Latest news with #PaulMatthews
Business Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Post
Signs of life in retail tech shift
It has been a long time since 'IT' has meant simply computers, and nowhere is that clearer than in retail. While digital signage is not entirely new to the market, it is developing as a technology and changing how retailers sell. 'We're seeing a fusion of IT infrastructure and visual technology – retailers need both to deliver frictionless, omnichannel experiences,' said Paul Matthews, head of sales at Avitor Audio Visual and IT. Today, Avitor, through its channel partner network, delivers, for instance, TP-Link enterprise-grade wi-fi and network setups for reliable customer and in-store device connectivity and integrated systems that allow digital signage, EPOS, inventory, and customer analytics platforms to speak to each other. Technological development never stops, though. Most recently, Matthews said, there has been a move toward smart stores with connected sensors, smart displays, and edge-computing capability. Consequently, signage can target its message according to not only location or time of day, but even the person approaching it, noting their age group, their gender or even their mood. Naturally, this development is driven by not only the massive increase in processing power delivered by cloud computing, but also artificial intelligence (AI) technology such as machine vision. 'The cloud, and AI most recently, are crucial technologies, using a mix of sensors and cameras and POS (point of sale) information to deliver the right message at the right time – and to the right person. Also, with the creation of the content you want to publish, AI has played a big role in that,' Matthews said. Avitor, which distributes technology from global leaders including NowSignage, Allsee, Newline, LED Studio, TP-Link, and Yealink to 190 partners not only in Ireland, but also Britain, has seen first-hand how retailers are embracing these new capabilities. The company recently opened its state-of-the-art showrooms in Swords, County Dublin, where retail partners can experience these advanced signage solutions in person, showcasing the full range of interactive displays and integrated systems and allowing potential clients to see exactly how the technology could transform their own retail spaces. Insights from the field Irish retailers are approaching digital transformation with a characteristic blend of pragmatism and innovation, according to Matthews. 'What we're consistently hearing from our Irish partners isn't about wanting technology for its own sake. They want reliable systems that deliver real ROI (return on investment), not just flashy tech,' he said. Working with Irish brands across various retail sectors, several clear patterns have emerged, Matthews said. Firstly, a strong demand for cost-effective, managed signage solutions that don't require specialist in-house expertise to maintain. Secondly, there is the growing interest in analytics-driven signage that can measure customer engagement metrics such as dwell time, demographic information, and interaction rates. 'Retailers are particularly savvy about wanting data that helps them optimise both their digital content and their physical store layouts,' said Matthews. This insight-driven approach has helped Avitor's channel partners deliver solutions that genuinely address retailers' needs rather than simply following global technology trends. 'What works for a shopping centre in London or New York might need significant adaptation for the Irish market, and what works in one location or sector may also differ,' Matthews said. 'Our partners excel at making those translations.' It goes almost without saying that the shift in market needs has been met by a democratising of the technology. 'Digital signage used to be only for big products, say something like a car, now it is used to sell products for a few euro,' said Matthews. Avitor's channel partners can create payment plans to finance the technology, with no minimum order. What this means in practical terms is that bricks-and-mortar shops can not only make more of the experience that online shopping can never deliver, but it can also enjoy some of the technological advantages that were once only available in e-commerce. 'It could be one screen or a hundred, an independent food outlet of a huge chain, and for many retailers, part of what this is about is upgrading the store, with the updating of signage as part of that. It's absolutely not specific only to high-end retail,' he said. Crucially, this technological advancement has coincided with greater ease of use and familiarity with content creation tools. 'Ease-of-use has improved, and in addition people are used to the technology. Young people are used to creating content; really everyone is a content creator.' Ultimately, the value proposition is simple, Matthews said: Aviator's vision is to deliver technology that works, scales – and that pays for itself. 'Today's retailers need screens that sell and networks that never drop – that's where we come in,' he said.
South Wales Argus
06-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Briefing planned on M48 Severn Bridge weight restriction
The M48 Severn Bridge, from Chepstow to Aust, is to have a weight limit imposed from Tuesday, May 27 meaning heavy goods vehicles over 7.5-tonnes will have to use the second Severn crossing, the M4 Prince of Wales bridge to cross. When National Highways, the UK Government agency responsible for both bridges, announced the precautionary measure to protect the near 60-year-old bridge as its suspension cables require strengthening there was anger from local councillors. The chief executive of Monmouthshire County Council, Paul Matthews, also said, on social media, he hadn't been given advanced notice of the decision, though National Highways said it had informed local authorities the day before its announcement. The National Highways briefing for councillors will take place on Friday, May 9. Local councillors said they wanted to meet with the Westminster government's transport minister Heidi Alexander to discuss the decision and raised concerns about the impact on local businesses particularly those in the haulage sector. Further concerns were raised due to ongoing roadworks on the M4 Prince of Wales bridge and an emergency closure on Thursday, May 1. Councillor Richard John, the leader of Monmouthshire's Conservative opposition group, said closure of the M4 bridge when the first crossing isn't available to heavy goods traffic will cause additional expense for firms. He said: 'Once the M48 bridge is closed to HGVs later this month they will face a 100 mile detour via the M50 and M5. This will raise costs for hauliers and ultimately cost jobs.' Senedd Members have also called for the Welsh Government to consider the impact of the closure of the bridge to lorries on roads it is responsible for, including the M4, and local routes and journeys. Around 32,000 vehicles cross the first Severn Bridge every day with around 10 per cent, or some 3,720, of those vehicles being lorries over 7.5 tones. National Highways estimates repairing the cables could cost between £300m and £600m and the closure that comes into force later this month is to reduce the weight of traffic on the bridge while it carries out further investigations. The weight restriction is likely to be in place for 12 to 18 months though the crossing will remain open to all emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters and recovery vehicles.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Council 'not told' about new bridge weight limit
A council says it was not given any prior notice about a new weight limit which has been introduced on a major crossing between Wales and England. Weight restrictions for heavy-goods vehicles will apply on the M48 Severn crossing from next month, in a bid to future-proof the 60-year-old suspension bridge. But Monmouthshire council's chief executive said the authority was not warned of the rule change, which will see only heavy-goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes able to use the route between Chepstow and Aust, Bristol, from 27 May. Councillors now want to meet the UK's transport secretary to discuss their concerns. National Highways - which manages major roads in England - said it contacted stakeholders as soon as possible. Paul Matthews, the chief executive of Monmouthshire County Council, complained on social media that to be notified of the decision, which was "quite a big deal" for the county, "would have been nice". Weight restrictions introduced on major crossing M4 Severn bridge roadworks to go on until summer M5 flooded and Severn Bridge closed in bad weather The new rules mean about 10% of the 32,000 vehicles that cross at Chepstow every day will soon need to use the second Severn crossing, the Prince of Wales bridge, to travel between Wales and England. National Highways said the weight restriction would need to remain in place for an about 12 to 18 months as it developed and installed a medium-term solution, but added the crossing would remain open to all emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters and recovery vehicles. The announcement has caused anger among local representatives, coming shortly after a series of lane closures and restrictions in 2022 and 2023 for an assessment of the main cables which were exposed to harsh winter conditions. Concerns have also been raised over business struggles and traffic pollution levels resulting from the change. Armand Watts, who represents the Bulwark and Thornwell area - which is beside the bridge in Chepstow - said the decision had been made without consultation. "I want to know why National Highways are carrying out a consultation after the decision? That's not consultation, that's a sham to do consultation retrospectively." The Labour councillor said he was concerned at the impact on businesses, especially those based at the Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate where supermarket Asda has a distribution centre, and the service station on the English side of the bridge at Aust, as well as the longer term economic impact for Monmouthshire. "Monmouthshire County Council has a plan to create so many jobs but if businesses in Chepstow can't get HGVs on to the bridge what will it mean longer term? Will they look to Magor or over to Avonmouth?" He also said he was concerned traffic heading north, or travelling south into Wales, would use the A48, adding to congestion and traffic pollution in Chepstow. "I'm trying to arrange a meeting with Heidi Alexander [UK government transport minister]," he said. Conservative councillor Lisa Dymock, whose Portskewett ward includes the Severn Bridge Industrial estate which houses about 40 businesses, said she was concerned about increased costs for smaller haulage firms and manufacturers and the possibility of 95-mile detour, up the M50 via Gloucester, for hauliers if an accident closed the M4 bridge. She said: "This announcement has come at a difficult time when the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge is routinely subject to significant delays due to resurfacing works, which are due to continue until at least August." Richard John, leader of the Conservative opposition group on Monmouthshire council, called for a "clear timeline" for inspections and repairs and added: "We need to see swift intervention from the UK government to secure the long-term future of the bridge so it can continue to safely accommodate the demands of businesses and residents." National Highways said local authorities were informed on Thursday, one day before the official announcement, and it had made efforts to contact stakeholders as quickly as possible via email, phone calls and briefings. Chris Pope, programme delivery manager, added: "Safety is our number one priority, and this weight restriction is about future-proofing the bridge for years to come. "As with all our structures, we will continue to monitor the bridge and ensure it remains safe for users." Bridging the Gap: How the Severn Bridge Was Built The Severn Bridge at 50: A High Wire Act
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
M48 Severn Bridge: Monmouthshire council's weight limit concerns
A council says it was not given any prior notice about a new weight limit which has been introduced on a major crossing between Wales and restrictions for heavy-goods vehicles will apply on the M48 Severn crossing from next month, in a bid to future-proof the 60-year-old suspension Monmouthshire council's chief executive said the authority was not warned of the rule change, which will see only heavy-goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes able to use the route between Chepstow and Aust, Bristol, from 27 want to meet the UK's transport secretary to discuss their concerns, and National Highways has been asked for comment. Paul Matthews, the chief executive of Monmouthshire County Council, complained on social media that to be notified of the decision, which was "quite a big deal" for the county, "would have been nice". The new rules mean about 10% of the 32,000 vehicles that cross at Chepstow every day will soon need to use the second Severn crossing, the Prince of Wales bridge, to travel between Wales and Highways said the weight restriction would need to remain in place for an about 12 to 18 months as it developed and installed a medium-term solution, but added the crossing would remain open to all emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters and recovery announcement has caused anger among local representatives, coming shortly after a series of lane closures and restrictions in 2022 and 2023 for an assessment of the main cables which were exposed to harsh winter have also been raised over business struggles and traffic pollution levels resulting from the Watts, who represents the Bulwark and Thornwell area - which is beside the bridge in Chepstow - said the decision had been made without consultation."I want to know why National Highways are carrying out a consultation after the decision? That's not consultation, that's a sham to do consultation retrospectively."The Labour councillor said he was concerned at the impact on businesses, especially those based at the Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate where supermarket Asda has a distribution centre, and the service station on the English side of the bridge at Aust, as well as the longer term economic impact for Monmouthshire."Monmouthshire County Council has a plan to create so many jobs but if businesses in Chepstow can't get HGVs on to the bridge what will it mean longer term? Will they look to Magor or over to Avonmouth?"He also said he was concerned traffic heading north, or travelling south into Wales, would use the A48, adding to congestion and traffic pollution in Chepstow."I'm trying to arrange a meeting with Heidi Alexander [UK government transport minister]," he councillor Lisa Dymock, whose Portskewett ward includes the Severn Bridge Industrial estate which houses about 40 businesses, said she was concerned about increased costs for smaller haulage firms and manufacturers and the possibility of 95-mile detour, up the M50 via Gloucester, for hauliers if an accident closed the M4 said: "This announcement has come at a difficult time when the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge is routinely subject to significant delays due to resurfacing works, which are due to continue until at least August."Richard John, leader of the Conservative opposition group on Monmouthshire council, called for a "clear timeline" for inspections and repairs and added: "We need to see swift intervention from the UK government to secure the long-term future of the bridge so it can continue to safely accommodate the demands of businesses and residents."
