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  • 1.  Charge for tablets or include them in the entry price

    Posted 11-24-2016 12:48 PM 
    We are the designers and developers of the Puerto Rico's Music Museum. A very important part of it is the use of a custom image recognition software installed on tablets that will offer visitors the opportunity navigate the museum and experience beyond the graphic panels. 

    

    This software acts as a virtual museum guide, it empowers the visitor to learn more or less depending their interest. For example , by just using the tablet’s camera and focus on selected images, the tablet will show the artist's biography, listen to his/her music, watch related videos and see more photographs.
    

    

    Do you recommend that use of the tablet should be included in the entrance fee, or should we charge a nominal cost for it?
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    Alberto Soto
    Graphic Design
    San Juan, Puerto Rico
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  • 2.  RE: Charge for tablets or include them in the entry price

    Posted 11-25-2016 09:56 AM

    Include it with the entrance fee.

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    Steven Miller
    Executive Director
    Boscobel House and Gardens
    Garrison NY

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Charge for tablets or include them in the entry price

    Posted 11-25-2016 02:40 PM

    I agree with Steven, the best strategy is free access when possible.  

    There are three parts I think to consider:

    1. The target uptake - most apps achieve <5% usage on visitation, promoting a free device for all is one way to tackle this

    2. Whether you have a free to download BYOD option that will work on mobile, promoting access and inclusiveness so that visitors don't feel they are missing out on part of the museum experience when they have already paid admission, if so, device rental fees may be more acceptable 

    3. The size of your tablet fleet and what policies you will use to manage demand, if very small, device rental fees will counter that 

    There's more info on the logistics and planning side for fleet management that you might like, see All about fleets

    Dexibit remove preview
    All about fleets
    We have entered a new age where the standard visitor walks into the museum equipped with their own personal screen in their pocket, opening a whole new world of personal engagement. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has made mobile experience accessible, affordable and achievable for many scenarios where it may not otherwise be possible.
    View this on Dexibit >

     

     

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    Angie Judge
    Dexibit

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Charge for tablets or include them in the entry price

    Posted 11-28-2016 09:17 AM
    I once went to an exhibit where the cost of the audio was included in the entrance fee. So EVERYONE listened to the audio. Unless it will make your fee prohibitive for some people I would recommend including it especially as it is a great enhancement to your particular museum.

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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Charge for tablets or include them in the entry price

    Posted 11-28-2016 11:01 AM

    We do this for living. Here is my feedback.

    There are plus and minus with both options ......

    Include:

    Advantage of including:

    100% will use it. Everyone will get full value of their tickets. 

    Dis-advantage of including:

    No one will share anything from museum tablets on the social media. So, social media opportunity will be lost. 

    No one will register with their email/name/location/age/gender etc. So, opportunity to know your customers will be lost.

    No one will donate from museum tabs. So, donations will not come.

    Potential revenue is lost as most people do not mind paying a couple of dollars to rent a tablet.

    If you can convince everyone to download by giving free wifi and having tech support help at the gate, then ...

    1. You will get social media sharing

    2. You will get donations

    3. You will get visitors (most, not all) to register giving you info such as name, email, location, age, gender.

    4. You will be able to send notifications to your app on their phones.

    So, our learning is offer tech support, wifi, encourage and market BYOD but still offer tab to rent for those who do not want to download.

    See more on our website .. Mobile Tour Guide App Platform for Museums,Walking Tours, Driving Tours, Visitor Attractions-ActionShow App

    Actionshowapp remove preview
    Mobile Tour Guide App Platform for Museums,Walking Tours, Driving Tours, Visitor Attractions-ActionShow App
    A platform for attractions to create Apple & Android apps that visitors download on their own phones to use as tour guides. Low cost, sets up in weeks and replaces audio guides.
    View this on Actionshowapp >

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    Snehal Shah
    Action Data Systems, LLC
    Barrington RI

    Original Message