Digital Signage

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

Posted on Jul 20, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

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 & 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).

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)

Scala and Partners Showcase New Digital Signage Technologies at InfoComm 2009

Posted on Jun 13, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

Newswire Today posted the following press release about Scala and its technology partners, and their InfoComm 09 exhibit.  (Booth 2354) :

NewswireToday – /newswire/ – Exton, PA, United States, 06/12/2009 -Scala, the leading provider of end-to-end solutions for the digital signage and advertising management industries, and some of its technology partners will exhibit Scala 5 Release 5 software and compatible hardware that allows end users to power digital signage networks at virtually any price point (Booth 2354).

Scala’s latest innovations for cost-effective video appliances (MPEG players) will be displayed by IAdea Corporation. IAdea has worked closely with Scala to develop firmware that allows Scala Content Manager and Ad Manager platforms to connect with compatible video appliances, including ViewSonic’s RISC-based media player. These appliances reduce the total cost of ownership of hardware and software per player.

FrameMedia Inc. will present its low-cost and easy-to-use digital signage based on wireless photo frame technology. Small to medium-sized companies can now take advantage of digital display technologies without high service and equipment costs. Through FrameMedia’s new service SignChannel, Scala 5 Release 5 provides template-driven digital signage content and messages that can be automatically delivered to select WiFi-enabled digital photo frames, including devices manufactured by Kodak, Samsung, D-Link, ViewSonic.

Equus Computer Systems Inc. will also exhibit its commercial-grade hardware solutions in Scala’s booth. Together, Scala and Equus Computer Systems support end users seeking to use built-to-order hardware to meet their digital signage needs.

MediaVue will showcase its fanless and solid-state PCs designed to provide a low total cost of ownership to digital signage end users. Built with specialized, industrial-grade storage solutions and specified to operate at cooler operation levels, its SureVue2A digital signage player is able to withstand the most demanding digital signage applications and avoid downtime.

For more information about Scala or its technology partners, or to schedule a booth interview at InfoComm, please contact Lorena Crowley.

About IAdea Corporation
Founded in 2000, IAdea (IAdea.com) is dedicated to the development of leading-edge, industrial-grade digital signage systems. IAdea’s media players feature the XML-based W3C SMIL scripting interface allowing system integrators to quickly customize functionality tailored to project-specific requirements. IAdea is an active member of the Digital Standards Committee of POPAI, the industry’s organization to promote open, standards-based digital signage systems.

About FrameMedia Inc.
FrameMedia (framemedia.com) is the leading platform provider for content delivery to wireless digital picture frames and connected gadgets. Its flagship product, FrameChannel, can be branded and tightly integrated to work with any WiFi- or Internet-enabled photo frame, media player or connected gadget, transforming these devices into dynamic information appliances.

About Equus Computer Systems Inc. Corporation
Equus Computer Systems Inc. (equuscs.com) is a 100% employee-owned company and has over 200 employees. It is one of America’s largest manufacturers of build-to-order desktops, notebooks, servers and workstations. Recognized as a top OEM of industry-leading vendors such as Microsoft® and Intel® and named by Computer Reseller News as one of the top North American systems builders, Equus has delivered more than two million custom computer systems to business, education and government customers.

About MediaVue Systems
MediaVue Systems (Hingham, Mass.) designs and builds fanless, high-performance PCs for digital signage and other demanding applications. Products are designed to operate continuously under heavy load in severe-duty environments. (mediavuesystems.com)

About Scala
Driving more than 300,000 screens worldwide, Scala (scala.com) 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 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 and Japan, as well as more than 450 partners in more than 60 countries.

Roku Adds SignChannel to BrightSign Digital Signage Players

Posted on Apr 10, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

April 07, 2009

(M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) — Stand C45, Screenmedia Expo Europe, 7-8th April 09, National Hall, Olympia, London, UK — Today at Screenmedia Expo Europe, Europe’s biggest digital signage and DOOH media event, Roku announced the availability of Frame Media’s SignChannel content service with its networked high-definition BrightSign digital signage solutions. The newly available combination of BrightSign digital signage control solutions with SignChannel’s content service deliver flexible digital messaging capabilities with streaming content such as news, weather and more.

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“We are thrilled to be working with Roku and the BrightSign team,” commented Alan Phillips, Frame Media’s CEO. Mr. Phillips commented further, “the feature-rich BrightSign HD players coupled with SignChannel content service delivers a complete, ready to implement digital signage solution. Users simply select relevant content channels to playback over the networked BrightSign unit and complement it with their own messaging content to reach their audience in a meaningful way.”

According to Anthony Wood, CEO and founder of Roku, “SignChannel provides Roku with an even stronger value proposition for our users who are seeking cost effective digital signage content.”  Mr. Wood also said, “By pairing a ready-made content solution with BrightSign networked digital sign controllers, we’re able to provide users a way to easily implement an affordable, rich media display without the complications of a PC-based solution.”

Streaming Content Resource for Meaningful Digital Signage, SignChannel is a low cost content service that allows a business to display timely messages, products, and services at any Internet-enabled location around the world. The SignChannel user can take advantage of Frame Media’s vast array of timely up-to-the-minute content including weather, news, traffic, finance, and RSS feeds, as well as thousands of other available Internet sources. A user can also develop custom content using simple templates and other standard business software tools. SignChannel is available world-wide in four major languages with content from virtually every country. Users can manage their content for any and all globally located displays from any other Internet location. SignChannel is Frame Media’s commercial version of FrameChannel, its Internet platform for the selection and delivery of personalised content to wireless digital photo frames.

The BrightSign HD2000, HD1010 and HD210 are fully integrated; high-definition digital sign controllers that offer plug-and-play networking to streamline content management for robust, high-impact digital sign and kiosk applications. When combined with SignChannel content service these units allow the user to create powerful and affordable digital signage across a wide range of display platforms, from 22 to over 60 inches. Roku is demonstrating its BrightSign networking solution with SignChannel in Stand C45 at Screen Media Expo Europe in London’s Olympia National Hall, April 7-8th.

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About Roku: Roku develops products and software for digital media delivery including digital signage in Saratoga, CA. BrightSign solid-state digital sign controllers set new standards for both individual and networked digital signage applications with its superior HD video quality, reliability, price, ease of use and interactivity.

Online information of BrightSign units is available at www.brightsign.biz.

For sales inquiries, please contact sales@brightsign.biz or +44.
For information about our BrightSign partner program, please visit www.brightsign.biz/partners.php.

About Frame Media, Inc.

Frame Media is the leader in content and tools for wireless digital picture frames and connected devices. Both its flagship product, FrameChannel and its new commercial product, SignChannel, can be branded and customized to work with any Wi-Fi enabled photo frame or connected device, transforming them into dynamic information appliances. With SignChannel or FrameChannel, a frame owner can program a unique stream of content that is updated dynamically. The owner can couple their own photos or product/service information with advertising and fresh content from a library of hundreds of channels including news, sports, weather, traffic, stock quotes, horoscopes and imagery from leading photographic collections. The owner selects the channels they are interested in, sets the rules for each channel and the frame updates continually with entertaining and informative content fed directly to their wireless or wired Internet connected media player or wireless picture frame. For more information please visit www.framemedia.com.

CONTACT: Emily Logan, Frame Media Inc.

Tel: +1 781 235 3006 ext: 105Peter van der Sluijs, Neesham Public RelationsTel: +44 (0)1296 628180e-mail: peterv@neesham.co.ukM2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.

For more information please visit www.framemedia.com or visit any of the Frame Media blogs www.wirelesspictureframe.com, www.informationappliance.com and www.wirelessdigitalsigns.com.

SignChannel and All Digital Media, Inc. Join Forces!

Posted on Mar 14, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

All Digital Media, Inc. has chosen FrameMedia’s SignChannel “to provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional large scale digital signage advertising for small and mid-sized businesses in the Minneapolis region, while generating monthly revenue with minimal upfront investment.”

Alan Phillips, founder and CEO of FrameMedia, tells us that “Digital wireless picture frames offer a great alternative to high cost, large scale digital signage because a wireless Wi-Fi frame provides targeted content based on the flexibility of its placement, such as restaurant booths and waiting areas, without the need for professional installation. By utilizing SignChannel, All Digital Media has created a win-win situation for both itself and small and mid-sized companies looking to stretch their advertising dollars.”

All Digital Media, Inc. has, in fact, purchased over a hundred wireless digital picture frames and placed them in local businesses with smaller budgets, such as restaurants, gyms, spas, and fitness centers – businesses with a high concentration of clientele/customers – and, by using SignChannel, are able to generate quite a sum, per frame, per month!

“SignChannel has offered us the opportunity to take a practical, grass-roots approach to reaching advertisers in teh local community, right here in the Brainerd Lakes area. Through the innovative use of a Wi-Fi digital frame, we’re generating revenue with a highly customized advertising vehicle and getting in front of an audience at strategic locations where they’ll be most captive, such as waiting rooms in doctors’ offices or on the treadmill at the gym. We are excited to be the first in Central Minnesota to provide this unique service,” says Wes Hughes, owner and principal of All Digital Media, Inc.

The full article about All Digital Media, Inc. and Frame Media’s SignChannel, and their VERY cost-effective digital signage advertising venture, can be found and read at The Nearshore Journal.

Is Digital Signage Right For Your Business?

Posted on Mar 4, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

The following article is by  Oleg Potemkin, Founder of Elite Digital Signs LLC, a digital signage solutions company from Honolulu, Hawaii.

The latest, and possibly the most effective new advertising and marketing tool since the Internet, is the new medium of digital signage. Also known as electronic signage, this dynamic media, with its Flash technology, massive and not-so-massive display screens, its sharply focused LCD ad player screens, its motion, sound, and color is clearly the future in mass marketing. Narrowcasting networks, LCD-dominated advertising kiosks, electronic billboards, all offer a solution to your point-of-purchase advertising needs, among many other advantages.

With this emerging new marketing medium, of course, come emerging difficulties, including cost issues, return-on-investment (ROI) questions, the adaptability of the technology to various methods of programming, an as-yet-unproven record of success within the advertising and marketing industry, and a plain lack of understanding of the technology and systems involved. This lack of understanding encompasses not only the hardware and software, but installation and programming parameters, as well. Unfortunately, this lack of understanding was often expressed by venders of digital signage technology, as well as users. A lack of interoperability, as well as what is known as a “ complex value chain”, also complicates, sometimes even compromises, the effectiveness of this innovative technology.

Clearly, digital signage, though beyond its initial teething stage, is still in the midst of its inevitable growing pains. Considering the complex technological and broadcasting standards involved with in-store, narrowcasting networks that are designed to provide out-of-home programming, such problems are not surprising. Fortunately, neither are they unsolvable.

Studies, by Arbitron, among others, show that digital signage is an effective tool in prompting customer appreciation, retention, and recall of the information they see when presented as dynamically, and as vividly as it is via electronic signage. Also, smaller scale investment of, for example, one LCD screen in a particular location would cost only some $3,000-$5,000 dollars. The ROI for such an installation would be returned almost immediately.

The development of more open and compatible standards for digital signage is being actively pursued by industry groups like the Point-Of-Purchase Advertising International (POPAI), and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA). Each of these organizations are working feverishly to relax and ease technical standards in order to facilitate interoperability of the equipment and technology of various different venders.

New enterprises are constantly emerging to confront and to solve all the various technical, mechanical, and operating issues common to any new system.   System venders, digital signage service providers (DSSP), and advertising service providers all have lately come into being to help businesses and institutions take full advantage of the marketing potential of digital signage.

Conferences and trade shows are being held more and more frequently, and, in concert with increasingly prevalent Internet-based information, all are instrumental in helping both users and venders better understand and keep abreast of this constantly-evolving digital marketing technology.

Source

Digital Signage Expo: Buzzword Is “Small to Medium Businesses”

Posted on Feb 27, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

The Digital Signage Expo started yesterday, and according to Digital Signage Today.com, , “Economy makes the big players take the low–cost route.”

The article, edited by Bill Yackey, follows:

LAS VEGAS — The buzzphrase of the first day of Digital Signage Expo seemed to be “small-to-medium businesses,” or customers that have only a small number of screens or deployments. There has always been a segment of the digital signage industry focused on this long-tail market, but the economy has no doubt lead even the big players in the digital signage industry to reconsider their target customers.

That was highly evident when Scala issued a press release this morning, announcing six new initiatives to “lower the barrier to entry to digital signage.” Most notable of the six is a partnership with FASTSIGNS, a traditional signage provider that announced in January that it is offering a packaged digital signage solution using NEC hardware and Scala software. FASTSIGNS CEO Catherine Monson said that in the six weeks since the product announcement, the company has received $2 million in quotes for the system.

Scala’s other initiatives consists of:

• A partnership with Frame Media to launch SignChannel, a new low-cost, self-service, easy to use, entry-level digital signage service based on wireless photo frame technology.

• Scala as a Service, a hosted version of Scala Content Manager that provides an online digital signage network for a monthly fee.

• The “Ultra Low Cost PC” (ULCPC), at approximately half the cost of traditional PCs.

• Support for several all-in-one devices that include a “PC built into the Screen” form factor.

• An initiative to support cost-effective video appliances (aka “MPEG Players”) reducing the total cost of ownership of both the hardware and software per Player.

Although NEC Display Solutions was highlighting its impressive 82-inch LCD and its ultra-thin bezel MultiSync X461UN for video walls, Mike Zmuda, director of business development, made a point to emphasize the release of NEC’s MultiSync 15 Series and the 46-inch LCD4615, designed for entry-level digital signage applications.

“You have to give up the thin bezel for the 15-series, and there is less firmware, but the 15-series easily allows the addition of touch overlays and protective panels at a cheap price,” Zmuda said.

In the sense that time is money, Omnivex’s next release of its Moxie software (due March 1) is engineered to save users time scheduling content using a system similar to iTunes’ Genius, where songs are given attributes and tags and play when those attributes are selected. Here digital signage content is given meta-tags and assigned to play based on the user selecting relevant tags.

Black Box Network Services has had the SMB customer in its mind all along, offering a complete digital signage solution and emphasizing its 24/7 tech support specific to digital signage. Although the company has more than 180,000 SKUs in its catalog, it showed the iCompel, a player designed for small deployments which comes with software already installed in the player. Brian Kutchma, director of marketing, also said that although the software is licensed, customers aren’t charged for future upgrades.

Check back to Digital Signage Today all this week for constant coverage of Digital Signage Expo. For live updates from the show floor, follow us on Twitter.