Features

Our products are shipped with features that will enhance the customer experience of your kiosk network. Additionally, our feature list is updated with every new release to better meet your company's growing needs. Use the dropdowns below to filter by product, and discover our robust features ranging in categories from blocking and security to management and reporting.

Blocking & Security

  • Restricted Browser Access

    For applications that have links to other sites, KioWare can be configured to block or allow domain navigation from an unlimited list of domains. When a domain is blocked, an optional dialog box can be displayed to the user with a custom message. For a given domain, KioWare can also allow or deny access to an unlimited number of individual pages. When a page is blocked, an optional dialog box can be displayed to the user with a custom message.

  • File Download Blocking

    In instances where Internet Explorer doesn't recognize a file and would normally display a dialog box to the user asking whether to download and either open or save the file, KioWare can prevent the dialog box from being displayed and also prevent the file from being downloaded.

  • Dialog Blocking

    KioWare can prevent the display of dialog boxes and windows. KioWare ships with a list of blocked dialogs/windows and additional entries can be manually entered. If you are connected to the internet, you can update your default list from our website.

  • Keyboard Filtering

    For applications that have a physical keyboard available to the user, it is important to be able to lock out certain keystrokes. In particular, Ctrl-Alt-Del is critical to lock out. In addition, Function keys, Esc, Alt, Ctrl, Start Menu, Windows, Del, Ins, Arrows, PgUp, PgDn, and Print Screen can be locked out using KioWare.

  • Desktop/OS Lockdown

    KioWare prevents the user from accessing the Windows, Android & Chrome OS desktops. It does this by removing all menu and window functions from the web browser window. All that is displayed to the user is the content window. A special mouse/touchscreen sequence, plus a password, is required to exit from KioWare back to the desktop.

  • Start on Boot

    KioWare can replace the default OS Shell. By doing so, your application will boot and run much faster, and your computer will be much more secure because the standard Windows desktop can never be displayed to the user.

  • Basic Authentication

    Basic Auth (or Basic access authentication) is a widely used protocol for simple username/password authentication. With support for Basic Authentication, KioWare allows kiosks to be configured to allow for end users to log in via Basic Auth credentials. This feature is native to KioWare for Android and KioWare for Windows. KioWare Classic for Windows provides this feature via the use of an Addin.

  • Single/Multi App Mode

    Single/Multi App Mode lets you "allow" one or more applications to be active and visible. This enables your device to function as a purposed device allowing access to only the selected application(s).

  • Limit/Allow Applications

    KioWare allows you to control which popups appear and can also open allowed popup windows in new tabs for tabbed browsing.

  • Browser Lockdown

    KioWare prevents the user from accessing any web browser menus.

  • Pop-up Window Control

    In certain applications, it is desirable to prevent a popup window from being displayed. KioWare can easily be configured to prevent popup windows. When a popup is blocked, an optional dialog box can be displayed to the user with a custom message. Furthermore, to prevent runaway popups from crashing your application, KioWare can control how many popups can be displayed, and how many levels of popups can be displayed (i.e. how many parent/child generations).

  • Software Watchdog

    For applications where reliability is critical, KioWare has software watchdog capabilities. The software watchdog constantly watches the health of the KioWare executable and restarts the KioWare executable when necessary.

External Device Integration

  • KioCall HD Video Conferencing

    Support for KioCall allows kiosk deployers to set a “call” option for kiosk users to contact a live person, allowing for video chat or video conferencing with a preset caller on the other end. This can be used to centralize reception, customer service, human resources, medical professionals, and other instances in which a video conversation could solve a problem and/or consolidate resources.

  • Barcode Scanners

    For applications that need a clever means of passing barcode data to their application, KioWare can be configured to listen to an input device, and when data are received pass that data along to a specified URL for processing. This eliminates the need to write complicated code interfacing the scanner to your application.

  • Magstripe Readers

    Magnetic stripe readers are a valuable method of collecting relevant information from an input device to a specified URL for processing. While EMV devices are the newer and more secure alternative, identification cards still commonly use magstripes to store information.

  • EMV Compliant Chip Devices

    EMV certified payment terminals are now required on kiosks, and require payment gateways/processors to be certified with specified payment terminals. KioWare supports a wide variety of EMV certified credit card gateways/processors and payment terminals.

  • RFID/NFC Devices

    Like Barcode Reader Support & Magstripe Reader Support, input devices like RFID devices can be used to communicate information from the device to your application as well as write data to the RFID tag.

  • Multiple Monitors

    To maximize branding or for digital signage applications, KioWare can display scriptable content on a second monitor.

  • Bill Recyclers/Card Dispensers

    KioWare supports bill acceptors/dispensers, bill recyclers and card dispensers. This eliminates the need to write complicated code interfacing the devices to your application.

  • Flatbed Scanners

    Support for a variety of flatbed scanners (listed in the TwainDotNet library).

  • Chromecast

    KioWare for Android has the ability to port content using Google's Chromecast. This feature allows for simple configuration of digital signage for use with your kiosk.

  • Security Mats/Proximity Switches

    Where user privacy is most critical, it is important to know when a user has arrived at the kiosk and also when they have left. KioWare can easily be configured to use a security mat or proximity switch to initiate the user session and more importantly to end a user session, including running an optional logoff script. When a user trips the security mat or proximity switch, KioWare exits attract screen mode (if used), and when the user leaves the security mat or proximity switch, then KioWare runs a logoff script (if one is defined), optionally clears cookies and cache, and enters attract screen mode (if used).

User Interface

  • Custom Toolbar Skins

    For applications that have links to other sites, KioWare can be configured to block or allow domain navigation from an unlimited list of domains. When a domain is blocked, an optional dialog box can be displayed to the user with a custom message. For a given domain, KioWare can also allow or deny access to an unlimited number of individual pages. When a page is blocked, an optional dialog box can be displayed to the user with a custom message.

  • Docked Browsers

    You can now set up multiple browsers in your kiosk with the Docked Browser Editor. Browsers can be positioned, sized, and set to “display only” or to “allow user interaction”. Docked browsers allow your kiosks to display useful information at all times, while still providing users with the interactivity needed for the function and purpose of the kiosk. Standard uses include: display current weather, digital signage/advertising promotion, scores, and more.

  • Virtual Keyboard

    KioWare can automatically trap browser errors, redirect to an error handling script, and pass along the error number and filename for comprehensive error handling.

  • Tabbed Browsing

    The Chrome browser allows users to open new websites within an open browser, as a new “tab” rather than as a new window entirely. This tabbed browsing option is now available to end users via KioWare and tabbed browsing can be allowed by default, allowed for only specified pages, or not allowed at all.

  • Native PDF Viewing

    KioWare can be configured to allow users to open PDFs from allowed websites or applications. This native PDF viewing feature provides a secure way to access PDF documents without providing open access to downloads or operating system files. This feature is native to KioWare for Android and KioWare for Windows. KioWare Classic for Windows provides this feature via a browser plug-in.

User Data Management

  • Clear Private Browsing Data

    For applications that have links to other sites, KioWare can be configured to block or allow domain navigation from an unlimited list of domains. When a domain is blocked, an optional dialog box can be displayed to the user with a custom message. For a given domain, KioWare can also allow or deny access to an unlimited number of individual pages. When a page is blocked, an optional dialog box can be displayed to the user with a custom message.

  • Integrated Browser Error Handling

    KioWare can automatically trap browser errors, redirect to an error handling script, and pass along the error number and filename for comprehensive error handling.

  • Attract Screen Management

    Often times, a kiosk is designed to have multiple graphical screens that cycle to try and attract the attention of a passerby. KioWare can easily be configured to display an unlimited number of attract screens. The length of idle time before the attract screens initiate, as well as the time each attract screen displays, is configurable. Furthermore, each attract screen can have its own entry point into your application. This is especially useful for advertising applications where each attract screen is an advertisement and clicking the ad loads pages applicable to that ad.

  • User Session Management

    Often times, it is best to warn a user that they have been idle too long and are about to be reset into attract screen mode. In these cases, KioWare can display a warning dialog box for a defined number of seconds before reset (e.g. 15 seconds), as well as optionally beep every second for the last defined number of seconds before reset (e.g. 3 seconds).

  • Automatically Run Logoff Script

    In kiosk applications that require a user to log on, it is very important that the user gets logged off when the session ends. KioWare can be configured to run a logoff script prior to entering attract screen mode, so that you can be certain the prior user was properly logged off.

  • Browser Resetting

    It is very important for an application to reset back to the home page after a certain period of inactivity. Ideally, the application displays a series of attract screens during periods of inactivity. When a user touches the screen or moves the mouse, the application exits the attract screen loop and displays the start page.

Management & Reporting

  • Remote Content Updating

    For kiosks that store content locally, KioWare has the ability to manage the remote updating of that content. KioWare Server/KioCloud resides on a centralized server and manages group content using revision control. New files will automatically be downloaded to the specified kiosks.

  • Remote Monitoring

    In many kiosk deployments, it is important to know whether individual kiosks are running and their current health. KioWare can send up event logs and monitored data on devices in the kiosk that will trigger automated actions from KioWare Server/KioCloud.

  • Remote Configuration

    KioWare has extensive configuration capabilities, and KioWare has two ways to update its configuration. KioWare can be configured to download a file from a central location on a specified interval and at start up, or KioWare Server/KioCloud can automatically send a new configuration file to KioWare. Large deployment configurations can be easily changed with KioWare.

  • Store Custom Data

    The addition of ad hoc data structures is useful for storing custom data about each kiosk (e.g. hardware, location, contact info).

  • Server Side Kiosk Management

    Manage, maintain, and monitor multiple kiosks from a central server. Through the Server console, kiosk devices can be monitored, errors can be received and communicated, server commands sent to kiosks (ex, reboot or restart KioWare), reports can be generated, and kiosks, groups, and sites can be organized.

  • Flexible User Accounts

    It is very easy to create users that have full or limited access, controlling what your kiosk administrators can access and/or change. Completely flexible user accounts, roles, and permissions control user abilities at a functional level.

  • Ad Hoc Grouping of Kiosks

    This feature enables an unlimited number of groups and subgroups to be created. For instance, a organization may have its kiosk groups organized by geography for easy categorization. An organization can also create groups based on kiosk function or performance, such as high-performing versus low-performing stores or urban versus suburban stores, and then push out different content based on those groups. Kiosks can be members of as many groups as makes sense based on your management plan. For example, some reports may be most useful based on geographical groups, and other may be more useful based on kiosk function or performance.

  • Server Side Analytics

    KioWare has the capability to take usage statistics one step beyond standard web traffic reporting programs. Since KioWare doesn't display information contained in the HTML title tags, we log not only URL data, but also title tag data. This enables the application to be designed so that readable log information is stored. Rather than an incomprehensible URL, a straightforward description of the page can be stored in the title tag. Page and session statistics can be displayed for an individual kiosk, or all the kiosks in a group or site. In addition a report that tracks the most common paths users take through your application can provide enlightening data.

  • Upload Usage Statistics

    KioWare has the ability to store usage history. Not only do we log the URL of each page loaded, but we also log the title. Because KioWare does not display the title to the user, the title can be used to make the analysis of the usage logs more meaningful. These logs can be uploaded on a daily basis to the KioWare Server where they are reduced and available for reporting using the KioWare Server administration tool.

KioWare Customization

  • Addins

    KioWare’s architecture enables 3rd parties to integrate functionality directly into KioWare. Perhaps you have a proprietary device you wish KioWare to monitor and manage. Creating an Addin enables that to happen. Or perhaps, KioWare is missing functionality you really need for your project, and you don’t want to wait until we ship a new version with that functionality. An Addin can be created to temporarily add that functionality to KioWare until it becomes a regular KioWare feature. Or perhaps, it is a unique feature that will likely never get added to KioWare. An Addin can be created to permanently add that feature to your KioWare.

  • API Library

    While KioWare is configurable using the KioWare Configuration Tool and does not require any programming or scripting, KioWare has a full API for when you wish to change KioWare’s configuration on-the-fly programmatically. Also, KioWare managed devices used by the kiosk application are accessed via the KioWare API.