Chrome Devices Eliminate Expensive Kiosks for Churches and Nonprofits

Chromebooks are already affecting enterprise buying habits.

In a bold move one CIO decided to install Chromeboxes in his Polaroid Photobar retail stores in lieu of other options. After buying one on a whim, George Garcia was so impressed that he decided to make it his device of choice to provide an incredible retail experience.

It was determined that the cost of the units, minimal effort to maintain, and overall user experience was worth the switch.

If Chrome devices are an attractive options for enterprise buyers, why not also for nonprofits and churches?

Well, one church has already made the move.

+Rich Birch, operations pastor at Liquid Church decided to stop buying Apple computers for his church staff (with the exception of those who required one for video and photo editing) and start issuing Chromebooks.

They'd already been using Chrome devices as information kiosks successfully. This was a natural next step that saved them thousands of dollars in technology hardware.

Image Source:http://goo.gl/UoEnWD

Use Chrome Devices For Public Terminals

One option that makes Chrome devices viable for nonprofits and churches that many people are not aware of is the ability to manage public sessions with ease. This allows anyone to use the Chrome device. When they're finished, all of their data is wiped clean for the next person.

This made me start thinking about the expensive giving and information kiosks many businesses, churches, and nonprofits invest in for their campuses and live events. Some of these kiosks cost as much as $2,500 to $5,000. That just doesn't make any sense when you can accomplish the same thing with a $250 Chromebook.

These public terminals are portable, inexpensive, and easy to set up. (Oh yeah...they can be managed from the Google Apps for Business Admin panel, too.) And when it's time to change the physical configuration of the kiosks—or even the venue—for an event, it can be done quickly without the need to move around a piece of unnecessary and bulky furniture.

Chrome Devices Offer Greater Value Than Stationary Kiosks

If you are a church or nonprofit who doesn't always meet in the same physical location, you might want to consider using Chrome devices as a public terminal for giving, event sign up, information, or simply as a way for your members or donors to surf the web for free at your location. This will save you time, headache, and money when it comes to storage, set up, and expense to maintain.

One might also think about the outreach potential a church might have by setting up a computer lab of Chromebooks where underprivileged children can come to do their homework or where adults can learn essential computer skills for better paying employment opportunities.

Chrome devices don't just provide a way to improve the delivery of technology, give the user a better computing experience, and reduce overall costs. They also provide a very palatable option to help improve the lives of the people around us, too.

Are you letting image and familiarity get in the way of making the best technology decision for your members and donors?