What does LabWerk do?
We create innovative mobile applications which utilise beacon technology. Through beacon technology, we can enhance user experiences through localised content delivery, accurate indoor navigation and a contactless payment option, while providing insight and analytics on foot traffic track density and on-site customer behaviour analytics to the business.
How are attractions able to use beacon technology?
Attractions can use beacon technology to:
• unlock and deliver specific content based on a user’s location
• trigger push notifications on mobile devices when a mobile device detects a beacon’s signal
• deliver an accurate indoor navigation solution to visitors
• gain insights into traffic flow and density
• increase visitor engagement with exhibitions through gamification; for example, visiting each section of the exhibition to unlock all available content to earn a prize or coupon
• offer a wider range of content types
Unlike audioguides, where numbers need to be entered or transmitters scanned, beacon technology makes all information available on a user’s device without needing to take any additional action other than walk into a beacon’s transmitting range.
Because all the content is delivered through a user’s mobile device, there are few restrictions to the types, formats and length of content available. This content is still available in the app on a visitor’s mobile device after their visit, meaning that they can access any and all information again at a later time.
What attractions have you worked with?
Our attractions clients include Zoom Torino zoo in Italy, the Harvard Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments in the US, the Motor Transport Museum in the UK, the Slottsfjellsmuseet museum in Norway and Tulpenland in the Netherlands.
What are the benefits of beacon technology?
LabWerk’s museum platform, mApp, is an all-in-one app for anyone who wants to offer their visitors a unique, personalised experience. Using beacon technology, it offers visitors a range of features, including location-aware content delivery, indoor navigation, gamification and engagement, Passbook integration for coupons and rewards, multilingual content, Facebook and Twitter integration and custom branding to suit your museum.
This technology allows clients to manage, update and add content and languages, access analytics on content, usage and traffic configure beacons signal range and the action they trigger within the app and style the app to suit their brand. Clients can add text, video, photos and audio to their visitor’s edutainment experience.
How is the visitor experience enhanced by beacon technology?
Beacon technology allows the proactive delivery of content. Content and notifications are triggered without the visitor needing to take action, coupons are automatically awarded based on set usage requirements and interactive maps show visitors their current location.
Are there any pitfalls or challenges with this type of technology?
You need an internet connection for users to download the required app before beginning their visit if they have not already done so. Users must also have Bluetooth enabled on their mobile device.
At LabWerk, the starter version of mApp costs about €4,000 ($4,580, £2,960) per year with a contract period of three years, and €12,000 ($13,730, £8,870) per year for the professional version. Custom development projects are available and price is based on individual requirements.
The app also engages visitors with a number of quiz questions. By answering those correctly, the visitor earns a discount coupon to use at the park’s gift shop.