Neckarsulm, 27 May 2019 – Bechtle AG is a new sponsor of Experimenta Heilbronn, with a sponsorship contract running until the end of April 2022. Germany’s largest science centre, Experimenta has been a success since it opened in 2009 with its interactive and experience-oriented approach that aims to get all generations excited about science and engineering. In March 2019, the hands-on museum added a new, highly modern structure—a significant expansion to some 25,000 square metres offering children and adults alike a world of learning and experiences featuring 275 interactive exhibits, four creative studios and nine laboratories in addition to an observatory and a science dome that puts on science shows. Bechtle has been onboard at Experimenta as an IT partner since 2009.
The science centre—with its modern technology landscape and close relationship with its long-term IT provider—is a fantastic opportunity for Bechtle to position itself as a strong IT partner in a future-oriented project. Experimenta’s concept and aims match with two focus points in Bechtle’s sponsoring strategy—children and education—and also play into Bechtle’s desire to further strengthen its roots in the region. The fact that Bechtle is a key contributor to the science centre’s information technology is another highlight of the partnership.
Bechtle’s assignment centres on Experimenta’s network and security throughout its digitalisation campaign, as well as connecting all relevant systems, end devices and interactive elements. In addition, Bechtle has developed a scalable cloud solution that enables the “digital backpack” designed by Experimenta and its multimedia partners. This allows visitors to collect digital souvenirs as they walk through the exhibitions. With a special wrist band, they can plan and trace their individual science journey and track their personal results along the way. The photos, videos and other content that visitors collect are all stored in their own, secure account in the cloud so they can relive the experience at home over the internet.
Bechtle has also implemented a bespoke Modern Workplace concept for Experimenta that encompasses virtual desktops, Microsoft Office 365, IP telephony, and conferencing, as well as the deployment of the required end devices, displays and printers. The data centre, exhibition area and laboratories have also been furnished with hardware and software by the IT system house in neighbouring Neckarsulm. Bechtle further supplied the server and storage solutions for the science centre’s in-house rendering farm, as well as the workstations used to produce films and animations that are screened in the science dome. In terms of software, Bechtle has delivered all the business applications required for resource planning and document management.