Kiosk Mode: Ensured Frontline Worker Productivity with SureMDM

Frontline workers drive industries like retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics—operating from retail floors and hospital wards to factory floors and delivery routes. They’re constantly on the move, completing critical tasks using mobile computers, rugged scanners, handhelds, and shared laptops. 

Ensuring these devices are secure and running smooth when shared amongst multiple users who use it for intensive tasks can be quite challenging. 

That’s where Kiosk Mode steps in. And with SureMDM by 42Gears, IT admins can deploy, configure, and manage kiosk mode effortlessly across thousands of devices, ensuring that frontline teams stay productive and on-task.

Life of a Frontline Worker: One Device, Many Hands

Take a typical day in the life of a frontline worker:

• A retail associate logs into a shared POS tablet to manage orders.
• A warehouse worker uses a rugged Android scanner to update inventory.
• A delivery driver relies on a mobile computer for route navigation and customer communication.
• A nurse picks up a hospital-issued iPad to update patient records.
• A factory shift worker uses a shared laptop to enter data into a web portal.
  

These scenarios may seem different—but the common thread is shared, task-based devices that need to stay secure, consistent, and easy to use for each user. If devices are left open for general use, the risk of distraction, misuse, and data leakage goes up. This is where the IT admin plays an important role. 

IT Admins Behind the Scenes

While frontline workers are in the field, IT admins are working in the background to make sure every device is ready to go—pre-configured, locked down, and monitored. They're the ones who:

Without a robust MDM solution in place, managing hundreds—or even thousands—of shared devices can quickly spiral out of control. 

What is Kiosk Mode?

Kiosk Mode is a feature that locks devices to only IT-approved apps and websites. It turns shared or multi-use devices into a dedicated purpose device. It’s widely used in industries like retail, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, and field services—where focus, security, and simplicity are key.

By locking down devices to specific apps or functions, organizations can reduce distractions, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure devices are used only for their intended purpose.

SureMDM supports Kiosk Mode for  Android, iOS, and Windows devices and allows IT teams to configure devices in either of the following modes:

• Single-App Kiosk Mode: The device launches and stays in one specific app.
  Ideal for tasks like inventory scanning, form submissions, or point-of-sale operations.
• Multi-App Kiosk Mode: The device gives users access to a curated list of approved business apps.
  Useful for workers who need access to multiple tools like navigation, messaging, and documentation apps.

SureMDM Kiosk Mode: Purpose-Built for Frontline Productivity

SureMDM makes it incredibly easy for IT teams to configure, deploy, and manage kiosk mode. Whether it’s a rugged Android device used in the field or an iPad at a retail counter, SureMDM gives full control to enforce usage policies and ensure task-focused device usage.

Improve Productivity, Reduce Distractions

• Lock devices into single-app or multi-app kiosk mode
• Block access to non-business websites with URL allowlisting/blocklisting
• Push and update business apps over-the-air (OTA) without device downtime

Monitor and Troubleshoot Devices

• Get real-time insights into device location, battery, storage, and data usage
• Remotely control Android and Windows devices and remotely view iOS devices to troubleshoot issues and reduce device downtime

• Broadcast alerts or instructions on the devices directly from the SureMDM console

Keep Devices and Data Secure

• Enforce passcode policies and restrict access to settings
• Set device compliance rules and get notified of policy violations
• Blocking access to peripherals
   👉 Disable the factory reset, camera, and screenshot buttons on field worker devices.
• Remotely lock or wipe lost or stolen devices to protect sensitive data

Get Your Devices Frontline-Ready With More SureMDM Features

• Use staging enrollment for Android to onboard devices by scanning a QR code or tapping via NFC
• Apply configurations, apps, and policies remotely with zero-touch provisioning
• Ship pre-enrolled, fully configured devices directly to frontline workers

Shared Device Mode: Flexibility with Control

In frontline environments, one device is used by multiple workers across shifts. Managing shared devices in dynamic work environments isn’t easy—and IT admins across the world are feeling it. Here are a few real challenges we gathered from Reddit:

“How are you all dealing with the scenario where a company is sharing a single device?”
IT teams are looking for practical solutions to manage shared devices without compromising on security or usability. (Source)

“Trying to set up a Managed Home Screen for kiosk purposes. Multi-app setup. Our users also need calling and texting capabilities (SMS and WhatsApp).”
Balancing restricted access with essential communication needs is a common challenge—especially in field service and delivery use cases. (Source)

“We have a situation where many people use a laptop. They simply log into a web app in Chrome, enter some data, and log off for the next person.”
Providing seamless, secure access to a single web-based application—without the complexity of full user accounts—is another frequent requirement. (Source)

SureMDM’s Shared Device Mode solves this without compromising security or functionality.

With Shared Device Mode:

• Each user gets access to only their approved apps and data 
• IT admins can set up granular access policies with SureAccess ZTNA
• IT admins can configure ADFS, Azure AD, Okta, OneLogin, PingOne, Google Workspace SSO logins for shared devices

Bonus: Enable Secure Business Communication with AstroContacts

• Automatically sync job-specific contacts to devices
• Notify users of important updates directly via the AstroContacts mobile app
• Send announcements and security notifications from the dashboard

Conclusion

Frontline workers rely on devices that just work—no distractions, no confusion, no delays. With SureMDM’s Kiosk Mode and Shared Device Mode, organizations can empower their workforce with purpose-driven tools while keeping IT operations efficient and secure.

Whether it’s a retail floor, a delivery route, or a hospital corridor, SureMDM helps you lock down distractions, unlock productivity, and scale with confidence.