Avoid Hardware Tariffs with Tablet-Based Employee Self-Service Kiosk

“We didn’t plan for it, but suddenly, our equipment costs went up by 30%—and it wasn’t because of inflation. It was the tariff changes.”

A sentiment shared by countless operations and HR managers, especially in industries with global supply chains. When hardware imports get caught in the crossfire of international tariff shifts, businesses bear the cost. One area where this impact is felt most—but often overlooked—is in HR infrastructure, particularly employee self-service (ESS) kiosks.

If your organization is relying on expensive, proprietary hardware for HR service delivery, it may be time to rethink the strategy. The solution? Tablet-based employee self-service kiosks like CloudApper hrPad—a flexible, modern way to stay compliant, functional, and cost-effective without the tariff headache.

What Are Hardware Tariffs and Why Do They Matter?

Hardware tariffs are taxes placed on imported equipment and electronic goods, including the kiosks and terminals often used for time tracking, employee scheduling, and HR services. These tariffs can change based on trade agreements, diplomatic disputes, or economic policies.

For example, when the U.S. increased tariffs on Chinese-manufactured electronics in recent years, companies using imported HR kiosks saw a spike in costs by as much as 15-30%. And these weren’t one-time costs—they applied to each device, replacement part, and future order.

Even in countries with more stable trade policies, tariffs can unexpectedly increase operational expenses when you’re locked into proprietary systems.

A Smart Alternative: Tablet-Based ESS Kiosks

Rather than investing in specialized hardware vulnerable to cost fluctuations, many organizations are choosing a smarter path: repurposing iPads or Android tablets they already own as fully functional ESS kiosks. That’s where CloudApper hrPad steps in.

CloudApper hrPad turns any standard iOS or Android tablet into a powerful self-service station for employees. With minimal setup, businesses can provide frontline workers with access to essential HR services such as timekeeping, PTO requests, shift changes, and HR queries—without importing costly proprietary devices.

How CloudApper hrPad Helps You Avoid Hardware Tariffs

No Proprietary Hardware Required

CloudApper hrPad is entirely device-agnostic. This means you can run it on tablets already in use within your organization—or purchase consumer-grade devices locally, avoiding import tariffs altogether.

Lower Cost of Ownership

Instead of paying $2,000–$3,000 per traditional ESS kiosk (plus shipping and tariff fees), organizations can deploy hrPad using devices that cost a fraction of the price. Even better, tablets are easier to replace, upgrade, or scale.

Flexible Setup and Deployment

With hrPad, there’s no need to wait for a hardware shipment or installation team. You simply download the app onto a tablet, configure it to match your company’s HR policies, and you’re live—often within the same day.

Real-World Cost Savings

A U.S.-based retail chain that previously used custom-built time clock kiosks switched to CloudApper hrPad across 120 stores. By using iPads they already owned, they avoided nearly $200,000 in upfront hardware and tariff costs. They also cut down on maintenance costs by 40% because replacement parts and tech support for tablets were cheaper and more widely available.

Added Benefits Beyond Tariff Avoidance

While saving on tariffs is a clear win, switching to CloudApper hrPad also improves the employee experience:

• Touchless check-ins with face ID to improve hygiene and security.
• 24/7 AI HR assistance, reducing stress on your HR team.
• Real-time schedule visibility and PTO management.
• Geofencing and shift compliance tracking to ensure accurate payroll and accountability.

And because hrPad integrates seamlessly with major HCM systems like UKG, ADP, Workday, and SAP, there’s no disruption to your existing HR workflows.

Final Thoughts

In a global economy where trade policies can change overnight, tying your HR operations to imported hardware is a financial risk. With CloudApper hrPad, you gain flexibility, save money, and stay ahead of regulatory changes—all while empowering your workforce with the tools they need to succeed.

Why pay more because of a tariff when you can do more with a tablet? Learn more.