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.

Watsons Wine

Since its opening in June 1998, Watson’s Wine Cellar is now the largest specialist wine retailer in Central Hong Kong. The digital signage solution comprises of an interactive touch screen and a 42 inch LCD screen at the point of purchase. The interactive software allowed the customer to obtain further information on a wine by scanning the wine bottle’s barcode with the barcode scanner, browsing the wine categories or manually entering the code from the wine bottle.

My involvement in the project included:-

• Designing, creating, populating and deploying the Microsoft SQL database which contained detailed wine information.
• Developing a playlist generator middleware for the bespoke digital signage software.
• Helpdesk support and health checking with staff in Hong Kong.

Surgery Media Systems

The Surgery Media Systems Ltd (SMS) digital signage network is Scala based and consists of an interactive touchscreen kiosk, a LCD screen, an online administrative web portal and a public facing health information portal.

I was asked to join the company as lead project manager and developer. My first task was to interview and hire a team of developers and designers

I project managed the SMS digital signage network from beginning to end. I was also heavily involved in software development, specifically the content playback, backend solution, internal and external web development and database programming.

After the development, design work and testing phase, a final version of the digital signage solution was completed ready for launch at the BDA Dental Show, ExCel Centre. It was positively received and headway made to market the SMS digital signage network to interested dental practices throughout the UK.

Once the network was fully operational and installed, I developed a site monitoring and fault logging system. This reported the network’s health status and was checked regularly by the SMS support staff, who I managed. When an issue arose, a fault was entered into the fault logging system where I monitored progress and ensured faults were resolved within the agreed SLA.

My responsibilities while working on this project included:-

• Project management on all levels.
• Preparing, testing and setting up equipment for exhibitions, demos and site installation.
• Lead technical and operations consultant.
• Web site development.
• Interviewing and hiring new members of staff, appraisals, staff holiday and absenteeism.
• Liaising with clients, suppliers, Directors, shareholders and business partners.
• Technical documentation writing and monthly company technical and operational reports for board meetings.
• Organising and presenting project demos to prospective new clients and dealers.
• Software and hardware testing and repairing.
• Management of the technical, sales and content staff and departments.

My key achievement was the entire project! I project managed the digital signage solution from beginning to end, getting involved in development as it evolved. All aspects of my skill set were used and invaluable experience gained.

Baby TV

Baby TV is a information service aimed at parents-to-be in hospital antenatal waiting rooms nationwide. Baby TV aims to help parents-to-be make informed decisions for the health, welfare, safety and happiness of both themselves and their future baby.

My involvement in this project included:-

• Project management of installations.
• Developing an interactive kiosk application using LAMP.
• Maintaining and support the interactive kiosks on a daily basis.
• Bespoke administration web site where competition entries, usage statistics and questionnaire details could be interrogated.
• Developing a health monitoring front-end for helpdesk monitoring.

My key achievement whilst working on this project was developing a bespoke interactive kiosk application using open-source software. This was essential requirement during the trial phase of this project.

“John, is dilligent, creative and delivers to deadlines. He has an exellent grasp of all aspects of computing and IT. He also supported the project very well being available for calls and advice. I am happy to recommend him.”
Gavin W H Anderson, Owner, Baby TV

Cabvision

Cabvision is an interactive digital signage network installed in over 1000 taxi cabs across the inner and outer London areas. The content, delivered remotely over the DAB and GPRS networks, featured are pre-recorded commercials and television shows, latest sport and news headlines, information services and a music channel where the passenger can select a track to listen to while on their journey.

My involvement in this project included:-

• Managing fleet of 1000 taxis
• Custom reporting development
• Helpdesk support
• Bespoke CRM development
• Bespoke Administration and reporting web site
• Software and hardware development

I helped develop the first ever UK vehicle based digital signage network. The software developed delivered content over the DAB and 3G mobile networks and had to be monitored regularly. Additionally, health and logging information was exchanged. Software updates were delivered and updated automatically.