Information - Entertainment - Interaction: MATERNA Communications Opts for Interactive Services for Public Screens
Digital Signage – Extension Due to Mobile Backward Channel
Dortmund / Barcelona, 2009-02-17
Static advertising posters and information panels are increasingly replaced by screens and projectors which provide a mix of entertainment, information and service. With digital signage contents can thus be presented to the public in an attractive way which is suitable for the particular location, time and offering. Based on its Multimedia Application and Content Server (MACS), the telecommunications specialist MATERNA Communications now offers various digital signage applications which, thanks to an interactive reverse channel, provide additional attractiveness. With games, votes, blogging or download options, promotional screens positioned in public places become real eye-catchers. There is a special benefit: advertisers thus have an opportunity to measure coverage and provide follow-up communication.
So far the industry's endeavours to make digital signage interactive have usually been restricted to the use of touchscreens, RFD tags or Bluetooth. Due to systematic use of a mobile reverse channel MATERNA Communications now creates genuine interaction between the viewer and the programme being shown.
Applications offered include blogging. For example, people visiting to a discotheque or pop concert can send their greetings or comments on the music to a flat screen in a text message. The message appears there publicly within a matter of seconds. Even photographs and short videos can also be sent by multimedia message in this way, thus increasing the attractiveness of programmes or enabling people to spend waiting times usefully.
Another application is voting. Here viewers can send a text message to an abbreviated dialling number and thus cast a vote. In this way, guests in a pub, for example, can vote by text message on the evening’s most popular type of beer or on the name of a newly created cocktail.
With SMS-raffles, displayed in the live programme, an additional incentive for participating is set. In this area MATERNA Communications has already gained initial positive experiences on a large LED screen at Bochum railway station together with a local provider, RuhrTV.
Controlling Large Screens with Your Own Mobile
MATERNA Communications applications that make it possible for people to control public screens with their own mobile are new on the market. Potential applications in this area include scrolling through screen pages on monitors in shop windows (flat vacancies, for example, in an estate agent's window) or live games on a large screen.
Other interesting options for use of the backward channel are download offerings for logos, ring tones and games and a function for requesting further information.
Successful MACS Provides the Basis
The technological basis of the new services is the MACS (Multimedia Application and Content Server) – a powerful infrastructure for mobile services. The platform offers network operators, ISPs, the music industry and corporate clients all the technological features for marketing and invoicing all kinds of mobile content such as text message and multimedia message services, Java applications and Symbian files, ring tones, logos, binary content or streamed content. In addition, wma and MP3 files, including entire music albums and videos, are also supported.
You will find pictures in the category "Press" on www.materna-communications.com.
About MATERNA Information & Communications
MATERNA is a leading software company for information and communications technology. The company employs about 1,300 people worldwide and in 2008 achieved sales of 160 million euros. In addition to the headquarters in Dortmund, the company has offices and subsidiaries in the whole of Germany and Europe. The Communications business unit sells service platforms, premium content services, as well as voice and video applications. In addition, the subsidiary vistream GmbH has a successful market position as MVNE and is an internationally recognised provider of fixed line network services. CUSS solutions for airlines and airports are part of the portfolio too. Its ability to solve difficult and complex challenges for its customers has turned the company into a partner sought-after by network providers, service providers, businesses and agencies. The Business Unit Information supplies process and technology consulting services together with the implementation of appropriate IT solutions for companies and public administrations. MATERNA has proven specialist expertise in the areas of IT management, solutions for internet and intranet as well as specialised applications for public administrations.
Further Information:
MATERNA GmbH Information & Communications
Press and Public Relations
Antje Krämer
Voßkuhle 37
44141 Dortmund
Germany
Phone: +49 231 5599 8396
Fax: +49 231 5599 678396
Email: antje.kraemer@materna.de
www.materna-communications.com
