There are several lessons that shaped our commerical outdoor kiosks. For many companies, venturing into the outdoor kiosk space means scaling up engineering or embracing bold product innovation. For Olea Kiosks, it meant something more fundamental—a test of character. Over the past two decades, Olea has transformed its approach to outdoor kiosks through hard-earned lessons, grit, and a relentless commitment to getting it right. Olea’s perseverance has evolved into a reputation built on innovation and trust.
The Early Days: Tough Lessons in the Tropics
Before Olea became a recognized leader in outdoor kiosk design, it waded into the space with enthusiasm—and learned the hard way that outdoor environments don’t forgive shortcuts. One of the company’s first outdoor kiosks was destined for Hawaii, an informational unit meant to stand up to sun, salt air, and humidity. Unfortunately, it was powder coated like an indoor unit—with no additional layering or protection. The result? It rusted quickly and severely.
“That unit came all the way back to the mainland,” said CEO Frank Olea. “We stripped it, repainted it properly with multi-layer coatings, and sent it back. But that lesson stuck with us.”
A second early project—a recycling kiosk—fared better but didn’t gain long-term traction. After those initial setbacks, Olea hesitated. The challenges for commerical outdoor kiosks were clear, and the company stepped back to reevaluate.
The Turning Point: Seattle Space Needle
Years later, a breakthrough opportunity arrived. The Seattle Space Needle approached Olea to design an outdoor kiosk. COE Frank Olea was upfront: “We told them we hadn’t built an outdoor unit in years, and we’d do it—but only if they were willing to partner with us as we learned.”
The team delivered five units. But shortly after installation, disaster struck. The LCD monitors—sold as outdoor-ready—began turning black in the Seattle sun. The supplier stopped answering the phone. But Olea didn’t.
“We told the Space Needle we’d stand behind the work, and we did. We redesigned the upper portion of the kiosk, sourced a new LCD, and rebuilt every single unit on site at our own expense,” Frank recalled.
Luckily, the kiosk design had been modular. The upper LCD housing was a separate enclosure, allowing Olea to swap out the failed components without removing the entire unit. That redesign not only saved the project, but helped lay the foundation for smarter design going forward.
The payoff? A long-term client relationship and a key milestone in Olea’s outdoor journey. Today, kiosks built for the Space Needle operate indoors and outdoors—including on the observation deck. “There are more Olea kiosks at that attraction than any other brand,” said Frank.
Learning to Engineer Commercial Outdoor Kiosks
That experience taught Olea the difference between building for the outdoors and simply weatherproofing a product. The company began overhauling its engineering protocols—starting with material choices. Stainless steel and aluminum replaced standard steel. Multi-layer powder coatings became standard. LCD and touch glass were mounted separately to allow for vandalism repair without needing to replace expensive components.
“We used to design with fear,” Frank said. “We overdid some things and missed others. Now, we engineer with intent.”
Olea has also cultivated a deep bench of outdoor kiosk expertise. Engineers are thoughtfully selected and trained to work on these specialized projects, ensuring each design reflects the company’s hard-earned knowledge in areas like heat management, waterproofing, gasket integration, and long-term field serviceability. This deliberate approach has created a culture of craftsmanship and confidence—where outdoor solutions are built not just to function, but to excel in even the harshest environments.
Another Test: The Cold in Alaska
The lessons kept coming. One of the most memorable projects was a drive-thru kiosk for a Subway location in Anchorage, Alaska. After delivery, the touchscreen glass failed. A technician was sent to repair it—but showed up with no tools and installed the replacement incorrectly.
“We had to make it right,” said Frank. “My dad and Jesus, one of our longest-serving employees, flew up there in the middle of winter and fixed it themselves in subzero temps.” Working in four-degree weather, they huddled in a van for warmth between repair steps. Once completed, they poured water on the kiosk to verify the seal.
That project drove home the importance of designing for serviceability for commerical outdoor kiosks. “If someone has to remove a factory-sealed panel, how do we ensure they can replace it safely without compromising waterproofing?” It’s a question that now drives much of Olea’s field-service thinking.
Failure, Recovery, and Relentless Improvement
Through these experiences, Olea developed a reputation not just for rugged hardware, but for standing behind their products. That commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Today, our outdoor kiosks reflect years of hard-won knowledge. But more importantly, they reflect a culture of doing right by our customers—even when it costs us,” Frank said.
From the beaches of Hawaii to the icy drive-thrus of Alaska, from failed LCDs to trusted long-term partnerships, the story of Olea’s outdoor journey is one of evolution. It’s a story of failing fast, learning faster, and never compromising on quality or integrity.
Looking Ahead
As Olea celebrates its 50th anniversary, its outdoor kiosks are as a symbol of its growth—from a manufacturer learning through trial and error to an expert that others trust with their most critical deployments. And while the lessons may have come hard, the result is a product—and a partner—that’s built to last.
