http://www.ted.com/tedx/events/4895

Writing code and building software could be considered commodity-based but when it comes down to choosing what technology is best for you, the human instinct and the un-scientific term “gut-feel” always come to play on whether you adopt the technology or not.

A lot of factors go into that decision and the one factor that always resonates is emotion.

Nervana has pioneered a method in which we purposely inject emotion into our technology and the results have been amazing. Connection and emotion skills are fundamental to anything and everything we do. Coding software is no different.

Nervana creates the best products, because they are built from the heart. And our engineers understand how to do that very well. It’s part of our DNA and process to be able to measure and score our software.

On a scale of 1 to 10, products that don’t have an “emotional score” > 6 will never reach the market place.

The next time you use a piece of software, what “emotional score” will you give it?

When you are building software for consumers and your usability testing team is a set of four year olds and your business teams are held to some strict guidelines to not require external training guidance or heavy manuals.  The result is a product designed to excite as oppose to frustrate and gives the user a sense of discovery of the tool as opposed to guessing.

Part of the Nervana culture is to shoot video.  And lots of video.  Final Cut, iMovie, Vegas, whatever flavor we have, we are always cutting video because nothing comes closer to the human interaction in digital form than video, both pre-recorded or live streaming.   Video is the way to tell a story. We use video to show products as well as guide the user.

Everyone in Nervana is required to know how to shoot and cut video.  It’s really not mandatory, it’s just how we Generation D folks are.  We shoot video on our Androids, iPhones, and Windows Mobile and we edit them right on the phones or edit them on our computers and we are constantly capturing our work, our customers, our products, and our stories to share.

For all the technology startups out there who dare to place technology in the hands of the consumers, our success is based on this mantra:  Training Without Training.

Sometimes you’ll nail it on the head and sometimes you won’t, but thinking like this will push you and your team that extra step above everyone else.  Trust me, no one really things like this to put it into formal action.  They just talk, but never act.

You can tell we are Bruce Lee fans.  Having No Style As Style.  Training Without Training.

And with the grace of god, Union Sushi + BBQ Grill was already in progress of making their own iPad menu as well as mobile app.

We got a chance to present the Social Menu to Mike Schatzman and the rest was history.

Union Sushi + BBQ Grill was going to be a target destination for all of Nervana’s NRA guests and boy did Union not disappoint.

Customers returned to the Nervana booth the following day to thank us on the wonderful experience they had at Union Sushi + BBQ Grill.

The National Restaurant Association Show featured product demonstrations from Nervana’s Food and Beverage, Hospitality, and Higher-Education Portfolio.  Namely the Nervana Ghost Wall, Nervana Mobile, Nervana Social Menus, and the Nervana Mix Boards and last but not least, Nervana’s New Product Suite called Bonfire.

Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan Ave. was showing off the Nervana Ghost Wall.  Hotel Sax (House of Blue’s Hotel) was showing off the Nervana Social Tables.  Union Sushi and BBQ was showing off the Nervana Social Menus.  Swissotel was showing off three solutions, the Nervana Ghost Wall, Nervana Social Menus, and Nervana’s latest installment, Bonfire Events technology.

We loved meeting our competition and seeing their vision in the space and are happy with our differentiating stories, our differentiating approaches, and the differences in our teams.  We wish everyone the best of luck as their success contributes to our success and vice versa.

Thanks again for everyone who visited our booth for a product demonstration.  We will be following up with everyone individually.  We captured over 177 leads and were able to sign over 60 contracts from around the world.

Our sales and demonstration teams are world-class.  Because of the NRA, we are going to Dubai!

 Recent $10 Million Renovation Includes a Number of Cutting-Edge Technology Elements

The new and beautiful interior of Swissôtel Chicago isn’t the only thing that went into its recently completed $10 Million renovation; the hotel now boasts some cutting-edge technology unseen anywhere else. Swissôtel partnered with Chicago-based Nervana to create a state-of the-art Ghost Wall and a mobile meeting app that is completely unique to the property.

The 10 foot by 8 foot Starfire Diamond Crystalline Glass features a 60-inch interactive and transparent touch screen- the largest in the country. Accessible upon entry to the hotel’s lobby, the Ghost Wall serves as a digital concierge and tour guide for guests. Within a few taps guests can be directed to the hotel’s various menus, amenities, points of interest around Chicago, a map, and even a list of flight status’ for guests staying on premise.

The updated lobby is also anchored by a new dining concept called Amuse. The warm and inviting atmosphere is perfect for guests who would like a cocktail and a light bite to eat, or are just looking to unwind next to the fire. But Amuse also boasts some amazing tech updates as well. Nervana created an iPad app which allows guests to peruse and even order cocktails and dishes right off of the iPad. The app includes menu descriptions, prices as well as images so people know exactly what they get when they order. Rhon Daguro, CEO of Nervana Group, notes, “As hotel guests increasingly “go mobile,” Swissôtel Chicago challenged us to provide their brand with technology that could enhance their guests’ experience outside the four walls of their hotel room. In creating Nervana’s Bonfire technology we are able to deliver the most memorable guest experience by leveraging our integrated software platform to deliver technology and services anywhere on the hotel property. Once a guest experiences our Ghost Wall, Bonfire Guest App and our Image Menus, it will set the hospitality standard for technology.”

Swissôtel Chicago will be the first property to provide meeting planners and attendees with Nervana’s Bonfire Events Management app. This application can be downloaded through most smart phones and will track schedules, flights, and presentations, connects guests via a social site and sends alerts for any changes in scheduling. Not only is it useful for event guests to know the layout, time and location of the days events but it allows event planners to make any adjustments or changes in the scheduling in real time. Jack Breisacher, General Manager of Swissôtel Chicago believes that, “this technology will change the face of how guests experience our events. The Bonfire Events Managements app in conjunction with our superlative service and unique amenities puts Swissôtel Chicago at that next level.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, please Nicole Ettenhofer at Nicole.ettenhofer@swissotel.com or 312-296-6420.

About Swissôtel Chicago

Swissôtel Chicago is a AAA Four Diamond hotel offering 661 newly renovated guestrooms, suites and a new state-of-the-art, 38,000 square foot Event Centre. The all-glass triangular hotel, designed by Harry Weese, is wedged into the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan and features wrap-around views from Navy Pier to Millennium Park and The Magnificent Mile. For more information please visit www.SwissotelChicago.com.

New Look & Feel:  Swissotel Chicago Completes $10 Million Renovation

The Four Diamond Swissôtel Chicago has completed the $10 million renovation of its lobby/bar and classic meeting space. Construction began in December 2011.

Inspired by the work of the building’s original architect, Harry Weese, Swissôtel Chicago’s renovated lobby has been transformed into a welcoming oasis for guests. The lobby now features a modern design with natural elements and an earth tone palette that reflect the hotel’s Swiss heritage.

This natural feel is set off by attention grabbing splashes of color, dramatic art, and lighting elements like the artistic rainstorm created by thousands of dangling glass bubble fixtures. Backlit glass panels, etched with Chicago’s skyline, sit just behind the check-in area. Projected just about the bar area, Swissôtel Chicago’s Swiss Circle, by award-winning artist Jork André Dieter, changes color to reflect various moods throughout the day. This illuminated work features two rings of Chicago landmarks and historic elements like Solider Field and Cloud Gate, while the center shows off Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan.

Located in the lobby, Amuse is the hotel’s latest food and beverage concept offering seasonal small and shareable plate options with signature cocktails and wine pairings for each. Amuse appeals to all five senses with its aromatic and flavorful menu, DJ-style music to fit the mood and seating in an artistic, eye-engaging setting.

Check-in pods replaced the traditional bulky hotel front desk, affording a more welcoming experience for the guest upon arrival. Front desk agents will now work from laptop computers, giving them the flexibility to interact with guests even when they are away from their pod. The concierge will be armed with tablets for quick access to all necessary information a guest may need to know, and a Nervana Ghost Wall will act as a digital concierge for guests to check weather, map local routes, and research area attractions.

Swissôtel Chicago will be the first property to provide meeting planners and attendees with Nervana’s Bonfire Events Management app. This application tracks schedules, flights, and presentations, connects guests via a social site and sends alerts for any changes in scheduling. Meeting planners can use this technology in the newly renovated classic meeting space that’s been transformed to mimic the modern, monochromatic feel of the hotel’s 38,000 square foot Event Centre that opened in 2009.

NRA Show 2012 Nervana Group To Unveil World-Class Customer Facing Food And Beverage Technologies

May 5-8, 2012
McCormick Place, Chicago

After several grueling years, restaurant industry sales are beginning to roar back. In fact, the National Restaurant Association forecasts a record-high $600 billion in sales for 2012. Things are looking up.  And Nervana is here to help.  The current generation for foodies have different ways to talk to each other, have different ways to get their attention, have different interests and different worries.   And traditional restaurant operators still live in the past thinking that old techniques will always work in a modern society.  The truth is that they are right to some degree as good service will always be the foundation of a good experience, but society is evolving and foodies are also evolving and those who adopt these modern technologies blended with sound fundamental principles will make the experience for the guest the best it can  be.

Nervana’s iPad Image Menu, Nervana’s D-Pad for Waiters/Servers, Nervana’s Table, Nervana Mobile Image Menu, and Nervana Menu Mix Board for the Restaurants have been developed and in use for quite sometime and is finally ready to share with the world at the National Restaurant Association 2012 in the Technology Pavillion, taking over Samsung’s space.  To learn more about the Nervana technologies or to setup a private demonstration at the show, please contact Nicolette Pajda at nicolette @ nervanagroup . com

Nervana will be located in the Technology Pavillion in the North Hall in Booth 6279

Former President Bill Clinton is the Keynote Guest Speaker.

President Bill Clinton
Sunday, May 6, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Arie Crown Theater
Lakeside Center (formerly known as the East Building)
McCormick Place

At NRA Show 2012, you’ll find the best of the best:

• Connect with 1,800+ exhibitors across 900+ product categories
• Attend more than 70 free education sessions on hyper-relevant topics
• Network with industry leaders from 100 countries and across the U.S.
• Get jazzed by top chefs in the World Culinary Showcase
• Find niche solutions in focused Specialty Pavilions
• Live it up at official Show after-parties that celebrate our industry

or got to http://cig.bonfireforevents.com/mobile from your smartphone

The Bonfire Guest Events App will debut at the Dana Hotel during the Connect.Inspire.Grow Spring Social on April 19th, 2012.

This is a special occasion for Nervana as we have allowed Bonfire to be used and offered independently to an Event Organization.  But this is a special Event Organization that has made waves in the community to Connect wonderful people together, to Inspire people to do more, and to give ourselves the biggest fulfillment in life, which is to Grow.

Nervana is very proud to support this initiative and the wonderful people behind Connect.Inspire.Grow

Please join us for this event to see the Debut of the Free Bonfire Guest Event App and to experience a wonderful night of Inspiration.

http://cigspringsocial.eventbrite.com/

Here is their story:

Our mission is to connect you with noteworthy entrepreneurs who will inspire you from their experiences, and assist you in growing your company and expanding your business network.

The purpose of Connect.Inspire.Grow events is to give you access to Chicago business professionals who have achieved success in their respective fields.

The lobby now features a modern design with both dramatic art and lighting combined with natural elements and an earth-tone palette that reflect the hotel’s Swiss heritage.

Check-in pods, concierges armed with tablets and a Nervana Ghost Wall, which allows guests to check weather, map local routes, research area attractions and get a 360-degree view of hotel’s event spaces and room layouts propel this hotel to the technological forefront.

Swissotel Chicago will be the first property to provide meeting planners and attendees with Nervana’s Bonfire Events Management app. This application tracks schedules, flights, and presentations, connects guests via a social site and sends alerts for any changes in scheduling.

Meeting planners can use this technology in the newly renovated classic meeting space that’s been transformed to mimic the modern, monochromatic feel of the hotel’s 38,000-sq.-ft event centre that opened in 2009.

Meetings Canada Release: Swissotel Chicago Completes $10M Reno, Adds Nervana Ghost Wall
Hotel Interactive Release: Swissotel Chicago Completes $10 Million Renovation, Features New Ghost Wall

BizBash Event Planning Release: Swissotel Chicago: Renovated Meeting Space, a New Eatery, and a New Event Management App

Lodging Magazine Release: Swissotel Chicago Completes $10 Million Renovation, Features Bonfire Event App

Best of Best Dining Chicago Release: The Four Diamond Swissotel Chicago has completed a $10 million renovation

Meetings Focus Release: Swissotel Chicago Finishes Upgrade, Adds Bonfire Events

Travel Pulse Release: Swissôtel Chicago Completes $10 Million Renovation with Nervana’s Bonfire Events Management App

Swissôtel Chicago: Renovated Meeting Space, a New Eatery, and a New Event Management App

By Jenny Berg | Posted April 13, 2012, 3:04 PM EDT