P&O Cruises, voted Britain’s favorite cruise line, transports passengers in high style to ports all over the world. Now, it’s also sailing the seven seas in high technology with a new integrated digital signage network on board. The state-of-the-art digital network from Beaver Solutions and Scala has significantly elevated the passenger experience aboard Azura, the latest ship in the company’s luxury fleet.
P&O Cruises chose Beaver Solutions to design, implement and manage the mobile network, which is built on the Scala 5 software platform. Beaver was challenged to create a comprehensive, completely integrated network that could input various sources of content and redistribute it appropriately to dozens of displays throughout the 19 decks of the 300-meters-long ship.
Beaver Solutions created a digital network that informs, entertains and communicates using screens that were integrated into the ship’s design. The network is a truly integral part of the ship, displaying information that is relevant to the location of each screen. Every display promotes the many services and activities available on board so passengers can easily map out their holiday from anywhere on the ship. Passengers can also get the ship’s exact location, local weather and important news announcements from live satellite feeds. Some screens enable interactive multimedia gaming such as Nintendo Wii Sports and video such as family movies.
Another unique challenge for Beaver Solutions was that the system had to operate seamlessly while at sea and without a reliable Internet connection. An Internet connection is only available while the ship is docked, and it is impossible for an outside company to deliver, support or manage the system while at sea. This meant that the system needed to be ultra-reliable and easily manageable by the crew, so Beaver Solutions turned to Scala.
“This ‘on-sea’ digital signage network can only function when driven by a stable, easy-to-manage software. We are proud that Beaver Solutions and P&O Cruises recognized these key features of Scala and selected us for the elegant Azura,” said Oscar Elizaga, Vice President of Scala, EMEA.
Scala now supports the design, management and delivery of all content throughout Azura. The whole network on board features the following:
- Up-to-date content, managed on board, displaying relevant and timely information to the passengers.
- 45 high-definition LCD and plasma displays (ranging from 19 inches to 80 inches) located throughout the ship, including reception areas, shops and restaurants.
- Multiple 103-inch plasma screens grouped together to create a dramatic audio-video wall that displays iconic wonders from every continent in the world.
- 8.2-meter LED “SeaScreen” hanging above a pool and combining digital messaging with entertainment such as group video games during the day and turning into an open-air cinema under the night sky.
- Live news feed capabilities on up to 15 channels.
For a full case study, visit www.scala.com/news/studies/P&OCruises
About P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises is based in Southampton, England, and operated by Carnival UK. Formerly a division of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, P&O Cruises is the world’s original cruise line, having operated the world’s first passenger ships in the early 19th Century. The company was demerged in 2000 to form P&O Princess Cruises PLC, which subsequently merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003, to create the world’s largest cruise holiday company. P&O Cruises currently operates seven cruise ships, with its most recent vessel Azura having joined the fleet in April 2010. More information at www.pocruises.com
About Beaver Group
Beaver Group is an organization whose focus is the delivery of digital signage and design solutions and is made up of two companies, Beaver Solutions and Beaver Design.
Beaver Solutions was formed in 1998 to supply individuals, companies and public institutions with solutions for the delivery of communications via Plasma and LCD screens. Using the very latest in display and networking technology, Beaver Solutions specify, supply, install and support solutions including retail and menu board systems through to corporate TV for companies, government, education and the military. Beaver group works with various software and hardware manufacturers in the field of digital display to ensure that they deliver the best fit for each project. Clients they work with include Ericsson, IKEA, The Home Office, BBC, Showcase Cinemas and P&O Cruises.
Beaver Design was formed in 1977 and provides end-to-end content design services in print, web, digital signage and branding. They have many years of experience working within each of these disciplines and develop in-house bespoke solutions to fit each client’s requirements, resulting in a fresh, brand-focused service. More information at www.beaver-group.com
About Scala
Driving more than 500,000 screens worldwide, Scala is a leading global provider of digital signage and advertising management solutions. Scala is the world’s first connected signage company, offering the leading platform for content creation, management and distribution in digital signage networks and the first unified platform for advertising management of both traditional and digital signage networks. The company’s digital signage customers include Rabobank, IKEA, Burger King, T-Mobile, Virgin MegaStore, Warner Brothers, The Life Channel, Rikstoto, Repsol, NorgesGruppen, Audi, ECE Flatmedia, Kaufhof (Metro Group) and thousands more. Advertising management customers include CBS Outdoor, Clear Channel Outdoor and Magic Media, among others. Scala is headquartered near Philadelphia, USA, and has subsidiaries in Canada, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Germany and Japan, as well as more than 450 partners in more than 60 countries. More information is available at www.scala.com.
Source: Scala
