Johannesburg, 28 May 2003
Solutions development house, nVisionIT has developed what is thought to be a world first in wireless technology with the launch of a solution designed to improve communication between conference delegates and presenters.
The Microsoft Tablet PC-based wireless application, which also streamlines conference session management and programming, was showcased at Microsoft Strategic Architects Forum in Johannesburg earlier this year.
"It proved a great success and we have already had our first order," says Graham van Zijl, managing director of nVisionIT.
"Each of the 229 software architects and Microsoft partners at the forum were equipped with an Acer Tablet PC and were able to submit questions by handwriting their questions on the Tablet`s Digital Ink handwriting recognition pad and submitting them to the presenter`s console."
Initial reaction from the Strategic Architect`s Forum is that presenters received a far higher number of questions and feedback than usual.
Presenters can also launch electronic polls among their audience while making presentations to enhance interest in the presentation and increase interaction.
"I think this additional interaction is because delegates are more comfortable submitting electronic questions than speaking from the floor. Also, questions can be submitted at any time," he says.
As evaluation forms are also in an electronic format, the number of event evaluations submitted at the end of each session also rose significantly. Typically, event evaluations are submitted by about 60% - 70% of delegates. At the forum it was over 90%.
The solution comprises four elements. The first is the event console. This allows events to be set up and tailored with information about venue facilities, conference information and programme of events.
The second element is the presenter console which allows presenters to load their presentations on their systems and control the seminar. It also includes functions such as carrying out opinion polls and viewing delegate questions.
The delegate console lets delegates log into the seminar for which they are registered, interact with the presenter via digital ink, chat to other delegates attending the event, take notes, submit comments, complete evaluations, create documents and request follow-up information or action.
As the Tablet PCs are typically not the delegates` property, notes, follow-ups and comments are stored on a central server and can subsequently be retrieved by a delegate using their event logon and password via a Web portal.
This event portal is the system`s fourth element. In addition to retrieving notes and documents, event managers can view polls and evaluation results.
Feedback from the Strategic Architects Forum delegates was very positive with many complimenting the system`s ease of use, the unique means of interaction and how it enabled them to draw mind map notes of each presentation, ensuring high content retention.
Presenters particularly liked the instant feedback, higher question rate and possibility of higher retention.
"The system really proved itself as a business solution that addresses real need for more effective presentations. Technology wise, we also proved its robustness. At one session we had over 130 delegates connected wirelessly," concludes Van Zijl.
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