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Fortuna Jersey head of engineering John Dingle and director Ben Stone tell Emily Moore about the latest audio-visual technology and innovative signage systems they offer
THE tension when the final of an international tournament goes to extra time or when match point is announced in the final of Wimbledon is hard to beat, and while that anticipation may be particularly heightened for those at the venue, the nerves are still keenly felt by those watching at home or in a pub.
And now, as Fortuna Jersey head of engineering John Dingle says, it is easier than ever to live every kick or serve of the ball, thanks to the latest audio-visual technology which he and his team have installed in homes and commercial venues across the Island.
“This summer has been fantastic for sports fans,” he reflected. “From international football tournaments and Wimbledon to the Formula One and the cricket, there has been so much on offer to take people away from the big, bad world and allow them to escape for a few hours.
“Whether you are glued to the action or relaxing and enjoying a movie, our systems bring the entertainment into your home or business and create that atmosphere. When you’re watching the action on a 100in television, you really do feel part of the experience. When that ball is kicked towards you, you duck. We really are bringing that feeling of Hollywood to your living room or bar.”
While anyone, says John, can order a television from an online retailer, knowing what to do with the device when it is delivered to your door is another matter.
“Without the right audio and visual set-up, you could spend a lot of money on a piece of kit and still not capture that atmosphere,” he said. “At Fortuna, we offer a one-stop shop, providing everything from a site survey to make sure you get exactly the right equipment for you, to liaising with telecoms firms to make sure your Wi-Fi will support the technology and installing everything you need, while taking care of all your wiring and cabling requirements as well.”
Having established themselves as specialists in this area, with a seven-strong engineering and installation team who have amassed “a wealth of knowledge and experience”, John says that many people have probably settled down with a drink in front of a Fortuna set-up without even realising it.
“We work with a number of clients across Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man,” he said, “and have recently installed several audio-visual solutions in Randalls and Liberation Group premises, as well as at Bar Nautique, a new destination for watching sport and enjoying a night out.”
Helping the family-run 71-year-old business to bring sporting fixtures to screens in Jersey is the firm’s status as the Island’s only authorised Sky business partner.
“That partnership, combined with our relationships with telecoms companies and the major television and sound system manufacturers, puts us in a unique position to offer a seamless service to both domestic and commercial customers,” said John.
But it is not just entertainment systems in which the team specialises.
“As well as television and speaker systems, we have an extensive business-to-business offer, which covers everything from price ticketing solutions to boardroom technology and digital signage,” added director Ben Stone. “Fortuna Jersey is the only official partner of AllSee in the Channel Islands, which means we can offer clients access to their full range of stock and support, as well as obtaining better prices for them.”
And this, he adds, is becoming increasingly popular with retail and commercial businesses keen to enhance their marketing and signage as efficiently as possible.
“The commercial electronic side of the business is rapidly growing,” added John, “and we work with interior designers and shopfitters to ensure that the technology is included from the concept stage of a project. We will then manage the process to make sure that, from the client’s perspective, everything is seamless. We also offer full after-sales support, with our teams based just minutes away from many Island businesses.”
Screens, the men add, offer particularly effective platforms for displaying marketing messages, and many businesses have taken advantage of one of Fortuna’s most prominent screens over the years.
“We installed the LED screen at the Clock Tower in King Street nine years ago,” said John with a smile. “That has been popular with many firms, and we are also installing technology in Voisins Department Store, Sure and the CI Coop branches, with the solutions ranging from interactive store directories to pricing solutions which automatically update all the point-of-sale material both on the shop shelves and on the website.”
The commercial electronic side of the business is rapidly growing, and we work with interior designers and shopfitters to ensure that the technology is included from the concept stage of a project
John Dingle
The advantages of digital signage, says John, are plentiful.
“Not only do you save a huge amount of paper printing signs for every promotion but you also save a lot of time, as you no longer need someone to run around every department putting out the signs,” he said. “At the touch of a button, the same poster can go live immediately or, if you prepare the artwork in advance, you can programme it to go live on a particular date in line with the launch of a promotion.
“It is also great if you spot a mistake because you can update the artwork in seconds on the computer and instantly correct all the signage across all of your premises.”
While some businesses may have in-house creative teams, Fortuna can also help to produce the artwork for the screens if needed.
“Again, it is all about providing that seamless solution,” said John. “Ben’s team can undertake the creative side of the project, uploading each slide as soon as it has been approved by the client.”
With technology ever evolving, Ben says new solutions are coming onto the market all the time.
“We now have transparent LED screens,” he said. “In many ways, they are like the screen in our window but if they aren’t turned on, you can see straight through them.
“We are also working with Starlink, a satellite internet constellation, which enables you to access Wi-Fi in areas where, traditionally, that wouldn’t have been possible. This is particularly important for the emergency services, with whom we have recently completed a project. It is also valuable for many businesses, as, if the internet goes down, Starlink will connect your technology to the satellites, enabling you to maintain your services.”
