Kiosk Machine Price, Getting the Best Deal
Comparing Kiosk Cost to Value and Performance
You are looking for a kiosk and figuring out the budget you have to work with. What is the normal kiosk machine price? It can range from $2,000 to $20,000 for a full size commercial kiosk (not a little ipad with Point of Sale software on it). The reason the range is that wide is because there are many factors that contribute to the price of a kiosk. Here are a few quick things that contribute to the pricing of a kiosk solution.
- The Importance of Kiosk Software and Internal Technology
Kiosks need software to manage and run it. Does the kiosk include software? Or do you have to purchase the software separately? The kiosk may seem more expensive, but ultimately is the better deal because it already includes software. Thus, eliminating the additional software fees that can add on thousands.There are many computer kiosk vendors out there that specialize in just manufacturing and selling the metal enclosure. Ultimately, you can not do much with a kiosk body without the content and integration ability to make it perform tasks and provide services.- There is a significant value in purchasing an interactive kiosk that comes equipped with a powerful internal computer and kiosk software (the brains of the operation). These components will ideally provide a built in user interface, administrative tools, security features and integration tools to serve up websites, web based content, mixed media or even install Windows applications locally.
- This is a huge advantage and is only possible when interactive kiosk equipment is purchased from a qualified kiosk engineering manufacturer. The alternative to this requires a much higher level of costly technical resources or providers in order to implement a complete self service solution.
How tough is it? Can it stand up to the intended audience over time?
The durability of a kiosk can be directly related to the cost. Is it going outside? It will need need more durability. Will it see a lot of traffic and usage? It will need to be able to handle the constant use. (Most consumer devices like tablets were designed only to be used sporadically by a handful of users).Check out our sweet infographic that shows the difference between consumer and commercial kiosk options: Tablet for a kiosk? Things to remember
To ensure that your investment is well spent, look for a manufacturer with years of experience and ideally one that uses commercial grade quality kiosk components and stands behind their product from end to end!
- What type of computer is in it?
Kiosk machines have computers in them which can be cheap or expensive. How much memory is on the computer? Is it made from consumer or commercial grade materials? Does it need extra processing power to support HD graphic displays? The more complex and powerful the computer, the more the price can be expected to be.
Where was the product made?
The location the kiosk was manufactured can have an impact on the cost as well. Some kiosks that are imported may have an advantage in pricing for the physical hardware/software. The downside is the accessibility of support services and quality.
- What’s the warranty?
The warranty can affect the price of the kiosk too. If the warranty is longer, it can be an indicator of a kiosk being of higher quality. It shows that the kiosk manufacturer believes in the product’s longevity and is confident that it will not lose revenue in repair costs. Remember that the warranty shouldn’t just be measured by its length, but in the range of what is covered as well. Another benefit of a strong warranty is in that fact that they play a major role in ensuring a kiosk is worth the investment put into it. Higher price at the beginning with a solid warranty can mean a much better return on investment in the long-run through reduced upkeep costs.
Check out this post about the important questions to ask when evaluating the kiosk warranty.
- What type of kiosk do you need?
If all you need is a freestanding kiosk for check-ins or information, it’s going to cost less. If you need a massive wall-mounted interactive display with a plethora of software and design options and add-ons, it may cost more. Research what kiosk best fits your needs to best determine the price range of the product.
- What will you need for IT support?
Make sure you know exactly how much heavy lifting you will have to do. Will you need to involve your own IT staff to install software, configure the kiosk, integrate with any web content you want to share, ensure the kiosk is secure and tamper-proof? How about after your kiosk is up and running? Will you have someone to call for help and can they access the kiosk to investigate problems? Make sure you have the resources you need built in to your purchase.
Kiosk “Value” Includes Software, Integration, Support and Expertise
The most important decision you will make regarding your kiosk machine purchase is the vendor you choose to work with. Self service applications can be complex and require expertise in configuring a successful and reliable solution. Guard yourself against being duped into what may seem to be the cheapest option… because it may not be what you think.
A kiosk alone is not a complete solution. If you only get part of what you need from a kiosk vendor, you may end up spending time and require IT resources to put the pieces together for you and actually get the kiosk up and running. Don’t buy a problem!
Our team of engineers and technical sales staff have over 15 years of experience designing and customizing self service solutions that stand the test of time. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and ensure that every customer gets the maximum value out of their investment. We provide a wide variety of quality kiosk hardware and have developed powerful kiosk software that ships with every kiosk, giving you full control over the kiosk and the ability to securely integrate with your software and systems the day it arrives.
There are several important factors that make us a high value partner for self service, we refer to them as the Advanced Kiosks Advantage.
Let us do all the work, your kiosks will arrive ready to plug and play!
At the end of the day, the best deal on a kiosk machine is the one that provides the most value.
Every project is different and chances are you have questions and could use some guidance. Advanced Kiosks has a team of experienced technical sales staff that are experts in the business and can help you select the best possible self service kiosk solution for you needs and budget.
Have questions? Let us know! Click here to get in touch
