Trade / News
AVIS takes advantage of Panphonics Directional Audio
29/06/10
Face2Face kiosk has launched a self-service kiosk and a new service concept that enables personal interactive customer by connecting the company's back-office to the kiosk. The first roll out of the Face2Face kiosk will be with AVIS, one of the world's leading car rental brands. Panphonics took the challenge of developing a directional audio speaker designed according to the customer specifications of the project.
Personal service at a distance
The AVIS concept unites the back-office as an integral part of the service delivery process in the service stations. With the innovative Face2Face kiosk concept, it is possible to cover large geographical areas with optimized back-office service resources, combined with several service kiosks.
The AVIS kiosk features all functions needed for car rental, including document handling, payment, a car key safety locker and even a alco-meter.
One of the key benefits of the Face2Face kiosk concept is the ability to serve efficiently even those travelers who arrive to their destinations with the last flights. The kiosk service stations enable them to pick up the keys and process the rental documents smoothly. There is no need for local AVIS employees to be present during these late hours.
AVIS rolls out the new concept starting in Scandinavia. The first installations are in use in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Haparanda. European and US roll out is to follow Scandinavia next year.
Panphonics inside
The prime reason for using the Panphonics speaker is the directional audio property it provides. The sound from the speaker is clear with good speech intelligibility but audible only to the person being served at the kiosk.
Personal conversations at the service station remain confidential, thanks to the excellent capacity of the Panphonics directional audio. This is especially useful in open spaces with poor acoustics, such as airports, lobbies etc. An additional benefit of the Panphonics speaker is the possibility for customization. The Panphonics Sound Shower® directional speaker was modified especially for the Face2Face kiosk. In the AVIS Virtual Service Desk the AVIS logo is printed straight into the custom sized speaker frame, making the audio speaker an integrated part of the service station.
Mr. Vesa Sihvola, CEO Face2FaceKiosk.com states: "Panphonics directional audio is crucial part of the interactive concept."
Numerous possible applications
Unlike other information kiosks on the market, the Face2Face kiosk is interactive enabling a service attendant presence and communication in real time with the customer. The customer experience is very similar to that of actual live service attendant in front of them.
The concept enables efficient way of handling several frint desks from any remote location. It is largerly cost saving, it improves the overall service level and provides enhanced security to the staff as well as to customers.
The AVIS Virtual Service Desk concept is expected to be only the first one in a multitude of possible application areas. The concept can be utilized in numerous businesses, like hotel booking or theater ticket reservations.
The Face2Face concept was developed in collaboration with the University of Oulu and Luleå University of Technology.