Best of Beacons this Week: University of Oklahoma uses beacons to find rooms on campus, and more

We are back with another power-packed issue of ‘Best of Beacons this Week’ as we move towards the end of 2015. This week we’ve got a great lineup of beacon articles in store, from vital forecasts studying the growth of the global iBeacon market over the period 2014-2019, to how the sports industry is leveraging beacons to enhance the fan experience at sports venues. So roll up your sleeves, sit back, and check out the stories we have lined up for you.

1. Oklahoma Sooners use beacons to find rooms on the massive campus

The University of Oklahoma has started expanding its beacon deployment program in their 3,489 acres-size campus, by installing beacons in the central library and other buildings, to help students find study rooms and class information. Last year, the institute had deployed beacons on a single floor of the university library. Now they are connecting 29,000 students to the digital world via their smartphones and iBeacon technology by delivering navigation-related information and location-based content. Students can use beacon-triggered instructions and system-produced maps to also find safe locations in the event of a tornado or other emergency. Read this article to know more about how Oklahoma Sooners are leveraging beacons.

2. 4 Ways Beacons can Augment Fan Experience at Sports Events

Enhancement of fan experience based on social connectivity and gamification is forcing the sports industry to look closely at technology again, one of which is iBeacon. Sports venues and teams are now tapping into iBeacon technology for its benefits. For instance, 20 out of 30 MLB stadiums have deployed beacons to make fan experience more seamless and intuitive. Some major sporting events in the history of sports such as Wimbledon and PGA have also leveraged iBeacon technology to deliver contextual and real-time information. Check out this article to learn the 4 ways beacons can enhance the fan experience and discover how sports venues are using beacons.

3. Global iBeacon Market is Set to Grow at a CAGR of 200.3%

A recent study conducted by Research and Markets forecasts that the global iBeacon market is set to grow at a CAGR of 200.3% over the period 2014-2019. The report, prepared on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts, talks about the key vendors operating in this market from various sectors such as retail, healthcare, and transit systems. These vendors are primarily using iBeacon technology to collect information and discover insights into people’s behavior. The report also takes the factors that are cumulatively pushing growth in the iBeacon market into account.

4. Southbank shows future with iBeacon

Southbank Center, the arts complex of central London, is working with Live Beacon to roll out iBeacon technology in the 21-acre vast location. Over 100 beacons will be installed in the next few months by Live Beacon. Visitors can now install the Live Beacon app on their smartphone devices to receive location-specific content from businesses, retailers, museums, and galleries located across the Southbank site. Companies such as ITV can deliver details on audience tickets and live updates from their shows. Artisan retailers in the OXO tower can invite people to workshops. Upon completion, it is poised to be the largest iBeacon enabled zone in the UK. Check out this article to learn the details about Southbank beacon deployment.

5. One in four high street shoppers want iBeacon technology in stores

A survey commissioned by SalesforceUK states that one in four high street shoppers would like it if the retail store identifies them as they enter the store through location-based technologies such as iBeacon. 87% of shoppers usually research online about the product before they visit a store to buy it. Consequently, about 38% of shoppers also believe that they are better informed than sales associates, on promotional offers and discounts. Such statistics only foreground the need for retailers to invest in product knowledge and technology.

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