ONELAN Ltd is based in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Visit www.onelandigitalsignage.com for further details.
Press Contact details: Marion Bourne
email: marion.bourne@onelan.com,
phone: +44 (0) 1491 411400

ONELAN Ltd is based in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Visit www.onelandigitalsignage.com for further details.

Press Contact details: Marion Bourne
email: marion.bourne@onelan.com,
phone: +44 (0) 1491 411400

ONELAN Ltd is based in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Visit www.onelandigitalsignage.com for further details.

Press Contact details: Marion Bourne
email: marion.bourne@onelan.com,
phone: +44 (0) 1491 411400

IPTV and Digital signage specialist ONELAN has added more features to the IPTV Omni-Server to create a more powerful product offering, and further establishing the company as a leading player in the Streaming arena.

The IPTV Omni-Server is a single box streaming solution for networked delivery and storage of video content via Ethernet networks. It provides a number of key functions within one appliance, firstly acting as an IPTV TV gateway which can take in Digital free-to-air TV broadcasts (DVB-T/Freeview or DVB-S/FreeSat) and re-broadcast out several TV channels onto a network. Any device on the network can then play back the live TV stream using a desktop PC TV software player, or a media player such as a ONELAN Net-Top-Box. A key benefit of this feature is the reduction in RF coaxial cable wiring required.

Another important new feature is ONELAN’s ‘multi-unicast’ solution. Many networks will not allow multicast with IT network owners often forbidding multicast products, or at the very least making it very difficult to use multicast.  ONELAN’s multi-unicast solution removes this barrier: the Omni-Server can be configured to operate in a mode where it uses unicast only. This can ease installations where the network is not truly multicast ready. The playback experience is the same for the end user but the network is not exposed to multicasts.

A more exciting and easier enduser interface has been created:

the landing page for an unprivileged user has changed to include Thumbnail images (updated at 4 second intervals) of each channel.

The IPTV Omni-Server is compatible with ONELAN NTB media players, and with its web browser interface is accessible from anywhere on a network.

ONELAN develops network appliances for standalone and end-to-end Digital Signage network solutions. The Net-Top-Box is a mul­timedia, multi-zoned solution capable of Touch Interactivity. With a browser based user inter­face, the system is fully multi-lingual and capable of dis­playing both stored media and live media e.g RSS feeds, web pages and broadcast TV or locally streamed video. Further mem­bers of the product family cater for Enterprise network management and integration with external data sources.

ONELAN’s NTBs are now installed in a wide variety of organisations such as retail, schools, hospitals, and government buildings, as well as some well-known corporates such as Vodafone, Virgin Holidays and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

ONELAN Ltd is based in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

The University of Bedfordshire was established in August 2006 by order of the Privy Council and comprises five campuses, three within Luton, one at Bedford and one based in Aylesbury. There are 20,000 staff and students from over 100 different countries at the University creating a very diverse environment. With planned developments valued at over £134m spread over the next few years the University is an exciting and vibrant place to be now and in the future.

Project objectives

Digital signage has been in use at the University of Bedfordshire for some time, with standalone units being installed in different departments.  The objective of this project was to bring all the existing digital signage together and to provide for future expansion: the University is currently investing £35 million in a new campus centre where digital signage will play a key part in the communication strategy.

Any new digital signage needed to successfully network with the existing infrastructure and the previous installations.  The University was also keen to ensure corporate branding was used across all five campus locations, to create a professional look.

Digital signage content

Of particular importance was the requirement to show the appropriate content on each screen, targeted at the local audience, while retaining the corporate ‘look’ to each screen. For example the screen installed in the Business School foyer needs to show welcome messages and Business School specific information.

With units installed in 17 different departments the digital signage needs to be easy to use by many different people, both technical and non-technical, as they are very content hungry and need to be constantly updated.  The systems also need to be easy to set up, and quick to manage.

How to do it

ONELAN’s Net-Top-Boxes (NTBs) were chosen as the Digital Signage solution, due to their ease of use and their ability to apply highly customised layout designs, so anyone on the university staff can contribute without fear of problems. To reach an audience base of 20,000 students and staff, the screen layout flexibility and scheduling were of utmost importance.  The ONELAN NTBs allow a screen to be divided into different Zones, which allow different media formats such as Live TV feeds, RSS feeds, animations, still images and audio.

The University wanted a scalable system, particularly with the new campus centre in mind, and ONELAN fitted the bill.

What is installed

One main publisher NTB supplies content for 17 subscriber Century 610 NTBs.  These are located in the main Foyer, in the Park Square campus, the Learning Resource Centres on the Luton and Bedford campuses, reception areas in Butterfield Park, Buckinghamshire and Putteridge Bury campuses as well as various other social spaces.

IPTV OMNI-SERVER

One of the key aspects of the project was the installation of an Omni-Server. Originally the University required an ‘off air’ recording solution for the academic staff to use.  With the Omni-Server, they are now able not only to do this, but also link into the digital signage network. This provide the screens with live TV feeds for news and educational TV channels across the network infrastructure without the need to run additional RF cabling, thereby keeping additional costs to a minimum.

How the digital signage is being used

A wide variety of content is being utilised including public content such as a TV feed showing BBC News  and Sky News, XML feeds for local weather and news, as well as University news and events.   An XML feed from the Association of Train Operating Companies is planned.  This will deliver up-to-date timetable information for Bedford and Luton stations to help promote sustainable transport options.

The signage is also used for department specific information, such as information for registration and Open Days, and content throughout the university.

End result – end user feedback

Integration with the university’s existing networks has been straightforward.

Feedback has been very positive: staff like the look of the content.

"The installation of the Onelan digital signage solution has allowed for a more branded, consistent message to be displayed across all five of our campuses. We are able to push content centrally as well as allowing staff locally to add their own content. The inclusion of the Omni-Server in our package has meant that during social hours we are able to update the screens with live TV, streamed from a central point across our network. A total package solution that has made the management of content and our role in it distributing it far easier!" Kris Collins, Online Marketing Manager

Digital Signage Specialist ONELAN has installed Net-Top-Boxes throughout the Maldron Hotel chain in Ireland to re-brand in a clear and consistent way.

What needed to be done?

Having acquired nine hotels from the Choice Hotel Group, Maldron Hotels required a visual display in the Reception areas of its properties that would introduce its new brand to visitors to the hotels and, also, provide a variety of information to its customers in a clear, concise and consistent manner.  Details to be conveyed included directional information in hotels where meeting rooms or other hotel facilities are located at a distance from the central hotel lobbies.  In addition, a notice board facility is required in each hotel to inform guests about events, menus, special offers, etc.

How to do it?

ONELAN’s Net-Top-Boxes (NTBs) were chosen as the Digital Signage solution, due to their ease of use and the range of layout designs available. To reach such a large audience base, the screen layout flexibility and scheduling were of high importance.  The ONELAN NTBs allow a screen to be divided into different Zones, which allow different media formats such as Live TV feeds, RSS feeds, animations, still images and audio.

A large LCD screen and ONELAN Century Net-Top-Box have been placed in the foyers of each of the hotels, attracting the attention of both resident guests and other customers.  The screens show restaurant information, the latest hotel information, welcome messages and directions to meeting rooms. This provides an informative and worthwhile display to be appreciated by all visitors.

The screen uses vary from hotel to hotel depending on each hotel’s facilities, while retaining the overall Maldron branding. For example, if the hotel has a leisure centre along with a bar/café then the screens would provide information about the hotel, and about the bar and leisure centre; if the hotel has a conference centre and a restaurant then it might show meeting room details and special offers for the restaurant, etc.

The End Result

The ONELAN Digital Signage solution has been of benefit to all concerned and there have been positive comments from resident guests and other visitors alike.  Each hotel can personalise its Net-Top-Box with specific hotel information, while using the same standardised format to maintain the Maldron Hotels brand.

“In addition to managing the day to day signage needs of our hotels ONELAN allowed us the opportunity to communicate to guests the re-branding to Maldron Hotels in a clear and consistent way. We are very pleased with our decision to use Onelan.” Anthony Murray, Group IT Manager Maldron Hotels.

ONELAN develops network appliances for standalone and end-to-end Digital Signage network solutions. The Net-Top-Box is a mul­timedia, multi-zoned solution capable of dis­playing stored media and live media e.g RSS feeds, webpages and broadcast or locally streamed TV. With a browser based user inter­face, the system is fully multi-lingual including all main European languages. Further mem­bers of the product family cater for Enterprise network management, Touch applications and integration with external data sources.

ONELAN’s NTBs are now installed in a wide variety of organisations such as retail, schools, hospitals, and government buildings, as well as some well-known corporates such as ING, Vodafone, Virgin Holidays and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Digital Signage Specialist ONELAN has installed Net-Top-Boxes throughout Avanta’s serviced offices for a consistent corporate look and feel.

Background

Avanta provide a range of services, from serviced offices to virtual offices to ad-hoc meeting rooms. They offer these services in prime locations around the UK and in India. Customers can hire rooms either by the hour, weekly, monthly or yearly. The customers maybe large corporate firms who need to have extra space or small one-man-bands looking to hold professional meetings for a morning.

What was required

They were looking for a consistent corporate look and feel, throughout all their offices. However they needed to have a means to be able to adapt their foyer environments suitably for their ad-hoc customers as and when required. It was felt that there was also a need to supply information relevant to the businesses visiting the offices. 

How to do it?

It was felt that a Digital Signage Solution would achieve all of the above priorities. ONELAN’s Net-Top-Boxes (NTBs) were chosen as the Digital Signage solution, due to their flexible scaling options and the layout designs available. To reach such a large audience base, the screen layout flexibility and scheduling were of high importance.  The ONELAN NTBs allow a screen to be divided up into different Zones, which allow different media formats such as Live TV feeds, RSS feeds, animations, still images and audio. Thereby allowing the flexibility within the Avanta layout to brand the screen appropriately for the visiting customer at that time.

A screen and NTB have been placed in the foyers of each of the office buildings, attracting the attention not only of their customers, but also the visitors from other organisations visiting them. The screens show live satellite feeds, the latest traffic information, welcome messages and directions to meeting rooms. This provides an informative and worthwhile display to be appreciated by any visitor.

               The End Result

The ONELAN Digital Signage solution has been of benefit to all concerned and there have been positive comments from customers and their visitors.

“The ONELAN digital signage system has enhanced our profile with our clients and visitors at the various buildings around the UK and in India. The layout of the screen has met with our request for anonymity but subtly includes our corporate colours. Visitors' attention is drawn to the screen with an eye-catching welcoming message and an active screen rather than a static message. Those clients requiring visual representation on the screen are accommodated and they feel that their

image has been enhanced with their clients. 

We are very pleased with the system and are continuing to install in our new offices”.

says David Kinnaird, Commercial Operations Director.

ONELAN was founded in 1988 and has been developing Digital Signage products since 2001. It has developed leading edge hardware appliances and software products that deliver ease of use, manageability, network security and scalability to the world of Digital Signage.

The company's Net Top Box devices are used as standalone appliances and in dynamic digital media networks within retail, education, industry, government and hospitality.   ONELAN’s NTBs are now installed in a variety of organisations including such well-known corporates as Airbus, ING Bank, Vodafone, Virgin Holidays and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

ONELAN Ltd is based in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Visit www.onelandigitalsignage.com for further details.