Whenever we hand over our software to a client, we provide a copy on a USB stick with a manual that explains how to re-install the software should the need arise.

If you have an interactive exhibit but have not been provided with a back-up copy of the software, we’d strongly recommend that you make a copy, backing it up safely. A solid state hard drive need cost no more than £50-60 so it’s a cost effective investment that can prevent all kinds of problems, even the complete loss of your exhibit should the worst happen.

Our top tips for a contingency plan:

1. Make sure you have a back-up of your software, either from your original developer or one you take yourself.
2. Make sure it is kept safe, somewhere where it will not also be affected by any disaster that strikes your exhibit.
3. Allocate responsibility for maintaining that back-up to a specific individual so that you always know where it is kept – and make sure that the details are passed on should that individual leave.

We’ve been having some interesting conversations this week with organisations that see the appeal of an interactive exhibition and which are far from being the traditional museum or visitor centre.

The common thread that we’ve observed is about bringing a “wow” factor to locations where you perhaps wouldn’t expect it and in ways that address particular challenges the organisations face.

One natural attraction has a fascinating tour but the logistics inherent in a visit to the site tend to cause, at one stage, a little bit of a slump in the visitor experience. It’s the ideal point at which to create a “wow” factor that enhances the visit, brings consistency throughout what is otherwise an experience that has plenty to boast about, and complements the human interaction with the guides.

We’ve also been talking to people at a church who are considering how best to use an interactive installation to appeal not only to their existing congregation but to also help inform, educate and engage different types of visitors.

School groups will be an important focus and the exhibit will explain the activities and services at the church, its artefacts, and its social history in ways that support the curriculum. The “wow” factor will certainly be an essential part in ensuring that they are successful in reaching out beyond their established audience.

When you invest in hardware for your interactive exhibits it makes good sense to maintain it properly to get the best possible use from it.

One little-known thing is that your computer contains a small battery to remember the date and time. It’s seems like a small thing but, if the battery dies, your computer doesn’t work. It’s worth checking whether this is the cause of a non-functioning computer because the battery costs around a mere 50p – it looks like this…

I you don’t fancy tinkering inside your computer yourself it can be easily fitted by your local IT repair specialist. That’s much more efficient and cost effective than sending your computer back to be repaired or replaced, not to mention saving the considerable hassle of re-commissioning it.

This battery usually lasts for 4-5 years so, if your hardware goes on the blink after this time period, it’s well worth checking to see if a new battery will help.

Interpretation project teams can take many forms and we find ourselves working closely with many different professionals from designers to fit-out companies, architects to electrical contractors, and content creators to academic specialists, as well as the client, of course.

Whatever the team make-up, we find our structured approach to project management goes down well. We understand the critical path of a project which supports the fit-out company and minimises any chance of delays.

It helps us all when we can be involved from the start, demystifying the technology we’ll be using so that hardware can be specified to suit the software that will be running on it and so that any exhibitions structures can be designed and built to accommodate the interactive elements without problems. Something as simple as laying out cables can run smoothly or cause last minute snags and delays and an upfront understanding of what is required makes sure it’s the former – certainly our preference.