Help us build a robot Janine! - Virtual Receptionist Software Needed
November 5, 2010 1:44 PM Subscribe
We're redecorating our office and removing our reception desk (as we no longer have a receptionist), but we'd like to replace it with an automated yet fun (green screen! maybe!) system.
Here's how we'd like it to work
1) user steps up to kiosk, identifies who they are here to see, then selects a background for their photo
2) user poses for picture. Kiosk emails "__ is here for you" to the person they typed in (including picture), and simultaneously printing out the photo as a souvenir for the person.
3) photos + names are kept in a database, or stored on a server, or something.
Is there a one-stop solution software product or hardware product for this that isn't ridiculously cost prohibitive? Bonus points if it runs on windows.
Here's how we'd like it to work
1) user steps up to kiosk, identifies who they are here to see, then selects a background for their photo
2) user poses for picture. Kiosk emails "__ is here for you" to the person they typed in (including picture), and simultaneously printing out the photo as a souvenir for the person.
3) photos + names are kept in a database, or stored on a server, or something.
Is there a one-stop solution software product or hardware product for this that isn't ridiculously cost prohibitive? Bonus points if it runs on windows.
Depending on your location you may want to have a tick box where people can opt in (or opt out depending on your ethical point of view) from being retained in the database.
It would be great if this could be done using a user friendly touch screen.
Not much more help, sorry
posted by london302 at 2:02 PM on November 5, 2010
It would be great if this could be done using a user friendly touch screen.
Not much more help, sorry
posted by london302 at 2:02 PM on November 5, 2010
Response by poster: Yes of course, i shoudlve mentioned that as a feature we'd like to have.
Yes for touch-screen as well.
posted by softlord at 2:09 PM on November 5, 2010
Yes for touch-screen as well.
posted by softlord at 2:09 PM on November 5, 2010
What type of business? (Thinking about similar science museum exhibits...) If it is high traffic you might run into long term functionality issues. What happens when the system is down? What happens if the system/station goes down and no one notices? Is there a backup plan? Is this a business that has a lot of younger/curious/mischievous clientele? Better make it pretty robust then. Is it a business that will have older and/or techno-adverse clientele? Better provide a different option other than the fancy touch screen.
Finally, not only should you provide an option not to have the photo taken, but a clear opt-in option to allow for photo storage.
It sounds like kind of a neat idea, a live human being will be able to handle a wider array of situations though.
Good luck
posted by edgeways at 2:24 PM on November 5, 2010
Finally, not only should you provide an option not to have the photo taken, but a clear opt-in option to allow for photo storage.
It sounds like kind of a neat idea, a live human being will be able to handle a wider array of situations though.
Good luck
posted by edgeways at 2:24 PM on November 5, 2010
I can see how it might be done behind the scenes, technically. I know somebody who could definitely do it. I doubt there is existing software that does just what you want, without integrating some extra bits.
What is ridiculously cost-prohibitive for you? Over a thousand? Over five thousand? Which currency unit? Etc. :-)
(I worked for a company before that had visitors select the type of drink they wanted, but no photos :-))
posted by circular at 2:28 PM on November 5, 2010
What is ridiculously cost-prohibitive for you? Over a thousand? Over five thousand? Which currency unit? Etc. :-)
(I worked for a company before that had visitors select the type of drink they wanted, but no photos :-))
posted by circular at 2:28 PM on November 5, 2010
Response by poster: @edgeways: low traffic. its a PR firm but we often have clients and visitors coming in, and we're trying to encourage a fun environment when they do.
@circular can't imagine we'd want to spend over a few hundred.
posted by softlord at 11:15 AM on November 8, 2010
@circular can't imagine we'd want to spend over a few hundred.
posted by softlord at 11:15 AM on November 8, 2010
You've said you want to do this, and so I'm not sure whether this is usefully responsive or just one Mefite's irrelevant opinion – I suppose the admins will delete it if the latter. But I cannot tell you just how much this system you propose would creep me out/tick me off as a visitor to your office. I'd give some serious thought to the backlash of this "fun" idea.
posted by Fizzgig at 9:31 PM on November 8, 2010
posted by Fizzgig at 9:31 PM on November 8, 2010
Response by poster: @Fizzgig: The photo thing could be optional i suppose. The point is we'd like to have the option.
posted by softlord at 7:21 AM on November 10, 2010
posted by softlord at 7:21 AM on November 10, 2010
Visit www.videoreceptionist.com for information on a automated lobby receptionist system that does much of what you are looking for, including: touchscreen interface, 2-way communications between the visitor and employees, motion sensor to detect a visitor in the lobby and much more.
Good Luck!
posted by AIS at 10:32 AM on January 14, 2011
Good Luck!
posted by AIS at 10:32 AM on January 14, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Otherwise this sounds REALLY cool. I'm so tired of working in civil service. We never get to do anything fun.
posted by elsietheeel at 1:47 PM on November 5, 2010