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Scala and Christie Hospital Reach Out and "Touch" Someone For a Good Cause.
Scala Software Used In Interactive Kiosks at UK's Christie Hospital.
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Manchester, England's world-renowned Christie Hospital wanted a new way to attract donations and provide information about the newly launched Appeal to raise 25 million pounds (approximately 35 Million USD) for its "Christie's against Cancer" campaign. Angela Roden, Director of Appeals, wanted an interactive and informative medium to meet her fundraising goal. This idea materialized into an innovative interactive kiosk created by Editz Interactive of Manchester, powered by a software donation from Scala, a leading international developer of multimedia solutions for dynamic signage, television, and web applications. |
Roden says, "I wanted something eye-catching and informative for the kiosk and that is exactly what I got. The result gave many people a real insight into the fundraising activities at Christie's. Scala donated the software so we could produce the kiosk - it was their way of helping the Appeal."
The kiosk was created with Scala's InfoChannel 200 (IC200) software with an fun, upbeat theme in mind, not dwelling on cancer. It was designed to keep people focused on the positive aspects of the work of the hospital and its staff. The program runs on a 17" touch screen kiosk and uses approximately 20 minutes from MPEG video, along with voiceovers, animations, and music. The loop contains about 36 minutes of information, events, movies, and special historical and booking information.
Peter Caddock, of SmartScreen Digital Media, the designer and programmer of the system says, " The reason I chose Scala IC200 for this project was because I had been using an early version of the product for a few years and was impressed with the capabilities of the software and its ability to control hardware remotely. Also at the time, no other piece of software offered the remarkable transitions that we all now take for granted. It was, and still is, very impressive."
Scala is ideal for this type of application because of its unique "pre load" feature and great transitions provide dynamic access to all areas in the menu. The kiosk was built into a 'pillar' in the hospital reception; IC200 ScalaNet was used to update the PC via modem remotely, from Editz. It only required one visit for system maintenance each year. All other updates - including appeal totalizer settings, magazine adverts and MPEG files, were done over the modem.
After Scala donated theIC200 software package, several other corporations joined in on the effort. A London company, Magic Touch International donated the touch screen membrane, Sony donated the 17' inch monitor to be attached to the membrane, and Dabs Computers donated the PC the program was run on.
The kiosk was designed in 1998 and installed for the October Open day. It was designed to provide visitors of the world famous Christie hospital with breaking and up-to-date information on the "Christie's against Cancer" campaign.
The kiosk is programmed as a 36-minute self-running loop, which can be interrupted at any moment by a user touching the screen. Once interrupted, a selection menu with large buttons is displayed giving access to every other selection at a single touch.
Features on the kiosk include: music and photos from the various fund raising projects people have undertaken, a selection that shows where money will be spent after it is raised, trivia questions about the hospital, the total amount raised by the Appeal to date, and thank you messages to supporters and donating companies. The kiosk also features a video jukebox containing videos illustrating some of the hospital's landmark achievements, the Appeal itself, TV commercials, and words of support from celebrities, and music videos.
Everyone from London celebrities to royalty was also glad to lend their fame for a good cause. The Duchess of Kent, patron-in-chief of the Appeal, launched the project in May 1997, and appears in a special "video diary" for that first day. Musicians, such as Oasis and Robbie Williams, donated music for the Appeal video. Simply Red also allowed extensive use of their hit single "Fairgound". Cricket star, Mike Atherton, and English football star, Alan Shearer, lent their support and appeared in different video segments for the kiosk.
The system automatically comes on in the morning, raises the volume and plays the program until 4:30 pm. The volume then reduces to a lower level to accommodate less people in the reception area - therefore less environmental noise. The program then continues until 8:00 pm when it becomes a 'clock screen saver'. The system is still running practically non-stop since it was installed in 1998.
Earlier this year the Appeal celebrated reaching the 25 Million pounds (Approximately 35 Million US dollars) mark, signifying the completion of the Appeal. Roden and her team are currently celebrating reaching their incredible goal and looking forward to what is next on the agenda. Caddock has plans to collaborate on Christie's next Appeal based project.
About Christie's Hospital
The Christie Hospital began as a home for people with cancer, in 1892. Funding was made available due to a fortune left for the people of Manchester by Sir Joseph Whitworth. Whitworth Estate Trustee, Chancellor Richard Copley Christie and his wife, Helen, were the driving forces behind the project, hence the name Christie's, which came about in 1901. The Hospital, and it's research arm 'The Patterson Institute' have been responsible for major breakthroughs in the fight against cancer, such as the world's first single harvest blood stem-cell transplant in 1991. This year, The Christie Hospital is celebrating its' Centenary year (1901-2001). http://www.christies.org
About Scala
Scala is a leading international developer of multimedia solutions for dynamic signage, television and web applications. Scala software is used by thousands of corporations, advertisers, cable television operators, educators and consumers to create and broadcast dynamic full-screen multimedia productions via corporate intranets or the Internet to television and computer-based displays. Working with its global distribution network, Scala offers a complete solution meeting its customers' growing needs to reach a diverse audience with engaging content. Scala is headquarted in Philadelphia, PA with US and European sales offices. http://www.scala.com
About SmartScreen Digital Media
Peter Caddock formed SmartScreen Digital Media Limited earlier this year to offer consultancy and production services in the development of total content solutions for interactive multimedia.
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