Last Updated: 2012-01-30

AudioConexus Inc.

Company information

Legal Name:   AudioConexus Inc.
Operating Name:   AudioConexus Inc.
Mailing Address 129-556 O'Connor Dr. KINGSTON, Ontario K7P 1N3	Location Address 129-556 O'Connor Dr. KINGSTON, Ontario K7P 1N3
Telephone: (905) 507-1300
Fax: (905) 492-1301
Email: info@audioconexus.com
Website URL: http://www.audioconexus.com

Contact information

Ange Berlin
	Title:   Director
	Area of Responsibility:   Management Executive
	Telephone:   (905) 492-1300
	Fax:   (905) 492-1301
	Email:   aberlin@audioconexus.com
Jonathan Stanley
	Title:   Chief Executive Officer
	Area of Responsibility:   Management Executive
	Telephone:   (905) 492-1300
	Fax:   (905) 492-1301
	Email:   jstanley@audioconexus.com
Doug Humphreys
	Title:   Vice President
	Area of Responsibility:   Export Sales & Marketing Management Executive Domestic Sales & Marketing
	Telephone:   (613) 507-1300
	Fax:   (905) 492-1300

Company description

AudioConexus Inc., a Media and Entertainment company is creating new opportunities in the tourism industry by enabling venues of any size to transform their business with significantly enhanced and immersive GPS tour experiences – providing fun, entertaining, and educational audio tours in multiple languages and topics simultaneously. While other companies are providing services to tourists, attractions and historical sites, what makes AudioConexus unique is our ability to deliver GPS triggered audio narration in multiple languages and multiple topics simultaneously. Our company is focused on the most exciting and fastest growing area of tourism today – international travel. We help sightseeing companies and attractions of all sizes increase sales and attract new customers, enhancing vacation experiences in any language, any topic, anywhere. The company also specializes in self-guided tour technology for museums, art galleries, and attractions and tour guide systems for walking tours and factory floors.
Country of Ownership:	Canada
Exporting:	Yes
Primary Industry (NAICS):	517210 - Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
Alternate Industries (NAICS):	334220 - Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing 414440 - Sound Recording Wholesalers 417320 - Electronic Components, Navigational and Communications Equipment and Supplies Wholesaler-Distributors 512290 - Other Sound Recording Industries 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Primary Business Activity:	Services

Product / Service / Licensing

Product Name:	GPS Multilingual Commentary Systems
AudioConexus delivers easy-to-use, technologically advanced GPS tour systems for mobile tour operators including boats, buses, trolleys, trams, and trains. Multilingual Commentary System - Hardwired This system facilitates automated, GPS triggered, pre-recorded audio commentaries that play at key points of interest along your sightseeing routes. This is a hard-wired system, with multilingual commentaries played on audio controllers at the seat back. The system has a variety of features including playing music between tour commentaries or on a separate channel or both. With a Driver Control Panel, manual operation of the system for off-route commentary and other features are included. Designed with two microphone inputs for live guide commentaries, three audio inputs for external devices such as iPods, CD, and DVD players, and one audio out for PA system commentary in any language, you’ll be amazed by the flexibility you have in a smaller, lighter design. TriggerPOINT TriggerPOINT Wireless is a portable, carry on, carry off multilingual GPS tour entertainment system. TriggerPOINT is designed specifically for mobile applications where portability and flexibility are essential in fleet management. The GPS commentary system removes the operational and visitor restrictions affiliated with hardwired solutions. You can provide audio tours over your existing Public Address (PA) System and to small wireless receivers and headsets. Our portable system can be moved from bus to bus as operational demands dictate.
Product Name:	Hand-held Audio Guides
The AudioConexus hand-held Audio Guide is part of an easy-to-use, technically advanced and scalable audio interpretation system. This hand-held audio player features CD-quality audio sound, two stereo earphone jacks and 1 hidden speaker, ideal for two listeners sharing one device. The audio guides are scalable to 32 languages, with each language supporting 950 audio files! These lightweight audio guides are designed for the best possible visitor experience, providing visitors’ with an optional social experience using the speaker or a more intimate inclusive experience using headsets. Designed for all age groups, the hand-held audio guide includes quick and easy language and tour selection options providing attraction operators with the ability to offer up to 32 languages and/or tours from a single device.
Product Name:	ieXplore Tour Guide Systems
Many of us have experienced the frustration associated with trying to hear and understand our tour guides. Group travelers often challenge their tour guides as they jockey for a position close enough to hear the guide’s live commentary. Tour guides, communicating with their groups, often have no alternative but to raise their voices to get their message heard. Introducing a simple way to provide better tours for your tour groups. ieXplore is an easy-to-use wireless communication system designed specifically for tour groups, factory tours, outdoor excursions, employee training, language interpretation, conferences and trade shows to provide superior tours using wireless technology. Your wireless receiver's multi-channel design enables visitors to select the tour and/or language of their choice. An easy to use language selection switch is located on top of the receiver. The wireless system is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and allows a visitor to move around freely during the entire visit. Our tour guide system is designed for use by adults and children, by groups or individuals. Our wireless receivers are lightweight and are worn on a belt or around the neck with a lanyard. The body-worn wireless Transmitter will broadcast your driver, interpreter or tour guide’s voice to everyone in their group at a comfortable conversation speech level. The system is wireless and there is no microphone to carry. Guides speak to their entire group as if the group was an arms length away – communicating over distances as far as 80 metres in an open area. Excellent for driver led tours on or off the bus, walking tours, tour guide led tours, factory tours, outdoor events, classroom, training, and conferences – ieXplore solves the following problems: background noise, distance; and reverberation. ieXplore also comes in a convenient 36-unit portable charger case and a 12-unit charger for smaller group applications. Up to 8 channels can be used simultaneously for multilingual or simultaneous language translation applications.
Product Name:	Single Language GPS Commentary System
AudioConexus provides sightseeing companies, mass-transportation, and shuttle operators with location-based (GPS) audio systems for high-quality, accurate and consistent messaging, advertising, and cross-promotional messages. Now you can significantly enhance visitor experiences while creating new revenue streams from sponsors and advertisers. The Single Language GPS Commentary System is a compact MP3 player that is vibration resistant, designed for rugged transportation routes and environments. Audio clips in MP3 format are easily stored on cards by simply copying files from your PC onto CompactFlash. The single language GPS tour system provides CD quality stereo sound. Some of its features include Auto-GPS Detection, a Driver/Captain/Guide Control Panel: an *optional control panel that provides manual play, pause and stop features for off-route commentary, promotions, and commentary you can play in high traffic situations, Remote Power-up Connection, RJ45 Ports, Relay Output Connection, and license free software. The system includes several new features including new AUX and USB Connections and random-play music between commentaries. AudioConexus delivers the world’s most advanced GPS (satellite technology) solutions, creating product differentiation, competitive advantage and prosperity for our partners.
Service Name:	Foreign Language Translation
Getting foreign language translation right is important for three reasons: 1. You can’t do literal translations of your English script, or your project will fail. 2. You need to write for the particular culture of the language. 3. You need storytellers that translate and adapt – not translators that aren’t story tellers. Why Translation Firms Don't Work When creating audio tours for more than one language, we have a well honed process in place to deliver high-quality tours that are fun and entertaining. Foreign language translation is completed using experienced storytellers and professional voice talents. Our foreign language translation methodology requires that two translators work together on every language translation for Quality Assurance. During this process, our translators are not doing literal translations of the script. This is because it takes less time to say something in English than in most other languages. Our foreign language storytellers capture the essence of stories, add meaning and context, while taking into consideration audience and cultural sensitivity. Writing For Language and Culture When we write for language and culture, we avoid things like slang, wordplay and puns. This is because they won’t be understood, or worse, may offend. Our focus is to make foreign language tours fun and entertaining, easy to understand, clear and familiar. After our foreign language script translations are done, we then vet our translated scripts through our voice talents. We take this additional step for Quality of Experience. Timing is Essential For GPS Tours Timing is essential for GPS tours. During our initial on-site visit, a Timing Template is created as a guideline for our writers. This timing guideline results from our on-site assessment of high and low traffic scenarios, tidal changes, alternative routes, tour stops, safety, announcements, and discrete ad placements to name a few. Our tour commentaries begin and end at the same time (in all languages). Storytellers Provide Better Foreign Language Translation Since it often takes more time to say the same thing in another language, a literal translation of English will not work. This is because literal foreign language translations of an English script will create audio segments that vary widely in lengths of time. When it comes to providing GPS tour entertainment we’re always thinking about your next point of interest. That’s why we developed a team of foreign language storytellers. Professional storytellers capture the essence of the story being told, in the allotted time. And they tell great stories the way your foreign language guests want to hear them. What this means is, we take culture into consideration during the translation process. What we say in English may not translate well in Japanese, or in fact, may be culturally insensitive. When we write foreign language tours, we write for language and culture.
Service Name:	Foreign Language Translation
Getting foreign language translation right is important for three reasons: 1. You can’t do literal translations of your English script, or your project will fail. 2. You need to write for the particular culture of the language. 3. You need storytellers that translate and adapt – not translators that aren’t story tellers. Why Translation Firms Don't Work When creating audio tours for more than one language, we have a well honed process in place to deliver high-quality tours that are fun and entertaining. Foreign language translation is completed using experienced storytellers and professional voice talents. Our foreign language translation methodology requires that two translators work together on every language translation for Quality Assurance. During this process, our translators are not doing literal translations of the script. This is because it takes less time to say something in English than in most other languages. Our foreign language storytellers capture the essence of stories, add meaning and context, while taking into consideration audience and cultural sensitivity. Writing For Language and Culture When we write for language and culture, we avoid things like slang, wordplay and puns. This is because they won’t be understood, or worse, may offend. Our focus is to make foreign language tours fun and entertaining, easy to understand, clear and familiar. After our foreign language script translations are done, we then vet our translated scripts through our voice talents. We take this additional step for Quality of Experience. Timing is Essential For GPS Tours Timing is essential for GPS tours. During our initial on-site visit, a Timing Template is created as a guideline for our writers. This timing guideline results from our on-site assessment of high and low traffic scenarios, tidal changes, alternative routes, tour stops, safety, announcements, and discrete ad placements to name a few. Our tour commentaries begin and end at the same time (in all languages). Storytellers Provide Better Foreign Language Translation Since it often takes more time to say the same thing in another language, a literal translation of English will not work. This is because literal foreign language translations of an English script will create audio segments that vary widely in lengths of time. When it comes to providing GPS tour entertainment we’re always thinking about your next point of interest. That’s why we developed a team of foreign language storytellers. Professional storytellers capture the essence of the story being told, in the allotted time. And they tell great stories the way your foreign language guests want to hear them. What this means is, we take culture into consideration during the translation process. What we say in English may not translate well in Japanese, or in fact, may be culturally insensitive. When we write foreign language tours, we write for language and culture.
Service Name:	Script Writing
AudioConexus offers industry leading script writing services for entertaining and engaging audio tours. We've written scripts for GPS audio tours in Canada, the United States, Europe, Southern Asia, and Latin America. We've also written for museums, historic sites, and world renowned traveling exhibitions such as Genghis Khan, The Silk Road, Tang, Shipwrecked, and Salvador Dali to name a few. Script writing for audio tours is a specialized discipline. How so? When we think of writing, we often think of writing for books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and short stories. This is generally referred to as “creative writing”. This style of writing is meant to be read silently – not heard. Creative writing relies on description to “paint the picture” of what’s going on, or what’s important. Script writing for tours requires less descriptive words, because the audience “gets the picture” with the additional benefit of professional voice talents and sound designers. Audio tour scripts consist of stories that are designed to be accompanied by music and sound effects. At AudioConexus, we call it: “writing for the ear”. “Writing for the ear” is different than writing for the mind’s eye. The audio tour script is designed to be integrated with music and sound effects, in order to create a moving, personal experience. A good script can mean the difference between a great tour and a tour that falls flat. Writers who have the expertise and the experience know how to tell fun, entertaining, and educational stories that sustain the interest of the audience. But even the best voice-over talent, music, or sound effects are useless, without a good audio tour script. People don’t respond well to the mere recitation of facts and figures. However, they always connect with well-told stories. You can count on a great story to capture the imagination of your audience.
Service Name:	Sound Design and Production (Multilingual)
Our sound production studios have been recording, editing, and mixing award winning productions in the broadcasting, television, film and animation industries. Since 1996, we’ve also been producing multilingual audio tours for tourism’s leading companies. Companies like Merlin Entertainment, the Sands Corporation, and the Dole Plantation. We’ve also worked with many smaller operators who simply want the very best in entertainment for their passengers. What we’ve found though, throughout the years, is that what we do almost seems like magic, behind closed doors, where no one can see us. So we wanted to open up our process to you. Drop the veil. Become naked so to speak. That’s why you’re invited to our sound production studios any time you like. So you want to join a session? No problem. Just call us and we’ll make the arrangements. So why is sound an important factor in the Creative process? It’s what lifts the sails – and gives your tour “life”. Our goal, from writing, translation, to sound design and mixing, is to captivate the imaginations of your visitors. There are several aspects to making this happen. Here, we’ll discuss a few of them. Professional Narration When it comes to delivering your tour, it’s important to work with the pros. Narration is a key component of delivering a great tour – not only do you want great voice(s), you want to get the inflections and tone right. You also want professional recording equipment, with no ambient noise, with crystal clear sound. During our Creative and Branding process, we provide you with several voice talent samples that we think will fit perfectly into your tour. Our pool of male and female voice talents is deep, and we’re tapping into the greatest resource on the planet – New York, New York. We work with only the best and that means you’re getting top notch talent – always. Additionally, we work with voice talents around the globe to address the unique requirements of a project. This includes Character Actors, Sound Alikes, and of course – narrators. Music For Sound We are tapped into the largest music libraries on the planet. If there’s a particular style of music you’re looking for, we can find it. All of our enhanced audio tours include music because it evokes images and emotional responses. Stories and music are key to captivating people’s imaginations. We understand the power of music. And what it means for your tour experiences. We spend a lot of time editing and mixing – to get it just right. That’s why we coined the term “cinematic audio tour experiences” for sightseeing back in 2006. And since then, we’ve seen some of our competitors jumping on our jargon and using it – which is just fine with us. We find it complementary. Sound Effects Sound effects help us to tell stories. We use sound effects to complete the experience – and to enhance it. There is a long history of sound effects in cinema and in television. Can you imagine watching Star Wars without the sound of the lightsaber? Sound effects are used for enhancement or can be created. Used at the right time, they’re vital to the way we tell stories. They can be anything from a creaking door to the sound of a raven’s call – which can set the tone and the mood for the experience. We’re always careful not to overdo it, placing sounds at just the right moment – to bring people to different times and places.

Market profile

Alliances:

• Financial
• Sales/Marketing
• Technology

Strategic alliances:

International distributors

Industry sector market interests:

• Agriculture
• Construction
• Culture
• Information Technology and Telecommunications
• Manufacturing
• Medical/Biotechnology/Chemical
• Mining/Petroleum/Gas
• Service Industry
• Tourism
• Transportation
• Aerospace
• Defence
• Automotive
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• Pulp and Paper
• Plastics and Rubber Products
• Primary and Fabricated Metal
• Textile and Clothing

Sector information

Key / Major clients:

Aloha Bus, Gray Line Australia, Super Sightseeing San Francisco, Capital Cruises, EDF Energy London Eye, Blue Boat Company, General Motors, Bridgestone, Allstate Insurance, DreamWorks Animation.

Testimonial:

“The EDF Energy London Eye river cruise is delivered with the ebb and flow of the historic river Thames. This made our project more complex because the tides are constantly changing and AudioConexus took the time to coach the London Eye staff on what was required for the scripts, and helped to create the river cruise tours. The GPS tour systems are easy to use and staff and guests are really pleased with the quality of the commentary making the London Eye happy to work with AudioConexus.”

Davey Barrett, Show Services Manager, EDF Energy London Eye

"We have been using the AudioConexus systems on our seven new double decker buses in Honolulu since April of 2011 and can say without any reservation that it has taken our guest touring experience to the highest levels possible in the state of Hawaii.

For our staff, the system offers an affordable, easy to use, easy to update system that eliminates the requirement for speaking tour guides on each vehicle while allowing us to provide five different languages simultaneously. The AC team is professional, caring and very supportive.

For our guests, AudioConexus provides an everyday 24/7 consistent high quality touring experience. Our passengers also have the flexibility to switch to various music channels once they have ridden the bus numerous times.

For our Waikiki, Honolulu, and China Town communities the AudioConexus commentary system provides a quiet alternative to the noisy blasting PA systems found on other tour vehicles ensuring that noise abatement issues are addressed in each community. This has won not only their respect for our commitment and concern but their active support of our business services.

For the travel industry this is the very first tour product in Hawaii that Domestic (English speaking), Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Chinese travel and activity agents can sell into and across all of their markets that speak any of these multiple languages.

A TRUE WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN by all accounts."

Lee Collins, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, AlohaBus

“Our new AudioConexus tour guide system with audio guides is working out great for our customer tours. Our tour guides and tour helpers have high praise for the new system and its ease of use.

Our administrative assistant loves it, too, because it’s much easier for her to get everything ready for our tours. Before we purchased the AudioConexus system she had to charge the MP3 players we were using one by one. This system is a huge timesaver for her.

Most important, our guests are having a much easier time keeping up with our pre-recorded audio because they don’t have to fiddle with their own MP3 player to try to find each track by themselves like they used to have to do. Now, the tour guide can control the content for them. We’re finding that our guests can also pay more attention to the processes shown on the tour rather than having to try to figure out how to keep up with the MP3s we used before.

We've also found that the people in the back of each tour group don’t have to worry about missing something that the tour guide says because the tour guide is now speaking to them through microphones that project everything so well, even when there’s some background noise from our manufacturing process. The microphones are beneficial for repeating questions asked, too, because the entire group can hear the repeated question and the answer without any shouting needed.

The exceptional customer service we’ve received from each and every company representative is another reason that we would recommend AudioConexus. Each person we’ve worked with has been very helpful along the way of researching, purchasing, and implementing our new system for our busy tour schedule. Recording our new tour script through AudioConexus worked flawlessly and we’re very happy with how professionally it was done and sounds. Thank you for everything.”

Karren Jeske, Communications Manager, Standard Process Inc.

International capital projects:

We've worked on several international projects in the United States, Europe, Southern Asia, and Latin America.