Having recently overseen the installation of my first batch of outdoor kiosks, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned through the process.

Outdoor kiosks are becoming increasingly popular, with digital signage hardware and software and interactive displays replacing traditional advertising on a high street near you. Installing a kiosk outdoors is risky business. Once upon a time the main issue was weatherproofing the components of the devices themselves; 12 year old me would be aghast to see a massive television in the rain.

Now that feature-rich interactive kiosks are becoming normalised, I thought it may be worth sharing some potential obstacles to installation, in case any curious Googlers are looking for answers.

Fluid Ingression

The most obvious risk to outdoor electrical technology is fluid ingression, but it’s more complicated than you may think. We’re now at the point where the external metal is a bigger risk than the internal silicon.

Most Kiosks that are out in the wild will be very resistant to inclement weather internally, the biggest challenge being maintaining a fresh, recently installed look to the exterior of the devices. Typically many kiosks are placed somewhere where there is some form of coverage above or alongside a building, ironically placing them in prime real-estate for dripping or settling water. Rust treatment paint is an absolute must, even for the most stainless steel.

Fibre

This is the one that made me feel rather stupid. Before the project began I had half assumed that the actual networking aspect of it would be relatively straightforward, akin to a server refresh or an infrastructure refurbish.

I was wrong, and for a reason obvious in hindsight.

Big, hi-def outdoor displays require big, hi-def content. You may get away with running one or two kiosks or displays outside using Cat 6, but any more than that and realistically you’re going to need to run fibre to the desired destinations. Not only that, but you’ll need a fibre friendly switch and media converter for each kiosk. Price it into your estimations.

Level flooring

Not all pavements were created equal. In order to get the kiosk secured, you’re probably going to need to dig into the ground and plant a root cage which the kiosk can then be attached to. But what happens if the root cage can’t sit perfectly level, because of geography? If something small is off by a couple of millimetres it’s hard to notice with the naked eye, but for a 6-7 ft kiosk the difference becomes inches if there is an incline or a slope.

The solution? Metal spacers, fabricated based upon the individual kiosk and root cages in question.

Ducting

You’ve got everything else in place. The JCBs have arrived and everyone is on site. You’ve struck the ground and nobody can find the ducting.

“The plan said it was here!”, you cry.

“That’s an old plan”, says a voice over your shoulder.

“No that’s the old old plan, there’s another plan, let me get the folder”, corrects a third voice.

This is less of an issue with new build properties, but even after running power and fibre through the ducting you’d be surprised at how unreliable blueprints and plans can be. Before you get to digging stage, make absolutely certain that the plans are accurate and mark out your positions and ducting by hand.

If you’re looking for a solution to your digital signage hardware and software needs, contact LamasaTech for a consultation with our experts.