Hosted in Amsterdam, ISE is the biggest annual pro-AV and integrated systems exhibition held in Europe. We showed up as a 17-strong army, all ready to tell the world about Airtame.

And, it worked. In that short week, we spoke to thousands of technology enthusiasts, demoing the Airtame solution and convincing them how our simple to use tech can help improve the way they work and collaborate.

ISE was a huge and exciting phenomenon to be part of, and now we’re doing it all again – Stateside – at Infocomm.

What is Infocomm?

Hosted in Orlando, Florida this June, the exhibition plays host to over 50,000 AV enthusiasts (or, #avtweeps if you’re in the know with Twitter hashtags). If you’ve never been to these sort of events, let me paint a picture.

Bigger is better at Infocomm! The world’s leading electronics companies pay literal millions of dollars every year to build out a dazzling center stage for their new products or systems. There’s glitz, there’s glamour, there are even awards.

In short, it’s quite the spectacle. Attendees show up in their tens of thousands to look through the keyhole at integrated tech systems of the future; at electronics solutions that very few people will ever be able to afford – either as a consumer, a small business, or global enterprise.

Our differentiator

Now, we all love a bit of razzle-dazzle here at Airtame, but we’re trying to do something a little different at Infocomm this year.

Airtame is not a far-off product of the future, it’s in the here and now. A wireless screen sharing device that is platform agnostic, cable-free and collaborative. It’s user-centered, easy to deploy and price competitive. These are the three core values we focus on when we build our product and features, so why not bring them to the trade show floor?

So, we’re heading to Infocomm with another big Airtame team, eager to show you how our easy to use product can enhance your work or school environment, all without breaking your back (or the bank). We value your time, and don’t want to waste it at our booth with empty promises, over-reaching sales pitches or shiny merchandise. The Airtame product is the star of the show.

Ok, there will be some cool and useful merch, but it’s an added extra rather than the star in the spotlight. After all, we’d rather keep our product affordable than spend surplus revenue making more stuff that you’ll stow away in your desk drawer.

Get into Infocomm – for free!

We’d love for you to join us at Infocomm. We cannot pay for your travel to Orlando – let alone the inevitable Disneyland stop-off – but we can offer you a ticket to the entire three-day exhibit and it won’t cost you a thing.

Just visit the infocommshow.org website, hit “REGISTER NOW!”, enter your details and use the code AIR501 at checkout for a totally free ticket. That’s a saving of $299 (almost the price of an Airtame).

Let’s meet

Whether you are an Airtame power-user or novice, we’d love to see you visit us at Infocomm this year. Once you’ve registered for your free ticket, why not schedule a meeting with our team?

We’ll be waiting at booth #4384. See you in June!

The post We’re headed to Infocomm! appeared first on Airtame.

I had the opportunity to browse the many exhibitors that made up the show while I was there. It was a tech wonderland filled to the brim with eye-catching and beautiful content, and I was equally impressed and intrigued by the unique products and experiences on display.

Here are some of the technology trends that piqued my interest.

8k and video walls: a visual sugar rush

The first thing anyone will probably mention after visiting ISE is the visual explosion that happens when you enter any hall. The whole event was awash with engaging and untraditional displays, such as Ledeca’s giant head-shaped LED display, Sony’s CrystalLED showing stunning 8k content on a display of 9.7 x 5.4 meters (a diagonal of about 440’’, folks!) or LG’s transparent OLED signage screens and their rollable OLED TVs.

The entire LED industry is unquestionably focusing on more and better pixels, and it was an impressive show of force from some of the industry’s titans. But while big screens and more pixels really stole the show at larger exhibitors such as Sony and LG, they didn’t portray anything majorly new or innovative.

I personally thought the 8k content and video walls were more about the ‘cool factor’ than actual usability. What I did take away from these larger exhibitors was the interesting fact that screens are no longer static objects, but can morph into all shapes and sizes, making signage and immersive experiences a lot better.

Digital signage is (still) all the rage

80% of brands experienced an increase of up to 33% in sales using digital signage, just like visual aids improve classroom learning by up to a staggering 400%, and 52% of travelers are more likely to go to a hotel that offers self-check-in, while quick service restaurants report a 30% increase in order value when customers use smart vending.

These rosy figures, reported by the official newspaper of Integrated Systems Europe, The Daily, indicated that growth in the digital signage sector is still on the rise; much more than other industries could hope for.

Because there’s such a rapid evolution going on with size and pixelation in video walls, digital signage can capture the audience way better than before. 8k video walls with IPS (Insane Performance Rendering) makes it possible to drive 8k video walls or clusters of four 4k digital signage displays from a single media player, which is quite something.

Digital signage setups are now able to summarize how many people walked by the displays, looked at the signage, for how long – and then add to that personal data about the user/consumer such as personal identification traits like age, gender or habits. In response to that data, messages can be modified in real-time.

Personal data out the window

It’s quite eerie to see how the use of data has changed. Digital signage can only become this sophisticated because we’re giving away more personal data than ever before.

And why is that? It’s a changing consumer behavior born by younger generations brought up with social media. They’ve been taught to share their data and use it for their benefit, and it’s having a massive impact on what we can convince an audience to do because the message becomes so tailored and specific.

Yes, it could mean a better overall experience with tech tools, digital signage, and IoT, but at what cost? I find it a little scary that the next standard for offices, for example, could be having my face on file as an entrance key or other types of logins. But maybe I’ll change my mind when I see how seamlessly it can make things work for the better.

Standardization

What I generally heard a lot of people say at ISE was that the demand for standardization is high. Users want to enjoy a consistent experience with a simplified design, and preferably one that has a solid standard for implementation as well.

Too many solutions are overcomplicated or require skills beyond what the regular user has. It’s time for tech companies, AV solutions especially, to take a step down from their ivory tower and into the user’s shoes.

Essentially, it’s function over form: if the solution can’t carry out the function it’s supposed to because someone had aesthetic or other things top of mind instead of what’s needed, it’s bound to cause confusion and disappointment.

Unfortunately, I heard the demand for more standardization rather than saw it at the show. It’s a pity, but at least when users are being vocal about their wishes, companies will have to follow suit eventually.

The downfall of projection

LED screens are making a move to steal the limelight from traditional projection. Eventually, they could be a complete replacement in both cinemas and classrooms where they are most widely used.

The average cinema-goer in Europe only spends about five hours in a cinema each year, according to analysts IHS market, and in order to attract more people, cinemas are trying to upgrade the total experience, making it more immersive and of higher quality.

Taking projectors out from classrooms has to do with tearing down walls. A projector binds students to a specific area or classroom whereas screens can be moved around more freely, allowing teachers more freedom and a more dynamic style of teaching.

Immersive technology explosion

It’s time for the physical and digital experience to fuse, ISE 2019 seems to tell us. Virtual sommeliers in restaurants, in-store scavenger hunts, digital garment collections. It opens up to a whole new world of business opportunities when you add digital content to the real world.

We’re talking holography to guide you through the consumer/user experience, mixed reality glasses, and gamification mixed with VR. And when you add AI to all of these immersive experiences, the user will be truly engaged with the content presented.

What was missing?

ISE 2019 was basically all the tech giants flexing their muscles. The show-off of the latest cutting-edge technology from all exhibitors, large and small, was engaging and entertaining, yet there were definitely a few things missing.

The 8k content was mesmerizing, but more of an initial sugar rush than something tangible that the user could take away from the exhibition. I think Airtame was a good antidote for all the wow effect booths at ISE, giving attendees a product with actual daily usability.

I wish ISE had a bigger focus on sustainability as well. The long halls were filled to the brim with eye-catching and amazing AV wonders, but I didn’t see a ‘green mindset’ presented in all that.

I did read a small post in The Daily about unboxing, though. With bulkier roll-outs, organizations could reduce disposal significantly by buying from companies that deliver everyday products, such as cables, in bulk. It cuts down on waste and eliminates hours spent on unboxing.

I also think user-friendliness deserve to play a bigger part in the show. We tried hard to make a booth that was different and had the user in mind, and it attracted a lot of attention because other exhibitors had a more conservative approach to their product presentation.

Next year, perhaps more will follow suit. ISE 2019 taught us that we need to see eye to eye with our users in order to better understand their needs, and talking to so many of them last week emphasized the point that they should be the center of attention, not us.

The post Technology trends: What we saw at ISE 2019 appeared first on Airtame.

Show up and talk to people. That’s it, right? Actually, exhibiting is much harder than that. It requires a well-planned setup, physical stamina, and the right attitude. We were surprised at just how much of the three were needed, and luckily also surprised at how well we managed.

We were (positively) overwhelmed by the number of attendees that visited our booth, and perhaps it had something to do with the way our setup was working.

We were a 17-strong team at the event. Here’s the post-event reflections on what it felt like for a small company like us entering the big league.

Interested in the big tech reveals and what left us feeling ‘meh’? We’ve recapped the most prominent trends showcased at ISE in a post here.

An inviting experience rather than a show of force

Many of the booths we encountered at ISE were very impressive, but not very welcoming. There were huge floor spaces with several floors of merchandise and products, but it didn’t always feel relevant or valuable to the end-user. You can also get the fatigue from being bombarded by so many bright lights (and you need your painkillers at the ready).

We had a smaller booth setup than many other exhibitors at ISE and not a lot of furniture. This was purposeful: our booth was not for relaxing and sitting, but for product communication with as many people as possible.

The design was definitely a contributing factor to our many visitors because it created a nice flow in our booth that others were missing. For example, I saw many booths that had sit-down areas, but from my experience, they weren’t used by visitors interested in the product but rather as a place to rest their feet. We eliminated that completely and thus booth visitors got more direct contact time with our sales and support team, and more frequently.

We set up four walls with one or two screens on each to display the Airtame solution. It gave our sales representatives an easy way to demonstrate the product, as all they had to do was connect their laptop or smartphone to the nearest screen. It meant that we were constantly moving, giving the whole booth a dynamic feel that would guide our visitors naturally.

The whole idea with our booth was to drive traffic. As we were doing product demos on all four walls simultaneously, there was never a still moment that might catch the eye of passers-by.

Talking to people like people

I saw many fancy setups at ISE 2019, and many formal-looking exhibitors that looked the part too. While that has its advantages in more corporate settings, it isn’t for everyone. Airtame users range from school teachers to enterprise-size corporation IT managers, and we need to communicate effectively to them all, no matter what their profession or seniority.

It was very important for us especially at this show to meet and talk to our customers on their level, and that’s why we actually had sales representatives speaking German, Latvian, Russian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, and of course English as well. We recognize the fact that not everyone feels comfortable with a presentation solely in English, and we’re happy to always provide support and product demonstrations in the most common European languages. Minus some of the global consumer brands, this was quite a rarity at the event.

When we go to a show like ISE, our most important task is to engage directly with the end-user community. It’s their influence we want and it’s their feedback we thrive on. We created an open, less buttoned-up and corporate atmosphere within our booth that made it easy to communicate with every visitor, regardless of their purpose, origin or interest.

This might seem controversial at a tech tradeshow, but we actually found that scaling down online forms and lead generating was quite helpful. Instead of fussing over iPads or scanners, our sales representatives powered up on human contact and down on distractions. We took notes throughout, and I think this helped create a better connection with our visitors.

How to survive as an underdog

It cannot be stressed strongly enough just how spectacular some ISE booths were. The leading names come together to show off their hard work and innovations, and many have the “wow” factor.

As first-time exhibitors – perhaps with a more modest and user-centered product to present – it was clear from the very beginning that Airtame was an underdog. With that said, we definitely made our way through the ranks as the week progressed. A lot of it had to do with our excellent and communicative Sales and Support representatives, the booth set up, which was significantly different from other booths. 

Another thing was our whole approach to the show. Here we were, bright eyed and bushy tailed, so eager to meet our users – and competitors. Several visitors told us that our booth was “refreshing”, and that makes sense. We should take this as a learning experience but still remember that fresh, eager, and non-conventional approach to exhibiting.

We also made sure to visit both competitors and other manufacturers in the industry that made us curious. While we hope to be the number one wireless screen sharing tool in the industry, we can also learn from our competition and play nice. Our door is always open to healthy dialogue.

A huge success, with lots of room for improvement

Our main goal was to drive awareness, to make sure there was enough buzz around our brand. Yes, our most important objective is to obtain leads, but if the experience we’re serving at the tradeshow isn’t showing off our good side, i.e. building a product that is user-friendly, easy-to-use and simple to comprehend, we’re not doing the job.

Overall, ISE 2019 was a huge success for us, but there’s still so much we can learn from going to events like this. Our main takeaway from the show is that it’s okay to be the underdog and that being positive, open, and curious can get you really far.

Watch this space – we’ll be at the US-equivalent tradeshow, InfoComm, in June, and back for ISE 2020; making waves and educating people how they can use screens better with Airtame. 

The post What we learned at ISE 2019 appeared first on Airtame.

ISE gives industry leaders and followers the chance to experience important trends in the AV industry and also serves as an opportunity to establish personal relationships with our users and clients. The future of AV as we know it is set at the event – and you don’t want to miss it!

The number one wireless screen sharing solution for business

2019 will be the first time Airtame formally presents at the exhibition. We’ve all visited ISE before. This year, we are ready to make waves with our product.

So, what is Airtame? Simply put, It’s the go-to, all-in-one wireless solution for screen sharing, digital signage, and screen management for all types of businesses.

Our USP? We are the most competitively priced enterprise-grade solution on the market, masterfully assembled on our native Scandinavian turf. Curious to find out more about the product? Check out our sales demo …

What’s cooking at Booth 14-M110?

All week we’ll be showcasing the Airtame solution with an interactive walkthrough of our product. Our sales representatives are ready to answer questions, present various use-cases, do general meeting and greeting with prospective clients, and host a few fun competitions throughout the week. We’ll even be giving away free Airtame merchandise.

You’ll be able to see Airtame 2 in action, get to know the latest Homescreen apps – and we’ll demonstrate the top-of-the-class cloud management platform, Airtame Cloud, that simplifies management, updating, and monitoring your devices.

We’ll be demonstrating how Airtame can convert offices into collaborative, effective places of work, and we’ll show you how to put an end to blank screens.

Join us – for free!

If you want to learn more about the wireless revolution and how to use screens better, we’d love to see you at ISE.

Haven’t got your ticket for ISE yet? We’ve got you covered. Head to iseurope.org to register for tickets and enter the Airtame invitation code 408962 for free entry to the entire week.

Visit us throughout the week  in Hall 14, booth M110 to learn more about the Airtame way. You can schedule a meeting with one of our sales representatives ahead of time too.

We’re getting ready to gear up and head to Amsterdam and ISE in just a few days. We hope to see you there!

The post See you at ISE 2019! appeared first on Airtame.