information kiosks
should depend on the type of information
you intend to share. Usually, this can
be broken down into a few different
purposes for an information kiosk:
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Promotions and advertisements
Wayfinding
Personal information
General information (such as the
information you might see at a park).
The problem could be as a simple
as wanting the locals to stop feeding
the ducks at the park and placing an
outdoor kiosk that explains the dangers
of feeding wild animals. An information
kiosk is simply that, a type of interactive
technology that’s meant to inform and
entice. Which brings us to the next
question: what kiosk model type are you
looking for?
• Indoor or outdoor
• Freestanding or wall-mounted
• Large screen or small screen
Deciding these factors can really help
single out the specific hardware that best
fits your needs. Another consideration
would include the add-ons you require
for your project. What you need added on
will affect the options for kiosk hardware.
For example, specific features such as
printers might only be available with
certain kiosk models. Make a list of what
you require to single out the models
you can choose from. Here are some
examples of common add-ons used on
information kiosks:
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•
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•
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•
Barcode scanner
Laser printer
Label printer
Privacy screen
Full page flatbed scanner
Magnetic strip / credit card reader
VoIP phone handset
Wheels
is why it can be difficult to pin down
a single solution. Kiosk software is
designed to provide specific solutions
such as:
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•
•
•
•
Kiosk management
Events and calendar management
Queuing
Building directory (maps)
Remote access support
Deciding what you want the kiosk to
do, and show to viewers, will make it easy
to choose what software solutions you
require. Information kiosks are placed in
zoos, parks, museums, doctor’s offices,
manufacturing facilities, employee break
rooms, retail stores, trade shows, federal
agencies, malls, airports and cafeterias
etc. Any place where information needs
to be shared to improve efficiency is
a place where an information kiosk
belongs. n
What software will you need?
Information is such a broad topic, which
KIOSK solutions 19