Big Picture 2015 brought to you by Airwave Europe

THE

Center Parcs

PICTURE

Europe’s largest leisure project See page 30 for more information

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

2015 Digital Signage Right message, at the right time

Generation Y The Millennials are here

HOTEL TV - SMART - APPS - INTERNET - IPTV - NETWORKS - INFO CHANNELS - WIFI

contents

Welcome!

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ith each yearly edition of The Big Picture, we aim to provide hoteliers with a unique insight and overview into some of the latest consumer and technological trends, and their impact on the guest offering in the hospitality market.

We aim to differentiate between the passing phase or fad so you can focus on the best options for maximising real lifetime value, when specifying screen-based products and services for the guest.

At Airwave, we fully understand the issues of convergent technology, and our unique multi-brand approach allows us to offer the best solution for both hoteliers and guests. Again, we trust that this guide is both informative and inspirational – so please enjoy the Big Picture 2015.

Tim Worrall, MD Airwave Europe Limited

Analog 1954-1998

Contents 03 07 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 25 27 28 30

FUTURE TRENDS STUDENT ACCOMMODATION SAMSUNG PHILIPS LG AIR RANGE OF PRODUCTS SKY AIRWAVE AT WORK UNITED. TV REMOTE DIGITAL SIGNAGE HEALTHCARE GENERATION Y CONTENT IS KING CENTER PARCS - WOBURN

Digital 1999-2008

HD 2009-2014

Ultra 4k 2015...

Future Trends

In-Room Each year we review the major trends and developments in technology and consumer behaviour, so we can assess the implications for the hospitality sector, allowing hoteliers to be better informed to enable the right decisions for the future.

HITEC leads the way

First Impressions Count

It is often said that if you want to know what the future looks like, then go to California and see what’s going down in Silicon Valley. Well, the same thing could be said to some extent about the hotel technology industry, which is why a visit to the annual HITEC show in the US is always worthwhile investment. Of course, not every new innovation is going to be a game changer, and the ones that succeed tend to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Sometimes less is more, and ease of use plus 24/7 reliability are the most important attributes of anything in the guest-facing world.

In any guest room, one of the first visual indicators of the hotel’s star is the size and brand of the TV, which makes a statement about the quality of the hotel. A quick search on Trip Advisor will show guests posting compliments like “the room had a glorious 50 inch Samsung LED-just like home :)” Of course, there has been a massive revolution, with the exponential rise and use of smartphones, tablets and laptops, but the TV has still managed to remain the technological cornerstone when it comes to the hotel room, and this could also be as a result of what happens in the home.

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future trends Make it large, but keep it thin.

In most households, whilst there is a large TV dominating the living room, many of the occupants are also interacting with the second screen on their laps, or in the palms of their hands. Indeed a recent survey in American hotel rooms found that for Millennials, a staggering 70% watched the main room TV and either a laptop (38%) or tablet (32%). For those who are not aware, Millennials are those born between the early 1980s and the early 2000’s. They are certainly a group to watch as they have a new set of demands when it comes to services, and a new, refreshing view on the world.

The US has enjoyed multi-channel TV for many years, but for hotels in the UK this is a reasonably new phenomenon, which was accelerated with the introduction of Freeview. Now, even a modest guest house boasts 80 odd crystal clear digital channels, together with an array of radio stations on the most basic of systems. Initially, some mid-to-upper tier hotels lazily thought they could drop their expensive Pay TV contracts and just switch to basic free-to-air channels, but as we all know hotel brands need to differentiate the offering, just as they do when it comes to the other obvious quality indicators like the comfort of the bed, and the style and functionality of the bathroom and shower. There are various ways this can be achieved such as installing wellknown brands and updating them every five years, or installing additional features such as on-screen menus showing the latest weather, hotel information, bars and restaurant services etc. As well as adding value, these features can also be used to drive additional guest revenues.

TV has been one of the most powerful communication mediums for many years and it ia amazing how little advantage most hotels take of that 40/50 inch advertising screen which sits right in-front of their target market, throughout their stay.

Brands like Samsung, LG, and Philips, have their own commercial models, with native information systems, and remote centralised tuning and channel mapping.

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In addition, these screens come with standard functionality such as menu block, maximum volume level, start-up channel and cloning.

Probably the best kept secret in Hotel TV is the inbuilt satellite tuner feature on some models, which removes the requirement for the normal stack of set-top boxes in the hotels comms room, as the decoding takes place within the TV itself.

The benefit to the guest is clear – live TV in their native tongue, but the hotel has managed to deliver it at a fraction of the normal cost, with less ongoing maintenance issues. As new free-to-guest channels are added on the satellite, there is no need for any more equipment, but merely a retune of the TVs. Another great option now available is AirSTREAM, which is a neat rack mounted system situated at the headend which can distribute international channels across the coaxial network.

As traditional Hotel Pay TV has been on the decline, there has been a corresponding rise in demand for more channels, and better quality images such as HD. For any hotelier opting for a screen from 32 inch upwards, we would always recommend ensuring they choose Freeview HD TVs, meaning those which possess a DVB-T2 tuner.

The growth of screen sizes within hotels has lagged that of the consumer market, but guests have clearly been demanding larger screens. We believe this trend will continue, but hotels will be pleased to know that there will be a natural limit to screen sizes, as there is an optimum viewing distance / screen size equation in normal circumstances. Unless the property is on a very tight budget, we would always recommend starting at 40 inch, as we believe the TV must be fit for purpose in 5 years time.

Again, first impressions count, and upon entering a room, if the TV is wall mounted, then it is essential the screen is low-profile so that it blends into the room.

There is an emergence of on-location, inner city rooms, lacking space, where we believe the TV will be turned into a window on the world. With the introduction of the 4K or Ultra High Definition TVs, with 4 times the resolution of HD, we can see these screens acting as a substitute for windows, with images of the buzzing world outside being projected, or a calming feed from a distant tropical beachscape. In reality, we believe that UHD is not a fad, indeed many films and major sports events are now being recorded in 4K, and we have already installed these screens into the lobbies of boutique hotels needing that WOW factor.

One hotel even projects the image of the surrounding wallpaper onto the screen, giving the illusion of a disappearing screen in sync with its environment. UHD is so clear, that it almost delivers the immersive experience that 3D TVs strive to achieve, but without the glasses.

However, will curved TVs be here forever? Probably not, a passing phase we think. They are certainly not ideally shaped for most hotel rooms.

The Connectivity Challenge Smartphones, Tablets and PCs are an essential possession for travellers who are increasingly bringing their own content with them (known as BYOC, bring your own content). Well, sometimes it is more accurate to say their subscriptions for content with them. The growth of services such as iTunes and Netflix are driving the need for an easy way to connect to the big screen in the room.

future trends

Whilst many travellers do not mind watching content on a tablet, it is a much better experience to use that 55 inch screen looming on the wall.

In the home environment the task is relatively straight forward, but within hotels, there is still no easy low cost method of sharing all types of content hassle free. However, over the last year, there has been significant progress with the TV manufacturers offering an array of features such as Miracast and Widi, which enable streaming from devices.

The “myAway” APP which sits of the Guest-Tek platform is probably the best wireless solution available on the market, as not only does it enable the guest to stream their own content to the TV, but the guest can also request content like live TV and VOD is streamed to their own device.

Ideal for luxury Spa Hotels and holiday resorts, where guests inhabit not just a room, but an entire living space.

between £4.95 to £9.95 for a 24 hour period and the cost can also be bundled with other services.

Of course all these devices need power and one of the neatest solutions showcased at HITEC was the PowerKube, (see above image) which offers Qi wireless charging, wired charging for iPhone 5/6 and Android, as well as Bluetooth Audio Connectivity. It’s a really well thought out “swiss army knife” of a product.

Wireless is the new Hot Water

Go Green

I was recently sitting at my desk in a high end hotel desperately trying to complete work on a presentation for the following day. Much of my research came from the internet, and luckily the hotel had superfast connectivity. I suddenly thought, if I had a choice of amenity, would I prefer the hot water or high speed internet. I think you know the answer. Hotels need to over–deliver when it comes to connectivity, and of course connectivity is not just about bandwidth, but also about the design of the network and the quality of the configuration and network. Demand for seamless internet is growing at an exponential rate, as a result of the boom in people arriving with multi devices, and using them for ever more bandwidthhungry services.

Until as recently as last year, we believed that a typical 100 roomed hotel should be installing no less that a 100Mb dedicated pipe, but with costs falling we now recommend city-centre sites installing 1G connections where costs allow.

A tiered pricing structure can fund this, whereby guests who require internet to quickly check emails, can do so at no charge, but those heavy users reliant on robust, secure and fast connectivity can be catered for but at a price which is reasonable. Charges seem to vary

We appreciate the need to be green, not only to please our guests but also to reward the bottom line. A simple, but effective way is to alter settings on the commercial TVs to low energy usage.

For a 200 roomed hotel over 5 years this can make quite a saving. Also, the introduction of low energy LED lighting is a fast an effective means of reducing carbon emissions.

For older properties, the real challenge is to retrofit control devices to minimize consumption. One option could be Zenros, the company who have developed a property energy management system, utilising ZigBee wireless technology allowing for fast installation, and harnessing indoor solar energy (normal light!) to power the devices. It is not rocket science, but if for instance the window is open, the heating or A/C will not function. Similarly, when the guests leaves the room, sensors will instruct lighting and HVAC to revert to low energy consumption levels. Savings as much as 30-45% can be achieved in energy consumption, which immediately impacts on the bottom line.

For new build the implementation on Smart building technology is much easier, and many even use earth bore holes or solar panels to generate heat and power.

The Crowne Plaza, Copenhagen generates 170,000 KWh per annum, which makes it nearly self sufficient. The Crowne Plaza, Alice Springs (see above image), also has solar panels but has the benefit of being located in a desert as opposed to Northern Europe.

Airwave is one of the few companies still offering a long term repair service for hospitality TVs. This is very important for hotels as it saves cost and ensures that their in-room fleet retains consistency. It’s also very green.

Coaxial still delivers the Goods For many years, we have been recommending that the majority of hoteliers gear themselves up to deliver TV services over thick coaxial cable, but also run CAT5/6 data cabling to the TV to cater for interactive services such as internet and streaming etc.

This has been the way in which the consumer market has gone, and likewise it is the most sensible way in which to design the infrastructure in a hotel.

High bandwidth TV signals are best delivered over coaxial cable, which is robust and low cost, (and the TVs have tuners that do this job perfectly). We can then load up the data-network only with the content which is interactive or on-demand.

The best example of this is the cloudbased, AirMEDIA solution, which consists of a small android based box running a Google browser, which connects to any TV with an HDMI port, to provide a full interactivity and a customized experience for the guest as well as full hundreds of Smart APPS. Products like AirMEDIA allow the guest to access relevant content like their own Netflix account, or BBC IPlayer, and mirror or even exceed the experience they already enjoy at home.

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future trends Hotel APPs Come of Age The rise of the hotel APP has been a long time coming, but it is clearly evident that dedicated hospitality APPs are the perfect way to build strong relationships with your guests enabling easy access for making reservations, increasing loyalty. The natural extension of this, is to make use of the same APP as part of the customer journey that includes a comprehensive experience covering check-in, room access, front desk connectivity, lighting, A/C, TV and all room controls. Innovations like the Fingi system have made this dream a reality. We see this trend shaping the future as new rooms are designed with guest connectivity in mind.

tuners, enabling hundreds of highquality UK and international TV and radio channels to be easily received in room.

A further application comes with the development of the new proposition from Sky, which provides that real home-fromhome experience delivering an amazing choice of high quality premium HD channels directly to the room. This solution has struck a cord with hotels across the spectrum, from the budget sector, through to boutique hotels and the most prestigious and iconic five star properties in the UK. The value of this proposition is bourn out by the glowing guest reviews on TripAdvisor.

Trending in 2015 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Branded Large Screen HD LEDs Easy connectivity like Miracast Samsung Reach and LG Pro-centric Catch Up TV Services – BBC iPlayer PowerKube for wired and wireless Qi charging.

Streaming International Channels 4K and UHD in lobbies Sky HD In-Room Cloud based systems APPS – for remote check-in, keyless entry and room control Green energy management systems Google Glass

IPTV Comes of Age

Be Smart and Catch Up on TV The other trend which should be noted is the Smart TV revolution. We believe that the most relevant in room APPs are those for catch-up TV or VOD, such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Tune-in Radio and YouTube. Many hospitality systems from the likes of Samsung, Philips and LG possess access to all or some of these services with varying degrees of functionality, as do systems like AirMEDIA. Indeed time shift services like iPlayer are increasingly popular with Virgin Media estimating 43% of viewing is now time shifted as opposed to live.

The critical issue for the hotelier is in ensuring that personal data is remains private, and so only Smart systems with dedicated hospitality functionality are recommended.

Integrated Reception Systems – Multichannel Heaven Property developers have known about Integrated Reception Systems (IRS) for many years, as they provide the backbone in nearly all apartment blocks in the UK to allow residents to hook-up their homes to multiple sources, be that terrestrial or satellite TV, or DAB services, via a single headend and antenna network. Exactly the same system is now being deployed in hotels to ensure the “biggest bang for the buck” within the hotel room. Many hospitality screens from the likes of Samsung and LG already include satellite

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In high end business hotels, where service is at a premium, a solution incorporating IPTV and Wireless from companies such as Airwave’s partner, Guest-Tek, called OneView is the solution of choice (see TV image below). OneView, developed in North America, is now installed in many of the leading hotels in the heart of London, and works without a set-top box as h-browser functionality is embedded within the high end Samsung LEDs. In the long term, we believe that TV channels will increasingly be delivered by IP and this will start with niche international programming, like Sky News Arabia.

Not everything in the IP world is rosy, and many hoteliers were burnt by being early adopters in the days when technology architects insisted on data only networks (at the expense of coax), and they ended up with poor-performing but expensive solutions. At Airwave, we have addressed this and therefore also provide a robust system, which delivers digital TV over the data network, but without the need for a fully-fledged IP system.

See the future through Google Glass It is very tempted to be seduced by brilliantly innovative products such as Google Glass, but the power of the device cannot be under-estimated. Indeed, Virgin Atlantic, in typical pioneering spirit,

have been trialing them at Upper Class check-in at Heathrow. The wearable technology provides information on the passengers travel itinerary, seat number, preferences etc, and leaves the attendant with hands free to assist with the bags.

Hotel concierges could also adopt the same technology, and this trend started in San Francisco, but has already spread to London, where the Montcalm, Marble Arch is using the technology at the concierge desk. Some hotels are also loaning out Google Glass to guests during their stay, which would get the thumbs up from most people wanting to test drive the product without the expense of purchase.

There is a lesson here from the world of 3DTV, is that people want to avoid glasses where they can, so we would recommend a healthy cynicism and looking at growth forecasts, it won’t be until 2017/18 that critical mass penetration is achieved.

student accommodation

Student accommodation

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owning Students has over 25 years experience of providing a great choice of safe, clean and contemporary student accommodation. They provide modern, yet comfortable surroundings – a living space that the students can really call their own. Airwave has been adaptable in offering Downing leading-edge inroom solutions to suit specific demands of their sites and their students.

Throughout 2014, Airwave installed 5 sites for Downing, including a 383 bed site in Cambridge. Airwave’s end to end solution is based on the AirMEDIA SmartTV box, allowing students access a number of Apps ideal for the university environment, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and iPlayer, alongside a 32 or 40” Philips Media Suite LED Hospitality TV. AirMEDIA gives a functionality similar to a smartphone or tablet device, but on a much larger screen. More importantly the

Apps can be selected by Downing to reflect the particular needs of the resident students and provide links to nearby University or College resources. The management of the accommodation complex can also use AirMEDIA to send global and personal messages .The installation at Downing offers a wide range of high quality digital TV and radio channels, information, news, online entertainment including catch-up TV, social networking and interactive games, all controlled by a unique gyro remote control.

Freeview TV

- no Coax? No problem!

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irwave completed the supply and implementation of a Freeview and FreeviewHD over Data Network (RF over CAT5) installation to 272 apartments, including the installation of 28” Samsung Hospitality TV’s to all rooms at LIVE 1, a brand new student accommodation site based in Assam Place, Aldgate.

London based Go Native manages the building and approached Airwave with a requirement for Freeview television in a building without the

typical RF (coaxial) network and infrastructure. Airwave provided the perfect solution and the necessary televisions all within 3 weeks utilising its design and systems based knowledge to broadcast over the pre-existing structured cabling. This unique approach provided all the functionality of coaxial cable and SMATV distribution without the need to install coaxial cable.

Wayne Bowring, Key Account Manager at Airwave commented, ‘During initial discussions the customer was delighted

to learn that we can deliver Freeview TV over a Data Network without the need to install a Coax TV Network.

From Survey to completion was fulfilled within 3 weeks. We are delivering 100+ Freeview Digital TV Channels and Radio services to all 272 apartments.

For more information on the latest in-room technology and for friendly professional advice, please contact us on 0845 555 1212 or info@airwave.tv

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samsung

Inspirational Design, Engaging Experiences, Integrated Technologies Enhance your guest experience with Samsung hospitality solutions

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reate a sophisticated viewing environment for your guests with the new HC690 series. Offering a premium design, without a cumbersome frame, the displays virtually blend into the background allowing guests to focus on the images projected rather than the equipment delivering them. In addition, the smart connectivity options mean that the screens offer a myriad of entertainment solutions for guests.

Features include Smart View where guests can enjoy their mobile contents on the larger in-room TV, Screen Mirroring which enables guests to share the screen of a mobile device on the TV, AllShareÂŽ technology which enables guests to play personal content through a wireless connection on their room TVs and Soft AP which provides a software access point (AP) or hotspot all combine to transform the guest experience by providing an in-room, multi-device entertainment hub.

Concurrently, hotel proprietors are able to customize the welcome menus on the screens with a straightforward interface and stay on budget with affordable content-streaming options and other costsaving features.

These are the kind of experiences that extend your competitive advantage, generate customer loyalty, repeat business and boost sales.

Tailor the in-room display as an information and entertainment hub with a fully customisable content management solution Samsung LYNK™ Remote Enhanced Active Control for Hospitality (REACH) is a flexible, easy-to-use and cost-efficient content management solution for your hotel hospitality displays. Leveraging an existing coaxial infrastructure to streamline content and TV management using LYNK REACH 3.0 software, hotel managers and IT administrators can update and adjust TVs remotely and deliver a wider range of content over RF signals to realise an array of benefits.

Content managers can readily edit and manage information, and content can be provided from the Internet through the REACH Server.

Customise your hotel message with a fully and easily customisable UI Equipped with familiar and intuitive UIs, the LYNK REACH 3.0 solution interface helps content managers readily edit and manage information, and deploy it in real time providing a selection of fully customisable, easy-to-use templates which helps content managers set up a customised property portal with editable background messages and images.

Generate additional revenue with on-screen advertising Deliver promotional advertising about amenities or special offers directly to guest rooms through a ticker on in-room displays. LYNK REACH 3.0 provides a template that supports advertisements with live channels for broadcasting in public hotel areas, such as displays in lobbies and restaurants.

Customise in-room content for specific audiences Provide guests with customized TV content based on room groupings to tailor the guest experience and provide relevant, timely information. Managers can create display groupings with dedicated content, announcements or channel listings for specific sets of guests, which is ideal for targeting information to groups such as corporate attendees. For example, a block of rooms used for a conference can be set to receive pop-up messages alerting guests of a meeting time and location.

Deliver quick and convenient information to hotel guests For hotel guests, LYNK REACH 3.0 provides quick, convenient access to relevant information. Guests can readily access content, including hotel services, real-time weather reports, flight information and more, with multiplelanguage support on their in-room TVs. Local event and tourist information can also be displayed for fast and easy guest access.

Samsung and LYNK are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd

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phillips

Philips Smart TV, best lifetime value

Next generation of Philips Hospitality TVs feature innovative solutions geared to hoteliers’ and guests’ needs ■ Four ranges of Philips hospitality TVs reflect TP Vision’s experience, gained from 30 years of hospitality industry leadership ■ Innovative Philips hospitality TVs are built around impactful control and connectivity features and low total cost of ownership ■ No. 1 trusted partner thanks to operational excellence, customer intimacy and sustainability

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ith the new generation of MediaSuite Philips presents the first range of its hospitality TV lineup. The new line-up of Philips Studio, Philips EasySuite, Philips MediaSuite and Philips Signature reinforces the company’s claim to industry leadership. The new portfolio spans a large choice of slim and sustainable hospitality TVs with different looks and screen sizes. They suit any hotel from budget hostels to design hotels and luxury hotels, from small, family-owned guest houses to large international chains, and also from cruise ships over hospitals to elderly homes.

Trusted partner shaping the hospitality TV market for three decades Philips hospitality TVs, is a trusted partner delivering to the largest international chains and the smallest hotels via the industry’s leading system integrators.

The new portfolio reflects the experience and knowledge gained from 30 years of operations as an industry leader.

Latest technology for innovative connectivity and control features Philips hospitality TVs feature the latest in connectivity allowing integration of guests’ smart devices, connection to the internet and hotel information services as well as to hotel networks.

Low total cost of ownership The new Philips hospitality TV range is packed with features that deliver cost efficient installation and management tools

and offer opportunities to create additional revenues to ensure the lowest possible total cost of ownership.

Sustainable TVs to support hotels’ small ecological footprint Philips Studio, Philips EasySuite, Philips MediaSuite and Philips Signature hospitality TVs are equipped with the latest LED backlight technology to ensure

“Philips is the only supplier of hospitality TVs that runs an organization that focuses on developing, designing and manufacturing TVs that are targeted at hospitality facilities. This helps us to get a deep understanding of our customers’ needs.”

Chris Sluys, General Manager Business Unit Hospitality TV and Signage, Philips

the lowest possible power consumption. All new Philips hospitality TVs have qualified for energy labels class A, A+ or A++.

Care through professional services All our hoteliers are served by a customer care team that specifically focuses on Hospitality TV. In addition, Philips hospitality TV business unit runs a large partner network with local contacts offering professional and reliable services.

About Philips Philips is a dedicated TV player in the world of visual digital entertainment. Philips concentrates on developing, manufacturing and marketing branded TV sets in Europe, Russia, Middle East, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and selected countries in Asia-Pacific. We do this by combining our design expertise and innovative Philips TV heritage with the operational excellence, flexibility and speed of Technology. With these combined strengths, we bring high-quality TV sets to the market: smart and easy to use with sophisticated styling. We believe in creating products that offer a superior TV experience for consumers. Philips TVs ar a global leader in the hospitality market. With the exclusive brand licensee of Philips TVs for the above listed countries.

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lg

Have it your way with

LG’s customisable

Pro:Centric application Convenient, reliable solutions for you and your guests with LG’s innovative in-room technologies

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mmerse your guests in a unique experience with a tailor made in-room system from LG’s range of Pro:Centric applications. The dedicated hotel data broadcasting platform provides intuitive and easy-to-use functions to hotel guests, helping them to fully engage with the content. Acting as a digital concierge, Pro:Centric presents guests with a branded user interface on their LG HD TV and offers simple access to information on hotel amenities, television programming and local, daily weather reports.

While providing an enhanced experience for guests from the comfort of their room, the total display solution also offers hoteliers a flexible and costeffective service for multiple in-room TV management. Hotel staff can quickly and easily update information centrally, keeping content fresh across the establishment and providing valuable, timely communication with guests.

Designed to provide a comfortable experience for customers, the efficiently managed solution collects data from the

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internet, e.g. live weather or EPG data, which is regularly sent to the TVs over your existing RF distribution system, ensuring the most up-to-date information is displayed on all your Pro:Centric TVs. The streamlined delivery system of Pro:Centric means that it can be seamlessly installed in hotels with CAT5 or Coax infrastructure, working with the existing communications networks. This also means you can specify the data channel used to avoid interference with existing content channels or operate the Pro:Centric system over a multi-cast IPTV network.

CASE STUDY Forest Pines Hotel in North Lincolnshire has had a technology overhaul, upgrading the in-room displays across its 188 rooms, as well as signage throughout the reception and bar areas, to LG’s Pro:Centric TVs. Installing 32” screens as standard in the bedrooms and 42” screens in the public spaces, Airwave recommended Pro:Centric due to its enhanced, customisable features.

The previous solution offered basic information on smaller 26” screens, so guests are now impressed with the extra screen estate now available in rooms. With a specific requirement for Freeview digital channels around the hotel, Forest Pines made the decision to switch to the sleek Pro:Centric TVs which come equipped with Freeview HD tuning facilities.

“Pro:Centric from LG is the ideal solution for Forest Pines Hotel, exceeding customer expectations and providing the easy-to-manage, interactive solution required,” comments Charles Mupfurutsa, Sales Manager Hospitality TV at LG. “Another key feature of the new solution was to distribute its corporate video promoting its services across the hotel, which is easily achieved with Pro:Centric.

The solution is working really well for Forest Pines and is now being rolled out across the wider Q Hotels group.”

The new TVs allow guests to be greeted with a branded welcome message when they turn on the TV sets, as well as view information about each of the hotels individual facilities, separated into different sections for easy browsing and weather reports up to four days in advanced, updated every four hours.

air range

Airwave’s ‘Solutions for all’ Airwave introduces you to the next stage in hotel in-room technology with our latest ‘Air’ solutions, compatible with your existing digital hotel TV screens.

AirMEDIA: Smarten Up Upgrade to the AirMEDIA smart solution, and provide guests with the very latest Smart TV features and apps, as well as hotel information and services. AirMEDIA transforms HD Ready Hospitality TVs into affordable modern Smart TVs. It’s a complete standalone solution that includes the AirMEDIA Box, a unique gyroscopic remote control, and access to an online portal, which allows you to gain complete control over look, feel and functionality of the system.

Designed specifically for the hospitality sector and individually configured for each hotel, AirMEDIA is a small box which, when connected to the television, immediately transforms the guest experience from a passive to an interactive one.

With AirMEDIA guests can use apps just like those on a smartphone or tablet device, but on a much larger screen. This opens up a huge range of applications from popular catch-up TV and video streaming services, such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix and YouTube, to information based applications targeting news, weather or magazines. Surfing the web is a breeze using the feature rich HD Browser that provides access to even more exciting services, and all of this is done from the comfort of the guest’s hotel room. The Hotel Media Share app enables guests to

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CASE STUDY

stream movie, photo and music content from their own devices onto the in-room TV, hence creating a more personal and interactive experience.

Dedicated Hotel Features AirMEDIA offers a fantastic service advantage that is specifically designed for hospitality, so guest’s personal details, usernames and passwords are cleared automatically after use; safety and security is assured. Best of all AirMEDIA requires no on-site server, just a wired or wireless network and a broadband internet connection.

The premium solution An advanced version of the AirMEDIA solution is available with great additional features. These include: ■ Property Management System (PMS) Integration ■ Movies On Demand (also known as VOD)

AirINFO: Get Informed Dedicated High Definition In-Room TV Channel If you’ve ever wanted a low cost, high quality information system for your hotel, or a way to promote hotel products, services or facilities that generate additional revenue.

AirInfo HD hotel information channel is broadcast over the Internet and received at your hotel using a specially configured PC player. The player’s output is then converted to an HD digital freeview type TV signal.

The televisions will be configured so that they display the Hotel TV channel when powered on by a guest, so as to guarantee that the guest is presented with your own dedicated and branded channel. The guest can then, if they chose, switch to standard TV channels (BBC1, 2, ITV, CH4, etc).

The AirINFO HD Hotel TV channel offers useful information, branding and advertising opportunities, and the standard layout can be easily modified to incorporate the hotel’s name, logo and colour scheme.

Additional designed changes can be made in-conjunction with hotel’s management.

The standard template, consists of: ■ Hotel Branding

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On-Screen Room Service Feature Rich Concierge Services View Bill Express Checkout Wake-Up Alarm

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The Clavadel is a 32 bed, purpose built care centre specialising in post operative rehabilitation and convalescence. Clavadel decided that the AirMEDIA Smart TV Box solution was perfect for their site.

AirMEDIA allowed the care centre to provide a customised Smart TV service, via a small box that sits behind the screen.

The box provides a number of Apps under headings such as News, Sport, Games and Services – AirMEDIA gives the user the choice to choose their own applications and the number of apps required.

The AirMEDIA box gives Clavadel a unique opportunity to add their own web pages, logos and advertisements to the TV experience, thus achieving a bespoke solution for the care centre. The Smart Box solution is being delivered alongside Freeview TV via a 32” Philips Easy Suite set to give patients the best viewing experience on dedicated hospitality TV screens.

On-Screen Clock Looping Video Feed Regional Weather Outlook National News RSS Feed Motorway (Main Route) Traffic RSS Feed User Definable Graphical Areas (Branding / Advertising) Text / Message Area (HQ and Hotel Manager Messages)

CASE STUDY: The Vale Resort, Wales Set within 650 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside, the Vale Resort is Wales’ highest rated four star resort. Airwave supplied and installed a tailored AirINFO channel, as well as 150 Samsung 40” screens. The entire network was also upgraded to receive HD quality television. Management at the Vale Resort are very happy with the sleek, high definition information channel. Stepehen Leeke, Managing Director, said: ‘Our AirINFO channel perfect for broadcasting important information to our guests, such as information about our golf course, as well as the weather forecast and news. The channel is full HD quality which looks great on the Samsung screens. Airwave provided a very good, friendly and efficient service.’

air range

AirCAST: Tailored Hotel ‘Red Button’ Services AirCAST is the revolutionary information system, enabling you to communicate with your guests via a dedicated ‘red button’ channel.

such as those already used to receive Freeview channels in the UK, so there’s no need for any card or set-top box in the room.

The AirCAST server simply plugs in, without the need to upgrade the network.

INFORM Costly, printed in-room directories are a thing of the past. AirCAST enables hotel guests to quickly and easily navigate through different sections and pages on hotel information and services.

Hoteliers can instantly update the system via a web interface, keeping information fresh and up to date.

■ Hotel services and facilities ■ Local area information and useful contacts ■ Local sites and attractions ■ Live feeds, e.g. News, Weather, Sport

PROMOTE Generate revenue by using AirCAST to promote hotel products, services and facilities or to advertise local businesses.

■ Hotel offers and promotions ■ Restaurant, bar or spa deals ■ Advertise local businesses, such as taxi firms or restaurants

A TAILORED SOLUTION AirCAST is a bespoke information system for your hotel. It can be tailored to suit your hotels individual style and requirements.

■ Hotel logos, colours, images and corporate videos ■ Hotel specific content ■ Tailored categories and pages

HOW IT WORKS AirCAST is based on the same interactive technology used by broadcasters worldwide, for services such as BBC Red Button, and already built in to TV screens from all major manufacturers.

The system works on any coaxial TV network with the only in-room requirement being an integrated digital television (iDTV)

AirSIGN: Go Digital AirSIGN is the digital signage software, based on the same technology as the AirINFO in-room information services.

AirINFO allows you to broadcast hotel and hospital information, news, weather and services to screens in public areas such as receptions, lounges, bars and restaurants.

AirSIGN can be configured to fit a screen of any size, from small 19” screens up to multi-screen video walls.

Already playing out to thousands of screens across Europe, Airwave’s own digital signage platform “AirSIGN”, is truly indispensable for the distribution of content over the internet. Whether you require digital menu boards, timetables, information, or simply rolling graphics in your foyer, AirSIGN can do it all. Using a specially configured PC player, content is scheduled online and played out, either to a single screen, or many screens.

AirSIGN allows the user the opportunity to incorporate useful information as well as branding and advertising opportunities.

AirSIGN features: ■ Supports multiple screen areas, e.g. video, background image, scrolling news, weather.

■ Access to web control interface, allowing global remote administration.

■ Remote Support – via Airwave ■ Use your own branded information.

These include RSS News, RSS

CASE STUDY: Holiday Inn London - Stratford City has invested in Airwave’s tailored ‘red-button’ guest information channel for their new 188-room site overlooking the Olympic village. Our ‘AirCAST’ hotel information system provides guests with a dedicated TV channel showing upto-date information on the hotel, the services available, as well as local information and attractions; all via an easy-to-use, interactive system on their in room TV. The system is based on the same interactive TV technology used by broadcasters worldwide and already built into standard TV screens from all major manufacturers. Jane Kendrick, Director of Operations at HI London, Stratford City, comments: “The system eliminates the need for a paper in-room directory, which means there are absolutely no printing costs. We can also update it instantly when we need to make changes. With all the information on screen, Holiday Inn is leading the way with green technology.”

The AirCAST system has been configured to fit Holiday Inn’s specific branding and content requirements, including corporate video and images. The hotel channel is also an engaging mechanism used to promote additional revenue-generating services to guests, such as in house restaurants and bars.

AirCAST utilises standard coaxial-based TV distribution to deliver the service to every in-room television without any additional hardware. The Holiday Inn staff can instantly update content via a web browser.

Weather, RSS Video Podcasts, HTML component, TV Tuner / Capture card, clocks and more. Components can be used directly on the timeline or within a designer scene.

■ Advertising Engine: Build your own Advertising network, provide to your customer proof of play, visual analytics and more.

CASE STUDY Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist hospitals in the country, providing heart and lung surgery, cardiology and aortic aneurysm surgery.

Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital built a new Day Ward area which will cater for over 30 patients. The vision for this area was that it should seem to be more like a business class lounge than a hospital.

Airwave installed its AirSIGN digital signage solution into the hospital; the system enables hospital staff to split display screens into multiple and various “zones” with different elements, e.g.

News, Weather, RSS feeds, Images, and Video features can be assigned to each or individual segments. To reduce disruption and to help with facility logistics Airwave installed during weekends. Airwave‘s technical team supported the hospital with on-site training allowing hospital staff to easily manage and update the system themselves.

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sky

Keeping Guests

Entertained

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sky

Alison Dolan, Deputy MD at Sky Business, looks at the changing entertainment demands of customers

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ky In-Room delivers awardwinning TV to enhance your guests’ experience. A Sky box is fitted into the hotel room, putting guests in control over what they watch across a wide choice of channels including sports, movies and entertainment (all in HD).

In recent times, guests’ expectations of in-room entertainment have changed a lot; they are now demanding and expecting even more from their hotel room viewing, giving in-room entertainment a key role to play in increasing customer satisfaction, which 74% of hoteliers count amongst their top three KPIs. Many people’s homes now contain much better technology than the standard hotel room – large HD screens, either Sky or another form of pay TV, often in multiple rooms, as well as the ability to watch on a tablet or computer. In the past, hotels would lead the way in technology relative to the entertainment systems people had at home. Nowadays, guests can be disappointed by the in-room entertainment experience provided by some hotels; small screens, standard definition content, unfriendly user menus, or having to pay to watch a movie.

Sky In-Room provides an opportunity for hotels to get back to a level that better matches the residential viewing experience. A Sky box is fitted into the hotel room and hotels can choose from four channel packs, each in stunning HD, to put their guests in control of what they want to watch. Sky has also teamed up with Samsung to offer hoteliers a fantastic choice of Samsung LED HD TV screens to add to their Sky channel packs.

Hotel guests themselves are changing too. For example, there are now far more business travellers, frequently travelling alone. Many of these expect good entertainment or movie content that they can watch in their hotel room, while eating room service, without needing to download movies to their tablet or having to go down to the hotel bar to eat.

Pressure on budgets for many individuals and families, as well as

tighter corporate policies for business travellers, has meant that guests are unwilling or unable to pay for in-room content. The result is that many either bring their own devices, or give the hotel an unfavourable rating if they have been charged for movies or have been provided with a less favourable entertainment experience than they enjoy at home. When it comes to entertainment, recent research shows that 65% of guests think a bespoke in-room TV service, with a full range of channels, should be offered. This increases to around 75% amongst business travellers and young adults, who want this kind of tailored in-room system, rather than basic TV services or Freeview.

Sky In-Room provides a wide range of great content – from movies, to sports, to entertainment – all free to the guest. In sport, guests can enjoy live football, Rugby Union, Rugby League, cricket, golf, Formula 1® and a host of other great sports.

Highlights in entertainment include must see programming from Sky1, Sky2 and Sky Living, an unrivalled selection of brand new award-winning dramas on Sky Atlantic, as well as the most iconic shows of recent years. Plus, there are kid’s channels like DisneyXD, Nickelodeon and Nick Toons, an unbeatable selection of movies, award-winning news coverage on Sky News, and much more.

Of course, it is important that every hotel knows their typical guest preferences and the local area to anticipate what they are likely to want, since someone at an airport hotel has different needs and requirements than those staying at a golf resort. Similarly, a hotel in Cheltenham requires different content from a seaside family hotel in Cornwall and so it is important to get in-room entertainment right.

The flexibility of content available through Sky In-Room means that different room types can take different content packs, allowing hoteliers to boost business by offering the ultimate mix of live sport, entertainment and news programming to encourage longer stays and repeat visits.

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airwave at work

Airwave at work Smart Install at the Strand Palace Hotel Airwave implemented 785 of the latest Philips Media Suite Freeview HD televisions to the Strand Palace Hotel. In addition Airwave also installed AirSTREAM, a digital satellite system delivering an extra 40 Foreign language channels all in digital quality to cater for the needs of the hotel’s diverse guest profile.

Situated in the heart of the West End, the hotel is one of the largest and well- known in London, surrounded by iconic architectural and cultural landmarks including, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye. Airwave also commissioned Philips ‘Smart Install’ system, allowing the hotel to manage and utilise its pre-installed coax network and channel line up on every TV within the hotel from one single location, eliminating the need to visit each room individually for DTV retunes or updates. The Strand Palace is the first hotel in the UK to have installed this system.

Wayne Bowring, Key Account Manager at Airwave commented, ‘We are extremely pleased to have been awarded the TV Network upgrade and installation of new guest bedroom televisions at the Strand Palace Hotel, a truly iconic London Hotel. We worked very closely with the entire team at the Hotel ensured the smooth delivery and installation of the state of the art system whilst ensuring the existing system was kept online throughout our work. The installation was completed in just less than 3 weeks without issues and we are grateful for the support and assistance given to us by the team at the hotel.’ www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk/

History repeats itself at the London Bridge Hotel Airwave recently implemented the latest Samsung 32” and 40’’ slim-line LED, Freeview HD hospitality Televisions, combined with the latest generation LYNK REACH content management system into the London Bridge Hotel. Airwave first installed the LCD flat screens into the Hotel

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9 years ago, it’s amazing how the technology has advanced, and Airwave continues to spearhead the delivery of innovative, cuttingedge solutions. The new system provides a combination of all available Freeview and Freesat channels directly to each TV. In parallel to the new screens Airwave upgraded the hotel’s existing RF network to include modulated foreign language channels.

The hotel is located opposite London Bridge, the area is full of exciting museums, art galleries, fantastic restaurants and a theatrical heritage that dates back 400 years.

The iconic Shard is within walking distance, the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel, contained within the building, occupies 19 floors with breath-taking views. Airwave are proud to have installed Samsung’s elegant Smart LED range throughout the guest bedrooms.

Nick Cowell, General Manager stated “At London Bridge Hotel we have built an excellent relationship with Airwave over the years. With their help and advice we have recently replaced our televisions with the latest technology from Samsung offering our guests a wide choice of in room entertainment. As before, the installation from planning to execution was excellent and went without a hitch with minimum disruption to the hotel and our guests.”

So history really does repeat itself with another great job from Airwave.

Wonderful Sky views at the Atlantic Hotel The Atlantic Hotel is perched on the South West coast of Jersey and enjoys one of the most spectacular views in the Channel Islands.

To ensure that the view is just as stunning inside the hotel, Airwave recently upgraded the TV System and installed Samsung 39” LED Hospitality TV’s at the 50 bedroom Hotel, which also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant.

This hotel is the first in the Channel Islands to offer guests the full ‘Sky In-Room’ experience, with up to 300 TV and radio channels many in HD – providing a truly ‘home from home’ TV experience.

Wayne Bowring, Key Account Manager of Airwave Europe commented ‘‘A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, The Atlantic is a fine luxury hotel.

We worked very closely with the management team to ensure installation could be completed as part of the annual closure for maintenance during January. We are very pleased to have been selected to carry out the installation at this fabulous property. The guests will now be able to enjoy an unrivalled selection of television programmes in the comfort of their hotel rooms.’’

Patrick Burke the owner of the Atlantic said, “We are proud to be the first hotel in the Channel Islands to adopt the Sky In-Room solution. We place great emphasis on providing luxury and comfort and by installing the very latest technology we can ensure that guests arriving at the hotel in 2014 can look forward to an outstanding in-room TV offering.”

airwave at work

Mitchells & Butlers successful World Cup Following an urgent request, Airwave Europe successfully rolled out over 200 Sharp 50’’ Aquos Freeview HD television screens and 70 BenQ Projectors, into two of Mitchells and Butlers pub chains (Sizzling Pubs & Oak Tree) in time for the World Cup. A total of 170 individual sites upgraded their existing screens for the big event which ran from the 12th June for a month.

M&B are the UK’s largest Pub and Restaurant Group boasting over 1600 premises.

Airwave installed sites across the country from Aberdeen to Plymouth. The project was completed and commissioned in time for the first game on the evening of the 12th June, so that their customers didn’t miss a kick.

Dave Chalk, Technical Director at Airwave Europe stated “Working closely with M&B’s head office, Airwave Europe were able to satisfy the exacting requirements of this challenging project in which each pub is different’’.

Caring Solution from Airwave Airwave have supplied and installed the Patient Entertainment System at Kent Institute of Medicine & Surgery (KIMS). The £95m state-of-the-art hospital will transform acute and specialist health provision in the county, and has been officially opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, during a visit to Maidstone.

Airwave supplied a number of Philips, LG and Samsung dedicated Healthcare screens as well as projectors for staff training and lecture rooms. With screen sizes ranging from 26” white TVs to 47” LED screens and projectors, Airwave’s flexible approach allowed KIMS to achieve a TV system that fell in with their mantra for a technology and patient led approach to the hospital.

In a first for Kent, local patients will be able to avoid lengthy journeys to London for care as the new hospital will have one of the largest cardiology departments in the UK, and be the first and only institute in the county to carry out open-heart surgery. Thanks to the clinical expertise of the hospital’s consultants, and in another first for Kent, KIMS will also make it possible for local neurosurgery patients to have their treatments carried out locally with the opening of the specialist department.

Jayne Cassidy, chief executive of KIMS, said: “The opening of KIMS marks a step change for Kent in delivering world-class healthcare locally. Today highlights how high-level patient care can be provided by consultants and clinicians, and through collaboration with medical technology companies and education providers, in our case Canterbury Christ Church University.”

The Latest Edition When Marriott opened their new flagship property, The London Edition, they chose the OneView Media solution from Guest-tek, bringing the latest IPTV multi-device technology in-room for an unparalleled user experience. OneView Media, powered by Samsung’s H-browser technology provides blockbuster video on demand and free to guest interactive services. Other features include the ability to brand the screen and harness the powerful direct marketing options that are broadcast to your target hotel guest or group.

The unique MyAway option enables interface with guests personal devices such as tablets and smartphones enabling them to seamlessly send content to the TV screen, or watch hotel provided content like movies on their own device. A true multi-screen, content rich platform.

Guest-tek partnered with Airwave/Techlive to manage the installation, which included the latest EA790 Hospitality series LED’s from Samsung, and also provides fully responsive, onsite maintenance. Airwave/Techlive provide Blockbuster Movies for video on demand viewing in room through the Guest-tek partnership ,as well. Dennis Garrison, Director of Content said “Guest-Tek are an outstanding partner to work with and we are delighted to be their content delivery partner here in the UK and Internationally in countries throughout Asia, Europe and South America.

Our second UK installation with Guest-tek will be the famous Connaught Hotel in London”.

Marwell Hotel Airwave implemented the ultimate guest entertainment system with Sky In-room at the Marwell Hotel. The Hotel, built in 1989, was inspired by the treetops of Africa, bringing a small piece of the African savanna to rural Hampshire.

The Hotel upgraded their TV system to include Sky In-Room across all bedrooms, giving guests access to an amazing range of the latest movies, top entertainment and live sporting action. The Sky Boxes were discreetly hidden away and directly connected to 32’’ full HD Samsung’s in all rooms and their 10 executive suites.

Sky-In room requires the existing coaxial network to be upgraded to an IRS system, which delivers the satellite channels directly from the dish via the hotel head-end to the faceplate in the room. Airwave upgraded the existing coaxial cable network with the use of fibre optic cable from the head end to distribution points. Wayne Bowring, Key Account Manager stated ‘‘We are delighted to have been awarded the TV Network upgrade and installation of new guest bedroom televisions at the Marwell Hotel. Marwell is in every sense of the word, an extraordinary venue, and we believe we have delivered a great TV service to match the unique stay experienced by guests at the hotel.”

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ruwido

United.

TV Remote Programmable Universal Remote Control

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ntroducing the United.TV universal Hotel TV remote control. It is easy to set up and works with all major Hotel TV brands. It is fully programmable via USB to create bespoke key maps.With robust build quality it is great for all hoteliers and the perfect replacement TV remote.

Integrated code lock

2LED indicators

Seldom used functions can be deactivated

IR learning functionality

Easy to copy conďŹ guration to several units

Service Guarantee -24 months warranty

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digital signage

Digital

Signage The right message, at the right time

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e believe that whatever your business, it pays to look professional. Digital Signage is a modern, high-impact method of advertising with advances in technology meaning signage screens and becoming bigger and better than ever.

Purchasing one of these high-impact displays can transform any environment, from hotels to hospitals, and airports to universities; signage is a great way to communicate and market your messages.

Simple Signage for Higher Education Digital signage is a great way to dispatch information to staff or students to where it’s most relevant. For example information screens can be put outside classrooms or lecture theatres to show students when they are free or in use. In addition, signage is a great way to show different pieces of content simultaneously, For example, televisions can display news content via RSS feeds, weather information, and music videos all on the same screen.

HD Slimline Freestanding Digital Posters Freestanding Digital Posters are high-impact advertising displays, shown in portrait, which gives the look of a smart-phone or tablet.

These displays have a built in HD media player, meaning they require no additional hardware such as PCs, DVD players, excess cables or software. You simply load your media onto a USB, then plug and play. Features such as buttonless tempered glass, rounded corners, super slim profile and aluminium frame all add to the poster’s eye-catching tablet like aesthetics.

The displays are fitted with commercial grade panels, which provide them with a wide viewing angle, improved colour contrast and brightness. With an eco-friendly power timer you can be assured of their green credentials and low operating costs. Plus another great feature is that these screens can run 24 hours a day.

An intuitive piece of scheduling software is included which allows you to schedule different content to play at different times of the day, in addition you can add scrolling text to compliment your content and communicate messages across to your audience.

LG SuperSign LG SuperSign is perfect for restaurants, hotels, retailers, hospitals or education establishments who are looking for a cost-effective way to engage with audiences, using eye-catching, up-to-date information. LG SuperSign TV displays live television as well as tailored signage content.

This software is easily accessible and can be simply uploaded via a USB drive, therefore requiring no additional hardware or media player. The system comes with templates which are easily customisable and updatable.

Furthermore advertisements, information, images and videos can be incorporated into a custom template on screen to communicate with customers, patients or students.

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digital signage

Signage for all conditions Outdoor signage posters are suitable for the harshest of outdoor conditions, plus they are designed with a robust outer casing to give protection from both the elements and the public.

Not only are the displays able to withstand hot and cold surroundings but they are able to manage their own internal conditions, maximising LCD panel life. Built in air-conditioning can be tailored to allow the display to work at an optimal level in any climate, and additionally the outer casing has an IP65 rating which means it keeps out all airborne dust, and is protected from any wet weather conditions.

The brightness of these displays is around 3 times brighter than the average standard home TV to allow easy usability in direct sunlight. These screens have proved extremely popular at transport hubs such as airports and train stations, and in town centres, sporting arenas and outdoor leisure centres

Video Walls A video wall is a high impact technology which allows you to link a number of screens to create one giant ‘superscreen’. These giants will enhance the look and feel of your space and add a ‘wow’ factor that will set you apart from the competition. From 2x2 or 16x16, the sky really is the limit with these video walls, you can go as big as you wish.

Wayfinding Wayfinder screens are often located in reception or entrance areas and can be configured to display directions or static markers such as lifts or toilets. Prior to an event, the software within the screens can be used automatically update the displays and show directional signage. Similarly location displays can also be used to show whether rooms or areas are in use, for example, they can be programmed to say ‘room empty’ outside a hotel room or university lecture theatre.

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A unique, innovative form of digital signage that displays eyecatching content, making it an unavoidable form of communication. ifacemirror.com

Locations for In-Hotel use Elevators Reception, Lobby and Rooms Restaurants and Bars

Spa or Wellness area Meeting rooms Gyms

For more information please contact d.scheller@thecloudcasting.com or +44 7468 593 754

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airwave healthcare

Patient Entertainment Plus

Hitchingbrooke Hospital To offer patients the ultimate in entertainment and communication, Airwave Healthcare supplied and installed Hinchingbrooke Hospital with brand new bedside entertainment systems as promised in Circle’s 16 point plan to transform the hospital.

A total of 230 positions were commissioned based on Airwave’s bespoke Samsung Healthcare TV and wall mounted arm solution. In addition, a number of 32 inch white healthcare screens for larger rooms were implemented.

At Hinchingbrooke the bedside TV and Radio Entertainment is provided free of charge with patients also having easy access to a dedicated Hinchingbrooke Hospital Info channel.

Patients can utilise the familiar red button technology to navigate many pages of information relevant to the hospital site and facilities, their stay and recovery programs. At many other hospitals across the country, patients are charged to use bedside entertainment, however, when writing the16 point plan for the hospital, staff clearly stated that “nothing that makes their patients’ stay more pleasant is too much trouble.” Based on this feedback a decision was made to purchase the systems rather than hire them, ensuring the service to patients remained free. A generous legacy from the family of Joyce Moss and charitable funds allocated to the wards from the charitable funds committee made the purchase of the systems possible.

The need for patient entertainment was a recurrent theme in the patient feedback the Hospital received. In response to this feedback, a team of staff spanning different departments across the hospital including nursing, procurement, facilities and IT worked together with Airwave to ensure an easy-to-use, robust and reliable system was selected, purchased and installed, ahead of schedule.

Nottingham City University Hospital The new £6.6m cystic fibrosis centre at Nottingham City University Hospital opened its doors to patients on Monday 14 April 2014 and has set a new benchmark for the way that patients are cared for.

The Wolfson Cystic Fibrosis Centre will transform the care of this unique group of young patients by creating a ‘home in hospital’, where patients can not only receive all the treatment they need in one place, but also feel comfortable and at-home during the long periods of time they have to spend in hospital.

The new 16-bed CF unit is able to serve more than 250 patients from across Nottinghamshire and the surrounding counties, almost doubling the number of patients that previously could be accommodated.

Airwave supplied and installed a patient entertainment system to match the ‘state of the art’ facilities available at the new CF unit. The latest Samsung LED 46” TV screens were installed alongside the XBOX 1 console with Kinect to offer an interactive, enjoyable and most importantly fun experience for the patients.

Peter Homa, Chief Executive at NUH, said: “This new unit will completely transform the treatment of CF patients and will create a home in hospital. Patients can not only receive all the treatment they need in one place, but also feel comfortable and at-home during the long periods of time they spend in hospital.”

“It’s wonderful to see the building now complete and it’s a great testament of the Trust’s commitment to provide exceptional, high quality care to our patients. I’d also like to thank all of the donors for their generosity, as without them we wouldn’t have been able to build this state-of-the-art facility.”

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generation y

Top Trends For 2015 Will Your Hotel Be Ready To Welcome Generation Y

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n an industry that revolves around customer service and satisfaction, hoteliers must constantly be aware of the changing attitudes and behaviours of their customers.

Management that focuses on the most important trends in the industry will better understand what their guests want. Hotels that meet and exceed the expectations of their guests are always in high demand.

Generation Y: the generation of people born during the 1980s and early 1990s.

The name is based on Generation X, the generation that preceded them.

Members of Generation Y are often referred to as “echo boomers”.

Because children born during this time period have had constant access to technology (computers, mobilephones) in their youth.

Generation Y isn’t the type to stay in the guest room for long. To keep them, hoteliers need to provide an exciting and rewarding experience such as being able to easily connect their mobile devices, to watch films, listen to music, maybe work on presentations. IPTV makes it possible to provide high definition video on demand

and personalised channel line-ups all as premium-rate services. The Generation Y guest is likely to look for an “over the top” solution, whereby they can access their preferred content from their choice of provider via the TV or mobile device.

With IPTV as the hub of the guest experience, you can push targeted content for your hotel and for local businesses such as events, services and shopping. Many of these could be additional revenue-earners with Generation Y. IPTV connectivity also allows guests to join a Facebook style service where they can see who else is staying in the hotel, review recommendations for local activities, and socialise virtually before meeting in the bar downstairs.

We have already seen such technology that allows guests to charge multiple electronic devices and checkout from their room, but that is only the beginning. As guests rely more and more on their smart phones, hotels must make it easier for guests to get what they want and need through simple apps.

Hotels will need to continue to invest in technology to help improve the guest experience.

“As guests rely more and more on their smart phones, hotels must make it easier for guests to get what they want and need through simple apps”

Pan-European Service Guaranteed

United.TV: Global Vision, Local Care

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irwave and partners across Europe have now united to provide customers with services and support throughout Europe.

United.TV is a family of companies across Europe with a common set of standards allowing for a consistent installation quality for networks and AV equipment. We will work closely with the key suppliers such as Philips, Samsung

and LG, and also provide a unique support mechanism for pan-European groups.

United.TV work together to provide consistent solutions for both the hospitality and healthcare sectors, as well as retail digital signage.

United.TV is a hub of innovation and enables the member companies

to create and develop innovative new technology including information channels, OTT services, WiFi solutions and Hollywood Movie content distribution.

With a unique collective reach which transcends national boundaries.

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content

Content is king!

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irwave continue to deliver blockbuster movies, plus great BBC programmes for the hotel, healthcare, marine and oil industries.

The VOD market is continuing to grow across the planet for Airwave Europe and Techlive International through our Global Partnerships.

We work strategically with our partners who provide the latest technology solutions for these sectors and have great relationships with many of the best hospitality brands, includingCrowne Plaza, Marriott, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Radisson, Four Seasons, Hilton and Armani hotels, plus dozens more around the globe. We now reach out to 43 countries and are trusted by partners including Direct Streams, SnapTV and Guest-Tek. We also offer a direct supply service to properties that contract to Airwave or Techlive for their technology solution and manage their VOD service for them; this is a great service solution and has kept patients smiling at healthcare properties such as the Circle and Spire Healthcare groups as well as prestigious hotel properties.

If you are interested in adding an unrivalled VOD delivery service to your guests, don’t hesitate to contact us at content@airwave.tv

SnapTV has an all-in-one IPTV solution, helping small and medium sized network operators to offer recording, advanced state-of-the-art TV services including live TV, live radio, electronic program guide, movie rental and more. Thanks to Airwave we are able to distribute a wide range of fully licensed movies to ships and rigs all over the world. Our two most recent projects were two vessels in the North Sea – MV Island Crown and Seadrill West Linus and the feedback we have received is that the film packages represent superb value. Airwave keeps us on top of Hollywood trends and we look forward to further successful co-operation.

Maria Raza, Content Manager – SnapTV

Airwave and Techlive continue to enhance partner’s offerings with rich BBC worldwide content. This offers a fantastic contrast of genre from our Hollywood library, with a diverse range subjects covered from music icon documentaries, nature programs, classic comedy and popular culture shows. The addition has proved a great asset to partner properties, giving an edge over conventional VOD programming.

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content Flexible packaging, first class service and a price you wont believe Whatever your requirements we will tailor the right content package for you, and we don’t just believe in offering great content – the hub of our ethos is to deliver a seamless content delivery service. We understand the VOD market, with over 50 years of marketing experience between Content Director and Programming Operations Manager alone you can be sure you are in safe hands. Richard Excell our Programming Operations Manager said “Our primary aim is to deliver first class content with first class service. Having had many years’ experience of receiving content direct from the studios I understand the strength of our service comes from the service. Knowing you will receive your content assets with a full set of Meta data with minimal fuss is a great peace of mind. Wea re backed up with a great technical team and an internal Content Management System which has been developed and refined over the years to cater for our library of over 300 titles across the genres.”

Partnerships are the key to creating our successful global content business and we appreciate and value our great Content Partners like Guest-Tek in Central/ South America, Direct Streams in France, Seychelles, Maldives and Mauritius, SnapTV in the Marine Sector, Lincor, in Healthcare, Paragon in India, Daisy Multimedia in the Balkans/Bulgaria, whom we have been doing business with for years, along with many other”! And of course, our content providers like United International Pictures (Paramount, Momentum, Universal, Studio Canal) and BBC are great Partners to work with!

Coming soon We will have completed our REST API library, so partners can communicate seamlessly with the CMS Portal to ensure site inventories are always current.

We are constantly looking to make content management a hasslefree process for our partners. The introduction of our CMS Portal has been a great addition allowing our partners to keep abreast of their sites, the content and what is available. Coming soon, we will have completed our REST API library so partners can communicate seamlessly with the portal to ensure site inventories are always current.

Dennis Garrison “Director of Content” at Airwave Europe

Guest-tek the premium IP Solution Guest-tek and Airwave have formed a strategic partnership

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uest-tek and Airwave have formed a strategic partnership. As the EMEA provider for Guest-tek’s OneView platform, Airwave supports hotels installing the latest generation HSIA, interactive TV and other hospitality technology solutions.

Internet provision is a critical element of guest experience Charly Tomkys, EMEA Sales Manager at Guest-tek, “Hotels are faced with the huge task of keeping up with the home internet experience. With the majority of a hotel’s technology reliant on their network, a robust and top of the range HSIA solution has never been more critical. Guest-tek understands this need and offers the high-level in-room technology and interactive entertainment services UK hotel guests are demanding.’’

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center parcs woburn

Europe’s Largest Leisure Project in 2014

Center Parcs, Woburn

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oburn is the latest addition to the Center Parcs portfolio, and is a 365 acre forest site located just one hour from London. During its construction phase, it was the largest leisure project in Europe and Airwave was delighted to have been appointed to supply and install televisions, for all guest rooms and venues throughout the site.

Airwave has been the main TV supplier to Center Parcs now for over five years and maintains all the televisions across the entire estate.

LG was the chosen television brand for Woburn, primarily because of its Freeview HD facility and the Pro:Centric information system, which informs guests of activities available on a daily basis. The system also provides the functionality to remotely tune and set features on all the televisions across the site.

In all, Airwave supplied and installed over 2,000 x 42, 32 and 28 inch screens and Bluray players to the lodges which are nestled within a natural forest, as

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www.airwave.tv

well to a centrally located 75 bedroomed hotel.

In the words of Toby Hart, Operations Director at Airwave “This was one of the most intense, but exciting projects that we have undertaken this year, as we had an exacting timetable with no room for slippage. The scale of the operation was incredible, as we were actually installing a small village.”

One of the great attractions in the central area is the Sports Bar, and Airwave installed the TVs on bespoke bracketary as well a magnificent 3 x 3 VideoWall comprising of 9 x 55 inch LG professional monitors to show off Live Sporting action in stunning HD. Center Parcs is known for its tropical paradise swimming and recreational area, and Airwave supplied and installed large screen waterproof TVs for these locations.

Trip Advisor reports show that Woburn has been a stunning success and Airwave is very pleased to continue to play its part in keeping their guests informed and entertained.

Cover photo - Center Parcs Tropical Swimming Paradise below