NBD Biblion – Rotunda Digital Showcase
In 2009 H2 Interactive asked BSL to help design and develop a ‘Digital Showcase’. The original concept was created by H2 Interactive. The reason? They were looking for an innovative and attractive way to present and promote books, CDs and other multimedia titles to the public.
So our software developers converted their concept into a product: the Rotunda Digital Showcase. As a result, libraries and bookstores throughout the Netherlands use Rotunda. They can create their own digital shop window – a virtual bookcase with books, DVDs, CDs and even games. Displayed on a large touchscreen, visitors can browse through virtual bookcases divided into different categories and themes. They can then find more information about each title by touching the digital cover. In addition, they can order or reserve these titles directly. Hence this unique form of presentation stimulates book sales and lending in libraries. Rotunda is sold, distributed and supported by NBD Biblion.
“Rotunda is very easy to manage. You can quickly set up and add your own bookshelves. And embedding movies is easy as well. A really nice addition.”
NBD Biblion promotional video…
Create your own bookcase promotions
The Rotunda digital showcase runs on Windows computers connected to touchscreens. The software consists of custom web services, an Oracle database and a Content Management System (CMS). This CMS is linked to an extensive NBD Biblion media database, with a description of all the available (media) titles. So Rotunda editors can quickly and easily create their own ‘bookcases’ by selecting from the NBD database. In addition, they can add YouTube videos and other online media. The editors can send this selection via the internet to other Rotunda screens. As a result, the public can view the selections on Rotunda screens located anywhere in Holland. So an ideal way centralise the production and promotion of new / themed titles. What’s more, editors can update the selection at any time. An easy way to present up-to-date content linked to current events and campaigns.
Create your own bookcase promotions
The Rotunda digital showcase runs on Windows computers connected to touchscreens. The software consists of custom web services, an Oracle database and a Content Management System (CMS). This CMS is linked to an extensive NBD Biblion media database, with a description of all the available (media) titles. So Rotunda editors can quickly and easily create their own ‘bookcases’ by selecting from the NBD database. In addition, they can add YouTube videos and other online media. The editors can send this selection via the internet to other Rotunda screens. As a result, the public can view the selections on Rotunda screens located anywhere in Holland. So an ideal way centralise the production and promotion of new / themed titles. What’s more, editors can update the selection at any time. An easy way to present up-to-date content linked to current events and campaigns.
At BSL, you have come to the right place for…
Software updates
Technology and internet standards have evolved since NBD Bblion released the first Rotunda digital showcase. Public libraries naturally need to follow these changes. So software applications linked to their websites must also be updated. NBD Biblion therefore asked BSL to work on a number of updates. Their aim? To fully integrate Rotunda with the websites and catalogs used by libraries. As a result, we recently launched a completely new version. Our engineers first updated the software so that it can be used on new versions of Windows. Secondly we improved the performance, designing the software for a new generation of processors. And finally we made the communications with library services more secure.
Development of touchscreen applications
BSL has lots of experience developing touchscreen applications. This is because (multi-touch) touchscreens can be used to present products to the public in an innovative and attractive way. Most noteworthy, editors can quickly and easily update virtual bookshelves. Consequently they can be shared and reused on multiple screens. Also at multiple locations. As a result, sharing bookshelves with other users mean that a top 10 only needs to be maintained once. So other editors can simply subscribe to the shared bookshelf or bookshelves and immediately show them on their own Rotunda.
Central web management
Managing content using a central CMS has major advantages. The data is centrally available to all authorized users. They can also manage this date from any workstation with an internet connection. So Rotunda editors centrally manage the content used by Rotunda digital showcase screens. Hence the Rotunda software connects to the central database to retrieve and display the data. When editors modify the data in the CMS, Rotundas throughout the country automatically update their contents to display the latest data.
