Opportunities provided by digitalization and IoT technologies are often utilized when designing and building smart cities. By enhancing services, the goal is to improve the efficiency as well as customer-satisfaction. Even though smart phones and web services are common these days, sometimes just an app is not enough.

The amount of info screen solutions as well as LED and video wall for guiding, informing and advertising, is growing rapidly in the Finnish urban landscape. In addition to these, there are also more interactive info-kiosk and self-service solutions, where the user can choose different services as well as be communicate with the service provider. An example would be the different self-service machines.
- We have provided self-service machines for e.g. waste transfer stations, where the customers can now handle their errands quickly and easily around the clock, says Petri Järvinen, the solution expert in Elkome Systems Oy.

Self-service machines should be utilized in basic activities, so that the skills and the expertise of the personnel can be shifted to more challenging customer-service tasks. The reception terminals at public healthcare and other public services can significantly improve the processing speed and customer-satisfaction. Expenses can also be saved in the form of human resources.
- There are currently many investments and development projects to improve customer service in the area of social and healthcare services. This can also be seen from the design and manufacturing the reception terminals at Elkome, says Järvinen.

Cities being developed with info-kiosks and self-service machines are able to offer new services for its citizens cost-effectively. There can be service stations with automated machines in shopping malls and other public spaces, where residents as well as tourists can experience the services provided by the city.
- The requirements for implementing these kinds of info-kiosks and automated machines have lowered. Sometimes it is even preferred for its efficiency and convenience, Järvinen continues. Pattern recognition, user tracking and analytics provide opportunities for the development of new features. The only limit is your imagination.

Elkome Systems Oy has provided industrial system solutions for over 30 years. Now the operation has expanded to the public sector in smart cities as well as other infrastructures. Petri Järvinen showcases new info-kiosks and self-service terminals at Elkome's site in Hyvinkää.
- In device showcases the customers can find out more about our solutions and test the devices in person. On display are our most popular models, which can be customized for different needs.

Original article published on Kauppalehti in December 2019. Text and images: Juha Halonen