Interactive Kiosk Proposal
(1986)
We used TCS Environment software to provide a public area info kiosk (as they were called at the time) to service the Information Industry Association conference and trade show in NYC.
Author: John Vaughan
PROPOSED FEATURES
The major Sections of the System (EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY, MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY, IIA SECTION, CONFERENCE UPDATE, and BILLBOARD/ ANNOUNCEMENTS) are all accessible from a Main Menu, as well as by keyword from any portion of the database.
The database is hermetically self-contained (i.e. It will boot itself automatically when the machine is turned on).
Database Navigation is based on simple "one-keystroke" entry (Dedicated Function Keys), and supported by on-screen visual
The Exhibitor Directory contains a Floor Map of the exhibit area.
All exhibitors are cross-referenced and accessible by three different search modes:
- ALPHABETIC COMPANY NAME LISTING
- GENERIC INDUSTRY AREA KEYWORD ("CABLE TV", "NETWORK", "INFORMATION PROVIDER", etc)
- LOCATION ON THE EXHIBIT FLOOR.
All screens are extensively supported by Keywords and
The Billboard Scroll is in constant operation (displayed onan external monitor), even if the interactive database is in use.
When not in use, the interactive database goes into a "scroll ", displaying information from the Bulletin Board section.
EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY
Cross-referencing 100-150 companies alphabetically, by service type, and by location on the exhibition floor, with keyword support. Each exhibitor appears with a Company Title and a short description of their booth and products/services. IIA will provide edited text copy for the exhibitor description from Conference Guide print materials.
IIA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
Possibly 200 more IIA members, cross-referenced alphabetically by name and industry area. Each member is listed with Company Title and a short description of their activities. (Fee-based)
IIA SECTION
Describing organizational structure, committees, staff contacts, etc (Approximately 15-20 screens). All information in this section submitted by IIA in format defined by TCS.
CONFERENCE UPDATE
Describing the conference sessions, hospitality suites, and events, cross-referenced by topic, schedule, speaker/company, and location, with keyword support (Approximately 20-30 screens). All information in this section submitted by IIA in format defined by TCS.
BILLBOARD SCROLL
Screens displaying "advertising quality" screens which can also be visually cross-referenced to individual company in EXHIBITOR DATABASE:30 screens on a 10-minute cycle. (Fee-based)
ANNOUNCEMENTS/BULLETIN BOARD
Allows IIA personnel to enter custom messages at request of individual users (using TCS TEXTUP). These would not be cross-referenced to the rest of the database, but would exist as its own "mini-database". This feature could be used for time sensitive "last minute" info like Press Releases, Product Announcements, Hospitality Suite Invitations, Public Messaging Board. (Fee-based
The IIA membership at large will be offered the opportunity to purchase the production of an enhanced presentation for their individual company. This takes the onus of responsibility for the bulk of graphic production off the shoulders of the IIA and its member firms. Individual companies can invest in enhancing their own presentation if - and to the degree - they desire. "at cost".
These are the types of packaging which TCS provides to each service area:
EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY
TCS creates a SMALL GRAPHIC LOGO for inclusion in the Exhibitor Directory listing. (Fee-based)
TCS creates a separate COMPANY FEATURE SECTION (3-4 screens) which includes company logo, description of products and services, address, contact person, and phone number. Content will be provided from IIA's "Information Sources 1987" print directory. The Feature Section is easily accessible in the database from the Exhibitor Directory. (Fee-based)
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
TCS creates a SMALL GRAPHIC LOGO for inclusion in the IIA Membership Directory listing. (Fee-based)
TCS creates a separate COMPANY FEATURE SECTION (3-4 screens) which would include company logo, description of products and services, address, contact person, and phone number. Content will be provided from IIA's "Information Sources 1987" print directory. The Feature Section would be easily accessible
Each screen in the BILLBOARD SCROLL is allotted a total of 20 seconds for both "paint time" and static exposure. The BILLBOARD SCROLL consists of a series of 30 screens which will be repeated every 10 minutes. This would allow 48 exposures per day (assuming an 8-hour day) for each screen, or about 150 exposures - 50 minutes total - for the 3 days of the conference. (Fee-based)
TCS creates customized, sophisticated animated presentation graphic art for use on the ADVERTISING BILLBOARD at the rate of $.10 per byte. This averages out to approximately $150-250 per screen for reasonably graphically sophisticated images. (Fee-based)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TCS creates a set of simple, easy-to-use pre-formatted announcement templates to be used with TCS TEXTUP for entering and updating the Bulletin Board type messages (s.a."Press Release", "Product Announcement", "Committee Meeting", "Hospitality Suite", etc). We look for further suggestions fromthe IIA staff. (Fee-based)
DATABASE DESIGN
TCS charges IIA no fee for the creation of the "skeleton structure" of the database. Changes to the database structure after an accepted deadline in the production process will be billable above and beyond the initial structure.
PRODUCTION
TCS provides overall Design Control for the creation of the database. TCS oversees the production of all graphics and screens used in the database. TCS provides IIA with the tools necessary for updating screens within the database structure.
ENHANCED SERVICES
TCS receives all revenues for the "enhanced" portions of the database (Graphic Logos, Company Feature Section, IIA Membership Directory, Advertising Billboard).
IIA COMMITTMENT
MARKETING
- IIA provides TCS with marketing support for the creation of this conference directory service (news coverage in IIA periodicals, information gathering and maintenance, printing
CONTENT PROVISION
- IIA provides TCS with all relevant text materials (IIA Section, Conference Update, info on individual companies for Exhbitor and Membership Directories) on an acceptable schedule and at least 30 days before the conference.
TECHNICAL/INSTALLATION
- IIA provides space, power, and hardware for at least one "kiosk" within the Exhibition Hall and will provide TCS with additional facilities as needed.
- TCS installs software in the microcomputer and provides technical support on-site.
SCREEN UPDATE/MAINTENANCE
- TCS provides graphic screen production updates and services as necessary. production updates and services as necessary.
- IIA provides textual updates through the use of TCS TEXTUP.
PRESENCE
- IIA provides TCS personnel with free admission to the conference, as well as a booth on the Exhibit Floor - at no charge to TCS.