The Basics of a Kiosk Project

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By Stephanie Kropkowski, a former self-proclaimed kiosk dummy and current Marketing Analyst for KioWare Kiosk Software
 
In any self-service kiosk project, there are three major components needed to determine its success: the hardware, the user application, and the kiosk system software. The point of a kiosk is to interact with users, and all three components are needed in bringing users to the kiosk to accomplish its task.
 
The hardware not only entails the kiosk itself, but also its enclosure and any peripheral device used to enhance the function of the kiosk. Choosing the kiosk hardware is similar to purchasing any electronic device: first determine the function of the kiosk and then compare hardware based on price, quality, material or features. For example, if the kiosk displays highly sensitive information, features to look for would be privacy screens that black out the monitor and panels that block the screen to people standing on either side of the kiosk.

The material of a kiosk enclosure can range from metal, through wood to injection-molded plastic. Again, the function of the kiosk determines the best material. If the kiosk is located outdoors, the enclosure would have to be more rugged than a kiosk located indoors. Generally, metal kiosks are more durable and secure, wood kiosks can give a more refined look, and injection-molded plastic kiosks are great for eye-catching designs as they can be created in almost any colour.
 
In addition to the kiosk enclosure, peripherals need to be incorporated into the kiosk hardware design as well as the application or software. There are several peripherals to choose from, including security mats, proximity switches, mag stripe readers, bill/coin acceptors, barcode scanners and printers. These peripherals must be configured either into the application or kiosk system software in order to function, and should also be integrated into the enclosure for aesthetics and security. For example, printers that print sensitive information should be locked, secured, and enclosed within the kiosk. These types of printers should also utilise printer retractors and security mats, ensuring that as soon as users step away from the kiosk, the printed information is retracted back into the kiosk.
 
The second component in a kiosk project is the user application, which focuses on user interface and design. Application development is also dependent upon the purpose of the kiosk. Many deployers will have the option of deploying an existing application, such as a company website, or creating an entirely new application.

Whether the application is existing or new, it should be short and simple, as typical kiosks require the user to stand during use. Users should be able to easily navigate to the information needed within a relatively short period of time. The design of the application should also consider whether the kiosk utilises a touch screen or a trackball. If the kiosk has a touch screen, then links and buttons should be large enough for a human finger to touch. This is especially important if deployers are using an existing application where the links are currently only large enough for a computer user’s mouse to click on.
 
Many kiosk issues, such as security, idle time, maintenance and remote monitoring, can either be programmed into the kiosk application or provided by kiosk software, the third component of a kiosk project. Kiosk software runs the application in a ‘kiosk-mode’, which deters users from maliciously attacking the kiosk. Kiosk software does this by wrapping around the application, allowing users access only to the application. This prevents access to the desktop, file system and URLs not applicable to the function of the kiosk. If the kiosk includes a keyboard, the kiosk software also disables all problematic specialty keys, such as ctrl+alt+del. During idle time, kiosk software can be configured to rotate through an attract screen cycle to grab user attention. This also acts as a screen saver without opening the kiosk up to security threats.
 
In addition to kiosk security, kiosk software can offer remote monitoring features to manage multiple kiosks from a central location. Remote monitoring consists of receiving a daily update of the kiosk activity and email or text alerts when there is kiosk error, such as a printer paper jam. Other features include the ability to push content outto kiosks and the ability to upload performance statistics such as usage statistics. These metrics can help measure the performance and ROI of the kiosk.
 
There is no one component that will guarantee the success of a kiosk project. The integration of the kiosk hardware, application and kiosk system software, along with consideration of other kiosk issues such as security, performance metrics and durability, creates success in a self-service kiosk deployment.