A Lake District museum has undergone a major technology upgrade to offer visitors a more enjoyable experience.
The Armitt: Museum, Gallery and Library, in Ambleside, enlisted the support of Integrity IT Solutions, based in Carlisle and Annan, to improve the visitor attraction’s computer, phone and internet systems, allowing the museum to operate more efficiently.
The much-needed upgrade is ensuring the museum databases run smoothly, and guests are able to access wi-fi around the venue for the first time. Internet access has also presented the opportunity to introduce card readers around the museum so visitors can donate funds to the charitable organisation even if they don’t have cash with them.
The improved internet and phone systems are also affording staff the flexibility to work from home, providing more resilience compared with operations during the COVID-19 lockdown.
All computer-based files and related documents will also be automatically backed up through the Cloud system – another new addition to the system at The Armitt.
Faye Morrissey, the museum’s new manager and curator, said: “This upgrade of the technology systems has been long overdue and I identified it as one of the priorities when I took on the role in March.
“These types of improvements are always done behind the scenes and guests don’t usually get to see the significance of them, but we are already seeing huge benefits.
“The new technology means that staff can access the museum database on their home laptops which they couldn’t beforehand, and it means we are able to be more efficient no matter where we are based. The phones are being transferred better, the computers are faster and the broadband is working really well, so we are really pleased with the upgraded technology.
“Having wi-fi for guests is a real game-changer too as, in this day and age, that is what people expect, and it allows them to tag the museum in their social media posts and share their experiences, which helps raise our profile too.”
Improvements made to the technology are just one of the many exciting developments planned at The Armitt: Museum, Gallery and Library.
When Faye took on the role as manager and curator in March, she set a number of targets to help develop the tourist attraction and improve what it offers.
She said: “I’m really looking forward to driving the museum forward and there are many exciting plans and ideas for the future. The IT upgrade is just part of the plan to develop and futureproof the museum for years to come.”
