Chief’s new Certified Partner Program helps dealer and installer customers stand out from the competition.

Minneapolis, MN. USA - www.chiefmfg.com - Chief Manufacturing, the industry leader in AV mounting solutions, is excited to announce the launch of the industry’s first certification program for mount solutions.

The Certified Partner Program offers interactive product and installation training to improve customers’ business results, differentiate their business and improve overall mount product knowledge. Customers completing the course will receive exclusive benefits from Chief as well as earn InfoComm CTS RUs and CEDIA CEUs.

With over 3500 development hours invested, the program features over 13 hours of content and 46 videos featuring Chief products and installation solutions divided into two tracks—one for those who install or deal with technical aspects, and one for dealers or sales people focusing on configuring solutions or selling product. Each track is focused on their specific needs and walks them through scenarios in common applications, such as home theaters, classrooms, hotel lobbies, corporate offices, etc.

Participants in the program should expect to complete an entire track in approximately three-to-six hours. Many modules take 30 minutes or less to complete so users can come back as often as they need to until the entire track is completed.

“Putting together the Certified Partner Program with our customers has been extremely beneficial,” said Laurie Englert, Chief Marketing Director. “They not only helped to define the framework of the program, but their input has helped us customize each and every module to ensure we are zeroing in on what they need to know to make their installs faster, their specifying easier and overall improve their business results.”

To register for the program, visit www.certification.chiefmfg.com. Registrants must be Chief customers enroll. To become a Chief Dealer or Distributor, visit www.chiefmfg.com/dealer. Others who are interested in taking the courses may contact Chief for login information.

About Chief

Chief Manufacturing, is a division of Milestone AV Technologies, a Duchossois Group Company, and has more than 30 years of proven product and service excellence. Committed to responding to industry needs in the Pro AV, Residential and Office markets, Chief offers a complete line of mounts, lifts, racks and accessories for TVs, displays, projectors and other AV components.

Chief continues to design innovative mounting and rack solutions and helpful tools, like Chief’s exclusive MountBuilder that complement the technology they support. With numerous product awards and patented designs, Chief provides unique mount features, and is recognized for delivering quality products and knowledgeable, helpful customer service. You can follow @chiefmfg on Twitter or become a fan of Chief on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.

U.S. and Europe sales offices support a global network spanning the Americas, Europe, the Pacific Rim and beyond. Chief distribution centers are located in Minnesota, Hong Kong and the Netherlands. www.chiefmfg.com

GiftWise to help CBL make gift card purchases fast and easy

Middletown, RI -- Self-Service Networks is pleased to announce that CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., owner and manager of 85 regional malls and open-air centers across the United States, will launch a GiftWise pilot at Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga, TN and Arbor Place Mall in Atlanta, GA, prior to the 2010 holiday season.  The GiftWise gift card vending solution gives shopping centers a low cost way to present their gift card programs to shoppers.

Barb J. Faucette, Vice President - Corporate Mall Marketing for CBL says, “We are excited to participate in the self-service revolution we see emerging throughout the shopping experience.  GiftWise enables us to offer our shoppers a convenient way to buy our gift cards every hour our centers are open.”

CBL will also use the GiftWise kiosks to collect consumer opt-in information and dispense a retailer coupon to participating shoppers.

Rick Wessels, EVP for Self-Service Networks, “Self service technology is permeating virtual every aspect of the customer experience, we are thrilled that a company the caliber of CBL has decided to introduce their customers to unattended gift card sales with GiftWise.”

Available in outdoor, thru-wall and indoor configurations, the GiftWise kiosks enable 24/7 gift card sales in every type of shopping center environment.  To learn more about GiftWise visit http://www.self-servicenetworks.com/giftwise

About CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

CBL is one of the largest and most active owners and developers of malls and shopping centers in the United States. CBL owns, holds interests in or manages 161 properties, including 85 regional malls/open-air centers. The properties are located in 27 states and total 85.4 million square feet including 2.3 million square feet of non-owned shopping centers managed for third parties. Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, CBL has regional offices in Boston (Waltham), MA, Dallas (Irving), TX, and St. Louis, MO. Additional information can be found at cblproperties.com.

About Self-Service Networks

Self-Service Networks is the leading provider of turnkey self-service solutions for kiosk, mobile, the Web and digital signage. Since 1996, we have helped a diverse range of clients improve overall performance and profitability by delivering engaging interaction experiences. We have helped clients like PepsiCo Inc., Thule, Inc., and Universal Studios by creating solutions customized to their sales and communications goals – all while lowering operating costs. Let us show you how to empower your customers™. For more information, visit www.self-servicenetworks.com or call 888.666.8346.

GiftWise to help Westfield provide shopper convenience while improving gift card sales

Middletown, RI -- Self-Service Networks is pleased to announce that Westfield Group, the world's largest listed retail property group by equity market capitalization, will launch a GiftWise pilot across multiple properties prior to the 2010 holiday season.  The GiftWise gift card vending solution gives shopping centers a low cost way to present their gift card programs to shoppers.

Jeff Adams, Director National Customer Service for Westfield says, “GiftWise allows us to move gift card sales out of mall management offices, making it convenient and fast for our shoppers to make a purchase.  We anticipate that placing kiosks where the vast majority of customer traffic occurs will grow sales.”

Rick Wessels, EVP for Self-Service Networks, says, “Westfield is known for listening to their shoppers and creating an exemplary customer experience.  It is an honor to have Westfield include GiftWise in their plans.”

Available in outdoor, thru-wall and indoor configurations, the GiftWise kiosks can also be used to dispense coupons, collect consumer opt-in information and deliver digital advertising.

To learn more about GiftWise visit http://www.self-servicenetworks.com/giftwise

About Self-Service Networks

Self-Service Networks is the leading provider of turnkey self-service solutions for kiosk, mobile, the Web and digital signage. Since 1996, we have helped a diverse range of clients improve overall performance and profitability by delivering engaging interaction experiences. We have helped clients like PepsiCo Inc., Thule Inc., and Universal Studios by creating solutions customized to their sales and communications goals – all while lowering operating costs. Let us show you how to empower your customers™. For more information, visit www.self-servicenetworks.com or call 888.666.8346.

Half-Day Sessions In Ridgefield Park, New Jersey Will Emphasize Advantages Of Becoming A Samsung Reseller Partner.

Ridgefield Park, NJ – Samsung Techwin America, a global supplier of video surveillance products combining superior performance and value, recently launched their 2010 Road Show campaign. The events are half-day sessions which will provide dealers/installers a hands-on opportunity to explore performance, functionality and advantages of the Samsung product line. These sessions will also show attendees how to boost sales and improve their bottom line by becoming a Samsung reseller partner. On Wednesday, September 1, 2010, Samsung will welcome participants to their new hometown headquarters area in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey for the morning and afternoon sessions.

“Our 2010 Road Shows have proven to be tremendously successful to date,” said Samsung Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Frank DeFina. “We are looking forward to welcoming attendees to Ridgefield Park for two dynamic hands-on sessions. The Samsung Techwin line of products offers a performance and value proposition that will be irresistible to dealer/installers and also to their customers.”

To sign up for a Samsung Vision 2010 road show event, visit www.samsungroadshow.com. Space is limited, and attendees will be eligible to win a Samsung digital camera valued at more than $140: one digital camera will be given away at each event. The road shows will focus on specific areas of technology, such as IP cameras, analog cameras and digital video recorders.

Upcoming 2010 Road Shows Include:

• September 1 – Tri-State Area – Hilton Garden Inn – Ridgefield Park, NJ
• September 14 - Baltimore Area – Hilton Garden Inn/Arundel Mills – Hanover, MD
• September 16 – Washington, D.C. Area – Crowne Plaza Hotel – Silver Spring, MD
• September 21 – Charlotte Area – Hilton Charlotte University Place – Charlotte, NC
• September 23 – Atlanta Area – Atlanta Marriott Century Center – Atlanta, GA

Further dates and locations are available upon request.

For more information on the Samsung Vision 2010 Road Shows visit www.samsungroadshow.com.

About Samsung Techwin America

Samsung is a leading supplier of advanced video surveillance solutions for IP-video, analog and hybrid systems. Building on the company’s history of innovation, Samsung Security Systems is dedicated to providing systems solutions with the highest levels of performance, reliability and cost-efficiency. As a subsidiary of a $117 billion international market maker, Samsung is committed to the continued development of innovative systems products for professional security applications. For more information, visit www.samsungsecurityusa.com.

Tech Data diversifies U.S. product offering and customer base through its Consumer Technology Group

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Tech Data Corporation today announced it has expanded its product offering for consumer electronics retailers to include 3D TVs and Lenovo IdeaPad laptop PCs. Through its Consumer Technology Group, Tech Data is leveraging strategic relationships with leading hardware and software vendors to bring emerging and in-demand consumer-class products to its growing customer base of traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and Web-based e-tailers.

“The diversification of the products we sell and the customers we serve is a key component of Tech Data’s ongoing growth strategy,” said Tech Data Senior Vice President, U.S. Marketing Joe Quaglia. “In the last year, Tech Data has added more than 1,300 consumer electronics retailers nationwide to our customer base and broadened our line card to include thousands of new products through strategic retail distribution agreements with leading electronics manufacturers. The addition of 3D TVs from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers enhances our ability to capitalize on the emerging demand for exciting 3D products hitting the market. Meanwhile, Lenovo’s IdeaPad laptops better position Tech Data and our retailer customers to take advantage of the continued sales growth among consumer-class PCs.”

Tech Data Targets In-Demand Consumer Technologies

DisplaySearch, a global market research and consulting firm specializing in the display supply chain, forecasts 3.4 million 3D TVs will ship in 2010, with 42.9 million projected to ship in 2014. Consumer electronics retailers purchasing from Tech Data are well positioned to capitalize on the rising demand for 3D products. Tech Data offers authorized retailers access to 40- to 60-inch 3D LCD TVs, 3D glasses and Blu-ray Disc™ players. Tech Data also distributes a broad array of 3D-capable projectors.

According to market research firm IDC, the PC market is expected to grow at nearly 20 percent this year and “portable PCs will remain the driver of growth across consumer and commercial segments.”1  Lenovo’s IdeaPad laptops are the latest additions to Tech Data’s consumer-class mobile computing product offering, which includes laptops, notebooks, netbooks and other mobile computing devices from leading manufacturers.

Consumer Technologies At Tech Data

Tech Data provides retailers access to a broad and growing line card of consumer technologies from leading hardware and software producers, including:

• Computers – Laptop, notebook, netbook, tablet and desktop PCs from leading vendors like Apple, ASUS, Lenovo, Samsung and Toshiba
  
• Computer Components – PC memory, internal and external hard drives, video cards, flash drives, keyboards, mice and webcams from vendors like Kingston, LaCie, Logitech, Microsoft, PNY, Toshiba and Western Digital
  
• Home Video and Audio – LCD, LED and plasma HDTVs, displays, projectors and surround sound systems from leading vendors like BenQ, Canon, Epson, InFocus, LG, Mitsubishi, NEC, Optoma, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, ViewSonic, Vivitek and VIZIO
  
• Printers and Scanners – Home-office and portable printers, scanners and MFPs from vendors like Brother, Canon, DYMO, Fujitsu, HP, Kodak, Lexmark, OKI, Visioneer and Xerox
  
• Software – Personal, home-office and student software, including operating systems, anti-virus, productivity suites, bookkeeping, video and photo editing, and 2D and 3D design applications from vendors like Adobe, Autodesk, Corel, Intuit, Kaspersky, McAfee, Microsoft, Panda, Red Condor, Symantec and Trend Micro
  
• Home Networking – Wireless routers and accessories from vendors like Cisco, Edgecore, NETGEAR, TRENDnet and ZyXEL
  
• Consumer Electronics – MP3 players, portable DVD players, Blu-ray players, digital compact and SLR cameras, camcorders, digital picture frames, headphones, GPS units and digital voice recorders from vendors like Apple, Canon, Garmin, Kodak, Nikon, Olympus, Sharp and VIZIO
  
• Accessories - Notebook bags; camera bags; iPod, iPhone and e-book cases; TV and projector mounts; projector screens; AV cables; power supplies; battery backup and surge protectors; printer consumables; and digital media and data storage products from vendors like 3M, APC, Belkin, Cables To Go, Chief, Imation, Kensington, Maxell, Monster, Naneu, Planar, Targus, Tripp Lite and SIIG

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is one of the world’s largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 125,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 109th on the FORTUNE 500(R), Tech Data generated $22.1 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2010. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.

Richfield OH. -- Vivid Digital Concepts, the premier franchisor in the digital sign industry, is pleased to announce the opening of another Private Advertising Network in the Cleveland, OH metropolitan area. The advertising network is deployed via 42-inch flat screens that are located in highly-visible, high-traffic local businesses.

The new franchise owners, Mark Allen and Patty Preston, of Parma, OH have been awarded the rights to develop a Vivid Ad Network in Middleburg Heights, North Royalton and Strongsville. The network of screens will provide local, relevant content to area residents and an opportunity for advertisers to reach a targeted audience at very reasonable cost-per-viewer. Advertisers on the Vivid Ad Network are able to gain tremendous exposure through 10-15 second full motion ads that are displayed up to 250 times per day on network screens. The ads themselves are essentially mini-TV commercials designed to showcase a business and engage viewers.

Mark and Patty were attracted to Vivid Digital Concepts because it offered them an opportunity to build a business together. Mark Allen says, “We were very intrigued by the technology behind the screens and felt that Vivid Digital Concepts was the perfect fit for what we want to accomplish as business owners. In addition, the potential for future expansion also excites us.” Patty Preston sees her skills as a “real people person” as one key to success. She continues, “I think that getting out into the community and helping local business owners reach their goals, will be very satisfying.” 

Besides the full-motion advertisements, the screens also display local weather, news and community information. “The screens really become a touch-point of information and entertainment for the local community,” says Deborah Naegle, President of Vivid Digital Concepts; she continues: “it isn’t just about the advertising; rather the ads are there to help drive the local economy and attract new customers.”

About Vivid Digital Concepts

Vivid Digital Concepts, based in Northern Ohio, installs and manages Private Digital Screen Advertising Networks.  Vivid Digital Concepts’ Advertising Networks focus on driving local business markets by providing relevant news, information and dynamic advertising for the community. Currently, Vivid Digital Concepts reaches thousands of network viewers per month in over 11 cities. The company believes in “Thinking Outside the Screen”© to reach viewers and provide a much-needed alternative to print advertising for local businesses. Vivid Digital Concepts is also the first franchise company solely dedicated to Digital Screen Advertising Networks. The company has developed a unique B2B sales model, with a focus on reoccurring revenue, for sales-driven individuals. VDC franchise owners acquire the rights to develop exclusive advertising networks. Franchise opportunities still exist in many areas across the United State.

For information regarding franchise opportunities and digital advertising please call 866-997-6376

Express Travel is using Acquire digital signage to promote travel packages in 14 outlets in Athens.

There are various reasons why interesting news stories do not always arrive in your inbox in a timely manner. Express Travel, formerly known as Top Travel, have been using Acquire on over 60 LCD screens for more than a year now. But this is probably the first you have heard about it.

The company behind the installation is i-Contact (http://www.i-contact.gr), the people behind the well publicized Carrefour network. The Express Travel network covers 14 stores across Athens and, as you can see from the graphic, the content provides customers with information about special offers.

According to Takis Maskel of i-Contact "Winning this contract with Acquire was helped enormously by the reference of the already established and successful Travel TV network in the UK http://www.travelagenttv.co.uk"

For more information call on +44 (0) 116 231 8921 or go to http://www.acquiredigital.com for information about Acquire and http://www.working-solutions.co.uk for information about Working Solutions (Creative IT) Ltd.

About Working Solutions (Creative IT) Ltd

Based in Leicester, England, Working Solutions (Creative IT) Ltd has been providing award winning solutions to the digital signage and kiosk market segments for more than 12 years. So much more than just another media player, the Acquire™ range includes software products and player devices that combine power and functionality with the ability to control and manipulate content to create unique digital signage and interactive kiosk projects. Acquire™ software is already powering more than 15,000 players worldwide and has the flexibility to support multi-nationals corporations and small ‘start-ups’ alike.

Working Solutions (Creative IT) Ltd is based in Leicester, England.

For more information contact Paul Mayer, Sales & Marketing Manager, Working Solutions (Creative IT) Ltd . Tel: +44 (0) 20 8133 9960 

SAN JOSE, Calif., -- AOpen America Inc. ("AOpen"), the world's leading ultra small-form-factor computer system manufacturer and digital signage solution provider has announced the availability of iSIGN Interactive Marketing Solutions (IMS 3.0) with iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. ("iSIGN") (TSX VENTURE:ISD) which embeds iSIGN's patent-pending Bluetooth® interactive software technology into AOpen's digital media players. The move has led to the creation of the world's first multi-function media player, capable of providing content management, Bluetooth® message broadcasting and data logging of consumer responses into a single unit.  Fundamentally, consumers are able to interact with iSIGN-enhanced digital signs by using their mobile handsets. The new multi-function models will provide the digital signage industry with both cost savings, added smarts and convenience never before available.

IMS 3.0 provides businesses with an effective content delivery unit combined with real time data capturing to provide the perfect business intelligence tool.  Available on AOpen’s MP45, DE45 or DE7000, IMS 3.0 attracts, interacts, transacts, and measures accurate target audience activity.  Through such a system, the user enters the broadcasting range up to 300 feet of the unit which in turn asks if the user agrees to receive a message.  Once the user agrees, they will receive the multilingual secure message in the form of coupons, ads, video or music at no cost to the user. Ultimately, these messages entice the user for a call to action.  Behind the scenes, the integration data is logged and can be analyzed providing “shopper insight” in real time. 

"We are pleased to be working with iSIGN Media to introduce the world's first in digital signage technology," said Dale Tsai, President of AOpen America. "iSIGN Media provides us with much needed business intelligence functionality to help our customers achieve new cost benefits while taking advantage of the latest in digital signage innovation."

"What's great about our solution paired with AOpen's hardware is that it offers customers the convenience and interaction of viewing these marketing campaigns by the simple touch of activating one's Bluetooth®," says Alex Romanov, iSIGN's Chief Executive Officer. "AOpen’s media players provided exactly what we needed in building a solution that is interactive and captures consumer responses to all advertising messages in real time."

IMS 3.0 will be available through AOpen’s exclusive MP45DU, DE45HG and DE7000 models to existing and new customers to enable each to now collect consumer responses from mobile devices with a choice of three data logging dashboards. Existing AOpen units currently in use will also be able to be enhanced with an iSIGN licensed online solution to provide business intelligence for a low monthly fee with full support from both companies.

About AOpen

As the pioneers of ultra small form factor (uSFF) components and customizable platforms, AOpen America, Inc. (http://usa.aopen.com) remains in the wheelhouse with its strategic alliances, setting the standard for vertical market solutions via Mini-ITX platforms that provide open architecture versatility, next-generation technology and unmatched value through huge energy cost savings and readiness compliance with ENERGY STAR and EPEAT. While remaining as the true leader in uSFF components and platforms, AOpen also provides a complete array of digital solutions.  AOpen drives Innovation Economy Technology™ (I-ET) in socially responsible, green IT solutions for offices, homes and mission-critical applications.

GDI to Distribute X2O's Xpresenter™ Xe Series of Digital Signage Systems in the United States

MONTREAL — X2O Media, a full-service provider of software, network management, and content services for professional digital signage applications, today announced that the company has signed a distribution agreement with Graphics Distribution Inc. (GDI). Under the agreement, GDI will provide distribution and sales support functions for X2O's Xpresenter™ Xe Series of stand-alone digital signage systems in the United States.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, GDI is a privately held distribution firm specializing in providing fast and efficient logistics support with quality sales and customer service. The company offers a world-class product line of graphics cards, video capture cards, streaming media encoders, video editing keyboards, digital signage equipment, and interactive whiteboards to the A/V, personal computer, education, and IT markets.

"We take pride in meeting the diverse needs of our customers, and with the increase in demand for advanced digital signage solutions, the Xpresenter Xe Series is a perfect addition to fill that gap in our product offering," said Scott Whitcomb, GDI Director of Sales. "We're excited to offer this unique solution to our customers, and are committed to bringing the Xpresenter Xe line to market and increasing the visibility of the brand to ultimately boost sales."

"Over the last ten years, GDI has earned a reputation for offering quality products, coupled with fast service and support that is second to none. We couldn't be more pleased to have the company distribute our Xpresenter Xe products," said David Wilkins, X2O Media's President and CEO. "Through this partnership, we will be able to further penetrate key markets in the U.S., while offering GDI's customers three high-quality systems to meet their digital signage needs."

The Xpresenter Xe Series was designed to lower the total cost of ownership by enabling users to choose the application they need now and upgrade as future needs arise. The series offers three systems including the Digital Poster Edition for still images, Video Poster Edition for stills and video, and Dynamic DS Edition for stills, video, and data-driven graphics. X2O recently released the Desktop add-in, which enables the Xpresenter Xe Series to extend the reach of communications beyond digital signs by allowing users to receive information such as real-time messages, video, and emergency alerts via a user-friendly player right on their desktop computer.

More information about the Xpresenter Xe Series and award-winning digital signage solutions from X2O Media is available at www.x2omedia.com.

About X2O Media

X2O Media is a full-service provider of software, network management services, and content services for professional digital signage and corporate communication applications. The company offers a wide variety of software solutions for digital signage and interactive networks of all sizes. X2O's award-winning Xpresenter™ provides an end-to-end platform for the creation, management, and distribution of content at broadcast quality, and at a fraction of the time of other solutions. In addition to technology, X2O offers content design, acquisition, management, distribution, and monitoring services for digital signage networks. 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.

Tech Data offers resellers access to the complete Digital Signage Experts training curriculum

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Tech Data Corporation, a leading distributor of IT products, today announced that 120 members of its Sales Division will be Digital Signage Certified Experts (DSCE) by the end of the month. That will more than double the number of sales representatives and members of Tech Data’s Digital Signage and Projectors Specialized Business Unit (SBU) who have already earned this certification. No other distributor has as many DSCEs on staff to help IT resellers build and grow their digital signage practices. 

“Our team of Digital Signage Certified Experts is helping resellers and vendors take advantage of the rising demand for digital signage,” said Tech Data Vice President, Peripherals Product Marketing Wendy Linsky. “That’s reflected in the Digital Signage and Projectors SBU’s outstanding growth during the last year and our performance with leading vendors in the category. The Digital Signage and Projectors SBU net sales grew 22 percent in the last year, highlighted by nearly 40 percent growth in large-format displays and triple-digit growth in digital signage software. We also now hold number-one market share with NEC, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and ViewSonic.”

Enabling The Digital Signage Channel

In addition to investing the time and resources to train its own sales team, Tech Data has partnered with the Digital Signage Certified Experts Group—an industry organization providing vendor-neutral education and certification standards for the digital signage industry—to help resellers obtain the skills they need to build strong, profitable digital signage businesses. Through its TDEducation services, Tech Data offers resellers access to the complete Digital Signage Experts curriculum developed by the Digital Signage Experts Group, including:

• Digital Signage Certified Expert – These individuals master a broad slate of disciplines related to digital signage. That includes a proven understanding of networking, displays, software, content creation and other technical components of a digital signage solution, as well as how to conduct a needs assessment, scope projects and provide end users with measurable ROI.
  
  
• Digital Signage Display Expert – People holding this certification understand the science of light, color and vision and how displays interact with the environment in which they are installed. Training also explores advanced calibration and other technical aspects of displays. Those who complete the training—including members of the Digital Signage and Projectors SBU—are experts at helping resellers select which displays—LCD, Plasma, DLP or LED—are best suited for each digital signage installation.
  
  
• Digital Signage Network Expert – After earning this certification, individuals have demonstrated an understanding of the networking components, infrastructure design and management, and security practices necessary to support effective digital signage solutions.
  
  
• Digital Signage Sales Professionals – Ideal for resellers’ sales teams, this training provides an  understanding of digital signage and how to best communicate its value to end-user customers. Once completed, sales representatives are familiar with the basic components of a solution and the most effective, profitable business models for bringing digital signage to market.

“Tech Data continues to set the bar when it comes to enabling resellers to take advantage of the exploding digital signage market,” said Alan C. Brawn, principal of Brawn Consulting LLC and member of the Digital Signage Experts Group Board of Directors. “Offering resellers access to our entire Digital Signage Experts curriculum and ensuring another 60 of their sales reps. are Digital Signage Certified Experts truly puts them in an elite class.”

To learn more about digital signage solutions at Tech Data, call the Digital Signage and Projectors SBU at 800-553-7935. To learn more about the Digital Signage Experts training courses, contact the TDEducation team by calling 800-237-8931, ext. 75002.

Dedicated Support, Specialized Solutions

Tech Data’s Digital Signage and Projectors SBU offers resellers all the components of a digital signage solution, including a broad array of commercial LCD and plasma displays; content management software; digital media players and PCs; video distribution, switches and signal converters; cabling, mounts and other hardware. The SBU is comprised of dedicated resources to assist resellers in designing, scoping, building and selling solutions.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is one of the world’s largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 125,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 109th on the FORTUNE 500(R), Tech Data generated $22.1 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2010. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.

With a new look and new capabilities, the new techdata.com will be the foundation
for Tech Data’s next wave of exclusive, channel-leading e-business tools

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Tech Data Corporation, a leading distributor of IT products, today unveiled a stronger, more robust techdata.com during the TechSelect Spring Partner Conference in Miami Beach. First introduced to the TechSelect community last fall, the site was rolled out to more IT resellers in recent months for a battery of user testing and input. Available now to all Tech Data customers at new.techdata.com, the site features a new design, enhanced navigation and exclusive e-business tools to help resellers more efficiently and easily conduct business every day.

“Our goal is to ensure techdata.com remains the most powerful B-to-B portal in the industry,” said Tech Data Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer John Tonnison. “Sixty thousand IT reseller employees use techdata.com to perform more than 5 million product searches, resulting in 50 million page views each month. Whether they are researching technology, pricing products, building quotes, making purchases, tracking shipments or receiving sales leads, resellers rely on techdata.com each and every day to support all aspects of their businesses. No other distributor offers vendors and resellers the wealth of business-building tools and resources that Tech Data does through techdata.com.”

The new techdata.com features a wide range of new tools and enhancements, including:

• Consumer-Like Interface: Making techdata.com easier and more intuitive saves resellers time and helps their new employees more quickly familiarize themselves with valuable online sales tools.
  
• Streamlined Navigation: An updated navigation system makes it easier for resellers to quickly browse Tech Data’s product categories, solutions, services, tools, online support resources and more.
  
• Customizable Home Page: Users can tailor the home page to their personal preferences by sorting and arranging the new widgets featured on techdata.com.
  
• Techdata.com Widgets: Tech Data has made it easier and quicker for resellers to complete many of the primary activities they perform via techdata.com. These widgets are available once users log in:
  

1. My Favorites: Commonly purchased items are featured on each user’s personalized home page enabling them to instantly add these products to their shopping cart.
   
2. Quick Order: Without leaving the home page or searching the online catalog, resellers enter part numbers, specify quantities and instantly add products to their shopping cart.
   
3. Recent Searches: Resellers can view their most recent search history on the home page and instantly initiate one of their most recent product searches.
   
4. My Leads: A summary of sales leads available through Tech Data’s MyLeadTracker tool highlights new sales opportunities.

E-Business Innovation

“In addition to these exciting enhancements, the new techdata.com was built to support a new generation of e-business tools we’ll begin releasing this summer,” Tonnison added. “We’re going further than we ever have to integrate techdata.com with our core enterprise systems to create a host of exclusive tools that will dramatically enhance our customers’ online interactions with Tech Data and their own competitive advantage.”

Tech Data last month introduced MyGovBids, the first e-business tool created for the new techdata.com that enables resellers to quickly find, access and review government bids they created with Tech Data. Tech Data currently is finalizing two significant e-business tools, including one that will provide resellers access to their own unique special and promotional pricing opportunities at the time of purchase, eliminating delays associated with vendor confirmations and post-sale invoice adjustments. Additionally, Tech Data is finalizing a new platform for sourcing software licenses that will significantly reduce the complexities of selling and licensing software.

Techdata.com continues to provide users with a powerful slate of features, including real-time, best pricing on the Web; an extensive catalog with robust product specifications and side-by-side comparisons; integrated quote builder; EPEAT-rated green product search; margin-building attach suggestions for many hardware products; rich e-business features to help resellers power a Web storefront; and XML and EDI data feeds that integrate with resellers’ in-house purchasing systems.

Techdata.com is home to a broad suite of exclusive services that help resellers operate more efficiently and profitably. These exclusive services include MyLeadTracker, MyOrderTracker and  MyLicenseTracker.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is one of the world’s largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 125,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 109th on the FORTUNE 500(R), Tech Data generated $22.1 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2010. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Tech Data Corporation, a leading distributor of IT products, was recently honored by several industry leading hardware and software vendors for its top performance in mobile computing, data center, document imaging, open source and digital signage solutions distribution.

Two Fujitsu companies—Fujitsu America Inc. and Fujitsu Computer Products of America Inc.—as well as Red Hat Inc. and Samsung Electronics America Inc. recognized Tech Data for helping them grow their businesses.

“What’s most exciting about these awards is that they touch upon so many different product and solutions categories,” said Tech Data Senior Vice President, U.S. Marketing Joe Quaglia. “They demonstrate how Tech Data is excelling across several key emerging and high-demand technology segments. Our Product Marketing and Advanced Infrastructure Solutions divisions, and Specialized Business Units—in concert with our Sales teams—are executing extremely well on behalf of our vendor partners. We are enabling them to engage and recruit the nation’s top resellers and profitably capitalize on the demand for a broad array of technologies among end users of all sizes.”

Industry Leaders Honor Tech Data

Fujitsu Channel Partner Excellence Awards, Largest Revenue For A Distributor – Tech Data was recognized for generating the largest revenue of all Fujitsu mobile computing and data center solutions distribution partners in the United States. According to Fujitsu, Channel Partner Excellence Awards winners “showed an impressive ability to enable maximum growth and efficiency for clients….”

Through its Client Systems Product Marketing Division, Tech Data distributes the complete portfolio of Fujitsu Lifebook® notebooks, convertibles, tablets and ultra-mobile PCs, as well as a broad array of accessories, and service and warranty agreements. Through the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Division—dedicated to helping resellers sell, deploy and manage the latest data center solutions—Tech Data distributes Fujitsu ETERNUS® Storage Systems and PRIMERGY® Servers.

Fujitsu Distributor of the Year, Product & Service

For the last decade, Tech Data has been the only recipient of Fujitsu’s annual Distributor of the Year, Product & Service Award. Presented during the Fujitsu annual One Capture Alliance Premier Partner Conference, the company honored Tech Data for its “relentless support” of Fujitsu and for its passion, execution and innovative approach to the business.

Fujitsu document imaging solutions are distributed through Tech Data’s Document Imaging Specialized Business Unit (SBU). Its dedicated team of CDIA+ and ECM certified document imaging and content management specialists are familiar with the latest scanners, storage products, and image capture and management software. The SBU assists resellers developing solutions tailored for use in specific vertical markets. For example, the team is helping resellers transition their healthcare customers to Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems.

Red Hat Distributor of the Year

Red Hat, the world's leading open source solutions provider, presented Tech Data with its Distributor of the Year Award in recognition of the company’s support of open source solutions in the channel. Last fall, Tech Data announced Open Tech, a new channel for open source vendors to market and sell their solutions to IT resellers nationwide. Tech Data and its open source partners like Red Hat are collaborating to increase awareness for these solutions in the channel and to recruit and enable new resellers.

Samsung Display Distributor of the Year

Samsung presented its top display distributor award to Tech Data, acknowledging the leading revenue the distributor generated across Samsung’s display solutions. Samsung displays are supported by Tech Data’s Digital Signage and Projectors SBU, which distributes all the components of a digital signage solution, including a broad array of commercial LCD and plasma displays; content management software; digital media players and PCs; video distribution, switches and signal converters; cabling, mounts and other hardware.

Tech Data has 120 Digital Signage Certified Experts—more than any other distributor—who assist resellers in designing, scoping, building and selling digital signage solutions for use in a wide range of vertical markets, including healthcare, education and government. Additionally, Tech Data is the only distributor to offer access to the complete Digital Signage Experts curriculum developed by the Digital Signage Experts Group to help resellers build and strengthen their digital signage practices.

To learn more about Tech Data, visit www.techdata.com or connect with the company through Facebook and Twitter.


About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is one of the world’s largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 125,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 109th on the FORTUNE 500(R), Tech Data generated $22.1 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2010. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.

Robust new cabinet door provides even greater security 

CHARLOTTE, N.C., – Source Technologies, manufacturer of innovative, award-winning kiosks, received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Recognition for its latest engineering feat, their most secure kiosk cabinet design ever. The new kiosk cabinet, with cash acceptor transport access door, was recognized to meet UL Standard 291.   One requirement of the Standard is a degree of protection against the unauthorized removal of currency; an important measure for any device entrusted to process financial transactions such as bill payments.

“This accomplishment continues Source Technologies long line of UL Listed and / or Recognized transactional kiosks and components.  UL 291 is an Automated Teller Systems product safety standard which includes tests for resistance to break-in type attacks, “explained Tom Crabtree, Senior Engineer Compliance.

Available only on the Source Technologies PilotPoint™ 5-Series Plus kiosk, the new cabinet door permits maintenance-type access to the bill validator head only - not to the currency. Access to the cash, accumulated from consumer bill payment deposits, is available strictly through the use of a separate lock. This is a crucial feature when considering maintenance personnel may differ from cash management personnel. Through this new design, cash traceability, auditing and store employee security are all improved. When kiosks with the new design are installed in retail locations, stores improve their overall security.

About Source Technologies

Source Technologies’ self-service kiosks and secure print solutions empower businesses to automate a wide-range of processes including complex banking transactions, customer-facing retail and hospitality interactions, and the secure printing of sensitive information and negotiable documents. Our self-service kiosks support multiple applications including bill payment, price checker, quick serve orders, and digital signage.  Our secure printers and MICR printing solutions support even the most time- and information-sensitive applications, such as payroll, accounts payable and prescription printing. For fresh inspiration, come see what Source Technologies can help you achieve. Innovation underway at www.sourcetech.com.

– Trio of compact, highly configurable, all-in-one Touchcomputers delivers powerful
commercial options in a single intelligent design – 

MENLO PARK, CA – Elo TouchSystems, a Tyco Electronics business launches the new B-Series touchcomputer family: answering the industry need for a single compact and retail-hardened touchcomputer platform to support countertop, pole- and wall-mounted applications. The new B-Series portfolio comprises three highly configurable, ruggedized and cost-effective All-in-One (AiO) touch systems intended to support a wide range of Point-of-Service (POS) and Point-of-Information (POI) applications and environments.

Engineered for flexibility and efficiency

The B-Series offers System Integrators, Value-Added Resellers (VARs) and Software Developers a uniquely efficient, scalable AiO platform for the delivery of tailor-made solutions to the ever-changing retail market. With multiple connection ports and PCI-E (PCI Express) expansion slots for easy system configuration no matter what the installation environment – the B-Series fits almost any space constraint or in-store design demand. In addition, Elo has constructed the system to provide tool-less access to internal components to minimize service and repair down-times.

“Until today, fully integrated AiO POS terminals have been expensive to purchase, configure and manage for the ever-changing retail market,” said John Nicewick, Worldwide Business Development Manager, Elo TouchSystems. “The compact size, cost and scalability of the B-Series are well-suited to support a diverse range of POS and POI touch computing requirements. Retailers with various touch computing needs -- from standard POS duties to new interactive signage -- will find a B-Series platform configuration to fit their needs.”

B-series highlights: compact, integrated commercial touch solutions

Until now, the majority of commercial touchcomputers featured limited connectivity ports and no expansion capabilities – greatly limiting system functionality. To increase configuration options, the new B-Series comes standardized with multiple connectivity ports including: six USB 2.0 ports, two RS-232 serial ports, Gigabit Ethernet and audio ports. PCI-E low-profile industry-standard option cards and others from Elo TouchSystems deliver enhanced performance and compatibility. Additionally, B-series peripherals support virtually any retail/POS application and include a 3-track magnetic stripe reader (MSR), a 2x20 VFD rear-facing customer display, and a biometric fingerprint reader, all of which can be customer installed on the top, bottom, left, or right side of the screen.

The B-Series also provides multiple memory and storage configurations and options, as well as scalable computing power featuring three high-performance processor configurations:

•     Cool and Quiet Fan-less Intel Atom™ Dual-Core 1.66 GHz
•     Performance Fan-cooled Intel Celeron™ Dual-Core 2.2 GHz
•     Performance Ultra Fan-cooled Intel Core™ 2 Duo 3.0 GHz

Screen sizes include both 15- and 17-inch configurations. To provide a better application match, the new B-Series also offers a variety of touch technology options including:

•     IntelliTouch surface acoustic wave
•     *Zero-Bezel AccuTouch five-wire resistive
•     *Zero-Bezel APR acoustic pulse recognition

*Zero-Bezel touch technologies from Elo TouchSystems provide a unique seamless edge-to-edge surface design for a sleek, clean appearance that is easy to maintain.
Other options include RAID for continuous data protection and reduced downtime, as well as HDMI output (included in certain B-Series models) for true high-definition video and audio as well as secure transmission of protected information.

High-grade, long life cycle components deliver peace of mind

Elo TouchSystems has emphasized the importance of quality throughout its more than 40-year history, ensuring products that work reliably, in “rugged” commercial environments. The B-Series reflects Elo’s commitment to building dependable, flexible utility value for customers –- all from a single hardware platform that utilizes commercial-grade, high-performance embedded processors, boards and chipsets built for 24/7 usage.
“Consumer-grade components can change every 9 to 12 months, forcing software to be retested on each new platform. The peripherals provided by Elo take the guesswork out of compatibility,” added Glenn Goossens, Channel Sales Manager, Elo TouchSystems. “Our touch system functionality and product consistency significantly exceed consumer component lifecycles to help minimize a customer’s software costs throughout an installation lifecycle. In addition, the B-Series is covered by a three year warranty backed by a global service and support network for customer peace of mind. The new B-Series is available to EMEA starting late August.

About Tyco Electronics

Tyco Electronics Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions, specialty products and undersea telecommunication systems, with fiscal 2009 sales of US$10.3 billion to customers in more than 150 countries. We design, manufacture and market products for customers in a broad array of industries including automotive; data communication systems and consumer electronics; telecommunications; aerospace, defense and marine; medical; energy; and lighting. With approximately 7,000 engineers and worldwide manufacturing, sales and customer service capabilities, Tyco Electronics' commitment is our customers' advantage. More information on Tyco Electronics can be found at http://www.tycoelectronics.com/.

About Elo TouchSystems

Tyco Electronics’ Elo TouchSystems is the global leading brand in touch technology. The Elo TouchSystems portfolio encompasses the largest selection of touchscreen technologies, touchmonitors, and all-in-one touchcomputers for the demanding requirements of diverse applications, such as industrial, medical, POS, kiosks, retail, hospitality, transportation, office automation and gaming. Elo founders invented the touchscreen over 35 years ago. Since then, Elo touchscreens have delivered one common, powerful result   advanced computer technology simplified for all users. For more information on Elo products and services, please contact +32 16 352100, view Elo products website at www.elotouch.eu

AccuTouch, Elo TouchSystems, IntelliTouch, Tyco Electronics and TE (logo) are trademarks of the Tyco Electronics group of companies and its licensors. All other products and company names referred to herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

Partnership Offers Retailers One-Stop Shopping for In-Store Digital Signage, Music and Video Experiences

DALLAS,PRNewswire/ -- Reflect Systems, a leader in in-store digital media solutions, announced today a strategic partnership with DMX, an international leader of experiential in-store and new media services, including music, messaging, video and scent experiences. Effective immediately, this partnership offers retailers and other businesses a more dynamic suite of services to create brand differentiation and shape their customer's in-store experience.

"This partnership brings together Reflect's proven in-store digital media technology with DMX's extensive content capabilities and established field support network, allowing us to provide retailers with a robust offering to really address the need for creating an in-store experience that's compelling to shoppers and profitable for retailers," said Matt Schmitt, co-founder and chief executive officer of Reflect.

DMX and Reflect will enable organizations to easily manage video and promotional messaging using Reflect's market-leading digital media software, ReflectView, as the underlying technology. The ability to integrate in-store solutions provides retailers with better management control, increased compliance and a more efficient use of resources. Under the moniker "CenterStage powered by Reflect", DMX will bring to market a proven, robust, flexible solution for large-scale digital signage deployments. Reflect will expand its offerings to include services from DMX, including commercially licensed music, video content, and other retail sensory offerings.

"Reflect understands the value of an in-store strategy, in addition to having the technology to power it," said Brian McKinley, vice president of marketing for DMX. "They have a successful track record with some of the largest retailers in the U.S., who rely on Reflect's solutions to manage their in-store media networks.  This track record made them a very attractive partner to DMX."

About Reflect

Founded in 2001, Reflect is a leading, national full-service provider of in-store digital media solutions including digital signage, interactivity applications and assisted shopping features; and ReflectView, the most flexible, scalable and proven digital media merchandising solution on the market. Headquartered in Dallas, Reflect has nearly a decade of industry experience gained from developing some of the largest digital media networks in North America, including Best Buy, GameStop, Target and Verizon Wireless. Reflect serves mid- to large-size companies, specializing in retail, banking/finance, hospitality, entertainment and quick service restaurants (QSR).  For more information about Reflect, please visit www.reflectsystems.com.

About DMX, Inc.

Recognized as an international leader of experiential marketing services, DMX creates cohesive brand experiences across physical and digital environments. From mobile enhanced in-store activation, to branded digital music microstores, from branded streaming music players embeddable across social networking sites, to turnkey music promotions, DMX's interactive strategies leverage a brand's physical and digital properties to create unique customer experiences. DMX's in-store services include music, video/digital signage, scent marketing and audio/video systems. For more information please visit www.dmx.com or download the DMX iPhone application at iTunes.

Aberdeen, NC--With the global demand for self-service solutions continuing to increase, Meridian is expanding into Europe.   According to Nick Van Wyk, President and Chief Executive, “Strong partnerships have been integral to our success in the US and Canada.  These existing relationships are bringing us an ever increasing number of opportunities globally.

As Meridian seeks to open their first European facility, Chris Gilder, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer stated, “Our design thinking studio and ability to create innovative, custom solutions are unmatched in the industry. We take our clients’ needs and turn them into a reality--seamlessly and efficiently from concept to completion.”

Gilder, a British citizen, continued, “We are currently very open-minded regarding our entry into Europe. We have numerous potential hardware and software partners and are also looking at potential acquisitions.”

Van Wyk and Gilder are traveling to Europe later this month to further their expansion plans.  Of the trip, Van Wyk said, “With our acquisition of Canadian-based King Products last year, we are in an excellent position to expand geographically through partnerships.”

GDS Display's industry leading LCD displays for transportation applications
All accompanying images in high and low resolution.
 
GDS will be exhibiting and demonstrating products from its industry-leading range of display solutions as well as some of its latest innovations in the LED lighting and photovoltaic markets at the 2010 International Trade Fair for Transport Technology (InnoTrans 2010). GDS has accumulated over 30 years experience meeting the needs of display applications in the most challenging environments in an increasingly diverse range of transport-related applications. GDS focuses on forming partnerships with its transportation sector customers to help develop product solutions that exceed performance requirements.
 
Amongst the LCD display products to be exhibited will be the Sirius range of high brightness LCDs that offers excellent image quality in outdoor applications and direct sunlight. The robust, fully integrated units incorporate a twin cooling system to enable continuous operation and bonding to protect against condensation. The Sirius 46 in. (2000 cd/m2) is ideal for applications such as displaying timetables in very bright environments, while the Sirius 65 in. (4000 cd/m2) perfectly suits outdoor advertising in railway station and metro entrance areas.
 
The MIDAS range is designed for outdoor and semi-outdoor applications such as next-train indicators and timetables. GDS offers MIDAS in a range of standard sizes including 32 in., 46 in., and 65 in. The recently launched stretched 38 in. version will also be on view at InnoTrans 2010. MIDAS offers a fully sunlight readable, truly integrated solution with no ancillary cooling required. Built- in diagnostics add to the ease of use and an IP65 rating means that the internal electronics are protected from difficult environments including rain, snow, dust and air pollutants.
 
Completing the comprehensive range of displays for rail and other transport applications will be a selection of the company’s ‘on-board’ LCD displays targeted at both passenger and driver cabin installations for applications such as route map displays, CCTV and driver instrumentation.
 
GDS will also be exhibiting some of its latest innovative LED products for street lighting applications at InnoTrans 2010. LED street lighting offers energy savings of up to 60% versus conventional lighting, plus no light pollution and low CO2 emissions. Further benefits include long life of more than 100,000 hours and low maintenance. GDS capabilities and products allow the retrofit replacement of traditional mercury and sodium lamps with new LED light sources, giving artistic street-lamps a new “green” life.
 
The need for energy efficiency has made photovoltaic technology increasingly important. GDS has developed high efficiency photovoltaic systems that include features such as ‘liquid cooling’ and ‘sun tracking’ that improve overall efficiency by 30% versus traditional systems, reduce maintenance and give longer life. Visitors to the GDS booth at InnoTrans 2010 will be able to see examples of these products and receive an explanation of the technology behind them.

Hall 2.1B Booth 108, InnoTrans 2010, September 21 – 24, Berlin, Germany

About GDS Displays

For over 30 years, GDS Displays has provided customised display products, solutions and services to a wide range of clients across diverse markets. We are proud to have pioneered solutions and technologies such as sunlight readable displays, piezo inverters, large screen optical bonding and thermal management systems for outdoor applications. Today we continue at the forefront of the displays industry, continuously improving and investing in new solutions and applications such as high brightness LED backlighting to maintain our best in class position.
 
GDS Displays is one of five divisions that make up GDS. Operating across five continents, the group includes Electronic Manufacturing Services, Energy, LED Street Lighting and Printers and Kiosks. Manufacturing facilities that include prototyping capabilities are located in Rockford IL, USA to provide local resource and the best possible support for customer applications. The company has an integrated industrial platform that allows the individual divisions to benefit from the collective resources of the Group.
 

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, – De La Salle University-Manila, the best private university in the Philippines, has adopted CAYIN digital signage solutions to implement the “Green Screen” project. Ten SMP-WEBPLUS players are installed in selected strategic locations to broadcast up-to-date information, provided by both the school and students. The dynamic digital signage system has become the center of school communication.

The “Green Screen” project in De La Salle University aims to build an effective communication platform by broadcasting up-to-date information to increase overall awareness of campus news and special announcements among students, faculty and staff. The school names the project "Green Screen" because green is the university's official school color. It also represents its endeavors to reduce printed materials.

The project was made possible through the collaboration of Office of Sports Development and the Marketing Communications Office of the university. CAYIN digital signage players and Samsung displays were installed through the joint effort of Mediacast Digital Group, a CAYIN certified reseller, and Chronicles Electronics, a Samsung distributor in the Philippines.
Ten CAYIN SMP-WEBPLUS digital signage players were used to control Samsung 40” LCD screens. The system was installed in selected strategic locations spread throughout different college buildings, cafeteria, sports complex and study halls, where students, faculty and staff can see them frequently.

“There are many advantages of installing CAYIN digital signage players. These web-based players are much more flexible and have more unique features, compared to using an ordinary PC,” said Mr. Eric Tang, General Manager of Mediacast Digital Group. “Central scheduling and remote management enable the school to easily control ten players in different locations through the use of CAYIN CMS server and SuperMonitor software.”
CAYIN CMS-MINI server is responsible to centrally manage the contents and playlists of all SMP media players. In addition, SuperMonitor assists administrators in monitoring functioning status and sends out alert email whenever an abnormal situation arises.

“Green Screen” project was launched successfully and continues to convey more innovative content. Content are split into sections dedicated to sports, culture, announcements, and updates from various student organizations and the Student Council. All students are invited to submit pictures, videos, poetry, music, and even movie reviews. The digital signage system has become the center of school communication.

Moreover, the university is also planning to look for sponsorships in the form of advocacies that can promote their school values and proceeds will go directly to their scholarship fund.

De La Salle University in Brief

Founded in 1911, De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU) is a Catholic private university run by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The first of only two universities in the Philippines granted a Level IV accreditation - the highest possible level - given by PAASCU, DLSU holds 10 CHED Centers of Excellence and ranks as the best private University in the Philippines based on the latest THES-QS World University Rankings. It offers programs in undergraduate and graduate levels covering various fields in Business and Economics, Engineering, Sciences, Liberal Arts, Education and Computer Studies. As an internationally recognized Catholic University, DLSU envisions itself as a leading research university in South-East Asia.

CAYIN Technology in Brief

CAYIN Technology offers a complete portfolio of digital signage solutions including media players, servers, and software which are applicable to various industries, such as education, retail, hospitality, corporate, financial, and public institutions. CAYIN is dedicated to being a reliable partner to its clients worldwide, and has successfully set up various application references globally. In order to best facilitate the deployment of CAYIN products, the company also provides tailored services to satisfy the ascending market demand for almost limitless applications.

Mediacast Digital Group in Brief

Mediacast Digital Group aims to effectively serve and meet the needs of clients who seek a powerful impact and non-traditional means of conveying information to a targeted audience. The company is dedicated to deliver to its consumers not only the most advanced digital signage players available in the market today, it also houses a creative pool of artists that can provide innovative motion graphics and content authoring services to suit the client’s requirements.

Established in 2009, Mediacast Digital Group has already launched large scale projects in different industries. Our success lies in our strong commitment to pursue excellence by providing our clients the best products and services possible in order to successfully create dynamic digital signage systems.

PicsWare helps sponsor the Freedom Alliance Golf Classic, a fundraiser supporting the troops and families of the military, by providing picture taking, tagging, searching and downloading through on-site touch screen kiosks.

PRLog (Press Release) – York, PA PicsWare provided its portable photo tagging solution that sends pictures to download-on-demand touch screen kiosks for the 2010 Freedom Alliance Golf Classic at Yankee Trace Golf Club in Miamisburg, Ohio on July 30th and 31st. The event helps build awareness for America’s honored heroes, as well as offering many resources for families of troops.  

PicsWare, a Gold Sponsor of the event, supplied its turnkey photo management application, kiosk hardware and staffing in order to capture every moment.  At the start of the event, PicsWare printed badges for the players. These badges were used to tag and identify pictures taken of the players during the event. Pictures were taken throughout the day, from the volunteer set-up, bag drops, registration, team photos, insitu player shots and amazing tee box, fairway and green moments.  

A professional DSLR camera with eye-fi card, a mobile handheld device with bar code scanner running PicsWare mobile, a server running PicsWare server and a 32” Touch screen running PicsWare kiosk were integrated together to make the solution possible.  Every player was provided a preprint badge with name and 2D barcode at registration. The PicsWare staff scanned the bar code anywhere on the course, taking as many pictures as the moment presented, and tagging these photos with that player or team’s unique information.  At the end of the day, the players were able to walk up to a touch screen with thousands of photos from the day’s event displayed, scan their badge and every photo taken and tagged of that individual player would appear.  

“It was an incredible way to separate our tournament from other charitable tournaments and provide our players, sponsors and volunteers a fun and exciting way to see the photos from the event.  Frankly, we did not know this technology existed or would we have attempted anything like this without the strong support of OneSource and PicsWare,” said Al Scott, the Freedom Alliance Charity Golf Tournament founder.

“PicsWare is still a fairly new application in the market and the Freedom Alliance Golf Classic was a wonderful opportunity for us to accomplish many great things.  We were able give something back to families of our brave soldiers, provide a wonderful, fun, unique photo management service for a great organization and finally, build some market awareness for PicsWare,” stated Edward Crowley, Co-Founder of PicsWare

PicsWare, a joint venture between OneSource Interactive and ADSI, enables professional photographers to tag photos by scanning or swiping ID cards or RFID bands on a handheld computer and transfers the data to a self-service kiosk where customers can quickly locate, view and download pictures. PicsWare simplifies this process, improving the customer experience, increasing revenue opportunities, and making events more environmentally friendly.

About Freedom Alliance

The Miami Valley Freedom Alliance Charity Golf Classic (www.freedomgolfclassic.com) was established in 2007. The FREEDOM ALLIANCE is a 501(c)(3) Charity Founded in 1990.  The proceeds from Miami Valley Freedom Alliance Charity Golf Classic go to Freedom Alliance to Support the children of America's military heroes and honoring members of our Armed Forces.  

About PicsWare

PicsWare (www.picsware.com) is a joint venture between ADSI and OneSource Interactive, veterans of the kiosk industry.  ADSI is an IT consulting company that has developed numerous and varying award-winning kiosk applications since 2001. ADSI has also developed the KioWare (http://www.kioware.com) retail product line of kiosk system software. There are over 33,000 licenses of KioWare deployed in over 60 countries.

New Expert Advice Zone showcases a hot growing market for imagers 

Fairfax, Virginia - Experience the latest digital signage innovations first-hand at the DSA Digital Signage Zone during the 2010 SGIA Expo (Las Vegas, October 13-15). Hosted by the Digital Screenmedia Association, this all-new Expert Advice Zone is a great opportunity to examine the process of dynamic signage workflow and discover how this growing market fits into your imaging business.

According to SGIA's 2010 Technology Adoption Survey, most graphic imagers report they are not currently offering electronic signage/dynamic display (82 percent). However, one third of these graphic imagers plan to eventually adopt the technology. Of those who currently offer this technology, an overwhelming 77 percent expect this to be a growing part of their business.

"Graphic producers have existing relationships with clients and should want to offer a full suite of signage," said DSA's Executive Director David Drain. "They also are looking for new product offerings and growth areas. Digital signage has experienced tremendous growth and interest over the last several years."  

The DSA Digital Signage Zone will provide an educational setting for Expo attendees to experience all of the requirements needed to manage and display dynamic content. Participants will meet leaders in the digital signage industry, establish contacts for future partnerships and test out the latest technologies.  

See these companies currently scheduled to participate in the Zone:
 

• 3M    
• Black Box   
• Clarke Systems    
• Daktronics  
• Ingram Micro   
• Keywest Technology 
• Microspace Communications  
• Nanonation 
• NEC 
• Symon

In addition to the DSA Digital Signage Zone, SGIA will offer four more sales-free Expert Advice Zones at the Expo, tailored to each of the diverse specialty imaging communities. For more information and to register for a free Expo pass, visit SGIA.org, Keyword: ExpoZones.  

About the Digital Screenmedia Association (DSA)

The purpose of the Digital Screenmedia Association is to advance the growth and excellence of the global digital signage, interactive kiosk and mobile community through advocacy, education and networking.

About SGIA

Supporting the leaders of the digital and screen printing community, "specialty imaging" comprises digital imaging, screen printing and the many other imaging technologies SGIA members use, including those they'll tap in the future. These are the imaging processes and technologies employed to create new products and to enhance existing products including point-of-purchase displays, printed electronics, membrane switches, signs, advertisements, garments, containers and vehicles. 
  

First entertainment venue to install award-winning Christie MicroTiles
 
CYPRESS, CA – Auto racing fans will be amazed by the exhibits and revolutionary AV technology the minute they step into the striking new NASCAR Hall of Fame  in Charlotte, North Carolina. A huge cluster of Christie® MicroTiles™ digital display tiles is driving the fan experience, running massive archival videos and engaging visitors in the attraction’s showpiece Great Hall.
 
The NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Fan Billboard uses 252 MicroTiles in an 18-tile wide by 14-tile high array (or 24ft by 14ft) suspended over Glory Road, a section of sloping track in the main hall that shows the progression of NASCAR from its dirt track days to the modern paved speedways of today. The NASCAR Hall of Fame’s main visitor orientation theater also uses Christie’s powerful digital projectors and video processors to bring NASCAR’s history to life.
 
“We’re delighted that the NASCAR Hall of Fame is the first entertainment venue to feature Christie MicroTiles,” said Winston Kelley, executive director, NASCAR Hall of Fame. “It’s our goal to deliver an interactive experience to each and every visitor, and our unique MicroTiles billboard gives an authentic feel as soon as our guests enter the building.”
 
Opened on May 11, 2010, the entertainment attraction gives NASCAR fans a place to learn about stock-car racing’s long and colorful history and its most celebrated figures. The NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is located in uptown Charlotte, is owned by the City and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority under a license with NASCAR.
 
Designed by famed architectural firm, Pei Cobb Freed, with exhibits designed by the internationally acclaimed firm of Ralph Applebaum and Associates, the hall’s design borrows on the sweeping curves of race tracks. A metallic ribbon runs around the building façade, and carries that design element inside to the expansive four floors of exhibit and attraction space.
 
The soaring heights, curves and glass curtain walls that dominate the venue presented unique design challenges that were addressed by using the Christie MicroTiles – modular digital display tiles that can be stacked and clustered like building blocks to create display walls of any shape or scale. The patented MicroTiles use an entirely new, advanced optical design that produces unparalleled levels of brightness, contrast and color reproduction.
 
The consulting AV design firm overseeing the project, JaffeHolden, was struggling to sort out what display technology could best suit the curving space above the faux Glory Road track without projecting the screen too far into the hall. Working with Electrosonic (www.electrosonic.com), an international audio-visual company specializing in AV systems integration and services, the team reviewed a number of technologies. After seeing a preview of the MicroTiles at Christie’s R&D labs, months before the technology’s commercial launch, both JaffeHolden and Electrosonic recommended them to the city’s project management team.
 
Thanks to MicroTiles’ slim design, the depth and weight of the display dropped substantially, and lowered overall construction and long-term servicing costs. The MicroTiles also drove higher resolution images and substantially reduced energy consumption expectations, noted Bryan Abelowitz, Electrosonic’s senior systems consultant on the project.
 
“Glory Road is a centerpiece of the Great Hall and the Fan Billboard which crowns Glory Road is ideally suited to MicroTiles,” added Zoran Veselic, vice-president of Christie’s Visual Environments Division. “This is the largest installation of Christie MicroTiles to date.  Whether they are displaying historic NASCAR footage or bringing the excitement of a live race to visitors, they deliver a larger-than-life experience fans have never seen before.”
 
The Fan Billboard runs archival footage from the early days of stock-car racing, as well as video and image montages, and an interactive application called the NASCAR Hall of Fame Showdown. When guests pay admission to enter the attraction, they are issued personalized “hard cards” with embedded RFID chips. As part of the overall fan experience, the hard cards can be used at more than 50 interactive kiosks throughout the facility.
 
Another focal point of the entertainment attraction is the 278-seat Belk High Octane Theater, which has a huge, 64-foot wide curved projection wall showing the story of NASCAR from the early days to present. This orientation theater uses the output from three edge-blended Christie HD10K-M DLP® digital projectors to produce one seamless visual. A fourth HD10K-M is used for off-hours presentations.
 
The visuals are all driven by Christie’s Vista Spyder, a powerful and versatile video and widescreen display processor that allows the museum to mix video sources in multiple windows, create multiple picture-in-pictures, and define, shape and blend borders easily.
 
About NASCAR Hall of Fame

Located in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010 and includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.NASCARHall.com.

About Christie®

Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the world’s most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world.  From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images.  Visit www.christiedigital.com. 

New York, Digital signage education and thought leadership group, The Screen USA (www.thescreen.org) has linked up with global creative agency Ogilvy & Mather (www.ogilvy.com) for a special morning briefing on the topic of planning, creating and executing the perfect digital out-of-home campaign.

The ʻGetting Creative With DOOHʼ event, to be held at Ogilvy's Manhattan headquarters in New York on the morning of the 21st September 2010 will showcase how major digital out-of-home campaigns are conceived, measured and executed. It will also offer attendees a unique opportunity to take a guided tour through Ogilvyʼs on-site Digital Innovation Lab.

Hosted by John Boese, Associate Director, Digital Innovation at Ogilvy New York - the morning will start by bringing together the media agency, creative team and digital out-of-home network operators behind two of this yearʼs most ground breaking international digital signage campaigns.

The first will cover IBMʼs interactive campaign at JFK airport. Where, hearing from Bob Cilia, Executive VP Sales & Marketing at JCDecaux North America; Matthew Huntingdon, Senior Interactive Project Manager at Ogilvy and Chris Beauchamp, CEO of leading US DOOH creative agency Monster Media, attendees will be taken step-by-step through the entirety of a major digital signage campaign, gaining invaluable insight into the planning, creation and
execution processes.

The second; lead by Neil Morris, CEO of the leading European DOOH creative agency Grand Visual, will describe NIKE's ‘Write the Future’ campaign for the Soccer World Cup which was the first major, tactical and dynamic campaign to run across multiple digital out-of-home platforms in the UK.

The event will also provide the chance to tour Ogilvy's Digital Innovation Lab, part of a global network of Labs that showcase the agencyʼs range of digital activities. Designed to educate and inspire - the Lab serves to demonstrate how digital services can combine across multiple media to deliver uniquely creative campaigns.

"We are really excited to be tying up with Ogilvy for this event," comments Richard Cobbold, Chairman of The Screen & founder of Digital View, ʻit enables us to reach out to the established media industry and engage with the brands and creative teams that will drive the future success of the digital out-of-home sector."

This event comes hot on the heels of The Screen USA's highly regarded launch event, ʻPlanes, Trains & Automobilesʼ - held in Manhattanʼs fashionable Crosby Hotel in June. An informal breakfast event that saw senior execs from across the mass transit authorities and big outdoor companies rubbing shoulders with key consultants, creatives and vendors from the US and European digital signage markets.

About The Screen

Initially a European outfit, The Screen is an independent working group dedicated to sharing best-practice across the digital signage industry. Its activities center around a comprehensive international events program designed to draw in guests from all aspects of this rapidly evolving medium - sharing experience, knowledge and expertise

The Screen USA's launch is in partnership with the Digital Screenmedia Association - which with more than 600 business members is the premier advocacy body in North America for the digital signage industry.

"We place great value on education and believe The Screen has got the formula right. They deliver a strong blend of education, community and professionalism – all things this industry needs to firmly embrace as it matures and strengthens its position as mainstream media." Bob Michaels, DSA Executive Committee Member and CEO of Magenta Research.

To register for this event visit: www.thescreen.org

EXTON, Pa., Scala, the leading global provider of digital signage and advertising management solutions, has appointed media industry veteran Tom Nix as Vice President of American Operations. In this role, he will be responsible for overseeing the U.S., Latin America and Oceania regions.

“Tom has significant experience in proactive business development efforts and growing sales,” said Robert Koolen, president of Scala. “With his in-depth knowledge of the signage industry and a proven track record, I am confident that Tom will be a significant contributor to Scala’s continued growth.”

Prior to joining Scala, Nix was Vice President and General Manager of Dynamax Technologies.  During his tenure, Nix was instrumental in growing the North American operations of the UK-based digital signage software developer. Earlier in his career, Nix was director of business development at Main Street Direct, an alternative media agency, where he delivered solutions for Citi, Disney, JPMorgan Chase, Nickelodeon and Vonage. Throughout his career, Nix has driven revenue and client acquisition initiatives, as well as in-store marketing solutions for such notable companies as McDonald’s, Motorola, Coca-Cola, Barnes & Noble, Kraft Foods and Miller Brewing.

About Scala

Driving more than 500,000 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.

MONTREAL —  X2O Media, a full-service provider of software, network management, and content services for professional digital signage applications, today announced that its Xpresenter™ digital signage platform is being utilized to provide up-to-date event and room booking information to guests at the newly opened Kinnear Centre for Creativity & Innovation (KCCI) at The Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada.

The Banff Centre is a vibrant learning and cultural institution with a unique mandate dedicated to the arts, leadership development, and mountain culture. Designed as The Banff Centre's physical and intellectual core, the KCCI is a large, mixed-use facility situated in the heart of the campus that accommodates critical functions such as rehearsal and performance spaces, classrooms featuring state-of-the-art A/V equipment, hospitality and conference services, library services, and informal gallery areas to showcase the results of The Banff Centre's creativity programs.

To keep guests informed about conferences, training, and performances taking place in each room of the KCCI and around campus, The Banff Centre required a more innovative solution than traditional, printed paper signs. The answer was a new digital signage network, featuring 26-inch landscape digital screens outside each of its 19 conference rooms and 42-inch portrait digital displays at its three main entrances.

X2O's Xpresenter digital signage platform is being used to drive the network, enabling automatic display of up-to-date room booking information via integration with The Banff Centre's scheduling software. For other data such as event information, The Banff Centre staff manages and updates content in Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides, while the creative team can easily design powerful new templates with X2O's "smart" template authoring tool as changes are needed, even in real time.

"Before our digital signage network, we were printing posters and signage to keep The Banff Centre guests informed as to what events are taking place," said Debra Hornsby, Director of Communications at The Banff Centre. "Xpresenter provides us with a smarter way to present this information in a more engaging format for viewers. By allowing us to show dynamic content and manage updates with ease, the platform has truly streamlined our processes, reduced our operating expenses, and allowed us to communicate more effectively."

Applied Electronics Limited, a Canadian provider of broadcast, post production, and presentation technology, supplied and installed the displays and worked closely with X2O to ensure tight timelines were met. The KCCI officially opened on July 2, with a grand opening ceremony taking place on July 24. The ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

X2O's Xpresenter is an end-to-end platform designed to make creating, managing, and distributing broadcast-quality digital signage content on networks of all sizes available to all. Xpresenter's patented authoring module allows Microsoft PowerPoint users to produce compelling graphics that incorporate animations, smart objects, video clips, and real-time data sources — all without ever leaving the PowerPoint interface.

More information about Xpresenter and other digital signage solutions from X2O Media is available at www.x2omedia.com. 

About X2O Media

X2O Media is a full-service provider of software, network management services, and content services for professional digital signage and corporate communication applications. The company offers a wide variety of software solutions for digital signage and interactive networks of all sizes. X2O's award-winning Xpresenter™ provides an end-to-end platform for the creation, management, and distribution of content at broadcast quality, and at a fraction of the time of other solutions. In addition to technology, X2O offers content design, acquisition, management, distribution, and monitoring services for digital signage networks. More information about X2O Media is available at www.x2omedia.com.

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