CONCORD, Ontario — Omnivex Corporation, Microsoft Gold Partner and provider of enterprise software for digital signage networks, has announced that the Vancouver Convention Centre is using Omnivex software to manage a network of more than 170 screens throughout the recently constructed facility in British Columbia. The harborfront facility recently opened, following an extensive expansion project that more than tripled the convention centre's available space.
As part of the expansion project, the Vancouver Convention Centre wanted to help improve the guest experience by providing exceptional visual communications to guide them through the large facility.
“The digital signage system will help us communicate with the thousands of visitors who attend events hosted at the Convention Centre each year,” said Gregory Davey, associate director Olympics, IP and broadcast services and general manager of convention centre services for Bell Canada, who manages the digital signage network for the Vancouver Convention Centre. “Omnivex software was selected for its ability to easily manage a very large network of screens and because it could interface with the existing event-management system.”
Information only needs to be updated in the event-management system, and the Omnivex software automatically formats and displays that information on the appropriate screens throughout the facility.
The Convention Centre maintains an extensive environmental program to ensure sustainability in everything it does. One of the significant requirements for the Vancouver Convention Centre expansion project was it needed to comply with the energy and environmental design-certification standards, as the building is constructed to LEED gold certification. The Convention Centre also adheres to numerous green initiatives, including using seawater for heating and cooling, on-site water treatment and a “living roof” made of indigenous plants.
“The Omnivex software allows us to remotely turn on and off all of the display hardware associated with the digital signage network, prolonging the life of the equipment and reducing energy costs. It also alerts us if there are any hardware failures on the network, increasing uptime,” said Davey.
The Vancouver Convention Centre boasts almost 500,000 square feet of meeting, exhibition and ballroom space. With 52 meeting rooms and a 55,000 square foot ballroom, the Convention Centre has the ability to hold multiple events simultaneously.
To help guide guests and clearly show what is taking place in each room, screens were installed outside each room and in hallways between the east and west buildings. Using Omnivex software, the entire system can be managed from one central location.
“Omnivex software is well-suited to these types of large installations, because it automates the process of maintaining accurate and up-to-date information on all of the displays throughout the facility, thus reducing operating costs,” said Jeff Collard, president of Omnivex. “The system will also scale easily to accommodate their growing needs and plans. Additionally, it has the ability to be used as a security and emergency-notification tool by tying into the Convention Centre’s existing systems.”
