School Tablets and Other Essential Hardware for Your Campus
In the digital age, technology has never been more vital in the day-to-day lives of students. This is in part due to the pandemic, which forced schools at all levels to take learning online. However, as the fall semester nears and even as vaccinations rise, it seems that some aspects of virtual learning won’t be going away any time soon.
According to a recent Gartner survey, 82 percent of chief financial officers plan to increase investment in digital capabilities in the fiscal year 2021 compared to 2020, and 70 percent intend to increase their spending on information technology. In simpler terms, schools everywhere are allocating large amounts of their budgets on school tablets and other hardware to enhance education and improve operations.
While going back to school this semester will look different for campuses across America, they are sure to have one thing in common: technology. Here are some of the technology essentials that your school must invest in for a successful academic year.
Tablet Takeover
School tablets are a key hardware to have available to your staff and students. Not only can tablets be used in your cafeteria for better, faster service, but they can also support other areas of your campus.
For example, tablets can be utilized for sporting events and other large events that require payment. Whether it be at the ticket booth or concession stand, tablets will enable smooth transactions by students and visitors, helping to bust lines and keep crowds to a minimum. Look for tablets that offer various payment options, such as digital payments, credit cards, or school-loaded payment cards. This will ensure that your staff have the flexibility they need to perform functions without compromising on how they take payments.
It’s important to note that your tablets should be ruggedized; school environments are not the most forgiving, so you need to make sure your investment is protected. Built to withstand the harshest environments, durable tablets will prove essential during outdoor events, where weather and unexpected accidents are factors. Swappable power makes for an even more reliable tool, so staff never have to worry about downtime.
Kiosks on Demand
In addition to school tablets, kiosks offer a variety of benefits and opportunities for displaying important information. From K-12 to college universities, schools can leverage kiosks to display information such as:
- Campus Navigation: This functionality will prove useful for events such as parent-teacher conferences, orientation, and other events in which students and visitors may need guidance
- Announcements: Kiosks are an excellent way to display school-wide announcements and advertise for events such as games, club activities, and more
- Sponsorships: Kiosks are great sponsorship opportunities that schools should leverage. Just as kiosks can display announcements, they can also be used to display partnerships with alumni and local businesses
Kiosks can also be used as self-ordering stations in cafeterias and other locations on campus. This can help relieve pressures caused by low staffing or just make the lives of existing staff easier. Kiosks can also serve as a check-in station for larger events, able to scan IDs, tickets, and more. All in all, this multi-purpose solution can be integrated in many ways that will streamline your entire campus environment.
All-in-One Systems
No two schools are exactly the same and varied applications, budgets, and environments call for the very best touchscreen POS options. While school tablets are an excellent addition to student life, you may also want to consider implementing all-in-one (AIO) systems. Whether you have an AIO system implemented in one of your eating facilities or you need one for your campus store, the best hardware will deliver superior customer service.
With an AIO system, you’ll get everything you need, all in one package. With a superior POS system, you’ll enable your staff to decrease transaction times, improve customer service, and give a positive boost to the customer experiences you deliver. By saving on the money and energy you would have wasted hunting down must-have accessories, you can focus your attention on making your school a better place.
Everyone knows that schools are institutions for growth and innovation; technology plays an important role in maintaining that status. Parents, students, and faculty will expect their schools to keep up with the latest technologies to provide the best education. For this reason, it’s essential to equip your school with additional hardware, from school tablets to kiosks and all-in-one systems. In short, the more technology support you have for campus, staff, and students, the better.
A large contributor to the success of implementing new technology is the provider you choose. It’s important to partner with a hardware provider who not only has superior solutions, but who also can meet the unique needs of your school environment. Touch Dynamic has over 20 years of experience in providing solutions, whether it’s to run a school store, dining hall, or campus activities. Make sure your students are set up for success this school year by contacting our team of experts today.
