You will now have the ability to search for your chosen destination in real time and plot your journey both by being able to zoom into any part of the underground map, as well as use journey planner added to this amazing solution, you can see the walking times between each station to let you look at the quickest and simplest option. We have also added the full overground train services in case you need to build these destinations into your plan.

The new system has been a huge success as the live trials have shown us at Paddington and Cannon Street, the user friendly solution is providing quicker planning and has eased congestion in some circumstances with the end user choosing different options to travel. Listening to feedback from the trials will help develop the solution to integrate multi-language options, locations of interest search and simple payment options.

Spokesperson from TFL stated that:

Richard Platts — Interface Manager from TFL stated that:

“The trials have proved a triumph by delivering a simple and engaging solution whilst working with Acquire on this project has been like a breath of fresh air. Their creative solution has been a revelation and I have no doubt that this system will become the main way guests plan their journey on the transport network in the near and distant future. This solution will evolve with the traveller’s demands whist our partnership with Acquire will grow”

Why not see it in action for yourself and be one of the first to experience this new engaging solution in Paddington Station or Cannon Street.

See more of our work on our website: http://bit.ly/1U4iLPY

TFL’s New Interactive Map Experience was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

28 Days Later.

There is nothing worse than displays showing promotional offers that have expired, a breakfast menu at 5pm or a once trending video that no longer has any relevance to its audience. With an Acquire CMS content can be scheduled allowing pages and playlists to appear at different times of the day. Advanced scheduling also means that content can be planned months and even years in advance. So you can avoid the wrong content making a disturbing appearance!

The Bezel Width Project.

This is an avoidable incident seen all too often with video walls — video walls constructed from screens with a wide bezel width. The result? Stretched videos with portions of hidden content, content that doesn’t align properly or content that is repeated across the bezel gap, creating 3 eyed monsters in some cases. We suggest using the innovative Video Wall Apps from Acquire Digital to achieve high definition and accurate synchronisation of playback across any format screens. Find out more.

Paranormal Textivity.

Understand and embrace the medium of digital signage. It is a visual medium, one that requires a good mix of visuals, films, feeds and eye-catching animated content. Do not therefore, include too much text! Your audience won’t stick around to read it and it’s unlikely that it will make an impact or grab attention.

Invasion of the Keyboard Snatchers.

This is not an urban myth… In the past we have witnessed applications running on kiosks and touchscreens that encourage users to give feedback or register for something. Sounds great, until you realise that there is no physical keyboard to input information and no on-screen keyboard designed with the interface which should appear on demand when a type box is clicked on by the user. Spooky!

A Nightmare on Touch Screens.

If you’ve created a touch screen project make sure that it is fully tested before you go ahead with deployment. Check that the navigation works, that pages link correctly and most importantly, that it has been calibrated accurately. There is nothing more frustrating than a touch screen project that requires you to touch off centre or select options that appear slightly off screen. Perception makes creating multi-touch projects easy.

Textless chainsaw massacre.

Digital Signage is normally installed to promote, attract and entice audiences. So, we regard it as a complete blunder if you include text that is too small to read from a reasonable distance. Better still, use graphics to illustrate your point and ensure that content is design-led, eye catching and memorable.

Don’t Look Now… the internet connection is down.

There is a danger when using software that relies on having an internet connection to stream content. Be prepared for inevitable periods of downtime when the internet connection is lost. Alternatively you may wish to consider using a solution like Acquire which deploys or uploads the project directly onto the player machines. Acquire also contains caching mechanisms for those apps that do require an internet connection and will periodically cache data such as TV streamed content, Tweets and RSS feeds so that you are never left with an ugly blank space.

Screen of the dead.

How affective is your digital investment if you have episodes of locked up, frozen or crashed screens? Not very! Invest in a secure and reliable remote management tool set such as System Monitor by Acquire Digital to identify and resolve issues remotely from a central office location to minimise downtime.

From Dusk till Dawn.

If your screens or kiosks are used in a reception area, shop or other public place with restricted opening hours it is unlikely that your screens will be viewed between the ghostly hours of dusk till dawn. Avoid wasting electricity and consider investing in software with Power Management capabilities. The Acquire Power Manager App allows you to remotely power off and on again at specified times which will increase the longevity of your machines.

Blogged by Sarah Miles.

Originally published at acquiredigital.com.

Tales from the Dark Side — Horror in the Digital Signage World. was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

It is therefore no surprise that connectivity and consumer engagement are the latest uncompromising mandates defined by retailers, especially when discussing the on-going threat of online retail. Join us as we take a look at some of the latest technological solutions that can now rival an online assault of personalisation, shopper convenience and engagement, delivered in-store to the consumer through innovative technology such as iBeacon, RFID, Bluetooth low energy, and Serial Triggers in the hope of providing a state-of- the-art shopping experience.

A closer look at the gadgets:

iBeacon/Bluetooth Low Energy

Developed by Apple iBeacons are a class of Bluetooth Low Energy devices that broadcast their identifier to nearby portable devices such as smart phones and tablets when in close proximity.

Similar to Geopush or GPS the iBeacon uses proximity sensing to transmit a universally unique identifier tracked by a compatible app or OS and detects location to trigger location-based actions across hand-held devices. The iBeacon is favoured over GPS due to a reduced impact on battery life and extended precision. It can also be used to monitor location in proximity to the iBeacon transmitter in store, meaning that retailers can use it to push promotions and special offers to increase in store foot fall.

A recent article in Retail Technology describes the success of the technology in aiding the omni-channel experience, depicting an entire customer in-store journey of personalisation, responsiveness and interaction with the brand — an experience that can only be matched by shopping on the net.

However, the article does also point out the inherent trust required and the transparency that must exist between brands and consumers during the data exchange. Constant push notifications for some could also be regarded as unwanted and intrusive.

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a type of tag or transponder and can be incorporated into just about anything, whether it be a phone, toy, product or a person. It transmits a radio signal which is received and located by a reader and can contain identifying information which is included on the tag and interpreted for specific purposes.

Integrating RFID with digital signage displays provide the perfect opportunity to advertise to an already captive audience. For example a bottle of perfume fitted with an RFID tag is picked up by a customer. The nearby reader detects this and instantly the perfume commercial begins to play out on the nearby screens. In addition to this, RFID allows retailers to better monitor stock levels, measure interest vs purchases and is also a great way of providing customers with detailed information about a product when sales staff and shop attendees aren’t available to do so.

For these reasons we feel that RFID’s real potential lies in the fact that it has the closest affiliation to the online world. With the ability to track, measure, monitor and disseminate information about products on screen it could be the true saviour of the high street.

Serial Ports technology used at WIND stores to trigger on-screen content.

Serial Triggers.

Similar to RFID but not as advanced is the Serial Port Monitor. Before RFID became more widely available we would integrate serial port technology into digital Point of Purchase (POP) displays to show content on a nearby screen when a product was lifted off the shelf by the customer. The major downsides in comparison to RFID technology is that merchandise cannot be tracked as efficiently in the same way and is also reliant on critical hardware, like a pressure pad, to detect the products being lifted off the shelf. However, it has proven to be a successful way of ‘closing the deal’ and assessing the popularity of products based on the number of times customers interact with them.

It wasn’t that long ago that retailers could only imagine ways of rivalling the online experience. Now, as technology continues to evolve and becomes more widely available, retailers no longer have to dream but can instead implement these technologies and stand a chance of fighting back, to deliver a responsive experience of personalisation, convenience, efficiency and automation.

Watch this space!

If you are interested in any of the technologies discussed and want more information about integration with your digital signage then get in touch.

The winds of change. How technology will help stores rival on-line. was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Following on from a successful opening of the Jersey-based store back in June, Sure have commissioned the refurbishment of a second store located in the Isle of Man. Acquire again joined forces with interior specialists, Made In Place and developed the technology in collaboration with newly appointed strategic partners Image Technique to deliver the project, making it the second Sure store to adopt the latest in-store technology.

Like the initial concept the new store utilises a cluster of 55 inch touch screens providing point of sale (POS) interaction. The main purpose of which is to provide shopping autonomy and ultimately enhance the customer experience. The solution, developed by Acquire, allows customers to construct their own packages, compare phones, and take advantage of email integration, allowing them to send their in-store browsing options home via email to finalise orders away from the store. In addition to interactive touch screens, the new shop has been given a very modern makeover with stunning video screens that wrap the interior as a way of enticing new customers.

Sarah Jarvis, marketing and PR manager at Sure Isle of Man, said: “The new, interactive shopping experience is an exciting development for Sure in the Isle of Man and is the latest innovation we’ve brought to our customers in what has been a very busy 2015. We’ve listened to customer feedback when designing this new shop and all its great-looking features will also contribute to shorter waiting times for customers.

Neil Farr, Managing Director at Acquire Digital reports, ‘By utilising the latest retail focused technology Sure can successfully provide an interactive shopping experience that helps customers to choose phones and plans, as well as allowing customers to top up credits and make payments which have ultimately reduced waiting times and improved customer satisfaction. The opening of a second store is testament to its ongoing success.

See full details here.

Sure Roll Out In-Store Experience Solutions, Designed by Acquire Digital. was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Almost all of us use touch screen devices including phones, laptops and tablets so why not introduce that format into the boardroom? Once you have invested in a touchscreen you’ll need to source cool software that will allow you to create presentations that can be touched and interacted with. Fortunately you need look no further than here! Perception is our latest multi-touch software enabling you to revolutionise your presentations.

But how can Perception be used for such a transformation?

Consider a new format: Break away from tradition and impress your audience by presenting on a touch table top. Alternatively flick content between portrait screens directly to the table top so that your audience can have a closer look at content without having to move!

Non-linear presentations: Unless your presentation needs to be in a linear format with a beginning, middle and end, structure your products, services and company overview into categories that can be accessed on demand. Audiences love having the autonomy to access information so be prepared to jump around with topics and discussions.

Use existing marketing collateral: You’ve probably already got product brochures, performance graphs and PowerPoint Presentations so include them in your Perception presentation. No need to re-do anything, simply add them like you would any other piece of media. Simple!

Mix it up: Keep your audience captivated by mixing things up a little. Add images, presentations, word documents, 3D models and even video files. Unlike conventional PowerPoint presentations these can be played back without a wifi connection. In addition to this, Perception will support enlarged videos up to 9k resolution to ensure that striking quality can be achieved every time.

[caption id=”attachment_652" align=”alignleft” width=”300"]

3D content is a great way of encouraging interaction.[/caption]

Sensory overload: As well as creating visual impact engage the senses by including audio on your video content. Video content will definitely carry more impact if it has the accompanying sound track.

Interactive Content: Take full advantage of this interactive medium by including content that encourages engagement from the audience. With Perception you can categorise your content into different levels or sub-categories to allow end users to fully explore the different levels of information. Additionally, videos and 3D models which can be pivoted and explored are a great way of increasing engagement.

[caption id=”attachment_649" align=”alignleft” width=”300"]

Use a mixture of documents, images, videos and even 3D content.[/caption]

Don’t reinvent the wheel: If you have specific content that you wish to include in your presentation that already exists on a webpage there is no need to recreate this content. Instead, include the URL or the page you want and it will be displayed in its full glory within your presentation.

Get a manicure: Since you’re creating a fantastic multi-touch project you’ll be touching, swiping, pinching and zooming so expect your hands to be the star of the show. Make sure you have presentable hands and nails or even better, why not treat yourself to that manicure?

Finally, let’s imagine that you’ve just received a presentation from a new supplier, made using Perception, where you were able to flick and share content with your peers, drag content across the screen and play full HD product videos. When it comes to making your final decision you inevitably choose the supplier that you had maximum engagement with and the one that remained the most memorable. With Perception you can provoke a response, allow interaction and differentiate your company from your competitors.

So, what are you waiting for? Join the presentation revolution and let mundane presentations be a thing of the past. Download & use Perception for free.

Blogged by Sarah Miles.

The Presentation Revolution. was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The multi-touch experience, also known as Perception, is the latest software solution developed by digital experience experts, Acquire Digital. Designed to give users the ability to create dynamic and interactive experiences the solution is an essential communications tool aimed at those with little technical or creative knowledge. The versatile tool is a must for all industries and sectors, for the creation of sales pitches, presentations, product catalogues, educational and training aids to name a few.

With a combination of functionality and simplicity, Perception rivals most solutions providing users with the tools to build impressive multi-touch experiences in a few simple steps. The application also comes with a host of ready-made sample experiences which can be personalised by adding any rich media content such PDFs, word documents, images, videos, web pages and even 3D models.

Acquire Digital’s Managing Director, Neil Farr reports, ‘the advantages of Perception are its simplicity and versatility. Perception makes it so easy and inexpensive to build powerful, multi-touch experiences in amazing high quality.’

As well as offering classic multi-touch features such as ‘pinch n zoom’ and ‘flick to share’ Perception also supports the playback of enlarged videos up to 12k resolution and optimises playback across any format including portrait, landscape, video wall and table top. Acquire digital also hint at a second release in the not too distant future that will include features such as image annotation, sharing across social media, and even being able to upload content directly from online Instagram and Pinterest accounts.

Farr adds, ‘Ultimately we have created a solution that enables users to create highly emotive touch experiences with absolute ease. We hope that with Perception we will be able to change any preconceived ideas about digital signage being technically difficult. Anyone can use Perception and create something wonderful.’

Perception was developed in response to an increasing need for a simple, yet powerful multi-touch solution, and they therefore anticipate a very successful launch. Perception is aimed at all businesses across all industries who want to better connect with audiences. The solution promises to help secure business objectives; from generating new leads to clinching those all-important deals.

A free trial of the software can be downloaded from www.acquiredigital.com/perception and until the 31st October Acquire are offering a 30% on orders.

Acquire Release Superior Multi-touch Experience. was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The store, located in St Helier Jersey, opted for in-store digital signage applications in a bid to not only add a modern dimension but to simplify options and enhance the shopper experience. The applications have been purposefully developed for the project by leading digital signage experts at Acquire Digital who worked closely with partners, Image Technique to provide both hardware and software and collaborated throughout the initial stages of scoping, testing, development and implementation.

At the centre of the store is a revolutionary touch totem. Made up of three 55-inch touchscreens the totem, acting as a point of sale (POS) unit, allows customers to construct their own packages, compare phones and even send their preferences via email, which can then be viewed and purchased on-line at a later date — creating an omni-channel experience.

Neil Farr, Managing Director at Acquire Digital, reported ‘We built a unique content management system for Sure that integrates with their existing website CMS. This ensures that when changes are made to prices, images or handsets the changes are also reflected across the in-store POS application, eliminating the need for staff to learn a new system or duplicate work.’

In addition to the interactive touchscreen, the store also includes a video wall comprised of a strip of 46-inch screens which have been wrapped around the store’s interior. The video walls are being used to display marketing materials as well as provide an immersive backdrop to the physical mobile phone handsets. The video wall has been carefully designed to maintain a constant flow of imagery which is automatically created by the system. Content flows in such a way across the strip that it successfully draws customers into the store to discover more.

Lisa Mclauchlan, Head of Commercial Operations of Sure Jersey reported, ‘the main reasons for opting for digital applications was to not only reduce waiting times by giving the customer more autonomy but also to create a superior shopping experience like no other.’ Coupled with the immersive and interactive signage the store also boasts complimentary refreshments, comfortable seating, TV and iPads for customers to enjoy while they wait for assistance.

The in-store technology provides a valuable self-service facility for shoppers enabling them to top-up phones and pay for goods using the payment kiosks. The technology further helps to assist customers in choosing the right plans, browsing headsets and comparing mobile tariffs.

The store has already received a lot of praise from customers and there are already plans to roll out the concept across other stores located in Guernsey and the Isle of Man over the next few months.

Revolutionary Interactive Store set to Enhance Shopper Experience. was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

So, if you mange a network — no matter how big or small — we would encourage you to read on to give you some options on how to prevent failures and protect your network efficiently. If your network isn’t already protected by such a system then it might be worth considering because you could face losing valuable time and money if problems go undetected and are not resolved quickly.

Digital applications are being integrated across all industries and sectors. Whether it’s a giant videowall in your favourite department store, a virtual receptionist at your workplace, a touch screen payment kiosk in your chemist or a digital touch screen in a hotel lobby, digital is cropping up everywhere and consumers are becoming more and more dependent on it. That’s why it is so important that any issues with the hardware or playback of content is resolved quickly to ensure that there is limit interruption to service and damage limitation to your reputation.

So what kind of things could go wrong with your network?

Typically, problems range from software bugs to hardware failures but they aren’t the only risk to network owners. Interactive kiosks and touch applications that connect to the internet carry a greater risk of being intentionally hacked or broken and therefore require a preventative measure to stop these threats from occurring and reducing the risks of external or unwanted content being displayed on your devices or the sharing of any confidential information between company and customer and visa versa.

There is a famous incident that took place in Moscow, Russia which involved a man successfully hacking into a video billboard and swapping the content with a pornographic film. A huge traffic jam began to emerge as a result and cause major delays across the city.

While many digital signage software providers have developed software to combat such technical and man-made issues, such as hacking, in our experience most solutions are derived from security software made specifically for home computing and are geared mainly toward kiosk applications. Alternative software that focuses on digital signage can resolve software malfunctions but are not very efficient at detecting hardware issues or failures, like whether a screen is working properly and very few are compatible with both kiosks and digital signage.

The solution developed by Acquire — System Monitor — includes unit Watchdogs that prevent individual units from being hacked by putting the PC into a mode of lockdown that cannot be unlocked by normal users.

System Monitor by Acquire Digital is a comprehensive solution compatible with both kiosks and digital signage applications developed specifically to gain remote access, monitor and resolve issues across all devices around the world and can be used in conjunction with existing digital signage and kiosk software. System Monitor is comprised of 3 main components:

1. Watchdog — this programmes sits on every individual unit PC powering your screens or kiosks included within your network

2. Site Manager — this is normally installed onto a central PC and is essentially the control centre for your network

3. The Plus Network — the Secure, fast network.

Included in System Monitor are nifty little features that have the ability to detect whether an LCD screen is actually on or not, record the temperature and space of hard drives, the status of hardware or additional devices, what software is installed and whether the screens are powered or not. If any of these problems are detected the system can automatically alert support staff via email or text message. This is a much more effective way of being alerted to issues and a lot nicer than receiving complaints from disgruntled customers.

Issues are also logged and whenever possible Watchdog will take remedial action to make the kiosk operational again. Programs and key services which fail are automatically restarted or the device itself is restarted.

Another advantage of the comprehensive solution is the ability to see content being shown on any screen at any time for that extra level of reassurance. We estimate that at least 90% of issues can be resolved remotely by gaining reverse access to units so that valuable staff resources don’t have to be placed on site. Obviously some issues can only be resolved by visiting the unit but at least system monitor can detect and alert you to problems rather than having to wait for a problem to be reported by staff or customers.

System Monitor is completely compatible with 3rd party software and is easy to integrate into existing systems and networks.

With all the potential risks and things that could go wrong, can you afford to have problems with your network? Or perhaps the question should be can you afford not to invest in a monitoring and management system?

Get more information about System Monitor

Blogged by Sarah Miles

Monitoring, Management & Minimal Downtime. was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Digital screens used purely for advertising are definitely more engaging and therefore more effective than traditional print based adverts, but it doesn’t necessarily fit the above ethos. However, when we consider the clever technology (the software) behind the screens responsible for editing, scheduling and the play back of the on screen content, then it could be argued that a human need has indeed been addressed. The need is essentially for efficiency; for quick and instant up-dates to content that can be made remotely without having to visit the location, re-print adverts, or install them.

Digital devices are increasing in popularity, but are they becoming a human need?

More interactive digital solutions such as touch screen displays and interactive kiosks — increasingly being utilised by retail — might be regarded by some as being a commodity rather than a necessity. However, the emergence and up-take of web-enabled portable devices like touch screen phones, tablets and iPads have created a significant shift in the way in which we obtain information, interact with one another and even shop. Over the last few years the popularity of on-line retail has increased so significantly that it is now considered the norm. Many retailers have had to respond to this demand creating multichannel shopping streams combining in-store, online and mobile.

Technology itself has therefore played a significant role in driving the human need for multichannel shopping options and the need to have these digitally interactive devices in store so that price and product comparisons can be made online, in-store.

Similarly, digital Wayfinder solutions located in busy shopping centres or tourist information centres are vital to helping users and visitors find their destination. However, as technology develops WayFinder Solutions have to become more advanced to meet the demands of the user. Our own WayFinder Solution now has the ability to connect with users’ mobile devices so that maps, routes and directions can be sent directly to the user device and carried with them. This changes the existing ‘need’ of obtaining printed directions or a map and instead replaces it with a digital need created by the emergence technology.

Ironically, technology is driving changes in human needs and desires and this will only continue. However, it is not proficient to simply slap a bit of ‘digital’ here and there, it has to be planned carefully with the user in mind, always considering how your digital project will benefit the ‘user’ and not just the advertisers. Without this consideration of the human need digital signage is reduced to a commodity. If digital solutions are to be utilised the ‘human need’ has to be addressed to ensure that it remains a necessity.

Blogged by Sarah

Image courtesy of news.com.au

Going Digital and Addressing the Human Need was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The retail industry in particular has already realised the value of touch screens, utilising self-service checkouts, digital product directories and touch screen Point of Sale (POS) stations. So why is ‘touch’ so important?

Here are our top 5 reasons why touch matters.

5. All aboard the Band Wagon.

Although no longer a new technology, touch screens are still regarded as being cutting-edge, stylish and functional and it is therefore no surprise that Zytronic describe a progression of touch screen technology across domestic appliances. As popularity increases I’m sure we will see more and more appliances being optimised for touch interfaces replacing old dials and switches, and as the exposure to touch technology increases, so too will the demand for the technology to be visible in out-of-home spaces. Consumers will therefore begin to align themselves with brands that visibly adopt touch technology as a result of being more ‘in touch’ with the consumer.

4. Empowering the consumer.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again… ‘Consumers are savvy.’ With an increase in on-line shopping the modern consumer is a sophisticated shopper and is accustomed to shopping with freedom and autonomy. In-store touch screen applications not only bridge the gap between on and offline retailing but also provide all the advantages of online shopping directly into the bricks and mortar store, providing convenience and autonomy. Touch screen self-service checkouts also empower the consumer, reduce waiting times and provide self-sufficiency.

3. A Personalised Experience.

In comparison to passive screens displaying promotional videos, adverts and company information, a touchscreen project can offer a very different user experience. Furthermore, since each user will interact with different content in different ways — navigating to different areas and ultimately accessing the products and services they desire — the touch screen offers a very individual user experience that can only be provided by touch and interaction.

2. Maximise Engagement.

Style, usability and sophistication are some of the key attractions of the touchscreen. Content on touchscreens is significantly more engaging and entertaining than passive advertising. The more engaging an experience the more memorable it is and therefore, increases the likeliness of recommendations being made to others.

1. Influence purchasing.
Coming in at number one on our list is the spending potential that touch screens provide. Recently, a round table discussion, at the Retail Business Technology Expo (RBTE), explored figures suggesting that half of in-store sales in 2015 will be influenced by digital technology and, as new touch screen devices enter the retail environment, the figure is expected to grow. Over half of customers want to use devices in store as they provide well presented, personalised, convenient and engaging experiences in-store, ultimately leading to increased purchases and brand loyalty.

Create your own touch screen projects with Perception.

Blogged by Sarah Miles

Totally Touchable: 5 Reasons why Touch Matters. was originally published in Acquire Digital on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.