of the Qutab Minar manipulates a video camera on top of the 200 ft tower

More applications can be found in pamphlets "Public Service in Touch", "Municipalities in Touch", also available at www.palas-india.com

Who sells Touchscreen Kiosks

A large number of vendors sell kiosks. Some offer complete systems, some only the software and some only the hardware. Any reputed vendor located nearby can be chosen provided the specifications and guidelines given here for software and hardware are followed.