College students are sharing text messages, photos and geo-location information across an award-winning digital signage network developed by Montreal-based X20 Media.
Built using X20's software platform Xpresenter, the cross-campus digital signage network connects with social media features and platforms like Twitter and QR codes so that student can engage and interact across the network using mobile devices.
Spanning three campuses at West Virginia University (WVU), in addition to regional campuses in different parts of the state, WVU's digital signage network is designed to deliver targeted and timely content about campus news, events, athletics and more to nearly 29,000 students and 7,900 faculty and staff members.
Content authoring can be locally controlled and executed using a patented authoring module with Microsoft PowerPoint for incorporating digital media elements including animations, video clips, and real-time data sources.
Integration of the X2O platform with technology from social media company LocaModa lets students use their smartphones and other mobile devices to text and interact with the digital signage in real time via applications such as Wiffiti, Foursquare, Polls, and Jumbli.
Through Wiffiti, they can send text messages and photos that are then rendered using the Xpresenter Players that drive the WVU Information Station screens. Students can check in at WVU's Foursquare locations using their devices, and view the "mayor" of a location on its screens. Twitter feeds are displayed as tickers and in other formats on the displays.
And, by scanning on-screen QR codes with a camera in their portable media devices, students can respond to polls or be directed to a specific website.
The out-of-home signage deployment at West Virginia University has earned a 2011 DIGI Award in the category of "Best Deployment, Integration of Digital Signage and Mobile/Cell Phone Technology."
Now in their seventh year, the DIGI Awards represent the only industry award program that recognizes the outstanding integrators, content producers and providers, and product manufacturers focusing on digital signage. The awards are selected and presented by Digital Signage Magazine and The Digital Signage Group.
"When selecting this year's DIGI Award winners, we honed in on the entries that really stood out in showing us not just technology packages, but how digital signage and digital out-of-home best practices are playing out in the field, with real-world solutions and products," said David Keene, Executive Editor of Digital Signage magazine and chair of the judges' committee for the DIGI Awards. "X2O Media's work at WVU demonstrates the importance of utilizing mobile devices and social media to increase the effectiveness of a digital signage network."
"The network at WVU demonstrates how mobile devices are a perfect extension of digital signage networks, creating new interactive channels and opening the door to communication with screens via social media. All of this adds up to an enhanced viewer experience and increased network effectiveness," said X2O Media President and CEO David Wilkins. "We are proud to have our Xpresenter at the heart of the WVU network and honoured to have our work recognized with such a prestigious award."