A SUNDERLAND technology company is transforming the corridors of power, with multi-touch, interactive and digital projection technology, launched at an exhibition in Westminster Hall.
LamasaTech, an international digital technology enterprise based in Sunderland, with offices in Newcastle and the Middle East, has been working closely with the Parliamentary Archives’ public services and outreach team to create a special commemorative exhibition, that makes use of new technology to enable easy access to a vast repository of information more easily. The interactive display is part of a new ‘Parliament & The First World War Exhibition’, marking the centenary of the First World War.
As a focal point of the exhibition, a custom-built interactive, multi-touch table was manufactured and installed to host the archival collections. An online Content Management System, specifically designed for the museum and heritage sectors, is used to select the content for the table, allowing the team to create new exhibitions, add galleries and publish a variety of media content, along with detailed interpretation of the materials on display. The whole display can be managed by the Archives team and sent to the interactive table with the touch of a button, without them having to leave the office.
Users can delve into the archival collections using the touch table, drawing out the information that sparks their interest, bringing the collections to life. The display was installed earlier this month.
Mahmoud Elsaid, Director of LamasaTech, said: “We are immensely proud to have been chosen by the Houses of Parliament to create a display that will be accessed by hundreds, even thousands of people, and to be representing the North East tech scene in the process.
“All the hard work of our production and development teams, combined with the creativity of this region allow us to support such prestigious national and international clients, sector-wide.”
Louis Bell-Proctor, Consultancy & Development Manager at LamasaTech, added: “The ‘Parliament & The First World War Exhibition has been a fantastic project to be involved with from start to finish.
“The challenge of encapsulating the collections into an accessible, digital format was something that really excited us. The successful design, development and implementation of the technology has been a fantastic effort from all the LamasaTech team and our partners at Parliamentary Archives. We very much look forward to supporting the Houses of Parliament for the duration of the exhibition and in the future.”
LamasaTech repurposed legacy projection equipment, servicing and installing the system to ensure longevity beyond the duration of the exhibition. As energy efficiency is paramount, an industrial media player and timing software were also put in place.
The projection content, designed and developed by LamasaTech, is used to honour those associated with Parliament, who lost their lives during the First World War. Their name, title, age and date of death are animated on a custom-printed backdrop, housed within the exhibition space.
David Prior, Head of Public Services and Outreach, described the overall technology solution as an interesting development in the sector, which is set to drive wider audience engagement.
Mr Prior explained: “I see the technology as an integral part of our regional work and site outreach going forward, in museums and galleries across the country.”
Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s wonderful to see a Sunderland business taking its technology to a place that is of such national significance.
“We have some phenomenally innovative businesses in Sunderland, and to see them flying the flag for us in Westminster is fantastic.”
The Parliament & The First World War Exhibition is running in Westminster Hall from July 3 to September 28, 2017.
LamasaTech is an award-winning team of digital developers who help organisations to harness the power of emerging technology and grasp new opportunities for growth. LamasaTech specialises in bringing ideas to life – with digital hardware and software, created with the sole purpose of engaging, entertaining and educating.
Visit the LamasaTech website: http://www.lamasatech.com/