by Novita Communications with introduction by Bob Beck
All you “NeoCon attendees” out there – architects, interior designers, facility managers and other consumers of workplace design and furnishings – should count yourselves very special, because the hundreds of NeoCon exhibitors are killing themselves right now to meet their deadlines and make their exhibits at NeoCon 2015 the best ever…and all for you! (Well, mostly for you anyway…)
A couple of weeks ago when I was at Kansas State with designer Brian Graham, he showed me the T-Zero App on his phone. He has a number of projects underway for launch at NeoCon, and he has T-Zero counting down to 7:00 am the Monday of NeoCon. The App simply makes even more tangible the ticking of the clock he and all those actively involved in the rush to NeoCon are feeling.
Here at officeinsight, we’re already receiving lots of press releases on new products and new showrooms, and I thought it would be interesting to jump the gun a bit and highlight a few of them. Look for our BIG NeoCon floor by floor preview issue on Friday the 12th of June.
We received a pitch from the PR firm for NeoCon, Novita Communications, focusing on tech products to be shown at the show. I thought it was very well “curated” and would be of interest to you, our audience. So rather than try to reinvent work they’ve already done, we decided to run their piece essentially as they wrote it and chip in with a comment here or there.
I did edit out a few companies Novita wrote about on the grounds of a “no picture no mention” rule. My apologies to those companies, as I certainly understand the product development cycle well enough to know that it’s still a bit early for images, but the rule stands. A special thanks to Alexandra Zwicky at Novita, who worked hard to get the images you do see.
Here’s the Novita Communications piece – we’ll see you in Chicago in about 55 days!
TECHNOLOGY PLAYS A STARRING ROLE AT NEOCON 2015
Exhibitors Set to Launch Innovative, Forward-Thinking Offerings
[Chicago, IL – April 2015] New tech solutions abound at NeoCon 2015. Held from June 15-17 at Chicago’s famed Merchandise Mart, the annual industry event features more than 700 leading exhibitors that push the envelope in the world of commercial interiors. The three-day fair provides the latest products and services for a spectrum of vertical markets including Workplace, Hospitality, Retail, Education, Public Spaces and Government.
This year, there will be a strong focus on the latest technological breakthroughs across all verticals as advanced tools are transforming the way people collaborate, communicate, connect and find comfort. Exhibitors are addressing users’ needs with innovative solutions for desking, multi-use furnishings, video-conferencing, cloud computing and wireless-charging, to name a few.
“As the largest and most important commercial design tradeshow in North America, NeoCon has become synonymous with innovation,” said Julie Kohl, vice president of NeoCon exhibitor sales. “From our permanent showrooms to the temporary floors, the talk is all about tech. Attendees can expect to find an array of state-of-the-art furnishings and power systems, as well as software that facilitates distance collaboration.”
Here is a preview of the tech-in-action at NeoCon 2015:
Haworth – Workware Wireless (312)
Workware Wireless simplifies collaborative content sharing with anyone on a team, regardless of their location or device. For NeoCon 2015, Haworth is launching two new packages for Workware Wireless with all new hardware and a best in class software experience. These packages feature the ability for multiple people to share at the same time and gives them control over how much or little content to share, all while ensuring security and privacy. Workware is a growing brand of products that provides technology-enhanced collaborative spaces and helps users think, see, do and connect in a wide variety of settings. These products respond to the collaborative working trend, as a growing number of workers are spending more time together in open plan environments. In addition, with an increasing number of people working remotely, whether from home or alternate office locations, Workware Wireless offers a great solution, bridging the communication gap.
Trimble Navigation Ltd – SketchUp 3D Warehouse (8-3071)
Photography courtesy of Trimble Navigation, LtdTrimble Navigation applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. The California-based brand recently launched an update to its 3D Warehouse web property, an online platform for sharing and downloading free 3D models and materials. A key component of the SketchUp modeling software, 3D Warehouse connects designers to free, high-quality 3D content. The new release provides social enhancements that encourage communication and sharing with other SketchUp designers.
Stir – Stir Kinetic Desk M1 (1067A)
Stir Kinetic Desk M1 and detail of cloud-based control. Photography courtesy of Stir KineticStir will bring the latest addition to its product line, the Stir Kinetic Desk M1 to NeoCon 2015. Like the executive F1, the new M1 is a height-adjustable desk driven by software that senses the user’s presence, learns his/her preferences, and enables him/her to set goals with reminders to change positions throughout the day. The F1 and M1 feature entirely new custom-designed electronics that provide a faster and richer experience for users.The new Stir Kinetic Desk line also comes with a cloud-based architecture, allowing for transferable user data that can “travel” with workers as they move between desks within a company network or around the world. Leveraging low-energy Bluetooth devices like Fitbit, the desk recognizes and can seamlessly identify one user from another, making it effortless for users to be logged in and out of any Stir Kinetic Desk. This advanced cloud architecture will provide a platform for more integrations and expanded features in the future, with Android and iOS compatibility in development.
Innovative Office Products – Winston Sit/Stand Workstation with Apple iMac (8-3066C)
The newest Winston Apple iMac Sit/Stand Workstation features a secure location for the iMac monitor of users who prefer to utilize the iMac stand instead of a VESA adapter. This allows users to take their iMac with them as they stand while working.
ESI Ergonomic Solutions – Ergorise Series (10-100)
To meet the increasing need for customizing workstations in a multigenerational workforce, ESI Ergonomic Solutions is launching the Ergorise series of sit-to-stand workstations, including Lift, Climb and Climb2, at NeoCon 2015. Each of these is designed for ease of use and to help improve productivity and comfort at work.
iMOVR – ThermoTrend GT (7-3097)
First time NeoCon exhibitor iMOVR will be debuting ThermoTread GT, a walking treadmill designed to help office workers get more movement into their daily life. It pairs perfectly with Omega Everest and Omega Denali desks, which feature height adjustability and come prepared to accept grommet-mounted power sockets. The Omega desks incorporate the Steady Type keyboard tray right in the desk surface, allowing standing and walking workers to achieve superior typing ergonomics without sacrificing desk stability. Additionally, the ThermoTread GT comes equipped with a smart control console and “cardiogram” device that continually reads the health of the treadmill, providing helpful reminders and maintenance notifications.
ISE Inc – Line-of-Sight (11-104)
The new Line-of-Sight product incorporates and integrates a computer into a desk system with a remote control. Designed by Mark Muller, the multifunction desk is the ultimate solution for today’s classrooms, as it stores the CPU, monitors and peripherals within its chassis safely and securely. At the push of a button, the monitor rises, instantly transforming from a regular desk into a computer workstation.
Steelcase – Thread (300)
The first of its kind, this new power distribution system will radically change the way organizations are able to deliver power to their people. Thread transforms any carpeted floor into a power source. This patented system runs power through an ultra-thin modular track designed to be laid under carpet. The track attaches to a low-profile connector and a standard power hub or adapter.It is a one circuit, 20 amp maximum system allowing enough power to support laptops and mobile devices, and even host powered furniture, such as Steelcase’s media:scape. It is fully UL/cUL Certified and ADA compliant. As users demand, each power hub can be moved into a different connector throughout the space. It can be installed easily in any new or existing building and provides organizations future flexibility for change in workplace design.
JSI – Moto (3-111)
Moto, by JSI, adapts to the ever-evolving spaces of today’s business and learning environments. Moto’s comprehensive product platform integrates power and data into modular lounge seating, linking and huddle tables, media units and storage components in order to foster collaboration in a “work anywhere,” plug and play environment.Moto Media Tables are offered with Byrne’s innovative DropShare media sharing solution, which allows up to six users to plugin and share a single screen with the push of a button. iPads, laptops and other sharing devices can be connected via VGA cables to any chosen display. The balance of the MOTO modular lounges, linking tables, freestanding tables and integrated bent plywood counter shelves are available with Byrne’s Axil-Z and Moire power / data modules, mounted vertically in lounge chassis and in table tops. Both units allow users to charge up mobile devices via power outlets and USB (2) port charging simplexes.
Transtek Magnetics – TableTop PowerStation (8-1065)
Transtek Magnetics, a global supplier of magnetic components, made a name for itself by producing custom components for automobile parts. Now the brand is taking its knowledge of magnetic induction and jumping into the contract furniture market with its new TableTop PowerStation.As the name implies, the power station can be installed into the worksurface or the tabletop and offers various charging options including A/C, USB, and a QI wireless charging transmitter for the ultimate end-user convenience. Ideal for offices, educational facilities and public spaces, it can charge up to three or six gadgets at the same time including laptops, cell phones, tablets, smartwatches and Bluetooth TM devices.
Slyde Charging Solutions (7-8045)
Slyde Charging Solutions is incorporating electronic locks into specific models of its product line of lockable charging stations. These programmable locks are a great asset for companies that have hoteling stations or common areas where several people may utilize the workstation or the charging stations, as the locks can be programmed for each individual use. Its products were built out of the needs of the modern office worker: as their workstations have decreased in size, they need to maximize what they are given. With electronic devices becoming more prominent in the workplace, maintaining a safe place to keep these devices charged while storing them is extremely important.
Byron Morton, VP of Leasing, Vornado/Merchandise Mart, remarked, “It’s no secret that tech is a powerful, cross-industry sector that is growing exponentially. Our exhibitors are responding with intelligent and elegant solutions to meet the needs of the market. Whether it is integrating tech-savvy components into their offerings or pioneering new technologies, it’s exciting that many have chosen NeoCon to showcase their game-changing new products.”