From all the Digital Signage innovation they were particularly striking in 2014. They are creative, innovative and effectively: The winners of the Digital Signage Best Practice Award 2014. For the eight time the prize was awarded at viscom – International Trade Fair for Visual Communication. The trade fair took place from 5 to 7 November at Frankfurt exhibition centre. Best Practices in the categories Interactive Signage, Information Signage and Retail Signage and a special prize for a particularly innovative project have been awarded. These are the winners:
Category Interactive Signage
Project: SkyKey Digital Communications solution the future
Client: Zurich Insurance Company Ltd
Contractor: ipeak Infosystems GmbH
A functioning system for internal communications and the dissemination of information: in order to facilitate a smooth booking process and simple transfer of information, ipeak developed SkyKey Digital Communications solution the future for Zurich Insurance. The project received the award in the Interactive Signage category. The solution has been deployed at the SkyKey, a modern, 18-storey business complex in Zurich. To cover office space of about 40,000 m² along with more than 2,400 employees, the company developed a communication system that simplifies the spreading of information both internally and externally.
This is what the Jury said:
This project really solves a problem – and at the same time opens up a large variety of additional communication options via several platforms. With its clear structure and an excellent spatial concept, it presents an easy to use, technically outstanding as well as scalable tool which, on the one hand, meets the requirements of more efficient use of resources and also provides all users with a cross-system interface supplying all the information that is relevant for them. The multi device solution can be used via PC, tablet and Smartphone. Integration and functionality are excellent. Furthermore, the concentration on standardised hardware and software elements make for efficient servicing of the project.
Category Information Signage
Project: 3M Alpine Region World of Innovation | Vienna
Client: dreiform GmbH
Contractor: RV realtime visions GmbH
When 3M Austria moved their headquarters, they commissioned the construction of an exceptional foyer: an interactive projection surface, 14 metres in length, is the new eye-catcher there. The surface merges product experiences conveyed through media and haptic elements. RV realtime visions GmbH developed this new multimedia system on behalf of dreiform GmbH. The companies won the Digital Signage Best Practice Award in Information Signage Category.
This is what the Jury said:
Here the product is the star – not the technology it is based on. Reduced to a minimum while still providing amazing depth of information, the project combines a genuine product experience with the added information value of a digital signage application. At the same time, the complete application creates a room atmosphere that blends in excellently with the company's corporate identity. The intelligent use of various technologies allows telling a clear story about a large range of both everyday and less mundane consumer products.
Category Retail Signage
Project: House of Chronoswiss
Client: Chronoswiss AG
Contractor: Martin Esser and screenFOODnet Digital Signage Retail Services AG
Partner: People interactive, Bison IST, Schreinerei Miesner/Cologne
Digital display cases, an immersive history display with touchscreen, and live broadcasts: for the opening of their new flagship store in Lucerne, Chronoswiss AG focussed on interactive information and enhanced emotion appeal. The House of Chronoswiss was implemented by Martin Esser and screenFOODnet Digital Signage Retail Services AG. Among other features, they integrated seven large screens in the shop-window to draw the attention of passers-by outside the store. An interactive history display with a touchscreen recounts the company's 30-year history. Additional highlights at the flagship store are the digital display cases featuring transparent multi-screen displays.
This is what the Jury said:
Here the physical and digital worlds merge. Highly complex and yet easy to understand, the project combines a traditional brand with new media technology. The focus is on the product, with the technology taking an invisible background role in presenting it. The project not only adapts very well to the environment and the architecture, but also offers an outstanding interface. The interaction between the physical and the virtual world is particularly striking. With its scalable implementation, the solution is not only perfect for use in the flagship store but can also be realised as a shop-in-shop concept.
Special prize
Project: NS/ProRail – Improving Safety and Comfort on Train Platforms
Client: ProRail and NS Dutch Railways
Contractor: Edenspiekermann AG
In order to make the transfer process at train stations more comfortable, faster and safer – especially during rush hour – Edenspiekermann AG developed a 180-metre-long display for ProRail and NS Dutch Railways. Installed above the platform, it shows boarding information in real time. Here travellers can find all the information about the next inbound train that's relevant to them, including the exact positioning of the train and its doors along the platform, the location of first- and second-class cars, and information on train features such as wheelchair ramps.
This is what the Jury said:
This project is special because it uses digital signage in a hitherto unprecedented way and offers genuine added value for both the customers and the company. The simple design which has been reduced to essentials provides users with an efficient and highly relevant information mechanism. The complete system blends in perfectly with its environment and represents a significant improvement in user experience compared to previous information processes. In this way, the scalable system increases safety and minimises stress factors.