The RIBA build with digital signage

29th Mar 2010 (09:22:11) by Jon

Beaver Solutions (part of the Beaver Group), have created an iconic digital signage network for an iconic institution at the Royal Institute of British Architects (the RIBA). Designed to offer the RIBA visitors a visually immersive experience and to promote culture, events and exhibitions, the RIBA’s network engages visitors with its blend of high quality content distributed throughout the site on some of the largest plasma screens available today.

The RIBA is the UK body for the architectural profession. With headquarters in central London in a grade two listed building, the RIBA provides a membership service for qualified architects as well as education, outreach and event programmes for the public.

Commenting on the installation, a representative from the RIBA said,“The Royal Institute of British Architects hosts a number of different architectural exhibitions and corporate events in its Art Deco head quarters in London. The installation of digital media through plasma screens has created a practical and stylish way of informing visitors how best to enjoy the building. We are delighted with the outcome.”

Upon entry, visitors and members are welcomed by a 103” Panasonic plasma screen which is used to deliver high impact, quality content on the RIBA’s cultural activities, exhibitions, restaurant, conferences and events.  This screen is built into an alcove on the main staircase and consequently becomes a seamless part of the overall design of the main lobby.

Additional to the large welcome screen the lobby contains a number of 42” plasma screens in portrait aspect inside bespoke bezels to provide visitors with relevant meeting and conference timetables.

The RIBA’s own meeting organiser software is integrated into the network to facilitate the automatic delivery of event and meeting room agenda and other content into pre-designed templates for display on-screen.

There are two channels of content. The larger screen displays welcome messages, features of the day, sponsor messages and other the RIBA promotional messages. The second channel runs across the 42” screens includes the same as the large screen plus the meeting and conference room schedules and agenda’s where required.

“We’re very pleased with the outcome of this project, especially the integration of screens into the built environment. So often screen media is added on as an afterthought or not integrated into the fabric of a building. If anyone wishes to see how seamless the integration of digital media into a building should work, I’d like to invite them to the RIBA” said Peter Critchley, Managing Director of Beaver Solutions.

Beaver Solutions specified that the RIBA’s network should use Scala to control the content and asset management functions that influence the quality and timeliness of the RIBA’s visual presentation. This content is created within the Scala suite through the use of Scala Designer prior to it being scheduled for play-out on-screen. The team at the RIBA have also been trained to use Scala Designer, providing them with the opportunity to create their own content with a template environment and (working with Beaver) have this scheduled for play-out within a matter of hours. Beaver also project managed the installation and run the RIBA’s network operations.

“This work is an excellent example of combining form and function harmoniously. Visitors to the RIBA see high quality content within the design of the building itself rather than additional to and that fact alone makes it  very attractive and engaging proposition” said Oscar Elizaga, VP EMEA, Scala. He continued, “Now that the RIBA team can use Scala to provide their own information quickly to the screens, visitors can be assured they have the best and latest information to hand to help them maximise their enjoyment of their visit to the RIBA.”

advanced av and digital signage for ericsson

3rd Aug 2009 (12:29:02) by Jon

Beaver Solutions, part of the Beaver Group, is the long-term provider of digital signage and audio visual solutions for Ericsson UK. In 2007, Ericsson began plans for a new research and development headquarters at the technology centre at Ansty Park, Coventry.

Beaver Solutions was involved right from the beginning, working with Ericsson, the architects and contractors to design a large scale, connected internal communication system for the two new R&D buildings. A combined AV network was designed and installed for all the conference rooms, meeting rooms, break-out areas and training rooms, along with multi-function rooms and fully integrated digital signage.

Large scale audio visual

The goal was to use the latest AV technology so that each of the 25 rooms could show multiple inputs. The connected AV system runs throughout the two large Ericsson buildings, linked together via a fibre network. In any of the AV connected rooms, the Mitsubishi DLP professional projector is able to switch between a laptop feed, Ericsson’s internal ‘Spotlight TV’ and variety of TV feeds.

The system will allow screens and projectors across the site to show announcements and employee briefings, streamed live by the Managing Director, from any of the UK sites.

Multi-function area

The restaurant for the two new buildings is has been designed to be used as a multi-function area. In its default state, the restaurant serves the 600 Ericsson employees and digital signage screens nearby run Ericsson’s internal communications channel. The space has been designed to be split as required, so that half of the room can be used as an auditorium for large conferences, meetings or MD announcements, through a number of controllable feeds.

The room features a 9-foot recessed electric screen, projector, lectern and AMX control system to manage the system. There are also dedicated separate audio zones (as well as induction loops), meaning that audio can be distributed to specific areas of the room.

Presentations within the restaurant can also be shown throughout the whole site, through the use of Ericsson’s connected AV network.

Internal digital signage

Digital signage is also installed throughout the two buildings, delivering real-time communications for Ericsson with their internal ‘Spotlight TV’. Like the AV, the LCD and Plasma screens are completely dynamic, able to show a variety of inputs through the Scala driven digital signage system. (Take a look at this 3-minute video >)

Beaver Solutions designed and project managed the delivery of this AV and digital signage solution, from its conception two years ago, through to installation and on-going support. The on-site installation took three weeks and adds the finishing touches to this impressive site.

This project has helped create a professional, high-tech building which delivers improved communications throughout Ericsson and establishes Ansty Park as an international R&D location in the West Midlands.

ericsson get more from beaver

24th Oct 2008 (10:24:32) by Jon

Beaver Solutions has continued their ongoing relationship with global telecommunications company, Ericsson. We recently provided them with the digital signage hardware required for a set of additional LCD screens at their offices in Guildford and Basingstoke. The screens go in addition to a digital signage system already installed in their offices by Beaver.

Multi-format video transmitters and receivers from Endeleo were installed to deliver existing channels of content to the new screens. A 2x2 VGA Matrix was also installed, to allow content to be switched easily between different screens, without the need to move any cabling.

beaver architects large format digital signage

14th Mar 2008 (10:51:43) by Jon

Beaver Group has partnered with Panasonic and BBG to deliver a prestigious digital signage solution to RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) in Portland Place, London. The solution uses Panasonic's flagship 103" plasma display, embedded in a wall, to inform members and visitors of new events and sponsor's messages. The solution will shortly expand to include wayfinding around the building, using Panasonic professional displays.

The solution uses Scala InfoChannel 5 to show content designed by Beaver Design, the content division of Beaver Group. The system is remotely managed and supported by Beaver Solutions.

national portrait gallery digital signage

12th Dec 2007 (16:50:23) by Jon

Beaver Solutions is proud to have provided Scala InfoChannel 5 for digital signage in the National Portrait Gallery. On this high-profile installation, Beaver Solutions was partnered with TUI Interactive Media.

Scala InfoChannel 5 is the latest edition of the world's leading digital signage software, enabling the National Portrait Gallery to update content and show relevant messages, without interrupting any playback.