opinion
is the piece that provides application
security while also serving as the layer to
communicate between external devices,
the kiosk application, and any external
processors or databases that are critical
to the functionality of the kiosk. Kiosk
system software protects user data and
keeps the system secure from hacking,
malicious data access, and disruptive
access to the operating system files or
system setup.
A kiosk primer
An introduction to the components and
considerations for your first kiosk deployment
By Laura Boniello Miller, Director of Business Development, KioWare - www.kioware.com
The pieces of a kiosk project vary greatly
across the scope and function of a
project, the functionality and purpose of
the kiosk. A kiosk project typically begins
with a goal and purpose. This goal is
met via the application or function that
the kiosk serves, and can range from a
website, application or interactive digital
signage, to more involved point of sale,
QSR or product dispensing functions.
What do you want the kiosk to do? What
customer or employee function do you
want the kiosk to serve?
Initial considerations
The physical hardware of the kiosk project
ranges from simply placing a PC or tablet
in a small unprotected location, not
22 KIOSK solutions
recommended, or a more secure kiosk
enclosure meant to protect the hardware
from theft and malicious activity. The
kiosk enclosure can help with uptime and
limit damage to the device. Depending on
the project, these enclosures will host the
external devices and components needed
to make the kiosk function.
External devices such as EMV credit
card readers, RFID and barcode readers,
scanners, and more are a third, vital part
of the kiosk project if required. These
pieces need to integrate well with both
the kiosk application and be protected
by the enclosure.
A fourth and sometimes unrecognised
component to the kiosk project is kiosk
system software. Kiosk system software
Additional considerations
These kiosk specific pieces aren’t the
only components required for a kiosk
deployment. A wireless or wired Internet
connection is necessary for any external
communication or web/browser-ba