iKiosks
iKiosks are a digital Network which utilise touch screens to provide access for Citizen and others to interact and transact. The outdoor iKiosk units are unique in Europe and represent stunning street furniture design, compliance to the Disability Discrimination Act together with practical information and innovative functions.
A previous successful Scottish Executive bid for accessible Public terminals providing transport and travel information developed into a wider scope of public information covering Council and strategic partner services. None the less working, with Traveline Scotland and Transport Scotland (Scottish Executive’s new transport authority in Scotland), a first class journey planner will be available and later a Voice Over call will integrate with their contact centre. Grampian Police are also now re-thinking the use of this new technology for their emergency and non-emergency calls.
The iKiosk strategy aligns with Aberdeen Council’s Customer Access Point (CAP) Programme extending the principle of choice, ease and convenience for citizens and customers to access services when, where and how they wish.
This strategy encompasses the 'New Media' strategy of the Scottish Executive as laid out in Open Scotland Information Age Framework (OSIAF) statements. This was endorsed by Scottish Local Authorities COSLA & SOLACE and had signatories from all Scottish Chief Executives.
On 14 December 2005 Council approved a prioritised list of locations for the first phase of the iKio
sks Network. Dependent on location, the Network provides access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Council also awarded the contract to Public Data Web Ltd of Sheffield to design, build and install the Network and provide a Managed Service for five years.
The iKiosk Civil Works programme of 'Everything Below the Ground' commenced on 13 March 2006 culminating in 'Everything Above the Ground', including commissioning and launching of the Network by the 'Go-Live' date of 11 May 2006. All four city centre locations are:
- School Hill (Next to Aberdeen Art Gallery)
- St Nicolas Concourse
- Castlegate
- Music Hall and;
- Two indoor locations: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and The Robert Gordon University’s new Sports Complex will be fully commissioned by 27 May 2006.
The Torry Library Neighbourhood location, because of additional Civil Works, will go 'live' in mid August. A local Primary School Head has taken a pro-active view and wishes pupils to be briefed on iKiosks. The School’s pupils will help in suggesting a name for the Ativar (Artificial Intelligent Advisor) function on the Kiosk. This will help stimulate community ownership and reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour towards the iKiosks.
Communication with various internal and external groups was critical. A Co-ordinated approach right up to the 'Go-Live' day was employed. A flow of information was made available on the Council’s Intranet and Internet sites. Up-date sessions were delivered to Councillors, Community Councils and the following advisory groups:
- Disability Forum
- Civic Forum and;
- City Centre Traders Association
Features such as 'TextTalk', free eMail and Video Mail attachment, screen resize and language options were highlighted at these group meetings.
The iKiosk programme and contract with Public Data Web of Sheffield provides Aberdeen City Council an opportunity to accelerate, in this particularly Electronic Service Delivery channel, and comply to eGovernment standards with on-line forms and full integration to relevant back-end systems.
Credit and Debit Card readers are standard at all Kiosks allowing the possibility of making payments for Council Tax, Rents, Parking Fines, Educational Courses, and many other sundries service items such as Special-Uplifts and Environmental Pest Control.
The iKiosk are effectively a 'Virtual Front-End Office'.
The iKiosk design, as standard, also provides a WiFi opportunity and maps around the City. This would allow citizens, tourists, Council and partner employees to access information, interact and transact utilising mobile hand-held devices.
Development of the iKiosk Network is a demonstration of the philosophy of the eGovernment Programme 
where not only can the citizen exercise the opportunity for 'self-service', but also the efficiency release to Council is realisable in terms of time-management and budget-savings without diluting the quality of the service.
Aberdeen Council is looking at a further 18-20 iKiosk locations around the City, particularly in the communities to bridge the 'digital divide'. This further expansion of the Network will be based on income generated through electronic advertising within the iKiosk Network, based on citizen/customer profiling.
| Contact |
| Donald Callum |
