Opinion News


Education votes for tablets Engage Production of


Tablet adoption continues to rise in schools, new research from the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) has revealed. The annual ‘Tab- lets and connectivity’ survey of 636 UK schools (334 primary, 302 secondary), conducted in May 2014, provides analysis of the current adoption of tablet PCs and apps in schools and gives insight into their future use.


When last year’s respondents were asked to look ahead two years to 2015, they predicted that 24 percent of classroom computers would be tablets. In contrast, when this year’s re- spondents looked forward two years to 2016, they suggested that 37 per cent of hardware would be tablets. This in- creased further to 56 per cent by 2020.


This projected total would provide a pupil-to-tablet ratio of 11.4 in primary schools and 6.4 in secondary schools by 2016, compared to last year’s research projecting an aver- age of 14 pupils to one tablet across primary and secondary schools by 2015. A highly signifi cant 90 per


cent of surveyed schools gave funding and budget allocation as the main barrier to adop- tion of tablets. Other reasons that were considered to be a


signifi cant or highly signifi cant barrier to adoption include the management and security


the technology (85 per cent), training and support (83 per cent) and the availability of Wi- Fi connectivity (77 per cent). Caroline Wright, director, BESA said: “It is heartening that schools continue to invest in this mobile technology to put the power of learning back into students’ hands. However schools must continue to col- laborate and share best prac- tice use of tablets and apps if the technology’s adoption is to continue to contribute positive- ly to educational standards.”


By using Engage First impressions count


launches consultancy AV News Awards winner En- gage Production has launched Engage Consultancy, a new initiative aimed at helping clients plan, shape and exe- cute projects with optimum success.


Consultancy, clients will dis- cover how taking the lead in innovation can increase ROI, raise brand presence, and procure brand longevity. “While many design agen- cies and consultancies offer theory-based advice, they often lack practical imple- mentation capabilities and experience, and this can lead


help


to mismanagement of Creative


and funds,” comments David Wilson,


Director


time of


Engage. “Our Engage Consul- tancy initiative allows us to employ our exceptional, end- to-end solution experience to actively


form, deliver,


and then support client proj- ects. Whether it’s a branded environment, marketing ex- perience, customer show- case, collaboration studio or high-tech presentation suite, Engage has the know-how to deliver projects that redefine standards and exceed expec- tations.”


Christie publishes Book of Transformations


Caroline Wright, director, BESA said: “It is


heartening that


schools continue to invest in this mobile technology to put the power of learning back into students’ hands.”


Exertis supports resellers in key markets


Exertis Micro-P has launched Ex- ertis VAD Solutions, creating a compelling security, Unifi ed Com- munications (UC), specialist soft- ware and services proposition for new and existing reseller partners. Exertis says that VAD Solutions has been formed to better educate and support resellers by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully sell in- creasingly in-demand security, UC, specialist software and services. Exertis VAD Solutions will provide reseller partners with a compre- hensive end-to-end resource com- prising pre-sales support, product training, installation and post-sales support.


Commenting on the introduction of Exertis VAD Solutions, Grahame Smee, Managing Director of Exertis Micro-P, said: “The introduction of Exertis VAD Solutions is the culmi- nation of the integration of Cohort into Exertis Micro-P. Since the ac- quisition, our reseller partners have experienced business as usual,


while enjoying the many benefi ts of this united entity. Exertis VAD Solu- tions will further serve to provide them with the solutions, knowledge and experience they need, to better service their new and existing cus- tomers.” Exertis VAD Solutions offers a


wide range of new services. Includ- ed among them is Exertis Profes- sional Services (EPS), which offers support and assistance from the early stages of the sales cycle, with product webinars, onsite demon- strations and telephone assistance. In addition, a well-proven Proof of Concept (POC) Service helps partners introduce and deliver new products and solutions to prospec- tive clients with confi dence. For further assurance that a proposed solution is appropriate, live on-site testing is offered, too. Also key to this area is a 24x7 TAC Service, as well as range of Managed Services, vendor endorsed training and on- site deployment.


Christie’s Book of Transformations.


The Book of Transforma- tions provides visuals, core plans and technical details on scores of projection mapping projects


carried out around


the world using Christie pro- jectors and complementary enabling technologies. It is available as a free down- loadable app across multiple platforms, a PDF file and as a limited release hard copy publication.


Through more than 70 case studies,


readers learn how giant office buildings, an- Exclusively distributed by Sahara Android Introducing Clevertouch Plus...


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Create and deliver captivating lessons and presentations


The tablet version of The Book of Transformations in- cludes images, embedded video and detailed narratives of how various structures and surfaces were mapped, rec- reated in software, and then given entirely new appear- ances using powerful project- ed light. The free tablet app is available on Apple's App Store for iPads and Google's Play Store for Android tab- lets. A non-interactive PDF is also available free of charge.


Christie has published The Book of Transformations - a coffee-table style book that explores and celebrates how artists and technicians are using powerful projection dis- play technologies to visually transform familiar structures and objects.


cient temples and churches, landmark towers, bridges, performance stages and even athletic playing surfaces have been re-imagined and tru- ly


transformed using `light


paint' and the creative genius of event producers and art- ists.


In the month where AV News examines the trends and thinking behind installation in corporate HQs and public buildings, Dave Oades, Managing Director of Sedao, argues that the industry cam do more to persuade customers of the value of first impres- sions.


Why don’t all corporate recep- tions have a digital signage sys- tem? We’ve all visited the head offi c- es of large corporate organiza- tions and been impressed by the quality of the reception area: the thick carpets, panelled walls, hanging artworks, soft lighting and cheeriness of the reception staff.


But then we spot the large screen display,(and it is very often a TV screen from a high street retailer), tuned to BBC News 24 or Sky News. To main- tain the ambience of the offi ce, the sound is muted. If you are ‘lucky’, someone may have switched subtitles on, although after a few minutes not many people bother with that. Go ahead: watch them!


At the same time, the compa- ny spends a fortune on branding, corporate messaging, advertising and maintaining an impressive web presence.


Why on earth aren’t these two aspects combined? Surely if a company has fi rst-rate market- ing assets, why don’t they pres- ent them at every opportunity, and where better to deliver a fi rst good impression to potential customers than when they arrive at the plush HQ? Even a sim- ple corporate show reel would be better than a muted TV channel, featuring


live graphic images


of the worst catastrophes from around the world. (Unless the marketing strategy is based on the


‘where-were-you-when-JFK- was-shot’ approach.)


The full effect of a well-crafted, branded and informative digital signage system with stock mar- ket pricing, corporate video and adverts


- welcome messaging


and even local travel informa- tion would be better still - is something that has been shown to greatly contribute to promot- ing the progressive image of the company.


There are two main reasons that we can detect why adoption of digital signage is not universal in corporate receptions:. Firstly, the ‘it’s not my job’ syn- drome: Reception areas are of- ten (but not always) the domain of security and switchboard staff - not marketing. Creating an ini- tial good impression is not part of the marketing/advertising/cre- ative process and not something that they are measured on. But it should be. Secondly: ‘it’s too time-con- suming to keep up-to-date’: This is wrong, wrong, wrong. Once set up with a branded template, corporate videos, wel- come messaging, latest news, market stock prices can be pre- sented and updated automati- cally with practically no local in- tervention. Even live TV can be displayed in a small window to attract attention if there is a ma- jor sporting event under way. All it needs is a receptionist to add a visitor name to a digital calen- dar, which can also be linked to a room-booking system. It is the job of the AV installer or system integrator to present and assist their client in fully taking advantage of this prime area of visual real-estate, cre- ating that essential fi rst impres- sion and is the shop window for the company. Clearly some do it better than others.


See pages 6,8 and 9 in this issue of AV News: Foyer AV: good reception?


Cross-platform wireless collaboration software


Build or download educational activities


Call: +44 (0)20 8319 7777 | Email: info@clevertouch.co.uk | Or visit: clevertouch.co.uk 11879 AV News 1 4 strip Aug 1.indd 1 25/07/2014 15:38


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