Genkiosk FAQs

We’ve put together a few answers to the questions we commonly receive about Genkiosk. These FAQs are arranged in to four categories:

Genkiosk Overview | How Genkiosk works | How much will Genkiosk cost? | Switching your network to Genkiosk

Genkiosk Overview

We’ve put together a few answers to the questions we commonly receive about Genkiosk. These FAQs are arranged in to four categories:

What is Genkiosk?
Genkiosk is IDM (Intelligent Device Management) software. It is used to control, monitor, maintain and administer networks of connected, intelligent devices.

What types of devices are supported by Genkiosk?
Genkiosk is flexible enough to support vast range of networked machines. Far too many to list here and we are finding our customers are discovering applications for Genkiosk we never envisaged.

Generally, the only requirement is that the device must be able to communicate via IP (Internet protocol).

Here are a few examples of supported devices:

 

What can Genkiosk do?
Genkiosk has a huge range of features designed to help you manage your network on a micro or macro level. Whether you are running an Internet cafe, managing a network of vending machines, or monitoring industrial sensors: Genkiosk may be able to help.

A few common functions of Genkiosk include:

These are some of the general functions of Genkiosk; there are many more specific features which may be of particular benefit to your network (e.g. photo printing, interface design, advanced tracking to name a few). Please contact us for a free, informal discussion.

What can Genkiosk do?
There is no limit on the amount of intelligent devices that Genkiosk can handle and it can easily scale up or down with your network. It is capable of managing the smallest to the largest of networks. Many of our customers support thousands of units.

The Genkiosk interface is also designed to visually represent any number of kiosks. This is achieved by using an expandable ‘tree’ structure to represent your network. This helps keep the work area tidy and speeds up workflow, while at the same time giving you instant control and monitoring of your entire network no matter the size. You can also create what we call ‘virtual groups’ of devices to assist in managing large numbers of units.

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How Genkiosk works

How do I install Genkiosk on my network?
This is a simple 2-stage process. First: each of your intelligent devices is registered with your Genkiosk account. This is a very quick and automated process and is done only once. Second: you create a Genkiosk user account, which gives you access to the web-based console. That’s it!

When you log in to the Genkiosk website you will see all of your devices represented on the screen. From here you can perform any of the multitudes of functions available and gain access to all of Genkiosk’s features and services.

Do I need to invest in any extra hardware to use Genkiosk?
No! In fact, if you have traditionally used other methods of network management, you will probably find you no longer need your old server, data backup systems and other related equipment.

Genkiosk is a hosted service, which means we take care of all that.

Do I need to install extra software on my computers?
No! Genkiosk is a hosted service, which means all you need is your web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer). All of Genkiosk’s services are delivered via a web-based console: no need for installation CDs, technical support or new hardware.

This does not mean Genkiosk is any less powerful than traditionally installed software; it is just a new delivery method and could actually benefit you in lots of ways.

How do I view and control my network?
Your intelligent devices are represented visually, in a tree format, on the web-based console. Simply log in to the Genkiosk website to gain access to all of the features and services available.

The interface is geared towards speeding up your workflow: common tasks just take a few clicks. Delve deeper into Genkiosk and you get more advanced controls, reports and services.

What extra training will my staff require?
The GWD Media Team has been developing network software for over 8 years and Genkiosk has evolved over this time. We have endeavoured to keep it as simple and intuitive as possible, with powerful functionality available within a few clicks of the mouse. As a result, Genkiosk requires very little staff training, especially to get up and running. However, as with all software, operators may benefit from some training to get the best out of the system.

There is a comprehensive range of documentation to help and GWD Media offer: full remote and telephone support; practical workshops; and, in some cases, site visits to help the transition.

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How much will Genkiosk cost?

How do I pay for Genkiosk?
You don’t pay any upfront fees for Genkiosk; instead, you pay a monthly subscription that depends on how many units you are supporting, and the number of services you require.

Please contact us for a free, informal discussion.

I don`t need a lot of Genkiosk`s functions; do I have to pay for them?
No! Although Genkiosk offers a vast range of capabilities and services, it is unlikely anyone would need them all. It may be that you only require very few services to effectively manage your network. With this in mind; Genkiosk enables services to be activated and deactivated as you require.

You only pay for the features you use, which helps you to keep costs down to a minimum. Learn more about how Genkiosk works.

What happens when a new version of Genkiosk comes out; will I have to pay again?
Genkiosk is delivered as ‘Software as a Service’, not as a package.

Traditional licensed software is typically upgraded every 2 or 3 years with substantial associated update costs; Genkiosk is different. Because Genkiosk is delivered as hosted software, it is regularly updated behind the scenes, at GWD Media, with no extra installation required. These updates are delivered as part of your monthly subscription cost; there are no extra costs.

If keeping up to date with the latest technologies is taking up too much of your in-house resources, Genkiosk may be what you are looking for.

I only have a small network; do you offer discounted rates?
With Genkiosk, you only pay for what you require. This is a fundamental advantage of Genkiosk’s delivery method. This means the cost of managing a very small number of devices is also very small.

Do you offer discounts for larger volumes of Genkiosk licences
Yes. Please contact us for a free, informal discussion.

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Switching your network to Genkiosk

I currently use other software to manage my network; how difficult would it be to switch?
Switching software may be a big change to your business model and we understand the barriers to this. User resistance, disruption and uncertainty are common pitfalls related to changing software. We want to make the process easier.

Understandably, customers want to ensure existing revenue streams are not jeopardised, and services are not disrupted. The great thing about Genkiosk is that it is a hosted application and you can run it side by side with existing client-installed software: there is no installation required.

Typically, customers are happier with a gradual shift to Genkiosk. Once you have successfully tested a few of your intelligent devices you can register the rest. Only when you are 100% sure Genkiosk is what you are looking for do you totally migrate to it.

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