Guest Blogger, Author at Exertis Almo Installments Blog

Autel Robotics EVO II Dual 640T Bundles

August 10, 2022 By Guest Blogger

Exertis Almo Saves You Up to $500 on Autel’s EVO II 640T Bundles

See the details below for more information on the available EVO II bundles and watch the Autel videos to see the EVO II 640T in action.

EVO II Dual 640T Thermal Imaging Demonstration

EVO II Dual 640T: Thermal Analysis Tool Overview

EVO II Brochure »

Autel EVO II 640T V2 Rugged Bundle

Autel-EVO2-640T-V2-BUN

The Autel Robotics EVO II Dual 640T V2 Bundle combines one EVO II Dual 640T aircraft, one EVO II Battery Charging Hub, one EVO II 12V Car Charger, one EVO II Hard Case, two additional aircraft batteries, and two additional propeller pairs. This bundle is designed to fly out of the box and continue to fly for a longer period of time. In addition, the Autel Robotics EVO II Dual 640T V2 Bundle comes standard with one remote controller, one aircraft charger, one USB Micro A-USB Micro B cable, one USB Micro A-USB Type C cable, one gimbal cover, a packing list (includes quick guide, instructions, etc.), and a warranty card.

Rugged Bundle

Autel EVO II 640T Enterprise Bundle

Autel-EVO2-ENT-640T-BUN

Introducing the Autel Robotics EVO 2 Dual 640T – the most compact and advanced thermal drone. With a thermal resolution of 640×512 – the EVO 2 Dual 640T enables pilots to capture subjects with great detail from up to 100 meters – 4x farther than any aircraft of its class. The 30Hz refresh rate produces smooth dynamic thermal movement by matching thermal images to video frame rate. This package is ideal for many applications – including but not limited to power line inspections/firefighting/law enforcement/search and rescue operations/chemical plant inspections and solar farm inspections.

Enterprise Bundle

Contact your Exertis Almo team for more information on Autel Robotics.

Ride to the UK with Exertis Almo

August 8, 2022 By Guest Blogger

Let’s Join Together for Mental Health Charity in this Virtual Triathalon – “Ride to the UK”

We have partnered with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise significant funds and awareness of the importance of mental health in our community and beyond.

For one month from August 1st to August 31st, all Almo & Exertis Almo will be cycling 1,750 miles, which is a halfway point between our headquarters in Philadelphia and our sister company Exertis in the UK!

We will be taking time to race on the bikes, with several prizes for those participating. Join us across the country! Head out on a ride or jump on the stationary bike. Send a picture of your app/tracker to [email protected].

DONATE & BE ENTERED TO WIN!

The grand prize will be a holiday for two to the UK! Almo and Exertis Almo employees can enter* by donating $5 to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and including their full name and location. The winner will be drawn on the final day of the bike ride! In addition to the grand prize, there will be other prizes given away throughout the month for taking part and donating!

Matt Cuellar at NSM 2022 kickoff.

DONATE NOW

Help us ride to Exertis in the UK! DONATE »

All donations go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:

Funding scientific research
Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention
Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention
Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide

For more information about the organization visit: https://afsp.org/

*Anyone can donate, but the prizes are only open to Almo and Exertis Almo employees.

Diversity & Inclusion at Exertis Almo

July 29, 2022 By Guest Blogger

“You are the catalyst — the person who takes a purpose and gets people aligned, so you can get to where you want to go, fast.” ~ Carey D. Lohrenz

To help raise awareness around the DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) initiative within our organization, and to encourage the practice among our employees and leadership community, we brought in a special guest speaker for our kickoff event to highlight what is possible when women are included within a historically all male occupation.

Carey Dunai Lohrenz, CPAE – the first female F-14 Fighter Pilot and a WSJ Best Selling Author – provided an inspiring and engaging keynote speach at the Exertis Almo National Sales Meeting (NSM) in July 2022.

The timing couldn’t have been better with the 2nd Top Gun movie “Maverick” out in theaters. Everyone was truly inspired and motivated by Ms Lohrenz vivid tales of meeting with resistance and ultimately overcoming the odds to win in a predominately male field.

Everyone who attended the keynote at NSM week received a hardcover copy of Carey Lohrenz’s book “Span Of Control: What To Do When You’re Under Pressure, Overwhelmed, and Ready To Get What You Really Want” to continue the conversation about women and equity in the workplace.

What is Diversity & Inclusion?

There is a lot of buzz these days about diversity and inclusion. Lets explore how Exertis Almo utilizes the terms so that our employees and leadership continue to put them into practice on a daily basis. Diversity and inclusion are clearly defined practices and attitudes which can be measured. These terms are often used interchangeably; yet their meaning and their implications are vastly different.

Kim Lonas - Global Diversity & Inclusion Program Lead, HR

Let’s break down what diversity and inclusion mean to us individually as well as collectively at Exertis Almo. Diversity and inclusion have an impact both on personal and professional levels. On a personal level, if these practices are done effectively, they allow people from all groups to feel welcomed, represented, and empowered. Effective diversity and inclusion practices also influence the performance of businesses and organizations in powerful ways.

Here we break down how these two perspectives on diversity and inclusion are different yet interrelated. Inclusion is the extent to which we feel included—that our individual identity and contributions are valued. It brings with it a sense of belonging and connectedness. When applied to a workplace, inclusion signifies that all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, empowering individuals to contribute to the business’s overall success.

The concept of diversity, though closely related to inclusion, is different and more personal. It represents the complex interplay of perceptual differences that shape each person’s unique view of the world. Diversity is what makes each individual unique in their perspective and approach to all aspects of life. The term comprises differences in origin, background, personality, life experience, beliefs, and personal characteristics to name a few. True diversity means a variety of skills, perceptions, and attributes that each individual brings to any business or organization.

The difference is diversity relates to the overall make-up of a person or an organization, while inclusion relates to how different groups are valued and empowered within it. Diversity and inclusion may not necessarily coexist. It is possible for a workplace to be diverse yet not inclusive, and vice versa.

Why are diversity and inclusion important?

Why does this matter to our organization? You may think that individual perceptions of inclusion and diversity in the workplace have no bearing on the success of a business. However, the research shows otherwise.

Many research studies on the benefits of diversity and inclusion have been published by the likes of McKinsey, Deloitte, Harvard Business Review, and others. The results are clear: corporations identified as diverse and inclusive are more likely to outperform their competitors. Research shows diverse companies are 70 percent more likely to capture new markets (HBR, “How Diversity Can Drive Innovation”), while diverse teams are 87 percent better at making decisions (Cloverpop, “White Paper: Hacking Diversity with Inclusive Decision-Making”). In addition, companies with more diverse management teams have led to an average of 19 percent higher innovation revenue (BCG, How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation).

One area in which these benefits are most telling is gender diversity. McKinsey’s research indicates that gender-diverse companies (which employ an equal number of men and women) are 15 percent more likely to notice higher returns and produce up to 41 percent higher revenue (McKinsey & Company, “Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters”). These gains have a ripple effect that goes far beyond individual companies. Their research goes on to show that our gross domestic product (GDP) could increase by twenty-six percent (26%) if the gender gap were equally diversified. This equates to a potential of $12 trillion added to the global GDP by 2025 (McKinsey & Company, “Ten Things to Know About Gender quality”).

What happens when organizations focus on diversity, but not inclusion?

Many organizations use the terms “diversity” and “inclusion” interchangeably. This inaccuracy can lead to problems in the formulation and implementation of diverse and inclusive business practices. For example, a company may focus on diversity but not inclusion by hiring more women or more members of ethnic or racial minorities. However, if the organization does not value the perspectives of members of these groups, they will not be able to retain them for the long term.

True inclusion means that all members of the organization have the opportunity to contribute and to advance, regardless of their gender, race, and/or ethnicity. This goes beyond fairness and equality in hiring practices. It provides the opportunity for all to meet their full potential, so that every employee’s contributions are valued and their voices are heard.

To be authentic, inclusion must factor into company decisions regarding:

Recruitment
Remuneration
Policy
Training and development
Performance appraisals
Advancement opportunities

When structuring teams and committees, leaders should ensure the representation of diverse skills and voices. This leads to a more comprehensive outcome.

How can organizations ensure both diversity and inclusion?

The first step is to ingrain these values in a business’s hiring practices, training, and company policy. Following through with such practices, training and policies promotes a company culture of fairness, respect, dignity, and open communication. These practices also allow everyone to establish a baseline whereby you can continue to measure diversity and inclusion in your organization. When something is measured, it is more likely to become reality.

With a better understanding of diversity and inclusion, personally and in business, organizations are one step further along in their journey. Achieving diversity and inclusion does not exist without putting them into practice. The case for focusing on diversity and inclusion has never been stronger.

Atlona’s WAVE-101 for a Hands-free Meeting Experience

July 13, 2022 By Guest Blogger

Wireless Audio Visual Environment

What product do you know of that can wirelessly share from Windows, iOS, Andriod, and MacOS, dynamically adjust the interface based on the number of presenters, play videos from YouTube, allow presenters to control who is on screen, and even livestream the output of your presentation straight to remote audiences on YouTube – all while maintaining a hands-free experience?

The Atlona WAVE-101 (AT-WAVE-101) is probably the smallest wireless presentation tool that we’ve put on our bench – made for the commercial professional audiovisual market, by people who know the Pro AV space.

Device Types

We’ve seen a lot of screen sharing and collaborative devices over the years. From full servers to set top boxes – then, to dongles, and now this little cube. Typically, the smaller they get the fewer features they have, but this is not the case with the WAVE 101. Let’s discuss why.

Wireless presentation tools fall into a few categories. The ones that require a dongle to be connected to your computer in order to connect to the screen in the room. The ones that require software for you to connect to the screen in the room. Lastly, the ones that have the wireless protocols for the specific OS variations built in – no additional software needed.

Operating Systems

This is where the WAVE-101 sits in the market. It provides wireless screen casting with iOS^®, Android^TM, Mac^®, Chromebook^TM, and Windows^® devices through native AirPlay^®, Google Cast^TM, or Miracast^TM protocols. This covers pretty much all the major OS’s and device types. No additional dongles or software needed.

Ease of Use

Users connect via the instructions onscreen and start sharing content. The system dynamically adjusts the screen when additional users want to share content, and the meeting gets moving with no added wait time.

Device Ports

The Wave-101 has a Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) port for connecting into the local network, an HDMI port for connecting to the display, and few USB ports for accessories. Lastly, it has a Kensington lock (a.k.a. K-Slot or Kensington Security Slot) for what I would call a removal deterrence feature.

This is simple hardware that even includes a Vesa Mount in the box to secure the cube to the back of your monitor.

Top 3 Features

Here are the 3 features that we think will make you want to use the WAVE-101:

#1. Instructor Mode

When used in a classroom, or even a rowdy conference room with engineers who are always trying to flash photos of their latest Dungeons & Dragons conquests, this feature can really come in handy to reign in control of the screen. A queue is displayed to the instructor showing who is connected and wants to share content. The list of available content will appear on the page, and the instructor can show up to 4 contributors at the same time – or deny them from sharing altogether. Instructor Mode allows a user to manage content, adjust audio volume, upload and play media content, stream YouTube^TM, and switch between layouts.

Because this is a media device, URLs and media content can also be loaded into the queue. So instead of the content being driven by a device, a contributor can load up a URL to YouTube and let the internet do the sharing. Thankfully, since it’s in the queue, the final decision on what’s shown is still in the hands of the instructor.

#2. Room Occupancy Sensor

Atlona added one more trick up their sleeve – room occupancy sensor integration. When coupled with Atlona’s Network-Enabled Occupancy Sensor (AT-OCS-900N), the WAVE-101 will automatically turn the room on when a person enters the space, and turn off, after a set time of having no one in the room. The sensor, along with the Instructor Mode feature, allow for the room to be used with no additional control system required. Even better, this allows for hands-free operation of the room – to enable safer and cleaner conference rooms.

#3. OMEGA Switchers & Extenders

Coupled with Atlona’s new Omega series switching and extension products the WAVE-101 can create a very simple huddle room, or add collaboration to a full size conference room with multiple displays, microphones, and PTZ cameras – making any room the video conferencing hub of your organization.

Contact your Exertis Almo team for more information on
how Atlona can change the way you present.

Innovating Wireless BYOD and Beyond

Atlona’s Wireless Audio Visual Environment (WAVE) and the AT-WAVE-101, is a new, innovative wireless presentation platform designed for quick and easy content sharing from up to four PCs or mobile devices. The versatility of the WAVE-101 expands well beyond BYOD content sharing, with a host of additional features to enhance education, corporate, and many other applications.

Learn More

Almo Corporation Launches Valuable Updates to Digital Signage Service Systems

December 1, 2021 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

In the age of the growing hybrid workspace, the ProAV industry is responsible for more than just product fulfillment. At Almo, digital content services have become increasingly popular and necessary for user success, facilitated by company-offered installations and trainings on media player technology.

Historically, Almo’s digital content services have existed separately from product fulfillment, acting as additional product assistance available upon request. After recent updates to Almo’s service program, the professional audio-visual division developed particular SKUs associated with specific product services to increase awareness regarding service offerings for dealers.

Our digital signage services never had a close alignment with the products that we sell, and they operated in their own separate silos,” explained Cory Allen, Almo Director of ProAV Installation Services. “We’re bringing everything together from a hardware perspective, with a solid association between the hardware and the services that we offer

By partnering with Almo, dealers can offer end users assistance with basic and advanced media player set-ups, training on back-end programs, and ongoing support. By providing users with trainings on how to use the system themselves, Almo services help create product experts within various organizations and give control to the end user.
In fact, Allen noticed an increased popularity in trainings rather than traditional installation services following the widespread transition to a hybrid workspace. By encouraging end users to participate in trainings, Almo assists users in becoming more knowledgeable about their technology.

Many people work remotely, and most training techniques greatly serve the remote [and hybrid] function,” said Allen. “Now, there are training opportunities created for people to be more self-serving, and added flexibility is something customers have attached to more.

Despite great success regarding Almo’s updated service process, the team is just getting started in improving dealers’ access to services for their end users.

The amount of effort we’ve put in at its inception has generated a ton of interest, and interest from customers is heightened to a degree we’ve never seen before” explained Allen, in reference to dealer and end user enthusiasm. “The full [services] program should be complete within the next couple weeks, so we can mass market and have collateral tools available to our customers.

The Almo ProAV division looks forward to the increasing interest in the updated service offering system, as the new process creates a simpler and more effective process for dealers.

Transition to Remote Collaboration with OfficePro Training

September 7, 2021 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

With the recent increase in remote conferencing and education, one’s understanding of online communication platforms is more important than ever. Many businesses and schools made the quick transition into a hybrid format, causing employees and instructors to become familiar with platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams on their own time. In many cases, hybrid settings with remote video conferencing have become a primary method of communication for many organizations.

While these remote communication applications are crucial for successful online collaboration, many users are not utilizing these platforms to their full potential. Almo’s new partnership with OfficePro, a leading provider of corporate training, allows resellers to offer their clients in-depth education on hosting meetings and using these applications effectively and efficiently. Available for a variety of platforms including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and more, this new service offering from Almo provides attendees with critical information regarding their conference-based system.

As a great benefit to both consumers and dealers, this training service ensures that users receive proper guidance on the utilization of their technology following the installation. For Almo’s dealers and integrators, the service provides a comprehensives solution for clients, therefore increasing overall satisfaction with remote communication platforms. And for groups utilizing platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, companies will receive a greater return on investment, as employees will use these applications more efficiently and with fewer technological complications. In fact, Brian Rhatigan, Director of Business Development at Almo, finds that the training provided by Almo and OfficePro is the key to effectively utilizing new technology.

This service is ideal for any organization that is investing in and implementing technology for collaboration and software-based video conferencing,” he said. “Far too often, companies invest in technology and don’t invest in the proper training for their employees, which can cause a poor user experience and expectations that aren’t met.

Companies and schools should look to be more proactive about their training requirements and ensure that employees and instructors receive in-depth knowledge on the tools required for collaboration, conferencing, and remote learning. With several training options for each application, including hands-on virtual training and online demo-lectures, customers have the flexibility to choose a format that works best for their organization. Application trainings available for purchase include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, MS Surface Hub, Crestron Mercury, and Cisco Webex.

Thanks to Almo’s partnership with OfficePro, resellers can assist clients in using online platforms effectively. Not only does this service result in a greater return on investment for resellers by increasing user satisfaction, but it also improves the training procedures of organizations by prioritizing employees’ understanding of technology.

Creating a Powerful Audience Connection with ARHT Media

August 16, 2021 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

By overcoming the challenges of distance and time, Holopresence Technology from ARHT Media provides audiences with presenters in their most realistic form. ARHT Media utilizes a holographic display that allows performers and presenters to interact with audiences in real time, while eliminating the limitations of physical presence.

As an advanced and sophisticated method of presentation, the Holopresence technology works to beam presenters into one or multiple locations at the same time, from any place in the world. While audience members get to enjoy the holographic presence of the speaker in real time, presenters can interact with audiences around the world without having to travel in person.

While mitigating the complications of travel and scheduling conflicts, ARHT Media provides a more human approach to remote presentations. Although we’ve become accustomed to the existence of remote learning and hybrid events, ARHT Media’s Holopresence technology allows presenters to engage with their audiences directly with their words and movement.

“With over 50% of communication being non-verbal body language, we have been searching for a technology solution that large enterprises can use to communicate with more engagement than the talking-head video conference – especially now since so many employees are working from home,” explained MVCC President, Glenn Burgess, in his interview with ARHT Media. View the full interview with Burgess here.

As a perfect blend of in-person and remote presentations, the holographic technology provides the personality of a live event with the safety and mindfulness of a remote setting. Not only is the device cognizant of health restrictions as it provides an alternative to inviting an in-person speaker, but it also limits unnecessary travel, especially for short periods of time, as the presenter can speak directly from their home instead of commuting to a venue.

Since the Holopresence Technology minimizes the stress and environmental implications of frequent travel, the advanced device provides venues and universities with access to premium talent. For speakers who live across the world or educators with busy schedules, ARHT Media provides a solution to the limitations of physical presence by allowing high-profile guests from all over the world to visit a stage in seconds.

“ARHT Media’s Virtual Global Stage and HoloPresence technology are re-humanizing the executive’s virtual performance by allowing multiple presenters from different locations to beam-in and interact with each other in real-time,” Burgess explains. Essentially, this elevated technology form ARHT Media facilitates more accessible meetings for visitors who would otherwise need to travel a long distance, or participants whose in-person presence is inhibited by health risks.

Additionally, this holographic technology is useful for instances where keynote speakers are required to be in two venues at the same time. Instead of making a difficult decision to attend one event over another, lecturers can deliver the same address to several different audiences at once, in real time. With ARHT Media, speakers can interact with an audience in New York and London simultaneously, with no travel. Not to mention, the holographic presence makes public speaking more comfortable for the presenter, as they will not be intimidated by the size of a traditional in-person audience.

The Holoprescence Technology from ARHT Media transcends time and space by allowing presenters to exist in several venues at once, addressing and interacting with multiple audiences at the same time. While in-person conferences are limited to the travel and scheduling capabilities of guest speakers, this advanced technology overcomes the limits of traditional conferences and events. ARHT Media’s technology serves as inspiration for event planners and opens conferences up to high-profile speakers across the world, while inspiring audiences by engaging them with renowned educators. With ARHT Media, users can create an audience connection more powerful than ever.

Making the Grade with E-Learning: Q & A with Panasonic

September 21, 2020 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Q. What will school look like this fall – and beyond?

A. We are living through precedent times. While it is typically difficult to predict the future, I think it is safe to claim that there will be more volatility, uncertainty, chaos, and anxiety on the part of administration, faculty, students, and families. The primary concern for higher education needs to be the safety of students and faculty alike, which is why so many institutions are pivoting to online and hybrid learning in order to maintain the continuity of meaningful and authentic learning. However, many higher education faculty have little or no experience as online learners, and so the prospect of becoming an online teacher is a lot like becoming a lifeguard without knowing how to swim. Some learning systems are committed to following the guidance provided by research about online learning that works. These institutions are making more intentional choices about the fall term and, as a result, they will be more successful than institutions that are less committed to intentional online learning.

Q. How can we do a better job of AV setup for hybrid learning?

A. Again, we have to follow the guidance provided by the highest quality research available about online learning that works. Panasonic has partnered with Dr. Sonny Magana, an online learning pioneer and Oxford Research Scholar to embed his methodology, what he calls the T3 Framework for Innovation, into the Panasonic higher education solution. The peer-reviewed strategies in the T3 Framework has shown to have an effect equivalent to quadrupling learning performance. The T3 Framework was recently inducted into Oxford University’s Research Encyclopedia for Education, which is what prompted us to partner with Dr. Magana. Our intention is to package AV tools with The T3 Framework’s concrete strategies, protocols, and resources so that our AV equipment is not just used, but used in the most reliable way possible to improve learning outcomes. It’s not just about the AV, but it’s about reliably improving remote and hybrid learning based on the research evidence on what works. That will make all the difference in the world.

Q. The student experience – can they get what they need being remote?

A. There are different levels of need. The human social/emotional aspect of learning is not only foundational, but it is difficult, but not impossible to reproduce in remote learning environments. So, having said that, students can get their learning and social/emotional needs met by practicing what Dr. Magana calls “Contributive Learning.” Contributive Learning theory suggests that meaningful learning is a function of both active participation in the learning experience and collective interaction. Many faculty see learning as a solo experience, like long-distance running, in which learners consume information from a lecture, commit that information to memory, and then demonstrate their recall ability on some examination. Contributive Learning Theory indicates that learning is more like a team sport–we learn better together than we do in isolation. That means shifting remote learning conversations from monologues to dialogues. That is a shift that is ideally suited to remote learning–with the right tools, training, and resources to help faculty and leadership make this shift.

Q. How do we avoid overburdening tech support, short of turning teachers into broadcast engineers?

A. There is going to be an amount of “front-loading” by tech support folks in higher education, let us make no doubt about this. But that should be seen as a starting point, not an ongoing situation. The evidence indicates that building faculty capacity with research-driven online learning methods and strategies will reduce the burden on tech support personnel. This logic follows the old “teach a person to fish” allegory: when tech support don’t build capacity–in other words they give away fish–they are building dependency. Many higher education learning organizations are falling into this trap. However, tech support personnel who work with trusted, knowledgeable partners, like Panasonic, to build instructional capacity with online learning that works, it’s like teaching teachers how to fish. That model is much more sustainable, and, in the short- and long-term, will serve to reduce the Pandemic Slide Effect, so that higher education learning curves upwards rather than continuing to spiral downwards.

Q. What is your best advice for resellers and schools/universities as we approach the 2020-2021 school year?

A. There is no question about it: learn about the recent breakthrough findings by Dr. Sonny Magana on online learning that works. He has based his T3 Framework for Innovation on four decade’s worth of investigation on finding the sweet spot between learning and technology. We invite interested faculty and leadership to enroll in what we call Project Moonshot–our effort to build instructional capacity with the T3 strategies and protocols in order to minimize the Pandemic disruption on learning continuity, and begin to shift the learning curve upward. Disruptive situations must be met with disruptive innovations to first minimize losses and then begin the road to recovery. We are currently seeking about 10-15 more faculty members who want to become Project Moonshot Pioneers who learn how to implement the T3 strategies and protocols, and then, with the help of Dr. Magana, evaluate the impact on student learning and engagement.

Author: Rob Goldberg, Panasonic Group Manager of Visual Systems

For more information on Panasonic programs, resources, and A/V products for higher education, please contact Angie Greene at [email protected].

Angie Greene
Business Development Manager, CTS, DSCE

[email protected]
888.420.2566 x6209

ViewSonic is Adding Much-Needed Versatility to Interactive Flat Panels in the UCC Space

March 12, 2020 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

ViewSonic’s ViewBoard IFP70 Series — the newest in its line of interactive flat panels — is here, and it’s better than ever.

The industry’s first interactive flat panels (IFPs) were a big deal, helping classrooms and businesses transform thinking and productivity. Every year, interactive displays got bigger, brighter and more affordable. But eventually, the industry sought to do more — it hoped to make IFPs more versatile and more effective. Now, interactive displays are promising to be all-in-one solutions for the modern collaboration space. A particularly notable evolution in this space is ViewSonic’s latest ViewBoard series, a beautiful solution designed for seamless integration into your conference room infrastructure. The ViewSonic IFP70 Series is here, and it’s better than ever.

What Does “All in One” Actually Mean?

When we say the ViewSonic IFP70 Series is an all-in-one solution, here’s what we mean: The 4K Ultra HD (3840×2160 resolution) series is both an interactive display/whiteboard and a built-in videoconferencing solution in one — all hardware and software included.

“The ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP70 series is our most innovative enterprise-grade interactive flat panel display line to date,” said Andy Chien, product marketing manager at ViewSonic. “We took all the necessary steps to solve the modern conference room challenge with the most advanced technologies, while simplifying typical collaboration complexities. The sleek form-factor and bezel-less frame also allows it to be designed into innovative and contemporary environments.”

The reason it’s built as an all-in-one solution is because, more than ever, the technology in the AV industry is being driven by the end consumer’s need — the AV end user today is asking for more simple systems with multiple capabilities in one product. They don’t want to have to buy two systems when they could just buy one. In addition to being a true collaboration board, ViewSonic’s IFP70 Series is even more versatile than its previous IFPs — the display allows users to securely connect to their meetings directly on the display. So, no more complex puzzles trying to find the best display to go with the best conferencing software to go with the best speaker and microphone. The IFP70 Series has it all.

HARDWARE
Built-in Camera/Speakers/Microphone, an IoT Sensor and the ViewSonic Active Pen

Equipped with the latest collaboration tech for modern workspaces, the IFP70 Series sparks creativity and drives productivity. There are a few primary hardware collaboration technologies built in, which include:

1. A Skype-for-Business-certified conference camera with crisp 4K UHD resolution. Also integrated are three speakers — two 10-watt stereo speakers and a 15-watt subwoofer — and a microphone array that’s also Skype for Business-certified.

2. The ViewSonic Active Pen tool, which includes multi-level pressure sensitivity, giving users an accurate yet natural-feeling interactive writing experience.

3. An IoT Sensor Hub compatible with the Microsoft Azure Digital Twins cloud platform. The IoT sensor measures humidity, room temperature, ambient light and human proximity to the screen. The data is then sent to the secured Microsoft Azure cloud-computing service, which analyzes it and provides information on how to optimize meeting and energy efficiency.

SOFTWARE
ViewSonic’s myViewBoard, Integrated Zoom for Conferencing and More

ViewSonic’s myViewBoard collaboration software, integrated into each model of the IFP70 Series, is an easy-to-use and secure ecosystem. Users have a choice between myViewBoard software versions, designed to meet any and all collaboration needs, whether for enterprise-level security or for more straightforward screen-sharing or annotation. The beauty of the software is that it’s seen as a one-stop shop (no compatibility issues with external apps). Additional integrated software into the IFP70 Series includes the Zoom app for conferencing, the WPS Office suite, an optional SureMDM by 42 Gears Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) tool, and the ViewBoard Cast (vCast) content-sharing software app with support for iOS, Mac, Android, Windows and Chrome devices. vCast enables content streaming from devices onto a ViewSonic display over wireless or wired networks.

The Icing On Top of the ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP70 Series Cake

The other bells and whistles of ViewSonic’s IFP70 Series include:

The Latest Connectivity Options, Including USB Type-C. Walk into the room and plug in your device, and you can immediately share onto the display. Other connectivity ports include HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 4K, USB 3.0 and more. (Translation: meetings can actually start on time for once.)
One-wire USB-C Connectivity. While added USB-C connectivity is great, a single cable transmitting that signal to the display is even better. That means — in addition to faster data, audio and video transfer — the USB Type-C connection provides quick 60-watt charging and touch pass-through over a single cable. (Translation: one cable. No confusion.)
Edge-to-edge, Optical-bonding PCAP Touch Screen. IFP70 displays are designed with high-performance PCAP (projected capacitive) technology with 20 touch points. (Translation: exceptional interactivity and viewing.)

Almo Professional A/V is the nation’s largest professional audiovisual distributor with forward-thinking product integration and support. Almo is committed to offering only the best in the AV industry. The sleek and slim ViewBoard IFP70 Series (less than an inch thick) is more than an upgrade to the dense marketplace of interactive displays. It’s a completely reimagined solution to the modern collaboration room and to the world of unified communications — adding key elements of flexibility, versatility and duality for the AV end-user customer. Learn more at ViewSonic.com/ViewBoard, or get in touch with your Almo sales rep for more information.

Best Practices for Menu Board System Design

September 13, 2019 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Alan Brawn, an AV industry veteran with experience spanning over 3 decades including management of a Pro AV systems integration company for 7 years, and one of the founding members of Hughes-JVC back in the early 1990s knows something about QSRs and Menu Boards. He is a recognized author for leading AV industry magazines such as Systems Contractor News, AV Technology, Digital Signage Magazine, and Rental & Staging, and we’re excited to share his take on the current state of the industry. Read on to see his latest contribution to Commercial Integrator Magazine, where he did a deep dive with Almo’s own Jim Nista on content creation and what works and what doesn’t.

Integrators should recognize the significant demand for digital menu boards – and then acknowledge there’s a lot to learn to deliver them effectively.

by Alan Brawn

IN THE EVER-EXPANDING REACH of digital signage, retail- and food-related enterprises dominate in market share. Both retail and food services take special advantage of the major benefits of digital signage. They use variations of digital signage communication to enhance the viewing experience, modify viewer behavior, and promote their proprietary calls to action.

The intended consequence of this is to promote customer loyalty and repeat business and show differentiation in a concerted effort to stem the flow of commoditization and the appearance of sameness. Nowhere is this more evident than in quick serve restaurants (QSR) and convenience stores. One of the most popular “go-to” solutions in those niches is the incorporation of digital menu boards.

As with most digital signage, menu boards appear quite simple on the surface. It seems that all you need to do is put up a display and a list of menu items and call that job complete. Well, not so fast. There is much more involved in the area of menu boards than first meets the eye. With the expanding competition in the food industry and especially in quick serve restaurants, this whole menu board “thing” can be an existential issue.

A report by the prepared food industry shows that 60% of restaurants do not make it past the first year and 80% go under in five years. Did you know that the average person makes more than 200 decisions about food every day, many for them unconsciously? Research shows that 74% of customers say an easy to read menu is a top priority and 30% of customers say digital signage influenced an unplanned purchase. Statistics also show viewers spend 30% more time looking at digital signage compared to static signs.

Image by LG via LG Website

Gauntlet Is Thrown: Maximize Digital Menu Board Experience

We have all seen digital menu boards but what stands out is their varying degree of success. A group of subject matter experts out of the QSR industry estimates that more than 60% of today’s digital menu boards are done wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes:

Poor design, use of space, and too much information on screen
Poor legibility
Using a monotonous static image
Excessive animation where items disappear before viewer can decide › Text-only menus that are easy to ignore
Looking continuously the same with little attempt at a refresh
Poor salesmanship on best sellers

All this being said, I want to share more about digital menu boards beyond statistics and bullet points. I wanted to explore best practices, so I went to Jim Nista, the senior director of content services for Almo. He is recognized as one of the best of the best in this area and teaches extensively on the topic. Since Nista co-teaches the Digital Content and Media Expert (DCME) certification for the industry it came as no surprise that he said, “It all starts with a content creation strategy.” Of course, if we fail to plan then we plan to fail… but Nista pointed out a key question that sets the tone for what is to come. How often will the content need to be updated? The answer will impact the design, how the content will be created, by whom and in what format, and ultimately the budget.

Depending upon the frequency of updating, Nista suggests, “If there are frequent changes you may want to use an HTML platform like Google Sheets. This is fast and inexpensive but can be limiting in design choices. The other choice is referred to as free form. This utilizes a graphic designer and offers true design flexibility but is more costly. Think of this as a template versus custom graphics consideration.”

Nista notes that where budgets permit, the trend is for free form where menu real estate is not constrained by a grid or a template.

This can provide a unique approach and stand out with consumers, and be more interesting and engaging. Both approaches, templated or free form, can be done in-house or outsourced.

Most often the size of the company, how often the content needs to be updated, and budget will dictate what path to take.

Understanding Digital Menu Board Objectives

The digital menu board should be designed to enhance the viewing experience as well as modify viewer behavior as they respond to a call to action but there are two other objectives that relate directly to QSRs and food services. The content needs to help the viewer decide and make a choice and do so in a more expeditious manner. If done properly this improves customer flow. In sit-down restaurants they call this “turning over the tables more quickly.”

Nista provided his short list of design elements to keep in mind:

Know the viewer and design for them.
Keep it simple; too many items and options end up being confusing.
Legibility is key. Font choice and size determine readability.
Beware of distractions. Focus on what you want the viewer to decide upon.
Too many zones can distract, but doing “specials” can be helpful to the company and the viewer.
If it is a fixed menu don’t scroll or animate. People take time to decide and if the menu scrolls too quickly, then they don’t have that time.
Video if done right can lead the viewer’s eye. It can give subtle clues and help make decisions fast. But if not done right it can be a distraction.
Locate menu boards carefully and be easily visible but avoid impeding traffic flow.

We all know that the retail and restaurant industry is highly competitive, and unless you have a unique selling proposition, chances are you will have trouble standing out from the crowd. The current state of the industry is driving restaurant owners to look for ways to set themselves apart from the fierce competition. Many are implementing digital menu boards, which is a step in the right direction,but as one expert told me, “some of these menu boards suck!”

What we know is that simply upgrading from static menu boards to digital menu boards is not enough on its own. More effort needs to be put into the content strategy and design of these menu boards in order to drive sales, engage with customers, and enhance their in-venue experience. If properly planned, designed, and implemented, digital menu boards can tip the scale in a restaurant’s favor.

ALAN C. BRAWN CTS, ISF, ISF-C, DSCE, DSDE. DCME, is the principal of Brawn Consulting.

To work with Jim’s team on creating content for your QSR and menu board projects reach out to our Content Services Business Development Manager Todd Heberlein today.