Glossary

Alphabetical layout on the keyboard rather than 'QWERTY', used in education. It has ABC through to XYZ. Some keyboards can be built this way to help with tasks such as learning the alphabet. 'Big Keys' is an example of this.

A keyboard that has been designed to work in Ambulance environments. 'iKey SL-86-911' is an example of an Ambulance keyboard.

The standard French/FR layout for a keyboard. Instead of 'QWERTY' in France it is 'AZERTY'.

Big Keys is a range of large lettered (1 inch square keys) keyboards designed for early learners, SEN departments and people with vision and physical disability keyboard requirements.

Biometric Keyboards measure a humans physical qualities and interaction to gain access/authentication. Examples of physical characteristics are fingerprints or retina scanning. 'Cherry' Keyboards such as the 'G83-14503' and 'Cherry' Mouse like the 'M-4250' use biometric technology as a built-in fingerprint...

A wireless technology that is used to transmit data over short distances. Bluetooth can be used in distances up to 10 metres. The 'Keysonic ACK-540-BT' uses bluetooth technology and can be linked to bluetooth enabled Smart TV's, and can be...

CAW' stands for the 'Control, Alt and Windows' keys found at the bottom of a keyboard next to the spacebar. This functionality allows for 'Control, Alt & Delete' to be pressed.

Esterline patented technology which tells the user when the keyboard needs cleaning via audible sounds and visible lighting. Suitable for medical environments such as hospitals and dentists. 'Medigenic Compliance Keyboard' has this technology.

A small, mini, micro, compact keyboard which is ideal for mobility. Usually having an integrated/embedded numeric keypad, rather than a dedicated keypad to the side.

If you have a specific requirement or want a personalised keyboard, if an 'off the shelf' peripheral does not meet your needs, KBS can offer custom built, specialist keyboards for any given environment. Please call us for more information.

These keyboards have been designed specifically for dental environments. They are fully wipeable or washable, fully HTM01-05 compliant and auditable by CQC (pass). Examples of dental keyboards include the 'Purekeys', 'Accumed', 'Clinell' and 'Cleankeys' ranges.

Department of Health (DoH) Approved equiptment - tested and passing by the UK's governing bodies standards and legislation.

USB device which allows a wireless device to be connected to a PC. KBS supply Keysonic and Accuratus dongles for their wireless keyboard ranges.

A user-friendly keyboard layout where most commonly used letters are put together to reduce any arm/wrist/hand movements. Helping to prevent any form of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) occuring. KBS offer a dedicated DVORAK keyboard (KYBAC201-UBKDVOR)

Numbers are embedded into the keyboard, usually on the 'U, I, O, J, L, M' buttons. This eliminates the need for a separate keypad and makes the keyboard more compact, space saving and maneuverable.

Electronic Point Of Sale - keyboards, magnetic swipe readers and monitors which are suitable for use in retail and leisure - where reliability, ruggedness, data entry and swipe card capabilities are essential.

The hardware being used is designed to adjust to the position the user is working in to make them feel at ease whilst working with the computer. By having adjustable devices such as keyboards and mice it helps prevent the...

Keyboards that are made out of rubber, so therefore can be rolled up for easy storage and carriage. As the keyboards are made out of rubber they can be cleaned and used in medical environments including dentists.

Used for standard industrial keyboard manufacturing. It is also known as '18/8' for its compestion of 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel. The grade 304 Stainless Steel is the most common grade to use for kiosk and weather-proof keyboards, including the...

Also known as 'Marine Grade Steel', ideal for Naval Applications. It is the second most common grade of Stainless Steel and is primarily used for its increased resistance to corrosion. It is also known as '18/10' for its composition of...

High Visibility keyboards so they can be seen by people with visual impairments and in low light areas. Usually bright yellow letters, the keys on High Visibility keyboards can be upto 1 inch square. The 'KBS-YEL' is a Hi-Vis Keyboard.

Keyboards that have been medically approved for hospitals. Therefore they have to be cleanable, washable or wipeable and be IP rated. Hospital grade keyboards include the 'Medigenic', 'Cleankeys' and 'Purekeys' ranges.

The Department of Health technical Memorandum HTM 01-05 suggests replacing conventional keyboards with 'easy-clean', waterproof, washable keyboards as recommended in the Department of Health's (2008) 'Clean, safe care: reducing infections and saving lives'. Specific to the Healthcare (such as hospitals...

A type of pointing device used to move the cursor in a specific direction. Usually IP rated, ruggedised and often referred to as a 'nipple'. 'iKey HP-1330' is an example of a Hula Point.

Keyboards which comply with infection control legislation; cleanable, waterproof, washable. Suitable for use in healthcare environments such as hospitals and dentists.

By limiting the energy used to ignite for safe operation of electrical equipment in hazardous areas, Intrinsically Safe (IS) is used as a protection technique to ensure this is done. IS is also one of the methods available for ex-hazardous...

IP rating stands for 'International Protection Rating' but can also be interpreted as 'Ingress Protection Rating'. This consists of two digits. The first number is protection against 'solids' such as 'dust'. The higher the number, the more protected it is....

The first number, '5', in 'IP 54 rating' is protection from limited dust ingress, however it is not entirely protected. The number '4' is protection from splashing water (or light sprays) in any direction as it will have no harmful...

The first number, '6', in 'IP 65 rating' is completely dust proof, and shows the device has complete protection against any dust contact. The second number '5' is protection from water jets by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any...

The first number, '6', in 'IP 66 rating' is completely dust proof, and shows the device has complete protection against any dust contact. The second number '6' is protection from powerful water jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any...

The first number, '6', in 'IP 67 rating' is completely dust proof, and shows the device has complete protection against any dust contact. The second number '7' is protection from immersion up to 1m. Ingress of water in harmful quantity...

The first number, '6', in 'IP 68 rating' is completely dust proof, and shows the device has complete protection against any dust contact. The second number '8' is protection from immersion beyond 1m. The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion...

Keyboard covers such as 'WetEx' covers fit perfectly a specific keyboard to make them spill proof. They can also be removed for ease of cleaning.

Keyboards that are suitable for use in all weather conditions and public access areas. An example of a kiosk keyboard is the 'CKS 72Ti'

Keyboards with language options avaliable. Both compact and full size keyboards are avaliable like this. The 'Accuratus - KYBAC260-U' keyboard is avaliable in a variety of languages.

A programmable process which instructs a computer to carry out a specific task.

IT hardware such as keyboards, mice and smart card readers which can be used in medical environments such as hospitals as they can be cleaned to help reduce HCAI's.

Keyboards where the keys are covered by a transparent, rubber based shell. Over time the rubber will wear away unlike mechanical switches which are designed to last much longer.

Buttons built-in to a keyboard which work either as a mouse or a left/right click. An example of this is the 'InduKey TKG-086-MB-IP68'

Black mechanical switches by Cherry are linear and non clicky. With 60g of force needed to press, they have 2mm of travel to actuation and 4mm total travel to the bottom. Without the tactile 'bump' these are ideal for gaming...

Blue mechanical switches by Cherry are used in the 'G80-3000LSCGB'. With 50g of force needed to press, they have 2mm of travel to actuation and 4mm total travel to the bottom. Clicky, tactile and ideal for typing.

Brown mechanical switches by Cherry are tactile but non-clicky. With 45g of force needed to press, they have 2mm of travel to actuation and 4mm total travel to the bottom. Used for X-Keys.

Clear mechanical switches by Cherry are tactile but non clicky. With 55g of force needed to press, they have 2mm of travel to actuation and 4mm total travel to the bottom. Similar to MX Brown but a little stiffer

Red mechanical switches by Cherry are linear and non clicky. With 45g of force needed to press, they have 2mm of travel to actuation and 4mm total travel to the bottom. Without the tactile 'bump' these are ideal for gaming...

Mechanical switches manufactured by Cherry. High quality, long lasting and used by a number of manufacturers including X-Keys, Tipro and of course, Cherry.

Anti-bacterial protection built using silver particles which help eliminate bacteria and micro-organisms upon contact. Ideal for hospital wards and medical environments

This is where you can press as many keys as you want at the same time, and all of them go through. Some gaming keyboards call this 'anti-ghosting'. Please note that only PS2 keyboards can truly offer full n-key rollover...

Non-Incendive (NI) keyboards can be used in conditions where circuitry may spark under normal working conditions. By limiting the energy to a circuit, there is a lower chance of explosion occuring. The 'iKey PM-1000-NI' is an example of an NI...

iKey' use OEM's to sell parts of keyboard, instead of replacing the whole unit. OEM's include the cable, rubber cover of the keyboard (or pointing device) and the circuit board.

A reliable and tested mechanical switch made specifically for use on the InduKey TKS range such as the 'TKS-088c-TOUCH-MODUL'

Panel Mount keyboards and keypads can be attached to a panel (from the front or rear) and bolted into place. These are mainly used in industry and kiosk sectors. An example of a panel mount keyboard is the 'KBS-PC-D'

Programmable to work with secure information. Usually cash cards or pin-access systems. The 'KBS-KP-3688' is fully PCI certified

A keyboard designed to be used in Police environments. Accuratus KYB500-K82E is an example of a Police keyboard

Point of Sale. POS keyboards can be used to swipe cards and store details. An example of a POS keyboard is the 'Cherry G86-61400'

A number of keys can be re-configured to perform functions such as shortcuts, hotkeys, additional letters and commands. X-Keys and Tipro 'Free' keyboards are fully programmable meaning all buttons are programmable

PS2 was introduced in 1987 and is a 6-pin mini-DIN connector used for connecting keyboards and mice to the PC. When installing a PS2 keyboard, always re-start your computer after connecting.

Standard UK/US layout for a keyboard. The first 6 letters are: QWERTY

Standard German/DE layout for a keyboard. The first 6 letters are: QWERTZ

A 19-inch rack is a standardized frame or enclosure for mounting equipment. Rack Mount means the keyboard is suitable for 19-inch mounting or a 19-inch drawer application.

Key caps can be taken off and different key caps/wording can be added to them. Usually on a programmable keyboard where you can re-program to suit.

Re-Sellers supply products directly to the end user and some can offer advanced (on-site) support. KBS offer trade discount on many products as we are distributors for multiple brands. Please contact us if you are a re-seller with your requirements.

Radio Frequency. Used to wirelessly connect a computer to a keyboard via a frequency (usually 2.4GHz to stop any interference). An example of an RF jeyboard is the 'Keysonic ACK-540RFPLUS'.

Technology which is light to the touch and does not require a high pressure to activate a key press. Keysonic use this technology and the 'ACK-540UPLUS' is a very popular model for this reason.

This is the act of making a piece of equipment rugged, by strengthening it to resist abuse. The 'KBS' Stainless Steel range is rugged and vandal proof.

Unotron's patented SpillSeal technology uses a hermetical sealing process to ensure medical grade and waterproof peripherals.

A pad which is used instead of a mouse. An example of a touchpad keyboard is the 'Cherry G80-11900'.

A ball which is used instead of a mouse. An example of a trackball keyboard is the 'Cherry G84-4400'.

USB is the standard connection socket on computers and electronic equipment. 'USB' stands for 'Universal Serial Bus'.

Keyboards which can be used in public access environments without supervision. Keys cannot be pulled off and sealed to a minimum of IP65. A good example of a vandal-proof keyboard is the 'KBS-PC-I-3' which is commonly used in bank kiosks.

VESA mount keyboards have 2 - 4 thread holes on the back which enable them to be mounted. Usually 4 thread holes and either 75mm or 100mm distance between them. An example of a VESA keyboard is the 'Accuratus KYBNA-540VESA-B'.

Various IP ratings determine the level of waterproofing. If something is waterproof it generally can be used in outdoor weather conditions. The 'KBS' Stainless Steel range is a great example of this.

Weather-proof keyboards can be used in all weather conditions and outdoors. Usually IP65+ rated and ruggedised, these units are built to withstand public access. An example of a weather-proof keyboard is the 'KBS-PC-DT'.

Waterproof covers made by Cherry, for Cherry. Covers to help Cherry users keep cleaner, safer keyboards. They can be removed and cleaned as required.

A keyboard which can be cleaned using a wipe. No need to run under the tap or submerge. The quickest keyboards to clean are wipe-able. An example of a wipe-able keyboard is the 'Athena Medical Keyboard'.