operating systems
embraced and sought the B2B market
for decades, and has an abundance of
IT support to show for it. Android falls in
the middle. Still, iOS has shifted gears and
may become more of a player for future
B2B deployments as a result. The Kindle
sits firmly in a B2C market, but seems to
appeal to those B2B deployments driven
by cost.
Ruggedised options
Since there are numerous Android
and Windows tablet manufacturers, there
are also a number of niches identified for
particular needs and feature sets within
the Android and Windows marketplace.
One example is a ruggedised tablet.
Certain manufacturers specialise in
ruggedised devices made for use in
manufacturing, construction, or other
verticals in which sensitive tablets tend to
self-destruct.
4
Nonstandard sizing
Some deployments require large
screen tablet options, a solution which is
limited, currently, to a 12.9in maximum
screen in iOS. Android and Windows
tablets come in several size options,
including the Samsung Galaxy View
(18.4in), Lenovo’s IdeaPad (14in) and
there are options available in 22in from
Dell and several other manufacturers.
5
Application availability
Depending on the customer’s needs,
the application and intended usage will
often narrow down the options. Many
apps are only available in iOS, while
others are available as browser based
applications – useful on any operating
system. Typically, the availability of the
application will significantly impact OS
options.
6
Selecting an OS is Project
Specific
The choice of operating system must
be considered project specific, with few
hard and fast ‘winners’ in the space.
7
According to those manufacturers and
kiosk providers most directly impacted by
the customer’s choice of OS, the decision
is largely individualised based on each
specific project and requirement.
The Enclosure & Hardware
John Lamb, CMO at Elo believes that
intended usage should drive the choice
of OS. Elo’s touchscreens can run
either Windows or Android operating
systems. “Typically, we look at what our
customers are trying to accomplish and
what software they are already using. We
make OS recommendations based on the
requirements of our customer’s software
and the demands of the project, selecting
the OS that makes the most sense for
each deployment.” If the app that is
meant to be secured is an Android app,
the choice is easy. If it’s a browser-based
application, the options are more varied.
When it comes to hardware
enclosures, there are a number of options
out there depending on the operating
system and project being considered.
Some, like Bouncepad tablet enclosures
focus on supporting specific tablets from
all operating systems. They support iOS,
Samsung, and Surface tablets out of the
box, with custom options available. Tablet
stands, countertop enclosures, and wall
mounts are available with a low profile
and few peripherals (mainly for POS).
Others, like Olea Kiosks, offer some
tablet design and manufacturing, almost
exclusively in volume, and tend to focus
on more robust kiosk deployments than
on tablet stands. According to Frank Olea,
CEO, Olea Kiosks, “Olea typically finds that
we deploy Windows OS devices because
corporations are generally more in tune
with Windows products and the support
structure. In short, IT departments know
– and can support – Windows.” Olea adds,
“There has, however, been an uptick in
requests for Android and iOS”.
Project Peripherals and Security
Peripherals also matter. Much like at
Elo, what the deployment looks like can
significantly influence OS choice. Some
external devices (card readers, security
mats, barcode readers, etc) are supported
only by Windows, while others only run
on iOS or Android. Peripherals can often
make the choice of OS easier, limiting
options to those operating systems that
are already supported.
Ultimately, lockdown and security
must also be a strong consideration. The
Amazon Kindle has entered the field as a
preferred device for some deployments,
primarily due to the low cost. However,
there are security limitations to the
Kindle and because of those limitations,
it’s not recommended for a typical self-
service deployment, though there are
instances where it can be an appropriate
solution.
On the other hand, Samsung offers
developers access to specific device
controls via Samsung’s KNOX defence-
grade security platform. This access to
Samsung devices allows KioWare for
Android to provide additional lockdown
functionality not possible via other
Android manufacturers or non-Android
operating systems. For example, using
KioWare’s Samsung KNOX support app,
the device can be remotely rebooted or
remotely wiped. KioWare can also restrict
access to the home button, volume
buttons, and the physical power button.
This additional functionality and security
provides the ability to completely secure
a Samsung device for a seamless kiosk
deployment, providing extra incentive for
customers to select a Samsung tablet for
B2B kiosk deployments.
When selecting an operating system
and tablet for business-to-business kiosk
deployments, project specs, security,
price, and peripherals will largely influence
which operating system is needed and
which tablet offers the best solution. No
two projects are the same, and each kiosk
deployment will place a different value on
the various pros and cons of each OS and
tablet brand. n
KIOSK solutions 27