For their corporate offices , Hawaiian Airlines recently installed 90 ArmorActive iPad Mini enclosures with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and with the EventBoard Pro conference room scheduling software.

"With our previous system, we didn't have an easy way to schedule ad-hoc meetings, and as a company, it was difficult for us to know the actual usage of our conference rooms," says Ron Anderson-Lehman, senior VP/CIO for Hawaiian Airlines. "The new version of EventBoard Pro allows us to do a better job of using space efficiently and effectively."

The selection of conference room scheduling apps is expanding, making a mobile based solution more accessible than ever. According to Salt Lake City-based ArmorActive, the EventBoard Pro platform, for example, is compatible with most major email calendar systems online, provides a simple user interface and does not require an IT department to install. The ease of installation and use saves significant costs on all fronts, the company said. Companies can even customize the appearance of this software to complement company branding or the aesthetic of their office.

Staples, the world’s largest office products company, launches its first omnichannel stores which combine the power of their expansive retail network with the digital capabilities of the world’s second largest internet retailer (Staples.com ).

The stores feature several new Staples.com kiosks where customers can select from more than 100,000 items, including the latest tech products, furniture, school supplies, and cleaning and breakroom items. And, Staples.com offers free, next business day delivery to more than 98 percent of North America. When they’re done shopping, customers can either complete their transactions at the kiosk or the store register.

The omnichannel stores also feature consultation areas for small business customers who need help from Staples EasyTech and Copy and Print associates.

“We listened to our customers and provided the products, services and features they need to succeed,” said Demos Parneros, President North America Stores and Online. “Our stores make efficient use of space while offering more products and services than ever through our mobile and online features. We also know that shopping is an occasion and we’ve created a fun experience for our customers. We’re very proud of our omnichannel stores and this is just the beginning as we’ll continue to evolve our network.”

The omnichannel stores enable Staples to test and launch products and capabilities as the company brings the latest features to its retail network. Additional features of the new stores include:

·         The Business Lounge, includes meeting space and work stations for mobile professionals and lets customers research and order from Staples’ expanded selection of products

·         Staples.com and omnichannel touch screen stations, which provide an “endless aisle” experience with Staples’ expanded assortment online

Go Staples with New Store Format

At the European Sign Expo 2013, IT-pioneer Pyramid Computer GmbH brought out its polytouch business unit’s Classic terminals:  the polytouch 22 and polytouch 32 CLASSIC terminals, equipped with modern, light-insensitive, projected capacitive technology.

These Intel Core i7-3770S-driven units can detect 20 simultaneous touches at an ultra-fast 10 millisecond response time while rejecting palms resting on the screen. A neat trick to show off with at a show.

Not displayed at the show were the new products in the polytouch portfolio: the multi-touch point-of-sale (POS) systems – polytouch 22000 POS and 32000 POS.

These systems connect to the web to facilitate multi-channel strategies such as cross-selling, product promotion applications and social network integration. Using the patent pending Quick Mounting System (QMS), a range of polytouch extension modules can be added either side of the main display as and when a specific functionality is required. This enables retailers to keep up to date with the latest standards and processes.

The first production units of polytouch 22 CLASSIC are now available with enhanced features. The polytouch chassis has been re-engineered to eliminate all visible screws from the sides and all POS models are now equipped with a receipt printer that can operate at three times the regular print speed. polytouch units have also been developed with a built-in VeriFone PCI/EMV-approved chip and PIN payment terminal as well as integrated near field communication (NFC) payment for cashless payments.

These displays are full HD with an anti-glare coating and share a stylish design with standard pedestal, "Elegance", wall-mount or built-in mounting options to suit different application environments, including room service check-in/check-out, access control, employee self-service, tourist and city information, product promotion and interactive advertising. 

They are compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 8 as well as Linux. On the polytouch 22 CLASSIC an optional QR-code/barcode scanner and camera are available. The same applies to the polytouch 32 CLASSIC, along with an optional discrete AMD FirePro graphics card (for demanding 3D applications).

Go polytouch by Pyramid Computer

At InfoComm, Elo Touch Solutions launched its 3201L 32” and 4201L 42” interactive digital signage (“IDS”) platforms. The pro displays combine energy-efficient LED HD screens with optional Intel Core i3 or i5 computer modules running Windows. 

Elo also introduced EloView, a new SaaS suite of management software applications to ensure the performance of touch computing.

The Elo IDS portfolio delivers an interactive digital canvas in screen sizes ranging from 7” to 70”. The latest 3201L and 4201L models come with Elo’s IntelliTouch surface acoustic wave or optical touch technologies that enable up to 6 simultaneous touches for multi-user interaction.

EloView monitors the health and controls the configuration of Elo touch technologies through a cloud-based architecture. EloView proactive monitoring enables centralized visibility and control of distributed interactive digital signage from a Web browser, smart phone or tablet. Users can reduce remote dispatch of service technicians, as EloView allows a centralized operations administrator to better predict and minimize downtime, schedule times for displays to be active and ensure consistent configuration of brightness, sound and color. Customers can also capture content running on interactive digital signs for advertising proof of performance.

"EloView helps our customers monitor, analyze and repair large touch screen deployments in real-time," said Craig Witsoe, CEO of Elo Touch Solutions."We believe the EloView management software suite increases the productivity and responsiveness of technology operations teams as they deploy interactive touch experiences for the retail, healthcare, hospitality, transportation and other commercial industries."

The EloView device client available for the 3201L, 4201L and 7001L offers local application program interfaces (APIs) for content management systems to directly interact with the Elo IDS hardware. System integrators and value-added resellers can use EloView to remotely monitor key diagnostic information. Retailer IT departments can partition centralized and local access privileges to adjust volume settings or change operating times.

A software-as-a-service (SaaS) application, EloView IDS Manager will be available for download for beta use starting in September 2013. Users are required to have an Elo 3201L, 4201L, or 7001L IDS with installed computer module to deploy the EloView Device Client.

Go Elo Expands Display Portfolio, Adds Cloud Manager