Deployment of Environmentally Friendly Digital Engines

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Gone are the days of notebooks, fountain pens and handwritten papers. It’s impossible to imagine classrooms without computers nowadays. Now that even primary schools are being equipped with desktop PCs, it is obvious that the standard has been set.
 
But that doesn’t mean the bar cannot be raised. College De Heemlanden is proof that there is room for innovation: they have replaced the standard desktop PCs with AOpen Digital Engines, a ‘green’ machine that decreases power consumption, noise and heat emission.
 
De Heemlanden has implemented over 400 of AOpen’s ultra Small Form Factor machines, because they needed a machine that was both ‘green’ and powerful (Core2Duo). They decided to invest in the AOpen Digital Engine because it can deliver many advantages in the school environment.
 
It is a small, durable machine, with a robust metal casing, and can be neatly tucked away behind the monitors to keep it out of the way and save space. With increasing numbers of students in classrooms, space is at a premium. Monitors equipped with Digital Engines can line the classroom walls, away from the traditional desks so that students can learn from their teacher and then move to the IT walls for a more interactive learning experience.
Heat emissions are another problem with traditional classroom computers, which tend to require air conditioning to run to prevent them overheating. The Digital Engine also reduces heat emissions, so the air conditioning required is reduced, which has a direct effect on the energy bill.
 
The industrial grade components further enhance its reliability. As it comes with a power adaptor (90W) instead of a power display, it is green and energy-saving: College De Heemlanden will cut energy costs by approximately 55% compared to a regular desktop, which also means their energy bill should decrease by approximately €60,000 by the end of the year. This means the investment in the hardware can be redeemed in the first year.
 
With many governments, like the Dutch, becoming more and more environmentally aware, and even subsidising schools that are interested in ‘green’ investments, the AOpen Digital Engine is a highly successful innovation for the education sector.
 
Stockholm Syndrome
 
Each year, 60 trade fairs and 100 national and international congresses, conferences and events take place at Stockholm International Fairs. With 1.5 million visitors a year, the organiser found that static signs were leading to problems with visitor flow around exhibitions, as the content was not flexible or relevant enough.
Digital signage was installed to address the shortcomings of the wayfinding and directional static signs around the exhibition centre, as part of a larger redesigning at Stockholm International Fairs. Crowds tended to form around the static signage, and confusion led to a need for temporary sign to direct and inform the audience better. Furthermore, the old signage made the centre seem rather untidy and incoherent. Digital signage was a way for them to make the updating of content on the screens for each show easier.
 
Furthermore, environmental considerations also favoured digital signage: as the digital templates are reusable the content can be easily changed for different events. Usually, a large number of customised signage is made for individual events which are then simply discarded after the event.
 
Instoremedia, a total digital signage solution provider in Sweden, was commissioned to create a digital signage solution that could meet achieve cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits in production and distribution, improve time efficiency and flexibility in informational processes, enable new business opportunities and create a modern and innovative ambiance.
 
Using the small, but powerful, AOpen Digital Engine, over 70 screens were installed with the help of Hattelco Sweden. The ability of the AOpen players to operate two screens from one player halved the number of players required.
 
The screens would need to run content continuously, all day long, so reliability was important. AOpen’s Digital Engine can run 24/7.The digital signs have two different purposes: event information (on screens at entrances to the halls) and booking information for the Congress facility so conference rooms can be booked and this information displayed for each room and at the entrances. Booking information is handled manually using the software, but can be automated through an integration with a booking platform.
 
As this information needs to be continuously available, AOpen’s prevention system, a Watchdog Timer, was provided for the players to prevent any problems.
 
The digital signage at Stockholm International Fairs saves time and achieves new environmental efficiency. Information can be updated easily and content customised for each event so that visitors are given an impression of a modern and innovative exhibition centre.