14 DAY TRIAL // Intel recently unveiled the concept of an optimized digital signage solution based on the Core i7 processor and Windows 7-based Microsoft Windows Embedded Standard 2011 platform. This concept demonstrates the competitive advantages that retailers may gain from the targeted, interactive content the solution provides to consumers. The 7-foot-6-inch Intel Intelligent Digital Signage Concept revolved around a window display, composed of an LCD and holographic glass, which has the potential to impact on customer loyalty by enhancing the retail customer experience with a multi-touch, multi-user interface.
Traditional retail and digital signage application development is difficult because the system development requires many different platforms. Intel’s objective is to deliver a more streamlined solution through a strategic relationship with Microsoft. The company aims to develop an “open-standards validated platform for digital signage applications.“
“With the Windows Embedded and Intel platform, we will provide industries such as the digital signage market with scalable and interoperable solutions that enable applications with rich graphics and interactive capabilities,” said Kevin Dallas, general manager, Windows Embedded Business Unit Microsoft. “With this solution, we look forward to delivering endless possibilities to the digital signage industry and beyond.”
The demonstration was first performed at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show and emulated a virtual brick-and-mortar store setting where customers could use the multi-touch holographic screen to explore merchandise, read customer reviews, submit feedback on products, view past purchasing histories, find out about promotions and share their discoveries with their friends “via social media and mobile phone integration.”
If brought to fruition, the Intel Core i7-based digital signage systems would also provide administrators with a cost and energy efficient way of managing their systems remotely, even when powered down, thanks to the Intel vPro Technology and Intel's Active Management Technology. The system would use anonymous video analytics and advanced camera technology to analyze data, such as age or gender, time of day, audience composition and other criteria. This information would subsequently be anonymously sent to advertisers, which would then be able to understand which content and products are most popular with viewers.
“As stores seek more competitive advantages over online retailers, digital signage has become a valuable technology for dispersing targeted and interactive content to shoppers,” said Joe Jensen, general manager, Intel Embedded Computing Division. “We therefore designed the Intel Intelligent Digital Signage Concept to show that retailers can engage and interact with consumers in a more personal and compelling manner through new usage models such as augmented reality and interactive product explorations, which in turn could yield an increase in revenue and customer loyalty.”
The concept was more recently demonstrated at the National Retail Federation Annual Convention 2010.