Kiosk Case Studies and Whitepapers

Wireless communications, maybe more importantly, communication protocols cannot be avoided in the self-service kiosk world. With 14 years in the kiosk business KIS has worked with them all from the legacy 3270/5250 green screens to the latest in .NET and J2EE webservices.

Wireless and non-wireless communication protocols for transmitting data to and from self-service kiosk terminals take a variety of forms. These would include:

• Wi-Fi -- comes in B or G flavor
• LEAP -- proprietary Cisco wi-fi security protocol
• WEP (64 and 128)
• Radius
• Hotspots
• Wi-MAX -- next generation wi-fi
• Bluetooth
• Broadband Ethernet
• Company Ethernet
• USB
• Firewire
• CDMA
• GPRS
• 3G
• UMTS
• GSM
• IrDA
• 800 Mhz radio networks
• 2.4 Ghz radio networks
• RFID
• MiFare
• HID
• Videoconferencing H.323
• VoIP
• SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)

An important consideration, such as effective range, needs to be fully understood. While it is true that the "typical" range of Wi-Fi is X number of feet; simple, not-so-obvious obstructions (such as the leaves of a large houseplant) can also deflect your signal and impact your communications. Having a site survey done by experienced technicians can save a lot of grief and can help to determine if higher gain antennae or range extenders can mitigate the limiting physical coverage.

Devices themselves as well as the networks themselves may have a protocol or API defined for them. For POS it started with OPOS but has since begun migrating to javaPOS. KIS for example created its own javaPOS API suite supporting scanners, card readers, proximity sensors and printers.

All of this is a bit much for most people to keep track of and to choose when and where to use them. KIS can help you make these decisions.

To assist with Wireless communications and protocols, we hope that the information above and the article excerpts below will help provide a more complete picture of wireless, self-service applications. Contact us for more information. We will be happy to assist in recommending the solution that will work best and most effectively for you.

Excerpts from article which appeared january 25, 2005 on Kioskmarketplace.

Wireless kiosks: Is it time to cut the cord?

by Lisa Kerner, contributing editor . 25 January 2005

Benefits of a wireless solution

Why go wireless? To provide "mobility and locational edge," pointed out Craig Keefner, channel manager for Kiosk Information Systems. KIS designs and manufactures indoor and outdoor kiosks, public Internet access stations and other electronic self-service terminals.

In some instances, wireless is the only option. "In areas where infrastructure is weak or non-existent (such as rural or Third World nations), normal infrastructure is not even a choice," Keefner explained.

Growth for wireless kiosk market

Keefner anticipates continued growth in the market for wireless kiosks. "All types of devices are getting the wireless component and the subsequent ability to conduct transactions locally." He cited as an example using a cell phone to pay for food at McDonald.s.

Wireless configuration

How is wireless technology being incorporated into today's kiosks? Keefner explained that the most common configuration for his company is a Wi-Fi card supporting B or G protocols. Another configuration is a Radius-enabled Wi-Fi hot spot. Either option incorporates a detached antenna mounted on the outside of the kiosk. The typical Wi-Fi kiosk offers a limited range, however, said Keefner.

Communication and wireless systems are getting more complex, said Keefner. As a result, kiosk vendors have to stay current in the various technologies. Contactless systems use a variety of protocols, such as MiFare and HID and include wireless systems and proximity readers. Voice over IP has its own industry protocols which must be supported. Other wireless components from which to select include Bluetooth, IrDA and Firewire.

Marketable wireless

Which markets are right for a wireless kiosk? According to Keefner, these would be "any market where speed of pay and convenience of pay are major factors."Quick service restaurants and vending are better markets than human resources, Keefner noted.

He also pointed out that in addition to speed and convenience, strategic positioning and repositioning of systems factor into a wireless solution. Customer survey or promotional kiosks would be strategically placed or repositioned according to need, for example.

For the full story you can visit Kioskmarketplace.com.

Visit the above links for more information on the self-service kiosk applications that KIS can assist with or request more information online.