Benchmarking - Kiosk Cost Analysis

This page is a cost analysis on the physical kiosk and provides adequate cost information to analyze and evaluate alternative approaches to meeting our current needs.

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this cost analysis is to explore kiosk solutions and cost estimates that best suit our needs.  The kiosk will be permanently installed in the Detroit Institute of the Arts (DIA) in the main entrance and or the spine of the museum.   The software we are designing will allow visitors to browse the museums' collection, select artifacts and then print a map that leads people through the exhibition space to find the selected artifacts.

While conducting this cost analysis we have learned that there are 2-ways of proceeding with the physical kiosk design.  We can simply buy a manufactured kiosk that suits our project needs or we can custom build a kiosk the accessibility and hardware components specially inline with the functionality of the software we are building. 

http://wiki.fluidproject.org/display/fluid/Kiosk+design+overview

1.2 Scope

At this time the project manager has decided not to proceed with option 2 as customization at this time.  To request estimates we have had to give the manufacture specifications which are based on the kiosk Overview wiki page, under Considerations & other things we know - http://wiki.fluidproject.org/display/fluid/Kiosk+design+overview

Option 1: Manufacturer Specifications

Conducting a cost analysis on the best manufacture's selection involved a industry review of available options which can be found here [http://wiki.fluidproject.org/display/fluid/Benchmarking - kiosk physical design ].  We then reviewed the accessibility goals of the kiosk which can be found here [http://wiki.fluidproject.org/display/fluid/Accessibility Guidelines for UI and Physical Kiosk Design] to access best solution.

Pros
- kiosk is delivered to museum
- warranty for Kiosk 1-year, PC 3-years
- ADA compliant

Cons
- does not have all of the options we are looking for.
- we are committed to their maintenance plan
- does not involve the museum engineers in the planning/design stage

Option 2: Custom Design

While researching the kiosk design options, one of the overlooked solutions is to work with DIA museum experts and design a kiosk that best suits needs.  The pros and cons to working with DIA engineers:

Pros
- kiosk is made in consultation with the museum
- warranty for are on the parts we buy and install
- ADA compliant
- like the open source model the design of the kiosk could be shared with the Fluid Engaged community
- could evolve design over time.

Cons
- it will take longer to build
- we would have to create our own maintenance plan

1.3 System Overview

Below are links to kiosk system overview:

ULTIMedia, Model Matrix 2009 http://www.ultimedia-usa.com/pages_bornes/kiosk_matrix_2009.htm

Meridian, Model DS http://www.meridiankiosks.com/prod_DS.shtml

SeePoint, Model Display-point http://www.seepoint.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=49

Dicoll, Model Bravo http://www.dicoll.co.uk/kiosks_details.php?id=8

1.4 Quotation References

2.0 Recommended Guidelines

  • All the features for a kiosk(s) will impact pricing. The kiosk price will rise as we customize the machine. A fancy kiosk enclosure featuring a specially cut design and customized materials can add another $1,000 to $10,000 to the final bill.
  • Upgrading to a laser printer can cost an additional $2,000, and higher-quality display screens and more advanced touch screens can add another $2,000 to $10,000.
  • While interactive kiosk pricing typically includes standard software, customized software can also add to total costs.
  • Most interactive kiosk vendors will provide a standard warranty that will cover the hardware for one year, but not parts and labor. It is possible to purchase an extended maintenance contract.  This takes the place of standard warranty and covers everything from the enclosure to software maintenance to touch screen displays.
  • We can get an interactive kiosk set up in as little as four weeks if we are using a basic enclosure and standard software. If the application requires extensive work and testing, it takes six to 12 weeks before implement the kiosk.
  • Printing on standard size paper, versus rolled paper as in thermal printing, makes for a more "manageable stack".   Standard-size paper easily accommodates Web-ready data printed from public access Internet kiosks, such as "maps" and online ordering information.
  • Vendors typically forge relationships with national and regional kiosk monitoring companies and subcontract them to do the work. Monitoring contracts can cost as little as $20 to as much as $800 per month per kiosk, depending on the level of service, the number of kiosks being monitored, and when we request service — night and weekend service calls are pricier.
  • Installation — including unpacking, assembling (if necessary), and setting up the interactive kiosk can cost $250 to $500.
  • Most interactive kiosks don't require formal training to operate. The installer will demonstrate how to set up and
    maintain it.

3.0 COSTS

For confidentiality reasons we can not post estimates to this wiki page.  In brief a matrix of listings have been emailed to the project manager for further discussion.