Installation Flexibility for Outdoor Kiosks
For many self-service programs, revenue only begins once a kiosk is live. That makes installation speed critical.
Outdoor kiosk deployments rarely start at brand-new sites. Instead, many involve retrofitting existing locations where an older kiosk is being replaced.
Because of this, designing kiosks with features that can adapt to real-world site conditions becomes especially important.
In this article, we cover several design considerations that help make outdoor kiosk installations more efficient, whether the project involves retrofitting an existing location or launching a new program.
Outdoor Kiosk Conduit Flexibility
Conduits, the protective tubes that carry electrical wiring or data cables to a kiosk, are rarely positioned the same from one site to another. Kiosks that can accommodate various conduit scenarios save installers from having to make major modifications to a location.
Conduit Entry Options
Ideally, conduits run up through an opening below a kiosk. This offers protection, security, and reliability by limiting their exposure.
With that said, though, existing conduit locations don’t always line up with where a kiosk needs to sit, or the site doesn’t have an underground conduit. In cases like these, conduit knockouts, or laser cut access holes with removable cover plates, give installers the option to feed above-ground cables into a kiosk through the back or side. This prevents the need to relocate conduit or modify the concrete pad.
Tolerance for Conduit Misalignment and Curb Placement
Even when conduits can enter a kiosk from below, they rarely line up perfectly with the new kiosk’s base.
Making the access hole at the base of a kiosk as large as possible gives installers flexibility to shift it for proper placement during installation.
Increasing the access hole size can also assist a kiosk’s curb placement. Best practices recommend the front face of a kiosk is approximately 3-inches back from the edge of a curb. That distance gives vehicles clearance while still allowing users to comfortably reach the screen. Having the extra space to move a kiosk forward or back helps installers position the unit correctly at the curb without interfering with the conduit entry point.
Infrastructure Compatibility
In many deployments, kiosks must work within the constraints of current site infrastructure. That includes factors like existing concrete pads, curb conditions, and network connections.
Working With Existing Pads
Whenever possible, outdoor kiosks should mount to existing concrete pads to avoid additional site work.
Reusing a current pad can reduce installation time and cost in retrofit situations where removing and repouring concrete would be expensive and delay deployment. Kiosk designs with flexible conduit entry points and base clearances make it easier to achieve proper placement on the existing concrete.
Curb vs. Non-Curb Installations
Most drive-up kiosks are installed on a 6-inch curb. This positions a kiosk at a comfortable reach range for drivers while also providing clearance between the kiosk base and vehicle tires.
But what happens when a curb isn’t present where a kiosk is being installed? In cases like these, kiosk manufacturers may design a 6-inch base extension to raise the screens to be the right height for drivers.
Ethernet Connectivity
Ethernet is the preferred option for reliable internet connection. Wired connections are typically favored because they offer more stable connectivity and are less susceptible to signal interference than wireless networks. However, not every location is equipped to run it to their kiosks.
When Ethernet isn’t available, external Wi-Fi is the next best option for a consistent network signal. Antennas on kiosks support wireless connectivity when running cable isn’t practical.
Installation Efficiency
Designing efficiency into an outdoor kiosk is one thing, but streamlining the installation process is just as important for getting self-service technology up and running quickly.
Installation Documentation
Detailed installation guides help installers prepare a site before kiosks arrive. Packets usually include specifications, dimensions, conduit locations, and wiring guidelines.
Mounting patterns and plastic templates also frequently accompany the installation packets. The template is used to mark the correct locations for drilling anchor holes and position conduit before the kiosk arrives.
Installer-Friendly Internal Layout
Setting installers up for success means ensuring internal components can be accessed easily while network and wiring connections are organized for quick installation, troubleshooting, and future maintenance.
Pre-Configured Systems
In most deployments, outdoor kiosks are delivered with internal components already installed, wired, and configured. Screens, computing hardware, payment devices, and networking equipment are integrated before shipment so installers aren’t assembling critical components in the field.
Pre-configuring systems allows most onsite work to focus on mounting the kiosk, connecting power and network, and getting the unit online. This reduces installation time, minimizes the chance of configuration errors, and helps kiosk programs move from delivery to operation much faster.
Designing Outdoor Kiosks for Real-World Installations
In a perfect world, every outdoor kiosk would fit every environment without a hitch. In reality, conduit locations, concrete pads, curbs, networking, and other site conditions can all introduce challenges during installation.
Designing an outdoor kiosk program to accommodate different environmental scenarios will save the biggest headaches once it comes time to have them up and running in the field.