Today, we’ll go over the importance of considering technicians when designing a keypad. Remember, it’s not just about the user!
Designing custom silicone keypads takes many considerations from many different viewpoints. Many companies are focused on the end user experience and ensuring people of all abilities can use the keypad, whether at a point of sale machine or in a hospital laboratory. And of course, these are important considerations. There’s no point in designing a keypad if the end user can’t properly use it!
But sometimes the technicians get lost in all this. They are the people who will be using the keypads the most, troubleshooting, fixing, repairing, and more. They are the ones in the field making sure devices work on a daily basis. If there’s a problem with the device itself or the keypad isn’t responding, technicians will be the ones to address those issues.
Technician-Facing Keypads
When technicians can easily use a keypad due to great design, the problem can be fixed more rapidly so the device can be back online in a jiffy. Bad designs can lead to delays on the technical side of things, which delays the progress of the end user or operator.
On top of technical issues, keypads must also be easy to clean, which is a big part of keeping keypads and their underlying devices functional. Silicone keypads are often chosen for their cleanliness factors – they have a higher level of resistance to dust, moisture and particulates, making rubber keypads especially good for outdoor use.
Operating a silicone keypad with dirty fingers every day can lead to debris filtering down into the keypad’s components. When there’s a buildup of dirt between the switch and PCB contact, the electrical switch won’t be able to complete its circuit or register the keypress.
Other Environments
There are other environments in which a good quality keypad is essential:
- Public Terminals: Keypads as part of public terminals, like card swipers, soda fountain kiosks, parking ticket dispensers and ATMs, must be durable and long lasting due to the fact that they are touched hundreds or thousands of times daily.
- High Moisture Areas: From municipal water treatment plants to marinas to water parks, these keypads must safely accommodate users with wet hands.
- Office Workers: Ergonomic features are essential in today’s modern office setting. Silicone keypads must be comfortable and ergonomic, with the ability to be integrated into large-scale applications with ease.
Contact Si-Tech
If you are a company that needs silicone keypads, it’s wise to consider the effect it will have on your technicians responsible for repairing and cleaning them. To learn more about how we can accommodate them, as well as the end user, get in touch with us today at 757-887-8488.
