Interactive Technology Integration Considerations

Quick Bio

NAME: Craig Martin
COMPANY: Reality Interactive
TITLE: CEO
OVERTIME: Craig Martin has more than 15 years of experience providing Fortune 500 brands and retailers with innovative digital merchandising solutions. He founded Reality Interactive in 2004. Prior to that, he held senior business development positions at Media Right and Netkey. Clients over the years include BMW, Callaway Golf, PepsiCo, Bose, Lego, Leapfrog, and others.

The retail experience stores (think Apple or Microsoft retail outlet) are increasing in popularity. In these stores, a combination of screens, tablets, laptops, and phones are deployed to engage the consumer. If you are a reputable vendor, you may be asked to participate in a project like this in the near future. There are a few main considerations you need to take into account when getting involved in a retail experience deployment.

User Experience: Every detail from content creation to bracket selection needs to take into account the users’ experience while in the store. The user experience needs to support the overall mission of the store and the specific desired actions taken by customers within the store. Is it upsell/cross sell, new product introduction, customer education? What are the different areas within the store that a customer will visit? What action do you want the customer to take in each area? Once you know that, you can design the user experience that meets the customers’ needs. Define the user experience first and select the devices second.

Device Selection: Select devices that support the user experience you have developed and agreed upon. Is it a small shelf-edge unit or a large-format screen? Next, you want to spec the project for the longterm, not get caught up in how cool or extravagant you can make one store. When choosing devices you need to understand their availability, how many you’ll need, and what the budget will be for the lifetime of the project.

Testing: Okay, so maybe the idea is great, but how are you really going to make it all happen? Based on the discovery that’s been done upfront, you can begin selecting the displays, devices, and other hardware that you’ll need. Test your devices thoroughly. Put them through a serious quality assurance and testing process. Make sure you know how they’ll work when installed and that the devices you picked will suit your needs for the project. Keeping the content updated on the device is another challenge you tackle in testing. How will you send fresh content to the devices? How will you load the user experience on the device? How will you secure the devices and limit their native capabilities? Determine your processes and test how devices will be populated with content, locked down, and remotely managed prior to deployment to the store.

Craig Martin is CEO of Reality Interactive and will be a DSE 2013 presenter in the Wednesday, February 27 seminar session entitled, "Interactive Technology Integration Considerations". Find out more here.

DSE 2013 Clicks With Interactive

Digital Signage Expo (DSE) will present an all-new four-part Interactive Technology Seminar Program that will showcase practical applications of the latest innovative advancements in interactivity. To be presented in Las Vegas February 27-28, the program is part of DSE’s eight-track Educational Conference designed to help attendees learn how and when to take advantage of the newest technologies available, how successful interactive strategies are being implemented, and how to integrate them into their digital signage installations to strengthen those relationships through proactive engagement in a variety of retail environments.

Topics to be covered include:

* Interactive technology integration considerations
* Leveraging interactive technologies to engage customers and improve the bottom line
* New and future advances in interactive technology
* Embracing “showrooming” through interactive retail