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The Lift Channel

Competitiveness & Growth
STATUS | Ongoing
STATUS DATE | 20/06/2008
ACTIVITY CODE |

PAGE CONTENTS

Objectives

The IHT Lift Channel system enables multimedia clips for any purpose to be assembled and then simultaneously transmitted via satellite to any number of remote locations across Europe. The content, distributed via satellite, is then presented on screens within the client building. This may include a lift compartment. Any kind of media can be displayed from moving video with audio, to still pictures and graphics.

The system can be used for advertising purposes and many different applications such as information sharing, the provision of safety information and topical news relevant to a particular organisation.

Challenges

The key issues to be addressed in the project are:



  • Content generation, delivery and management.

  • Satellite distribution to remote sites.

  • Software creation to allow the application run.

  • Hardware to support the applications in lifts and other sites.

  • Commercial viability of the application.

  • Commercial relationships between stakeholders

Plan

The project plan can be summarised best by the following tasks:



  • Identification of possible partners and stakeholders

  • Investigation of all technical issues relating to the pilot deployment,

  • Freezing of system specification,

  • Development of software solution

  • Development of system hardware solution

  • Set up system validation in IHT and DV4 premises to verify operation

  • Operation of pilot in three locations. Trials in pilot sites will continue in operation albeit with locally provided content to ensure the operational integrity of the system,

  • Collation of pilot feedback,

  • Updating of SAD, SVD and CFA documents to reflect findings,

  • System design frozen,

  • System verification tests,

  • Pre-launch marketing activities,

  • Final Review with ESA

  • Commercialisation

Current Status

The Lift Channel is continuing in trial mode now with trials ongoing at DAON Ltd premises and NCI in Dublin. In addition, Eurotek is co-operating with IHT and DV4 to carry out trials at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin.

The tests at the trial sites will enable IHT and DV4 to gain experience of deploying and operating the system before plans can be made for a commercial exploitation of the Lift Channel system. The tests results should help remove any technical difficulties and help in the design of a marketing strategy.
User feedback will also be valuable in this, as it will provide a first-hand opinion on desired content and facilities.

In addition DV4 will continue to work on improving the web interface. The final review of the project was held in early July in ESTEC with ESA and the project is considered a success.