Selling the dream

CASE STUDY
Selling the dream
Barfoot and Thompson Head Office, Auckland
Barfoot & Thompson’s new purpose-built auction room is one of the most impressive in Australasia
Project Overview: When Barfoot & Thompson
designed their new purpose-built location in
downtown Auckland, it presented an opportunity to
install ground-breaking visual display technology
never before seen in New Zealand.
Outcomes: Barfoot & Thompson now has one of
the most impressive purpose-built auction rooms in
Australasia – complete with two large-scale Video
Walls, plus a suite of Full HD panels for realtime auction updates. Other business-enhancing
technology from Sharp Corporation include the
latest Interactive Touch Panel screens for
in-house training purposes and boardroom use.
Those attending a property auction at Barfoot &
Thompson’s stunning new downtown premises are in for a
visual treat. Not only do the grand surroundings resemble
an elegant modern hotel, but the properties for sale are
displayed on two giant high-definition Video Walls.
The impressive Video Walls were part of a suite of Sharp
technology installed in the newly designed premises at 34
Shortland Street in downtown Auckland. At a commanding
Contact Sharp Customer Care on 0800 501 201
length of 2.6 metres each, they provide a powerful visual
experience. And the twin Video Walls are certainly making
a big impact at Barfoot & Thompson’s in-house auctions.
When Peter Thompson (Managing Director) first visited
Sharp’s head office in Auckland, he immediately saw the
potential of the video panels to improve his company’s
auction process.
“The video wall panels offered a captivating display,” says
Peter. “Not only would it do justice to the beautiful homes
we sell every week...we could also see it would add value
to our customers who have chosen to list their property
with us. The image quality of these panels is stunning
- and we believe they are well worth the investment in
terms of the benefits they deliver to our clientele.”
As Rob Fisher from Sharp explains, a Video Wall of this
size is rarely seen in a public space in New Zealand. They
are typically used in control rooms, airports and other
data-rich environments. They are also ideal for high-end
retail and digital display advertising.
“There’s nothing else like this in Australasia,” says Tim
Carter, Barfoot & Thompson’s Auction Manager.
Copyright © 2013 Sharp Corporation of New Zealand
CASE STUDY
Selling the dream
Barfoot and Thompson Head Office, Auckland
One of Barfoot & Thompson’s three 70-inch Sharp interactive panels is located in the boardroom
Two 52-inch Quattron Full HD panels installed in reception
Contact Sharp Customer Care on 0800 501 201
“It really enhances the entire auction experience – our
sales people are receiving very positive feedback from
both buyers and sellers.”
Big impact
The image quality of the Video Walls is truly stunning –
with Sharp’s own LCD technology delivering incredibly deep
blacks, bright whites and vivid colours. The three 60-inch
panels are joined together in portrait orientation, giving a
total viewing panel of 103-inches each. The panels appear
virtually seamless, as the already-slim bezel width of
6.5mm is countered by a unique bezel reflection mirror.
The technical installation required to run the Video Walls
is equally impressive. Barfoot & Thompson often run
two auctions simultaneously – dividing the auction room
with a moveable soundproof wall. Accordingly, it has been
configured so the in-house software can send separate
data from the PC to each video wall; as well as different
data feeds to the TV panels in the foyer.
“As well as running content via their PCs, Barfoot &
Thompson also wanted the option of playing Sky TV
on the video walls, for client entertaining and watching
the big sports games,” explains Rob Fisher. “Everything
considered, it was a pretty clever installation.”
“Everything has been designed to make the auction
process easier to follow, and less stressful for buyers
and sellers,” says Tim Carter.
There are even 11 glass-panelled vendor rooms
surrounding the main auction room – giving vendors the
privacy and access to technology they need to make
important sales decisions.
A focus on training
As part of the new fit-out, Barfoot & Thompson also
installed three Sharp interactive panels. One is located in
the boardroom, for presentations; while the other two are
dedicated for training purposes.
“Staff training is something we take great pride in at
Barfoot & Thompson, and we could see the advantages
these interactive panels would bring to our in-house
training facilities,” says Peter Thompson.
“We like to equip our staff with the kind of resources
and technology that enhances their training and their
professional lives - and ultimately improves the service we
deliver to our clients.”
Updates at a glance
The auction experience is further enhanced by two Sharp
Full HD panels installed near the reception area on street
level. This allows interested members of the public (or
those who want to settle their nerves outside the auction
room) to follow the auction via live feed to the screens.
The 52” Quattron Full HD panels also provide information
on previous and upcoming auctions.
Mary Sharp provides training for new recruits as well
as existing salespeople, using an interactive whiteboard
installed in Barfoot & Thompson’s purpose-built training
room.
“It’s really added an extra dimension to our training,” says
Mary. “It’s fantastic to be able to screen a video, or email
everybody the diagram we’ve just discussed - all at the
touch of a screen. I find it very intuitive to use and just
like using a PC…you simply open and close files as you
need them.”
Copyright © 2013 Sharp Corporation of New Zealand
“As part of one of our courses, participants finish with a
presentation to their peers, managers and directors. They
just step in and run their own Powerpoint presentation on
the interactive panel – it looks impressive, and they enjoy
using the technology.”
The large-size, bright screen is also ideal for group
presentations.
“We accommodate up to 40 people in our training room,
and they can watch the screen clearly from all angles,”
says Mary.
“We like to employ solutions that give our
clients and sales people a competitive
advantage – whether it’s showcasing their
property at auction, or using purposedesigned software for digital listings.”
Barfoot & Thompson’s IT trainer, Ann Fortune, uses a
second interactive panel to deliver her computer training
classes – which is mainly focused on training estate agents
in Barfoot & Thompson’s proprietary systems for sales,
digital listings and advertising.
selling around one in every three homes sold by real
estate agents in the region.
Opened in October 2012, number 34 Shortland Street
is now home to Barfoot & Thompson’s 70+ head office
staff, as well as the venue for the company’s thriceweekly auctions.
As the former Auckland Club, the new premises have a rich
and interesting history. The Club’s original sweeping rimu
staircase and dome feature have been retained and the
auction room is in the former grand ballroom. The rest of
the building, however, represents pure innovation. The fully
modernised and automated environment is enhanced by the
elegant architectural fit-out.
The new building was also an opportunity for Barfoots
to demonstrate their reputation for industry-leading
technology.
“Barfoot & Thompson is committed to the kind of
technology that will future-proof our business,” says
managing director Peter Thompson.
“We like to employ solutions that give our clients and
salespeople a competitive advantage – whether it’s
showcasing their property at auction, or using purposedesigned software for digital listings”.
Ann says the panel makes for a more impactful teaching
experience, as she can directly interact with the
whiteboard.
“I can stand by the interactive panel, instead of jumping
up and down from behind the desk with my PC. It’s much
more engaging to watch if they’re interacting with the
screen rather than describing it from a distance.”
“It certainly makes my job easier, and I’m sure it makes
it easier to learn.”
About Barfoot & Thompson
As a family-owned business, founded in 1923, Barfoot
& Thompson still retains direct ownership of its 60+
offices. The current Directors – Garth Barfoot, Peter
Thompson and Kiri Barfoot – are the son, grandson and
granddaughter of the original owners.
To find out more about how Sharp can
help your business contact us today.
The company specialises in the Auckland property market;
0800 501 201
0800 501 201
www.sharp.net.nz