BNZ: 155 stores across NZ | 489 active screens controlled by Nod

Nod: 700,000 assets played per day | 1,000 unique assets played

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A partnership born out of flexibility

When BNZ was looking to improve the reliability of its digital display networks back in 2013, an analysis of its current solutions spearheaded a review of new software. The team faced a conundrum as the list of potential new vendors could only offer ‘start from scratch’ options, leaving the existing solution ineffective.

The introduction of Nod creators EndGame to BNZ shed new light on the problem. As an alternative to starting over, the Nod team proposed a solution that could adapt and integrate into the current solution.

The challenge

BNZ wanted to centrally manage rich dynamic digital content and have the flexibility to target messaging at a local level — through hundreds of unique playlists. Creating a sense of community in specific locations was also paramount.

Nod demonstrated its robust flexibility proving that it could migrate, change and grow as the BNZ did, as well as being tailored specifically to their needs. New Zealand’s local bank had found a local solution in Nod.

“Localised content is important in our approach to communicating with our customers in Stores & Partners Centres. Likewise, with flexible working we’ve seen an increasing demand amongst our own staff for visual management dashboards and internal communications. Having a system that has been able to support these requirements has been critical to the success of our channel.” Prashant Ranchhod, Product Manager — Digital, BNZ

‍A journey of development

Nod and BNZ have come a long way together in the last five years, resulting in the streamlined digital media content management platform we see today. However, the central point of control has always been key in driving the development forward.

Nod’s extensibility has been impressive, with the platform currently supporting Samsung TVs, iOS devices, Windows machines and LG native apps. The BNZ public facing-displays now include TVs, iPads and video walls.

More recently, BNZ has been leveraging data feeds from APIs and websites, centralising them through the Nod system, and redistributing the content in-store through well-designed branded comms eg. real-time foreign exchange rates, local weather and traffic updates and Tweets from the BNZ and their customers.

At the BNZ Business Centre in Christchurch, Nod is enabling a mesh network of iPads to ‘talk to each other’ co-ordinating a World Clock that shows different content at the same time: each iPad displays a different city’s time. The Christchurch store also uses Nod to centralise and display where and when local ‘Meet Ups’ are being held in the city — creating a real sense of community and connection with the residents.

Better team communications

A powerful feature that’s in huge demand within BNZ is the idea of ‘Internal Corporate Dashboards’ — where individual BNZ teams can publish and display their own stats and information within a specific location. Nod extrapolates, summarises and displays the team’s data in clear, significant ways.

“It’s about quality content on quality screens…it’s innovative technology that pushes boundaries” Prashant Ranchhod, Product Manager — Digital, BNZ

The BNZ Call Centre, for instance, can display real-time stats onto Nod screens throughout the day — motivating and updating the team at large (eg. number of calls answered, average length of call etc.) Whereas the Marketing Team might find value in displaying their KPIs and strategic brand messaging. The internal Nod screens can also be used to display corporate messages throughout New Zealand.

Sitting alongside the traditional white board and sticky-note walls, Nod provides a cutting- edge avenue for teams to visually manage and display their data and core messaging.

The benefits stack up

Increased content volume: Assets deployed effectively across 400+ customer-facing BNZ screens nationwide

Better system visibility: Simplified system management instantly highlights when assets need attention

Time saving: Controlling specific screens makes assets quick to display and enables an asset library to be created

Significant cost-savings: Using best-in-breed OLED screens (LG is the preferred screen supplier for the BNZ)

Fully centralised control: Digital assets can be pushed out and taken down immediately

Prioritising content: Control of how often assets are seen

Meaningful metrics

Audience Measurement Tracking, the latest Nod feature, is creating real impact for its users. By mounting cameras within a space, or onto a Nod screen, the system can start measuring viewing times of someone looking at a Nod display.

Associate this data with a particular messaging campaign for instance, and you have a powerful analytics tool for the individual communications displayed.

The future’s bright

In the very near future, Nod will be able to tell who’s looking at a display based on gender, race and age — and even work out what mood they’re in. All captured simply and beautifully on Nod’s internal dashboard.

Eventually, Nod will tailor messaging to a person in real-time — displaying bespoke, personalised messaging based on the person’s specific location.

“There are no limits to how we use Nod…it’s all about our imagination and how we enhance physical spaces with digital interactions.” Andrew Butel Founder & CEO of EndGame

Want to find out more?

Drop Andrew a line at andrew@end-game.com.

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