UPGRADING FAN EXPERIENCES WITH CONTACTLESS MOBILE ORDERING THE POWER OF CUSTOMER SERVICE MAKING THE CASE FOR CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY IN THE AV SPACE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 ISSUE 33 A GOOD CONNECTION ISN’T JUST FOR CHRISTMAS INNOVATING HOSPITALITY WITH NEW MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS HOW THE PRINTER CAN ENHANCE THE VERSATILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY OF A KIOSKCONTENTS 2KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE A round up of some of the latest kiosk and digital signage news to hit the editor’s inbox. Nick Sacke, Head of IoT and Products, Comms365, explores how retailers can confidently achieve the resilient connectivity required to underpin every aspect of the customer retail experience. Natasha Bourgourd looks at how technological advances are leading the way forward for the future of hotels, and with the sector now free from Covid-19 restrictions, venues are looking for ways to improve the guest experience with technology. 2KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE 06 NEWS 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 16 A GOOD CONNECTION ISN’T JUST FOR CHRISTMAS 20 HOW NEW MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ARE INNOVATING THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY 12 THE POWER OF SERVICE Publisher: Abacus Communications Editor: Laura Vallis Advertising: Hillview Media www.kdseurope.com Abacus Communications Limited 1 Tudor Business Park, Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood, KT20 6EN 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 © 2021 and accordingly must not be reproduced in any medium. All rights reserved. In recognition of National Customer Service Week, Touchdown spoke with four experts from businesses renowned for their customer service, on what they believe makes for excellent customer service, and how organisations can reflect on the services they are providing.Adam King, CEO of SwipeStation takes a look at how mobile ordering is taking precedence in the switch to contactless payments at large stadia and hospitality venues. David Pearce, Technical Director, Star Micronics EMEA looks at key considerations when selecting a kiosk printer, crucial to a kiosk’s successful design and operation. CONTENTS 3 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE 24 UPGRADING FAN EXPERIENCES WITH CONTACTLESS MOBILE ORDERING 28 HOW THE PRINTER CAN ENHANCE THE VERSATILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY OF A KIOSK Promotions, organisational changes and new recruits across the kiosk and digital signage industry. Nations and businesses around the world are working towards net-zero targets, and reducing utility consumption is an obvious step in the process. With this significant focus on energy efficiency, Matthew Margetts, Director of Sales and Marketing, Smarter Technologies looks at how property developers can ensure future net-zero compliance. Jeff Hastings, CEO, BrightSign looks at cellular connectivity in the AV space. Why is it that cellular connectivity hasn’t taken root similarly in the AV space as it has in our personal lives? Is it a matter of security? Of convenience? Or maybe just a matter of habit? 32 HOW CONNECTED TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP PROPERTY DEVELOPERS REACH FUTURE NET ZERO 36 MAKING THE CASE FOR CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY IN THE AV SPACE 39 MOVERS AND 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.comAs we round up the year saying goodbye (and in a lot of cases good riddance) to 2021, this is an ideal time to reflect upon the changes within our industry. While Covid-19 vaccines have aided the re-emergence of the hospitality and retail industries, the virus has accelerated contactless and automated innovations. In this issue, we take a look at how new management systems are innovating the hospitality industry, the power of customer service technology and the adoption of contactless mobile ordering at events and in large venues. It is connectivity that underpins these technological advances. We explore how retailers can achieve and be reassured by resilient connectivity. We also look at how connected technology can help property developers reach future net-zero compliance. While on the other hand, we also consider why cellular connectivity hasn’t impacted the AV space as much as it has in our personal lives. In the news we are beginning to see small shoots of positivity returning to the industry. We are steadily hearing more and more announcements of investment in the kiosk and digital signage space, with increased venture capital money moving in. Despite Covid-19 still being of great concern around the globe, these are upbeat and confident signs of renewed interest in the technology that can aid and assist our post-virus lives. With this upward trend of investment, we look forward to what 2022 might reveal to our industry, and the new technological innovations we could be using this time next year. Wishing all our readers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2022. Laura Vallis Editor Kiosk and Digital Signage Magazine FOREWORD 5 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE CONNECTIVITY, CONTACTLESS AND CAPITAL INVESTMENTDisplax has announced a successful collaboration with Synaptics which answers a need for a line of cost- effective, high-performance touch products for the education and office collaboration markets with a low-cost, high-performance ‘no battery’ Digital Marker Pen. The result is three new product line offerings from Displax: The Displax Mesh and Displax Sense enable OEMs and ODMs to create more cost-effective ultra-large 24in to 98in touchscreens. Mesh and Sense are based on a combination of Displax’s technology, longstanding experience in the ultra-large projected capacitive market, and Synaptics world leadership in touch controllers. Displax Markers are expected to replace the classic felt marker. They do not require any form of battery and are Microsoft Windows Ink compatible. Available in black and red, the marker works like an active pen making it possible to capture ideas quickly and naturally on all Microsoft Ink compatible Apps. The core technology is built on Synaptics’ touch controller family of products, for an intuitive and seamless user experience. The combination of Mesh or Sense with Digital Markers from Displax is especially compelling in the education and office collaboration markets. OEM & ODM touch integrators are invited to join the design process and ensure the final product meets end- customer needs. NEWS IN BRIEF ABSEN PARTNERS WITH BROMPTON TECHNOLOGY Absen and Brompton Technology have joined forces with the aim of offering the very best solutions for high-end virtual studios. Absen’s LED specialist background paired with Brompton Technology’s processing solutions for LED video walls, offers integrators and customers access to the leading video packages when it comes to virtual studio creation. Adam Berditch, Absen’s Business Development Manager for the UK, commented, “Over the last year, we’ve seen businesses use LED to transform live online events. State- of-the-art virtual studios are fast becoming the norm for industries across the globe. LED can offer a whole new dimension to online presentations, professional events and award ceremonies.” The use of virtual studios has grown exponentially in the last two years, with this growth showing no signs of slowing down. Grand View Research estimated that the global virtual production market size was valued at $1.41 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.7% from 2021 to 2028. BRIGHTSIGN ACCEPTS MAJORITY INVESTMENT FROM GRAHAM PARTNERS BrightSign has announced that Graham Partners has made a significant investment in the company. Graham Partners is a private investment firm targeting technology- driven advanced manufacturing companies. The investment is expected to fuel BrightSign’s growth to continue providing powerful digital experiences for a variety of high-growth markets including retail, healthcare, education, attractions, stadiums and transportation. BrightSign was sourced on a proprietary basis through Graham Partners’ Investment Theme Program with specific focus on digital signage. BrightSign’s founders will continue to be significant investors alongside Graham Partners. Rob Newbold, Managing Principal at Graham Partners, said, “BrightSign is a leading, innovative player in the industry. Graham plans to leverage the company’s leading market position to continue its expansion into high- growth markets and technology partnerships.” Jeff Hastings will remain BrightSign’s Chief Executive Officer. 6KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE INNOVATION POWERS UITRA-LARGE MULTITOUCH DISPLAYS We can offer some fabulous presence marketing options. If you would like to discuss one of our advertising or advertorial packages , whether online or offline, please contact: sales@kdseurope.comPeerless-AV has announced the launch of an upgraded iteration of its Outdoor Digital Menu Boards. Manufactured in the UK and designed to support the leading 55in outdoor commercial display brands, Peerless-AV’s latest Outdoor Digital Menu Boards offer maximum flexibility at the best value. The new Outdoor Digital Menu Board models can support up to three displays to enhance outdoor drive-thru efficiency. These all-weather rated, outdoor units are UL 48 certified and offer a low operating cost, modular design and a simplified two-man installation process. Compatible 55in outdoor digital signage display models include the Peerless-AV Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays, Samsung OHF Series Displays and LG XE4F-M Series High Brightness Outdoor Displays. Along with being able to choose the preferred display brand, customers can customise their solution with a variety of options to create an ideal digital drive-thru solution. These include the Speaker/Microphone Kit, Media Storage Fan and Internal Media Player Shelf. NEWS IN BRIEF KDS 2021 POSTPONED In recent months exhibition halls have begun to open their doors to exhibitors, delegates and visitors for face-to-face trade events for the first time in almost two years. While this is great news for the events industry, the team at KDS 2021 is very aware that these trade shows are taking baby steps through the minefields of quarantine, testing and social distancing measures. It has become increasingly clear that despite the tentative reemergence of live events, many organisations remain hesitant to ask their staff to attend live B2B events as exhibitors or visitors. This hesitancy has not been helped by recent talk of an autumn ‘firebreak’ (lockdown) in England. When this is added to the ongoing complexities for international exhibitors and visitors testing and quarantining, it has been decided, in the interest of all our customers, to postpone KDS 2021 until next year. KDS 2021, previously known as Kiosk Summit, is Europe’s only dedicated event for the kiosk and digital signage industry and the organisers wish to make it an occasion you are proud to be involved with, enjoy networking in, and where you appreciate interacting with the seminars and educational sessions. We are presently looking at dates and exploring the possibility of holding the event in Spring 2022. We will release the rescheduled event details as soon as we are able. Greg Ward, Abacus Communications, KDS 2021 organiser said, “Our first thought is always the exhibitor and visitor experience. The ongoing uncertainties caused by Covid-19 continue to shape our options in returning to live events. This makes it doubly important that we don’t risk attempting to stage a live event that does not meet our high standards or expectations. I would like to thank all our customers for their continued support.” 7 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE Keith Dutch, Managing Director, EMEA, Peerless-AV, commented, “With the right technology, the drive-thru will only become more important. To meet the demands of a growing market, and addressing valuable customer feedback, we have really raised the bar with this latest upgrade to our Outdoor Digital Menu Board range. The new models are more cost-effective, with flexibility in design and improved aesthetics to keep up with the look and feel of the next generation drive-thrus that offer a smoother, faster, smarter customer digital ordering experience.” PEERLESS-AV’S UNIVERSAL OUTDOOR DIGITAL MENU BOARDS FOR QSR AND RETAIL ViewSonic has launched the ViewBoard Box—a palm-sized plug and play device that works with compatible mainstream displays, monitors and projectors. It provides instant access to the company’s myViewBoard ecosystem and brings enhanced engagement and collaboration to learning spaces. Moreover, it helps IT administrators to streamline the work process by offering device management to centrally control displays remotely with myViewBoard Manager. Monica Sun, Director of the Presentation Group at ViewSonic, said, “At the moment, we are seeing an acceleration in a number of changes already underway in education, such as greater digitalisation of in-person classrooms and the proliferation of remote learning. Purpose-built to facilitate communication and engagement, the myViewBoard ecosystem has benefitted more than 4 million customers. With the introduction of the ViewBoard Box, we want to open this powerful visual learning platform to an even greater number of educators, students, and institutions—without the need to undertake major upgrades in their infrastructure.” TRANSFORMING CLASSROOMS INTO IMMERSIVE DIGITAL SPACESThe Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is working with North to accrue and access data that will help manage surges of tourism in a sustainable way. Through the installation of gateways and sensor devices connected to North’s IoT Scotland network framework, the National Park Authority and other local land managers will be able to use innovative technologies to monitor footfall, route usage and vehicle parking. The network will also be available to local businesses to deploy data gathering sensors to gain key data findings and insights on how they can improve their services. Funded by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and North, the £6m IoT Scotland network provides the infrastructure for organisations to tap into smart sensor applications. The proposed footfall and car park sensors will be installed around the Aviemore and Cairngorm areas and will communicate with the IoT Scotland network through the gateways set up at Glenmore Lodge, Ciste, Day Lodge and two buildings within Aviemore. Using the data from around the area, the National Park Authority and partners will be able to monitor the most popular routes and carparks to ensure they are effectively managed to prevent the degradation of natural beauty spots. Additionally, sensors will be used to track real-time data to maximise visitor experience and safety. NEWS IN BRIEF LONDON TECHNOLOGY CLUB INVESTS IN COGNIAC The London Technology Club (LTC) is investing in Cogniac, a provider of enterprise-class Artificial Intelligence (AI) image and video analysis across a variety of industries, including automotive, railway, manufacturing and government. LTC has invested as part Cogniac’s $20 million ‘Series B’ funding round to drive exponential growth across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and further strengthen its leadership and product engineering in the Artificial Intelligence space. LTC took part in the round alongside the leading impact fund, National GridVentures LLC and other prominent technology investors including Cisco Investments, Energy Innovation Capital, Autotech Ventures, Vanedge Capital Partners and Wing Venture Capital. Cogniac’s technology maximises the value of visual data. By deploying Convolutional Neural Networks and Hyper Parameter Optimisation, Cogniac’s platform achieves process performance optimisation with little technical knowledge required. London Technology Club Founder and CEO, Konstantin Sidorov, said, “Members of the London Technology Club are delighted to be part of this investment round in Cogniac. Cogniac has an innovative solution to enhance companies’ efficiency and workflow streams. It is an exciting, high-growth technology company that is set to enhance working systems such as the speed of construction or the reliability of railway systems. One of the key focus areas for us is the latest AI technologies, as such, we are proud to assist Cogniac in accelerating the impact of their mission-driven AI technology that has the potential to revolutionise production systems for companies across the world.” FUZE EXPANDS WITH WALKIE- TALKIE MODE AND REALWEAR Fuze has announced two new offerings to streamline communications for manufacturing field technicians, facility floor employees and remote support experts. Fuze Walkie-Talkie Mode combines the familiarity and ease of use of voice with the asynchronous flexibility and immediacy of chat, enabling users to send instant audio messages and have them automatically played upon receipt. This new capability creates a hands- free communication option, while working in the field, on a factory floor or in transit. In addition, Fuze’s solution with RealWear’s assisted reality wearable devices provides workers with instant hands-free access to meetings, calling and messaging within a heads-up display. Operating on an Android ` mobile device, it utilises a front-facing HD camera to capture photos and share live video footage with remote experts to help troubleshoot and resolve tasks more efficiently while on-site. 8KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE IOT NETWORK IN CAIRNGORMS SET TO HELP BUSINESSES AND VISITORS AV Stumpfland Smart Monkeys have announced their partnership to integrate ISAAC API into the award-winning PIXERA media server system’s new “PIXERA control” show control solution. Smart Monkeys’ ISAAC system simplifies complex shows requiring customisation, control, scheduling, media, logging and user management. ISAAC Workspace provides a unified programming and front-end client interface for pro-AV installations. The PIXERA control is a distributed integration and control framework that empowers users to host new functionalities within PIXERA and to control all aspects of an extended project environment. As a first successful step of the collaboration process between the two companies, ISAAC events can be created and synced with the ISAAC calendar directly from within the PIXERA control interface. It is also possible to pass variables to ISAAC and create a UI that can then be displayed right within ISAAC Workspace. The direct integration of ISAAC with PIXERA control is aimed at giving users the best of both worlds, ISAAC’s unmatched high-level system health and maintenance capabilities coupled with fine-grained access to the PIXERA content editing and presentation platform. SmartLabs has been chosen by Brazilian ISP Città Telecom for OTT provision and mobile applications. The solution will be used by the company’s set top box customers and mobile users. Città Telecom has chosen SmartLabs after extensive technical testing. Eduardo Campos, SmartLabs’ Sales Director for the LATAM region, says, “OTT is mandatory right now - everybody wants to have it. The challenge in Brazil is that content providers are not allowing the medium sized service providers to broadcast their content using mobile devices. There are negotiations underway for service providers to be able to broadcast content that is on the Set-Top Boxes, on SmartTVs and Mobile Apps in the future. nsign.tv have announced that its digital signage platform has won the award for “Digital signage technology of the year” at the AV Awards, the international awards that recognise excellence in the AV industry. nsign.tv has won over seven other technologies vying for the award in this category, which has been sponsored by Integrated Systems Europe (ISE). The jury has recognised the excellence and innovation offered by this PCaaS communication platform and its contribution to the digital transformation of physical spaces, allowing the democratisation of digital signage in all sectors, without forgetting its ease of use that allows professionals without technical knowledge to use the platform. The award also recognises the recent factory integration of the nsign.tv platform in the professional digital signage screens of the Japanese multinational iiyama, a commitment that responds to the democratisation needs of the digital signage market with a powerful, reliable, simple and scalable solution that does not require technical service for its configuration and maintenance. NEWS IN BRIEF TRIPLE POINT JOINS SDIA’S COMMUNITY The Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance (SDIA) has partnered with Triple Point Investment Management, the Investment Manager for Digital 9 Infrastructure plc (D9). Triple Point is active in areas such as energy efficiency, social housing, and digital infrastructure, unlocking investment opportunities. D9 is an investment trust, listed on the London Stock Exchange, managed by Triple Point. D9 invests in digital infrastructure - the infrastructure of the internet – across subsea and terrestrial fibre, data centres and wireless networks. The 9 in D9 comes from the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9, which aims to improve connectivity globally, reducing the digital divide. 9 KIOSK AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE MAGAZINE PIXERA CONTROL INTEGRATES ISAAC ECOSYSTEM SMARTLABS EXPANDS WITH CITTÀ TELECOM NSIGN.TV WINS 2021 DIGITAL SIGNAGE TECHNOLOGY OF THE YEAR We can offer some fabulous presence marketing options. If you would like to discuss one of our advertising or advertorial packages contact: sales@kdseurope.comNext >