World - The LSi team is getting ready for their festive break, but before we go, we’d like to thank you for reading and supporting us this year.
Our daily online news service will resume on Tuesday, 2 January 2024, but if you find yourself missing LSi in the meantime, all 38 years’ worth of our back catalogue is accessible for free, HERE.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
The LSi team
UK - Provider of AV and IT services Tateside, is marking 15 years of operations. In 2008, amid the challenges of a global recession, Tateside emerged out of a conversation among the co-founders, Andy Sullivan, Graham Agambar and Richard Day, who were all previously employed by Astro Communications, based in Kent. The trio recognised an opportunity to deliver fully managed services encompassing telecommunications, networks and audio-visual solutions. Their inaugural client, Time Inc. (formerly IPC Media), entrusted Tateside with a comprehensive service contract, marking the beginning of the young company's success story.
Based at the Blue Fin Building, nestled behind the Tate Modern on Bankside, Time Inc.’s offices were the focal point of Tateside's early operations. Under the direction of Andy, Graham and Richard, the team managed an extensive technology infrastructure, from data centres to meeting spaces and a striking 40m LED wall throughout the 3000+ employee-occupied building. This experience paved the way for Tateside's expansion into the audio-visual market, capitalising on its expertise in IP-based networks.
"We embarked on this journey to provide the very best in audio-visual and IT services. It's an incredible feeling to celebrate 15 years of realising that vision," says Andy Sullivan. "Following our work at Time Inc., we wanted to break away from servicing just one client and offer other services to new clients, therefore we needed to expand the team. This was when Jack Cornish came on board as a junior technician. Today, Jack is our technica
Germany - As the current fiscal year draws to a close, Neumann & Müller Veranstaltungstechnik presented an initial assessment at its shareholder meeting and examined the prospects for 2024.
The conclusion reached by the N&M managing board was that, following the disruptions caused by the corona pandemic, the company is now on an "absolutely stable long-term course". In view of this assessment, the shareholders of the service provider for technology for live communication expressed their confidence in the management.
Following on from a period lasting almost three years in which the event sector was forced to absorb considerable losses due to the COVID19 pandemic, commissioning has picked up significantly in the current fiscal year.
N&M can also look back on 2023 with satisfaction: "We are on an absolutely stable long-term course," said Christoph Rupieper, the director in charge of financial affairs. "Our planning for 2023 once again envisaged turnovers in the three-digit million range. We reached this target across the board – and some areas even exceeded their targets for the year. We continue to be firmly established as one of the leading companies in the market."
At the autumn meeting of N&M shareholders in mid-November, the managing board also presented the prospects for the coming year. And the forecast is also extremely positive: "Potential projects announced by our clients so far for 2024 already exceed our turnover for 2023." In view of the fact that this tendency is set to continue in the reinvigorated live commun
USA - In-ear monitor specialist Jerry Harvey Audio LLC (JH Audio) has filed for Chapter 11 reorganisation protection with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Florida.
Although the specific details and terms of the filing currently remain undisclosed, JH Audio Founder Jerry Harvey has issued the following statement: “The recent global pandemic created unparalleled challenges for businesses across the nation, and our company was no exception. Despite the resilience and determination of our team, the prolonged closures within the music and live sound industry, combined with reduced customer traffic, made it increasingly challenging to sustain normal business operations.
“In those unprecedented circumstances, we sought financial assistance through federal loans. Unfortunately, the complexity of the federal loan terms and the uncertainty surrounding the economic recovery have posed additional hurdles on us, and after careful consideration and exploring all other available options, we have made the decision to file for Chapter 11 reorganization protection.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but it was a necessary step to restructure our financial obligations to allow us to get back to developing and managing the business. I am extremely grateful to my employees, customers, and partners for their unwavering support at this time.
“My priority is to repay their support and emerge from this process as a stronger and more resilient business. Our drive to innovate has never been stronger with new products coming to market,
Eurovision 2024 - Olly Alexander will represent the United Kingdom at next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. The former Years and Years frontman will hope to improve on the UK's disappointing performance this year, when Mae Muller came second to last. Alexander is already known around Europe for hits including Desire, King and If You're Over Me.
The star's participation was revealed during the final of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday, months before the BBC usually confirms its Eurovision plans. "I love Eurovision so much, it's a dream come true," he told host Claudia Winkleman. "I'm just so, so excited." In a press release, he added: "I really can't believe I'm going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible. I'm determined to give it everything I've got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!"
Old Gold - An orchestra set up to make recordings of ‘neglected’ music using period instruments is marking its 50th year. The Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) in Cambridge has released 300 albums and has more than a million monthly listeners on streaming platforms. It said it was "proud" to be a popular period-instrument orchestra. Working with music colleges and universities across the UK, the orchestra hopes to engage the next generation of period instrumentalists. An education programme includes scholarships with an "emphasis on intellectual rigour".
Hot Property - Radio 1 listeners have voted Welcome to the DCC by Noth
UK - As the year draws to a close, Backup Tech warmly acknowledges the exceptional individuals whose unwavering dedication and adventurous spirit have helped to bolster the charity's fundraising efforts.
"We extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has gone above and beyond to support our cause, from the passionate participants to the generous donors and committed supporters,” says Backup’s Jess Allan. “Together, we can truly impact the lives of individuals within our industry."
November saw artistic creation, Black Hole - End of Time, conceived by award-winning lighting designer and musician, Paul Alty, return in spectacular fashion, captivating audiences with its immersive experience. Over three nights, the event raised funds for Backup Tech as well as the host venue, Old Christ Church in Liverpool. Paul's dedication to fundraising resulted in a generous donation, a testament to the profound impact of his artistic vision.
Exhibiting extraordinary perseverance was Greg Westwood, who took on the massive challenge of 100km ultra run from Putney in Southwest London to Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire in just one day this September in support of Backup. "We are an industry of friends and friends of friends,” he says. “Friends look out for each other when they struggle or get sick. Be it mental health or physical illness, that's where Backup comes in.”
Frustratingly for Greg, he had to pull out at the 78k mark, which is still a massive achievement, and he raised a fantastic amount of money. He is determined to complete
UK - Following on from the ABTT’s inaugural Make A Difference conference held earlier this year at the Albany in Deptford, the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) has announced the launch of the second edition of this annual proactive conference day - committed to finding solutions to current industry issues.
The 2024 conference will be held on Friday 12 April 2024 at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama’s Embassy Theatre in London. The theme for this year’s discussion is ‘Bridging the gap between Education and Industry’,
The conference is designed to be more than simply talking, say the organisers. There is no passive sitting and listening at the conference, if you attend, your thoughts, views and ideas are welcome, and you will spend the day developing ideas. By asking attendees to commit to taking action and developing strategies, delegates all help to achieve solutions for the issues discussed.
One of the key themes to come out of the 2023 conference, which was based on ‘solving our industry’s recruitment & retention crisis’, was training and education - so, the 2024 theme will be reviewing current training provisions within the industry.
The 2024 conference will be a chance for those in education to share what they know about current trends, wants and the needs of our trainee backstage workers while also giving the industry the opportunity to share what they need from our teaching establishments and how that might have changed over time.
On the conference day the ABTT will be reviewing th
UK - Peerless-AV has presented a fundraising cheque to Young Lives vs Cancer after the third annual charity golf day on 28 September, held this year at Foxhills in Surrey. In previous years, the company has supported Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and Ruth Strauss Foundation; charities close to the hearts of Peerless-AV’s management team, employees and their families.
Young Lives vs Cancer is a UK cancer charity whose care teams provide specialist support for children, young people and their families across the country. It is shocking that an average 12 children and young people a day are diagnosed with cancer. Twelve families will receive this devastating news today and Young Lives vs Cancer will be able to use this £13,500 donation to support those families in their time of greatest need.
Clare Moulder, a parent whose life has been directly affected by childhood cancer, presented her son’s emotional story to guests at the charity golf day. Hearing how Young Lives vs Cancer supported her and her family through the toughest of times helps people to understand the vital care and support that the charity provides across the UK and how and where donations are making a difference.
Kim Mangelshot, fundraising engagement manager for Young Lives vs Cancer - North London, Hertfordshire and Essex, commented: “Thank you to everyone involved with the Peerless-AV Charity Golf Day and for supporting Young Lives vs Cancer. £13,500 is an incredible amount of money, which could go on to cover 355 overnight stays in one of our Homes from Home - tha
Ticket To Ride - Taylor Swift's concert tour brought in about $1.04bn (£829m) in gross sales across its first 60 shows, a new record, trade publication Pollstar said. Swift’s success came during a bumper year for a concert business. Overall, the top 100 global tours brought in more than $9bn (£7.17bn) this year in gross sales, up 46% from 2022, which had itself seen record-setting spending, Pollstar said.
Beyoncé and Bruce Springsteen rounded out the top three concerts of the year. However, Swift, whose tour started in Arizona in March, did not just bring in more money than anyone else. She also did it faster, Pollstar said, and her mass popularity meant she played exclusively to stadiums - which seat bigger crowds. By contrast, it took previous record-setter Elton John 328 shows to bring in $939m (£749m) during his five-year farewell tour, which spanned the pandemic.
"While the data is staggering, Swift's massive success this year shouldn't come as a surprise to any sentient being," Pollstar said. It is the latest record in a year filled with them for Swift, who earned the Person of the Year accolade from Time Magazine.
Small Convenience - A tiny theatre based in a former public toilet in Worcestershire has been put up for sale. The local council currently owns Edith Walk Theatre in Great Malvern, better known as the Theatre of Small Convenience due to its former use. The authority says it is in need of a new owner to help bring it back to its former glory. The theatre seats just 12 people and gained a place in the Gui
USA - EFM Global has promoted former Kuehne + Nagel lynchpin Mattias Becker to vice-president for North America, with immediate effect. Becker, who joined EFM from Fluence, a Siemens and AES company in Alpharetta, Georgia, brings more than 30 years of logistics experience to the VP role.
Based in the US since 2003, Becker has also worked in Europe and Asia for companies including Schenker and Birkhart Fairs + Events.
Mattias Becker comments: “I watched EFM’s reach and reputation grow in the United States and I wanted to be a part of it. The mix of EFM infrastructure and people, coast to coast, has so much history and so much potential, across the event sector and beyond, it’s a really exciting opportunity.”
Gary Morter, EFM Global’s group COO & CEO North America, said: “Mattias has been with us since January 2023 and his immense knowledge about our sector, on both sides of the Atlantic, has already proved invaluable. Aligned with and committed to the EFM culture and its no-fail service proposition, Mattias has integrated perfectly with the team.
“We have very high aspirations for our USA business and under Mattias Becker’s leadership, I’m confident EFM can look forward to a sustained period of growth there.”
In Los Angeles since 2005, EFM Global also has infrastructure in San Francisco, Atlanta Portland, Michigan and New York, alongside its UK, Europe, Middle East and Australia operations.
Sustainable Theatre - Bristol Old Vic has installed solar panels on its roof as part of its commitment to sustainability. A redevelopment in 2019 allowed the installation to happen, which was carried out by Solarsense. Productions and operations director David Harraway said: "The phase of refurbishment we completed five years ago helped ensure our building was working hard to be as sustainable as possible, but this was a missing piece until now."
He explained that previous renovations have seen the building install LED lighting, a community greenhouse, automated building management systems and passive ventilation, which all contributed to the venue’s commitment to sustainability.
Stephen Barratt at Bristol’s Solarsense said: "We pride ourselves on a solution-focused approach to buildings like the Bristol Old Vic. Working around an entire theatre set that arrived at the same time as we did or keeping the noise down while rehearsals were taking place ensured the show came first. But it didn’t get in the way of what we achieved during installation and are achieving on historic buildings all over the UK."
Size Matters - A 2,000-seat theatre is being planned for Swindon on the site of a bus station, with the town’s current performing arts venue described as “too small” by the council’s arts boss. Swindon Borough Council has plans to demolish the bus station on Manchester Road and move it to the new Fleming Way bus park in 2025 as part of a £30m scheme. A new theatre is proposed on the site of the bus station.
Wyvern Theatre,
UK - In its 25th year, live event production workers charity Stagehand, has launched the Christmas fundraiser, #I Love Live 3.
This year's campaign recognises the immense challenges faced by the live event production industry and aims to provide crucial support to UK-based touring and festival crews dealing with serious physical or mental ill health. #I Love Live 3 launched on Friday 1 December, with tickets available now.
Previous I Love Live events have featured Liam Gallagher’s Les Paul guitar, Glastonbury Festival tickets, and Dave Grohl's signed DW ICON snare drum, raising over £900,000 for stage crew impacted by the pandemic.
This year, #I Love Live 3 will see signed set lists from a star-studded line-up including Paolo Nutini, Prodigy, Nile Rodgers, Bring Me The Horizon, Duran Duran, James Bay, New Order, Natalie Imbruglia, Everything Everything, Blossoms, Wet Leg, Maisie Peters and The 1975, plus a drum skin from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Additionally, unsigned memorabilia from Michael Jackson’s This Is It tour, and a piece originally owned by Pink Floyd will be included.
Jonathan Higgs, frontman of art rock band Everything Everything, emphasises the crucial role crew members play in touring activities, stating: “Our crew are a vital part of our touring activities; we couldn’t do it without them. I’d encourage all live music fans to get involved and give back to the people behind the scenes.”
Lighting designer Tom Campbell of MIRRAD, who has worked with an array of high-profile bands, including Br
USA - Behind the Scenes has announced that AC Power Distribution (ACPD), a brand of ACT Entertainment, has joined the Pledge-of-Support Programme. ACPD will contribute a portion of the profits from their new LunchBoxPD data and power distribution system to the charity.
ACT Entertainment is a leading supplier of entertainment industry products across six different end markets, including professional lighting and control equipment; audio, video, fibre and power distribution; cables; connectivity; metalwork; custom manufacturing; and design.
ACPD’s LunchBoxPD integrates power and data distribution into one device without compromising either. The LunchBoxPD nodes offer four DMX ports to break out from an Ethernet data network, while still allowing data to pass through. In doing so, it delivers CRMX wireless DMX data directly to a traditional lunchbox power solution, providing robust DMX throughput as well as six individually optically isolated outputs. The LunchBoxPD will be on display for the first time at LDI 2023.
AC Power Distribution products vice-president James Davey stated, “BTS is an amazing organisation providing much needed support when members of our industry need it most. We're very proud to help support this worthy cause.”
Rick Rudolph, BTS Foundation chair commented: “Behind the Scenes is immensely pleased to have an industry leader like ACT Entertainment join our Pledge-of-Support Programme. Their dedicated support is an integral part in sustaining our mission.”
The Behind the Scenes Foundation provides financial
Palace News - Chaka Khan is celebrating 50 years in the music business with a concert at Blenheim Palace. The 10-time Grammy winner, who turned 70 in March, will appear on a triple bill alongside Sister Sledge and The Fatback Band on 13 June. The concert is part of Blenheim's five-night Nocturne Live concert series, which takes place from 12 to 16 June. Crowded House, Sheryl Crow and Turin Brakes are already confirmed to appear at Blenheim on the closing night.
Crazy Prices - Dominic West has criticised “crazy” ticket prices in the West End, claiming theatre is “more tangible” outside of London. The actor, who will play Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge at Ustinov Studio in Bath next year, said high ticket prices were a “bad thing”. His statement comes after David Tennant also hit out at the “ludicrous” cost of West End tickets in August, saying that the future of theatregoing was at risk because of it.
West, in an interview with The Times, said high prices meant "only a certain small group of people will be going to the theatre and probably not enjoying it much". He added: “You get a lot of tourists in London and people are not necessarily [in the theatre] because they want to be there… it is because it is part of the tourist trail.”
Rising Stars - Caity Baser, The Last Dinner Party and Sekou have been announced as the nominees in the running for this year's Brit Rising Star award. The winner will claim the title from Flo, who were recognised in 2023. Other previous winners
Europe - Following a record-breaking 2023 ride, BikeFest returns to Spain for the third year from 26-28 January 2024, cycling 360km towards ISE in Barcelona. Last year, the BikeFest team raised an incredible £50,000 for industry charity Backup Tech, and they hope to go even further this year.
Organised by PLASA, #WeMakeEvents and AFIAL, BikeFest is seeking new members to join them for the upcoming ride, as well as sponsors who are interested in aligning with important industry values.
The three-day route will begin in Valencia and travel along the stunning Mediterranean coast via Peñiscola and Salou toward Barcelona. Once at ISE, the BikeFest team will be presented with their medals at a drinks reception, where they can celebrate their achievement.
Team members will receive meals and accommodation as part of the entry fee. Plus, a support vehicle will on-hand along the route and specialist bikes will be available for hire. Furthermore, the ride helps to facilitate valuable friendships from all corners of the industry.
Nicky Greet, membership, skills & technical director for PLASA and member of the #WeMakeEvents steering group, says: “BikeFest has become a really valuable annual event, bringing together people from across the industry. Thanks to all those who sponsored the riders and the event in 2023. Not only do we raise money for a very worthy cause, everyone has a great time while doing it! I hope you’ll join in to help us beat the £50,000 raised last year!”
Juan Jose Vila, CMO and COO of Equipson and leader of #WeMake
UK - PLASA recently hosted the 2023 Member AGM at the Victory Services Club in London, for an afternoon of friendly networking and business insights.
PLASA chair Adam Blaxill kicked off proceedings by sharing the association’s activities and plans. Plus, new board members and board positions were announced.
Following the official AGM, attendees enjoyed a virtual presentation from renowned behavioural economist, Roger Martin-Fagg. During which, Roger detailed the current economic position of the UK and provided his expert financial forecast for the year ahead.
Then record-breaking mountaineer Kenton Cool took to the stage for an invigorating talk in which he shared harrowing stories of survival and unbelievable feats.
To round off the event, members and guests enjoyed drinks and canapes into the evening, sharing industry experiences and anecdotes.
PLASA managing director, Peter Heath, comments, “I would like to deeply thank everyone who attended the PLASA Member AGM this year. I hope you left feeling inspired, with a good number of new contacts too. There’s plenty more in the calendar for 2024, including the Member Business Forum which will tackle the growing challenge of sustainability, and I hope to see many of you there.”
All members are invited to the PLASA Member Business Forum which will return to the Victory Services Club on 18 January, to discuss sustainability and carbon reduction. Find out more at www.plasa.org/member-business-forum/
Backstage Roles - Venues around the UK - including Chichester Festival Theatre and the Lyric Theatre Belfast - are partnering to offer a total of 20 people full-time backstage roles as part of a scheme that aims to stem the exodus of talent in the sector during the pandemic. It is part of a £1.5m two-year pilot programme, previously announced by Sam Mendes in 2021, as part of the Theatre Artists Fund. Mendes said at the time that Theatre Artists Fund was to be developed into a two-year pilot bursary programme to provide long-term support to theatre freelancers.
It has been created to address the shifts in the creative workforce after the pandemic and will investigate support for mid-career artists by creating full-time positions in arts organisations across the UK.
Twenty people will be offered full-time two-year positions in backstage roles in the industry, with up to 15 organisations hosting these positions. The organisations signed up so far are Theatre Royal Plymouth, York Theatre Royal with Wise Children, Leeds Playhouse, Chichester Festival Theatre, Lyric Theatre Belfast, Nottingham Playhouse (with Rocket and Glitter Productions), Unicorn Theatre, Kiln Theatre, National Theatre with National Theatre Productions, National Theatre of Scotland and Theatr Clwyd.
Participants will take on roles in production management, design, company management, lighting, automation and rigging, costume, props, draughting and scenic art.
Planning Update - Plans for a Las Vegas-style ‘Sphere’ entertainment venue on the edge of the Olympic Park in
USA - As part of the Behind the Scenes (BTS) Mental Health Initiative, BTS and LDI are bringing the Wellness Lounge to LDI 2023, (3-5 December) in Las Vegas. The Wellness Lounge offers attendees a safe space to learn about mental and physical health through daily presentations, activities, and one-on-one consultations.
Each morning will start with Cup of Coffee Yoga where no experience, equipment, or special attire is required for a brief yoga practice with ETC’s VP of marketing, David Lincecum. Immediately following, participants can sample the benefits of breathing and meditation with University of Tennessee lighting professor and licensed meditation instructor Kenton Yeager.
In the afternoons, all attendees are invited to experience short presentations by industry colleagues on a range of topics that can improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
Eddie Raymond will explain the importance of sleep in his talks on the Biology of Sleep and the Effects of Sleep Deprivation in the Entertainment Industry.
Luther Bell and Molly Michelman will provide a Layperson’s Guide to Eating Healthier on the Road
Steven Michelman will provide an Introduction to Mental Health First Aid and Lori Rubinstein will provide an overview of tools and resources offered through the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative
In addition, BTS is offering NARCAN overdose prevention training classes on through the There is No Hero In Heroin Foundation. The training covers basic harm reduction principles, basic harm reduction t
UK - This year, the Association of British Theatre Technicians’ annual general meeting and council election announcement took place at the landmark venue Woolwich Works, London on the 31October.
Three vacancies on the ABTT Council came into being at the time of the AGM. The council, which is made up of 11 trustee-directors, each elected by the membership maintains the running of the ABTT Group, is responsible for the overall management of the ABTT and provides vital support in steering and advising the association’s work.
The ABTT received nominations for election as a trustee-director from Alexander Cann, senior lighting tutor at Mountview and Anton Woodword, managing director - AVW Controls (who had both completed their current three-year term of office and wished to reapply) and from Suzy Somerville, head of production at Birmingham Rep.
As three nominations were received to fill three open vacancies, no vote was required and ABTT CEO Robin Townley welcomed Alex Cann, Suzy Somerville and Anton Woodward to the ABTT Council to serve a three-year term, joining Louise Birchall, Oliver Brown, Mig Burgess Walsh, David Evans, Anette Ollerearnshaw, Matthew Smethurst Evens, Ben Stephens and Emma Wilson. Robin's welcome was echoed by all those gathered.
Island Life - Plans for a new film and television studio on the Isle of Wight are still live a year after they were announced, the council has insisted. Medina Studios unveiled proposals to construct the complex on the banks of the Medina River, East Cowes, in November 2022. The council said designs were being worked up but no planning application has yet been put forward. It said the US writers' strike had affected demand for UK studio space.
Medina Studios said last year the facility would have four sound stages totalling 70,000sq.ft and be the island's "first screen-based media hub". Production workshops, offices and other related facilities could also be built, creating nearly 1,000 jobs. It added it would benefit from "copious amounts of filming locations on its doorstep" on the island.
Festival Funding - Edinburgh’s annual arts festivals will receive more than £630,000 of funding from the Scottish government as part of an ongoing initiative to support their “strategic development”. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Edinburgh International Festival, Imaginate Children’s Festival and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival will receive £75,000 each.
Scotland’s culture minister Christina McKelvie said the money demonstrated the Scottish government’s “commitment to investing in arts and culture” and would benefit “communities right across the city”. The money, which will be distributed by Creative Scotland, is a continuation of a five-year scheme – now ended – called the Platforms for Creative Excell
Crisis Grants - The Royal Theatrical Fund has launched a one-off Emergency Crisis Grant Award to assist struggling workers in the industry during the cost-of-living crisis. The grant, open for applications from 1 November, is intended to help those who are "unable to meet their essential needs" due to an unexpected change in circumstances.
The non-profit organisation cited the continuing cost-of-living crisis as a factor behind the initiative, and suggested grants could be used to pay phone bills, buy school uniform and for food. Eligible applicants must derive their main income from the entertainment business and have worked professionally in the industry for seven years, with professional training included within that time.
The RTF launched a similar small crisis grant scheme, the Fleabag Support Fund, in 2021. The scheme awarded more than £1.7m to theatre industry professionals in need of assistance. In a statement clarifying the capacity of its forthcoming grant award, an RTF spokesperson said: "The Royal Theatrical Fund are not limiting the support amount. As with all their grants, they assess each case individually and it is based on the need. Applicants should be in receipt of all benefits they are entitled to from the government."
Samantha Bond, actor and chair of the fund, said: "The RTF continues to make every effort to support people in the entertainment industry in the most desperate times and that is why we have launched an Emergency Crisis Grant, running for the next six months. We do not want anyone in need to be afraid to turn on th
UK - HireHop, the cloud equipment rental software, has been adding new features at a rapid pace and has just released their supercharged scanning module, that can also be run as a progressive web app on any device.
This new addition is free to all users, even the users using the free version of HireHop.
HireHop’s product manager, Daniel Shenker, said: “HireHop’s ethos is not just doing the minimum to say we have “a feature”, we always strive to implement features never seen or tried before and, with our new scanning app, we have invented new technology to give users more scanning functionality than ever before to further boost their warehouse productivity and accuracy. We are so proud to give our users all of these world class features, and at no extra cost.”
The new scanning app is fully adaptive and works on all mobile devices, including mobile PDA scanners. Users can even use their phone camera as a barcode or QR code reader from within the app. The new app can use many technologies together or separately, including barcodes, QR codes, RFID, and even manual batch entry. There are many more advanced features, as well as simple ones, like giving users the ability to customise sounds for scans and messages.
An important new addition is the ability to buffer scans if your device is out of network range. When within range of a network, the technology HireHop developed also allows all devices to talk to each other in real time, ensuring that scans are updated instantly on all devices that need to know. You can even now scan out a
UK - Staged at the conclusion of its recent On Tour event at Production Park in Wakefield, this year’s expanded format Production Futures Breakthrough Awards proved to be a major success.
The Awards recognise and mark the achievements of young talent within the production industries, with a mission to inspire the next generation. Designed in cooperation with Awards sponsors, the 2023 edition based the ‘prize’ around ‘opportunity and access’ in contrast to the customary ‘glass trophy recognition.
More than 200 people from countries including Germany, USA, Dubai and the Netherlands in attendance to witness 18 winners receive their awards in 20 categories.
Chief executive Hannah Eakins was thrilled with the response to the updated format: “It was hands-down the best thing we could have done. We loved the new concept because the recipients got so much more than a medal! In some cases, they won paid work opportunities, while others benefitted from mentorships or visits to award sponsor headquarters. Having direct links to these world-leading businesses means so much more in practical terms than simply receiving a trophy.
“A huge highlight for us is the diversity of the nominees and winners. We reach a fantastically wide pool of talent through our social media marketing and with the result that the Awards event is a real celebration of positive change. It really isn’t just about winning - it’s about creating a free networking event in which newcomers feel part of a supportive, safe and inclusive community.”
Keynote speake
Europe - Business West, one of the UK’s largest Chambers of Commerce, and EFM Global, international logistics consultant for live events and special projects, have successfully transported camera equipment from Heathrow to Brussels and back using a digital carnet. This is claimed to be the world’s first demonstration of a digital carnet in action.
When commercial goods, such as musical equipment for a touring band, are exported temporarily, it is typically by way of ATA Carnets. Referred to as ‘passports for goods’, ATA Carnets can contain more than one hundred pieces of paper, requiring numerous physical authorisation stamps.
For a large-scale movement of goods, such as those involved in an international tour, there could be suitcases full of paper-based ATA Carnets, which need to be kept and looked after, as loss or incorrect use can incur significant delays and costs.
Brexit has seen the number of carnets rise significantly for UK-based companies - carnets are now used for the movement of goods into and out of the EU - in addition to over 50 other countries across the globe.
The digitisation of the ATA Carnet system simplifies and expedites the carnet process. It also reduces the risk of carnet loss or damage and slashes the environmental impact.
Temporary exporters can apply via a digital platform and download an app, which produces a QR code that customs officers can scan and then digitally stamp the carnet. This has been in development by the International Chambers of Commerce for several years, working to achieve proof