Enhancing the visitor experience with digital mapping technology POS and display solutions to reduce retail theft Also in this issue: Whose job is digital signage content? CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT TECHNOLOGYKDS EUROPE MEDIA PACK 2024 Make the most of your presence; be part of the KDS Europe family and discover how you can make the most of your presence in the UK’s leading technical journal for hardware, software and component manufacturers, integrators and service providers and deployers of self-service terminals, digital signage and wayfinding. Contact sales@kdseurope.com to discuss with our team. Welcome to the spring edition of KDS Europe. In this issue we’re pleased to be bringing you a range of interesting (well, we hope) insights into a range of topics from enhancing the visitor experience with digital mapping to how to expand into the Chinese digital signage market. We also look at how 2D barcodes are transforming healthcare and manufacturing. We also turn to the idea of just whose job it is to “do” digital signage? Is it a marketing role? Is it designers? Is it IT? “As digital signage systems evolve and offer increasingly sophisticated tools, such as audience analysis by gender, age and viewing time,” writes Germán Talón, chief product officer at nsign.tv, ”relying solely on the IT department for content management becomes burdensome for all involved and provides little benefit.” What do you think? As ever, we welcome your thoughts and feedback and any ideas for future issues or web content. Please email editor@kdseurope.com. Hazel Davis Editor EDITOR’S NOTE Would you like to contribute to KDS? Please submit news stories, articles, press releases and industry expert opinions to Hazel Davis. Please include high resolution (300dpi + CMYK) images. We publish news and articles that adhere to our editorial guidelines free of charge. This ensures our content is unbiased and relevant to our industry. The views expressed in the articles and technical papers are those of the authors and are not endorsed by the publishers. CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY Publisher: Abacus Communications Editor: Hazel Davis Advertising: sales@kdseurope.com www.kdseurope.com Surrey Technology Centre, Surrey Research Park, 40 Occam Road, Guildford, GU2 7YG ISSN 2756-1097 The author and publisher, and its officers and employees, do not accept any liability for any errors that may have occurred, or for any reliance on their contents. All trademarks and brand names are respected within our publication. However, the publishers accept no responsibility for any inadvertent misuse that may occur. This publication is protected by copyright © 2024 and accordingly must not be reproduced in any medium. All rights reserved.Kiosk and Digital Signage 3 CONTENTS 4 News 10 Enhancing the visitor experience with digital mapping technology 16 Using 2D barcodes to improve patient experiences and streamline healthcare admin 18 Challenges and triumphs in partnering with China for display solutions 20 Whose job is digital signage content? 22 How point of sale and display solutions can reduce retail theft in 2024 efficiency 24 Enhancing employee engagement: a critical strategy for improving manufacturing efficiency 12 How to power up placemaking through digital signage4 Kiosk and Digital Signage NEWS PPDS reveals major expansion plans PPDS has announced an array of new performance and experience- enhancing products and major partnerships, including official entry into a multi-billion-euro market, plus another series of world-first displays at this year’s ISE show in Barcelona. The company has launched a major extension of its product portfolio and capabilities in the global market, with the introduction of two brand-new lines of high-impact dvLED displays. Marking a significant evolution of the business, these additions will mark PPDS’ official entry into a growing multi-billion-euro market, extending opportunities for its partners and customers in all markets. PPDS has also introduced a new series of professional TVs, a further extension to its ePaper portfolio, together with new dedicated hardware and software, adding extra levels of quality and affordability for the hospitality and healthcare markets. Martijn van der Woude, VP global marketing and business development at PPDS, said: “The transformation of PPDS in these three years has been nothing short of incredible, delivering outstanding choice and value to our partners and customers around the world. With our specialist teams, and a deep focus on building and nurturing relationships, PPDS has its finger on the pulse for developing and delivering new, highly innovative and advanced technologies when the market needs them. And with our total solutions approach, that includes software too, which will continue to be a major driver in 2024, and beyond.” Crystal Display Systems (CDS) has announced a new strategic partnership with Shenzhen Startek Electronic Technology. This collaboration will see CDS offering the complete Startek display range, encompassing all the industry standard sizes and formats plus an extensive array of bar type panels, round TFT panels, square TFT panels, transflective TFT panels, and wide temperature TFT panels. “Having been in the display industry for 30+ years and having worked with some of the world’s main display innovators I was astounded by the vast array of different sizes and formats available from Startek. I have never seen a product range so extensive, if you cannot find it in the Startek list it is simply not being made by anyone”, said Paul Tagg, sales manager, small format displays, CDS. This strategic partnership with Shenzhen Startek Electronic Technology allows CDS to offer an even more extensive small format LCD Crystal Display Systems Ltd announces strategic partnership Kiosk and Digital Signage 5 Research from TrouDigital has determined that London City Airport is the UK’s easiest airport to navigate. The digital signage company collected a list of all UK commercial airports from World Data and used UK airport survey information from Priority Pass and Google Reviews for each airport, using a list of positive phrases like ‘good signage’ and ‘easy to navigate’, alongside negative variations of applicable phrases. Some 3.46% of all reviews were positive about the layout and signage of London City Airport, with just 0.38% feeling negatively about their experience getting around the airport. Combined, the airport’s reviews regarding navigation are overwhelmingly positive, at 3.08%. The airport saw just 2.99 million passengers flying in 2022, 1.2% of the UK’s overall figure. However, reviewers found the airport easy to navigate and find, which is what ranks the airport so highly in the data. In a very close second place, Northern Ireland’s George Best Belfast City Airport saw a final score of 3.04%. The Google reviews saw a higher quantity of positive reviews, at 3.53%. However, 0.49% felt the airport was hard to navigate and so the airport ranks second. The airport opened in 1983, serving primarily UK destinations, and won plaudits in 2022 for its rapid security processing time of just 13 minutes. Third place went to Newcastle Airport, with the Tyneside transport hub earning a net average score of 2.50%. This indicates a high rate of overall satisfaction with passengers regarding navigation and signage within the airport. The UK’s most navigable airport A record-breaking year for ISE Europe 2024 This year’s Integrated Systems Europe was the most successful edition in its 20-year history. Taking place at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via venue the show attracted 73,891 unique verified attendees from 162 countries, a record since the show started in Geneva in 2004. This represents an increase of 27% on the 2023 edition. On the Wednesday (31 January) the show had 51,617 visitors, the highest number ever in a single day beating the previous record by almost 22%. The total number of registrations reached 95,396 with 172,627 visits across the four days. Attendee numbers for the Friday were at 24,528, a record for the show since it went to a four-day event. Alongside record-breaking occupation in the city’s hotels, bars, and entertainment venues, exhibitors reported unparalleled footfall on booths across the largest ever ISE show. The exhibition showcased its highest number of exhibitors with (1,408) and the largest show floor space (82,000 sqm net). Exhibitors from around the globe presented state-of- the-art pro-AV solutions, ranging from advanced display technologies and immersive audio systems to smart automation and collaborative communication tools. The diverse array of products and services reflected the industry’s commitment to pushing boundaries and enhancing user experiences. Mike Blackman, MD of Integrated Systems Events, said: “In the illustrious 20-year journey of ISE, we have witnessed the transformative power of innovation and collaboration within our community. ISE 2024 not only reflects the cutting-edge technologies defining our industry but also serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity and camaraderie. As we celebrate this milestone, alongside our co-owners AVIXA and CEDIA we look forward to continuing our commitment to being a global platform for industry professionals.”6 Kiosk and Digital Signage NEWS New research has found that three in five frontline workers believe information shared on workplace screens helps them to become more engaged with their wider business (61%), more productive (59%) and more data literate (62%). The research signifies the immense impact access to information has on workplace engagement and productivity. The study, developed by ScreenCloud and Google ChromeOS, sought to discover insights on the tech equity gap between information and deskless workers, and the impact this has on both engagement and productivity. ‘The State of Digital Signage: 2023-2024’, draws on insights from 2,400 decision makers and employees across the largely deskless industries of manufacturing, logistics, transportation and supply chain. The research found that almost four in five frontline workers (78%) believe office workers get more opportunities than they do due to their access to multiple workplace communication applications and digital information sources. This is supported by previous research which shows that just 1% of software venture funding goes towards enabling deskless workers. However, ‘The State of Digital Signage: 2023- 2024’, found that one communication channel which can help improve this sentiment is workplace screens, which nearly 8 in 10 workers (79%) expressed a positive perception towards. “Deskless workers make up around 80% of the global workforce, so when we consider that these individuals do not feel that they receive the communication and opportunities afforded to their information worker counterparts, it’s no wonder that organisations are struggling with a disengaged workforce and therefore decreased productivity,” said Mark McDermott, CEO of ScreenCloud. “Our research outlines that 78% of deskless workers do not have access to a company email address and 72% do not have access to a company intranet. Despite this, we often see organisations attempting to use these channels – and other platforms used to communicate with information workers – to connect with their frontline workforce. Not recognising the tech equity gap disadvantages deskless workers, creating a barrier to them becoming more engaged, more data- driven and more compliant with health and safety protocols. Everyone on the frontline deserves a more equitable technological experience, which digital signage can go some way to balancing.” McDermott continued, “While workplace screens aren’t the silver bullet to solving the productivity puzzle and increasing engagement, they are uniquely well placed to impact these areas as part of an omni-channel communications approach. Digital signage is scientifically proven to be the most effective method to engage employees by stimulating their visual cortex, and when combined with behavioural science insights around screen location, placement, length of message, and so on, the outcomes are extremely powerful”. The research confirmed this, with leaders largely recognising the impact digital signage has on organisational operations. 86% of decision-makers confirm that screens improve productivity, accessibility (86%), health and safety compliance (87%) and job satisfaction (83%), with 85% stating the technology boosts employee morale. In addition, nearly half (43%) experienced a significant uplift in employee motivation and performance as a result of workplace screens. Nine in ten leaders cite increased productivity through workplace digital signageKiosk and Digital Signage 7 Partnership to transform wayfinding experience Morgans Consult has announced a strategic partnership with Living Map. This partnership brings together Morgans Consult’s innovative wayfinding solutions with Living Map’s expertise in interactive mapping technology to create better connections between customers and the spaces they inhabit. Living Map excels in creating advanced mapping experiences, combining geospatial data, advanced algorithms, context-aware guidance and user-friendly interfaces. The company’s dynamic mapping products provide solutions tailored to various industries including transportation, smart spaces, culture and healthcare, empowering users to navigate and explore spaces in real- time. This relationship will see Living Map become the preferred mapping provider and wayfinding visualisation layer within Morgans Consult. “The collaboration with Morgans Consult is truly exciting for us, and we look forward to combining Living Map’s expertise with that of Morgans Consult to create a synergistic offering,” said Peter Asman, chief revenue officer at Living Map, “This partnership holds the potential to deliver a more immersive and comprehensive user experience, redefining the way visitors engage with spaces.” “This is an extremely exciting partnership for Morgans Consult,” said Michael Kitchin, MD at Morgans Consult, “It signifies our approach to meeting the complex needs of our clients, providing them with the most innovative and intuitive solutions on the market.” Eyefactive has introduced two cutting- edge touchscreen solutions at the ISE 2024 event held in Barcelona. Collaborating with prominent partners such as EXACT Solutions, MicroTouch, Peerless, and VIOSO, eyefactive provides advanced software and object recognition technology to amplify the interactive experience for visitors. Eyefactive unveiled its latest technology product, a 55in PCAP touchscreen equipped with premium features and object recognition capabilities. This premium touchscreen integrates PCAP MultiTouch Technology with 40 touchpoints, delivering unparalleled responsiveness and precision. Furthermore, the display supports eyefactive’s revolutionary touchscreen object recognition, allowing for simultaneous recognition of up to 10 objects. In addition, eyefactive also presented its 86in touchscreen featuring super-slim IR touch technology. This display offers seamless integration with eyefactive’s IR object recognition technology, empowering users to create immersive and engaging interactive experiences on a larger scale. “We are thrilled to showcase our latest interactive signage touchscreen solutions at ISE 2024,” said Johannes Ryks, CEO of eyefactive. “Our partnerships with EXACT Solutions, MicroTouch, Peerless, and VIOSO demonstrate our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology that redefines interactive experiences. With our new 55in PCAP touchscreen and advancements in object recognition technology, we are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in the digital signage industry.” World-first touchscreen solutions introduced at ISE 2024 8 Kiosk and Digital Signage NEWS Debut of 245in customisable all-in-one LED displays at ISE 2024 Two new motherboards from Review Display Systems ViewSonic has launched its new LDC series, a customisable addition to its advanced All-in-One LED display lineup at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2024 marking a significant breakthrough in the LED display technology’s product design and expansion of the company’s offering. ViewSonic’s new customisable all-in-One LED displays merge the advantages of traditional and all- in-One LED displays, facilitating the effortless creation of large, vibrant visuals suitable for business, commercial and public environments. “LED displays have gained immense popularity due to their superior color saturation and brightness, which provides high- quality images for various applications, from stylish interior decor to public signage for audiences of all sizes,” said Dean Tsai, GM of projector and LED display business unit at ViewSonic, “This widespread adoption has spurred rapid technological innovation within the sector. At ViewSonic, we are leveraging our expertise in visual display innovation to enhance the versatility of our all-in- one LED display lineup.” LCD displays are often used for large presentations, offering average visual performance and a fixed size that limits the adaptability to different spaces. While traditional LED video walls offer vivid visuals with customisable sizes, they are hampered by complex installation processes, often requiring multiple system configurations. On the other hand, all-in-one LED displays address the installation complexities while offering an integrated design but come in fixed sizes. Embedded systems and display solutions provider, Review Display Systems (RDS) has announced the introduction of two new mini-STX format motherboards from Kontron, a global leader in embedded computing technology. The Kontron K3921-N and K3921-H support the powerful Alder Lake-N range of Intel processors with the latest UHD Gen12 graphics based on the Intel Xe architecture. TheK3921-N industrial motherboard is equipped with two DisplayPorts v1.4, one DisplayPort via front USB type-C, an embedded DisplayPort and a dual-channel 24-bit LVDS interface which enables support for up to three independent displays with 4K resolution (2 x 4K and 1 x FHD). The K3921-H mini-STX offers a cost-optimised version of the K3921-N with slightly reduced functionality. It is available with an Intel N100 processor and also offers two DisplayPort v1.4, 1 x eDP and 1 x USB Type-C (Alt mode). As with the K3921-N, the K3921-H can support three independent displays with up to 4K resolution. Both motherboards share common features including support for up to 32GB of the latest DDR5 4800 memory technology, 2 x GbE LAN (1 x 1GbE, 1 x 2.5GbE), 2 x COM ports and adjustable CPU TDP make the board ideally suited for a wide range of industrial applications. The boards also feature two M.2 connectors, for storage and WiFi, as well as other interfaces such as GPIO and USB 3.2 Gen2. In addition, both boards feature up to nine USB ports (USB 3.2 Gen1/2, USB 2.0) and offer a dual power input (12v and 19-28v). Made in Germany, the compact and reliable boards offer outstanding performance, functionality and cost- of-ownership in a compact mini-STX format. They are ideally suited for applications in industrial automation, medical equipment, digital signage, point of information and gaming. The mini-STX boards are designed and developed for continuous 24-hour operation.Kiosk and Digital Signage 9 German flooring retailer enhances showroom experience with digital signage MeinBodenbelag, a 160-year-old floor covering retailer in Neresheim, Germany, has elevated its showroom experience by implementing a digital signage network powered by the nsign.tv software platform. The system includes 20 displays strategically placed throughout the store, providing customers with an engaging experience and contributing to extended visitor stays. “We were looking for a program for our many displays in the stationary exhibition so that we could play new videos quickly and easily every day”, said Toni Grimmeisen, MD of MeinBodenbelag. “It was also important to us that the contents could run automatically and be controlled from one PC.” MeinBodenbelag contacted its IT integrator, Kutzschbach, who recommended the nsign.tv cloud- based software platform. The decision was influenced by the platform’s intuitive interface, competitive pricing, and ease of use. Specifically, nsign.tv is managing around twenty 4K UHD screens ranging from 55in to 98in placed throughout MeinBodenbelag’s showroom, as well as a 4K UHD projector. The retailer, in collaboration with a local partner, developed customised mounts for the screens in a vertical position. The installation process was easy and quick. “The nsign.tv players were connected to the displays, then set up on the PC using the software program, and everything ran smoothly,” recalled Grimmeisen. Contents displayed on the different screens include daily price promotions, advertising of MeinBodenbelag’s social media channels, introductions to the company’s staff, signposts so that clients can find their way around the showroom, cool videos for relaxing in the showroom’s customer lounge and even cartoons in a designated corner for children. “We are extremely satisfied with the nsign.tv platform,” said Grimmeisen. “It’s super easy to use, it runs stably, and you don’t need much previous knowledge. The program is practically self-explanatory, and, if you still don’t get to grips with it, the support from nsign.tv and Kutzschbach is outstanding. The biggest strength, however, is that you can play different videos on the displays so quickly and easily. And it does so, on time and completely automatically. This saves us a huge amount of time and allows us to concentrate completely on everyday business. I also have to say, it’s really fun too!” The response from customers has been exceptionally positive, with visitors expressing enthusiasm for the modern appearance of the showroom and the ease of navigating the space independently. “Customers give us feedback on how easy it is for them to find their way around our store on their own without an advisor. Since we also open the showroom every Sunday, without staff, the displays are used even more to obtain information and place orders. This encourages people to spend longer in the store.” Reflecting on the successful implementation of the digital signage network, Grimmeisen concluded, “We wouldn’t have thought it possible that there was such a simple, intuitive and inexpensive platform on the market that could relieve us of so much work.”Next >