It would be very much appreciated if MCG members could offer advice on suitable pre-existing software, or creatively suggest other possible solutions to our needs.
Auchindrain is an organisationally-small independent open-air museum in Argyll, Scotland. Our front desk is single-manned, combining reception, retail and catering duties. It is imperative
that arriving visitors can be processed fast. We have always done Gift Aid and handed out a visitor survey, up to now on paper forms. From this season, however, we will be taking
part in the AIM Visitor Verdict scheme which requires us to collect email addresses - which we would also like to use for our own direct marketing. Beyond that, we will be starting
to issue each visiting group with a tablet that contains all of our museum's interpretation - no labels, no display panels, just objects, a tablet, GPS and Bluetooth beacons. So much to do,
so little time!
Ideally, we would like to be able to give the visitor a hand-held device into which they key information, rather than a member of staff trying to type in strange words and understand many accents.
We would like to use something such as a tablet that is also capable of running an Excel spreadsheet or comparable file, to be used separately during retail stocktaking for entering simple text
and numerical data. It is envisaged that when the device is handed to the visitor, the screen will display the electronic equivalent of a form to be completed using an onscreen or separate keyboard.
When “finish” is clicked, the information will be recorded in a downloadable format and the screen will re-set, rather than the user having to go through a "Save As" routine befoere closing and
reopening a document.
The visitor will be asked to enter their name, postal address, postcode, email address and the value of the payment they are making (which will be stated verbally by the till operator). A series
of ticked tick-boxes, which if necessary or desired the visitor can un-tick, will the sit alongside appropriate forms of words:
• for Gift Aid, the HMRC-approved declaration;
• for survey, one-time authority for a market research company to email a link;
• for marketing, authority for the museum to email information and offers; and
• acknowledgement of the conditions of use of the tablet containing the interpretation app, to be loaned out after a card-swipe.
The museum probably does not have the funds to commission the development of a bespoke app from scratch. It is therefore seeking proposals based on software that already exists and which can be
edited to partially or wholly meet its needs. In relation to Gift Aid, whilst it would be helpful if the software could collate the relevant information into the HMRC-required format ready for
submission of a claim, neither the volume of data nor the museum’s established ways of managing Gift Aid call for a fully-supported solution in this area.
The software solutions will inform the choice of device: Windows, Android or Apple.
Please contact Bob Clark at [log in to unmask], 01499 320272 or 07770 420999.
Many thanks.
7th March 2016
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