About me

I have been in the commercial digital signage and IT industry for over 10 years working on large networks such as WHSmith, Captive Media, Cabvision, Baby TV, In4health and Surgery Media Systems Ltd.

Proven commercial experience in consultancy, digital signage, business development, software and hardware development, innovative technical solutions, project management, installations, troubleshooting, maintenance, training, people management and support.

My most recent digital signage project was with Captive Media Ltd, where I was hired as a digital signage consultant for their interactive, networked, washroom gaming system. You can find out more about their product by clicking here.

I regularly undertake consultancy work for a number of clients, including Screen Media Technology Ltd as their Development Director, working for them with their clients such as Network Rail, BMW, Molinare, Audi, Novotel and large digital signage networks such as Lifestyle Sports. I also work with Interfuture Systems Ltd and Interfuture Office as their in-house web developer, graphic design and software development specialist.

In addition to this, I also support and continually develop the Surgery Media Systems Ltd dental and GP based digital signage network.

Please feel free to get in touch should you wish to discuss a project – I am a stone’s throw from London.

John A Cove – Mob: 07525 134199 – Skype: john.cove – Email: john@johncove.co.uk

Digital signage consultancy

With recommended and proven comprehensive commercial knowledge of digital signage platforms including Scala, signagelive, BroadSign, Beabloo and Acquire I have undertaken consultancy for a number of projects.

Combined with my extensive experience in project management, software development and operations, I feel I can add value to any digital signage project. During my involvement with Surgery Media Systems Ltd, I managed the project from the inception to installation and on-going maintenance.

Between October and November 2011, I undertook such consultancy work with Captive Media Ltd on the world’s first interactive, networked, digital signage washroom gaming system.

“The Captive Media system consists of a hi-definition screen, fitted at eye level above the urinal, where it commands the full attention of the user. When not in active use, it plays a mixture of adverts and content from one of our six ‘PTV’ channels. But when a user approaches, it flips into gaming mode, using patented technology to detect not only his presence … but the direction of his stream. Sophisticated algorithms then allow the user to do something simple, but VERY engaging – controlling the system just by aiming their stream left or right!”, Captive Media Ltd

The revolutionary digital signage system has already been installed at The Exhibit Bar, Balham (see image below) and TaBouche bar, Cambridge.

My involvement in the project included:-

  • Digital signage consultant to Captive Media Ltd
  • Holding training and demonstration sessions
  • Creating specified playlists, ensuring digital signage platform functionality fulfillment
  • Liaising with BroadSign on the more complex functions (such as triggered events etc)
  • Liaising with the technical partners on software and hardware developments
  • Understanding and conveying the functionality of the digital signage platform
  • General digital signage operations, systems and functionality consultation
  • Creating a master disk image for future installations
  • General technical guidance and digital signage consultancy

    • You can review some superb media coverage from the BBC and Sky News below.

    Keith Nash Insurance

    Keith Nash Insurance is an independent insurance broker covering all aspects of commercial business and personal insurance based in Dartford, Kent.

    I was approached through my web consultancy relationship with Interfuture Systems Ltd to develop Keith Nash Insurance’s new web site as part of a company re-brand.

    Following my initial meetings with the client, after I had completed the initial release of the web site, all subsequent updates to content needed to be undertaken by the client. With this in mind, I decided to implement a WordPress based web site and set up author accounts for each user.

    I installed WordPress from scratch, implemented a custom theme, edited the theme and layour to suit the design appropriate for the text content supplied, prepared all imagery and implemented SEO (search engine optimisation).

    I also designed the new company stationery and developed a central branding document.

    Web development examples

    I regularly develop web sites for clients. They are generally Drupel or WordPress based, however I am able to hand code web sites using PHP, ASP, CSS, Javascript, JQuery with mySQL and Microsoft SQL integration.

    I also offer the additional option of multi layered SEO implementation and regular monitoring, plus Social Media integration including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

    I developed the Surgery Media Systems administration web site to administer and customise a Scala based digital signage network. It was possible to:-

  • Update and publish latest news stories
  • Customisable screen templates
  • Dynamically control content playlists
  • Monitor the health of the network
  • Reporting of surveys and proof of plays
  • Create, edit and delete surveys and publish to an interactive kiosk
  • User hierarchy and access rights and many other features.

    • See below of web sites I have been involved in developing.

    QR Codes

    I have developed an application in various programming languages that creates QR Codes based on user input or automatically from a data source.

    The QR code application can be standalone, run as part of a web site or integrated into a digital signage application.

    Text message reminders

    The infoMessenger is a web based appointment by text message and email reminder system I developed primarily targetted at appointment based businesses, such as dentists, doctors surgeries and hairdressers.

    Appointment reminders can be sent out immediately and/or scheduled to be sent at any time in the future. A full CRM facility means the appointment manager can send out reminders quickly and easy from a database of new or registered clients.

    Features include a real time status of queued text message reminders, CRM system featuring patient information, text message creator and secure login.