The innovation: Audience Response Systems (ARS) is shifting communication parameters in the industry

Friday, 01 June 2007

The origin of Audience Response technology can be traced back to 1940's starting off with different configurations of handsets used to rate advertisements and has evolved into the extraordinary variety of sophisticated hardware and software available in the market today. Even so, there has always been some form of reluctance to use an electronic system to enhance interactivity and participation.

The concept was firstly adapted and pioneered by educators and researches but has now paved its way into the conference and eventing industry as "necessity" for every assembly. "It's incredible. In the year 2006 alone, at least 30,000 IML keypads was used to facilitate interactivity at conferences, events and exhibitions" noted Mr Gert Vermaak, Managing Member of IML.

What's even more exciting is that the traditional voting keypad has established its role as an integrated communication tool. "The industry uses the handsets for group business meetings, events, conventions, trade shows, seminars, team buildings, training and most recently for auctions too. The market has grown in variety and in size" stated Vermaak.

Whilst there are however not many suppliers of Audience Response Systems (ARS) in South Africa the application possibilities of the available technology are endless and are sure to meet every need for interactivity. Development on the software is continuously giving birth to new markets, and locally the equipment is currently utilised in various ways. There are different options available;

Texting & Message Manager

No longer are keypads only used for voting on predetermined scenarios, but participants are given the opportunity to respond to questions in their own words. This SMS like response allows delegates to send multiple messages from their keypads. Through Message Manager, these text messages are then received by a central computer where they can be reviewed, filtered and prioritised instantly before they are displayed on screen for the audience to see. The facilitator then has greater control over the direction of a debate, ensuring that the session remains focused.

Quiz Events

The popular quiz events can be jazzed-up with themed interactive quiz games, countdown clocks and live accurate scoreboards using the ARS software. This is guaranteed to create a fun, lively and competitive atmosphere amongst the participants.

"The electronic voting process eradicated a number of problems i.e. marking the score cards, auditors having to ratify them which caused lengthy delays especially when queries occurred. The technology raised the profile of the event." as confirmed by Anita Mathews, Operations Executive of The Sports Trust, who used ARS for their annual fundraising event.

Microphones & Microphone Queuing

Some voting keypads are also equipped with easy to use, built-in Microphones, avoiding the need for a roaming microphone ensuring all audience members are given an equal opportunity to speak at events. This works excellent for Q&A sessions because through the unique Microphone Queuing software members of the audience wishing to speak can be instantly identified and places them automatically in a queue. Their names are displayed on a live monitor, enabling the facilitator to activate their microphone as he chooses. It's fast, it's fair and ensures that everyone gets to have their say at the event.

enotes

Participation at team meetings and brainstorming sessions can also be simultaneously grouped by using enotes. This laptop-based messaging and voting system enables groups of delegates to respond to questions by sending instant and anonymous messages. The results of a vote can be displayed in a variety of different formats, including bar charts, pie charts and histograms. All display screens can be customised to reflect your corporate image or the theme of your event.


"This innovation facilitates real-time, interactive communication between individuals and groups, whilst generating invaluable qualitative and quantitative feedback data from your team conferences and events" stated by Vermaak.

Silent Auction

Clients are proven to raise more money using ARS than paper-based bidding at auctions. Silent Auction enables bidders to cast their bid anonymously on the listed items at their own convenience by using the voting keypad. The progress on the bid is continuously updated on the keypad, generating a competitive atmosphere amongst participants who are able to re-bid on items immediately.

In essence Audience Response System has not remained the tool for a relatively small group of sophisticated user, but is rather a business tool that empowers all users to uncover valuable information necessary for further engagement!