Harkness Screens the world’s leading screen technology company has announced a major investment in its industry leading Digital Screen technology platform at CineEurope 2019.
Launched in 2013, the Harkness Digital Screen software family comprises a number of tools which are designed to help architects, exhibitors and installers to ensure they are creating best-in-class movie-going experiences through the correct specification and design of cinema screens. These tools range from the Digital Screen Modeller – a real-time 3D simulation tool for visualising on-screen presentation quality through to the Digital Screen Verifier – a light measurement app for the iPhone.
The Digital Screen platform currently consists of the following tools:-
Digital Screen Planner – For carrying out complex screen specification calculations
Digital Screen Calculator – For screen ad equipment selection and understanding
operating costs
Digital Screen Modeller – Real-time 3D auditorium modelling for showcasing image
performance
Digital Screen Archiver – For storing on-screen brightness measurements
Digital Screen Verifier – For measuring white light on screen
“Since we launched the platform in 2013 with a vision to create better outcomes for our customers and in turn the movie-goer, the Harkness platform has become an integral part of the design and specification process for screens around the world with over 15,000 downloads across both iOS and Android,” explains Richard Mitchell, VP Global Marketing & Commercial Development at Harkness Screens. “This new investment allows us to take advantage of infrastructures and technologies that were still in their infancy when we launched our platform, to add new functionality to our tools and to create improved experiences and better outcomes for our global users,” he adds.
At the heart of this new investment will be the development of a new user interface across all tools and the addition of a secure cloud-based central user and data management system for all utilities called “myHarkness”. This new system will allow users to benefit from being able to use complete cinema auditorium data (from physical measurements through to brightness levels and equipment specifications) across multiple platforms and allow for collaboration between teams and project stakeholders as well as opening up a number of significant opportunities for Harkness customers to benefit from an enhanced experience.
“Our apps have allowed customers to optimise design, generate return on investment, specify and monitor light and sound levels, measure moiré and laser speckle, test for environmental damage, autogenerate maintenance scheduling and more. Leaping forward, as part of this new myHarkness approach we are in very advanced stages of investigating how these tools and other digital assets within the Harkness portfolio can assist in upgrading the end-to-end quality of our screens including digital inspection, monitored transportation and installation. Managed well this will add to the relationship Harkness has been able to share with customers for decades to come,” explains Mark Ashcroft, CEO, Harkness Screens.
The new suite of Harkness utilities is due to launch in 2020 and the company is expected to run beta trials with existing users and key customers in late 2019.
About Harkness Screens
Harkness Screens is the world’s leading screen technology company, specialising in the design and manufacture of projection screens and supporting technologies for cinema and live events. From single-screen independent theatres to large multiplexes to large format immersive theatre experiences or live events, Harkness supplies thousands of screens every year helping provide outstanding presentation experiences to audiences around the world.
With global reach, Harkness is regarded as the world leader in cinema and has screens in more cinemas worldwide than any other manufacturer. With its industry leading 2D and 3D screen brands (Perlux HiWhite, Clarus XC and Spectral) along with an innovative range of presentation monitoring tools, digital surveying services and suite of cinema design and specification apps, Harkness continues to lead the way in screen technology for cinema.
Founded in 1929, Harkness has manufacturing facilities in the USA, UK, France, India and China and combines unrivalled experience with the latest technology and production methods to provide innovative solutions to the company’s key markets. For more information, visit the Harkness Screens web page at www.harkness-screens.com.