NDS Magazine #3 2019

EMPOWER YOUR digital content WITH PADS4 AWA RD -WI N N I N G D I G ITA L SI G N AG E S O F T WA R E

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION | WAYFINDING | SMART MEETING ROOM SIGNAGE | DIGITAL MENU BOARDS | QUEUE MANAGEMENT | SOCIAL MEDIA | INTERACTIVITY | OUTDOOR COMMUNICATION | ADVERTISING | PASSENGER INFORMATION

pads4 as a platform From internal communication in corporate meeting rooms and offices, to external ads, wayfinding, and transit information, communication drives businesses. Today, we have more information to share than ever, and digital signage is the perfect way to share and leverage this information. PADS4 delivers a powerful all-in-one digital signage platform, capable of integrating your data, managing digital signage networks, and helping you do more with your displays.

With full support for 70+ data sources, smart tools like context-based automation, dynamic content display, and real-time content updates, PADS4 meets the complex needs of various industries. Individuals can design presentations, schedule display content, play media, and manage and distribute content from a single location.

We launched our first display solution in 1994 and we’ve worked to improve, expand, and

04

Data is everything / everything is data

reinvent our software ever since. Today, PADS4 offers a complete digital signage platform, featuring Viewer, Designer, Crystal CMS, Scheduler, Server, and Agent applications to fulfill all your design, display, and digital signage networking needs. PADS4 connects seamlessly to existing data sources and shares content across your network, whether to a single screen or to 30,000+ displays.

Leverage digital signage and connect with consumers, travelers, and employees.

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Advertise, offer wayfinding, provide corporate communication, integrate communication, inspire, motivate, or teach. PADS4 does it all.

Railpoint and PADS4 at Gatwick

Ready to find out more?

Please continue reading and visit pads4.com

NDS Luchthavenweg 59-I

nds.global

5657 EA, Eindhoven

pads4.com

The Netherlands

service@pads4.com

All rights reserved. Copyright Š 2019

2

02 PADS4, get in CTRL

10 Case: Atos

06 PADS4 platform overview

12 Smart Airport Signage

07 PADS4 Crystal CMS

13 Case: Billund Airport

09 Optimizing corporate and 15 Passenger information display

workplace communication

17 Hospitality

with digital signage

18 Case: van der Valk

years 25 experience

75

+

+

A p o w e r f u l d i g i ta l s i g n a g e p l at f o r m f o r :

countries

Smart meeting room software

Corporate communication

Wayfinding

Advertising

Social media

Interactivity

Digital menu boards

Passenger information

Queue management

Outdoor communication

500k Dis wo plays rldw ide

35%

d fooles sa

40%

Dec in wreas tim aitining e g

80%

sal booes st

Move people with dynamic display communication 3

FEATURE

How datafication creates opportunities for communication

Data is everything / everything is data Over the past two decades, technology has evolved at a rapid pace, bringing technologies that were once impossible, into the palms of our hands.

Today, a large percentage of the world

is based on information. Digital signage

relies on digital for communication,

can play a crucial role in this, because

guidance, wayfinding, and entertainment.

people rely on signage for directions,

Paradoxically, this creates large volumes

answers, and inspiration. Using big data,

of data, while generating an increasing

corporations can anticipate consumer

demand for consumer access. 98% of

and employee needs to provide the right

all data is stored digitally and this means

information at the right time. This kind of

that the companies creating solutions

smart, targeted content enables you to

already own the information they need.

use your data to drive actions.

This process, known as datafication, has

By coupling data sources like MS

driven the creation of big data, enabling

Exchange, MS SharePoint, Delphi, and

corporations to learn more about their

SAP to PADS4, companies can create

consumers, about what they want and

these types of applications directly in

how they act.

PADS4. Subsequently, the platform

By combining this data with smart

allows you to filter and utilize data, to

solutions like the PADS4 digital signage

make smart decisions, and to automate

‘98% of all data is stored

platform, companies can deliver

real-time displays to create smart and

digitally, and this means

inspiration, wayfinding, guidance, and

personal communication.

much more.

that the companies

Because PADS4 enables companies to

Integrating big data with digital signage

distribute all their communication to

own the information

People use data to make decisions in

communication can be updated based

they need.’

every area of their lives. Every purchase,

on location, time of day, or other smart

every direction taken, and every choice

'If This Then That' rules like the weather,

creating solutions already

4

every screen from a single network, this

traffic, or internal business data. For

large networks of 16,000+ screens can be

example, a company aiming to reduce

managed from a central location.

their energy usage or to reduce their

PADS4 also enables powerful internal

CO2 footprint could display data on C02

organization communication with

output and waste in real time, while a

the PADS4 Desktop Viewer and

company hoping to inspire employees

Messenger. These tools allow instant

could display KPI representation. Hotels

communication because companies

and venues can display room rental

can push messages to desktop displays

with maps and arrows, but they can

throughout their entire organization.

also integrate airport data and public

This technology could, for example, be

transport schedules, with ads for coffee

used to offer instant branding updates, to

or other beverages when planes or busses

communicate inside large networks such

are delayed.

as government infrastructure, to inspire employees with key data, presentations

High-end digital signage software

or to communicate with remote network

PADS4 is a digital signage software

branches.

package with all the tools to design,

In short, PADS4 enables you to couple

schedule, distribute, and view content.

data you already own to drive results,

By coupling data sources, you can access

improve communication, and translate

all of your business data right in PADS4.

information you own into actionable

Once connected, drag and drop features

messages and solutions. Harnessing

allow non-technical users to design and

big data is a major trend for 2019, and

schedule content for automatic delivery.

NDS is already making that happen with

Built-in analytics also enable companies

their PADS4 product. With 25 years of

to monitor network performance. This

experience in data-driven solutions,

tool also makes it easy to remotely

NDS is leading the way towards smarter

manage display content. Therefore, even

digital signage.

"Large (inter)national networks can be managed from a central location."

A POWERFUL DIGITAL SIGNAGE PLATFORM A high-end presentation viewer Develop stunning presentation designs Web-based digital signage CMS Simple internal communication tools ... and much more

PADS4 is a complete digital signage software solution, featuring everything you need to design, develop, display, and manage content on your screens. pads4.com

PLATFORM OVERVIEW

A comprehensive solution for targeted display communication From simple greeting messages to real-time information on thousands of displays, PADS4 is the reliable

.

PADS4 Scheduler

Determine when and where to show your

software solution for all your digital

presentations and use PADS4 Scheduler to

signage applications.

or drag & drop your presentation into the

make it happen. Use the step-by-step wizard calendar. It's that easy.

PADS4 Server

PADS4 Server delivers your content to the right displays in your digital signage network.

From across the room to across the world,

PADS4 Viewer

Play your scheduled presentations perfectly with PADS4 Viewer. Delivery is crucial to your message, and PADS4 Viewer plays your presentations beautifully at the right moment.

PADS4 Designer

Create stunning presentations with endless possibilities and features, including the use of rich text, YouTube videos, internet pages, PDF, and live TV. Simply drag & drop your content into PADS4 Designer and compose an appealing presentation.

PADS4 Server is effective and efficient.

PADS4 Agent

With PADS4 Agent you can easily monitor your network status and performance. PADS4 Agent is the perfect tool to remotely inspect and manage network connections, memory usage, detailed system info, and more.

PADS4 Desktop communication

Extend your internal digital signage communication network to Desktop PCs,

PADS4 Crystal CMS

laptops and tablets with PADS4 Messenger and PADS4 Desktop Viewer.

Update and manage display content through a secure web portal from any browser with the modules of PADS4 Crystal CMS. With full control

CHECK OUT THE DEMO

over user access and rights, channels, and data sources, PADS4 Crystal CMS puts you in control of

Would you like to find out more

display rights and users.

about the PADS4 platform? pads4.com/pads4/

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PADS4 Crystal CMS

Take your digital signage content management to the next level with PADS4 Crystal CMS. Our simple, webbased content management system makes it easy to schedule, update, and manage display content across your signage network, social media, and more.

One web-based interface

create your own with a range of smart

Simplify your content management

tools. Layer content integrate multimedia

with a web-based interface, accessible

with video, image, text, scrolling content,

from any browser-enabled device.

slideshows, IPTV, and real-time data

Key Features:

Setup and integration are easy. With

including news, weather, RSS, and social

• Secure web portal

complete access to all channels from one

media. PADS4 Crystal CMS is everything

• Modular layout for customizable

interface, anyone can log in, to manage

you need to make your displays functional

configurations

and schedule publications across your

and beautiful.

• Unlimited scheduling with Crystal

displays.

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport

CMS or Scheduler ... and much more

Manage users and access rights

In 2017, Toulouse-Blagnac airport began a

Protect your data and network with

redevelopment project to modernize and

complete access rights management and

improve their terminals, with new digital

secure web access through an internal

departure/arrival boards and signage

or external portal. Set up custom user

across the shopping area and food courts.

profiles and manage users and access

The airport chose PADS4 Crystal CMS

rights, so you stay in control. PADS4

because of the high security and the

Crystal CMS offers a scalable user

user-friendliness of the system. Another

licensing to support your entire team, for

advantage is PADS4’s native support

as many administrators as needed.

for real-time data and data-driven rules, which were key for delivering real-time

Get in CTRL. All your content. All your channels.

One web-based CMS.

Creative control meets design

information about flights and for safety.

Create, edit, and manage beautiful digital

The new digital signage system includes

signage presentations right in your CMS.

Duty-Free screens, digital banners, and

Import PADS4 Designer templates or

two video walls.

FEATURE

"PADS4 was the first digital signage platform to be tested and approved by every major SoC provider."

PADS4 pioneers in global SoC support for Samsung SSSP,

As technology advances, SoC (System on Chip) displays are evolving significantly. Nowadays you will find signage implementation capable on SoC displays delivering the same smooth playback as traditional media-player systems.

A unique alliance with Samsung

iteration of the software. Nowadays,

LG webOS and Philips

In 2015, SoC-pioneer Samsung teamed

WebOS is available in version 4, and

up with software pioneer NDS to develop

PADS4 still offers native support.

Professional Displays

and enable an advanced range of digital

™

signage features. The goal was to improve

Recently, NDS developed PADS4 to

the overall performance between software

support Philips Professional Displays,

and hardware, for a smoother digital

to further broaden support options and

signage experience.

to offer end-clients the support they need for mixed displays. This way, each

As a result, in 2017, PADS4 became the

developer can use screens matching their

first digital signage software in the world

technical strengths.

to receive an official certification for (SSSP). PADS4 is native to various Tizen

Close collaboration with ProDVX and IAdea

displays, firmware, and older SSSP

From Samsung and LG to Philips, all the

screens. In addition, this unique alliance

big players in electronics are producing

between NDS and Samsung prompted

SoC screens (primarily for large

Samsung to approve and certify PADS4

formats)… and PADS4 supports them all.

as the data driven signage software for

System on Chip offers a cost-effective

advanced requirements.

solution for quickly installing digital

the Samsung Smart Signage Platform

signage without investing in a large-scale

Native to LG webOS and Philips

media player.

PADS4 is also LG webOS software partner for more complex projects. NDS has been

In addition there are companies - like

there from the start, developing seamless

ProDVX, IAdea and Elo – that focus on

support for webOS from the very first

small screen displays (ideal for meeting rooms, digital price tags, and for adding 2nd screens to a cash register). Adding these into the mix allows anyone to create a seamless solution managed by one software platform.

Cost-savings, easy implementation, and having fewer third parties involved are among the big pluses for both AVintegrators and end users. With PADS4's close partnerships, we are the first to provide strong support for all projects.

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ARTICLE

Optimizing corporate and workplace communication with digital signage Effective communication drives successful companies.

From the board room to the work floor, digital signage helps to take you there. Displays present a simple and effective way of pushing information across your organization, guiding, motivating, teaching, and reminding – so that everyone

using context-based rules, individuals can

with touchscreen opt-ins or real-time

engage with and update signage in real

signup and placement availability data.

time – using screens for whiteboarding,

Live mapping can share smart updates

digital dashboards, and media-sharing.

regarding building maintenance or

Smaller screens and tablets on doors and

repair, keeping individuals informed of

at entranceways provide value in other

out-of-order stairways, restrooms, and

ways, integrating room-booking systems,

equipment. Digital screens affordably

sharing guest-branding, and streamlining

highlight employee-of-the-month or

wayfinding. Individuals can effortlessly

other achievers, alert individuals of new

check when rooms are full or empty, book

employees or new promotions, and

room-time through an interactive display,

quickly share new rules and regulations.

and share indoor wayfinding to specific meeting rooms to help guests and

Signage also allows you to quickly share

individuals from other departments easily

motivational and inspirational messages

find their way.

across the workplace. With support for real-time data, screens make an ideal

stays on track.

Share motivational messages and data

solution for sharing data dashboards for

Enhance meeting room communication

Companies ranging from ATOS to BASF

to progress towards a goal. If you are

integrate digital signage across offices

measuring data, you can connect it

Meeting rooms are built for

to push corporate messages, news,

through PADS4 and share it into a

communication, and digital signage

and branding. Digital signage networks

beautiful layout or dashboard to keep

works to enhance. Large-scale screens

update effortlessly from one central

everyone up to date.

in meeting rooms present interactive

location, allowing managers and HR to

and HD alternatives to projectors,

instantly share messages, reminders, and

From wayfinding to sharing live data,

driving engagement and reducing room

motivational data.

digital signage integrates into nearly

everything from stock to work output

every aspect of corporate messaging

requirements. With technologies like touchscreen, web-portals in the form of

Screens can push workplace events

to enhance, streamline, and simplify

PADS4 Crystal CMS, and real-time data

and workshops in real-time, complete

communication.

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CASE

Atos BTN develops digital transformation concept Atos Benelux & The Nordics (Atos BTN) is part of Atos SE (Societas Europaea), a leader in digital services with approximately 100,000 employees in 72 countries. In 2015, Atos BTN relocated their headquarters, moving from a simple and universal building to a diverse working environment.

The new headquarters missed the

their own next-level digital signage

connection with the Atos core brand

using PADS4 to improve their visual

message (being a Business Technology

communication.

Leader) and Atos BTN needed a solution

We sat down to have a few words with

to connect with and inspire employees

Gerrit Kraal, Offering Manager at Atos

and visitors.

BTN.

To support their corporate identity, Atos

Why did you choose PADS4?

BTN developed a digital transformation

‘We selected PADS4 because of its rich

concept, ‘MyCampus’ and deployed

range of interactive functionalities and

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open .Net based Software Development Kit.’

What did you do with PADS4 that is unique?

‘Our data centers in the Atrium are

• •

•

•

What solutions did you create with PADS4?

prominent and visible. We created a

‘We leveraged the opportunity to develop

digital screens, displaying service

custom-made applications with PADS4

hosting and monitoring information. We

in order to create a centrally managed

also use the screens for marketing and

internal and external communication

communication.’

real time data wall with three 84-inch

Unique applications to provide

platform driven by digital signage.

digital signage in every area

Actual examples include an interactive

Custom-made applications with

vending solution at the facility desk, a

How will you be using PADS4 in the future?

PADS4 help create a centrally

meeting room solution with interactive

‘The MyCampus interactive signage

managed platform

wayfinding near the entrance, on-demand

solution at the BTN headquarters will be

The MyCampus interactive

touch project solutions showcasing Atos

used as an example for future housing

signage is an example for future

references and videos in every coffee

projects at every other Atos location in

Atos projects

corner, and an open demo corner as

the Benelux, France, Denmark, Sweden,

On demand touch project

part of the Business Technology Solution

Finland, and Estonia.’

solutions showcasing Atos

showcase.’

Atos BTN was able to integrate PADS4 to

references

develop unique applications to provide

What did this achieve for Atos BTN?

digital signage solutions in every area of

‘PADS4 allowed us to convert the office

their headquarters. By communicating

into a working environment that exudes

information, providing inspiration, and

digital technology. The center of the

offering guidance, Atos is able to save

office, the Atrium, showcases our digital

time and money, while helping visitors

transformation with inspiration outlets

and employees to connect with their

and interactive touchscreen solutions.’

brand.'

‘PADS4 allowed us to convert the office into a working environment that exudes digital technology.’

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ARTICLE

‘Smart signage software in an airport can offer targeted and personalized information for passengers, according to their location and travel needs.‘

Smart airport signage To provide the perfect travel experience as a modern airport, you need a strong communication with every passenger, as individually as possible. With today’s technology, displays play a crucial role in sending a personal message, perfectly timed and at the applicable part of the airport.

One integrated approach

about walking distances and duration.

The most important use of displays at an

This could dynamically adjust itself to

airport is to relay flight information. Most

the waiting times at the security check to

of the time, the displayed information

ensure a timely arrival.

is a simple list of departures or arrivals.

Nothing more than a straightforward

Future trends

interpretation of the flight information

Nowadays, big data and sophisticated

display system (FIDS).

technologies enable airports to know everything about their passengers, their

In addition to FIDS, airports use various

interests, their needs, and how they move

individual standalone signage solutions

around the airport. New technologies like

to communicate with passengers. Why

audience recognition, iBeacons and near-

not support all displays and all signage

field communications enable airports

applications from one powerful digital

to connect with passengers at a more

signage platform? This provides the

personal and targeted level.

opportunity to be flexible and to use each screen in the terminal building

To give an example, with Wi-Fi technology

individually, optimally meeting the display

it is already possible to determine the

requirements of that moment.

nationalities of people at a waiting area and to adjust the content on the screens.

Situations change in seconds

There is no doubt that in the upcoming

With intelligent digital signage software,

years, more examples like this will follow.

a display can ‘recognize’ a situation by itself and dynamically respond to it with

All of this, and much more, should

relevant content that suit the personal

contribute to a better passenger journey,

needs of the audience best. For example,

which starts when they arrive at the

the flight information displayed on the

airport. PADS4 is a digital signage product

departure screens can be expanded

that can do this today.

with directional arrows and information

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CASE

A new digital signage solution for Billund Airport

Better flight and passenger information With air traffic exceeding an annual 3.3 million passengers, Billund Airport is Denmark’s second largest airport.

So, when Billund decided to improve their passenger experience, it was key to offer improved and modernized facilities, including better flight and passenger information, shopping facilities, and wayfinding across the terminals.

Client Billund Airport

Market A new digital signage solution was chosen

signage, including real-time updates,

as part of the renovation, featuring 175 new

support for 70+ data sources, IATA and

NEC screens paired with OPS players and

ICAO standard support, and smart tools to

Challenge

Windows PCs media players, powered by

improve viewer experience.

To improve the passenger

PADS4. The new system was integrated by

Transportation

experience.

the Cross-Channel team at Billund Airport,

With tools to share FIDS data, connect

supervised by manager Martin Hjort

gates and flight belts, share delays in

Solution

Nielsen.

real-time, and share wayfinding as flight

PADS4 neatly fulfilled the airport’s

information changes, PADS4 offered smart

needs, offering a data-driven

digital signage solutions.

approach to digital signage,

At the time of the renovation, Billund Airport’s aging FIDS solution was more

including real-time updates,

than 10 years old and had a negative

Billund Airport chose PADS4 as their

support for 70+ data sources,

impact on the passenger experience.

future-proof solution, capable of

IATA and ICAO standard support,

PADS4 neatly fulfilled the airport’s needs,

continuing to meet the growing digital

and smart tools to improve viewer

offering a data-driven approach to digital

demands of the airport.

experience.

Central management With 175 new screens spread across the airport, Billund Airport needed central management. PADS4 offers remote and central management across the entire network, with PADS4 Crystal CMS, PADS4 Scheduler, PADS4 Server, and PADS4 Agent. Anyone can easily manage content across every screen to quickly update existing content, push new data, and maintain the network.

‘PADS4 successfully integrated flight information, wayfinding, and commercial content into our signage.

It also reduced audio calls and dwell times, leading positive feedback from both airport staff and guests.’

With smart tools like context-based

– Martin Hjort Nielson

automation, new data is automatically pushed to screens using contextual rules. Plus, with a complete network management system in place, Billund Airport is able to monitor the network health and thereby to minimize technical errors and keep the passenger flow optimized.

Engaging content

content delivered by the PADS4 content

Billund Airport developed and

team, as well as automated real-time data

implemented their own PADS4 setup,

from sources like SKY weather forecasting,

following a training by NDS.

flight radar, and more, so passengers stay

Their network now shares engaging

up to date.

SMART AIRPORT SIGNAGE POWERED

BY PADS4

Use PADS4 to steer the flow of passengers at your airport.

Influence passenger decision-making and enhance their travel experience.

Integrate targeted advertising to generate additional revenue.

Make your passenger communication smart and personal with Smart Airport Signage powered by PADS4. fids.com

ARTICLE

Passenger information display Today’s transporters are able to share data across a vast network of apps and websites, but often rely on digital signage at stations and platforms.

Digital signage is becoming increasingly popular, with studies showing that passengers prefer digital information.

78% of all passengers prefer to use wayfinding kiosks. Queue management screens reduce perceived waiting times.

Digital displays capture 400% more

weather, traffic, social media, and live TV

reflect changes in gates or departures,

views than static signs, with 47.7% more

and IPTV for infotainment and security

and emergency information. PADS4 does

effectiveness. Digital also drives value,

camera feeds. Need more? Get smart with

it all with smart solutions, drag & drop

with display ads boosting sales up to 23%

native support for System on Chip and

tools, and a simple interface. Reduce

over no advertising, increasing customer

interactive touchscreen solutions.

late arrivals and missed transfers with

satisfaction up to 46%, and driving

real-time updates. PADS4 offers central

revenue from third-party advertisers.

Complete control of your public transit data

management, so every screen can be

PADS4 PIDS

PADS4 integrates your existing data to

the terminal, or on the bus, taxi, or metro.

PADS4 was originally designed to meet

create dynamic displays that guide, inform,

Our smart tools help you organize, define,

the demands of flight information display.

and update passengers as you move them

and create rules for sharing, including

We’ve come a long way, but still focus on

on their way. Share conditional maps and

context-based workflows, creating

transit. Our unique data-driven approach

wayfinding, with real-time updates to

situation-based ads, alerting travelers

updated from a single location, whether for

puts you in control with a complete

to weather and traffic, and even up-to-

platform supporting everything you need

date hotel booking information through

to create, manage, share, and utilize data across your display network.

PADS4 offers display software management, network management, content development, and a Web-Based CMS. Create information screens, employment rosters, wayfinding, interactive kiosks, and more. Centrally manage thousands of stationary or mobile networked screens from a single location.

Integrate 70+ live data sources to feed

'In 2018, passengers made more than 300 billion public transit journeys, relying on bus, train, tram, metro, and taxi to move from one location to another. Behind that seemingly effortless transit is a network of information sharing, keeping travelers up-to-date with gates and platforms, departure and arrival times, and fees.'

databases ranging from Oracle and MSQL Server to JSON and XML. Plus, digital signage brings improved readability for information, multi-lingual support, and all information available on one display.Digital signage moves communication and passengers in transportation hubs and terminals around the globe. Take yours to the next level with PADS4, a full-service digital signage platform.

15

CASE

Railpoint and PADS4 at Gatwick When Gatwick Express, Chiltern Railways,

status, passengers can see everything

Live travel updates

South West Trains, and others, totaling

they need to know, at a glance.

PADS4 offers full-networked signage,

7 UK railways, decided to modernize

New Railpoint kiosks offer friendly

enabling real-time updates and a data-

terminals, digital signage was the ideal

and accessible service-information to

driven approach to signage. Terminals

solution. Railpoint - a touchscreen kiosk

passengers, regardless of the time of day.

can update signage across the network

solution operated by Kadfire and powered

from a single location, offering real-time

by PADS4 - was chosen and installed,

With native touchscreen support, PADS4

schedules and arrivals, with updates based

alongside updates to existing digital

makes it easy for travelers to navigate

on delays, platform changes, and even

signage facilities and replacing old, static

timetables, departure/arrivals, schedules,

schedule changes.

signage with digital.

repair and maintenance schedules,

Emergency information is immediately

and even fees, improving customer

broadcasted across the displays, as well

Information at a glance

satisfaction, reducing the need for

as manual schedule changes. The result

New digital signage solutions offer

human customer support and decreasing

is an increased accessibility and quality

accessibility and readability across

queue times. Plus, with user-friendly

in service information, increased physical

terminals. With digital signage offering

A-Z timetable posters, featuring filtered

space in the station, and improved

clear timetables, schedule stats, platform

indexes and shortcuts, users can find

information quality across platforms

numbers, and live route diagrams and

information easier than ever.

and terminals.

The most complete PIDS solution Share real-time passenger information Full-service digital display advertising Create smart queueing screens Keep visitors entertained ... and much more

One digital signage platform to optimize the passenger experience at transit terminals. pids.global 16

ARTICLE

Digital signage in hospitality environments From hotels to restaurants and from event to conference halls, hospitality organizations revolve around people.

With booking, airport pickups, organizing events, meetings, and simply keeping guests informed, catering to the needs of these people requires a massive amount of data and communication.

This process has more and more moved to digital signage, as new technology allows hospitality locations to seamlessly push data to digital displays, keeping guests up to date.

Virtual concierge

guests around conferences and event

PADS4 links to many databases and

halls, with dynamic maps based on

sources, seamlessly importing data in

bookings, to display current room-users

real-time and pushing to displays as

for improved wayfinding. With smart

information changes. Venues can link

features like Viewer Variables, PADS4

data sources, pushing room-booking

makes it easy to update location or time

information, weather, events, reward

specific information for meeting rooms,

programs, and much more. With

wayfinding, and door signs, without

touchscreen and other smart solutions,

creating new presentations each time.

guests can access direct-room-booking screens, reserve meeting rooms or other

Corporate branding

amenities, access wayfinding, or link to

Brand your displays with logos and

external services such as car rental.

information and offer that same service to guests and customers. Drive engagement

Wayfinding

and customer satisfaction with in-room

Integrate indoor mapping and wayfinding

branding of door signs and in-room

to guide guests across facilities. With

displays, giving organizations and events

real-time data integration, PADS4 offers

more control. Plus, PADS4 displays easily

dynamic mapping, live updates based

update to offer information in a language

on traffic, repairs or out-of-service

familiar to your guests, so your signage is

elevators, or to meeting rooms based

as welcoming as you are.

on use or current bookings. Or, guide

Infotainment Keep guests informed and up-to-date with a range of real-time infotainment.

Incorporate IPTV to share live news feeds.

Integrate RSS and offer news. Or include weather, public transit, and other data to help guests make decisions as they come and go. PADS4 also makes it easy to share promotional content, ranging from live menus and dining information to upcoming events, so guests can maximize their use of your facilities and offerings. Digital signage offers value in every area of hospitality, from infotainment to wayfinding, to internal guidance though booking systems and

Learn more at pads4.com

room management.

17

CASE

Creating new solutions for modular conference rooms

Dynamic filtering essential for Van der Valk Hotel PADS4 offers a dynamic filtering feature called Viewer Variables. A feature enabling modular presentations with interchangeable data using variables.

number (#meetingroomnumber), guest,

Van der Valk is centrally located in a business area and many of your guests are from out of town or even from abroad, how did that affect your planning for the hotel?

Market

meeting room, address, opening hours,

‘Bringing people together is the primary

Hospitality

etc. This allows you to centrally manage

function of our hotel. For example, we

one presentation with numerous variables

offer modern conference rooms in

Integrator

and cut costs and time-investment

combination with luxury hotel rooms.

EasyInfo InfoScreens

immeasurably.

This naturally necessitates a strong

Challenge

Although it is still new, Viewer Variables

information is a crucial element of our

A reprogrammable digital

is already essential to PADS4-based

business concept.’

signage system to suit the

projects, enabling business owners to

modular conference rooms.

stretch the capabilities of digital signage

With this feature, you can develop a

Client

single presentation for multiple areas

Van der Valk hotel

and spaces, only swapping out specific

The Netherlands

information based on variables like room

communication system, because

further than ever.

You chose to use EasyInfo InfoScreens in combination with PADS4. Can you tell us why?

12 infotainment/wayfinding

At Van der Valk Utrecht, this resulted in

‘We chose to work with InfoScreens, a

screens, touch screens in

a modular system using no special code

company which already provides similar

modular conference rooms

and no custom solutions - just out of the

services in Van der Valk hotels Vianen

on EasyInfo InfoScreens CMS

box PADS4 software.

and Houten. We've also had an excellent

+ PADS4 to support dynamic

Peter den Burger, Marketing

experience with PADS4 in our reservation

wayfinding, meeting summaries,

Communications Manager for PADS4,

system and InfoScreens’ EasyInfo, so it

custom layouts for guests and

discussed the project with Coen

made sense to use the same system in

conference, and more.

Poelmans, General Manager of the hotel.

our new hotel.’

Solution

There are differences between the system in Utrecht and the ones in Vianen and Houten. Your modular conference rooms were quite the challenge to find a digital signage for, correct?

‘That's right, Hotel Utrecht features 22 conference rooms, 5 of which can be

‘With Viewer Variables, we were able to use one presentation by simply changing variables to reflect the room layout and guest.’

linked together in any order to create 9 different layouts. In previous hotels, we’ve set up signage by matching a room code using a room number. In Utrecht, a single client can rent multiple conference halls to use as one large room – so screens must reprogram to show the same data when necessary.

How are you using it in the hotel?

With Viewer Variables, we were able to

‘Good information is an inseparable

use one presentation by simply changing

part of our concept, and signage plays

variables to reflect the room layout and

a crucial role. Currently we use PADS4

guest. Using variables, our staff can

as part of our reservation system, with

assign a single presentation to any room

our meeting room software, and for

or configuration in the system. We also

wayfinding. We use signage to support

assign rooms and update background

events, meetings, conferences, and to

images and displays using PADS4 Agent.

guide guests to their destinations in the

Overall, it's a very simple, stable, and

hotel. It's an important part of what we do.

efficient solution.’

We are very pleased with the result.’

GREAT CONTENT CONNECTS PEOPLE. Share beautiful, custom content, developed for PADS4 as part of our full-service digital signage solutions.

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19

NDS is a global player in digital signage software.

From 1994 - when we developed our first digital signage solution - to 2019, we've remained at the forefront of digital signage software technology.

WHY NDS?

25+ years of experience

Brand presence in 75+ countries

1 to 10.000+ screen installation capacity

Our focus on data-driven solutions enabled us to stand out, even as one of the first digital signage software providers.

We have stayed true to that from day one, and we can truly say that data integration is in our DNA.

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