NZX gets the big tick(er)

With fantastic weather, support and papparazi - we launched the NZX stock ticker to the New Zealand market as their trading began at 10:00am in Auckland yesterday. With the Minister for Economic Development, the Hon Stephen Joyce kicked off the event with short speeches from him, as well as the NZX CEO, Tim Bennett. As the media's press and journalists watched on, we fired up the screens under the already bright sunny day and delivered what has to be one of the coolest stock tickers around.  What was really cool was that Paul Treacy, our CEO, switched between multiple content pieces all driven directly from his mobile phone, so we could control all aspects of it in real-time... it was very slick.

The deployment was a massive effort and it saw our team and the OAMM team work through multiple nights to install this amazing LED ticker 4 floors up on the side of the Zurich building. Hanging all these LED cabinets one after another, required so many components, so many interconnections that we really did work right to the wire... BUT, it was worth it.

A great video summary courtesy of TV3 can be found at the following URL:
http://www.3news.co.nz/NZX-building-giant-ticker-in-Auckland/tabid/421/articleID/325815/Default.aspx

In partnership with NEC, the NZX have delivered a world class financial display system for Auckland. Eyemagnet have established themselves as a market leader in complex digital media solutions.

Here are some facts about the LED solution:

Eyemagnet, and their partners OAMM (Out and About Marketing and Media) provided the full outdoor LED solution. This includes all hardware and software required to deliver the complete solution.

OAMM are acknowledged as a market leader in the provision of cutting-edge LED and LCD signage technology and sponsorship opportunities for clients seeking to enhance their brand presence.

OAMM manufacture and assemble the high quality, LED cabinets and specialized controlling display modules that house the world's premier Nichia LED. This same technology can be seen surrounding all the major sport grounds and stadiums throughout the southern hemisphere during all the major rugby and league matches.

The digital screen was purpose built for the needs of the NZX, and the solution involves a specially constructed long run, high resolution, outdoor LED that can withstand the harsh New Zealand sun, wind and rain to become New Zealand's largest permanent outdoor LED.

All LED cabinets, including each and every individual LED are installed in watertight mounts to ensure many, many years of high quality output. There will be over 500,000 LED's installed for this deployment in the 6048x84 pixel display.

The design of the LED panels incorporates many layers of redundancy ensuring that maintenance and support for the LED is minimal and easy to manage. For instance, the entire display consists of 54 major cabinets (including two specially manufactured corner versions) interconnected to form one large display. Each cabinet then consists of smaller inter-connected 'brick's of LED's each with their own power and management. This ensures that any failure of one small component, will not affect the running of the display, and also makes for easy maintenance during the many years of planned service.

The LED panels will dynamically adjust their brightness and power settings throughout the day and night to ensure optimal levels. All the levels are determined by council guidelines to ensure public compliance.

The Eyemagnet software suite manages all the real-time data connection from the financial markets as well as the delivery to and optimization of the massive digital screen. Eyemagnet's software allows this digital screen to perform many functions and services greater than just being a normal stock ticker. For instance, the screen can be used as one contiguous display or be seen as multiple smaller displays. It is this flexibility and power that makes this solution unique by effectively allowing any content to be played in any configuration for many years to come. Not that there is any current requirement, but full motion video, real-time social media connectivity, breaking news etc. can be displayed. This is a future-proof solution for NZX.

Visit the site at lower Queen Street, drop in for a coffee with Travis at The Glass Box at No #1 Queen St (web: http://1queenstreet.co.nz twitter: @no1queenstcafe) and have a look yourself as it runs 24x7 and is stunning at night time.

Viv

Top Ryde Mall Sydney goes full IPTV

As one of Australia's biggest malls and definitely one of the newest, the Top Ryde Shopping centre has used OAMM and Eyemagnet to leverage their massive, and modern networking infrastructure to deploy a full IP based TV network.

This modern IPTV network is currently distributing all their advertising and marketing content, but more importantly, it will soon be delivering live TV throughout the mall. The live TV can be supplied from the likes of Foxtel, or their own HD feeds, meaning they could transmit live sporting events in conjunction with marketing information.

IPTV is really the only way to allow for true 'broadcasting' of content, as it ensures that all the receiving TV's are receiving the content at the same time i.e. synchronized. Since all the content (Live TV or marketing content) is effectively digitized, the data can then be manipulated in many ways to create richer content.

Adopting IPTV using the proper defined IP Standards, means Top Ryde haven't needed to invest in anything proprietary ensuring a future-proof design, and maximizing connectivity options.

IPTV also achieves other benefits, such as, scale. All that is required to decode the IP stream is a industry standard media player and these can be in the form of low cost Set-Top Boxes (STB) or via mainstream software running on your favorite device such as iPads, android, VLC player etc. So when Top Ryde wants to expand the number of marketing screens throughout the mall, the incremental cost is minimal.

OAMM have supplied primarily NEC 55" commercial grade panels throughout the complex with the addition of three Super Screen outdoor LED due for installation early next year. Driving the entire IP encoding and distribution network of 6 Channels is Eyemagnet's software. 

At the centre of the solution is Eyemagnet's Blackeye distribution platform being responsible for receiving the content and pushing that out across the network at Full HD specifications.  To provide OAMM with a simple and elegant interface they have supplied their Blackedge HTML5 interface to provide a powerful, yet simple content management tool to what is effectively a very complex solution.

For more information, Contact Us

Westpac Sock Exchange

A video overview of the Westpac promotion for the Sir Peter Blake Trust #RedSockDay

Mobile interactive promotion using the eyemagnet managed branch digital screens.
Socks were down, donations were up!
Well done the Westpac and eyemagnet teams!

Red Socks Day!

Eyemagnet are again bringing alive the centre of Auckland New Zealand supporting Westpac with the "Sock Exchange"
For Red Socks Day 2013, Westpac will be joining forces to remember and celebrate a Kiwi legend and keep thousands of small feet warm this winter! - See more at: http://www.sirpeterblaketrust.org/get-involved/red-socks-day-2013/#sthash.HRxe96ZQ.dpuf
Sir Peter Blake liked to wear his red socks for good luck and during the America's Cup Challenge, in 1995, New Zealanders supported the boat by putting on their own red socks to show their support for Team New Zealand. Since 1995, lucky red socks have become a symbol of Kiwi spirit and New Zealanders coming together to achieve great things. Images sent to Instagram and from Twitter supporting Red Socks Day are moderated using eyemagnet's mobile moderation application and instantly displayed on the Westpac branch screens.
Again a compelling customer engagement using eyemagnet technology.
Well done Westpac!

Stunning New LED Installation in Sydney!

Congratulations to eyemagnet's partner OAMM - Out and About Marketing and Media - Australia.
A stunning new installation to compliment their other large format LED sites they have install and manage around Sydney Airport.

The industry is coming of age and our combined expertise from world leading LED technology to complex media software and project management is leading to many world leading projects.

Well done to Ed and the team in Sydney.


PT

Analytics are the are the real needle-mover with iPad's in Retail

One of the most powerful rewards of an in-store tablet app is analytics. In fact, many of our customers see the intelligence gained from an in-store iPad system as the largest element of a rapid ROI. There are a few ways to slice analytics. They can be organized in hierarchy in terms of depth. These are more commonly called key performance indicators (KPIs) and we like to rate them as primary, secondary and forensic. Their names are fairly self-explanatory with KPIs like units per transaction and dollars per transaction being primary.

A specific example of secondary analytics using our Smart Room fitting room system is items tried on, but not purchased. Trends in this area can make a dynamic difference with future purchasing and immediate in-store pricing and marketing decisions. At the other end of the continuum are forensic analytics, which are almost always unique to a particular retailer. There are not universal examples since these are so unique to each retailer, but they will be specific to a current campaign or initiative. They might also be monitoring an exact product to an exact demographic integrated with customer loyalty. Another way we categorize analytics are specific to the use of the in-store iPad system. These are behavioral and transactional. Behavioral analytics tell us how the user (shopper, associate or both) is interacting with the iPad. We can learn where they are spending most of their time and what the exits points are in the app.

Transactional analytics are either pulled from the e-commerce or POS integration or a simulated transaction that can lead to conclusions when cross-referenced with transactional reports. Lastly, an important measurable to ensure the success of a successful in-store iPad system is associate surveys.

All the technology in the World will not be worth a penny if it is comfortable for the associates and shoppers. In many ways, this is the most important. How many times have you been in a department or grocery store and experienced the associates complaining about the fancy new technology that makes their jobs harder? For me it is a weekly occurrence.

In-store iPad solutions are not entertainment. They are not to keep the spouse busy while the their husband or wife shops. Our solutions are “needle-movers”. They produce dynamic results and a rapid return on investment. Analytics are a major ingredient in the process.

iPad in Retail

Domestic TV's versus Commercial Grade Panels

Do you need to pay for the difference?

When it comes to choosing an LCD or LED display/panel for your premises, there are clearly two options, being a commercial grade panel or Domestic/Consumer version. To look at, they may seem the same, however like all things, there are several important differences to consider before you charge off to you local retailer.

The  differences between the two types of displays are summarised below.

• Image compatibility & resolutions
• Mounting options & orientations
• Suitability of environment
• Operating hours & heat management
• Audio & video inputs
• Integration with a larger system or control via a third party control system.
• Interconnectivity to/from "video walls"
• Boot up/power up modes
• Brightness levels

Image compatibility & resolutions

Commercial
Designed specifically for compatibility with PCs and AV standards.
Most models recognize all PC resolutions in addition to TV/video resolutions. Domestic
Most are designed specifically for TV/video formats with very limited PC resolutions.

Mounting options & orientation

Commercial
Most support VESA mounting configurations and can be oriented in a variety of angles including: horizontal, vertical and in some cases angles in between. Domestic
Newer screens support VESA mounting configurations do to the popularity of wall mounting screens, however not all do and in some cases additional hardware may be required Portrait orientation mounting is typically not available with domestic/consumer grade models.

Suitability of environment

Commercial
include ways to protect controls in a public environment including the ability to lock out the use of button on the actual panel or use of the manufacturer remote control.
Domestic
No ability to lock display control

Operating hours & heat management

Commercial
Commercial grade flatscreens are built with heavy-duty parts and components designed to handle the wear and tear. Along with an increased resistance to deterioration, these high-quality parts also extend the lifespan of commercial screens far beyond that of consumer models, something that is critically important when one considers the difference in operating hours between the two. 

Commercial screen models are now being designed specifically for extended-use applications and some also include features such as enhanced burn-in protection and cooling mechanisms.


Domestic
Consumer screens in people's homes are turned on anywhere from one to eight hours a day, and serious TV watchers or gamers may even have them on for 12 or more. But, many deployers demand 12-15 hour days out of their screens and locations like airports may never turn the screens off.  Designed to be run as a TV installed into a home would be. Approximately 8-12 hours of daily use would be the maximum recommended amount. I also think that

NB: Since manufacturers build commercial grade screens to last, they also stand behind the production quality of those screens. Many of the top-grade manufacturers will do so by offering a more robust warranty program for their lines of commercial grade screens than they do for consumer grade models.

While Consumer products may have upto 3 years warranty, they usually specify within the documentation that use over and beyond four to six hours a day will void the warranty, whereas the Commercial grade units come with a three year warranty, and covers all the other criteria such as landscape and portrait installations.

Audio & video inputs

Commercial
Most models Include:
Control - IR & RS232 for control by a 3^rd party control system
Video - PC, RGBHV on BNC connectors, Composite, S-Video, Component, DVI-D, HDMI
Audio - Option to include or remove speakers
Domestic
-Most models offer:
Control - Infra-Red (IR) control only
Video - PC, Component, Composite, HDMI
Audio - Inbuilt speakers on RCA connectors

Integration with a larger system or control via a third party control system

Commercial
- The majority (if not all) provide bi-directional serial control allowing a third party processor to control the screen. One of the main advantages of using a commercial grade screen with a third party control system is the ability to switch directly to an input source on command or when an input is sensed.
Domestic
- While domestic LCD screens can be used to integrate with larger systems, it is much more 'clunky' as most of the time, inputs can only be selected by via scrolling through all the inputs until the appropriate one is available.

Interconnectivity to form "video walls" 

Commercial
Not all commercial screens support interconnecivity but generally the top models support this ie NEC's tilematrix mode. This special mode allows many screens to be connected together through their cabling systems and be treated as one big screen.
Domestic
...they just don't support it natively. If you want multiple screens to be treated as one big screen, you are going to have to supply Computers that have multiple video ports and connect them virtually through the software drivers.

Boot up / power on mode

Commercial
Can be configured, but generally the default mode is to start automatically. ie... if the power goes off, you can expect these panels to start back up and display your content without human interaction.
Domestic
Are generally the opposite, any power loss generally means any restart is in 'standby mode' and someone will need to push the on button.

Brightness

Commercial
Have models that they call in the trade as 'high brights', which are generally models that are 700lumens / Nits, and are required for locations that face outdoors ie shop windows
Domestic
Are around the 350 to 500 lumen levels

While this is a good list and should help you justify the right investment, it's not the definitive list, and I'm sure there are other reason, but it should give you an idea on why Commercial Panels are more expensive and why they exist in the market. 

As most things these days, they cost more, because they do more. It's up to you to decide on what you need.

Viv
.

RMG Networks Completes Acquisition of Symon Communications

Congratulations to Garry and his team. Now listing on the NASDAQ.
eyemagnet partnered with RMG Networks to deliver a broadcast television solution a couple of years ago.
Great for the industry.. I hope they are watching eyemagnet!.. lots coming in our new product line up!

PT

More eyemagnet coverage - iPads!

Retail Magazine May 2013

Getting good coverage of our iPad installation.

The iPad installations are becoming a large part of our retail solutions.
The feedback from customers and users is impressive.

Our video content management in conjunction with our eyemagnet media portal browser is providing a secure and easily managed customer experience.

PT

 

Cool new eyemagnet advertising

Nice new advertising in a few industry magazines!

Retail Magazine Article

Great article in the NZ Retail Magazine.

"A large "muti-cast" network connects the exterior display to the numerous interior digital screens - including iPads to synchronise "pixel perfect content across a range of screens.

"This is very unique from a technology perspective in retail"

Video and Audio content content is delivered by eyemaganet's "Blackeye" cloud based content management systems that includes television programming."

Rather than being an afterthought, Paul says eyemagnet's involvement from the start of the project was refreshing. "Thats why we really enjoy working with Westpac and the Queen St branch is a magnificent showcase."

Great to see eyemagnet are getting the recognition in the market for a world first in Retail Banking!