Thread

Hi All,

I’m curious if anyone has ever used EE to build websites or applications that run in a self serve kiosk. There are many different types of kiosk applications, with some of the more common being directories and wayfinding (“you are here,...”). One of the requirements for such a system is to provide a CMS like interface so that users can modify content remotely. Instead of re-building the wheel, I would like to take advantage of an existing CMS system.

The reason I ask is that I’m working with a kiosk manufacturer that is looking to bring kiosk software in-house. They currently sub out the software component of the projects they take on, thus missing out on much of the revenue. I’m currently surveying this market to try to help them make a decision on what direction to go. We are trying to decide whether to buy or build.

If you have any thoughts or experience in this area, please let me know.

thanks,
John

kiosk = as in little store/stand wit checkouts and bar-code scanners ...or web based application in kiosk-mode (chrome windows)?
Either way what is the application supposed to do? Track inventory?Sales?

More like the first option. My client manufactures the kiosks, which can be any size think of ATM’s, Building directories, mall wayfinders (ie, to get to Starbucks, follow this path),... they want to bring the software component in house. We are planning to start simple with building directories and wayfinders. These are basically websites with big buttons and touch screens. The Wayfinder component can be some sort of flash app that shows a map and then draws the path on it.

There are many more sophisticated kiosk apps that cover many vertical markets, such as ATM’s, Hospital and hotel check-in. These apps will require much more interaction and inteligence and security. My goal would be to build something simple first, but start laying the ground work for more heavy duty apps. I’m learning about this market as I go. I just figured that I would give a shot here to see if there were any thoughts.

Thanks,
John

I see.
If you want to go simply my suggestion is to install small units (something like thin HP client+windows terminal server or just a standalone pc) and have them locked down for web use only within these displays/kiosks.
On the EE side of things I don’t see why not; EE is great for organizing things such as directories (weblogs and categories, custom fields…).
I have not used it with flash but I have seen people use EE to store data then serve XML out of it into flash. After that everything else is interface and eye candy.

Thanks for your reply.

This is basically the same thought that I have come to since posting my question yesterday. For the simple applications, this should work nicely. I have looked at a program called “Site Kiosk” that provides locked down browser capabilities.

My only concerns are whether this will work for more intense applications, which I’m just starting to spec out now.

Depends, if you go terminal server side then really you are only limited with the hardware. Small catch is that the resolution on these sessions is not quite as good as on standalone pc. You should not need any special software, workstations (win2000 and up) can be locked down pretty tight with policies. Especially those thin clients. I have seen also some old workstations with RAM only (no HD) and linux work quite nicely on very inexpensive hardware.
If you outgrow the terminal server (and farms of them) you can always look into citrix. There is also network appliances (maker slips my mind) that will do application and traffic boosts through their own hardware - really cool stuff.
As far as EE, you can look around the forums for discussion where it is used on larger sites and how much load EE can really take. I would not worry about that part much. If it has to be flash powered then I would even suggest to browse the Pro Network and look for specialists in flash who can consult more with you. Or the good old way of doing yourself and asking for some help from the community. 😊