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Selling Permits Using Tablet Kiosks with OPS-COM

This article provides instructions for OPS-COM administrators on how to configure a tablet to act as a dedicated self-service kiosk for selling temporary guest permits. By locking the tablet to a specific guest permit booking page, organizations can offer a streamlined way for visitors to purchase parking without staff assistance or the need for a personal user account.

Setup and Configuration

Setting up a kiosk involves three main parts: obtaining the unique booking link for the desired parking lot, enabling Kiosk Compatible Mode within OPS-COM, and configuring the physical tablet device to lock it to the booking page.

Part One - Obtain the Guest Permit Link

Each lot configured for temporary permits has a unique URL for guest bookings. You will need this link to set up the kiosk.

  • Go to Parking Management, then Lot Administration, and click Pricing & Lot Admin

  • Click the name of the lot you want to feature on the kiosk.

  • Select the Temporary Permits tab.

  • Locate the QR code section. The guest permit booking link is displayed directly below the code.

  • Copy this URL to use in the tablet configuration step.

Note: The lot must be properly configured to sell temporary permits. Detailed instructions can be found on the Pricing & Lot Admin page.

Part Two - Enable Kiosk Compatible Mode in OPS-COM

This system-wide setting optimizes the guest permit workflow for a kiosk environment.

  • Go to System Configuration, and click System Settings.

  • Select the General System Settings tab.

  • Enable the Enable Kiosk Compatible Mode toggle.

  • Click Save Settings.

Enabling this mode makes the following changes only to guest booking pages:

  • After a successful transaction, the user is returned to the initial booking page instead of a receipt page, making it ready for the next user.

  • The main navigation menu, header, and footer are hidden to prevent users from navigating away or attempting to log in on a public device.

Warning: Enabling Kiosk Compatible Mode affects all guest permit transactions, not just those from a kiosk. Users purchasing a guest permit via a QR code on their personal device will also be redirected to the start page after payment. We recommend enabling this setting only if you intend to use physical kiosks. 

Part Three - Configure the Tablet Device (Android)

To function as a kiosk, the tablet must be locked to the guest permit URL using third-party apps and built-in operating system features. The following steps provide one example of how to achieve this on an Android device.

Step A: Install and Configure a Kiosk Browser App
  1. On your Android tablet, open the Google Play Store and install a kiosk browser application (e.g., Fully Kiosk Browser & Lockdown).

  2. Open the app to configure its initial settings.

  3. Paste the guest permit link from Part One into the Start URL field.

  4. Enable Fullscreen Mode.

  5. Disable Show Action Bar and Show Address Bar.

Explore the app's advanced settings, such as Web Auto Reload -> Auto Reload on Idle. Setting this to 30 or 60 seconds will automatically reset the page for the next user after a period of inactivity. 

Step B: Pin the Kiosk App

Pinning the app prevents users from closing it and accessing other tablet functions. You can do this in device settings, a separate app.

  1. Ensure the tablet has a security PIN or password enabled. This can be set in the device's Settings app, typically under Lock screen.

  2. Navigate to Settings -> Security and privacy -> More security settings.

  3. Enable the Pin app option.

  4. Open the kiosk browser app you just configured.

  5. Tap the recent apps button (on most devices, this is an icon with three vertical bars at the bottom of the screen).

  6. Tap the icon appearing above the kiosk app's window and select Pin this app.

The device is now locked into the kiosk browser, and the device's PIN will be required to exit the app.

Using this Feature

Once fully configured, the tablet functions as a locked-down, single-purpose device.

End-User Workflow
  • A user approaches the tablet, which already displays the permit booking page for the designated lot.

  • The user cannot navigate to other apps, web pages, or system settings.

  • After entering their plate information and completing payment, a confirmation message appears.

  • The page then automatically resets to the start of the booking process for the next user.


Best Practices and Considerations

  • Physically secure the device. Use a commercial-grade tablet enclosure or stand to protect the device from theft and damage in a public environment.

  • The tablet setup process may vary. The specific menu names and steps for configuring a tablet can differ based on the device manufacturer, OS version, or the specific kiosk app used. The instructions provided should be treated as a general guide.

  • Test the entire user flow. Before deploying the kiosk publicly, perform several test transactions to ensure the process is smooth, payment is successful, and the page resets correctly for the next user.