SMART’s digital signage helps travelers find their way
CALGARY, Alberta --- April 16, 2007 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces that the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) is using Actalyst™ interactive overlay to provide travelers with information about flights at Logan International Airport. The Actalyst overlays are on two LCD panels, allowing people to check flight arrival and departure information simply by touching the screen. The overlay slips over and fastens securely to an LCD or plasma panel, creating an interactive surface. The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), operator of the BCEC, purchased the overlays to give travelers access to real-time travel information, allowing them to manage their schedules more efficiently.
Interactive digital signage is an increasingly popular way for people to find information in public places when human assistance is not always needed or available. The MCCA’s two portable 42" (107 cm) panels with Actalyst overlays are on movable stands for use during shows held at the Center. With a touch of a screen, visitors can navigate through multimedia content and find the specific information they need. Travelers attending shows at the BCEC can use the Actalyst overlays to verify flight information at Logan International Airport while checking in luggage.
“SMART products allow us the flexibility of moving the touch-sensitive screens wherever they are needed for our conventioneers to receive accurate information,” says James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA. “In this fast-paced world, Actalyst overlays are the ultimate convenience for multi-tasking travelers and a differential, valued-added customer service.”
"Digital signage applications represent a growing market for our proven interactive technology," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. "Giving customers instant access to relevant information through large, touch-sensitive digital signage creates an interactive and engaging experience suitable for a diverse range of public settings including the BCEC."
About the MCCA
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority owns and oversees the operation of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC), the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, The MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the Boston Common Garage. The MCCA’s mission is to generate significant regional economic activity by attracting conventions, trade shows and other events to its world-class facilities while maximizing the investment return for the residents and businesses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 2006, the MCCA hosted 276 events with 579,370 attendees, at the BCEC and the Hynes Center, which generated nearly $435 million in economic impact for Greater Boston. For more information, visit www.massconvention.com.
About SMART
SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry pioneer and a global market leader in user-friendly interactive whiteboards and other group collaboration tools. SMART products include the award-winning family of SMART BoardTM interactive whiteboards, interactive pen displays, interactive digital signage, conferencing applications and software. SMART products are designed to meet the requirements of today’s corporate environment. With SMART’s versatile products, users are able to effectively display media-rich information, host and participate in audio and videoconferencing, share desktops remotely, collaborate, share data and efficiently train personnel. SMART products are used in more than 100 countries around the world and customers include NASA, Texas Instruments, BMW, Toyota Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Boeing, Lucent Technologies, the Los Angeles Lakers, Novartis, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Procter & Gamble, Disney Imagineering and Harvard University.
SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 900 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Ontario, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York City, Chicago and Washington, DC. SMART has been issued and maintains a broad portfolio of patents with numerous U.S., Canadian and other patents pending. In 1992, SMART formed a strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that resulted in joint product development and marketing efforts, and Intel’s equity ownership in the company. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and distributors worldwide. To learn more about SMART visit www.smarttech.com.
