MCN2015

Technology has become a common aspect of the museum visitor experience. Kiosks, mobile apps, ticket sales, signage, etc. combine to create the integrated experience our visitors expect. In order to provide this experience, these systems can no longer be developed and maintained as separate parts. It is necessary for interactive systems to share data and media, point of sale systems to share visitor data, and signage systems to link to event scheduling.

Supporting these systems has a significant impact on the museum’s technology infrastructure and systems. Networks have to support ubiquitous Wi-Fi for visitors, deliver streaming content to kiosks and apps, and support location based technologies. Collection Information and digital asset management systems have to be adapted to provide content to support interpretive projects in galleries and online. Multiple visitor information systems have to be integrated to provide the personal experience the visitor expects. All of this technology has to be kept running and updated.

Panelists will discuss specific projects at their institutions and how they are addressing these challenges followed by a QA session. Jane Alexander; Chief Information Officer, The Cleveland Museum of Art will present “Beyond Beta - CMA’s iBeacon Technology is Live” which describes how iPad, iPhone and Android smart devices engage 270 Bluetooth iBeacons that triangulate visitor location within one meter offering a seamless and rich experience of each work assimilating art history and education with intuitive essential video, audio, text and still-image content. Jane will also discuss how CMA’s analysis of visitor engagement and changing tastes and trends in visitor experience, guide exhibit layout and support materials as well as shape next iterations of CMA’s app ware.

Brian Dawson; Chief Digital Officer, Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation will present ‘Digital Reboot: Building and Invisible Architecture from the ground up.” The Canada Science and Technology Museum is closed for major renovations until 2017, in which the museum experience is being completely rebuilt. The museum is undergoing a digital transformation, including a complete "reboot" of the digital experience. Brian will outline the approach taken by CSTM in rebooting the museum experience, highlighting lessons that should be broadly applicable to other institutions.

Bill Weinstein; The John H. McFadden and Lisa D. Kabnick Director of Information and Interpretive Technologies, Philadelphia Museum of Art will present “0 to 60 in no time” which describes how the IT department has had to adapt and grow the infrastructure and back end systems to accommodate to the increased usage of technology in the galleries. Bill will discuss the development of hardware standards for interactives, installation of supporting infrastructure, development of databases to track usage and how these projects affect budging and fundraising.