Preventive Maintenance of Self-service Kiosks – Must do list! (2024)

What is the lifespan of a kiosk?

The shelf life of any product is the period of time that particular product can be kept in storage before losing its suitability for utilization or selling.

The average lifespan of a self-service kiosk machine is estimated to be 5 to 10 years.

Factors that determine kiosk lifespan

There are several factors that determine the kiosk lifespan. And they are listed below.

• Quality of the kiosk enclosure – The quality of the kiosk enclosure has a major role in the overall life-expectancy of the self-service kiosk machine. The enclosure is usually made of high-quality stainless steel which prevents corrosion, and guards the machine against forces of nature.
• Quality of the hardware components – Commonly used kiosk hardware components like printers, cash acceptors, cash dispensers etc. sold by renowned hardware manufacturers last for long due to their superior quality.
• Hardware adaptability – the hardware manufacturers upgrade their components as technology change. If the kiosk machine is designed to accommodate the change in hardware components, making it adaptable to the latest technology changes – service providers can surely improve the kiosk lifespan.

Depending upon the usage and maintenance, a well-designed and engineered kiosk machine can easily last for 7 to 10 years.

Preventive maintenance of self-service kiosk – General guidelines

If you are planning to shelf your self-service kiosk, for any reason, you should stick on to certain maintenance and storage guidelines. Adhering to these guidelines will keep the kiosk machine safe and functional for future use. And those guidelines are listed below.

Cleaning the kiosk machine

Cleaning comprises both exterior and interior cleaning of the kiosk machine.

a. Exterior cleaning of the kiosk machine

• 1. Shutdown the kiosk machine – Ensure that your kiosk machine is properly shutdown. If necessary, get help from your kiosk provider’s technical team.
• 2. Supply and network disconnection – Unplug external power supply to the kiosk. Do the same for all network cables.

  You may perform the cleaning process with the help of basic cleaning materials and they are listed below.

  • A low lint microfiber cloth
  • A dish wash solution
  • Screen cleaner spray
  • Compressed air duster
  • Cotton swabs
• 3. Avoid dust at any cost – make use of compressed air duster to clean the dust accumulated on the exteriors of the kiosk machine. Be watchful of the crevices and joints.
• 4. Exterior cleaning – Spay the dish wash solution on the microfiber cloth. Do no use the solution in excess. Wipe down the exterior surface of the kiosk machine that includes the enclosure, screen, keyboard, and the exteriors of components.
• 5. Screen cleaning – make use of a different microfiber cloth for cleaning screen. Get the screen cleaner spray and apply it on the cloth. Wipe the cloth on the screen in slow circular motions to remove marks, spots, and the fingerprints.
• 6. Use cotton swabs – Spray dish wash solution over the cotton swab and use the swab to clean buttons, keyboard and other difficult-to-access areas.
• 7. Drying time – Wipe the exteriors with a dry microfiber and allow to dry.

b. Interior cleaning

the materials required for interior cleaning are listed below.

• A low lint microfiber cloth
• Anti-static brush
• Compressed air duster
• Cotton swabs
• Vacuum cleaner with brush
• Screwdriver

Make sure the power supply is disconnected.

• 1. Open up the kiosk – Use the screwdriver to open the kiosk and carefully access the interiors. Follow the instructions provided by the kiosk provider, if any, during the process. Do not remove any internal components or unscrew any items unless specified by the kiosk provider.
• 2. Remove dust from the interiors – make use of the compressed air duster to remove dust from the interiors of the kiosk. Apply the duster on the circuit board, vents, fans and other parts that are prone to dust accumulation. Apply the duster only for a few seconds at a time to avoid condensation.
• 3. Vacuum cleaning – make use of a handheld, compact, brush-enabled vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the interiors of the kiosk.

Use a combination of air duster and anti-static brush to remove dust from fans, vents and other sensitive components.

Dealing with hardware components

After you’ve opened the kiosk machine, kindly perform the instructions furnished below.

Remove battery - If the kiosk is equipped with an internal battery, it is advisable to remove the same to prevent leakage. Once the battery is removed, store it in a dry, cool place.

Remove consumables – remove receipts or papers of any kind. These consumables, if went unnoticed, might deteriorate and cause future jams in the machine.

Check for any damage – check for wear and tear in components, cable fraying, or any other abnormality. Address the issue before the kiosk provider. If any damage is found, keep a log of it.

Device Storage guidelines

When storing kiosk for future use, remember the 3 vital external parameters like temperature, humidity and dust.

• Temperature – Store the kiosk machine in a dry and cool place. Avoid extremes of temperature like excessive heat or extreme cold conditions which might pose threat to the components.
• Humidity – Stay away from damp and humid places. Humidity is a big NO for any electronic component. Prolonged exposure to humidity may lead to corrosion.
• Dust – Dust can accumulate in the circuitry board and leads to clogging. Clogging results in overheating and eventually leads to the failure of the components. Do not store the kiosk machine or its components in dusty environments.
• Avoid direct sunlight – Store the kiosk away from direct impact of the sunlight as harmful UV rays can adversely affect kiosk screen functionality.
• Wrap up the machine – Use a self-service kiosk machine cover to wrap up the kiosk machine. The cover protects the machine from dust and scratches.