Interactivity is almost where it all started. We were making things click in 1991 with our interactive mailshots, delivered in stunning 16 colour graphics and shoehorned onto a single floppy disk. At that time we were working with computers with less processing power than your mobile phone.
And you know what? It was all so much simpler...
Mention interactive media to most people and they'll project a mental picture that basically consists of clicking on a button to pick up the information they want. That's a significant part of the plot, but it certainly isn't the whole story. We see interactivity as something more ambitious. In the case of educational multimedia that's meant elements like sliding levers and fully interactive geometric illustrations. In corporate presentations it's led us to drag and drop systems that respond to audience input.
There's nothing new about this approach. When we developed titles like Animal Safari and Science Lab for Marshall Cavendish in the mid nineties we were already including functionality like scrap books and multi-level linking.
We're strong believers in getting maximum bangs for your buck. So many of our projects are developed to fulfil multiple roles.
Raleigh's CD_ROM is an example. It runs as a fuly interactive piece, allowing users to explore the company's impressive facilities and get a detailed picture of what they can expect when they become customers. But a couple of mouse clicks reconfigure it to run as a PowerPoint- style presentation or as an exhibition rolling demo.
Here's a fair example of Configurative's power in delivering interactive multimedia. We were asked to prototype a cash accounting system. Zipaccs was to be a new "take" on controlling cash-based businesses like pubs and clubs. As we developed the prototype it became clear that we'd pretty much built the final product. So we finished it and Zipaccs is out there now as a fully-fledged commercial application.
Bürofloor supplies carpet tiles for commercial premises. Their Website allows visitors to download a powerful but easy-to-use tile calculator to calculate their requirements. The program communicate seamlessly in the background with Bürofloor's Web back-office, ensuring that prices and specifications are constantly updated. Customers can place orders directly from the calculator, which integrates fully with the Website's e-commerce function.
Interactivity is great for training systems. Timed quizzes with intelligent video responses keep interest high and produce the leraning outcomes you're looking for - as our training DVD for Domestic & General demonstrates.