About Us
Our Aim
ATS aims to be a market leader in providing exciting, engaging and accessible audio and multimedia interpretation, on ‘easy to use’ technology, at a fair price.
I want our clients to feel that they are in control, and confident that they have my team available to support them at every step. Whether clients want a complete solution or just hardware we employ a co-operative approach so that we are both working for mutual benefit.
Support is extremely important and we have the staff, equipment and processes in place to ensure that our client’s equipment is readily available to their visitors.
Finally, we set our standards high, and aim to be an ethical company who deals with its staff, consultants and contractors as fairly as it does its clients.
Mike Howie
Managing Director
ATS Heritage
Background to the Company
ATS Heritage, part of the Advanced Thinking Systems group, is a specialist supplier of audio, AV and new media content and solutions. Its success has been founded, in part, on the Orpheo range of handhelds (Audio Guides and Multimedia or Video Guides). This, and our open approach to content and technology, has ensured a steady stream of clients from small volunteer-run trusts to larger organisations.
We have two offices, one in Hampshire and one in Edinburgh and between these we cover the whole of the UK and Republic of Ireland. The company has in-house studios, an editing/multimedia team as well as a large resource bank of writers and voiceovers.
As a company we aim to improve access and interpretation by getting the very best out of the subject matter and enlivening our tours with entertaining, theatrical dialogue and other interpretative ideas. Some of our most distinctive content includes human stories told by real people, not just professional voiceovers. Our teams are led by creative professionals who often have expertise in subjects relevant to interpreting a castle, stately home, museum or art gallery. Where the subject matter is unusual (we have worked on carriages, waterwheels, ceramics and a number of other specialist subjects) we will draw on clients’ expertise to make sure that the tour achieves its objectives.
In fact we also encourage clients to get involved in creating the content if they wish. Whether or not ATS does the entire production, the client is in the driving seat and will be invited to approve each stage of the process. Some clients prefer to supply their own script or oral archives. This flexibility ensures both parties are working in the same direction. In most cases, we provide free content management software so that clients buying these products are not tied to ATS and have the flexibility to update and change future content.
ATS’ Media Team is multi-skilled and dedicated to its craft: in the interests of authenticity we brought in live rats for filming down in the deepest decks of HMS Victory. We also filmed costumed actors for the multimedia tours of Osterley Park House and in the course of our research discovered a ring given by Charles the 1st for a tour of Stockwood Park in Luton.
