HOW CAN AI TRANSFORM THE WAY WE COLLABORATE AND CONNECT? THE POWER OF CLOUD-BASED QUALITY MANAGEMENT SIX BENEFITS OF TOUCH SCREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS JUNE/JULY 2022 ISSUE 37 MANAGING PAIN POINTS IN THE CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT TEAM A 2022 GUIDE TO CHOOSING A DEVICE MANAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR INTERACTIVE TOUCHSCREENSCONTENTS 2KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE A round up of some of the latest kiosk and digital signage news to hit the editor’s inbox. Jason Chester (Director of Global Channel Programs, InfinityQS) discusses four reasons why food and beverage processors should consider moving quality to the cloud. Ben Telford, Armagard, looks at six benefits of touch screen technology for your business, plus some tips for getting started in the most cost-effective way. 2KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE 06 NEWS 05 EDITOR’S NOTE 20 THE POWER OF CLOUD-BASED QUALITY MANAGEMENT 16 SIX BENEFITS OF TOUCH SCREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS 12 A 2022 GUIDE TO CHOOSING A DEVICE MANAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR INTERACTIVE TOUCHSCREENS Publisher: Abacus Communications Editor: Laura Vallis 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 © 2022 and accordingly must not be reproduced in any medium. All rights reserved. Interactive touchscreen displays are a great addition to every school’s equipment wish list. Along with the growing market for interactive touchscreens, is a need for reliable device management solutions. Nadav Avni, Chief Marketing Officer at Radix Technologies looks at choosing a device management platform.The first order of business is to help your team reduce customer effort whenever possible. Lee Cottle, European Director, Playvox explains. CONTENTS 3 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE 24 MANAGING PAIN POINTS IN THE CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT TEAM AI can offer many benefits for human connections and collaborations. Rose Moody, Creative Director, VITEC, delves into the outcomes of AI and how it can benefit businesses. For all organisations in the catering industry, embracing digitisation in daily operations will eliminate compliance blind spots and enable you to proactively control your critical processes. Sam Roberts, Sector Director at mpro5 discusses. Promotions, organisational changes and new recruits across the kiosk and digital signage industry. 28 HOW CAN AI TRANSFORM THE WAY WE COLLABORATE AND CONNECT? 32 HOW CAFES AND COFFEE SHOPS CAN DIGITISE TO ENSURE THEY STAY COMPLIANT AND SAFE 36 MOVERS & SHAKERS Would you like to contribute to KDS? Please submit news stories, articles, press releases and industry expert opinions to Laura Vallis editor@kdseurope.com. Please include high resolution (300dpi+ CMYK) images. We publish all 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. Kiosk Printing Solutions Star Success Customers around the world include: Premier Inn, Sun International, Coop Switzerland, P&O Ferries, Subway, Eurotunnel to name just a few. As a leading installerof packaged and modular specialist kiosk printing solutions, Star offers a wide range of industry-leading products. With over thirty years’ experience in the kiosk industry and an unrivalled reputation for reliability, Star has a highly experienced Hardware Engineering Team that can provide the technical expertise and flexibility required to develop customised products. This wealth of experience pushes the boundaries in POS and tablet POS printing to bring the most advanced kiosk solutions. With customers worldwide across retail and hospitality, Star’s solutions meet the demands of even the most compact kiosk designs, while offering high performance printing that remains unrivalled today. Star Micronics EMEA Star House, Peregrine Business Park, Gomm Road, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP13 7DL, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1494 471111 • Fax: +44 (0) 1494 473333 • Email: Sales@Star-EMEA.com www.Star-EMEA.comThe worst of Covid-19 may be behind us but it’s left its legacy which will no doubt hang around for some time to come. Retail, hospitality, health, education and customer engagement sectors have been radically altered by our changing attitudes and interactivity. Customer service quality is now placed at a higher priority than ever before and that means that ensuring process, regulatory compliance and reliability are increasingly important factors. In this issue of KDS, we look at how to manage the pain points in the customer engagement team, to help reduce the customer effort. We examine why food and beverage processors should consider moving their quality control to the cloud to aid data analysis, expedite process and ensure compliance. In addition, we investigate how cafes and coffee shops can digitise their daily operation to eliminate blind spots, enabling the proactive control of critical processes. We also feature a guide on choosing a device management platform for interactive touchscreens for the education sector and discover the benefits and cost-efficacy of touchscreen technology in your business. Plus we delve into the outcomes of AI, and how it can benefit businesses and offer transformative human connection and collaboration. Do you have something to say? What benefits do you think kiosks and digital signage offer businesses and their customers? You can contribute to Kiosk and Digital Signage magazine by getting in touch via editor@kdseurope.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Laura Vallis Editor FOREWORD 5 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE ATTITUDE, QUALITY AND COMPLIANCENEWS IN BRIEF 6KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE After a two year hiatus, Absen made a sterling comeback at Integrated Systems Europe 2022, marking the international premiere of its latest LED series, including the new AX Pro series of MiniLED, the MR series of professional floor tile screens and the new 0.9mm Clear Cobalt (CL) MicroLED – alongside an impressive real-time virtual studio set. ISE visitors were greeted by two triangular shaped LED screens rigged above the reception area made up of Absen’s award-winning Polaris series – the rental staging PL2.5 workhorse was provided courtesy of Publitec. On either side of the stand, Absen showcased dedicated LED solutions for various markets. Absen’s virtual studio set served as the central element and arguably stole the show. Realising the increasing importance of LED-equipped virtual studios in the film and television industry – as well as in the corporate and MICE sector – Absen’s expansive virtual studio set was at the forefront of its booth, allowing visitors to interact, in real time, with the production set that changed throughout the show, from deep within a leafy forest to a summery beach-scape. Jess Golding, Absen’s European Brand and Marketing Director said, “People want to learn more about the opportunities that VR studios can offer them, so we made an easy and accessible way for people to engage with every element that makes up the entire ecosystem.” ABSEN DAZZLES CROWDS WITH REAL- TIME VIRTUAL PRODUCTION SET VIOSO BRINGS PROJECTION MAGIC TO LIFE- SIZE PROPERTY PLAN MAPPING A German restaurateur and events planner is growing its portfolio by using VIOSO’s advanced projection technology to provide its customers with a one-of-a-kind immersive experience: the chance to step into a life-size reproduction of their future home before construction has even started. Plan Live’s USP is its unique ‘Grundriss 1:1’ (‘Floorplan 1:1’) concept, a true-to-life architectural mapping of a proposed development. Driving eight Epson projectors is a VIOSO media server coupled with VIOSO’s warping and blending software. The floorplan is projected, in real size, onto a dedicated 17m × 13.5m (55ft × 45ft) floor space in the company’s offices in the Hamburg suburb of Ahrensburg. Mobile walls and imitation furnishings supplied by Plan Live complete the illusion. The brief received by VIOSO was for an easy solution to display Plan Live’s clients’ plans, as well as the ability to upload new content, change the projected plans in real time, and control the whole system from the touch of a tablet. To power the system, the team specified a VIOSO Anystation Media Octo media server with Wide Angle calibration kit. On the software front, VIOSO Camera allows Plan Live to easily blend together the projectors, with Vertex VIOSO managing all content playback. NEW GENERATION OF PROJECTED CAPACITIVE TOUCH SOLUTIONS Review Display Systems (RDS) has announced the availability of a new generation of projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreens from touch solutions specialist, AMT. With an extensive range of high-quality PCAP touchscreens, touch controllers and drivers, Review Display Systems can provide dependable, fully integrated touch solutions. AMT continues to improve its PCAP touch panels with new materials and technology upgrades to ensure ease-of-use, enhanced performance and increased reliability. An extensive line-up of new, high-specification AMT projected capacitive touchscreen solutions have been introduced with a wide range of standard sizes and aspect ratios available between 3.5in and 23.8in. Outdoor and in-vehicle touch- based display applications need to be able to withstand extreme environmental conditions. The standard operating temperature range has now been extended to -40˚C to +85˚C, while the storage temperature is now -50˚C to +90˚C.7 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE To achieve a complete digital teaching model for the classroom, ViewSonic has announced the launch of its brand-new 24in touch monitor. The ID2456, which offers 10-finger touch functions, is equipped with an MPP (Microsoft Pen Protocol) 2.0 active pen, providing schools with a smart podium solution. Instead of the non-touch computer screen on the traditional podium, teachers can now complete all operations using their fingers and connect to the original projection equipment in the classroom. It can accurately present the actual brushstrokes of handwriting, offering a more intuitive, digital interactive teaching experience. George Lee, General Manager of Pen Display and Authentication Business Unit at ViewSonic said, “We understand that the podium plays a vital role as a control centre for the modern classroom. Therefore, we are launching the smart podium solution with the ID2456 at its core, transforming the traditional teaching environment into a modern classroom with real-time interaction. As a result, teachers can bring their teaching creativity into full play, achieving better teacher- student interaction and significantly improving teaching efficiency.” VIEWSONIC LAUNCHES 24IN TOUCH MONITOR FOR PODIUM SOLUTIONS NEWS IN BRIEF AV Stumpflpresented its new Monolyte unibody screen system and the new PIXERA four media server at this year's InfoComm show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new unibody screen system Monolyte is perfect for small meeting rooms and can be easily assembled, even by non-specialists. AV Stumpfl Managing Director, Todd Liedahl, explains what makes the new product so relevant: “As we travelled the country visiting our customers, one thing became clear, there is a gap in the market when it comes to small meeting room screens. We believe we have accomplished this in a great system, that even I can set up by myself in three minutes.” The intuitive product design means that setting up a Monolyte screen can happen very quickly, without the need for additional tools. High precision extruded aluminium profiles and snap joints define the skeleton of the projection screen. The entire frame block unfolds and the snap joints lock automatically. As an additional option, a so-called ‘skirt’ can be mounted to the double studs at the bottom of the projection surface and along the lateral sides of the screen legs, should customers want to visually disguise the bare legs themselves. AV STUMPFL‘S MONOLYTE UNIBODY SCREEN SYSTEM sales@kdseurope.com Peerless-AV has announced the EMEA launch of its new Motorised Trolley (PR598-M) for large format displays up to 98in. This new addition offers unique features, including digital height control settings and a built-in pressure sensor for safe use in education or corporate settings. “As classrooms and meeting rooms transition to more immersive and collaborative environments, there is a need for AV support solutions that enable presenters and teachers to maximise the full potential of large format displays and interactive touch screens,” said Keith Dutch, Managing Director, EMEA, Peerless-AV. “Our new Motorised Trolley provides a robust, mobile solution that can be moved safely and easily from room to room and comes with flexible height adjustment and pre- set height controls for quick adaptation to different presenter needs.” The Motorised Trolley offers 500mm of vertical travel at the push of a button and using the digital controls on the rear of the unit, users can pre-set and save up to four height settings. PEERLESS-AV LAUNCHES MOTORISED TROLLEY FOR INTERACTIVE DISPLAYSNEWS IN BRIEF 8KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE WORLDLINE AND IVS GROUP PARTNERSHIP Worldline has partnered with IVS Group to maximise the acceptance of cashless transactions. France and Italy are the first countries where Worldline and IVS roll out their offering, before making the solution available to the whole European market. This key partnership combines Worldline’s universal acceptance capabilities with IVS’ expertise in vending machines as well as value- added services delivered through Moneynet, IVS’ payment services branch. This scalable solution includes Worldline’s best-in-class payment terminals. Users of the vending machines will benefit from the latest Self/2000 terminals. BrightSign’s players are powering a visitor destination that takes audiences behind the scenes of movie magic. Weta Workshop Unleashed! is a new ‘part film set, part creative workshop’ attraction housed in the Sky City Hotel of Auckland City, New Zealand. Integrated by Toulouse Group, a New Zealand-based audio-visual consultant, the visitor attraction showcases the innovations of Weta Workshop, the industry-renowned makers of props and visual effects for an array of films that includes The Lord of the Rings, Avatar and Bladerunner. The experience is an explosion of creativity, mayhem and colour that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy through content management from the BrightSign players. Visitors are directed through nine distinct zones, each matching a genre of the films being created within a fictional studio. All the BrightSign players are locally networked. The push of a button by a staff member issues commands to multiple players that send either the video or audio and lighting elements to multiple projectors, a surround sound loudspeaker system, and a theatrical intelligent lighting system. Commenting on the project, Jeff Hastings, CEO of BrightSign, said “We’re delighted that BrightSign players are powering such a fantastic visitor experience. It’s always exciting to see how installers apply the players to their installations, and Toulouse Group is no exception. For example, using the GPIO inputs on the BrightSign players can trigger the media via a mixture of buttons, levers and other mechanical devices. Using the GPIO inputs in this way is very unusual in digital signage installations, but Toulouse uses the players in this way in close to half its installations, including Weta Workshop.” BRIGHTSIGN POWERS ULTIMATE MOVIE EXPERIENCE Review Display Systems (RDS) has announced the introduction of a new family of TFT display modules. Chefree has designed and developed the Family Model Series of compatible TFT displays that all feature a common, universal 30- pin data interface. The Family Model Series product range implements a universal 30-pin connector which supports a 24-bit LVDS interface, enabling a colour palette of up to 16.7 million colours, a 3.3V power circuit, a 12V LED backlight driver providing backlight dimming, and an EETI touch controller offering support for USB or I²C interface for projected capacitive touchscreens. UNIVERSAL INTERFACE FEATURES ACROSS TFT DISPLAY FAMILY We can offer some great presence marketing options, online, via our email newsletters and/or in this magazine. If you would like to discuss one of our advertising or advertorial packages contact: sales@kdseurope.comNEWS IN BRIEF 9 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE Bestway Retail has announced that they will be extending the use of age estimation technology in a number of their stores in the UK following a successful trial with Innovative Technology Ltd (ITL). The implementation of the technology is aimed at protecting children from harm in the retail sale of alcohol products. Andrew O’Brien, Product Manager at ITL commented, “Following a successful trial of age verification technology with Bestway Retail, we are delighted that they have decided to expand the technology into more Bargain Booze stores. It was first installed in January this year as part of the Home Office sandbox trial which we completed at the end of May. Since the trial began, we have been busy developing MyCheckr – anonymous age estimation powered by ICU Lite, to give an all-in-one, standalone device that retailers can simply plug in to help cashiers with age-check decisions.” Commenting on the decision to extend implementation at additional stores, Clive Binks, Head of Corporate Stores at Bestway Retail said, “As a direct result of the successful trial, we will now be installing Innovative’s MyCheckr device at more of our Bargain Booze stores. The technology is helping to boost staff‘s confidence when asking customers for ID and of course, anything that ensures we protect children is paramount to us as a responsible business.” ITL AGE ESTIMATION TECHNOLOGY TO BE EXTENDED INTO ADDITIONAL BARGAIN BOOZE STORES NOVOGRAF TEAMS UP WITH SCANLITE Novograf teamed up with Scanlite on an exclusive 12-month partnership to offer digital screens, LCD and LED signage alongside its custom graphics and surfaces. Novograf has chosen Scanlite as its official digital signage partner due to the company’s expertise in catering to an array of industries that perfectly match Novograf’s portfolio of clients. Ross Campbell, Digital Business Development Manager at Novograf, said: “2022 is an extremely exciting time for us as we continue to grow in the graphics space and work with our clients across various rollouts and store developments. “This partnership allows us to offer a fully rounded solution and include a digital offering for our customers, helping them optimise the process of store openings or redesigns. We want our customers to receive a cohesive end-to-end solution that helps their business thrive.” Scanlite has over 40 years of experience in designing and manufacturing bespoke digital signage and electronic information systems. With over 50,000 screens installed worldwide, Scanlite provides solutions to all industries, including retail, theatre, pharmaceuticals, leisure and hospitality. PEERLESS-AV EXPANDS XTREME OUTDOOR DISPLAY RANGE Peerless-AV has announced the first time showing in EMEA of its 75in Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display at ISE 2022 alongside new 65in and 55in display models. Designed for all-weather, extreme temperature applications these new models retain an unmatched ingress protection (IP) rating and award-winning feature set with significant mechanical and operating system enhancements that include thermal load diffusion, customised brightness scheduling, auto-source switching, power-saving and pixel shifting. The new XHB754-EUK, XHB653-EUK and XHB554-EUK Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays are fan-cooled to reduce heat build-up caused by thermal load from extended exposure to direct sunlight. The operating temperature ranges from -35°C to 60°C (-31°F to 140°F) and the patented thermal exhaust system keeps internal components cooled in extreme heat. An ambient light sensor in all models automatically adjusts brightness to match time of day conditions.Next >