The System Watchdog application is designed specifically for self service kiosk support, and interactive kiosk support and is based upon our extensive experience of over twenty years of kiosk installations and operations.
Many kiosk systems use Windows operating systems, and although Windows is an ideal OS for kiosks (widespread use, good multimedia capabilities, etc), often the systems are not set up in such a way that make the OS stable to use in this way. Often the computers have many other background applications running which ‘came with the computer’, or have not been setup to prevent users from accessing the computer and bypassing the kiosk application or worse! Without even minimal security, accidental or even malicious users can attack the kiosk and damage it so that it requires repair, or even change it so that it performs a different purpose! Kioskmonitor’s System Watchdog solution provides the functions needed to protect your kiosk, and when used in combination with the Kioskmonitor service and Site Manager, also alerts you of incidents which can be quickly resolved remotely.
The System Watchdog is an advanced application designed for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows XP/7 Embedded which is installed on your kiosk system you wish to support in the field. Once installed, it integrates with the Windows Operating System to provide the necessary low level security required by kiosk operators. Even well-known retail brand names and Banking clients use Kioskmonitor in their kiosks as it has passed their stringent security PEN(etration) testing.
Instant Protection
The kiosk monitoring begins once the system is powered on, as the System Watchdog secures access to the operating system through a number of configurable measures. It secures the operating system to prevent local attacks and failures using a combination of keyboard blocking, mouse blocking, System event Popup blocking, banned program interception, telemetry monitoring and application monitoring. If your kiosk application fails or is about to fail, the System Watchdog automatically restarts it as required. 
Up to Date
To ensure you know about everything that happens, it also communicates securely with the PLUS! network as a regular ‘Heartbeat’ to provide you with live information, alerts and remote connectivity (see Remote Services Manager). And because it includes remote support access (Remote Desktop viewing and control, Remote File Transfer, Multicast updates, Remote Command prompt – all through firewalls or using mobile telephony), it also encrypts all the communications and provides a secure access onto your kiosks, only accessible by your authorised staff.
A number of core system events (including printers, hard discs, memory and more) are monitored if they exceed key levels, whilst further functionality is provided by our unique plugin system. Custom Kiosk hardware monitoring and Specific Kiosk Hardware can be monitored in this way, and the same security, automatic recovery and alerting process is maintained so you can use exactly the same tools no matter what the solution.
Kioskmonitor’s System Watchdog is the solution you need to protect your kiosk.
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System Information Provides a quick look-up for; uptime, total reboots, unexpected reboots, connectivity status and screen resolution |
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Network Information Shows; the time of the last email, the time for the next scheduled email, unit name, target email address, network connection status and IP address |
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Recent Alerts Displays a snapshot of the most recent alerts e.g. HDD over temperature, processor temperature etc. |
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System Log Provide a full audit trail of every tracked event on the kiosk by timeline, enabling fast tracing of faults by your developers or support staff. |
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Password Protected |
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Automatic Clock updates The system clock is regularly checked and updated if necessary in case of BIOS battery failure or hacking attempts to ensure accurate reporting and logging. |
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Automatic Software updates |
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Automatic Volume Control |
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Remote Multicast for Application Updates |
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Heartbeat |
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Anti Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) |
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Remote Reboot |
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Wake on LAN |
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Monitored Levels Provides your support team with an instant view of all core monitored levels so they can quickly track down any issues (or potential issues) and resolve them. Includes information such as system memory, temperature, battery levels, printer faults, Software/Hardware changes, Event Log events, Hard Disc capacity, faults and SMART data and more. (note plugins are available for specific devices). |
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Automatic Firewall Management |
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Programmer Interface (API) |
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PC Status Provides information on all PC hardware, software and services |
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Triggers Permits the setup of local triggers so that alerts are sent relating to : hardware or software changes and reboots. Physical and paging memory. Changes to the software operating system. Hard disk drive (HDD) usage. Printer problems. |
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Programs and Application Settings Specify the programs which MUST be running to make your kiosks work, and include a list of programs you never want to run to prevent typical virus carriers or conflicting applications. Kiosk System Watchdog constantly monitors the mandatory applications and ensures they remain on-top of other windows, and any failures or memory/resource leaks are automatically recovered from. |
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System Settings Change Widows background and desktop image to hide operating system branding. Choose optimal Paging Memory settings, Change Windows Startup Logo. |
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Lock-Down Settings
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System Lock-down Settings
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Keyboard Blocking
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Email Alert Enables the configuration of SMTP email settings for recorded alerts. |
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Configurable Email / SMS Status Alert Provides each engineer/administrator responsible for a kiosk an email and/or SMS text with details of the kiosk and fault event. |
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Plugins Add extra functionality and monitor the status of any custom devices using specific plugins e.g. barcode scanner, sensors, webcams etc. |
