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Interactive Entertainment

Submitted by admin on Sun, 09/08/2020 - 14:02

How did 2019 treat Willow Communications ?

2019 was a fantastic year for Willow Communications across all areas of our business; retail bingo, casino, AGC, hospitality and leisure. The granting in 2019 of our Gambling Commission licences to provide facilities for the playing of bingo was a catalyst to further develop our established and proven BiGD platform (Bingo Information Graphical Display), which is now used by most UK multi-site retail bingo operators. 2020 promises to be a very busy year with exciting new bingo and jackpot games being launched with several of our retail bingo clients. Our Bingo and Jackpot manager software is deployed on our BiGD platform to provide paper based games presented on the in-venue public display screens to deliver dynamic rich media game content.

Do you provide pretty much everything from an audio visual operational standpoint?

For audio visual system installation, integration, maintenance and servicing, yes, we do.

We have been providing sound systems and screens to retail bingo operators since 1992. In 2020 we are adding LED wall technology to our portfolio of display solutions. LED wall technology works very well as a matrix board replacement.

Philips that provides either a three or five year on site warranty depending on the screen range installed.

Our Command application automates all the key audio visual system management processes when linked with our BiGD graphic display system and to the club XSCe and SRCe.

Every organisation wants the very latest technology, is that something your organisation can deliver on?

We can, but we are very conscious that simply using technology for technology’s sake is not a sensible proposition. Any technology solution we propose must be scalable for multi-site operators, and in every instance must demonstrate some return on investment.

With complete systems the primary factors are reliability, security and ease of use. Does Willow score well in those three areas say compared to organisations that have various systems that all are made to communicate such as from the visual displays to lighting and food and beverage cash and card payment systems?

Reliability across platforms has always been a key consideration during product development and deployment. Our BiGD platform was ten years old in 2019, and some of the original media players installed are still in use and running 2020 content.

All our products sit on our network control panel, with some clients opting to have direct access to this which enables them to complete several maintenance tasks in-house.

Security of client data is a key focus to us. Our decision to implement ISO 27001, a framework for managing IT security, will ensure compliance and correct processes are followed with our client’s data.

All our products are designed to be simple to use, and in many instances the processes and scheduling are automated. Every product is designed to be modular and to communicate with internal and external applications. This is key to provide the required integration to and from third party applications such as gaming or sports data, business management systems or epos or membership systems.

The positives of working in the Bingo industry. The Bingo industry is a very positive and exciting sector to work in. We are fortunate to have great clients who are always open to new ideas, and we have a lot of fun developing these with them. To be honest, most of the time it does not really feel like work at all.

www.willowcommunications.com 01604 877 001

Interview undertaken January 2020 and published February 2020 in Issue 31 Bingo Life Magazine