Browser
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Chrome Browser
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Displays your site or application using the Chromium Browser Engine. This is the same Browser Engine used by Chrome™. |
Internet Explorer Browser
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Displays your site using the Internet Explorer browser engine. |
Android Webview
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Webkit or Chrome, depending on OS. Displays your website or application using one of the following browser engines: Android 5.0 uses a Chrome Browser Engine, Android prior to 5.0 uses Webkit. This can vary based on manufacturer. |
Blocking
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Popup Window Control
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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). |
Popup Windows Use Tabs
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KioWare allows you to control which popups appear and can also open allowed popup windows in new tabs for tabbed browsing. |
Domain/Page List Blocking
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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
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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
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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. |
Single App Mode
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Single App Mode lets you "allow" one application to be active and visible. In Single App Mode, your device is able to function as a purposed device making available only the selected application. |
Kiosk Security
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Browser Lockdown
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KioWare prevents the user from accessing any web browser menus. |
OS/Desktop Lockdown
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KioWare prevents the user from accessing the Windows and Android 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. |
Software Watchdog
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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. |
Lock desktop, Start on boot
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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
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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 Add-in. |
Keyboard Filtering
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For applications that have a 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. |
Hardware Watchdog
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For applications where reliability is critical, KioWare has hardware watchdog capabilities. The hardware watchdog constantly watches the health of the software watchdog and restarts the software watchdog as necessary. |
Automatic Printer Retraction
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Where user privacy is most critical, it is important that unclaimed printed material be retracted back into the kiosk. Whereas many printers have a timer that will retract unclaimed paper, if you use a printer that supports programmatic retraction, then KioWare will immediately retract the paper as soon as the user leaves the kiosk rather than wait for the timer to timeout. |
User Management
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Clear Private Browser Data
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It is important to clear any trace of the user after they leave. For example, when a user's session ends, KioWare can optionally clear the user's cookies, history, and the printer queue, as well as reset the volume level. |
Attract Screen Management
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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. |
Browser Resetting
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It is very important for the 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. |
User Session Management
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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). |
Integrated Browser Error Handling
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KioWare can automatically trap browser errors, redirect to an error handling script and pass along the error number and filename for comprehensive error handling. |
Automatically Run Logoff Script
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In kiosk applications that require a user to logon, 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. |
User Interface Features
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Custom Navigational Toolbar Skins
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In applications that require KioWare's toolbar to support navigation, print or logoff actions, it is often desired to have the toolbar integrate as much as possible with the application.
With KioWare, it is possible to have multiple toolbars with background colors/images and buttons that match your application.
The KioWare Configuration Tool has a WYSIWYG toolbar editor that makes it simple to generate custom toolbars. |
Virtual Keyboard
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The capabilities and customizabilty of the virtual keyboard vary based on operating system and KioWare product. |
Tabbed Browsing
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The Chrome Browser allows for 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 as default, allowed for only specified pages, or not allowed at all. |
Native PDF Viewing
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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. |
Docked Browsers
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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. |
Kiosk Management
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Remote Configuration
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The power of KioWare to "kiosk-ize" a web application is due to its extensive configuration capability. KioWare can be configured to try and download a file from a central location every time it starts up. The file contains configuration entries. If it finds the file, it downloads and installs it, instantly reconfiguring itself. This is a very useful feature for making configuration changes to large deployments.
Furthermore, KioWare can be configured to load in the file on an hourly, daily, etc. schedule, essentially enabling KioWare to reconfigure itself on the fly. This is particularly useful for advertising applications that need to update their advertisement attract screens on a regular basis. |
Citrix Terminal Server Support
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KioWare fully supports operation in a Citrix/Terminal Server thin client environment. One very useful feature is the ability for individual clients to run different configurations of KioWare. For example, half of the clients could run an HR application that requires a proximity switch security device and the other half could run a retail application. |
Remote Content Updating
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For stand-alone applications that store content locally, KioWare has the ability to manage the remote updating of that content. KioWare Server is a program that resides on a centralized server and manages project content using revision control. The kiosks will contact KioWare Server on a daily basis, and when there is new content they will automatically download the new release. |
Server Side Kiosk Management
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Manage, maintain, and monitor multiple kiosks from a central server. Through the Server console, kiosk errors can be received, reports can be generated, and kiosk, content, and projects can be organized. |
Remote Monitoring
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In many kiosk deployments, it is important to know whether individual kiosks are running and their current health.
Using KioWare Server, individual kiosks will report their status in three distinct ways:
Heartbeat - The kiosk will send regular messages to KioWare Server with approximately 30 performance statistics. The arrival of the message indicates that KioWare is running on the kiosk, and the performance statistics indicate its current health.
Urgent Log Activity - KioWare actively monitors specified equipment (e.g. printers), and when an anomaly is noticed (e.g. paper low), a message is sent to KioWare Server and notification emails are sent.
Daily Log Activity - To provide a history of kiosk health, Windows application event log entries are sent to KioWare Server regularly. |
Flexible User Accounts
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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
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This feature enables ad hoc grouping, meaning kiosk projects can be sorted into groups beyond the project level. Groups can contain other groups, projects or individual kiosks. For instance, a company may have its kiosk projects organized by territories for easy categorization. With ad hoc grouping, a company can also sort those same projects by an unlimited number of groups, such as high performing versus low performing stores or urban versus suburban stores, and then push out different content based on those groups. This way, the company can easily display a different promotion to urban stores than suburban stores. The addition of ad hoc data structures is useful for storing custom data about each kiosk (e.g. hardware, location, contact info), which can be imported from a spreadsheet. |
Store Custom Data on Individual Kiosks
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The addition of ad hoc data structures is useful for storing custom data about each kiosk (e.g. hardware, location, contact info), which can be imported from a spreadsheet. |
API to Enable 3rd party add-ons
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Our API feature enables the addition of third party Add-ons. The Add-ons are used to extend KioWare Server functionality, meaning if the feature does not currently exist, anyone can develop the feature to be compatible with KioWare Server. Add-ons can also be used to more tightly integrate the KioWare Server functionality with kiosk application functionality. For example, a survey application could integrate the survey management and the KioWare Server kiosk management functionality into a single user interface. The integration into a common interface would allow for easier management for the kiosk project as a whole.
An example of an Add-on that can be developed to work with KioWare Server is the Mapping Add-on we released. The Mapping Add-on enables kiosk locations to be overlaid on a digital map. Through KioWare Server, kiosk managers can choose between a basic map, USGS Aerial or Topo maps, or Google Street, Satellite or Hybrid maps. The Add-on also allows for an overlay on top of the map containing one or all of the following kiosk levels: normal, warning or error. This enables the manager to access individual kiosk detail and quickly drill into the kiosk for more information.
In addition to the ability to create Add-ons, the KioWare Server API contains everything needed to access KioWare Server data. This enables third party developers to create a subset of, or fully rewrite, the KioWare Server console with a completely different look. This also provides maximum flexibility to application developers acting as kiosk content managers for clients, as it allows for entire new branding to be displayed. |
External Device Support
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Barcode Readers
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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
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Magnetic stripe readers are a valuable method of collecting relevant information from an input device to a specified URL for processing. |
EMV Compliant Chip Devices
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KioWare now supports certain chip reader devices that conform to the EMV Standard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMV). As of October, US terminals for Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express must be using these new terminals, or the liability for fraudulent transactions will shift (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMV#United_States) to the merchant (as opposed to the credit card processor). This is also known as "Chip and Pin" or "Chip and Signature" technology. |
Security Mat/Proximity Switch
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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, 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, optionally retracts paper printed but not retrieved, and enters attract screen mode. |
RFID/NFC Devices
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Like Barcode Reader Support & Magstripe Reader Support, input devices like RFID devices can be used to communicate information from the device to your application. |
Multiple Monitor Support
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To maximize branding or for digital signage applications, KioWare can display scriptable content on a second monitor. |
Bill Acceptor/Card Dispenser
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KioWare supports certain bill acceptors and card dispensers. This eliminates the need to write complicated code interfacing the devices to your application. |
Flatbed Scanners
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Support for a variety of flatbed scanners (listed in the TwainDotNet library). |
TV Tuner
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With TV Tuner integration for digital signage and kiosk application, you can bring easily-configured entertainment and engagement to your kiosk display. |
Chromecast
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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. |
Communication
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Vidyo HD Video Conferencing
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Support for Vidyo 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 a plethora of other instances in which a video conversation could close the deal, solve a problem, and/or consolidate resources. |
Phone Dialing through your Application
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Web applications don't typically have an easy way to dial a phone, but it is common to have a kiosk application that requires a phone call to be dialed (e.g. user presses a button on the screen to be connected to customer support). KioWare has a clever way of using the HTML title tags in your application to know when and where to dial an attached modem - no need to reprogram your application. There are an unlimited number of phone numbers that can be configured in KioWare. |
Reporting
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Upload Usage Statistics
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KioWare has the ability to store sophisticated 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.
In addition, the title tag can be embedded with optional class information to enable aggregation and separation of log entries. For example, you could have a page with a title English: View Widget Specs and the Spanish version with a title Spanish: View Widget Specs, and the statistics reporting could give usage for the View Widget Specs page for English only, Spanish only or both combined.
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Server Side Analytics
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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.
Furthermore, we enable class information to be stored in the title tag. For example, if you have two pages that are identical except that one is in English and the other in Spanish, the title tags can be created in such a way that when the usage data is uploaded to KioWare Server, it can be displayed either as English usage statistics, Spanish statistics, or the aggregate of both.
KioWare Server is a program that resides on a centralized server and manages the display of the uploaded usage statistics. Usage statistics can be displayed for an individual kiosk, or all the kiosks in a project. They can also be displayed between a defined date range, as well as by title tag class information. |