10 Questions in 60 Seconds… Matjaz Smole

Matjaz Smole, Engineering Manager – CM Product Management

Along with his team, Matjaz is the mastermind behind our very own content management system, pioneering features and solutions that give our customers the greatest value and the user the best possible experience.

1. What is the best thing about your job?

I can influence an aspect of our system that directly enhances both the customer and passenger experience. By working with my team, we realise the product vision by developing new functionality and features for the management system.

2. What are you currently working on?

We are constantly upgrading the product based on customer needs and supporting various customer implementations. Right now, we are working on additional performance monitoring features, optimising Papercast apps and support for a new generation product (coming soon).

3. What big milestone do you want to achieve this year?

There are quite a few, there are some major features in the pipeline but I’m not ready to share right now! Implementing the CMS Plus solution is probably a big one for me. This is where the Papercast content management system controls every passenger information display in a single interface, regardless of the supplier or the technology (i.e. LCD).

4. If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be and why?

Honest answer, no-one! I love what I do and while I have huge respect for a lot of tech entrepreneurs (like Papercast founders Bogdan Pavlic, Rado Skender and Robert Bicket as well as people like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Ethan Brown of Beyond Meat) I prefer to be inspired by them rather than step into their shoes.

5. What is your motto or personal mantra?

I’d say that continuous improvement (Kaizen) is the philosophy that’s very much aligned to my way of thinking.

6. What is the best thing about Papercast technology?

The ability to work reliably in different conditions (i.e. low power or off-line) and therefore providing passengers with adequate and reliable information in all circumstances. Also, the flexibility around display and content configuration, allowing customers to define how the display works at different times and in different situations.

7. What trends do we need to look out for in the next 12 months?

Augmented Reality is snowballing, although I am not sure that it will have massive effect in the next year, but probably in 5 to 10 years. More immediate is the interaction between signs/locations and user mobile devices with technologies like iBeacon, QR codes and GPS. Also, the integration and application of open and reliable data into customer solutions is becoming increasingly important.

8. What do you believe will shape or shift the market most in the next 12 months?

Probably the use of open data and the various integrations and services based on it.

9. What is your view on how e-paper is disrupting the market?

It’s the most sustainable, flexible and adaptable technology option for showing various kinds of passenger information at bus stops; static, interactive and real-time.

10. What five words of advice would you give to customers right now?

Start using Papercast displays today 😉