Tuesday 11 October 2011

Insights about Self-service Kiosk


Another trend of technology which eases the human interaction with regards to the transaction especially in the business industry becomes more and more prevalent.  Self-service kiosk to some provides effective and efficient way of transaction in every corner of the business, to others it is a bane. In other countries, self-service kiosk industry is growing fast, widely used in hotels, grocery, retail chains and airports. But is the kiosk really increasing efficiency of consumers? Is the kiosk a bane or a boon?

Since it is widely known and use in many countries, they see the kiosk as a boon to them. For example, a kiosk replaces the front desk at the hotel. You can check in for yourself right away without having any interaction with the front desk attendant of the said hotel. And check out right away if you want to by yourself. However, studies show that most consumer still not convinced with the kiosk as a replacement for the front desk hotel attendant. Self-service kiosk is not a substitute for a service. People want to interact with the front desk clerk at the hotel, said Henry H. Harteveldt, VP and principal analyst of airline and travel research for Forrester Research. “They might have questions about the property. … They may have questions about their trip. The kiosk doesn’t replace that human touch for check in.”

There are some incident illustrates the reasons why some both love and hate self-service kiosks: When they work as planned, they are a happy convenience. When they don't work, they become the focal point for all that is wrong with customer service. Like in paying bills, they are very particular with the type of money. Kiosks are very choosy in money aside from that it doesn’t give you a change. However, we cannot deny that not all transaction can be done by this machine; there are transactions that need human interaction. And that real service from human is a lot different from the service given by the machine. Using kiosk will eliminate number of employees in a certain company.  No matter how we used this technology, it will sometimes be down.

For me, it is really not a just a bane or boon, whatever it is. I personally consider these both. In IT industry, it is a trend and another technology that we could look forward to, if it will be used widely here in the Philippines. But the saddest part is number of employees will loose their job. However, the reliability of real service cannot be replaced by this machine. Since we are surrounded by a fast and furious changing world of technology, one day, the whole business industry will be technology driven and do not need some human intervention. Aside from considering this as a pros and cons, let us try to realize that if this machine can actually do what human can do, still we humans are gifted with brilliant mind to think on what is right. If it could give us burden then we shall see another alternative to put into.

Monday 10 October 2011

Reaction on Free Texts to hurt carrier's bottom line


With the implementation of this new trend, the most advantages of this would be at the consumer’s side.  However, the downside is that all the carriers like smart, globe, sun, etc. will be useless. Apart from that, sending text messages is the highest form of income to all the carriers. They make most of the money in services, thinking that millions and billions of people a day are using text messages, not considering the call. If this happens, it badly hurts the bottom line of all the carriers.

What will happen then? In my own opinion, for the consumers it really helps a lot. You don’t have to spend a lot of money for having a load. Just send and send and receive messages at all. No worries as long as both your phones are compatible in receiving messages, that’s it! For the producers of different phone models, it is an added profit to them. Why? Because if this free text will be implemented in the Philippines, cell phone producers makes a lot of phones that would be compatible to all phones to avail this free texts. However, if it does not require any connectivity like Bluetooth, cell phone units nowadays would still be in use. But we do not know yet.

For the carriers, it did really hit their bottom line. Not only millions, but billions will be put into nothing. Part of the changing trend of technology, so they must be flexible in whatever trend came in to. If there are new trends came in, they have to go with the flow, since most of the time advantages and disadvantages takes place even if it will be implemented or not.

For the students, wohoa..What a great surprise! No more expenses for load. No more worries! For the companies that mostly use cell phones for their means of communication, it would be a great help too. And to everybody in general, we can’t deny that it did really help a lot and the bottom line is, IT HURTS!.


Thursday 6 October 2011

5 Trends to Watch in 2011

As what I understand with the article, they mainly state the meticulous budgeting and economizing technology to watch in this year 2011. Companies and CEO's are focusing mainly on the customer-facing and low cost devices that saves money, the cost, productivity, innovation and speed, effectively and efficiency of the product. Most of them are expecting to spend a lower percent of revenue. Yes, the recession is transformational since there is a widespread drop in spending. Most IT shops are vigilantly manage flat budgets that could reduce the costs. As technology evolves faster than the year 2008 and many of the IT companies now are trending with different product, the competition becomes closer and even tighter to all companies. 
 
With the coming of different devices such as laptops, smart phones and here comes the tablets, people are more prone to buy especially those employee who work on their busy schedule. Technologies transform everything, the way we work, communicate and even exploring every bit of information is just a click away.

This trend could be very helpful to us to change our lifestyle a bit, not to give us more harm especially in our environment. I'm not pretty sure what I am trying to imply in here, because I doubt with my statement. I don't understand what would be the best reaction I could give. I hope this could give a little though. Hehehe!

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Go Green! Green PC..Green Computing

Environmentally awareness and saving energy in using your computer was the main concept of Green PC. Reducing environmental impact and using the computer in an efficient manner has come in the new trend of Green PC, Green Computing advocacy. Computers and related equipment have been blamed for causing as much global warming which we experienced nowadays. Now this new Green PC can help us reduce the cause of global warming and is very Eco-friendly. Green technology focuses on reducing the environmental impact of industrial processes and innovative technologies caused by the Earth’s growing population. With its goal to provide society's need in ways that do not damage or deplete our natural resources.

I know that not everyone can afford to buy this green PC but there are some ways to go green with your computer while you're not spending much money just to change your lifestyle in going green. A few changes with your time sitting down in front of your computer can go along way to help reduce the consumption of energy and the impact to the environment. Doing your part is a big help for the environment in conserving energy.

For me, ill go with the green. Not just because I'm an avid fan and addicted to "green" but because this is just one way to help save our precious planet. I just really love GREEN, that's it! We, humans are the main cause of this phenomenon happening around us and we are also responsible of taking care of our environment. Recycling products and reducing pollution is a big benefit to us and to our planet.