Click above for more information The DS Explosion The DS market is on the verge of explosive growth. Sure, it’s been the fastest growing segment of the ProAV market for two years running, but I’m talking exponential growth in 2010.
How do I know this?
Well, not only do I see everything lining up just perfectly, but there’s something coming to the DS market that I HOPE to be able to tell you about next month (right now it’s still under NDA) that will change everything and open up DS to move to the “next level.”
Hype? Nope. This is real.
But, in the mean time, listen to this: - The government (and that includes public universities and colleges) are on a record spending spree in technology. Every campus wants AND NEEDS digital signage and if the network is set up right, it’ll pay for itself in less than two years. Right? So, expect to see a lot of opportunities in the university market.
- The hospitality market is recovering quickly. People are traveling and access to information (visually) is now required by just about everyone. So, both large-screen and personal (mobile) DS networks will see huge growth opportunities next year.
- Dentists, doctors, ophthalmologists, dermatologists and every other medical office in the country is looking for increased revenue. My dentist has been selling me on the idea of a sonic toothbrush for years. But, last time I went to have my teeth cleaned, he’d hopped on the DS highway – he’s got ads running alongside Fox News right there in the lobby! No big deal, right? Well, yes, it actually is, he’s in a small town – this ain’t New York. He was pitched on the idea by a local IT integration company and he thought it was a cool way to get a free TV! But, ironically, he thinks he got the deal when all along the IT company’s making all the recurring revenue. It’s not a model that’s new, but why didn’t one of the three AV integration firms here in Chapel Hill think of this first?
- I went to the Outer Banks (OBX) for a vacation this summer and stopped along the way at a gas station with an LCD playing ads for local OBX businesses. I talked to the manager as I was curious since the OBX isn’t like the Hamptons where you’d expect to see this sort of thing. He told me a local guy came in and told him if he’d let him install these “TVs” and run the ads on the weekends, he could use them as TVs during the week. All for free. I counted, ahe’s advertising 34 businesses. And, I saw the TV’s in every gas station I stopped at in the OBX.
- The Mall: Every mall NEEDS a boost right now. The biggest talk up and down the aisles at the latest ICSC (that’s the shopping mall trade association) show was all about DS. 🙂
Are you too focused on AV gear to see the opportunities right in front of you at all the local places you shop, dine, grab a coffee, pump gas or visit? Go get ‘em!
Back to Top Click above for more information Cardinal Health Launches In-store Retail Pharmacy Digital Advertising This month, Cardinal Health launched an in-store digital signage program to provide pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, consumer health and other product manufacturers the ability to run video advertisements and educational content on flat-panel LCD screens placed in independent and franchised pharmacies throughout the United States.
Advertisements run on the company’s new Pharmacy Health Network will reach consumers while they wait for prescriptions to be filled at their neighborhood pharmacy. Cardinal Health will make the Pharmacy Health Network available to the more than 5,000 independent retail and franchised pharmacies it serves throughout the United States. .
Respario Digital Advertising Group of Dallas, Texas, will manage the technology, content and ongoing management of the program.
We at rAVe would HIGHLY recommend that, as an integrator of AV Gear, you get involved with this since it’s national and they have 5000 franchised pharmacies to install – go to: http://www.respario.com/
Back to Top Caltron Adds 1080p, Interactive Media Player PCB The latest addition to Caltron's line of digital signage players is the MP-1080A – a digital signage player and Interactive Control Board. The Interactive Control Board is small and compact that can be easily integrated into many various digital signage solutions since it’s designed to have the same simple functionality of a basic remote control. Functionality includes looping videos, triggering images to begin and keypad play. In addition, the unit streamlines digital signage/video playback costs without the need for software licenses through the latest solid-state technology.
Although this isn’t an exciting video to watch, it tells you everything about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKZPgBr13xo
Back to Top SmartAVI Unveils SignagePro Mobility for Mobile Digital Signage SmartAVI, Inc. just unveiled its compact digital signage hardware/software solution for mass transit vehicles and small viewing areas, called SignagePro Mobility.
SignagePro Mobility takes its cue from SmartAVI’s wildly popular SignagePro and SignageProHD units, which have sold well around the world because of their aggressive pricing and powerhouse performance as digital signage solutions. The major difference with the SignagePro Mobility unit, is that is has been designed specifically for mass transit vehicles such as jumbo jets and taxis as well as compact spaces such as retail kiosks in shopping malls or elevators.
The software incorporated into SignagePro Mobility is Windows-based (ugh) and claims to have been created with all types of end users in mind, from seasoned system architects to individuals that have never worked with digital signage before since it incorporates pre-programmed templates using everyday media files, including QuickTime, MPEG, AVI, WMV, JPG, GIF, PNG, Adobe Acrobat, PDF, MP3, PowerPoint and HTML. SignagePro Mobility is, of course, integrated with real-time RSS feeds to keep commuters and passengers up to speed on breaking news, stock tickers or any other live messages or information needs to be broadcast to them at any given time.
Each SignagePro Mobility unit comes with a DVI out port, and each receiver is completely capable of 1920 x 1200 high-definition image playback, giving it all the power of our SignageProHD product at a fraction of the size. The suggested retail price for SmartAVI’s SignagePro Mobility is $1,299.00.
To read all about it, go to: http://www.smartavi.com/signagepro-mobility.htm
Back to Top NEC and Ronin Form Alliance Wireless Ronin Technologies Inc announced earlier this month that it has authorized NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc. to resell Wireless Ronin’s RoninCast software.
“As a leader in digital signage solutions, NEC Display Solutions of America is pleased to offer Wireless Ronin’s software to its customers. RoninCast software provides NEC Display Solutions of America with the opportunity to sell the fully-customized, hosted content management solution to end users,” said Pierre Richer, president and COO, NEC Display Solutions of America. “We look forward to a long-term partnership with Wireless Ronin.”
This agreement allows NEC Display Solutions of America to address specific needs of current and future digital signage customers. The RoninCast software enables NEC Display Solutions of America to offer a solution for large digital signage networks that require a robust customized solution.
“Our agreement with NEC Display Solutions of America will substantially change our sales reach by extending our software into the hands of its sales personnel across the United States and Canada,” said James (Jim) Granger, president and CEO of Wireless Ronin Technologies. “Our years of successful collaborative customer work with NEC Display Solutions of America have brought us to the point where it’s a logical progression to give their sales force access to RoninCast software.”
This will be an interesting partnership to watch as NEC was literally the “inventor” of the DS market some ten years ago and Ronin is one of the biggies.
To read the entire announcement, go to: http://www.wirelessronin.com/6.0_news_121.html
Back to Top Scala and Blue Chip Technology Partner to Bring Dedicated Digital Signage Players to EMEA Market Scala and Blue Chip Technology have partnered to create a range of dedicated hardware players designed, tested and pre-loaded with Scala digital signage software. Blue Chip now offers a wide range of pre-installed Scala images for Scala’s EMEA customer base – simplifying system set-up for a quicker installation.
The new range of PC-based players covers the spectrum of Scala user requirements, the L3 and P1 models being cost-effective workhorses for the mainstream user while the E2 and 2U address the most demanding content with high-end graphics and quad core CPU support. Incorporating special design features such as rugged chassis, wide operating temperatures, maglev fans and high MTBF hard drives, Blue Chip platforms are ideally equipped for demanding digital signage applications. All Blue Chip hardware players are designed and manufactured in the UK, EMC tested and fully CE approved.
You can read more at: http://www.scala.com/news/2009-press-releases/august-13-3009-2013-scala-and-blue-chip-technology-partner-for-dedicated-digital-signage-players-for-emea-market
Back to Top Visser Digital Media Acquires LevelVision:College Visser Digital Media (VDM), a niche digital signage network and advertising solution provider (known mostly for their CampusVision system in college bookstores), recently announced the acquisition of the LevelVision:College digital signage network from IntelliMat, Inc., dba LevelVision.
The network, which features LevelVision's unique floor-based video screens deployed within 300 college bookstores, will serve as the cornerstone for VDM's unique CampusVision program. Sean Flanagan, senior vice president and chief revenue officer at LevelVision, has transitioned to a similar role at VDM.
This can’t be anything but good for LevelVision as although their IntelliMat floor-based video screen (mats) are all over the place, I personally have only seen a few of them working with relevant content. Many are either damaged, off or have old content on them. VDM will help this unique technology grow and we are sure it will be more successful.
Good luck to them. Read more at: http://www.vissermedianetwork.com/index.php?view=article&catid=1%3Alatest-news&id=146%3Avisser-aquires-levelvision-college&option=com_content&Itemid=50
Back to Top Chief Goes Green with Custom Mount Chief Manufacturing has just announced that the installer-inspired FUSION low profile, universal mounting system is now available as a custom mounting solution. The custom FUSION fixed and tilt mounts will ship with hardware kits that are designed for each specific LCD or PDP model, without any excess hardware to throw away! The new solution is more environmentally friendly with less waste, and is faster to install because you get exactly what you need to install your monitor. FUSION mounts focus on usability and speed of installation with innovative features like post-installation height, leveling and lateral shift.
In related news, Chief also announced that the FUSION mounts are now available as kits, shipping with the PACPC1 flat panel power filter. The new kit is a complete solution, providing noise filtering and surge protection up to 1890 joules.
For more information on the FUSION Series, go to: http://www.chiefmfg.com/productdetail.aspx?AccessoryID=775
Back to Top Ronin Reports 40 Percent Decrease in Q2 – Blame the Auto Industry? Earlier this month, Wireless Ronin reported revenue of $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2009, a 40 percent decrease from $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2008. Ronin also reported a second quarter net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.18 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5.0 million, or $0.34 per basic and diluted share, in the year-ago quarterly period. The significant decline in revenue for the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year is primarily attributable to the collapse in the automotive industry. Really?
On a positive note, for the second quarter of 2009, gross margin averaged 23 percent, compared to a gross margin of four percent in the second quarter of 2008. The increase was primarily the result of a shift in revenue from the sale of hardware to the sale of software and services, which yields a higher percentage margin of profitability. An incremental increase in the Company’s recurring software maintenance and hosting fees has also contributed to the increase in gross profit margins.
You can read the entire financial filing at: http://www.wirelessronin.com/6.0_news_123.html
Back to Top Visix Earns Third Consecutive Year on Inc. Magazine's List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies Inc. magazine has ranked Visix no. 2221 on its third annual Inc. 5000 with three-year sales growth of 141.5 percent. The list is an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies and it represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy – America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs.
Visix is also included in the Top 100 Inc.500|5000 Companies by Metro Region for Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia. “We are honored to have our efforts recognized,” says Sean Matthews, President of Visix. “Customers continue to see the long-term benefits of improved communications through digital signage, as well as the economies of reduced paper usage, waste and environmental impact. We deployed our 1000th system this year and are meeting our current growth objectives, despite the macro economy.”
The 2009 Inc. 5000, unveiled today on Inc.com, serves as a unique report card on the U.S. economy. Despite the ongoing recession, aggregate revenue among the companies on the list actually increased to $214 billion, up $29 billion from last year, with a median three-year growth rate of 126 percent. The Inc. 5000 are responsible for creating more than 1 million jobs since their founding, making the list perhaps the best example of the impact private, fast-growing companies can have on the economy.
You can see the entire list at: http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2009/index.html
Back to Top DSE Growing Faster Than Most Tradeshows For the second year in a row, the Digital Signage Expo (DSE), the world’s largest international tradeshow and conference dedicated to digital signage and out-of-home advertising was just named one of Tradeshow Week Magazine’s 2009 Fastest 50 this month.
This award recognizes the fifty fastest-growing trade and consumer shows in North America based on total net square footage and percentage growth between 2006 and 2008. DSE will be represented at Tradeshow Week’s award ceremony in Houston, TX on November 15th to commemorate this impressive repeat accomplishment.
For an overview of DSE 2010, go to http://www.digitalsignageexpo.net
Back to Top Europe's Millenium Dome The Millennium Dome, located on the bank of the Thames River in Greenwich, London, had stood deserted for a number of years when the (AEG) Anschutz Entertainment Group (http://www.aegworldwide.com) decided to renovate and transform the forgotten attraction into the largest entertainment venue in Europe.
The Goal
AEG looked for the right tools to create a high-impact, dynamic, and cutting-edge atmosphere using several screens in and around the arena. The requirements were simple: top quality playback devices, capable of supporting a wide range of resolutions, synchronizing video streams, and geometrically correcting presentations upon 360 degrees displays; the ability to capture live HD feeds from cameras and distribute it to designated screens; and the convenience of uploading, designing, managing and controlling all the displays and content from a central operation center.
How’d they do it?
C-nario Messenger provided all of the features AEG was looking for, and more. Brought to the project by Philips Vidiwall, C-nario Multilayer player supported all resolutions, from 50×80 pixels to HD 1080p, and synchronized any number of content streams to any number, size, resolution, or arrangement of screens. C-nario provided full control over lighting devices, displays, matrices, and any other controllable device, and provides top quality content management and distribution tools as well.
To see it all, go to: http://www.c-nario.com/category/O2_Arena
Back to Top So, that's rAVe DS [Digital Signage] for this month! Remember, we are here to HELP the AV market penetrate the DS market. Less than 5 percent of the DS market is integrated by AV companies. The other 95 percent is IT-based. Now, there are AV publications and even an association that would like to draw those IT people in to AV (it would increase readers, right? – and more readers means they can charge more for ads). That is NOT what we are doing. rAVe DS is specifically designed to pull AV into the DS market and teach AV companies how to take business away from the currently dominated by IT market.
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read a 100% opinionated ePublication that's designed to help AV integrators. We not only report the news and new product stories of the digital signage industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that's why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter — instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas: Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter rAVe ProAV Edition. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA, launched in February, 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. rAVe ED [Education] launched in May 2008. rAVe DS [Digital Signage] was launched in January 2009.
To read more about my background, our team, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com
Back to Top Copyright 2009 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 376 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com
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