Digital Signage

Archive for July, 2009

Grand Hyatt New York Engages Guests with Omnivex Digital Signage

omnivexBusiness Wire.com tells us about digital signage at the New York Grand Hyatt:

CONCORD, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Omnivex Corporation, the premier provider of digital signage software, announced today that the Grand Hyatt Hotel of New York is running its sophisticated digital signage system on Omnivex software.

The Grand Hyatt NY has a complex floor plan and hosts many conferences and meetings. The hotel wanted to help enhance the guest experience and help them navigate the large facility more easily. The hotel selected Omnivex software to manage the network for its ability to automatically update screens throughout the hotel by interfacing with the hotel’s existing scheduling system, called Daylight.

On the newly redesigned Conference Level, four 40 inch LCD displays are suspended in mid-air in front of the glass that overlooks the main floor. The content directs guests to their meetings, illustrates the floor plan, and informs guests of on-site restaurants and upgrades such as Hyatt Gold Passport. Outside each meeting room, 15” widescreen LCD panels provide automatically updating schedules to show what is taking place in each room.

“The guest experience is our top priority and the digital signage system puts Grand Hyatt NY a notch above competing luxury hotels,” says Thomas Beatty, senior director of convention services for Hyatt’s eastern region. “This technology helps our facilities stand out as exceptional.”

Displays on the Executive Suite Level provide dynamic listings of events, directions showing how to get there and the correct elevator and level needed to get there. Custom monoliths encasing large-screen LCDs stand vertically in high-traffic areas facing elevator banks and present welcome messages, schedules, navigation, real-time news and weather, and branding of guest companies hosting events at the hotel.

Omnivex software also manages content on the guest room channel on the hotel’s in-room cable television system. The channel features content with the details of upcoming meetings and events taking place at the hotel, so guests have access to the information directly from their room.

“The next step is to extend the digital signage network to the Ballroom Level, which is currently under renovation,” says David Alter, Director of Engineering and Project Management for AVT Communiqué, which oversees the system. “Omnivex gives us the capability to stretch functionality in new ways and provide great value to guests at the hotel.”

AVT manages the system remotely from its Chicago office, while administrative staff at the Grand Hyatt NY can also post messages and make changes to the content as needed.

About Omnivex Corporation

Founded in 1991 in Toronto, Ontario, Omnivex Corporation is the world leader in software development for digital signage networks and electronic displays. Many Fortune 500 companies and public institutions rely on Omnivex to deliver their messages to their audiences. Omnivex software is used to manage all aspects of digital signage networks, including content management, real-time data acquisition and distribution, and remote device monitoring and management. For more information, please visit www.omnivex.com.

About Grand Hyatt New York

Located in midtown Manhattan and adjacent to Grand Central, The Grand Hyatt is steps from the city’s top attractions – including Times Square, Broadway theaters, Central Park and Fifth Avenue. The hotel has 55,000 square feet of renovated meeting space. http://www.grandnewyork.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/.

Press Contact:
Lawren Markle
Tech Image (For Omnivex)
626-345-9746
lawren.markle@techimage.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20090721005249/en
http://www.omnivex.com

Cabela’s Wins 2009 Self-Service Excellence Award for Interactive Retail Kiosk Program

cabelas-web

From Digital Signage Expo.net comes the news that Cabela’s has won a KioskCom 2009 Self-Service Excellence Award for Netkey’s digital signage software in its retail stores:

Cabela’s won a KioskCom 2009 Self-Service Excellence Award for the comprehensive software solution Netkey provided for the interactive kiosks in the outfitter’s retail stores.

Netkey announced that its customer Cabela’s Inc. recently won the KioskCom 2009 Self-Service Excellence Award for “Best Overall Software Solution” for its in-store interactive kiosk program, powered by Netkey software.

Known as “The World’s Foremost Outfitter,” Cabela’s operates 30 retail superstores in the U.S. and Canada, some as big as 250,000 square feet. It also has a popular mail order catalog. The company’s Web site offers more than 200,000 items and is considered one of the leading online sites for outdoor retailing.

Cabela’s has moved aggressively to synchronize its retail channels and enhance the customer experience by extending online e-commerce capabilities into its stores using interactive kiosks. Powered by Netkey software, the kiosks also support several other customer-facing applications including product information, inventory availability, promotional registration and the ability to join Cabela’s CLUB, its popular loyalty program and Visa credit card.

“Our customers have told us they want more convenience and more options in their shopping experience at Cabela’s, and that’s exactly what the kiosks give them,” said Kari Blankenship, retail programs manager for Sidney, Neb.-based Cabela’s. “We are now able to extend our entire product selection to customers at any location, regardless of store size.”

More than 250 kiosks have been installed in Cabela’s retail stores. Kiosk application and remote management software is provided by Netkey, offering Cabela’s customers a rich interactive user experience and giving the company the ability to remotely monitor, track and update all kiosks in its stores nationwide from a single PC.

netkey_logo_200“Cabela’s is demonstrating the power and value of multi-channel retailing by bringing their online assets into the store using kiosks and giving their customers access to more products and services,” said V. Miller Newton, CEO of East Haven, Conn.-based Netkey.

To view a video demonstration of the Cabela’s kiosk, click here.

Scala Powers Indiana University’s Campus-wide Digital Signage Network

scala-logo-1-31-07-smallFrom PR Web comes the news about Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and its over 30 channels of individualized content all over campus:

Using Scala software on the university network, Indiana University Auxiliary IT now has the ability to drive more than 30 channels of individualized content to numerous screens all across campus

Bloomington, IN (PRWEB) July 21, 2009 — The number of digital signage deployments on university campuses in the U.S. has skyrocketed during the past few years. Earlier this year, Indiana University (IU) Bloomington joined the fray when it launched a campus-wide digital network to more quickly broadcast important news and information to students and staff.

With the aid of Digital AV, a Scala Certified Partner based in Fort Wayne, Ind., IU’s Auxiliary IT group installed 30 40-inch LCD monitors and computers powered by Scala digital signage software. The complete installation took less than one year to accomplish, and the network was fully operational in spring 2009.

“Digital media is not only modern and eye-catching to students, but it’s less of a hassle than printed materials,” said Aaron Sudduth, Senior System Administrator of IU’s Auxiliary IT Services. “It’s evident that the marketing departments have been able to reduce the cost of printing, and the real return has been on getting information to students and staff much faster.”

Users can access a Web-based template that can be used by any authorized Web browser to input the content into a Microsoft SQL database. This ability to remotely access the system brings great functionality to the system and is one of the most powerful components built into Scala Content Manager.

Using Scala software on the university network, IU Auxiliary IT now has the ability to drive more than 30 channels of individualized content to numerous screens all across campus. Currently, LCD monitors are located in all 12 campus dormitories, food service areas, parking operations and the IU Memorial Union Building. Additionally, one digital signage channel is tied directly to the TV cable network within the Memorial Union hotel to display meeting announcements and other upcoming events in each meeting room.

Moving forward, Auxiliary IT would like to integrate digital signage with IU’s emergency alert system, which is currently set up to send emergency text and e-mail messages to students on the go. Additionally, IU plans to investigate ways to harness this technology as a digital way-finding system for the Student Union.

For more information about Indiana University’s digital signage network, please visit http://www.scala.com/news/studies/indiana-university-deploys-digital-signage-system.

About Indiana University
Indiana University is located in the state of Indiana. The university has more than 99,122 students on its eight campuses across the state. IU is internationally known for the quality of its academic programs and attracts students from all over the world. IU’s original and largest campus is located in Bloomington, which has the most international students –more than 4,000 students from more than 125 countries. IU plays a key role in the economic and social well-being of Indiana residents, offering educational, cultural and financial benefits to the state.

About Digital AV
Digital AV (www.digital-avd.com) is the largest digital signage company in the Midwest, focused exclusively on digital signage applications. Located in their 3,000 sq. ft. technology center in Fort Wayne, Ind., they specialize exclusively in digital signage development and services. Areas of expertise include deployment of DS software, hardware, content development, managed software services and network management. DAV is a fully authorized and Certified Partner for Scala Inc., LG Commercial, Premier Mounts, Equus Computer, and many other quality lines of professional AV and DS products. Display mediums include LCD and plasma displays, LED display tiles and video walls, plasma walls, front- and rear-projection systems and other specialty displays. Deployments include universities, corporate communications, hospitals, convention centers, museums and retail stores. Additional case studies are available at www.digital-avd.com. Call (260) 485-5400 or e-mail experts(at)digital-avd.com.

About Scala
Driving more than 300,000 screens worldwide, Scala is a leading global provider of digital signage and advertising management solutions. Scala is the world’s first connected signage company, offering the leading platform for content creation, management and distribution in digital signage networks and the first unified platform for advertising management of both traditional and digital signage networks. The company’s digital signage customers include Rabobank, IKEA, Burger King, T-Mobile, Virgin MegaStore, Warner Brothers, The Life Channel, Rikstoto, Repsol, NorgesGruppen, Audi, ECE Flatmedia, Kaufhof (Metro Group) and thousands more. Advertising management customers include CBS Outdoor, Clear Channel Outdoor and Magic Media, among others. Scala is headquartered near Philadelphia, USA, and has subsidiaries in Canada, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Germany and Japan, as well as more than 450 partners in more than 60 countries. More information is available at www.scala.com.

©2009 Scala, Inc. 350 Eagleview Blvd. Exton, PA 19341. Scala and the Exclamation Point Log

British Columbia Children’s Hospital Foundation Uses Digital Signage for Campaign Fund-raising

scala-logo-1-31-07-smallFrom PRWeb.com comes this extremely interesting post about an Interactive donor wall powered by Scala and 2C Visual Communications’ diVA™:

Vancouver, British Columbia (PRWEB) July 7, 2009 — The British Columbia Children’s Hospital Foundation (BCCHF) is harnessing the power of digital signage to spread the word about its Campaign for BC Children, a $200-million initiative to build a new hospital and create a legacy for the province’s children.

Using Scala Content Manager and Player, and 2C Visual Communications’ diVA™ — an interactive software and hardware system that creates a responsive environment — the BCCHF Donor Relations team constructed a 10-foot by 15-foot interactive mural in the lobby of BC Children’s Hospital. It features four LCD screens, four audio speakers, two motion sensors, four distance sensors and lighting effects. When a passerby enters the area immediately surrounding the mural, sensors detect movement and bring the mural to life with video, audio and lights.

We wanted to do something outside the box and use technology, so we developed the idea of an interactive donor wall. It adds an element of fun to the lobby.
“We had a temporary space in the hospital that we could use for keeping the public and hospital staff up to date on the Campaign for BC Children,” said Debra Kerr, Donor Relations Coordinator at BCCHF. “We wanted to do something outside the box and use technology, so we developed the idea of an interactive donor wall. It adds an element of fun to the lobby.”

According to Chris Sweeting, the Web and Technical Support Specialist at BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the BCCHF Donor Relations team updates the donor wall regularly. Once the team determines what new material to include, content updates only take 10 to 15 minutes to upload into the network using Scala Content Manager and Player software.

Originally launched in April 2008, the interactive donor wall continues to educate the public about the campaign, encourages donations, profiles key donors, and keeps everyone up to date on the progress of new hospital construction and campaign proceeds.

For more information on the BCCHF interactive donor wall, please visit http://www.scala.com/news/case-study-pdfs/bc-childrens-hospital-case-study.

About Scala:
Driving more than 300,000 screens worldwide, Scala is a leading global provider of digital signage and advertising management solutions. Scala is the world’s first connected signage company, offering the leading platform for content creation, management and distribution in digital signage networks and the first unified platform for advertising management of both traditional and digital signage networks. The company’s digital signage customers include Rabobank, IKEA, Burger King, T-Mobile, Virgin MegaStore, Warner Brothers, The Life Channel, Rikstoto, Repsol, NorgesGruppen, Audi, ECE Flatmedia, Kaufhof (Metro Group) and thousands more. Advertising management customers include CBS Outdoor, Clear Channel Outdoor and Magic Media, among others. Scala is headquartered near Philadelphia, USA, and has subsidiaries in Canada, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Germany and Japan, as well as more than 450 partners in more than 60 countries. More information is available at www.scala.com.

Spinx Deploys In-Store Signage

From AKA TV comes word about the partnership of Spinx Oil and Digital Promo Network (DPN):

Spinx Oil Co., in Greenville, S.C., is capitalizing on the new era by utilizing in-store digital signage at 42 of its 66 locations throughout North and South Carolina. At the beginning of 2008, the company began working with Digital Promo Network (DPN), based in Harvard, Mass., who works exclusively with the convenience store industry offering 32-inch and 55-inch flat-screen digital signs.

Each of the 42 stores display two 32-inch screens suspended from the ceiling — one at the checkout and another in the pathway of the customer as they enter the store.

There are approximately 70 picture ads that run on the network over a 24-hour period, and DPN sells spots to national companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline, Coca Cola and Hostess. Spinx uses six spots each month per daypart to promote its brand, products and services, including its car wash, foodservice offerings, and coffee and fountain items.

Digital Signage Display Revenue to Grow at 20 Percent CAGR to 2016

logo

FrameMedia’s SignChannel was mentioned in this article from Digital Signage Expo about both digital signage and digital picture frames:

Digital Signage Display Revenue to Grow at 20 Percent CAGR to 2016 07/11/2009

Despite a slowdown in the worldwide growth of flat panel displays (FPD), digital signage (i.e., public displays) is forecast to grow at a compound average growth rate of 20 percent to 2016 (Table 1), according to the latest results in the “Quarterly Worldwide FPD Forecast Report” from Austin, Texas-based DisplaySearch.

Table 1: Top Five FPD Applications by Revenue Growth (Millions $US)

APPLICATION

CAGR
2008-2016

2009

2016

OLED TV

140%

$2

$2,371

e-Book

49%

$246

$1,684

Public Display

20%

$784

$2,994

Mini Note

15%

$1,168

$2,386

Digital Picture Frame

11%

$359

$1,300

Table 1 & 2 Source: DisplaySearch “Quarterly Worldwide FPD Forecast Report”

In contrast, after rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20 percent from 2000 to 2008, total flat panel display (FPD) sales revenues may rise only 1 percent each year from 2008 to 2016, according to the report (Table 2).

Table 2: Top Five FPD Applications by Annual Revenue (Millions $US)

APPLICATION

CAGR
2008-2016

2009

2016

LCD TV

0%

$33,585

$37,117

Mobile Phone

6%

$12,813

$20,776

Notebook PC

3%

$7,632

$14,857

Desktop Monitor

-6%

$13,601

$12,429

Plasma TV

-7%

$4,219

$3,412

TOTAL FPD MARKET

1%

$82,599

$111,451

Additionally, the Q2 ‘09 forecast indicates FPD revenues will decline 20 percent from 2008 to 2009, as slack demand affects end-product markets in developed countries. Despite this, the outlook for 2010 is more positive, with an annual revenue growth of 13 percent in 2010, Display Search said.

“Despite the overall flat outlook for FPDs, there are some bright spots in the long-term for flat panel displays,” noted David Barnes, vice president of strategic analysis. “Hot applications such as OLED TV, eBook, mini-note PC (netbooks), digital picture frames and public displays (digital signage) are all driving demand.”

“We expect electrophoretic and OLED technologies will experience more growth than other display technologies will over the long term,” he added.

Flat panel revenue for the five FPD applications will provide strong growth opportunities for display manufacturers (Table 1). The “Quarterly Worldwide FPD Forecast Report” forecasts:

  • OLED revenues from TV applications will increase at a CAGR of 140 percent from 2008 to 2016.
  • Demand for electronic books will lift revenue of electrophoretic and similar display technologies at a 49 percent CAGR.
  • Several technologies, TFT LCD in particular, support public display applications such as out-of-home advertising, which is forecast to grow 20 percent a year — reaching almost $3 billion in 2016.
  • Mini-notes have become a hot new application, and DisplaySearch expects panel revenue for such products will rise 15 percent a year to more than $2 billion in 2016.
  • Digital picture frames became a hot market in 2007, and this application may still support revenue growth of 11 percent per year. (Though the digital picture frame market is dominated by consumer demand, Scala entered into a partnership in March 2009 with Frame Media to provide software support for the company’s SignChannel, a platform designed to supply businesses with content for digital frames used for digital signage applications. — Ed.)

The DisplaySearch “Quarterly Worldwide FPD Forecast Report” details shipments of 23 display technologies for 36 applications by quarter from 2007 through 2016. Pivot tables provide clients with measures of display area, units, prices and revenue for each combination. The summary report evaluates trends from 1998 onwards.

(Crossposted at Wireless Picture Frames)

Broadsign-Powered Digital Out-of-Home Networks Can Now Join the Ad-Dollar Party

Digital Signage Expo tells us about BroadSign’s recruiting of digital signage networks:

broadsignBroadSign International has started recruiting digital signage networks running on its SaaS (Software as a Service) to join the new web-platform that allows buyers to view, target and execute cross-network ad campaigns.

According to the company, this full-cycle Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) campaign fulfillment has become possible due to the integration of BroadSign Open with Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Argo Digital Solution’s (formerly RMS Networks) DOOH media planning and buying exchange — rVue.

One of BroadSign’s largest customers, LevelVision:College network, and a few other undisclosed networks have already opened their ad space to media buyers via the BroadSign/rVue platform, the company said. Any of the 160-plus BroadSign-powered networks can now benefit from the combined technology breakthrough.

“Our relationship with Argo gives our networks an opportunity to be seen by mainstream media planners and advertisers via a unified interface that simplifies buying digital out-of-home,” said Brian Dusho, president and Chief Strategy Officer of Montréal-based BroadSign International. “For the first time in DOOH history, automated planning and buying stages are supplemented by fully automated campaign execution and reporting modules, which will greatly facilitate massive cross-network media buys.”

“The decision to integrate BroadSign Open and rVue into our venue-based ad network was an easy one,” said Bob Martin, president and CEO of Roanoke, Va.-based LevelVision LLC. “LevelVision specializes in inventing innovative media technology solutions. Through rVue, our unique and impactful digital floor screens will be accessible to a wider range of ad agencies looking to reach college students — when they’re on-campus and at-retail. It is a powerful solution that helps monetize networks with an easy to use, web-based user interface.”

iPhone Upgrade Perfect For Digital Signage

Huliq gives us some interesting news about the iPhone and digital signage:

Apple has recently released the updated beta version of the iPhone software 3.1. This is going to be restricted to application developers only and not for the every day user.

Among the improvements is the Bluetooth integration with voice control and non-destructive video editing, this will come in useful when used in conjunction with digital signage solutions.

As many digital signage integrators are looking at different ways to get shopping to interact with the displays enriching the shoppers experience and improving brand awareness, now Apple can be at the forefront of technology whilst encouraging iPhone users to interact with the digital signs.

These are currently being used in the Westfield Shopping Mall in London, UK, were the “designer shopping mall” encourages customer interaction to improve their shopping experience.

There are some digital signage solutions that incorporate Bluetooth technology, these send an SMS message informing passing shoppers of the “special offers”, whilst customers walk by, as well as keeping them up to date on current breaking news.

With the ever increasing demand from the users, the iPhone is a perfect tool that is as comfortable working in the office, or whilst chilling but it certainly is leading the way in technology.

Graham Gallagher
info@lcdtvenclosure.com

http://www.lcdtvenclosure.com/blog

Ingram Micro Named Top Distribution Partner by Samsung for Third Consecutive Year

ingrammicro_logoFrom Digital Signage Universe comes this news about Ingram Micro’s digital signage division and Samsung:

Distributor’s Digital Signage Division Credited with Driving Fast-Paced Growth
and Strong Partner Support for Samsung’s Large Format Displays

SANTA ANA, CA — Demonstrating its commitment to building successful business partnerships, Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM) today announced it has been named 2008 Pro AV Distributor of the Year for the third consecutive year by Samsung Electronics America Information Technology Division (ITD).

The award was presented earlier this month to Ingram Micro at the InfoComm09 in Orlando, Fla. The annual award honors Ingram Micro’s exemplary achievement in bringing Samsung large format displays to market. Richard Hutton, senior marketing manager for Samsung, cited Ingram Micro’s Digital Signage Division’s ability to drive fast-paced growth while delivering strong reseller support as key reasons for its selection.

“Samsung is very pleased to honor Ingram Micro and its Digital Signage Division once again with this award and recognize the team’s vital role in executing against our go-to-market initiatives for digital signage,” said Hutton. “By implementing winning strategies that generated a commendable 70 percent growth rate, Ingram Micro clearly demonstrated the ability to empower the IT channel with the necessary support, training and resources required to make their digital signage practices thrive.”

Renowned for its partner enablement resources, Ingram Micro offers a wide range of business building tools, resources and expertise including a dedicated Digital Signage Division and bi-coastal Solution Centers, which hosted several training events for hundreds of existing and potential Samsung partners throughout 2008.

“Ingram Micro has great respect for Samsung’s innovation and market leadership, as well as the high value that it places on its relationships with distributors and channel partners,” says Kevin Prewett, vice president, Digital Signage Division and vendor management, Ingram Micro U.S. “We are honored to receive the Pro AV Distributor of the Year award for three years running and look forward to building upon our accomplishments in the years to come.”

Digital Signage Provider Wireless Ronin Strengthens Direct Sales Force with Key Hire

wirelessroniniconFrom the Wireless Ronin web page, we learn that David Boerlin has been named Regional Vice President, Western United States for the company’s direct sales:

MINNEAPOLIS – July 1, 2009 – Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNIN), a Minneapolis-based digital signage provider, announced today that David Boerlin has been named Regional Vice President, Western United States for the company’s direct sales force.

“We are very pleased to have David join our sales team and further strengthen our sales efforts in the western United States,” said Scott Koller, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “David has a proven track record of success throughout his career and his most recent experience in the quick serve restaurant industry is a perfect complement to our business objectives. David brings the type of education, experience and leadership skills needed to succeed in the digital signage industry.”

In this position, Mr. Boerlin will join the sales organization to focus on customer development and sales revenue generation by providing RoninCast® digital signage solutions to key customers in the focused markets of quick serve restaurants, retail, automotive and hospitality. His experience in developing technology, marketing and promotion strategy will play a key role in his consultation with new customers and mapping their digital signage strategies.

“I look forward to being part of the Wireless Ronin team and feel I can play a key role in developing new business based on the tremendous opportunities in the digital signage industry,” said David Boerlin, regional vice president, western United States for Wireless Ronin. “I have a solid background in digital signage and related technology solutions which I sold into Fortune 100 companies nationwide. I feel confident that I can play a vital role in the company’s future success.”

Mr. Boerlin is an experienced professional whose previous position as Vice President, Sales at Delphi Display Systems provided him extensive industry knowledge as he sold ruggedized LCD hardware technology for digital signage implementations. During his tenure, Mr. Boerlin developed product and sales strategies that ultimately landed business as well known as Gas Station TV at Wal-mart locations and drive-thru order confirmation systems with companies such as Dairy Queen, Subway and Panda Express. Prior to his work at Delphi, Mr. Boerlin held the position of Vice President, Sales and Business Development for Gage, a Minneapolis-based marketing agency, where he mapped strategy for new vertical outreach and signed up accounts that included Dole Foods, Kyocera and Nintendo. As Co-Founder and National Sales Director for Meals.com/Coinstar he created the first-ever meal-planning and recipe-search website in 1996 and developed business and pricing models that became industry standards. The site was later sold to Nestlé in 2001.

About Wireless Ronin Technologies

Wireless Ronin Technologies (www.wirelessronin.com) is the developer of RoninCast®, a complete software solution designed to address the evolving digital signage marketplace. Wireless Ronin provides clients with a complete, turnkey digital signage system which allows the ability to manage a digital signage network from one central location. The RoninCast® digital signage software suite allows for customized distribution with network management, playlist creation and scheduling, and database integration. Wireless Ronin offers an array of services to support RoninCast® software including consulting, creative development, project management, installation, and training. The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “RNIN.”