Network-enabled signage simplifies remote updates, saves energy

LOS GATOS, CA – BrightSign, LLC®, the market leader in digital signage players, today announced that Argo Tea, a Chicago-based chain of specialty tea cafés, has installed a total of 78 BrightSign network-enabled digital signage players to deliver high-definition menu boards at the company’s 26 cafés located across the globe. Argo Tea uses the networking capabilities of BrightSign’s controllers and BrightSign Network Manager to remotely update prices and menu items on the 78 menu boards from its headquarters in Chicago.

"BrightSign's digital signage players enabled us to consolidate management of our entire network of digital menu boards," said Simon Simonian, Argo Tea's Co-Founder. “For example, updating seasonal menu items from company headquarters centralized a process that created efficiencies and cost savings.”

Argo Tea’s triple-board menu displays use three ultra-compact BrightSign media players discreetly hidden behind slim 46- and 52-inch monitors for each location in Chicago, New York City, St. Louis, Boston, Beirut and Abu Dabi. The menu board for Argo Tea’s Signature drinks displays looped content featuring high-resolution photos of its Signature drinks, loose leaf tea varietals and coffee beverages, all highlighting pricing and calorie count for the various sizes. Other zones in the displays are used to showcase Argo Tea’s seasonal specials, loyalTea program and chariTea partner.

With Argo Tea cafés open an average of 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, reliability was a key requirement when selecting BrightSign’s digital media players. Cost, ease of use, scalability and the ability to control their own content and updates were also top priorities that influenced the decision to go with BrightSign.

BrightSign’s market-leading digital signage solution includes the hardware, software and networking capabilities for a complete, turnkey system that eliminates compatibility issues and makes digital signage very easy to deploy. In less than a month, Argo Tea was able to take its Chicago-based pilot from concept to design and then to deployment. Within six months, the BrightSign-based digital menu boards were up and running at 21 locations. Following this initial deployment, BrightSign-based menu boards were later deployed in other US cities, as well as new international locations. The players are fully scalable, so displays can be easily upgraded as Argo’s needs change. Priced significantly lower than PC-based solutions, BrightSign’s solid-state platform ensures high reliability because it has no moving parts to fail. With a power requirement of only about 3-5 watts compared to 70-90 watts for the average PC, it also uses substantially less power. For additional energy savings, BrightSign presentations can be programmed to power the displays on and off according to the business hours of each Argo Tea café location.

Argo Tea designs, develops and manages the content for all of its locations at its headquarters in Chicago. Using BrightSign Network’s secure, Web-based application, Argo can add and manage content for all 78 BrightSign players remotely. One feature that simplifies this task for Argo is the ability to organize the players into groups. For example, when different cities have different pricing, it requires certain menu board images to be different, but Argo can group these updates rather than having to send them individually.

The BrightSign digital signage controllers used by Argo include the free BrightAuthor software application. This makes creating, publishing, managing and monitoring digital signage displays easy – even for non-technical users. BrightAuthor optimizes one of the key advantages of BrightSign digital signage by offering flexible scheduling and day-parting (scheduling the display of content for specific times throughout the day). With day-parting, the cafés can automatically change the menus displayed according to the time of day, delivering a more personalized experience and ultimately increasing sales.

Pricing & Availability

BrightSign players are available from the BrightSign store. Models range from $250 - $700. Distributor pricing is available upon request. BrightSign’s BrightAuthor software application runs on all late-model PCs and is included free of charge.

About BrightSign

BrightSign, LLC is the market leader in digital signage players. Based in Los Gatos, California, the company develops products, software and networking solutions for digital signage. BrightSign solid-state digital sign controllers set new standards for both stand-alone and networked digital signage applications with their superior video quality, reliability, affordability, ease of use and interactivity. Online information about BrightSign units is available at www.brightsign.biz. For US sales inquiries, please contact sales@brightsign.biz or call +1-408-852-9263. For European sales inquiries, please email Pierre Gillet: pgillet@brightsign.biz or call +44-1223-911842. Follow BrightSign at http://twitter.com/brightsign and http://www.facebook.com/BrightSignLLC.

About Argo Tea

Argo Tea, Inc. is a Chicago-based food and beverage company responsible for pioneering the innovative tea café concept. We are passionate about bringing teas directly from growers around the world, and blending them into unique and delicious signature beverages and teas. We are committed to being a sustainable business by working with the best local and global tea, coffee, and food artisans, and by contributing back to our communities to promote a healthy lifestyle and the conservation of natural resources. We are dedicated to delivering consistent quality and a genuine customer experience "one customer and one cup at a time," and to providing the "Argo experience" through our innovative approach of rediscovering the diversity and tradition of teas. Our signature drinks are made with all-natural “ingredients with purpose”. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, we are proud of our Chicago heritage. We have retail partners across the globe, and our cafés are located in Chicago, New York, St. LLouis, Boston, and Beirut. Our products are available for distribution, foodservice, retail, and hospitality companies in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more at www.argotea.com.

BrightSign and the BrightSign logo are registered trademarks of BrightSign, LLC in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Specifications subject to change without notice.

Global technology company to demonstrate solutions that help restaurants control costs and increase revenue

DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) will focus on ‘the life of a transaction’, for restaurants of all types and sizes at the upcoming National Restaurant Association (NRA) show in Chicago where the company will showcase the latest in restaurant technology innovation. Show attendees can experience NCR’s exhibition of software, hardware and solutions at Booth #6229 at the tradeshow, which is being held in Chicago at McCormick Place on May 18-21, 2013.

    “Our ‘life of a transaction’ theme reflects the intimacy of a restaurant environment while providing ease of flow and customer engagement. We invite attendees to see first-hand what technology can do for their restaurant.”

“We run the everyday transactions that make your life easier – whether you are a chef, manager, owner, server, cashier or consumer. At our core, we help restaurants control and contain their costs and increase their revenue,” said Kim Eaton, senior vice president and general manager of NCR Hospitality. “This year at the National Restaurant Association’s show we’ll be exhibiting technology and solutions that enable restaurants to operate with efficiency, manage a profitable business and engage consumers.”

NCR’s booth will be divided into three primary solution areas to make it easier for attendees to find the restaurant technology solutions relevant to their business needs. Several new solutions and expanded functionality of existing offerings will be on display, including:

Solutions that help restaurants operate at peak efficiency

        NCR Aloha Mobile, an extension of our Aloha Table Service point-of-sale software, allows restaurants to easily and securely deploy mobile POS software technology for tableside ordering and payment.
        NCR Guest Pad is an iPad® application which provides mobile wait list and reservation support for restaurants. The innovative stand-alone app delivers a simple way to manage walk-in, call ahead and reservations parties on the wait list.

Solutions that help restaurants manage a profitable business

        NCR Real-Time, a versatile mobile application, delivers actionable, real time information to an owner or manager’s smart phone or tablet, enabling them to make smart decisions quickly.
        NCR Labor is a solution designed to efficiently and effectively plan, schedule and track labor activity in a restaurant.
    Solutions that drive sales and loyalty by directly engaging consumers
        NCR Mobile Pay is an application that enables consumers to take action instead of waiting. Restaurant patrons can easily review an order, add to it, tip and pay, and take a survey – all directly from their smartphone.
        NCR Digital Menu Boards is a state-of-the-art, high resolution signboard for advertising and promotions, digital menus, and more.

"We believe that by blending our expertise in restaurant technology with an equal commitment to optimizing efficiencies in all areas of a restaurant, NCR is the best positioned technology provider to bring an integrated total solution for restaurants," said Eaton. "Our ‘life of a transaction’ theme reflects the intimacy of a restaurant environment while providing ease of flow and customer engagement. We invite attendees to see first-hand what technology can do for their restaurant."

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 300 million transactions daily across the retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology industries. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with over 26,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Web site: www.ncr.com

Twitter: @NCRCorporation

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

iPad, is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

DSA, the leading non-profit association for digital signage, interactive kiosks, mobile and self-service, names Bill Lynch of Reevex to president position and elects other officers.

Dallas, TX: The Digital Screenmedia Association (DSA) Advisory Board elected new officers for the 2013-2014 term during its biannual meeting recently. Bill Lynch, vice president for mobile and self-service transaction company Reevex was named DSA president. Lynch assumes the role from Jared Miller, vice president, travel & gaming solution management for NCR Corporation, who will now serve as immediate past president.

Other officers elected include:

• Executive Vice President – Marketing: Paul Flanigan, vice president, Pro-Motion Technology Group
• Treasurer: Janet L. Webster, president, Creative Solutions Consulting
• Secretary: Margot Myers, director, global marketing & communications, Platt Retail Institute

DSA has a council for digital signage, mobile and self-service kiosks and each council also elected its representatives:

• Executive Vice President – Digital Signage: Craig K. Martin, owner, Reality Interactive
• Vice President – Digital Signage: Jennifer Nye, channel manager – wholesale, Kohler Co.
• Executive Vice President – Mobile: Steve Gurley, president & CEO, Pyrim Technologies
• Executive Vice President – Self-Service Kiosk: Ron Bowers, senior vice president, Frank Mayer & Associates
• Vice President – Self-Service Kiosk: Craig Keefner, media manager, Connected Technology Solutions

“Having been active in the digital screenmedia industry for over 10 years, I have witnessed the transformation of disconnected technologies into an industry that is transforming our world,” said new DSA President Bill Lynch. “The DSA has successfully transitioned from disparate associations into a unified organization. Because of the foresight of our association members, we have been able to successfully merge mobile, digital signage and self-service technologies. I speak with customers and partners in all three of these areas on almost a daily basis. The DSA is the only organization that brings together all aspects of these industries. I am committed to helping the DSA grow and expand on our great achievements.”

New 21.5" projected capacitive chassis display delivers high-performance multi-touch interactivity for today’s public environments

METHUEN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3M Touch Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3M Company, today announces the availability of its newest high-performance multi-touch display designed specifically for interactive public applications, the 21.5-inch 3M™ Multi-Touch Display C2167PW. This commercial-grade chassis display is ideal for heavy-use applications that need high-performance multi-touch interactivity (20 touches, each at an ultra-fast 8 millisecond touch response rate), high-definition graphics (1920x1080 resolution and 178 degree viewing angles), and sleek, flat front surface industrial-design capability. In addition, the C2167PW chassis display is specifically designed for high-use public environments with a robust all-metal housing and an anti-glare touchscreen finish to help ensure premium image quality in public lighting environments. Complementing the C2167PW chassis display’s commercial-grade design is its integration versatility which enables vertical (landscape or portrait) or horizontal installations in walls, kiosks, tables and other housing fixtures.

“The C2167PW chassis display is an important addition to 3M’s multi-touch display offering,” says Diego Romeu, global business unit manager, 3M Electronic Business Solutions. “This new display helps satisfy our customers’ need for a commercial-grade, high-performance multi-touch display solution with a stylish flat front surface look and full HD resolution.”

The 3M Multi-Touch Display C2167PW is based on 3M projected capacitive technology – the same touch technology found in smart phones and tablets – and features a stylish flat front surface design that makes it an attractive addition to any professional or retail environment. The C2167PW chassis display is plug and play with the multi-touch capabilities built into Windows 8 and other popular programming languages.

The 3M Multi-Touch Display C2167PW and the rest of the 3M Multi-Touch Display line is available from these leading U.S. distributors: BlueStar, Ingram Micro, ScanSource, SYNNEX, and Tech Data, popular online retailers, and 3M’s online store, www.Shop3M.com.

For additional information on 3M Multi-Touch Displays, visit www.3m.com/multitouch.

3M Touch Systems provides innovative touchscreen technology products to customers worldwide under the “3M” and “MicroTouch” brands. Popular single-touch, dual-touch and multi-touch applications include casino gaming, foodservice, hospitality, industrial, interactive digital signage, healthcare, retail point of sale and self-service. For more information about 3M and MicroTouch products, visit www.3M.com/touch01. For an overview of popular touch technologies and terminology, visit www.touchtopics.com.

About 3M Touch Systems Inc.

3M Touch Systems Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3M and provider of innovative touchscreen solutions, operates globally and reports through 3M Electronics & Energy Business Group, headquartered in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit www.3M.com/touch. More information about 3M Company is available online.

3M is a trademark of the 3M Company.
All other trademarks listed herein are owned by their respective companies

Multi-touch interactivity for any large format display, indoor and outdoor LCD panels, and imaginative projection mapping deliver picture-perfect displays

BALTIMORE, Md. – Christie® presents a diverse collection of visual display solutions at the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) MuseumExpo, taking place May 20-22 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The Christie booth is showing projection display products that can be works of art in themselves, and serve as versatile tools for museums to enhance the visitor experience – including interactive displays where patrons can curate their own tours.  

Among the display solutions is 11 feet wide by 6 feet tall Christie® MicroTiles® video wall featuring Christie Interactivity Kit in an educational space that will captivate visitors.  

Christie Interactivity Kit – A Touch of Brilliance

The Christie Interactivity Kit is a modular solution that transforms nearly any large-format display into a multi-touch surface.  The field-installable kit simply attaches around the display wall perimeter and plugs into a computer USB port without the need for drivers. Windows® 7 automatically recognizes the Christie Interactivity Kit as a multi-touch device and no manual calibration of sensors or cameras is required. Using breakthrough Baanto™ ShadowSense™ technology, Christie Interactivity Kit offers excellent performance with high touch accuracy and fast response times that support up to 18 touches on a large-format display.

Configurable into 84 different sizes, the kit accommodates practically any video wall up to 21.4 feet wide and 6 feet high, or a 16-units wide  by 6-units high Christie MicroTiles array. The kit is part of a special display at the celebrated Cleveland Museum of Art, which features a 40-foot wide multi-touch screen comprising two 15-units wide by 5-units tall Christie MicroTiles video walls using Christie Interactivity Kit and a smaller interactive ‘Line and Shape’ Christie MicroTiles display for children to engage with that also uses Christie Interactivity Kit.

Christie Fills Customer Needs With Both Indoor and Outdoor Flat Panels

Also on display is the Christie FHD551-X. This full HD 55-inch indoor LCD flat-panel features a super narrow bezel width of 5.5 mm, LED backlighting, high pixel density and a wide viewing angle. With the Christie FHD551-X, images on the nearly seamless tiled video wall look sharp at any distance allowing you to convey your information with controlled brightness that’s suited for a variety of indoor environments.

Christie recently introduced the Christie WeatherAll FHD551-W. The outdoor LCD flat panel is a sleek, weatherproof digital signage solution (IP56/NEMA 4 rated) featuring optically bonded glass for increased protection against harsh impacts and scratches in public display environments while enhancing viewability in outdoor venues by reducing reflection. It is designed to provide high contrast ratio, rich vibrant colors, and superior brightness to overcome high ambient light — making it perfect for outdoor use.

Christie Projection Mapping – Radiant and Vibrant Images on any Surface, any Shape

Christie is demonstrating projection mapping featuring colorful and exciting images thrown on a mini-pyramid; illustrating the wide range of complex artistic displays made possible using blending and warping technology. The mapping demonstration will utilize a Christie HD14K-M.

Projection mapping is an exciting technique using specialized software and other technologies to warp and blend projected images so they fit perfectly on irregularly-shaped buildings, interior spaces and natural landscapes. It delivers the ‘wow factor’ and is a cost-effective way to transform virtually any surface or structure into a breathtaking canvas where size, scope and content are limited only by the artist’s imagination.

Christie’s projection mapping technology helped transform Ottawa’s famed Parliament Hill with a rich and engaging display that attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually with the gripping  narrative of Canadian history via the National Capital Commission’s sound and light show, “Mosaika – Canada Through the Eyes of Its People.”  

About Christie®

Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925), designs, builds and installs customized projection display solutions. Christie® delivers turn-key solutions for sophisticated virtual reality, simulation systems and control room environments including high-resolution power walls, multi-sided immersive environments, curved screen displays, domed simulation and multi-projector arrays. Industries and organizations that rely on Christie range from government agencies to oil and gas, aerospace to entertainment, and manufacturing and design to pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit www.christiedigital.com.

Dollar to upgrade its ATM fleet with advanced NCR software and hardware

DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) today announced that it is growing its relationship with Dollar Bank. Beginning this summer, Dollar Bank will begin replacing 60 older non-NCR ATMs with NCR’s most advanced deposit-taking ATMs, NCR SelfServ™ with scalable deposit module. All of Dollar Bank’s ATMs will run on NCR APTRA™ Edge software for multivendor ATM environments.

NCR SelfServ ATMs with scalable deposit module (SDM) make the deposit portion of an ATM transaction twice as fast. SDM is the only technology in deployment that allows consumers to deposit both cash and checks simultaneously, in any orientation, through a single slot. This consumer-friendly technology makes ATM deposits faster and easier, and helps banks improve the customer experience. In addition to the SDM units, Dollar also is replacing 10 older ATMs with traditional NCR SelfServ ATMs.

Dollar Bank also has decided to run its ATM network using NCR APTRA multivendor software. According to the most recent report from London’s Retail Banking Research (RBR), NCR is the world’s #1 provider of multivendor ATM software.

“Prior to our roll out of our video ATMs, Dollar Bank had never worked with NCR. But it quickly became clear to us that NCR shares Dollar’s passion for finding innovative ways to deliver great customer service,” said Jim McQuade, Senior Vice President of Retail Banking, Dollar Bank. “Through NCR’s advanced ATMs and the software that brings the customer experience to life, we are giving our customers more access to financial services in a modern and dynamic environment. NCR has a clear vision for technology’s role in the future of retail banking.”

Dollar Bank began using NCR video ATMs, APTRA Interactive Teller, beginning in July 2012. At Dollar Bank, these units are referred to as Personal Teller Machines (PTMs).

“We’re pleased that we’ve been able to grow our relationship with such a well-respected and forward thinking financial institution,” said Adam Crighton, vice president and general manager of hardware, NCR Financial Services. “Dollar Bank customers will soon be able to enjoy state-of-the-art self-service banking that is fast and easy to use. Being able to deposit cash and checks together is just one of the ways NCR is making everyday life easier for banks and their customers.”

About Dollar Bank

Dollar Bank is the largest independent mutual bank in the nation with assets of more than $6 billion. Today, Dollar Bank operates more than 65 branches and loan centers throughout the Pittsburgh and Cleveland metropolitan areas. Utilizing PATs is the latest customer innovation from the bank that first introduced Pay-By-Phone telephone banking in 1976. In February 1997, Dollar Bank was the 17th bank in the country to offer Online Banking, and shortly thereafter its Online Banking service was included in the 1998 Computerworld Smithsonian Innovation Collection. In June 2007, Dollar Bank was the first bank in the region to offer Text Message Banking. In June 2008, Dollar Bank introduced Mobile Online Banking and in 2009, introduced applications for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry phones. In 2010, Dollar Bank further enhanced its text message banking service by adding bill payment to the service. For 157 years, Dollar Bank has grown to become a large, full service, regional bank committed to providing the highest quality of banking services to individuals and businesses. Dollar Bank is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 300 million transactions daily across the retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology industries. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with over 26,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Managing mobile devices used as mobile point-of-sale, kiosks, digital signage or any other purposed use case is very different than managing personal devices.

Download this infographic and answer these questions to see which management platform is right for your mobile deployments.

Provided by MokiMobility

Signage Templates is an easy-to-use template library with hundreds of pre-designed layouts for digital menu boards and other restaurant signage requirements

STERLING, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--High-definition digital signage systems industry leader Mvix today announced Signage Templates, a web-based content creation tool for the foodservice marketplace. Restaurant owners can now create professionally designed menu boards, information, and marketing signage screens by accessing Mvix's extensive cloud-based digital template library. Developed to extend Mvix's Brand Signage, a new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering that meets larger, enterprise requirements such as those for franchises and mass retailers, Signage Templates reduces the Content Management System process to three simple steps and provides a real-time publishing option for the smaller-scale restaurant owner or end user.

"The ability to project professionally designed digital signage content and maintain brand continuity all while proactively meeting daily changes is priceless," said Wing Zone Co-founder and CFO Adam Scott. "It's refreshing to have a partner like Mvix that understands the dynamic nature of restaurant marketing across all types of end users. Signage Templates exemplifies this understanding."

Mvix Vice President of Global Sales Ross McClymonds said, "We are excited to bring Signage Templates to the foodservice marketplace. Our R&D team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the web-based content offering is easy to use, so that the digital screen communicates the brand identity and information that each restaurant owner wants customized to their own specifications."

Availability & Pricing

Signage Templates is immediately available to Mvix members. Membership is free and requires a simple online registration. Signage Templates provides three publishing models: Web URL, Image URL or Download Image. Restaurant owners can choose the best method for their signage system, fund their account, and publish. The Web URL feed is a subscription-based plan that allows automated (real-time) updates on digital signage screens that support cloud-based URL feeds. Anytime the sign is updated on Signage Templates, the screen will automatically be updated upon refresh.

For information and to receive a live demo of Signage Templates, visit the Mvix booth #6666 at NRA 2013 at the Chicago McCormick Place, May 18--21, 2013.

About Mvix

Founded in 2005, Mvix is the market leader in hi-definition digital signage hardware and software systems applicable across many vertical markets. www.mvixdigitalsignage.com.

ONELAN will be showing their solutions for education and retail at the NEC Showcase in the Tobacco Docks in London on Thursday 16th May 2013.

Henley on Thames, United Kingdom--(PR.com)-- In the Retail zone, ONELAN will be demonstrating Player Synchronisation with a 4K Video wall driven by four Retail Media Players (RMPs) and a ONELAN Net-Top-Box (NTB) Publisher.

In the Education zone, ONELAN will be showing its NTB with a Data Collection Engine (DCE) driving content to a projector in full HD.

ONELAN is a global leader of digital signage and IPTV solutions and a proud investor in UK engineering talent. The company develops high quality, innovative solutions for all types of screen-based communications for applications including retail, advertising networks, corporate communications, education, health, public signage and hospitality.

With a solid foundation and long history of profitable growth, ONELAN is headquartered in the UK, with offices in South America, China and Germany. ONELAN has over 300 partners in 50 countries. The business has received numerous awards since its foundation in 2000, including most recently the AV magazine Digital Signage Project of the Year and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade.


 

Taxi riders can interact with a variety of rich mobile experiences at taxi media screens

New York, NY – Today, Creative Mobile Technologies (CMT), LLC, one of the nation’s largest Out-of-Home digital networks and premier technology and payment processing solutions provider for the taxicab market, and Blue Bite, the Mobile Standard in Out-of-Home™, announced a first of its kind media-mobile technology partnership in the U.S. taxi space. Blue Bite’s proprietary mTAG® platform will be available in 5,000 taxicabs with CMT media screens in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Anaheim by September 1, 2013.

Here’s how it works: Taxi passengers will see video or static messages on Blue Bite enhanced CMT taxi media screens and be prompted to either “tap” or “snap” the mTAG affixed to the frame of the screen. Riders will be able to “tap” their NFC-enabled smartphone to instantly download rich user content including music, videos, mobile apps, promotional information, coupons, maps, and tips, among other things.  Consumers without an NFC-enabled phone will be able to “snap” a picture of the Quick Response code to access the same content.

“Blue Bite is thrilled with its first foray into the taxi market and the opportunity to integrate with the dynamic CMT platform that will give users instantaneous access to multifaceted and relevant content during their taxi ride,” said Mikhail Damiani, CEO and Co-Founder of Blue Bite.

“CMT is excited to be the premier taxi provider of the Blue Bite technology and to increase riders’ interaction with our media screens, especially as consumers become more reliant on their mobile phones,” said Jason Poliner, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of CMT. "The digital out-of-home space has skyrocketed and today is an integral component in national advertising campaigns. CMT is well-position to meet demand for advertising in various unique, premium digital out-of-home platforms."    

“Advertisers’ ability to connect with our viewers’ mobile devices is one more way CMT can increase engagement, interaction and support for our clients,” said Tom Haymond, EVP of CMT Media Sales. “Combined with CMT’s geo-targeting capabilities; full motion video and audio; and ABC’s dynamic content, the addition of Blue Bite’s systems gives CMT an unparalleled ability to help clients impact consumers in the digital OOH space and see a tangible ROI.”

Blue Bite has seen mobile engagements in their campaigns increase by more than 115% over the past 18 months. The real-time mobile content and analytics will allow participating companies to optimize their campaigns and react to market situations.  Consumers will benefit from content that is both location-specific and relevant, and will have the ability to share the campaigns with friends through social media.

“Mobile technology, coupled with media-rich content generated on the media screens, is an exciting way to engage active consumers and generate brand awareness,” said Gerald Griffin, Senior Vice President ABC Regional Sports and Entertainment Sales. “The mTAG platform also allows clients to measure effectiveness of their campaigns.”

About Blue Bite (www.bluebite.com/info)

Blue Bite is a leading mobile-marketing solutions provider utilizing a targeted, location-based approach to reach captive audiences on their personal mobile devices.  Blue Bite has partnered with many of the leading Out-of-Home Companies in the U.S. and prides itself on creating an interactive two-way engagement by enabling consumers to connect with digital and traditional media via their mobile phones. For more information, please visit www.bluebite.com and follow the latest updates and developments on Facebook and Twitter.

About Creative Mobile Technologies, L.L.C. (www.creativemobiletech.com)

Founded in New York City in 2005 by taxi industry leaders, Creative Mobile Technologies (CMT) provides more than 20,000 taxicabs in 60 cities and 35 states with a variety of taxi technologies and enhancements including credit and debit card processing, media and advertising content, text messaging, interactive passengers maps, GPS, electronic trip sheets and back-office fleet management systems. CMT has more than 6,600 units in New York City alone. CMT’s unique "for the industry, by the industry" business model has empowered taxi fleets and individual taxi operators throughout the country with customized solutions born out of the company’s deep roots in the taxi industry.

About ABC Regional Sports and Entertainment Sales

ABC Regional Sports and Entertainment Sales, a unit of ABC National Television Sales, is a leading advertising sales and marketing representative that provides its advertisers with access to consumers wherever they are: in the stores, on the streets, at home, on-line, in-stadium or in the car. ABC RSES currently represents numerous digital out of home media properties, the ESPN Owned Radio Stations and two 24/7 regional sports networks. In Times Square New York, ABC RSES represents several LED Spectacular Screens including The ABC SuperSign and The Disney Store Spectacular. ABC RSES and ABC National Television Sales are part of The Walt Disney Company.  

MONTREAL — X2O Media announced that it will be showing SharePoint TV on the new X2O visual communications platform at SharePoint Summit 2013, May 13-15 at the Toronto Hilton Hotel. This will mark the first time SharePoint TV has ever been shown at the Toronto event.

With SharePoint TV on the X2O platform, users can create stunning TV-like channels based on content in the popular Microsoft® SharePoint® enterprise collaboration platform. This allows users to push real-time content from SharePoint onto all screens across an organization automatically, from digital displays to mobile devices and desktops. Examples of content that can be shared include dashboards, company news, and training channels.

X2O Media, a SharePoint Summit Silver Sponsor, will also provide digital signage for the entire show, including displays near entrances and meeting rooms. Partners including AVI-SPL, Premier Mounts, NEC, and Lanner will be providing equipment to support the network of screens.

More information about X2O Media is available at www.x2omedia.com. Details on SharePoint Summit 2013 can be found at http://www.sharepointsummit.org/toronto.
 

About X2O Media

X2O Media is a leading software developer of real-time visual communication solutions that significantly improve communications throughout the enterprise. X2O's solutions facilitate the creation and delivery of video and graphics-rich content to digital displays, employee desktops, and mobile devices. Applications include corporate news channels, dynamic corporate dashboards, real-time emergency messaging, and more. X2O's products and services are sold and supported globally, through a network of experienced distribution partners. More information about X2O Media is available at www.x2omedia.com.

All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

At Sports Authority Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos

Denver, Colo.—Denver based Ping HD, a leading provider of digital communications solutions for the sports, convention and entertainment industries, and Centerplate, the largest hospitality partner to North America’s premier sports stadiums, convention centers and entertainment venues, joined to announce installation of Ping HD’s newest digital menu board service at Sports Authority Field at Mile High—home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.  The installation will be completed in time for the upcoming NFL season.

“We are honored and excited for the opportunity to enhance the in-stadium experience for fans,” said Greg Lewis of Ping HD. “Our technology and implementation has proved to be an asset in guest services and as a Colorado based company, we’re delighted to demonstrate it at scale here in Denver.”

223 Digital Menu Boards will be mounted in a 3-screen array in concession stands throughout the main concourse, United Club and suite levels of the stadium, allowing for dynamic content and clear visual display along with the ability to be easily updated.  For fans, that means streaming video during waits at concessions, clarity of content, and menus that are themed to events, whether it’s a Broncos game, Denver Outlaws Lacrosse, concerts or any other stadium events.  

“We have found the service standard and approach taken by Ping HD to be a worthwhile investment for Centerplate, our clients, and fans,” said Bob Pascal, Chief Marketing Officer at Centerplate. “Previous projects with Ping HD at Candlestick Park and AT&T Park (both in San Francisco) demonstrated the technology’s ability to improve the fan experience—through improved ordering speed, engaging content during wait times, and better sales through increased visibility.”

The boards can be remotely updated by Centerplate with a few mouse clicks from anywhere.

The Ping HD installation at Sports Authority Field at Mile High follows recent projects by Ping HD at Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies; AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants; Candlestick Park, home of the San Francisco Giants; and The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the Detroit Pistons.

About Ping HD

Ping HD is a full-service digital media company serving the travel, entertainment, and convention industries. Ping HD provides customized communication solutions specific to each client application, including: digital menu boards, digital signage networks, interactive kiosk and touch-screen interfaces—all backed by an end-to-end team to assist with concept, strategy, implementation and even monitoring and support. The robust solutions at Ping HD help clients Attract, Engage, Connect. Learn more at www.pinghd.com.

About Centerplate

Centerplate crafts and delivers “Craveable Experiences. Raveable Results.” in more than 300 prominent entertainment, sports, and convention venues across North America and the United Kingdom. Centerplate has provided hospitality services to marquee events, including 15 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 12 Super Bowls, 20 World Series, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the largest plated dinner at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com

Toronto, Ontario – iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. (TSX-V: ISD) (OTCQX: ISDSF), a leading provider of interactive mobile advertising solutions that serves advertisers, manufacturers, retailers and advertising agencies throughout North America, is pleased to announce that it has now received subscriptions for a total of $7.5 million in units (“Units”) of the Corporation, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

As previously announced, each Unit will consist of one common share at $0.30 (“Unit Share”) and one common share purchase warrant (“Warrant”) of the Corporation. Each Warrant will be exercisable into one additional common share of the Corporation for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.45 per common share.

The funds from these strategic and private placements will be used for the manufacturing of the Company’s Smart Antennas and Smart Digital Players to fulfill existing and anticipated purchase orders coming from the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as for general operating funds.

“We are in the process of finalizing the additional subscriptions for the targeted $9 million raise,” added Alex Romanov, iSIGN’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is the first time in our history that we have been involved in a raise of this size, with all investments coming from new investors. We are encouraged to see that most of this raise is coming to us from investors in the United States.”

“Additionally, we are excited that we have been receiving unsolicited requests from investors to participate in this non-brokered raise,” added Mr. Romanov. “It encourages us in that we are seeing this as a growing awareness of our technology and future success
In addition, iSIGN is pleased to announce that it has had inquiries about entering into a agreement to install units into a major European chain of gas stations.

About iSIGN Media

iSIGN Media is a world leader in multiplatform advertising solutions that utilize Bluetooth, Mobile, WiFi and Location-Aware technologies to deliver rich media, permission-based messages to engage consumers more deeply and cost-effectively. The resulting business intelligence and real time metrics, gathered through iSIGN’s patent-pending advertising platform, deliver insights into emerging consumer behaviors that help advertisers measure their efforts and make better business decisions to increase ROI and customer loyalty. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, with R&D and customer support operations in Vancouver, BC and Tampa, FL, the Company has also grown to become the largest owner/operator of in-store digital media in Canada with 5,600 digital signs in 1,400 locations. Partners include: IBM and AOpen America Inc., with solution distribution by GraphicMedia, Inc. and BlueStar Inc. www.isignmedia.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties associated with iSIGN Media’s business and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect iSIGN Media’s current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. iSIGN Media assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

© 2012 iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

The 2013 DSA Industry Excellence Awards, which recognize the best digital signage, mobile, self-service and interactive kiosk technology projects were presented recently at an event in conjunction with the Digital Screenmedia Symposium.
 
DALLAS - The Digital Screenmedia Association has announced the winners of its DSA Industry Excellence Awards, which honors the best digital signage, mobile and self-service kiosk technology deployments across all vertical market segments.
 
The awards were presented during an awards dinner at the Hilton DFW Lakes, in conjunction with the Digital Screenmedia Symposium.
 
The 2013 winners are:

Industry Deployer of the Year
Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

Network Operator of the Year
RMG Networks

Screenmedia Integration Award
Project: SportChek Retail Lab    
Client: FGL Sports Ltd.
Submitted by: TELUS Digital Signage
 
Best Digital Out-of-Home Campaign Deployment - Digital Signage
Project: Times Square Takeover Campaign
Client: Beats By Dre
Submitted by: Aerva

Best Entertainment/Gaming Deployment - Digital Signage
Project: Digital Content Delivery for Match Days
Client: Fulham Football Club
Submitted by: Enabledware Inc

Best Financial Services Deployment - Digital Signage
Project: Digital Branch
Client: BBVA Bancomer
Submitted by: Kolo Digital Signage

Best Government Deployment - Digital Signage
Project: Digital Signage System
Client: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Submitted by: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Best Restaurant Deployment - Digital Signage
Project: Burgerville
Client: The Holland, Inc.
Submitted by: Wireless Ronin Technologies

Best Retail Deployment - Digital Signage
Project: "Store of the Future"
Client: Build-A-Bear Workshop
Submitted by: Build-A-Bear Workshop

Best Travel Deployment - Digital Signage
Project: Terminal 3 Digital Signage
Client: McCarran International Airport    
Submitted by: Four Winds Interactive

Best Corporate Communications Deployment - Self-Service / Interactive Kiosks
Project: The Aramco Experience
Client: Aramco Services Company
Submitted by: ZEBRADOG
Also contributing: FLOAT4 Interactive

Best Digital Out-of-Home Campaign Deployment - Self-Service / Interactive Kiosks
Project: Choose Your Subaru Adventure  
Client: Subaru of America
Submitted by: EWI Worldwide

Best Entertainment/Gaming Deployment - Self-Service / Interactive Kiosks
Project: Teeosk Gaming System
Client: JustOne Golf    
Submitted by: Reevex

Best Financial Services Deployment - Self-Service / Interactive Kiosks
Project: NOVO Experience
Client: Bank Audi
Submitted by: RMG Enterprise Solutions

Best Government/Education/Non-Profit Deployment - Self-Service / Interactive Kiosks
Project: EZtouch Window
Client: Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School
Submitted by: Vislogix, Inc
Also contributing: DXM Marketing Group

Best Restaurant/Food Service Deployment - Self-Service / Interactive Kiosks
Project: Costa Express Vending Machine
Client: Costa Express
Submitted by: Intel

Best Retail Deployment - Self-Service / Interactive Kiosks
Project: Showroom Digital Media
Client: John Deere
Submitted by: VS Networks

Best Travel Deployment - Self-Service / Interactive Kiosks
Project: Hertz gives self-service a human touch
Client: The Hertz Corporation
Submitted by: NCR Corporation

“Once again, the bar was raised by this year’s entries,” said David Drain, DSA executive director. “There were some outstanding projects that did not win, which is testament to how fierce the competition was and a compliment to this year’s winners.”

A prestigious panel of judges was assembled for the DSA awards:

Digital Signage Award Judges

• Lyle Bunn, Principal / Strategy Architect, BUNN Co.
• Brad Gleeson, President & CEO, TargetPath LLC
• Christopher Hall, Editor, DigitalSignageToday.com
• Eric Himes, Director, Digital Media and Video Production, Marshall University
• Gary Kayye, Founder, rAVe Publications
• Keith Kelsen, CEO, 5thScreen Digital Services
• Thomas Kunka, Coordinator, Network Systems & Operations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Erik Larson, Assistant Professor - Broadcast Design, CUNY College of Technology
• Barnaby Page, editor, Screenmediamag.com
• Lucas Peltonen, Digital Out-Of-Home Director, PITCH
• Sean Scott, President, SignIndustry.com
• Lou Thurmon, CMO, Two West, Inc.
• Michael Tutton, Manager, Digital Signage, Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation 

Self-Service Kiosk Award Judges

• Ted Blanchard, Principal, tedblanchard.ca
• Natalie Gagliordi, Editor, KioskMarketplace.com
• Eric Hoell, SVP, Operations & Product Development, SoloHealth
• Dan LaFayette, Lowes.com Product Owner, Lowe's Companies, Inc.
• Faith MacPherson, Senior Director, Global Payroll Services, Avery Dennison
• Michael Mascioni, freelance writer and market consultant
• Jared Padgett, Manager of Web Development & Digital Media, Pepperdine University
• Frank Roscoe, Director of SSM Division, Qpay, Inc.
• Janet Webster, President, Creative Solutions Consulting
• Sean Whiffen, Co-Founder, AutoNetTV