Festival App from Wisconsin Technology Firm Showcased at Microsoft’s Global Conference
Appleton, WI (PRWEB) July 18, 2016 -- Wisconsin-based Skyline Technologies was recognized at the 2016 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in Toronto last week for the innovative mobile app it designed for the Mile of Music festival.
The app was featured in a video during a general session by Mitra Azizirad of Microsoft as it exemplifies how a broad set of technologies were integrated to create an effective, user-friendly solution for thousands of event-goers on multiple smartphone platforms.
Microsoft Corporation hosts WPC each year as an opportunity for more than 15,000 of its worldwide partners to share best practices, check out the latest product innovations, learn new skills/techniques and see the product successes others are experiencing.
In providing information technology and business consulting services to several industries since 1992, Skyline – an associate-owned firm located in Appleton – successfully developed the festival app as part of two key partnerships. These include Skyline’s collaborations with the growing grassroots Mile of Music festival (also referred to as Mile 4 this year) as well as with Xamarin (now owned by Microsoft) – the cross-platform software used to build the app.
“Our original goal in creating the app was to support an evolving event in our hometown community by providing a product that would best serve festival goers and organizers,” said Mitch Weckop, Skyline CEO. “The fact that we are being recognized for the results on a global scale like this is an exceptional honor.”
The mobile app was designed as an easy, convenient way to connect festival attendees to the music experiences – from scheduled performances to educational workshops – Mile of Music offers during its four-day run in Downtown Appleton.
With the festival set to return August 4-7, the app will again serve as an informational resource in helping visitors choose among the 800-plus live performances from 240 emerging artists as well as a wayfinding tool as they navigate more than 70 venues.
“Coordinating a festival of this size and scope, we knew we needed an experienced partner who could pull together a smart, all-in-one solution to organize every detail,” explained Dave Willems, Mile of Music co-founder and marketing executive. “Skyline really came through for us with the app.”
To accommodate all smartphone users at Mile 4, the latest version of the mobile app is being released for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.
New app features to further enhance the visitor experience were also highlighted at the Microsoft WPC presentation. Some of these include:
• Push notifications to provide the most up-to-date happenings while the festival is in progress
• E-Commerce integration allowing attendees to purchase Mile of Music merchandise from their phones
• Real-time tracking of the Mile of Music bus to show visitors where it’s located and who is performing on it
Among the enhancements to benefit festival organizers is low-power Bluetooth sensor technology. It will capture more data on attendance patterns and density throughout the mile-long festival radius and give organizers insights on traffic flow so they can leverage social media efforts in less-frequented areas.
“This app is all about creating a great experience for everyone involved with the festival and we’ve developed some great partnerships that have made it possible to do that,” Weckop said.
About Skyline Technologies
At Skyline, we make technology easier by understanding your business challenges, solving problems and envisioning what’s possible. As the Midwest’s premier provider of information technology and business consulting services, we serve clients across various industries with a special focus in manufacturing, healthcare, financial services and insurance. Founded in 1992, Skyline is an associate-owned consulting firm with locations in Green Bay, Appleton and Milwaukee. At Skyline, we blend smart business strategy with technology – enabling you to see beyond your it. Learn more by visiting http://www.SkylineTechnologies.com
About Mile of Music
The Mile of Music is an artisan, original music festival that kicked off in August 2013. In its first four years, the festival has quickly flourished. It brought 200 bands and solo artists to Downtown Appleton in 2015 alone, with 750 live music sets performed. The collaborative event was co-founded by Appleton marketing executive Dave Willems and Appleton/Nashville-based national recording artist Cory Chisel, with support from more than 100 community organizations and sponsors as well as 300 volunteers. For more information and to download the app, visit http://www.mileofmusic.com.
Dave Willems, Willems Marketing & Events, +1 920.750.5013, [email protected]
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