We’ve all seen the interactive maps and displays in malls, right? Did you know they can help your customer engagement? Ontarians are a fickle bunch, and for good reason – our governments, our society, and our ways of doing things (I’m thinking post-pandemic here) seem to keep changing while the cost of living balloons seemingly with no end in sight. With this latest round of changes to our country and province, one thing is sure: the way we interact with businesses has dramatically changed.
The resilient people of Ontario are looking for loyalty in 2024. They are also looking for value. With the inflation over the last few years dominating everyone’s financial focus, businesses need to adapt to how we all expect communication to work.
How do all of these things translate into a cohesive strategy? We can sum it up with one word: engagement. Ontarians need to engage with businesses if those businesses want to survive. Yet many people don’t necessarily want to talk to a salesperson right away. They want to do their research first, that is, until their mind is convinced, one way or the other.
That means significant changes to how businesses communicate with their potential customers (and similarly with other companies) are not on the horizon; it’s already here.
In order to stay relevant in the face of instant gratification online, businesses need to engage their customers and potential customer audiences. One of the best ways that companies can engage their potential and current customers, and even their staff, is through the use of interactive audio-visual equipment like interactive maps and interactive displays.
In this article, we’re going to talk about the impacts and importance of engagement via intelligent and interactive AV systems, how they can (and should) play a more significant role in your business, and some clever ways to get started right now for measurable results. Are you with me? Let’s dive in.
Understanding Interactive Maps and Displays and Their Role in Customer Engagement
To understand why interactive maps and interactive displays are going to play a more significant role in Ontario, we need to know how we’ve changed in the province. For example, as of 2019, Statistics Canada states that 45% of Canadian households had given up a landline altogether to jump onto the cellular network bandwagon instead. (1)
Further to the point on Canadian cell use, a year before Statistics Canada’s data mentioned above, in 2018, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) was reported publishing that 89% of Ontarians have a smartphone, or as they put it ‘smartphone penetration’ (and in Ontario we are the largest number of wireless subscribers in the country). (2)
That means we’re accustomed to interactive displays, or more to the point, we’re addicted to interactive displays (just watch a typical Ontarian walk down the street, smartphone in hand).
What Are Interactive Maps and Displays?
An interactive map or an interactive display is similar, in many ways, to a smartphone. It’s a touchscreen of epic proportions, and it helps do a number of things, depending on the location.
Interactive maps and displays can revolutionize the way businesses engage with their customers in Ontario by providing intuitive and dynamic ways to navigate physical spaces, access information, and interact with content. Here are several situations where their use can be particularly beneficial:
- Retail Environments:
- It helps customers locate products, understand promotions, and navigate large retail spaces like malls and department stores.
- Enhances the shopping experience by integrating interactive product catalogs and reviews.
- Corporate Offices and Business Parks:
- It facilitates wayfinding in large office buildings for visitors and new employees.
- Supports meeting room bookings and displays the availability and location of rooms.
- Healthcare Facilities:
- Assists patients and visitors in navigating complex hospital layouts to find departments, patient rooms, and amenities like pharmacies and cafeterias.
- Can provide interactive health information and services directories.
- Educational Campuses:
- Helps students, staff, and visitors navigate university or college campuses.
- Displays schedule for classes, events, and transportation.
- Museums and Cultural Institutions:
- It enhances visitor engagement through interactive tours, educational content, and wayfinding.
- It can include interactive exhibits, timelines, and informational displays.
- Public Transportation Hubs:
- It offers real-time information for train, bus, and flight schedules and delays.
- It provides maps of transit systems, parking areas, and points of interest.
- Tourism and Outdoor Parks:
- Interactive kiosks can provide tourists with information about local attractions, dining, and lodging.
- Parks can use them to display trail maps, weather conditions, and safety information.
- Real Estate Showrooms:
- Interactive displays can showcase property listings, virtual tours, and detailed information about amenities and pricing.
- Enhances the customer service experience by providing immediate, detailed responses to queries.
- Restaurants and Food Courts:
- Digital menu boards can offer interactive nutritional information and menu options.
- Customers can place orders via interactive displays, reducing wait times and improving service efficiency.
- Sports Arenas and Convention Centers:
- It helps attendees find their seats, locate amenities, and navigate through event schedules.
- It enhances the visitor experience with interactive schedules and event information.
The Role of Interactive Maps in Enhancing Customer Experience
As we’ve witnessed a 40-year inflationary high back in 2022, things in Canada have not seemed to have cooled off much. That’s a significant force behind why enhanced customer experiences are so critical in today’s market. (3)
Of similarly credible importance is our recent obsession with smartphones. Find an Ontario resident who doesn’t own one, and you’ve found the needle in the haystack. This trend is not going away anytime soon in Ontario, so it’s best to ride the current and not try to swim against it. In fact, according to McKinsey & Company, a good or enhanced client experience can translate to conversions as high as 40%. That’s nothing to ignore if you want to increase your business. (4)
Interactive displays like interactive maps can help guide the user experience, whether it’s in retail like the mall maps we’ve all used or in a classroom. As we’ve seen, the use cases are vast, so there’s little reason to think these types of displays can’t benefit your organization. Let’s look at how these kinds of displays are working for the commercial landscape in Ontario.
The Significance of Interactive Maps and Displays in Ontario’s Commercial Landscape
Interactive displays are the displays of the future. The first touchscreen is attributed to EA Johnson, a UK Royal Radar Establishment employee who worked between 1965 and 1967. (5) However, it wasn’t until 1993 that IBM released the first resistive touchscreen phone. (6)
Interactive displays have become the norm. In fact, many of the younger generation look at our ‘outdated’ screens that don’t provide interactivity via touchscreen technology and consider them dinosaurs. As we’ve witnessed the Ontario market carry along this newfound love for touching interactive displays, we can clearly see the connection between our passion for interactivity and the rise and even need for interactive displays both in retail and in commercial applications.
The only industries untouched by interactive displays are those that have not considered how to interact with their future clients. However, just because you have a great idea of how an interactive display might benefit your company, it’s best to understand the key challenges that accompany this technology’s adoption.
Key Challenges in Implementing Interactive Maps
From our years of experience, we’ve seen many objections to introducing new technologies. Still, when it comes to interactive displays, two stand out: understanding the technical side of interactive technology and choosing the best equipment for your specific project. After all, these are not the sort of technologies you can just pick up in a big box store (and even if you could, you’d cringe at the lack of robust solutions). No, when it comes to interactive displays, it’s best to leave it to the experts (like our team at Century AV).
Technical and Logistical Hurdles
The biggest hurdle to overcome for interactive displays is the technical and logistical challenges this technology inherently includes. For example, knowing and understanding the conditions, the level of abuse the technology can withstand, how many hours per day the equipment needs to work, and how and where the data and power cables route are just a few of the minor challenges we overcome with intelligent solutions. Furthermore, our experience with interactive displays means that you get the benefits of a team that knows how to set things up right from the start, helping you avoid costly mistakes.
Choosing the Right Equipment and Software
Equipment is only half the battle, and that is a big half for sure. Understanding how your business intends to use the technology is critical to acquiring the technology that can not only handle but exceed your expectations. Furthermore, the software, its configuration, and training your team to use it are the other half of the battle that we can help you not only win but dominate.
Century AV: Pioneering Customer Engagement Through Interactive Displays in Ontario
Why Partner with Century AV?
At Century AV, we offer comprehensive services such as design, installation, maintenance, and repair. We are not a one-and-done outfit; on the contrary, we support our clients with long-lasting technical support and advice, as well as maintenance and service for equipment as it becomes necessary. We are not like those who are only interested in making a sale. At Century AV, we nurture trusting relationships with our customers, providing not only impressive and robust equipment solutions but also the peace of mind of a supportive AV partner who is there when you need help with your equipment, whether it’s a week or a year since we’ve talked, we’re always here for you and your team.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing an AV system provider in Ontario is a big choice. There are plenty of ‘suppliers’ around, all eagerly waiting to help your company spend its money. However, if it’s a trusted AV partner that will be there for your team in a week, a year, or a decade later, then look no further than our team at Century AV – we’re here to help. Please don’t take our word for it; take a look at what our clients have to say about our services: Read Century AV Client Case Studies here.
Data-Driven Conclusion: The Tangible Impact of Interactive Maps and Displays on Customer Engagement
In the fast-paced digital era, interactive maps and displays have emerged as vital tools for businesses in Ontario to connect with their customers meaningfully. These technologies transcend traditional engagement methods by providing immersive and intuitive experiences that meet the evolving expectations of today’s consumers. As we’ve seen, the integration of interactive AV solutions offers a clear pathway to enhanced customer satisfaction, loyalty, and business growth.
Century AV stands at the forefront of this technological revolution, not just as a provider but as a committed partner to businesses across Ontario. Their expertise and support ensure that these innovative tools are not merely installed but are leveraged to their full potential, driving tangible improvements in customer engagement.
As Ontario businesses look to navigate the complexities of modern consumer interactions, the choice is clear: embracing interactive maps and displays with Century AV’s expertise is not just a step forward; it’s a leap towards securing a future where every customer interaction is an opportunity for engagement and growth. Let’s embark on this journey together, transforming the way businesses and customers connect in Ontario.
Article Sources
- Canada, 2023. “So Long Landline, Hello Smartphone – Statistics Canada.” Statcan.gc.ca. 2023. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/3582-so-long-landline-hello-smartphone.
- Hardy, Ian. 2018. “86 Percent of Canadians Own a Smartphone, Says CTA Report.” MobileSyrup. November 6, 2018. https://mobilesyrup.com/2018/11/05/86-percent-of-canadians-own-smartphone/#:~:text=Ontario%20has%2089%20percent%20smartphone,largest%20number%20of%20wireless%20subscribers..
- “2024 Retail Industry Outlook.” 2022. Deloitte United States. January 5, 2022. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/retail-distribution-industry-outlook.html?id=us:2ps:3gl:retout24:awa:cb:030424:retail%20industry%20overview:p:c:kwd-309165337355&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtqmwBhBVEiwAL-WAYQVzNJsAYn0vocw9V3OmEsHUhCPzW7scDmoCQwDnMqqSe7EaVreQyRoCZL4QAvD_BwE.
- Bough, Victoria, Ralph Breuer, Nicolas Maechler, and Kelly Ungerman. 2020. “The Three Building Blocks of Successful Customer-Experience Transformations.” McKinsey & Company. McKinsey & Company. October 27, 2020. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/the-three-building-blocks-of-successful-customer-experience-transformations.
- “The Evolution of Touchscreen Technology – MicroTouch.” 2023. MicroTouch. 2023. https://microtouch.com/the-evolution-of-touchscreen-technology/#:~:text=Historians%20believe%20that%20E.A.%20Johnson,first%20touch%20display%20in%20history..
- Wikipedia Contributors. 2024. “Touchscreen.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. March 26, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchscreen.
