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Are you out of "touch"?

Written by: Will Atkinson

Article Overview: Touch screen computers may seem like a novelty, but tests have shown that clerks like to use them better and they contribute to faster transaction times and better customer service.

Are you out of "touch"?

Touch screen computers have been around for what seems like a long time now, but they have become an affordable mainstream technology for small retailers.

Are they more expensive than standard monitors? Sure, they're usually about twice as expensive, but they offer many benefits. Touch technology came along and stayed because it is so intuitive. Next, software programs began to be designed with this technology in mind. Properly designed software used in conjunction with a touch screen, makes it easier for a clerk or user to learn to use the program, and it can reduce the number of "keystrokes" or "touches" required to complete a transaction.

The result is a shorter learning curve and reduced training costs, plus reduced transaction times, meaning your lines move more quickly and customer service can be improved. What's not to like about that?

Furthermore, now many manufacturers integrated other items such as the customer facing display and the credit card swipe (MSR) into the frame of the monitor, so you have a technology dense piece of equipment that is both user friendly and highly efficient.

Ask your POS provider about touch screens for your store. If he can't supply them, or the software you're using won't support them, it's time to find yourself a new POS partner.

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Article Tags: conjunction, credit card swipe, customer service, keystrokes, learning curve, long time, mainstream technology, monitors, msr, software programs, touch screen computers, touch screens, touch technology, transaction times



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