Cisco Interactive Experience Platform Content Creation Guidelines Release 2.3.4 September 4, 2015 Americas Headquarters Cisco Systems, Inc. 170 West Tasman Drive San Jose, CA 95134-1706 USA http://www.cisco.
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CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 Content Types CHAPTER 2 Design Considerations and Best Practices CHAPTER 3 Layouts CHAPTER 4 Content Management APPENDIX A Content Guidelines Cisco Interactive Experience Platform Content Creation Guidelines iii
Contents Cisco Interactive Experience Platform Content Creation Guidelines iv
CH A P T E R 1 Content Types Revised: September 4, 2015 Guide Overview This guide provides general information on how to create content for the IEC4600 Series.
Chapter 1 Content Types Content Types – Video Collaboration, page 1-7 – Video Feeds, page 1-8 – RSS feeds, page 1-9 – Applications, page 1-9 – Content Rendering, page 1-9 Content Types Content may range from video clips, Flash animations, static images, or HTML pages. Content can be facilitated by incorporating standard multimedia file types such as MPEG, WMV, JPEG, GIF, TIF, WMA, etc.
Chapter 1 Content Types Content Types For flash content creation, the designer should realize that any hardware, including the IEC4600 Series, has its processing limitations. Animations of small objects with little movement work very well. Many small animations will work better than one big file if there are different types of movements. Note Embed all desired fonts within a Flash file so that the font will display exactly the way you want it to display.
Chapter 1 Content Types Content Types • wma2 • flac • mpga • Multiple video formats are supported on the native player including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and H.264. • Multiple containers/muxers are supported on the native player including AVI, MOV, MP4, MPEG2, and MPEG-2/TS (extensions: .wmv, .avi, .mov, .mp4, .mpg, .ts). • Formats not recommended: On2 VP 6 (used by old FLV) Video Figure 1-1 Video Encoding Standards and Implications Note Native video is strongly preferred over Flash video.
Chapter 1 Content Types Content Types Note Use of the native player strongly preferred over HTML5 video. Note The native player’s video compatibility can be validated by using VLC 2.0.8. • Video performance limitations: When using a native player, the IEC 4610 can support H.264 video up to 720p @ 6Mbps. Note The amount of CPU power required to decode a video clip depends on multiple factors such as codec, bitrate, and resolution of the video source.
Chapter 1 Content Types Content Types Flash Video Ability to update based Minimal to none on external data sources Extensive Flexibility in updating messages Text and or image updates can be produced/transmitted independently of the spot, reducing transmission time and permitting more effortless and affordable message localization Updates to images and/or text generally require complete reproduction/ retransmission of spot Video caching is handled by a separate caching mechanism (assuming the vide
Chapter 1 Content Types Content Types Figure 1-2 Video Optimization Techniques Video Collaboration Video collaboration enables a kiosk user to obtain assistance from a remote service representative via video chat. This tool utilizes the IEC4600 Series’ rich communications and content sharing features.
Chapter 1 Content Types Content Types • Virtual Concierge/Attendant/Receptionist/Greeter: A kiosk with a virtual concierge can be placed at the entrances to buildings or within lobbies. They can greet customers, answer questions, verify identities, and help the customers get to where they need to go. • Virtual Station Agent: A virtual station agent could help passengers find the correct train, answer questions, and assist with problems.
Chapter 1 Content Types Content Types RSS feeds Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds can supply information such as local weather, amber alerts, stock tickers, or news. Many content stakeholders will use RSS feeds, like local weather, to initially capture people’s attention to the display. Unless you have a specific need for it, it is advisable to use no more than one ticker or “message crawl” area on a screen.
Chapter 1 Content Types Cisco Interactive Experience Platform Content Creation Guidelines 1-10 Content Types
CH A P T E R 2 Design Considerations and Best Practices Revised: September 4, 2015 Chapter Overview This chapter describes design considerations and best practices when creating content for the Cisco Interactive Experience Platform.
Chapter 2 Design Considerations and Best Practices Considerations Considerations It is very important to match your content to your business objectives. Depending on your goals, various types of content work better in some environments than others. It is important that the content is compelling and relevant. A good mix of content will keep users engaged. Branding should be consistent across all your advertising media so that users recognize your brand at the kiosk.
Chapter 2 Design Considerations and Best Practices Considerations advertisement will have both audio and visual components. If there is an audio component, make sure that the area where the kiosk is placed is quiet enough for the user to clearly hear the advertisement. While advertising is important, do not display ads on a continual basis else users will come to the conclusion that is the kiosk’s true purpose causing them to leave the kiosk and not return to it in the future.
Chapter 2 Design Considerations and Best Practices Considerations • Message duration: Change the duration that each message plays. For example, the first message may run for 15 seconds, the second message for 30 seconds, the third message for 20 seconds, and the fourth message for 45 seconds. • Playlist length: The playlist length should be planned according to the venues and the average dwell time of the user.
Chapter 2 Design Considerations and Best Practices Considerations promotions for family-friendly restaurants at the airport (“kids eat free!”), demonstrations on how to go thru security, pinpointing the best locations for watching planes take off or land, and cheap transportation into the city. Display Logistics When designing the content, consider the following logistics of your displays: • The IEC4600 Series can support a video display that is up to 1920x1080 (1080p).
Chapter 2 Design Considerations and Best Practices Best Practices • Release of new products or services: When are new products or services released? Retailers typically have four release cycles - one for each season of the year. • Budget for refreshes ADA Compliance Interactive content should be accessible to all. There are features built into the IEC4600 Series that will allow those with disabilities to interact with the kiosk.
Chapter 2 Design Considerations and Best Practices Best Practices • Ensure that there is a white space border along the sides of the screen to avoid any of the text or images from being distorted at the edges. It will also make it easier for users to see the entire screen if they are viewing the display at an angle. This border does not have to be white; it can be any color. Color The text and background colors should contrast each other. Light text on dark background reads best.
Chapter 2 Best Practices Cisco Interactive Experience Platform Content Creation Guidelines 2-8 Design Considerations and Best Practices
CH A P T E R 3 Layouts Revised: September 4, 2015 Chapter Overview Layouts are the blueprints for how content will appear on the screens. This chapter gives ideas about how you can create templates and zones for different types of information and content.
Chapter 3 Layouts Layouts and Templates Layouts and Templates When dividing the layout into multiple zones of content, consider the size of the screen, the amount of information that is desired, and the amount of screen space needed by the applications. In some cases a simple layout with just a few zones has more impact particularly if the time that the user will typically spend with the kiosk will be short.
Chapter 3 Layouts Layouts and Templates 5. Commerce zone - Displays advertisements, videos, animations, or static graphics 6. Logo zone - Identifies a sponsor’s name and the displays the accessibility button The zones will be discussed in detail later in this chapter. Figure 3-1 Portrait Template with Six Zones In this template, the zones have the following dimensions: 1. The information zone is 1080 x 180 pixels. 2. The news zone is 1080 x 80 pixels. 3.
Chapter 3 Layouts Layouts and Templates Figure 3-2 Portrait Template with Five Zones Landscape Landscape templates are designed for horizontally mounted displays. The examples below are designed for displays that have a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9 and a screen resolution of 1080 pixels high by 1920 pixels wide. Landscape templates generally have fewer zones than portrait templates.
Chapter 3 Layouts Content Zones • Services Zone (left): Listing of applications available (local train schedules, banking, e-commerce) • Application or Commerce Zone (right): Applications or playback of live or pre-recorded video or advertisements • News Zone: RSS posting of local or company news, security alerts Figure 3-3 Landscape Template with Four Zones Templates can also be created with fewer zones. For example a template created with two zones (e.g.
Chapter 3 Layouts Content Zones • Time • Date • Weather - Real time weather information based on user defined location. Weather data provider is also customizable based on local availability. News Zone The news zone appears underneath the information zone in the portrait templates above but as the bottom zone in the landscape template with four zones. The news zone displays RSS feeds such as news tickers or service advisories.
Chapter 3 Layouts Content Zones Figure 3-4 News Zone on Cisco’s Kiosks Application Zone The application zone is interactive. Applications run in a multi-tasking fashion, even if they are not currently displayed. This zone can also display a website or play audio or HD video. The example below is an interactive map.
Chapter 3 Layouts Content Zones Figure 3-5 Interactive Map in the Application Zone If there are multiple applications available, users can choose from application icons in the services zone. The application then appears in the application zone. Alternatively, application icons can be the default screen in the application zone. The drawback of that is that the user cannot quickly move from one application to another; they first have to go back to the default screen to choose another application.
Chapter 3 Layouts Content Zones Figure 3-6 Application Icons in the Application Zone When a user interacts with this zone, it can cause other zones to change the content they are currently displaying. For example, if the user wants to see a demo of a product or watch a video, the user requests it in the application zone which then can trigger a video or animation to play in the commerce zone.
Chapter 3 Layouts Content Zones Note When designing an application, it is a good practice to place a descriptive title of the application at the top of the application so the user identifies that application. A bank, for example, can title an application “Special Offers” so that customers knew what application they were interacting with. Airports can use: “Plan and Book Your Tip”, “Airport Information”, “To and From the Airport”, and “Shop and Eat”.
Chapter 3 Layouts Content Zones Commerce Zone The commerce zone is an area that is ideal for playing videos or animations to advertise products or services. The advertisements can be for your company or for other companies if you sell the ad space. The ads can be controlled by a playlist, which can change over the course of the day to target different users’ needs.
Chapter 3 Layouts Content Zones Figure 3-12 Virtual Assistance in the Commerce Zone Logo Zone The logo zone can be used to display the following: • A sponsor’s logo • A disabilities assistance button • Announcement ticker: Display custom messages or live RSS news feeds in a scrolling ticker.
Chapter 3 Layouts Content Zones If the content is ADA compliant, a disabilities assistance button should be displayed at the bottom of the template so that it can easily be accessed by a person in a wheelchair. The disabilities assistance button will bring up a sub menu of individual disabilities: wheelchair, hearing impaired, and visually impaired. The wheelchair button will swap the services and application zones with the commerce zone for a person in a wheelchair to access the interactive applications.
Chapter 3 Layouts Industries and Sectors Industries and Sectors This section provides ideas of how content can be designed for the following industries and sectors: • Transportation • Airport • Retail • Banking • Public Sector • Corporate Transportation The interactive kiosks and video displays can be used in bus stations or train stations.
Chapter 3 Layouts Industries and Sectors • City wayfinding: Touch screen map of nearest city to help passengers reach their hotel. This information should appear on kiosks/displays in the arrivals lounge, taxi ranks, train platforms, and passport and customs areas. • Taxi Booking: This application allows user to book a taxi. To book a taxi, user is required to choose the taxi type, pick up time and pick point. • Shops and restaurants within the terminals: Map, menus, and offers for passengers.
Chapter 3 Industries and Sectors Figure 3-14 Design for a Retail Kiosk Screen Cisco Interactive Experience Platform Content Creation Guidelines 3-16 Layouts
Chapter 3 Layouts Industries and Sectors Figure 3-15 Design for a Retail Kiosk Screen Banking Financial services applications include: • Online Banking: Touch screen interaction allows users to perform simple transactions and avoid teller wait times • Product Information: Interactive product information –provide investment, credit, mortgage products and rates • Cross-Sell/ Up-sell: Provide information and recommendations on additional products based on user interaction Cisco Interactive Experience
Chapter 3 Layouts Industries and Sectors Figure 3-16 Design for a Bank Kiosk Screen Public Sector This solution also benefits public sector. For example, tourists and citizens can get information throughout a city where kiosks are set up with interactive maps and information benefiting both tourists visiting the city and the people who live there.
Chapter 3 Layouts Industries and Sectors Corporate Furthermore, companies can set up kiosks in their lobbies and cafeterias so that visitors and employees can access information. At Cisco headquarters in San Jose, California kiosks are set up in lobbies of buildings, the Cisco Executive Briefing Center, the employee store, and cafeteria.
Chapter 3 Industries and Sectors Cisco Interactive Experience Platform Content Creation Guidelines 3-20 Layouts
CH A P T E R 4 Content Management Revised: September 4, 2015 Chapter Overview It is important to follow a process when developing content for this solution. Developing content without a process in place or skipping a phase could be costly in the end, resulting in ineffective or irrelevant content that needs to be re-designed. This chapter provides suggestions on how to plan, develop, implement, and maintain content for the Cisco Interactive Experience Platform.
Chapter 4 Content Management Define Business Goals • Time line: How many weeks will be allotted to design and build the content? What are the dates for getting approval, educating employees, and conducting the pilot? When is the roll out date? • Budget: What is the budget for initial content creation? What is the budget for refreshing and updating the content? • Communication: How will this project be communicated internally and externally? Who is responsible for that communication? • Support: If
Chapter 4 Content Management Design and Build • Reason for their visit: What is the reason that customers are coming to your establishment (shopping, traveling, commuting, conduct transactions, becoming informed, etc.
Chapter 4 Content Management Conduct a Pilot and Revise Content as Necessary Conduct a Pilot and Revise Content as Necessary Once the content has been approved, it is a good practice to conduct a pilot in a few locations. A pilot allows you to test the effectiveness of the design and relevancy of the content. You can also test multiple designs or messaging to see which ones have the most positive impact.
Chapter 4 Content Management Update and Refresh Content Refreshing content is important to keep consumers/commuters engaged. Just as all other advertising medium (print, television, radio, direct mail, websites, etc.) should be refreshed at regular intervals, the solution content should be refreshed often. If consumers/commuters have seen the same content each time they come into your store or enter a mass transit station, they may be less likely to interact with the kiosk making it less effective.
Chapter 4 Update and Refresh Content Cisco Interactive Experience Platform Content Creation Guidelines 4-6 Content Management
A P P E N D I X A Content Guidelines Revised: September 4, 2015 Content Guidelines The following table lists the content guidelines. Table A-1 Video formats Content Guidelines Multiple video formats are supported on the native player including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and H.264. Multiple containers/muxers are supported on the native player including AVI, MOV, MP4, MPEG2, and MPEG-2/TS (extensions: .wmv, .avi, .mov, .mp4, .mpg, .ts).
Appendix A Content Guidelines Content Guidelines Video Performance Limitations When using a native player, the IEC 4610 can support H.264 video up to 720p @ 6Mbps. Note The amount of CPU power required to decode a video clip depends on multiple factors such as codec, bitrate, and resolution of the video source. Different video codecs have different compression algorithms. H.
