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  • Digital Signage Software: A New Foundation for Public Safety

    Digital Signage Software: A New Foundation for Public Safety

    By: Tomer Mann, EVP, 22Miles

    Digital signage and robust content management are no longer bells and whistles when it comes to running a business; they are critical engagement tools that promote public safety and productivity alike. Efficiency remains a priority as operations come back to life across industries, but public health initiatives to combat COVID-19 are more critical than ever to halt viral spread.

    With the latest innovations in digital signage software, managers have no shortage of options for building a solid foundation for public health, and even when the time comes for companies shift away from COVID restrictions, there are still bountiful opportunities to leverage the displays and sensors for check-in and virtual receptionist to enhance safety, agility, and long-term remote work trends. Today’s implementations are slated to transform facilities to offer a better, more dynamic experience. Let’s dive into three ways that digital content and displays are supporting public safety and the long-term return to normal.

    A Fresh Start at the Entrance

    Digital signage software has evolved with the COVID-19 crisis to offer access control technologies and efficient methods of monitoring occupancy. Check-in kiosks are spiking in popularity, positioned at points of entry to present surveys and questionnaires to guests upon arrival. With the right content management software, managers can customize welcome screens with their local or company guidelines to communicate critical public safety information and prompt visitors to complete wellness surveys directly on the screen, or via their mobile device to reduce touch points on public touch screens.

    Voice control prompts are also becoming increasingly popular to reduce physical touchpoints, along with virtual receptionist solutions that allow administrators to safely video chat and check in occupants via a live video stream. When coupled with other innovations in digital signage software – touch-free check-in and COVID-19 screening, facial and mask recognition, multi-user tracking, and thermal scanning – AV managers have a robust and unique setup to reduce viral spread.

    Get to Where You’re Going – And Stay Safe When You Arrive

    Beyond entry control, hotdesking and room scheduling technologies improve the visitor experience and ensure safety at other touchpoints throughout the building. Hotdesking leverages wayfinding and room booking in tandem to communicate occupancy and room availability on-screen with easy-to-update, real-time, color coded mapping, helping occupants arrive at their destination in a facility with fewer touchpoints.

    The data-driven hotdesking process can be vital in reassuring guests that their space has been recently cleaned and can also provide precise direction for contact-tracing. Managers can leverage this technology to support social distancing by reconfiguring occupancies and navigation based on patterns and risks gleaned in the data, an invaluable and effective resource for closely monitor safety while driving business processes.

    The Bridge from Point A to Point B

    Wayfinding throughout the building bridges access control and hotdesking for seamless and low risk navigation. Digital wayfinding prompts positioned throughout the building, in tandem with voice and mobile control, reduce physical touchpoints and keep guests on track to their destination.

    Secure mobile technology allows guests to carry companies’ custom wayfinding maps and directions within individual mobile devices for a smooth, contactless, and accessible way of navigating the premises. By simply scanning a unique QR code on a public signage screen, users receive wayfinding information on their web browser tablet to streamline navigation and contract tracing to a single device.

    By implementing the recent innovations in content management software and wayfinding, AV integrators are uniquely positioned to support business continuity while promoting both a safe and creative experience for occupants.

    About Tomer Mann

    Tomer Mann is the EVP and SVP, sales and operations for 22Miles. As a veteran in the digital signage industry with more than ten years, Tomer Mann strives to enhance visual communication consulting services to higher education, hospitality, retail, transportation, government, corporate, venues, healthcare, and other large organizations. With a firm belief that technology is key to enhancing people’s daily lives, he has made it his passion always to innovate and provide next-generation applications that simplify digital content, which delivers a unique and sustainable experience for all users. Ultimately, his goal is to help customers and partners create custom, self-service technology solutions that outlast the rest.

    www.22miles.com

  • A Heartfelt Thank You to the AV Community

    A Heartfelt Thank You to the AV Community

    An Open Letter to the AV Industry

    by: Joe Way, PhD, CTS

    Growing up with very little, I found that as the years went on, I began to value the physical
    blessings, job titles, and recognitions I earned more than just about anything. I became
    someone who believed my worth lied in my accomplishments. I mean, that is how you prove
    you have “made it,” right? I didn’t seek to keep up with the Joneses, I wanted the Joneses to try
    to keep up with me. Plainly and simply, I have always loved the rush that comes with starting
    something new—whether it be a business, job, or organization—and then becoming one of the
    single best at it. I hate failure; and to me, the more “things” I could collect meant the less times
    I had failed.

    On December 15, 2020, one of the most devastating things happened to me and my family. We
    lost our home, three cars, and nearly all our earthly possessions to an electrical house fire. One
    minute I’m returning business emails and recording a podcast episode, the next I’m watching
    my garage all but disappear in flames within the span of a three-minute call to 911. Adding to
    the pain, the fire spread to our neighbor’s home; they too were deemed a total loss. Yet, we
    thank God we all got out safely… including the pets. Even still, over a month and a half later, I
    feel pain when I think about the “things” that are no more, just as if the fire had happened
    yesterday.

    C.S. Lewis wrote that “when we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in
    its place” (1967). That which I lost was not replaced (at least not yet), and while my life and
    comfort were both heavily displaced, I discovered a fresh new feeling of security and hope from
    a very unanticipated place. You.

    Yes, you.

    While it may not be apparent to many people because of my very public persona, I am actually
    quite the loner. I’d much rather be passively observing. I am a conflict avoider. My safe space is
    by myself. And therefore, when I lost it all, I had nowhere to hide. I was exposed, lost, scared. I
    felt something I hadn’t in a long time… vulnerable. But, I did what I was supposed to as the
    leader of the household; I put on the fake smile and took many deep breathes behind the
    scenes in order to appear strong for my family. Deep inside, well, that was a different story… I
    was—and honestly still am—weak. My faith in the Lord propelled me, it guided me, it became
    my rock, but something very unforeseen inspired me. You.

    Yes, you.

    Just hours after checking into a hotel for the night, a call came in from the front desk. “You have
    a delivery.” “Thanks, I’ll be right down.” No sooner than returning to my hotel room with the
    beautifully wrapped package of wine and gift card for dinner, the phone rang once again. “Dr.
    Way, you have another package here at the front de… actually you have two more.” Somehow,
    someway, people were finding out where we were staying and sprang into action. The texts,
    emails, calls, and Tweets began to flood in. At the time, I was in no shape—physically, mentally,
    or emotionally—to answer the calls or respond to each notification. However, with each new
    ding on my phone, I knew more and more, things are going to be ok. Somehow, someday,
    things are going to be ok. The next morning, we woke up to meet the insurance adjuster at our
    house; by the time we returned to the hotel after lunch, there was that familiar red flashing
    light on the late 90’s corded phone. “Good afternoon, we have some deliveries here for you.”
    “Ok, I’ll be right down.” “You’re going to need a few trips. We can just let you borrow a valet
    cart if you want.” I return to the room with box after box, envelope after envelope. And then in
    one moment of rush, I cried. Amy cried. We cried. And I knew everything would be ok because
    of selfless acts of love and compassion from the most unexpected of places. You.

    Yes, you.

    As we sat down to start going through all the deliveries Amy asks, “who are all these from?”
    These are from my colleagues at this university, and that university. These are from some of my
    vendors. These are from people I know from my Sunday morning Twitter conversations. And
    then, there’s this one: “Hi Joe. I am praying for you and your family. You don’t know me, but I
    listen to your podcast every week. I heard what happened to you, and felt I needed to do
    something. You have changed my life and helped me in my career. I want you to know we are
    all here for you and are praying for you. God bless you and your family; I hope you come out
    stronger in the end.” Enter… tears. Enter… silence. Indeed, we are stronger, and getting
    stronger every day. And that is only because of the answered prayers for strength that have
    come from the most humbling of places. You.

    Yes, you.

    And then it happened. The GoFundMe. The moment I would forever believe in the hope of
    humanity and know the “community” of AV people we often talk about is more than just a
    community, it is a refuge. It was not the act so much of setting it up (which I am indeed
    extremely thankful but would be way too shy and probably too proud to have done myself), but
    of all the selfless acts of over 250 people wanting to make a difference for me and my family.
    And another hundred who wanted to do something privately. Many I knew well; some I have
    never met. Articles were written throughout our various industry publications, podcast
    episodes were dedicated, and shoutouts came from everywhere. My family was flooded with
    messages of hope, prayers for peace and safety, gracious warmth, and… love. Throughout my
    entire life, I can honestly say, I have never felt so cared for. At a time when I didn’t know what I
    needed, you took the initiative to act… That should tell us all we ever need to know about you.

    Yes, you.

    The phrase, “I can’t thank you enough,” just doesn’t sound like, well, enough. What do I do
    now? How do I say thank you to an entire industry? How do I begin to repay you even in the
    slightest? Where do I begin? In his second book of poetry, John Bunyan wrote: “You have not
    lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you” (1684). The
    sentiment in that quote never felt so true, so impactful, so profound, until I was on the
    receiving end it. When we perform even the smallest deeds out of selfless compassion for
    others, life change happens. When we turn toward others in their time of need, life change
    happens. When we say through our actions, “everything is going to be ok, we’re here for you,”
    life change happens. Lives are restored, renewed, and revived. Lives get back on track, dig
    themselves out of the rubble, and stand strong in faith-filled confidence. My life was changed
    because of you.

    Yes, you.

    If there’s a lesson to learn, it’s more than you are all awesome. That’s a given. If there’s a lesson
    to learn, it’s more than a testament to the fact that our people are here to help when the need
    arises and tragedy strikes. That’s a given. If there’s a lesson to learn, it is this… We are as strong
    as we stay united and as weak as we allow others to fall apart. When we come together as an
    industry, we can accomplish great things. I know that. I… felt… that. I pray that the response to
    my tragedy was just the tip of the iceberg to the power of what can be realized when we
    recognize we are all in this together. My life was changed. Now it is time to change everyone
    else’s, especially those who do not share the same spotlight I have been blessed to fill.

    I pray we seek those in our industry who are suffering in the shadows due to any number of
    reasons from natural disasters and personal tragedies of their own, to mental and physical
    health, to financial difficulty caused by the pandemic slowing in our industry. I pray that 2021
    be the year we turn misfortune into blessing and pain into faith. I vow that moving forward my
    platform will be used as a place of community, support, learning, and comfort for everyone in
    the AV industry. It will start with me, and all because of you.

    Yes, me. Yes, you.

    Joe Way, PhD, CTS, is the Director of Learning Environments at the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, CA and AV Nation 2019 AV Professional of the Year. He is the host and editor-in-chief of the Higher Ed AV podcast and digital magazine, and serves as the co-founder and acting chair of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA.org), aimed at connecting the higher ed tech manager community and advocating for their common audiovisual needs. He is the author of the bestselling book, Producing Worship: A Theology of Church Technical Arts, is a regular contributor to leading AV-industry media outlets and podcasts, and serves on the AVIXA Tech Managers and Diversity Councils. Joe is an Orange County, CA, native with over 25 years’ experience in education, technical production and the arts, and organizational leadership and management. Over his career, Dr. Way has received diverse awards in the areas of education, the arts, and business, and is a regular keynote speaker and writer for AV-industry and higher ed conferences and media outlets.

  • Poly issues “Digital Work Transformation” IDC Infobrief

    Poly issues “Digital Work Transformation” IDC Infobrief

    Poly announced the release of a new IDC InfoBrief: “Digital Work Transformation: Equipping the Hybrid Workforce Across the World.”

    The report uncovers hybrid working needs and preferences from global geographies and dissects the work transformations and technologies that are defining new ways of working in and beyond the COVID-19 era. In line with Poly’s Hybrid Working report launched last year, the results underscore the emphasis from global leaders on the importance of the core technologies and priorities that are essential to hybrid environment success for employees and organizations alike. For example:

    • Throughout 2021, North American IT and business leaders will be making key technology investments to enable technology parity for all members of the workforce.
    • For 80% of business and IT leaders, device support (including mobile, tablet, desktop, etc.) is an important or very important factor when selecting a team collaboration tool.
    • Across the globe, 42% of organizations are focusing on connecting individuals seamlessly regardless of location, situation, or context.

    To learn more, check out Poly’s blog post here and the full report linked here

  • Thankful for the challenges of 2020

    Thankful for the challenges of 2020

    Tim Albright reflects on the benefits of a challenging year

    Each year we sit back and reflect on what we are thankful for. Megan Dutta from SCN gathers audiovisual industry members to give what they are thankful for as well. I figured I’d expand on my entry. This might come as a bit of a surprise, but I am genuinely thankful for the year 2020. No, I don’t wish the hundreds of thousands who have perished from the COVID-19 virus. The challenges, though, has forced me to rethink, re-invent, and get creative. It’s also forced some interesting mental and physical changes.

    AVNation is blessed to have several media partners, including SCN and Future. In fact, if you haven’t signed up for AV Network Nation December 10, you totally should. With those partnerships, it’s a bit like fren-amies. We do compete for advertising dollars. My general attitude is there is enough for all of us. So, I enjoy co-creating content for the industry and leaving it a better community than I found. In 2020, those advertising dollars did indeed become scarce and there genuinely wasn’t enough for us all. Do make up those losses I had to get creative.

    The need to get creative and re-think your business model and offerings is a great gift. Some people could spend decades just going through the motions with no real challenge or change. This year has given us plenty of those, with triumphs and failures. In mid-April AVNation produced our very first virtual conference. In fact, it was our first two as week one was residential and week two was commercial. Learn From Home was an exercise in our great community coming together. We had some great speakers, instructors, and interactions.

    The summer came and went with some good experiences, including helping AtlasIED launch Atmosphere. I became a meme. Not something I thought I’d ever type. SMH. As the year wore on it became increasingly clear that 2020 was just a warm-up act for 2021. With the pandemic continuing to cause havoc financially and a vaccine not coming soon, we must be prepared for the next 12 to 18 months. That’s where I am most thankful.

    Writing this here in the Fall of 2020, in my office, we’re still here. From a business standpoint it was a challenging year, but we’re still here. There was no DSE, InfoComm, NYDSW, or CEDIA, but we’re still here. We, I, have learned, grown, and evolved. I have generally held that we are not the same people we were five years ago as we grow, adapt, and change. This year has accelerated that to where I can say with confidence, I am not the person I was 12 months ago.

    So, yeah, I’m thankful for the challenges, risks, failures, and wins of 2020. This has taught me valuable lessons about myself, my business, media, and the AV industry. Sitting here on the precipice of 2021 I can confidently say I can’t wait to see what next year has in store. ‘Cause we’re going to handle it.