Zebra Technologies Corp. has launched the KC401 kiosk, a durable, easy-to-use in-store, self-service device for customers and frontline workers. The device is for the retail, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing industries.
The company described the device as “purpose-built to handle routine inquiries, eliminating workflow bottlenecks, reducing queue times and freeing up staff for higher-value customer and patient interactions.”
The digital kiosk features a 10-inch display and expands upon Zebra’s portfolio of self-service kiosks, mobile computers and multipurpose touchscreens.
James Poulton, senior vice president of enterprise mobile computing at Zebra Technologies, said, “As customer expectations for speed and convenience continue to grow, self-service technology serves as a defining feature of the modern store and other environments. The KC401 provides a versatile, reliable solution for organizations to deliver the seamless, intuitive self-service experiences that their frontline workers and those they serve expect.”
The launch of the KC401 is backed by research. Zebra Technologies tapped Coresight Research to identify the hurdles facing retailers and service providers. The survey showed that over 60 percent of retailers polled said that shoppers struggle to find products and navigate their stores.
“Self-service technology is rapidly becoming a defining feature of the modern in-store retail experience,” the authors of the Coresight Research report said. “Driven by rising labor costs, increasing operational complexity, and growing consumer demand for faster, more personalized interactions, these solutions are expanding beyond isolated use cases to play a central role across the store journey. Technologies such as self-checkout terminals, self-ordering kiosks, mobile scan-and-go, and smart carts are introducing customer-facing digital interfaces that create seamless touchpoints from product discovery and basket building to checkout—giving shoppers greater control at every stage.”
The research showed that just 23 percent of retailers said they have fully scaled self-service solutions across their store fleets. “However, momentum is building—80 percent of retailers plan to invest in or expand these technologies over the next 24 months,” the report noted.
For its part, the KC401 addresses the frustrations facing consumers. It provides a digital touchpoint for shoppers to access product information, such as checking prices or inventory availability. It also has the capacity for sales associates or customers to view item availability via an endless aisle experience. It also makes sales associates more effective.
The Coresight Research revealed that self-service solutions “free up the capacity of about four associates per store on average, equaling about 22 percent of front-of-store labor capacity,” the report’s authors said, adding that merchants can then “reallocate this valuable time to higher-value activities like merchandising, returns and in-store customer assistance.”
Zebra Technologies said the KC401 is designed for high-traffic environments and can withstand the rigorous daily use at retail, manufacturing, hospitality and healthcare. The company said the device features an impact-tested, scratch-resistant display. It is also sealed against dust and liquids.
The KC401 also has an optional scanner that can simplify hands-free scanning workflows, such as making price and inventory checks, customer loyalty identification and product returns. Zebra customers who are currently using the CC6000 kiosk can maintain operational continuity, the company said, since the KC401 uses the same mounting solutions and infrastructure.
