Self-service kiosks for Internet, photo or bill payment will be even more protected over this holiday, building on experiences from last year when Genkiosk discovered unexpected activity.

Sheffield, UK (PRWEB) Genkiosk is the most powerful kiosk management system in the world.

The kiosk software checks how well a self-service estate is performing and maximizes up-time and profitability.

This runs 24/7 from the Americas to Europe to the Middle East and the Pacific. But every year, Christmas, with the associated holidays, throws up a few surprises.

With the seasonal changes in staffing and usage, it is a chance for Genkiosk to identify issues that may be fogged during everyday activity.

So, this year, Genkiosk is setting out to seize the initiative. Extra monitoring will bring even greater clarity on performance - and identify opportunities to improve.

Jed Fraser, from GWD Media, the developers of Genkiosk, explains:

"Take 2010. We were monitoring an estate of photo kiosks - in a supermarket chain. The stores were closed on Christmas Day: the only time they ever shut. But Genkiosk detected a kiosk being used to print pictures. We were worried that the system might be misfiring. And our client thought it might be an elf on the loose! But we were able to pin it down to everyone's satisfaction. It turned out that a security guard had forgotten a Christmas card for his wife, and was secretly printing one out before he got home. Genkiosk did the job it was designed for: checking everything that is happening on the self-service kiosks. And our client was very impressed - although everyone would have liked to discover an elf!"

All over the world you will find more and more self-service kiosks.

They offer standalone services to end-users.

Like:

•    bill payment
•    Internet access
•    retail
•    money transfer
•    photo printing
•    Wi-Fi hotspots
•    information display
•and anything else where people benefit from quick easy access to what they require.

These estates of self-service kiosks are growing in functionality and reach.

Why? Because the technology is increasingly available to:

•    provide end-users with these standalone services wherever they are in the world
•    deliver commercial returns to the operators and site-owners who run them.

It is like providing a retail operation, but with:

•    increased availability
•    better profitability (especially with reduced costs for staffing).

Genkiosk, from GWD Media was first developed to run and manage pay-as-you-go Internet kiosks.

It has now grown to cover the full range of self-service applications.

After launching in Europe, Genkiosk expanded first to the Americas, then the Middle East and beyond, going global via multinational customers and now with direct clients all round the world.

Genkiosk is now delivered via the Cloud, maximizing service and availability in every region of the world.

VeoVend, the sister of Genkiosk, provides the same monitoring and management services for more traditional vending (snacks, drinks, beverages, retail.) A hardware plug-in, with a mobile phone SIM, gives online access to even the most basic vending machine.

GWD Media is headquartered in Sheffield, UK, and operates worldwide.

Key markets include Europe and the Americas, with the Middle East, Asia and Australasia rapidly growing.

For more information, check www.genkiosk.com

Secure and easy to install, the latest products from Chief support AV equipment while providing a clean, professional design

Minneapolis, MN. USA - www.chiefmfg.com - Chief, an industry leader in AV mounting solutions, is excited to present its latest products. Now shipping, these solutions are engineered with industry-leading features and result in precise, professional-looking installations.

VCMU Heavy Duty Universal Projector Mount

Featuring solid steel construction, this universal projector mount provides the strong support you need for mounting heavy LCD/CRT projectors. Getting started is easy with a simple three-step installation process and micro-adjustments that allow you to quickly achieve registration.

Other features of the VCMU include integrated cable management (no additional accessories required) and quick connect/disconnect for convenient lamp and filter access on most projectors.

Included with the mount is a universal HBU bracket compatible with most heavy-duty projectors.

Multiple installation options are available, including: flush mount to ceiling; 0.5" (1.3 cm) threaded rods; and a 1 1/2” NPT extension column.

MAC230 Medium and PAC230 Large Aesthetic Ceiling Mount Accessories

Also new from Chief are the MAC230 and PAC230 Aesthetic Ceiling Mount Accessories. These aesthetic covers conceal cables and media players for a clean, professional look.
The MAC230 is compatible with MCSU universal ceiling mounts and installs directly into a MSBUB universal interface bracket.

The PAC230 installs directly into a PSBUB universal interface bracket and works with PCSCU universal ceiling mounts.

Both products ship will all necessary hardware and tools.

CMS490 Ceiling Tile Storage Kit

The CMS490 Ceiling Tile Storage Kit conceals AV equipment cleanly above a 2' X 2' (.61m x .61m) ceiling tile. With its textured finish, the CMS490 is a perfect solution for classrooms and conference rooms.

Made from lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum for easy handling, the CMS490 includes four dual gang electrical knockout locations for conduit and wiring and key-locking security. A variety of AV components can be stored in the removable AV tray.

Only one person is needed for installation. Simply frame with WireVice cable, snap housing into frame and attach AV tray.

About Chief

Chief, a product division of Milestone AV Technologies, has more than 30 years of proven product and service excellence. Committed to responding to industry needs in the commercial and residential, Chief offers a complete line of mounts, lifts, racks and accessories for TVs, displays, projectors and other AV components. With numerous product awards and patented designs, Chief provides unique mount features, and is recognized for delivering quality products and knowledgeable, helpful customer service. Milestone AV Technologies U.S., European, and Asia Pacific sales offices support a global network of Chief dealers. Distribution centers are located in Minnesota (US), California (US), Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. www.chiefmfg.com

Atmel's maXTouch Provides Samsung's New Devices with Market-Leading Performance, Quality and Uncompromised Noise Elimination

SAN JOSE, Calif., /PRNewswire/ -- Atmel® Corporation (NASDAQ: ATML), a leader in microcontroller and touch solutions, today announced that Samsung has selected Atmel's maXTouch® E Series solution to power their new Samsung Focus Flash 1677 and Samsung Focus S 1937. The Samsung Focus Flash runs on Windows® 7.5 Mango OS and also includes a large 3.7" Super AMOLED™ display, touch-enabled by Atmel's E Series, allowing for a richer color display and market-leading touch response and device performance rates. The Samsung Focus S runs on Windows 7 and features the Super AMOLED touchscreen, powered by Atmel's E Series technology, providing sharp, cinema-quality images throughout the multitouch user interface.

The maXTouch E Series features a complete portfolio of high-performance single-chip controllers designed to address every touchscreen size and application. Atmel's E Series raises the bar with an updated capacitive touch engine (CTE) that features all new noise avoidance and noise suppression capabilities. Every aspect of touchscreen performance is improved—delivering higher fidelity touch sensing, faster responsiveness, lower power consumption and thinner form factors.

With Atmel's maXTouch E Series technology, users will experience lower device power consumption, higher signal-to-noise ratio, higher accuracy including reduced unintended touches, brighter displays, improved resistance to moisture, better operation with noisy chargers and a wider range of panel options. Additionally, the E Series can detect even the lightest touch, including that of a fingernail, as well as active and passive conductive styluses.

"Atmel is proud to continue powering Samsung's latest smartphone devices with our maXTouch technology," said  Binay Bajaj, director of touch marketing, Atmel Corporation. "Samsung continues to be among the leaders in the smartphone market and their continued selection of our technology validates our leadership in the touchscreen market."

The Samsung Focus Flash and Focus S join the ranks of previous next-generation Samsung devices to be powered by Atmel's maXTouch E Series, including the: Ultra-Slim Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Tab 7.7and Samsung Galaxy S.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The company markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung’s North American operations including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, the Samsung organization is one of the most decorated brands in the electronics industry. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. You can also Fan Samsung on www.Facebook.com/SamsungUSA or follow Samsung via Twitter @SamsungTweets.

About Atmel maXTouch Technologies

With true unlimited touch functionality and stylus support, the maXTouch technology is enabling exciting new applications, such as tablets, netbooks and MIDs. The microcontroller technology, combined with proprietary algorithms, offers a better touch experience for users of tablet and other applications. The larger screen solution is an enhancement of existing maXTouch products that provide best-in-class configurability to exceed today's user interface requirements for applications such as tablets. For more information, visit http://www.atmel.com/products/touchscreens.

About Atmel

Atmel Corporation (NASDAQ: ATML) is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, capacitive touch solutions, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on industrial, consumer, communications, computing and automotive markets.

©2011 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel®, Atmel logo and combinations thereof, maXTouch® and others are registered trademarks or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of others. Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Findings from a just-released national survey, conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications in conjunction with SapientNitro, part of Sapient (NASDAQ: SAPE), show that Americans are increasingly empowered by digital devices to bargain hunt for gifts this holiday season.

Four in ten Americans with a smart phone (38%) agree that “in this economy, my smart phone has empowered me to find the best deals while shopping this holiday season.” This is particularly true of iPad and other tablet owners, where a majority (56%) agree with that statement. When it came to 18-24 year olds as a whole, nearly 2 in 3 (64%) express they feel “empowered” in the same way.

Said one respondent: “Using digital devices makes it easier and makes me feel like I’m in control of the prices. I get better deals and better prices, and it’s enjoyable.”

In fact, 39% of all Americans agree that their use of digital devices has “enriched” their shopping experience so far this holiday season. Nearly half of 18-24 year olds (47%) agree. One respondent noted: “It was less confusing, so you don’t have to have [all] the papers with you—the ads are right there on your phone. That was wonderful.”

“As the use of digital devices moves more and more to the forefront of Americans’ shopping behavior, the ease of findings deals with them – whether through research, social media, deal sites, and the like – has eased the pressures of gift giving in this down economy,” said Chris Davey, global head of commerce at SapientNitro. “This empowerment comes at the right time given that many Americans – 44% -- plan to spend less on holiday shopping this year than they did last year.”

Overall, use of digital media for holiday shopping is up from the 2010 post-Thanksgiving holiday season, the SapientNitro survey reveals. For example, those with digital devices are more likely to report using one to:

•Browse for products (67%, up from 44% in 2010)
•Research products (67%, up from 48%)
•Compare prices at other retailers (60%, up from 40%)
•Look for discounts or deals (48%, up from 35%)
Many also used e-mails from vendors offering deals (39%), consumer ratings on sites like Yelp or Amazon (34%), or the increasingly popular daily deal sites like Groupon or Living Social (17%) to help them decide on a particular gift.

Not all holiday shopping is done for others, however. Geoff Feinberg, vice president at GfK Roper notes, “About half of online holiday shoppers say they picked up something for themselves this holiday season, lending credence to the notion that ‘self-giving’ is alive and well in 2011.”

Areas to Watch

SapientNitro has identified a number of consumer trends to watch over the next few holiday seasons. According to the survey, among consumers who have smartphones:

•31% used their GPS/location feature on their phone to help with holiday shopping
•30% used a mobile app to search for or purchase a product this holiday season
•20% looked or posted something on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks to find or ask for advice on holiday gift buying
•18% used a mobile coupon at point-of-purchase
•19% used a QR code to find more information about a product

Among tablet owners:

•42% used a mobile app to search for or purchase a product this holiday season
•41% scanned a QR code or barcode to get more information about it (compared to 19% for smartphone owners)

“One area we’re watching with interest is GPS-enabled mobile computing, particularly among the savvy tablet owner,” says Davey. “Imagine the day when you walk into a store and the retailer already knows something about you based on location-aware services. The implications for retailers – in terms of targeted promotions or in-store navigation – are fascinating.”

How the survey was conducted

The second annual SapientNitro-GfK Holiday Shopping Survey was conducted December 9 - 11, 2011, by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications – a division of GfK Custom Research North America on behalf of Sapient. This telephone survey is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,000 general population adults age 18 or older reached on landline telephones.

The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the entire sample of adults. The margin of sampling error is higher and varies for results based on sub-samples.

About GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media

GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications, a division of GfK Custom Research North America (www.gfkamerica.com), is one of the most trusted names in public opinion and marketing research. The Roper legacy dates back to 1933 and today is known for its work in public relations, brand building, consumer advocacy, social policy and corporate communications, serving clients across sectors and around the world. Whether it's a Fortune 500 corporation or a non-profit organization, a major media company or an online start-up, a university, think-tank or public relations firm, a local government or private philanthropy, GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications delivers intelligence vital to their strategic objectives. GfK Custom Research North America is part of the GfK Group.

About SapientNitro

SapientNitroSM, part of Sapient®, is an integrated marketing and technology services firm. We create and engineer highly relevant experiences that accelerate business growth and fuel brand advocacy for our clients. By combining multi-channel marketing, multi-channel commerce, and the technology that binds them, we influence customer behavior across the spectrum of content, communication and commerce channels, resulting in deeper, more meaningful relationships between customers and brands. SapientNitro services global leaders such as Citi, The Coca-Cola Company, Foot Locker, Singapore Airlines, Target, and Vodafone through our operations in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit www.sapientnitro.com or follow us on Twitter @sapientnitro.

Sapient is a registered service mark of Sapient Corporation.

Maccorp Exact Change's new videowall at Madrid Barajas Airport uses ONELAN digital signage.

Henley on Thames, United Kingdom, --(PR.com)-- Spanish currency exchange company Maccorp Exact Change has a new digital window to attract its clients at the Madrid Barajas Airport.

The project includes a video wall network operating in the Airport, supporting seven foreign exchange retail locations. The programming and management of the network has been developed by Realization and is managed from the company’s offices in London. The digital signage application uses ONELAN and the displays are ultra narrow bezel screens. The project was developed in just three months and incorporates intelligent programming to present 80 currency offers in 11 languages across five different video wall screen configurations

ONELAN develops network appliances for standalone and end-to-end Digital Signage network solutions. The Net-Top-Box is a multimedia, multi-zoned solution capable of Touch Interactivity. With a browser based user interface, the system is fully multi-lingual and capable of displaying both stored media and live media e.g RSS feeds, web pages and broadcast TV or locally streamed video. Further members of the product family cater for Enterprise network management and integration with external data sources.

ONELAN’s NTBs are now installed in a wide variety of organizations across the world in markets including retail, schools, hospitals as well as corporates such as TalkTalk, the Financial Times and Virgin.

ONELAN Ltd is based in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Visit www.onelandigitalsignage.com for further details.

Automated Valet Solutions Provider and Self-Service Kiosk Manufacturer Announce Partnership to Offer Turnkey Product Offering

Glenhaven, CA/Marion, IN (PRWEB) Service Tracking Systems (STS), a pioneer in the valet parking technology sector announced today that the company has signed a global reseller agreement with ZIVELO, a worldwide leader in the self-service kiosk and digital signage manufacturing industry. This partnership enables Service Tracking Systems to have direct access to ZIVELO’s complete line of products and services to extend to their customers.

Some key factors that lead to STS’s decision to partner with ZIVELO include the exceptional product designs and the trigger-based automation systems that ZIVELO employs, which have translated into consistently delivered products. STS also cites the positive experiences they’ve had in their dealings with ZIVELO as a large part of their decision to form a partnership.

“We find the ZIVELO kiosks to be well engineered, well designed, and cost effective for our product line,” says Andy Preas, President of STS, “We value ZIVELO as a partner and have enjoyed working with them on a variety of projects.”

Service Tracking Systems offers their Computerized Valet Parking System (CVPS) in an array of formats including ZIVELO’s modern line of self-service kiosks, providing users with cutting edge, easy-to-use valet parking management systems that improve efficiencies and cut costs.

“Service Tracking Systems has laid the groundwork to develop high-tech valet parking management systems that are not only the first of their kind, but are unparalleled within the industry,” says Ziver Birg, CEO of ZIVELO, “We are very excited to be working with STS to expand the scope of our product offering and become a part of the growing trend toward automated valet parking solutions.”

About Service Tracking Systems

Service Tracking Systems is the proprietor of today’s popular high-tech valet parking applications, with origins dating back to the mid-1990′s. Since then, STS has brought to market and introduced a wide range of valet management tools such as the first full-featured bell-desk management system, perimeter alert license plate recognition, and access control and count systems, which have set the standard and changed the valet parking industries forever.

STS’s success is supported by one of the most extensive client lists on the globe with deployments to over 550 locations throughout the US, Canada, Australia and the Middle East.

For more information about Service Tracking Systems’ automated valet parking software line, CVPS, please visit http://www.servicetrackingsystems.net.

About ZIVELO

ZIVELO has rapidly grown to become the world’s largest self-service kiosk manufacturer, with over 250,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities and over 200 employees. The design, engineering, and manufacturing of their public terminal systems are completely contained within the United States, allowing them to offer rapid turnaround of product delivery.

ZIVELO’s product line is well known globally and with over 50 resellers and distributors throughout the US, Canada, Europe, South Africa and Australia has been utilized by customers across multiple industries such as Coca-Cola, Nike, Verizon, Hilton, US Steel, CIA, FBI, Siemens, Boeing, MIT, NASA and the US Army.

For more information about ZIVELO or its line of kiosks and digital signage, please visit http://www.zivelo.com.

Company unveils new Touch and See the Difference(R) Vision at Leading Global Tradeshow 

WALNUT, CA, (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- ViewSonic Corp. (South Hall 36631), a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, is charging into the New Year with exciting new products on display at CES 2012 in Las Vegas, NV.

Launching into the tablet market in 2011, ViewSonic plans to further this impressive momentum by expanding the ViewPad(R) product family with new 10-inch business and consumer-focused tablets running Windows(R) and Android(TM) operating systems. ViewSonic's ViewPad tablet line is the ideal choice for sharing, reading, working and playing on a mobile device. The ViewPad 7e, an Android-based 7" tablet offers Amazon(R) services for Android integration, Amazon Kindle for eBook reading and RiteTouch for writing directly on the screen. The business line of tablets, which include the ViewPad 10pro, run Windows 7 Professional and provide the ability to boot Android as well.

Pushing the envelope of innovation, ViewSonic has partnered with EXOPC to build one of the first EXOdesks, a 32" 10-point touch table top which runs a custom user interface open to HTML5 developers. The desk, on display during CES, will be powered by an Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 processor, Intel's integrated graphics and will run Windows 7 operating system.

Leveraging the company's display heritage, ViewSonic will show an impressive universal display with projected capacitive multi-touch input. It is designed to allow consumers and business professionals to connect their smartphone, tablets and laptops wirelessly and share photos or stream media content from services such as YouTube, and extend desktop mode for dual display.

"The past year has seen ViewSonic at the cutting edge of visual display technology, including 3D and touch, and our vision for 2012 further propels us into every aspect of work and the home. We believe a multi-touch, vivid and compelling user interface will be the wave of the future and the innovations we plan to showcase at CES 2012, including the much-buzzed about EXOdesk, support that belief," said Jeff Volpe, president for ViewSonic Americas.

In addition, members of the ViewSonic Finch Club(TM) are eligible to receive 2,000 points by simply updating their profile at the booth. The updated partner portal is faster and easier to use with more rewards and more ways to profit and grow.

To set up a time to meet with ViewSonic during the show to experience the products and stations firsthand, please email viewsonic@lewispr.com. For further information on ViewSonic and its products, visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

For more product information, visit ViewSonic.com/CES2012

About ViewSonic

ViewSonic(R) Corporation is a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions. ViewSonic develops, markets and supports a broad range of innovative products, including tablets, LED TVs, computers, LED monitors, projectors, digital photo frames, digital signage displays, 3D devices and digital media players. For further information, please contact ViewSonic Corporation at 800.888.8583 or 909.444.8888; or visit ViewSonic.com.

ViewSonic's Finch Club offers resellers an opportunity to benefit from specialized product training and discounts. To sign up, please visit FinchClub.com.

Trademark footnote: All corporate names and trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

Seattle Children's Increases Performance to Support Patient Care; Diebold Enables Increased Efficiency in ATM Service Delivery; Seattle University Students Study From Any Place, Any Device 

SAN JOSE, CA, (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Cisco; Seattle Children's, a premier child healthcare center; Diebold, Incorporated, a global leader in developing, implementing, and servicing advanced self-service and security delivery systems; and Seattle University are revolutionizing the way they deliver information to doctors and nurses, automated teller machine (ATM) users, and university students and faculty using the Cisco Unified Computing System(TM) (Cisco UCS(TM)) and desktop virtualization.

Desktop virtualization, a new computing trend that connects devices such as thin clients, tablets and smart phones with applications and information centrally stored in data centers rather than on PCs or laptops, is being rapidly adopted across a wide variety of industries because it reduces costs, helps to secure data, and improves performance. The hosted virtualized desktop market is forecast by analysts to accelerate through the next two years to an estimated 70 million units by 2014, approximately 15% of all enterprise desktops/laptops worldwide.

But there are also challenges: running multiple desktops, operating systems, and applications on a single server demands large amounts of computing memory, increases management complexity, and can increase power and operating costs. Customers worldwide are choosing the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) as the ideal platform to host virtual desktop solutions based on performance, scalability, ease of management, and memory density, providing industry-leading density of hosted virtual desktops per server blade without sacrificing performance or user experience. Cisco UCS is the foundation to support the Cisco Virtualization Experience Infrastructure (VXI) -- an end-to-end systems approach that delivers the next generation virtual workspace by unifying virtual desktops, voice, and video.

Seattle Children's, Diebold, and Seattle University are among the thousands of companies benefitting from the unique UCS computing model, which integrates computing, network, storage access, and management in a single cohesive system that reduces management complexity, requires less infrastructure, improves IT agility, and reduces the overall total cost of ownership.

Seattle Children's "Our Cisco UCS decision was a game-changer," said Jake Hughes, Chief Technical Architect at Seattle Children's. "It's not just ideal for desktop virtualization, it also proved to be the right platform for our server virtualization, security infrastructure, and management efficiency."

At Seattle Children's clinicians were accessing 6,000 workstations and 400 applications through a system that was becoming increasingly difficult to use, and complex for IT to support and manage. Denali Advanced Integration helped Seattle Children's to deploy a solution with Citrix XenDesktop(R) hosted on Cisco UCS to centralize information and applications in the data center. The solution greatly improved application performance, increased scalability (up to 120 users per server blade with no performance degradation) and eliminated service outages due to incompatible components.

"Feedback from our clinical users has been overwhelmingly positive," said Wes Wright, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Seattle Children's. "They can walk into a patient's room and within seconds access all their information -- it's much more efficient and provides more time for patient and provider interaction."

Diebold, Incorporated

Diebold, a leading global provider of integrated self-service delivery and security systems, adopted Cisco UCS as its platform to introduce a new ATM prototype using desktop virtualization to boost operational efficiency, enable faster failure recovery and more rapid software upgrades and services deployment.

"We held a competition to compare servers in terms of price, performance, and innovation, with an independent firm to do the evaluation," said Mark Kropf, emerging technologies, Diebold. "Based on the survey and test results, Cisco UCS won in every category of comparison. UCS was the only platform that could configure eight blades per chassis with up to 100 virtual machines per UCS blade, and deliver predictable performance to scale our ATMs in the field."

Using Cisco UCS as the computing platform for VMware View(TM), Diebold created "thin ATMs" -- information is centralized in Diebold's highly secure data center with very little hosted on the ATM itself, while remote display technology presents the ATM user interface to customers.

"The virtualized ATM prototype minimizes the vulnerabilities of attacks, while the scalable architecture gives us an offering that we can deliver as a solution or set up as a managed service," said Kropf. "For ATM users, it means a greatly improved experience."

Seattle University With VMware View hosted on Cisco UCS, Seattle University, the premier independent university of the Northwest, enables students and faculty to access the computer lab from their residence halls, homes, and other offsite locations through the high-speed internet connection linked to the VMware virtual desktop infrastructure. This solution reduced costs and management complexity while freeing up much-needed physical space on campus. Students can now access the university's computer labs from anywhere, giving them flexible options for study and reducing commuter travel, while the university has improved IT management and reduced operating expenses.

"We are managing open computers in 17 of the 32 educational and administrative buildings, residence halls, and student areas on campus, with plans to grow into the other buildings as well," says Chuck Porter, Chief Information Officer. "The online solution is literally without boundaries. Cisco UCS has provided centralized management across campus to modernize our learning environment and provide quicker response times to support student and faculty educational needs."

About Cisco

Cisco is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com .

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks . Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

At ISE2012 signagelive will be showing its full range of products and services with live demos and examples of real life applications. The multi-award winning cloud based digital signage software platform provides a simple and straightforward solution for public displays.

Located in Hall 10-P115, the signagelive stand will boast a five LG screen videowall banner as well as a four sided demo pod. The demo pod will feature application examples of the software working in different situations, and will provide visitors the opportunity to get hands-on with the latest features.

Visitors will be able to see for the first time the signagelive powered DOOH Loo. The waterless urinals from Urimat, to be launched in 2012, feature a 7” IAdea device with all the content and scheduling handled by signagelive software.

The company will also showcase Intel AIM suite – a facial recognition software integrated with signagelive for gender and age-based advertising.

How big is your screen, where is it located and what kind of operating system do you favour? None of these are issues when you implement signagelive. Using an Internet browser and fixed or mobile Internet connection,  installers and clients can manage and update any device with a screen from a mobile phones and tablets to LCD displays and video walls.

Jason Cremins, signagelive CEO comments, “We provide the tools and power to create not just a digital signage network but rather a digital media network. As an open standards, web-based digital platform, we support anything from small private corporate networks to large enterprise networks with thousands of end-points. We are working with Intel’s Open Pluggable Specification standards (OPS) and our Virtual Player supports SMIL, iOS Windows, OSx, Linux and Android. At ISE2012 we will be showing how, by choosing signagelive, resellers can offer total flexibility and a highly affordable solution to adapt to any situation.”

Through deals with manufacturers and distributors, the company has created a range of signagelive-powered bundles available to resellers through signagelive distributors. All bundles come preloaded with signagelive and include free support and software updates together with content creation services and a full range of online and onsite training packages.

signagelive’s latest bundle is with LG Commercial LCD Displays and NC-2000 slot-in PC. The bundle provides an ”out of the box” digital signage solution, complete with three year service package including; on-site warranty, live chat and email support and all updates to the signagelive software.

signagelive is distributed in 35 countries and can be used in 42 languages.

Scala organized to tap strong digital signage growth opportunity in 2012

Exton, Pa (PRWEB) Scala Inc. today announced new executive leadership appointments that position the company’s product development, marketing and sales organizations to advance the company’s leadership in digital signage, visual communications and advertising management.

With these moves, Scala has the management team and resources in place to lead the shift to digital signage’s next stage where companies exploit their ability to connect to virtually any data source using almost any device. These devices can range from mobile applications, like tablets and smart phones, to CxO boards that provide real-time information by consolidating and displaying key performance metrics from customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning packages such as Salesforce.com, SAP and Oracle.

The new executive leadership appointments are:

    Jeff Porter, President of Scala’s SignChannel division. Mr. Porter is responsible for all aspects of the SignChannel business unit, a Software as a Service (SaaS) innovator in the fast-growing “do-it-yourself” entry-level digital signage segment. He is a much sought-after speaker at industry events and widely acclaimed as one of the digital signage industry’s leading pioneers. Mr. Porter previously led the Experts Group at Scala.


    Oscar Elizaga, Senior Vice President, Americas. Mr. Elizaga is responsible for all of Scala’s Sales, Services and Support operations in the United States and Latin America. He was previously Vice President, EMEA, India & Latin America at Scala. Mr. Elizaga has been a major contributor to Scala’s growth and expansion in key markets by forging strategic partnerships with channel partners and advertising/marketing firms.


    Peter Cherna, Senior Vice President, Technology. Mr. Cherna is responsible for Scala’s global product development team, which continues to leverage technologies, such as predictive analytics, social media, mobility and more, to provide the market’s most innovative digital signage solutions. Mr. Cherna was previously Vice President, Research & Development at Scala.


    Dave Palermo, Vice President, Global Marketing. Mr. Palermo is responsible for the global structure, strategy, and execution for all aspects of marketing and communications with a focus on building Scala’s global brand and demand generation engines. He joined Scala this year with over 20 years of technology products and services industry marketing experience, including at SunGard Availability Services and Compaq Computer.

“Digital signage is poised for strong growth in 2012 because, unlike traditional media, it can reach large audiences in very targeted ways – at critical places such as points of decision and points of sale,” said Tom Nix, CEO at Scala. “With today’s executive appointments, we have aligned the organization to accelerate our leadership in helping customers and partners transform markets by delivering personalized, enjoyable encounters with digital signage wherever consumers or employees are located.”

ABI Research shows spending in the global digital signage market, including software and hardware, is expected to grow from $1.3 billion in 2010 to $4.5 billion by 2016. Intel projects there will be 22 million digital signs deployed worldwide by 2015.

Scala’s digital signage software makes it easy to develop and deliver meaningful branded content to micro-audiences in creative ways. Scala enables customers and partners to create broadcast-quality channels that deliver unique messages – pulling content from a variety of information sources.

About Scala

Driving more than 500,000 screens worldwide, Scala Inc. is a leading global provider of digital signage and advertising management solutions. Scala is the world’s first connected signage company, offering the leading platforms 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. Scala is headquartered near Philadelphia, Pa., and has subsidiaries in Canada, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Germany, Japan and India, as well as more than 500 partners in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit: http://www.scala.com/ or their blog. Connect with Scala via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Digital communications solutions provider takes 16th slot on Forbes annual list of 100 "up-and-comers" 

DENVER,(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Forbes magazine has named Four Winds Interactive (FWi) one of "America's Most Promising Companies." The digital communications solutions provider ranks amid the top 20 honorees on the magazine's annual list of high-performing organizations, coming in 16th among 100 privately held companies.

"We are thrilled to have been named in the top 20 of 'America's Most Promising Companies'. We are among some impressive organizations," said David Levin, President and CEO, Four Winds Interactive. "Our team strives to take display technology to the next level, from basic digital signage to digital communications management. Receiving recognition from a prestigious publication like Forbes is a testament to our company's dedication to continuous innovation and excellence in the marketplace."

Forbes' list of "America's Most Promising Companies" features 100 privately held up-and-comers with compelling business models, strong management teams, notable customers, strategic partners and precious investment capital.

"Sizing up younger, privately held companies is hard; Their fortunes can change very quickly and there's a dearth of public data," says Forbes Executive Editor Brett Nelson. "We took a more comprehensive approach to evaluate their health and potential."

To sharpen its search, Forbes teamed up with CB Insights, a Manhattan-based data firm that tracks investment in high-growth private companies. With $650,000 in grants from the National Science Foundation, CB has developed complex software called Mosaic that mines myriad online sources (from press releases and social networks to job boards and court filings) to come up with one, algorithmically derived score that measures a private company's health. Forbes married Mosaic's data-crunching with old-fashioned reporting to assemble a list of rising stars with bright growth prospects. To view the complete the list, please visit www.forbes.com/ampc .

About Four Winds Interactive

The Four Winds Interactive digital communications solution is the ideal solution for any organization's visual communication needs. Digital signage communicates with your audience through applications like wayfinding, event details, employee communications, metrics reporting, building directories, menu boards, emergency messaging, travel information and advertising. For more information, visit www.fourwindsinteractive.com .

ADFLOW Networks, in partnership with Mediavation, has been selected by Mark’s to bring their new strategic store re-branding initiative to life, using innovative in-store digital media solutions.

Toronto, Ontario - Mark’s, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Tire, has selected ADFLOW Networks as their digital signage provider for all store redesign initiatives. Mark’s is incorporating multiple in-store digital displays - both passive and interactive - into the DNA of their new store design. The new shopping environment features captivating, dynamic digital media throughout strategic areas of the store.

Mediavation, Mark’s long standing agency partner, is the driving force behind this initiative and the key creator of the in-store digital media strategy and content creation. They recommended ADFLOW Networks to help them achieve their vision for Mark’s.

Joseph Levy, President of Mediavation, stated that “After much due diligence, Marks and Mediavation decided to partner with ADFLOW Networks to provide a unique in-store digital signage solution, mainly because of ADFLOW’s years of experience and proven expertise.”

Tom Ranieri, AVP Store Design at Mark’s added, “We felt that ADFLOW had a powerful and flexible system that allowed us to seamlessly integrate our multi-platform in-store digital signage strategy.”

Mark’s innovative strategy is comprised of Four (Plus One) points of focus: brand enhancement, in-store customer experience, customer education, and driving sales. The (Plus One) point of focus is on driving traffic to the website, community outreach, and staff training via the interactive displays.

Mark’s new in-store digital media network consists of large-format screens mounted in prominent locations throughout the store to create a targeted ambience. The new stores also offer touch-enabled, interactive LCD displays called Touch Point that both educate and entertain Mark’s customers, while informing them about the benefits of Mark’s products innovation and design. The final digital media element, located behind the point-of-sale counter, is a stunning LCD Video Wall that displays high—resolution brand enhancement content spanning all four displays, making it easily visible from anywhere in the store.

“We are delighted to be Mark’s in-store digital media partner and a key contributor for this important initiative” says Mike Abbott, President of ADFLOW Networks.  “Retailers today are looking for new and more effective ways to promote their brand, educate and entertain customers and drive sales.  With their new in-store concept, Mark’s, together with Mediavation, are leading the way by creating a unique and engaging shopping experience.”

About Mark’s

Mark’s is devoted to providing extraordinary clothing and footwear to Canadians. They have grown from one store in 1977 to over 380 stores across the country. Mark’s is part of the Canadian Tire group of companies. They offer customers exclusive private labels and Canada’s best sellers in men’s and women’s casual and business wear, outdoor apparel and work wear. To learn more visit www.marks.com

About Mediavation

Mediavation was founded over 30 years ago and provides an innovative communication idea for some of the world’s most recognized brands. Mediavation uses small collaborative teams in which all members contribute and share learning from each other to deliver innovative and effective ideas. To learn more visit www.mediavation.ca

About ADFLOW Networks

Established in 2000 and a pioneer in the Digital Signage Industry, ADFLOW Networks has been providing award winning solutions including the development, deployment, and management of passive and interactive digital media networks.  All of ADFLOW’s Digital Signage networks are powered by ADFLOW’s patented Dynamic Messaging System™.
Headquartered in Burlington, ON, Canada with U.S. offices in Chicago, IL and Philadelphia, PA, ADFLOW has grown to become one of North America’s largest Digital Signage and Interactive Kiosk providers. To learn more visit www.adflownetworks.com

Redbox launches its first gifting option this December 

OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL, (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Starting today, Redbox, America's destination for movies and games, is making gift-giving easier with the introduction of Redbox(R) gifts. Gift givers now can share the gift of thanks, laughter, big stars, the hottest new games or hours of relaxation with friends and family. Big gifts at low prices, discounted from the regular price of $1.20 per night, Redbox gifts are available for purchase at redbox.com in bundles of 5 first-night DVD rentals for $5 or 10 first-night DVD rentals for $10. Additional DVD night rentals are $1.20 per night.

Redbox gifts can be shared via email, text or Facebook. Each Redbox gift is accompanied by a personalized message and one of many design options. Redbox gifts can be redeemed at any of the more than 34,400 kiosks nationwide and are valid for the first night's rental. Redbox gifts cannot be applied to online rentals.

With a Redbox kiosk located within a five minute drive of more than two thirds of the U.S. population, Redbox gifts make creating movie or game nights easy. Share screams or laughs, Smurfs or Kung Fu Panda 2, Horrible Bosses or Friends with Benefits to bring fun, say thanks, or celebrate. Those with gamers on their lists can now give the gift of a night of dancing, saving the world or reliving youth with games like: Just Dance 3, The Black Eyed Peas Experience, Sonic Generations and more. Perfect when friends and family gather for the holidays!

Finding the nearest Redbox location is easy at www.redbox.com , or via the Redbox iPhone(R) and Android(TM) apps, or by texting FIND to 727272.

Redbox gifts are issued by Redbox Incentives LLC, an Illinois company.

Terms and conditions apply to Redbox gifts. For details please visit www.redbox.com/gifts .

About Redbox

Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc., offers new-release DVD, Blu-ray Disc(R) and video game rentals through its network of conveniently located, self-service kiosks. Redbox has rented more than 1.5 billion discs and is available at more than 34,400 kiosks across over 28,000 locations nationwide, including select McDonald's restaurants, leading grocery, drug and convenience stores, select Walmart locations and Walgreens locations in select markets. For more information, visit www.redbox.com .

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eastman Kodak Company and Heraeus, the global precious metals and technology company based in Hanau, Germany, have combined to achieve a breakthrough in transparent conductive films that may help transform the multi-billion dollar market for transparent conductor technologies.

“The market can now access a complete system that provides patterned transparent conductive films with enhanced performance at lower cost compared with current material sets and processes.”
.A new resistive touch screen panel made with a Kodak transparent conductive film was demonstrated for the first time at the Printed Electronics USA 2011 Show.

The touch screen panel features a Kodak high conductive (HCF) polyester film that utilizes a surface coating made by the Heraeus Conductive Polymers Division, marking a change in the way touch screen displays used in computers, smart phones and other electronic devices may be manufactured in the future.

The two companies have been experimenting with a variety of films and formulations to create a touch screen that provides superior performance, flexibility, stability, transparency, neutral color and low haze – all at an economic price, and as a working alternative to Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).

ITO is a rare, complex, unstable material. When used on a thin, flexible substrate, it has a high surface roughness and tends to be brittle.

“Kodak’s high quality conductive films and large scale coating capabilities, combined with Heraeus’ advanced technologies and patterning techniques, offer breakthrough capabilities for applications looking for a competitive technology to ITO,” said Mark Juba, General Manager of Kodak’s Industrial Materials Group.

A NanoMarkets 2011 “Transparent Conductor Market” report predicts that the overall market for transparent conductor technologies will reach $6.9 billion by 2016. The report said new technologies such as the one demonstrated the Printed Electronics show are expected to capture up to 20% of this market from ITO based systems.

“In the near future we will see touch screens in almost every electronic device,” said Dr. Stephan Kirchmeyer, Head of the Functional Coatings Business Unit of the Heraeus Conductive Polymers Division. “This growth will require a touch screen technology that is both more advanced and more economical. We have taken a big step forward.

“The market can now access a complete system that provides patterned transparent conductive films with enhanced performance at lower cost compared with current material sets and processes.”

About Kodak

As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives and businesses.

About Heraeus

Heraeus is a global company with 160 years of tradition. Our fields of competence include precious metals, materials and technologies; sensors; biomaterials; and medical products, as well as dental products, quartz glass, and specialty light sources.

Chili's Grill & Bar, Maggiano's Little Italy, Papa John's, and Toys"R"Us Join Coinstar's No Fee Portfolio 

BELLEVUE, WA, (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Coinstar, the leader in self-service coin counting, today announced that it has expanded its no fee product options, providing consumers more choices for no fee gift cards from Chili's Grill & Bar, Maggiano's Little Italy, Papa John's, and Toys"R"Us. Coinstar's broad range of no fee options enable consumers to get more value out of their coins from top national and regional brands.

The expansion of the program comes just in time for the holiday season, when budgets may be tight and time is precious. Coinstar's no fee program gives consumers a convenient and easy way to cash in their accumulated coins into holiday spending across a variety of categories, from home improvement to lattes to apparel for the entire family.

"Especially during the holidays, consumers look forward to coming to Coinstar and cashing in their coins... for many it's a family tradition," said Engle Saez, vice president, category management and consumer engagement at Coinstar. "By expanding our family of America's favorite brands we are providing consumers more shopping variety, and because there's no fee, more value as well."

Coinstar offers no fee coin counting to consumers when they put the full value of their coin pour onto a gift card or eCertificate. Many locations also accept bills. For information regarding no fee coin counting and locations, visit www.coinstar.com .

About Coinstar

Coinstar, a Coinstar, Inc. brand, is the leader in the self-service coin-counting services and owns and operates the only multi-national, fully automated network of self-service coin-counting kiosks. The company has approximately 19,500 coin-counting locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Ireland and the United Kingdom, and since its inception, Coinstar has processed more than $27 billion in change. Coinstar makes it simple to convert coins to cash or store credit or consumers can receive no-fee coin-counting when choosing a gift card or eCertificate. For more information on Coinstar coin-counting visit www.coinstar.com and for information on Coinstar, Inc., visit www.coinstarinc.com .

3D Made simple: no glasses needed       
Amaze your audience with the new Philips 42” 3D Display – BDL4251VS

Amsterdam, Netherlands, MMD, the exclusive marketer and reseller for Philips-branded LCD monitors and public signage displays worldwide today announced the launch of its newest and latest auto-stereoscopic 3D model, the 42” BDL4251VS. Developed in conjunction with Dimenco, a leading technology company in the field of no-glasses 3D, the new 42” display is designed to grab people’s attention with the sharpest and most vivid 3D resolution available in the market.

Taking advantage of lenticular technology, the BDL4251VS achieves its excellent quality of 3D images thanks to its 28 lenticular views via which the audience is able to peek around objects, depending on where they are standing in relation to the display itself. This, in combination with the widest 3D viewing angle available in the market and the possibility to change the optimal viewing distance of the 3D display, assures that the audience is treated to an even more enjoyable and memorable visual experience.

“With more and more screens all competing for your attention, this is the one that stands out from the crowd with a deep and truly stunning 3D experience,” explained Wilfred de Man, Sales and Marketing Director of MMD’s Public Signage Display EMEA team.

The display is able to play both 2D and 3D (2D+Z) images and videos making it extremely flexible as a digital signage tool. The integrated Dimenco rendering core, which works with the Dimenco interface format (2D +Z) gives both content creators and end users full control of the depth-effect characteristics of their 3D images, offering simple creation of stunning and eye-catching 3D content. The BDL4251VS, which has already received a nomination for the 2012 Technology InAVation Awards, offers the deepest, most realistic visual experience in the glasses-free 3D display market today.

Easy 3D Bundle: 3D made easy by Philips Public Signage

Alongside the standalone 3D display, a limited full bundle promotion is being launched in Q4 2011. Comprising of a BDL4251VS 3D display, a media player with 3D play-out software pre-installed, several 3D demo clips, easy to use 3D creation software trial plugins and a 50% discount on content conversion coupon, the total discount on this package represents a value of more than €1500,- . The Easy 3D Bundle is an all inclusive package to create and deliver the most comprehensive and easy 3D package around. The bundle package can be ordered with type number: BDL4251VS/90.

“By integrating 2D plus depth to create the most realistic 3D digital signage engine on the market today, the end user is able to create 3D from just about any content,” continued de Man. “As we are offering the display, media player and creation software in an all-in-one bundle, this is the ideal solution for any company looking to implement and screen marketing content that really does stand out in the crowd.”

The BDL4251VS is equipped with an array of connectivity options allowing flexibility of choice when it comes to deciding which media player to use, and the Smart Insert on the rear panel allows the simple integration of any Small Form Factor (SFF) PC without adding to the overall depth of the display. This ensures the simplest of installations when mounting via a VESA bracket.

Availability

The Philips BDL4251VS/00 3D display and the Easy 3D Bundle BDL4251VS/90 are available from mid December 2011 through all MMD business partners. For further information on Philips public signage solutions please visit www.philips.com/publicsignagesolutions or www.mmdpartnernet.com.

About MMD

MMD is a wholly owned company of TPV established in 2009 through a brand license agreement with Philips. MMD exclusively markets and sells Philips branded LCD displays worldwide. By combining the Philips brand promise with TPV’s manufacturing expertise in displays, MMD uses a fast and focused approach to bringing innovative products to market. MMD operates internationally with its European headquarters in Amsterdam and a local office in Prague to serve the Eastern European market. Through its network of local sales agents MMD works with all major European IT distributors and resellers. The company’s design and development centers are located in Taiwan and Amsterdam.

About Dimenco

Dimenco is an independent company, which was founded in 2010 by a group of ambitious people that all share the same passion for 3D technology. The company offers end-to-end 3D solutions which includes 3D displays, components, rendering solutions, software and 3D post-production services, including content conversion and depth enhancement. Furthermore, they provide consultancy services to several leading industry players. Dimenco acquired a 3D technology license from Philips, enabling them to commercially use and further develop this technology. More information can be found at: www.dimenco.eu

Agreements With Saddle Ranch Digital and GE Capital Provide Expanded Opportunities for Resellers 

CLEARWATER, Fla., (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Tech Data Corporation announced an expansion of its Digital Signage business unit through a U.S. distribution agreement with Saddle Ranch Digital, Inc., including an exclusive line of SKUs specifically developed for Tech Data to complement its full line of content creation and management services, and a financing arrangement with GE Capital, Americas.The announcements were made at the Company's three-day Digital Signage Summit, which concludes today at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Fla.

"We are pleased to further expand Tech Data's digital signage offering through these agreements," said Wendy Maurer-Linsky, Vice President of Peripherals Product Marketing at Tech Data. "Digital signage continues to be a profitable growth area for resellers and our agreements with Saddle Ranch Digital and GE Capital provide our resellers with more opportunities to achieve success and better serve their end-user customers."

Saddle Ranch Digital (SRD) is an advanced media company specializing in strategy and custom content creation for screen media solutions. With roots in Hollywood film production and place-based media, SRD brings over 25 years of specialist content experience, evolving into high-impact digital media for all size screens.

"Our new partnership with Tech Data brings a new level of commitment to the channel in support of our content creation services," said Kim Sarrubi, President and CEO of Saddle Ranch Digital. "Through our partnership, we are enabling resellers to offer a total digital signage solution, including content, to their end-user customers."

Tech Data has also made arrangements for GE Capital to provide financing to support its digital signage resellers and their end-user customers. GE Capital, Americas is the commercial lending and leasing arm of GE Capital, which provides loans and leases to more than one million customers across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

"Tech Data is a true partner for our business and continues to be very proactive in helping us provide the right products and services for our customers," said Jason Lambert, Key Account Manager at Sport View Technologies, Inc. (SVT). "The amount of focused attention that we get from a channel partner has never been better. As we look forward to taking advantage of the huge opportunities that exist in digital signage, Tech Data's ability to provide a full solutions package simplifies our job of providing a total end-to-end solution for our customers."

Tech Data's channel-leading digital signage business unit features the broadest linecard in the channel and a dedicated support staff of over 50 members that hold more than 130 industry-recognized certifications. The business unit's portfolio includes credit and leasing services, education and certifications, site surveys and installations, configuration and integration services, marketing and advertising, and content creation services.

Saddle Ranch Digital and GE Capital services are both now available through Tech Data. For more information, contact Tech Data's digital signage sales team at (800) 553-7935.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation is one of the world's largest wholesale distributors of technology products. Its advanced logistics capabilities and value added services enable 125,000 resellers in more than 100 countries to efficiently and cost effectively support the diverse technology needs of end users. Tech Data generated $24.4 billion in net sales for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, and is ranked 109th on the Fortune 500(R). To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.

Kessel Lo, Belgium – TE Connectivity will showcase their latest innovative Elo TouchSystems products for gaming applications at the annual ICE Totally Gaming exhibition in London, UK, 24 – 26 January 2012.

The main Elo TouchSystems product highlight at the show will be a new 22" gaming LED touchmonitor 2244L, a wide viewing angle version of the recently released 2243L 22" open-frame monitor, alongside a new 55" model in the Interactive Digital Signage (IDS) family featuring multi-touch, and a small 7" LCD display.

The new 2244L 22" monitor features a 16:9 aspect ratio high-definition display with LED backlight technology, providing true HD interactivity for the latest gaming applications. The wide viewing angle of 178° x 178° allows colours to remain sharp and graphics to retain their integrity – which adds to the gaming pleasure – while the LED backlighting reduces power consumption and allows for slimmer dimensions enabling cabinet manufacturers to produce thinner and more aesthetically pleasing kiosk designs. The 16:9 wide-screen format displays provide for extra content on the screen and are quickly becoming preferred in casino gaming, amusement and entertainment settings due to the high-definition cinematic-like experience.

Like the 2243L, the Elo TouchSystems 2244L monitor is available with either the innovative TE Touch Solutions APR (Acoustic Pulse Recognition) or IntelliTouch surface acoustic wave touchscreen technology. These pure-glass touch solutions provide superior image quality to ensure that colours and optics of games are preserved.

As with all Elo TouchSystems products, gaming manufacturers benefit from TE Connectivity’s commitment to long product life cycles – ensuring cabinet designs do not need to change simply because a panel changes – as well as fast, high contrast panels and multiple mounting options.

Also on show will be the latest product in the Interactive Digital Signage (IDS) family – the 55" model 5500L. This large-format touch display is useful for interactive advertising and visitor guidance in casinos and hotels and combines IntelliTouch touchscreen technology with commercial-grade, large format LCD panels in a sleek true-flat design. The 5500L will also be available with an optical touchscreen technology, which is designed to allow up to four simultaneous touches to be detected. No activation force is necessary and image quality is high while it can be touched with any type of stylus. The 5500L will also feature a LED-backlit LCD panel making it slimmer than existing models and with narrower borders.
Another novelty is a small 7" LCD display – the Elo TouchSystems 0700L. The screen is typically applied as a second display, facing the customer in POS and retail environments. It can also be set-up to be the main display for applications requiring a small screen, for example personal gaming screens as part of a larger interactive gaming table.

The company will also be exhibiting touchmonitors with projected capacitive touchscreen technology – PCAP. Fast and sensitive response, zero-bezel design and multi-touch are some of the advantages of this technology. Also on show will be desktop monitors and all-in-one touchcomputers featuring glass-to-edge iTouch surface acoustic wave touchscreen technology, the zero-bezel version of IntelliTouch, comprising a true-flat seamless glass touchscreen.

TE Connectivity’s Elo TouchSystems is exhibiting on stand number 4252.

For more information online visit:
•    Elo TouchSystems Website
•    Elo TouchSystems Gaming Website
•    TE Connectivity Website

About TE Connectivity

TE Connectivity is a global, $12.1 billion company that designs and manufactures over 500,000 products that connect and protect the flow of power and data inside the products that touch every aspect of our lives. Our nearly 100,000 employees partner with customers in virtually every industry—from consumer electronics, energy and healthcare, to automotive, aerospace and communication networks—enabling smarter, faster, better technologies to connect products to possibilities.

About TE Touch Solutions

TE Touch Solutions, a global leader in touchscreen technology, develops, manufactures, and markets a complete line of touch screens, touch monitors, and all-in-one (AiO) touch computers under the Elo and TE brands. Backed by over 40 years of touch experience and with multiple touch technology options, including surface acoustic wave (SAW), resistive, surface capacitive, projected capacitive, acoustic pulse recognition (APR), infrared (IR), and multi-touch, TE and Elo touch products are available for diverse applications in retail, point-of-sale (POS), kiosk, medical, industrial, hospitality, transportation, automotive, mobile and gaming markets. Visit www.elogaming.com or call +32 16 352100 for more information.

Elo, Elo TouchSystems, IntelliTouch, iTouch, TE Connectivity, TE connectivity (logo) and TE (logo) are trademarks.

Eden Prairie, Minnesota - WAND Corporation, a leading provider of Digital Menu Board solutions for the foodservice industry, was chosen by Smashburger, Inc. to be their exclusive provider of Digital Menu Boards. “Smashburger chose WAND because of their extensive experience in both designing digital menu content and deploying digital menu networks,” according to Jeremy Morgan, SVP Marketing & Consumer Insights at Smashburger.

Smashburger not only wanted to control the customer experience throughout the day, they also wanted to ensure the look and feel of their digital menu boards blended seamlessly with their restaurant’s highly refined décor. They were able to accomplish both through the use of WAND Digital and WAND creative services, as well as sleek new LCD screen from LG Electronics. “We worked closely with WAND to overcome the challenges associated with the unique Smashburger brand, which was successfully maintained throughout the entire execution,” said Morgan. “Our new digital boards allow us to feature the breadth and depth of our menu as well visually highlight our smashed fresh, served delicious burgers.” In fact, WAND recently received a DSA Crown Award from the Digital Screenmedia Association for the digital content that they developed specifically for Smashburger.

Smashburger locations undergoing the WAND digital transformation include three vertical digital menu boards and one point-of-purchase monitor. The WAND digital menu board solutions consist of LG 47-inch monitors and WAND Digital software and creative services. The Full HD resolution, ENERGY STAR® 5.0 qualification and high-quality IPS LCD technology of the LG monitors and Intel Dual Core solid state WAND controllers make the ideal combination for high-tech QSR applications. “The powerful combination of LG’s monitors and WAND’s compelling content solution results in a stunning example of how digital signage is evolving to become a valuable solution for QSR applications,” said Y.K. Cho, Senior Vice President, Commercial Displays, LG Electronics USA.

The WAND Digital solution has been installed in nearly twenty Smashburger corporate and franchise locations across the US. Going forward, all new corporate Smashburger sites will be digital sites and most franchisee sites should follow suit. “We’re excited to be able to help Smashburger make the jump to digital,” said Greg Perrill, COO WAND Corporation.

About Smashburger

Smashburger is the country’s fastest growing, fast casual “better burger” restaurant. Its hand-crafted burgers are made with fresh, never frozen, 100% Certified Angus Beef, that are “smashed”, seared and seasoned on the grill to juicy perfection for every individual order. Guests can create their own burger masterpiece or enjoy one of Smashburger’s innovative signature recipes, including a unique burger for every local market that highlights the distinctive flavors of that region. Smashburger also serves tender marinated grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, grilled and split hot dogs, freshly prepared entrée salads, kids meals, handspun Häagen-Dazs shakes and an array of signature sides. Developed and owned by private equity firm Consumer Capital Partners (CCP), Smashburger operates and develops both corporate and multi-unit franchise territories across the country with 131 restaurants nationwide. Smashburger was also named to the 2011 Inc. 500 list and is the recipient of the International Council of Shopping Centers 2011 Hot Retailer Award. To learn more, visit www.smashburger.com.

About WAND Corporation

WAND Corporation is the future of QSR technology, spearheading a convergence between Digital Engagement, Point Of Sale, and Analytics. WAND’s Digital Restaurant® solution includes POS & Back Office Systems, award-winning Digital Menu Boards, Analytics, Enterprise Management and Support. WAND is 100 percent QSR/Fast Casual focused and has 25 years of industry experience developing innovative solutions for franchisees and corporate brands. To further its growth and its restaurant partners’ success, WAND’s vision is to revolutionize worldwide restaurant operations through technology, services, and data. For more information on WAND Corporation, please visit www.wandcorp.com.

LF30 Series Features Slot 2.0 Compatibility, High-Speed Plug-in PC with Intel7 Processor Option 

SECAUCUS, N.J., (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Panasonic, a provider of professional display and digital signage solutions, today announced the availability of the LF30 Series of Professional LCD Displays. The LF30 Series was designed to serve as a reliable indoor digital signage solution distinguished by high brightness, slim design, fanless design, low power consumption, light weight and a wide range of professional features. The displays are built specifically for digital signage and are ideal for environments such as airports, showrooms, shopping malls, hotels/casinos, financial institutions and hospitals.

The LF30 Series features Slot 2.0 architectures which accommodates optional boards, expanding application possibilities. The technology allows users to easily mount and swap optional function boards to suit specific applications. The Slot 2.0 architecture also allows for a variety of input terminals, including DVI-D In/Out and RS-232C In/Out, for connection of up to 100 displays in a daisy chain configuration for greater operating efficiency.

A key feature for the LF30 Series is the new Plug-in PC available with Intel i5 and i7 processor options. These on-board computing solutions are more powerful than anything previously offered by Panasonic. The Plug-in PCs are capable of running some of the most robust digital signage software applications available in the market today. Panasonic worked with leaders in the digital signage software industry and designed the new Plug-in PCs to offer the highest performance available in graphics while supporting additional features for content management not found in other PC card options. The LF30 Series offers a flexible design for removing and re-installing media PCs that does not require the removal of the display. This simplifies field support while cutting down on operational expense.

"As the digital signage market continues to grow, customers need more powerful solutions to handle and accurately display increasingly robust content," said Rick Albert, Vice President, Flat Panel Displays & Hospitality, Panasonic Solutions Company. "The LF30 Series of professional LCD displays provides our customers with the flexibility, muscle and reliability to create an effective indoor digital signage solution that maximizes their investment."

The LF30 Series is available in two versions: 42-inch TH-42LF30U and the 47-inch TH-47LF30U. Both offer flexible installation, capable of vertical or horizontal mounting. The LF30 Series also offers a large 178 degree viewing angle; colors and brightness remain unchanged even when viewed from an angle, for sharp, clear images.

This professional LCD series has a 700cd/m2 brightness and also features an anti-image-sticking panel and Power Save mode, in which a light sensor detects the ambient light level and controls the brightness of the backlight accordingly. This maintains optimum display brightness in a wide range of environments and also helps to save energy by reducing the backlight power consumption.

The display's extremely thin bezel blends in with nearly any environment. The bezel (18.3mm wide) is not obtrusive even with multi-screen displays, enabling effective large-screen displays. The LF30 Series features a fanless design, ideal for environments with high air pollutants, such as Quick-Serve Restaurants (QSR), which can lead to premature failure of displays with fans used for cooling. The displays also feature built-in speakers.

The TH-42LF30U and TH-47LF30U are available now from authorized Panasonic resellers at an estimated price of $1,240 and $1,560 respectively.

About Panasonic Solutions Company

Panasonic Solutions Company empowers people whose jobs depend on reliable technology. The company delivers collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in government, healthcare, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises. Products and services within the company's portfolio include Panasonic Toughbook(R) mobile computing solutions, projectors, professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD and 3D video acquisition and production solutions. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic is known for the reliability and longevity of its products. Panasonic Solutions Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation.

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic Solutions Company's full line of products can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com/business-solutions .

MINNEAPOLIS, (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc., a leading marketing technologies provider, today announced that it has entered into agreements to sell approximately $3.3 million of its common stock in a registered direct offering. Pursuant to these agreements, the company will issue 3,320,500 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share. The company expects net proceeds of approximately $2.9 million, which it plans to use for general corporate purposes, including working capital. The closing of the offering is expected to take place on or about December 12, 2011, subject to customary closing conditions.

Roth Capital Partners, LLC acted as the Company's placement agent for the transaction.

The shares are being offered by the company pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which was declared effective on September 29, 2009. A prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC. Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus may be obtained from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov or from Roth Capital Partners, LLC, Equity Capital Markets, 888 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (telephone:800-678-9147) This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of common stock. No offer, solicitation or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. The shares of common stock may only be offered by means of a prospectus.

About Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc.

Wireless Ronin Technologies ( www.wirelessronin.com ) is a marketing technologies company with leading expertise in current and emerging digital media solutions, including signage, interactive kiosks, mobile, social media and web, that enable clients to transform how they engage with their customers. The company provides marketing technology solutions and services to clients, helping increase revenue and/or improve operating efficiencies in the execution of marketing initiatives. Since the initial launch of RoninCast(R) digital signage software in 2003, the company has taken a leadership position in the digital signage industry by committing to bringing leading-edge technology, services and support to its clients. The company offers an array of services to support its clients' marketing technology needs including consulting, creative development, project management, installation, training, and support and hosting. The company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "RNIN." Follow us on http://twitter.com/ #!/wirelessronin. Like us on Facebook under Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain forward-looking statements of expected future developments, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the completion, timing and size of the offering and reflect management's expectations based on currently available data. Such statements are subject to future risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties related to market conditions and the company's ability to meet the conditions necessary to consummate the offering on the anticipated terms, or at all. The company's actual results could also differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement and be materially affected by risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following: estimates of future expenses, revenue and profitability; the pace at which the company completes installations and recognizes revenue; trends affecting financial condition and results of operations; ability to convert proposals into customer orders; the ability of customers to pay for products and services; the revenue recognition impact of changing customer requirements; customer cancellations; the availability and terms of additional capital; ability to develop new products; dependence on key suppliers, manufacturers and strategic partners; industry trends and the competitive environment; and the impact of losing one or more senior executives or failing to attract additional key personnel. These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in the risk factors section of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2011.

Additions & Upgrades Strengthen Magenta’s Position as a Leader in Signal Distribution

New Milford, CT, USA Wed, 2011-12-07 Magenta Research, the recognized leader in signal extension, distribution and switching, will introduce a wide-range of new and improved products in Booth #4U30 at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2012, taking place in Amsterdam January 31- February 2.

ISE 2012 marks the official public debut of upgrades to Magenta’s venerable MultiView line, which has served—for over 10 years—as the most adaptable, top performing solution for the distribution of Pro-AV signals over UTP cable. MultiView II enhancements are all designed to make it even easier to perfectly replicate 1080p resolution (and higher) video at distances to 2,000 feet. MultiView II products on display will include the MultiView II DVI, T4, STx and XRTx transmitters, plus MultiView II AK600 and AK1200 receivers.

MultiView II Upgrades Include:

•     Previous MultiView products occasionally required internal jumper repositioning to change configurations; MultiView II introduces a totally revamped, all external configuration scheme with easy-to-use buttons and status LEDs
•     Improved EDID & DDC modes of operation
•     Improved sync control
•     Fourth-pair configuration options (for aux data like serial and audio)
•     Streamlined connector locations for more intuitive rack mounting
•     Fully backwards compatible with all previously-manufactured MultiView equipment

    
Magenta will also be demonstrating new entries in its Voyager Series of products, which extend, switch and distribute video and auxiliary signals over fiber-optic cable. Voyager’s Compact Format (CF) line of products includes the CF-18, a rack-mountable chassis designed to densely pack 18 Voyager CF transmitters into a space-saving 4U enclosure. The CF-18 eliminates the need for separate power supplies and dramatically reduces installation time, while providing a streamlined, condensed rack-based solution.

Stand-alone Voyager CF products will be introduced at ISE as well. Only an inch deep, CF devices are much smaller than the existing, modular Voyager transmitters and receivers, and come with built-in mounting ears, allowing them to be easily secured behind a display or under a desk.

A Voyager 4-port transmitter will also be debuted at ISE. When combined with the ability to daisy-chain Voyager receivers, the four-port transmitter greatly increases signal distribution options for the fiber-based Voyager line. The four-port transmitter is also a key component in enabling Voyager fiber-optic based matrix switching to reach a maximum size of 640 total ports.

Voyager New Products:

•     Voyager CF-18: 4U, rack-mountable chassis that holds and powers 18 Voyager CF transmitter units
•     Voyager CF Series: Compact format, stand-alone Voyager transmitters and receivers
•     4-Port Transmitter: increases Voyager signal distribution options and expands Voyager matrix switch sizes to 640 total ports, which Voyager Flex I/O technology allows to be inputs OR outputs

 
About Magenta

Serving the pro-AV and digital signage markets, Magenta Research is the industry recognized leader in the transmission, switching and flexible distribution of multi-format video, audio and auxiliary signals over fibre and Cat-X cabling. Its product range includes AV extenders, distribution amplifiers and matrix switchers for DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, SDI, VGA, and component, composite, S-Video, audio, USB, and RS-232 signals. Magenta’s world renowned MultiView, Infinea and Mondo products are benchmarks in field reliability for 24/7 and mission critical environments, and Magenta's newly launched Voyager Series is the world's first all-format fibre optic signal distribution platform. Hundreds of thousands of displays worldwide have been trusted with Magenta in virtually all environments including commercial, industrial, government, military, residential, transport, education, healthcare, retail, hospitality, sports and entertainment. For more information, please email marketing@magenta-research.com or visit www.magenta-research.com.

(Taipei, Taiwan ) Lanner Electronics Inc., released the LEC-7105, a rugged mid-range digital signage player. Using the Intel Atom D525, this fanless appliance boasts a 1.8GHz embedded CPU, which comes with extra Intel features such as Intel graphics and high bandwidth LAN ports. The embedded system is designed for digital signage and other industrial applications. It features both VGA and DVI video outputs along with an eSATA connector to attach to external storage devices.

The LEC-7105 is designed to use the dual core Intel Atom D525 (1.8GHz). This low electricity consuming CPU allows the platform to be both fanless and dust proof. This system uses the Intel ICH8M chipset along with up to 4GBs of DDR3 memory.

One of the stand-out features of the LEC-7105 is its external eSATA connector. This I/O port powers and connects external SATA devices and offers connection speeds of up to 3GB per second. High quality digital signage content can be easily transferred on and off the internal hard drive via this device, or even directly play content off a SATA device.

This appliance comes with 2 Mini-PCIe expansion slots, one of which contains a SIM card reader for applications such as 3G and GPS. By providing 2 expansion slots, end users can have both WiFi and 3G connectivity on this platform.

Using the onboard Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150, the LEC-7105 provides HD capable video via either the DVI-D or the VGA port. The appliance can also be set to display one stream of video to both ports at once.

This platform also comes with some of the latest Lanner ease-of-use designs: the screw lock power plug, which ensures a solid connection to the power source; and a remote power control device, which can be attached to the platform and wired to a different location, which allows for the appliance to be turned on from a distance.

Following the Lanner guidelines of having many I/O options, the LEC-7105 also has:
RCA audio, two COM ports, 4 USB ports, 2 RJ45 LAN ports and digital IO.
For more information about the Lanner LEC-7015 please check out the datasheet here:
http://www.lannerinc.com/Embedded_Computing/LEC-7105.

LAKE FOREST, CALIF. - Horizon Display, a leader in touch integration and UI solutions, names the appointment of Kathy Speers as Channel Sales Manager.

In announcing the new position and Speers' employment to the Horizon Display Team on Wednesday, Vice President and General Manager Matthew Cutone said Speers has a respected reputation throughout the market and with the reseller channel.

"Kathy will play an integral part in the execution of our AV/IT reseller strategy and further establishment in the channel," said Cutone. "She has extensive industry experience and is a proven leader. We are confident Kathy will be a valuable contributor to the future successes of Horizon Display."

Horizon has committed their future success to the development of software and creative services necessary to enable positive touch screen experiences, which will result in further growth of the large format touch display market.

"Our 2012 channel strategy is focused on continually growing our hardware business, so that we may incubate our software capabilities and deliver the end-to-end solutions our vision statement calls for," says Cutone

In this new position, Speers is responsible for maintaining and expanding relationships with channel partners. Speers will largely be focusing on the newly developed Accredited Reseller Program, a first of its kind in the industry and a true testament to Horizon's commitment to the channel.

She will also look to broaden Horizon's reach via AV and IT distribution. As Channel Sales Manager, Speers represents the entire range of Horizon's products and creative services.

"We're excited to have Kathy on board right in time to promote our latest release of touch monitors," says Cutone. "Our newest touch monitors have the thinner, sleeker bezels that resellers are looking for today."

"I'm thrilled about my new role at Horizon and helping to increase touch technology awareness and knowledge," says Speers. "The opportunity to work with a team that is all about enhancing the user experience through interactive branding is very exciting."

Speers has years of extensive touch display experience. She comes to Horizon Display from Tech Global, a touch solutions company headquartered in Elgin, Ill., where she developed distribution sales strategies and a brand identity for their interactive digital signage initiative as the Sales and Marketing Manager.
 
Prior to Tech Global, Speers was a channel sales associate at NEC Display Solutions. Speers has a B.S. in Business from DePaul University in Chicago, Ill.
 
To contact Kathy Speers please call 630-761-9975 or .

Horizon Display specializes in large format touch displays and software solutions headquartered in Lake Forest, Calif. Horizon Display is committed to championing the impact of visual technology as a means of communication by educating our audience, consulting our customer and becoming intimately familiar with their business objectives, while keeping true to our high ideals of integrity response, intensity and professionalism. For more information about Horizon Display, please visit www.horizondisplay.com
 

CYPRESS, Calif. – Christie® MicroTiles® are welcoming guests to the Church History Museum in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah with videos highlighting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' history from its founding in the early 1800s to today. Located at Temple Square, the museum maintains both permanent and temporary galleries, including local artists celebrating the spirit and beauty of Utah deserts and human relationships through the medium of quilts and other displays.
 
Positioned in the spacious lobby, the 12 wide by 6 high (16 feet wide by 6 feet tall) Christie MicroTiles array shows two displays simultaneously. On the right side, videos play continuously, while, on the left side, features of current and upcoming exhibits are shown. 
 
“The museum wanted to bring in new technologies and when we were at a museum conference in California, we were introduced to Christie MicroTiles,” said Patrick Dunshee, manager, marketing & communications, The Church History at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Since we were looking for a high-performance, high brightness television-type screen for the museum, MicroTiles were the ideal fit.”
 
According to Kurt Graham, museum director, the MicroTiles also serve as a point of reference for groups who gather in the lobby to begin their tour. “You can’t miss the MicroTiles,” he said. “They are the first thing you see when you walk in.”
 
“The MicroTiles are an important investment for us in terms of our re-conceptualization,” Graham continued. “I wanted to use the MicroTiles as a window into the rest of the galleries. We have thematic vignettes that show content to get people hooked on the topic … to draw them in. What the MicroTiles do is help attract people and draw them in; they act as a museum introduction and overview.”
 
In addition to generating enthusiasm for current and future possibilities, both Dunshee and Graham are impressed that Christie MicroTiles are almost seamless – with a 1 mm seam between each tile – and with their high resolution.
 
“The tiles are so close together that there really aren’t any borders,” added Graham. “Christie MicroTiles are a very flexible and versatile digital canvas on which we can change up (the content) regularly. Their versatility, the very high resolution, and the fact that they don’t put out much heat make MicroTiles a very good product.
 
“It’s great having the MicroTiles in the museum,” Dunshee concluded. “We are very pleased with their picture clarity and what they have done for us at the museum.”  
 
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. 
 

Just in time for the holiday season, Pro-Motion Technology Group, a leading provider of audio, video and digital technology for retailers, restaurants and hotels, has announced that it is now the sole U.S. distributor for iDisplay – a line of affordable, compact digital solutions that can be quickly, easily deployed.

“With the addition of iDisplay products to our extensive selection of digital signage solutions, Pro-Motion Technology Group can now provide screens as small as 3.5-inches or as large as 72-inches to help create engaging customer experiences and drive sales,” said Lynn Matson, founder and CEO of Pro-Motion.

Compact digital signs are quickly becoming a popular tool for customer engagement. To help marketers maximize return on investment (ROI) when deploying digital signage, Pro-Motion has released a new white paper, “Size Matters: How to Leverage Small Screens for a Big Impact on ROI,” which can be downloaded for free by clicking here.

The partnership between Pro-Motion and London-based iDisplay opens the doors for U.S. companies to capitalize on technology that has already proven its worth around the globe. Studies show that iDisplay’s compact digital signage can cut costs, drive sales, enhance customer engagement, build brand loyalty and improve efficiency. In order to assist retailers and other businesses that want to deploy digital signage in time for the holidays, Pro-Motion is currently stocking several iDisplay products for immediate deployment, including:

•    iShelf: a battery-operated, shelf display featuring  a flashing LED-activation button that plays movies or JPEG slideshows with audio. Content is easily uploaded via a USB stick. Plus, there is an option for replaceable static print that provides strong branding opportunities. The iShelf fits multiple shelving configurations and features a secure, adjustable mounting system.

•    iView Classic: a 10.2” digital solution equipped with a WiFi system that automatically connects to a web-based, easy –to-use, remote content management system (CMS). The i View is available with an optional long lasting rechargeable battery and offers a flexible, versatile solution for retailers, restaurants & other high-traffic locations.

•    iView Touch: a stylish, compact solution available in 7” & 10.2” with four touch buttons. Durable and designed to engage customers, the iTouch doesn't require any computer or network setup. It can play up to four choices of JPEG slideshows or movies, which customers can select. A wide range of accessories are available such as counter stands, slant wall clips and more.

•    The iDisplay Open Frame: a versatile option in 7” & 10.2” with remote control, external speakers and touch activation buttons. Designed to fit into any POS display, the iDisplay can be equipped with up to six buttons and/or a motion sensor to activate content.

About Pro-Motion Technology Group

As a leading single-source provider of audio, video and digital solutions for the retail, foodservice and hospitality industries, Pro-Motion Technology Group is backed by experienced sales, service and maintenance divisions. Over the past 25 years, Pro-Motion, based in Wixom, Mich., has developed strategic relationships with product manufacturers and factories around the globe to provide unique solutions for a wide array of leading brands, including Neiman Marcus, Kohl's, Toys R Us, T.G.I. Fridays and Which Wich. By partnering with Pro-Motion, clients can quickly and easily deploy solutions that present specific messages, entertain or inform customers, educate staff members, protect assets, market products and create brand awareness. In addition to digital signage equipment, Pro-Motion provides the most respected audiovisual brands and an extensive array of products and services combined to deliver robust, customer-driven, integrated solutions. To find out how Pro-Motion can help your business leverage the latest technology, visit www.pro-motion.us or call 248.668.3100.

Las Vegas, NV/Marion, IN (PRWEB) WinTech, LLC, established developer of the ALICE Receptionist (A Live Interactive Communication Experience) software solution, announced today that the company has signed an agreement with ZIVELO, a worldwide leader in the self-service kiosk and digital signage manufacturing industry. This partnership provides WinTech with direct access to ZIVELO’s complete line of products and services to extend to their customers.

Some key factors that lead to WinTech’s decision to partner with ZIVELO include the exceptional product designs and the trigger-based automation systems that ZIVELO employs, which have translated into consistently delivered products. Wintech also cites ZIVELO’s excellent customer service as a large part of their decision to form a partnership.

“ZIVELO is a company that brings dedicated personal service back into the forefront of customer service and partner relations. Whether ordering one kiosk for a client or several hundred, they treat my needs and my customers’ concerns as though they are the most important items on their agenda that day. Their attention to detail and their genuine concern and attention to my needs and the needs of my clients, allow me to provide a higher level of service that is reflected in our own personal service and individual attention to each of our clients. I couldn’t do this without them. The other big box pushers concentrate on margins alone but fall short on quality customer service. With ZIVELO this doesn’t happen,” says Frank Yoder, President of WinTech.

“We are very excited to enter into this partnership with WinTech to offer turnkey virtual reception and e-concierge solutions. The digital reception platform is nothing less than booming right now. It is the topic of many inquiries and the level of inquiries is trending upward in a big way. Consumers are primed to use interactive technology every day, multiple times a day, with the use of pocket media… so it really makes sense as people are easily adapting to interaction with giant touch screen kiosks. Wintech brings a well-received solution to a market that is hungry for automation, in a cost effective/quick return on investment way and we couldn’t be happier to be on that forefront with Wintech,” says Ziver Birg, CEO of ZIVELO.

About WinTech

Wintech, LLC is run by brothers, Frank and Mike Yoder, and is based in Las Vegas, NV. Together they bring over 20 years of experience and are responsible for designing and delivering technology software solutions throughout the world. WinTech is committed to providing solutions that enable businesses to offer their customers and employees an exceptional user experience. To accomplish this, they have developed A.L.I.C.E., which stands for A Live Interactive Communication Experience, which introduces a new way for businesses to interact with customers. ALICE enables interactive 2-way video and audio communication between employees and customers from a single access point.

For more information on WinTech, LLC please visit http://www.wintechllc.com

About ZIVELO

ZIVELO has rapidly grown to become the world’s largest self-service kiosk manufacturer, with over 250,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities and over 200 employees. The design, engineering, and manufacturing of their public terminal systems are completely contained within the United States, allowing them to offer rapid turnaround of product delivery.

ZIVELO’s product line is well known globally and with over 50 resellers and distributors in the US, Canada, Europe, South Africa and Australia has been utilized by customers throughout multiple industries such as Coca-Cola, Nike, Verizon, Hilton, US Steel, CIA, FBI, Siemens, Boeing, MIT, NASA and the US Army.

For more information about ZIVELO or its line of kiosks and digital signage, please visit http://www.zivelo.com

Award-Winning "Dynamo" Network to Be Implemented Throughout Iberian Peninsula 

MADRID, SPAIN,  (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- John Ryan, a global provider of Total Store Messaging -- integrated print and multimedia point-of-purchase retail marketing solutions for major financial institutions, announced its selection as BBVA's digital signage partner. Madrid-based BBVA ranks among the Top 20 retail banks in the world, with 3,000 retail branches in Spain and Portugal and 7,400 worldwide.

The BBVA "Dynamo" digital signage network enables hyper-localized messaging to suit the needs of clients at each branch. Programming is produced by John Ryan in five languages and incorporates news, trivia, weather and local real estate listings, as well as specially selected product offers appropriate to each branch's customer base. The messaging is controlled by John Ryan's Messaging Manager content management platform and distributed to branches and selected BBVA work sites using the bank's LAN. Content updates are based on a rules-based programming structure capable of providing highly relevant messaging with minimal manual intervention.

BBVA entered into a five-year agreement with John Ryan following the success of a joint pilot deployment, which was awarded a POPAI UK and Global digital signage Gold award.

"We are honored that our digital signage services and Messaging Manager platform were chosen by a bank that is widely known for innovation," said Miguel Duran, general manager of John Ryan's European operations. "The result of collaboration with BBVA's marketing and IT departments, the Dynamo network gives BBVA a highly sophisticated tool for leveraging the revenue potential of the branch network's millions of annual visits."

About BBVA Group

BBVA is a financial services group with more than EUR557 billion in total assets, almost 48 million clients, 7,400 branches and 107,000 employees in more than 30 countries. BBVA provides its customers around the world with a full range of financial services. The BBVA Group maintains a leadership position in Spain, Mexico, Latin America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States. BBVA is also developing strong operations in Asia, specifically in China, and has just entered the Turkish market with the acquisition of a 24.9% stake in Turkey's leading bank, Turkiye Garanti Bankasi. More information about the BBVA Group can be found at www.bbva.com .

About John Ryan

With offices in Minneapolis, Madrid, London and Singapore, John Ryan is a global retail marketing agency specializing in Total Store Messaging solutions -- integrated print and multimedia point-of-purchase marketing programs to help leading banks unleash the full revenue potential of their branch visits. John Ryan is the author of the Ryan Report, the largest-ever industry survey of digital signage in the financial services industry and its content management platform is the most widely deployed in European and American banking today. The company has been recognized for multimedia design and deployment with multiple POPAI, Digi and Fourth Screen awards. For additional information visit www.johnryan.com .

AMX, the leading provider of unified control and automation, system-wide switching, audio and video signal distribution, digital signage and technology management solutions, will be at Integrated Systems Europe 2012 (31st January – 2nd February, Amsterdam RAI), to showcase the innovations that underpin the company’s success.

Putting an emphasis on the importance of infrastructure, the company will be demonstrating how an unprecedented level of control capability can be realised around core AMX technology. At the heart of this approach is the company’s Enova range which combines all of the components needed to automate any environment into a simple, flexible, comprehensive solution; including control, multi-format inputs, video switching, transcoding and scaling, local and remote distribution, plus audio mixing, and amplification - all in a single box.

New additions to the Enova family will be put in the spotlight, including the award-winning Enova DGX 16 and 32 Digital Media Switchers. The industry’s first modular digital media switchers with a built-in central controller, the Enova DGX 16 and 32 resolve copy protection issues, centrally manage connected devices and overcome many of the challenges facing integrators today. They manage and distribute analogue plus digital audio and video including HDMI with HDCP (HDMI/HDCP), control and Ethernet without any of the typical problems associated with HDCP authenticated content distribution and switching.

Also on display will be the new Enova DVX-3150HD; an all-in-one controller, AV switcher, scaler, analogue to digital signal converter, twisted pair transmitter and amplifier with built-in professional grade audio processing. The Enova DVX-3150HD is the only all-in-one presentation switcher that seamlessly handles both analogue and digital AV, makes HDCP as easy to install as analogue and delivers picture perfect video and pristine audio – all in a single 3U box. Designed to meet the needs of conference rooms, classrooms and auditoriums, the Enova DVX-3150HD is poised to change the future of AV room solutions.

AMX will be demonstrating the capabilities of the much anticipated new Modero X Series family of frameless, panoramic and widescreen touchpanels. Offering an intuitive user experience and a truly ergonomic design, the Modero X Series redefines touchpanel technology by giving users a new 'control surface' on which to perform multiple activities, all at the same time. Putting a new perspective on the concept of touchpanel design, the Modero X Series combines edge-2-edge glass and a low-profile, to deliver a more usable space and a richly engaging user experience.

Visitors to the Booth will also be able to find how the ICSLan™ Device Control Boxes enable the control of almost any device including AV, HVAC, lighting and blinds using IR, RS-232, I/O or relays. With embedded Power over Ethernet (PoE) functionality, these innovative units both simplify installation and function as port expanders for a master controller, requiring only a single category cable connection for control and power.

Also on display will be the flush-mountable 6-module, 9-module and 12-module units that are taking the HydraPort™ Connection Port series in a new direction. Sitting nearly flush with the mount’s surface, even with the lid open, these stylish additions can easily connect and control laptops, projectors, document cameras, DVD players, audio equipment and other support devices. Completely configurable, these versatile units allow installers to easily adjust the modules to the specific AV and power needs of any room environment.

Finally, AMX will be demonstrating the latest evolution of its Resource Management Suite® (RMS) software solution, RMS Enterprise. Delivering unprecedented scalability, RMS Enterprise provides IT-like remote management capabilities for AV assets and building systems from a user-friendly dashboard, making it easy to centralise the management and monitoring of AV equipment, lights, HVAC and other building functions.

AMX hardware and software solutions simplify the implementation, maintenance, and use of technology to create effective environments. With the increasing number of technologies and operating platforms at work and home, AMX solves the complexity of managing this technology with reliable, consistent and scalable systems. Our award-winning products span control and automation, system-wide switching and audio/video signal distribution, digital signage and technology management. They are implemented worldwide in conference rooms, homes, classrooms, network operation / command centres, hotels, entertainment venues, broadcast facilities, among others. AMX was founded in 1982 and is a member of the Duchossois Group of Companies. For more information, visit www.amx.com/eu or visit Booth 2C50.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, - CAYIN Technology is proud to release its Thai website and will deepen its cooperation with DMaSStech to serve the increasing demand of digital signage in Thailand.
CAYIN has cooperated with DMaSStech to serve the growing market demand of digital signage in Thailand for four years. Through continuous endeavor and resolute determination, DMaSStech has become a well-known digital signage company in Thailand and has helped build up CAYIN as a strong brand in the market with more than 70 projects both in government and private sectors.

To enhance communication with users in Thailand, CAYIN cooperates with DMaSStech to build up a new Thai website. In addition to product information, users can also query technical support in Thai from the website.

“Releasing a Thai website shows our long-term commitment to serve the Thai market,” said Ravel Chi, Vice President of CAYIN Technology. “Moreover, CAYIN’s digital signage players and servers also support Thai user interface to create a better user experience for customers in Thailand.”

“We still see great potential for growth in Thailand,” said Mr. Sathian Thancharoenkit, Managing Director of DMaSStech. “We host seminars each year to introduce new developments of CAYIN’s solution and gradually build up our brand image as a leading digital signage solution provider in Thailand. This year, we even invited Boonrawd Brewery to share its successful experience, and we were thrilled to receive phenomenal feedback from all participants.”

Boonrawd Brewery, the largest brewery (Singha Beer) and beverage company in Thailand, installed CAYIN’s digital signage system throughout seven plants to enhance internal communication with more than 10,000 employees.

CAYIN’s digital signage solution also empowers 23 LCD screens in the Suvarnabhumi Airport, the biggest international airport in Thailand. i-mobile shop, the largest house brand mobile phone retail shop in Thailand, has been using CAYIN’s digital signage system to advertise its services and products in 28 stores since 2008. Visit CAYIN’s Thai website: http://th.cayintech.com

About CAYIN Technology

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.

About DMaSStech

DMaSStech Company Limited is established with the vision that the digital signage will soon be one of the most effective tools for marketing and communication in the media world. With the mission to be the market leader in providing digital signage solution in Thailand and regional markets, DmaSStech is focusing its resources, commitment, and effort to move the company forward and exploring expertise in the new updated solution to ensure the right solution to customers’ need. It also has a network of more than 50 resellers with CAYIN’s digital signage solution providing both the stand-alone solution and the networked solution.

Affordable Stand-alone and Networked Solutions Deliver Full HD Quality, High Reliability and Significant Energy Savings

SARATOGA, CA - BrightSign, one of the fastest growing innovators in the digital signage industry, announced today it has entered into a distribution agreement with Almo Professional A/V, a leading U.S. distributor serving the needs of professional audiovisual integrators, dealers and consultants.  Under the agreement, Almo will market and distribute BrightSign digital sign and kiosk controllers to its resellers throughout the U.S.

"We're very pleased to partner with Almo and share their commitment to providing what resellers really need - affordable, uncomplicated digital signage solutions that don't compromise on quality or reliability and never have any hidden fees,"
said Jeff Hastings, BrightSign's CEO.  "With BrightSign products and Almo's expertise and broad customer base, we look forward to a long, mutually rewarding relationship."

"We are always looking for products that help our partners improve upon and profit from their digital signage projects, which is exactly what the BrightSign line of digital sign controllers does for them," said Sam Taylor, executive vice president and COO for Almo Professional A/V. "Our in-house business development managers provide technical assistance with the BrightSign players and kiosks to ensure they are fully supported." He continued, "BrightSign generated significant interest during our E4 AV training and networking events in Chicago and New York City last month, proving that opportunity for new projects is alive and well. "

BrightSign digital signage controllers include the hardware, software and networking capabilities for complete, turnkey HD signage solutions that eliminate compatibility issues and make digital signage easy to deploy.  Featuring a PC-less platform, the players deliver higher reliability at substantially lower prices than PC-based signage solutions and have a power requirement of only about 3-5 watts, compared to 70-90 watts for an average PC.

For added value, the full version of BrightAuthor, a powerful PC software application is included free with all BrightSign controllers. BrightAuthor makes it easy for non-technical users to create, publish, update and manage digital signage displays.  Using wizards and intuitive templates, they can create full-screen and multi-zone playlists for looping displays, add interactive triggers or buttons on touch screens  and implement advanced scheduling features such as day-parting.

The software also enables synchronization of multiple displays for video wall applications. And with the new Local Area Networking option, users with a small network can send basic content updates and get unit status using a local area network.

Almo will also be offering BrightSign Network, an affordably priced all-inclusive networking solution that gives users the tools they need to easily create presentations, schedule updates to displays, manage multiple networked groups of displays, and review real-time reports via a secure Internet connection.

Availability

Almo now offers a full range of BrightSign digital players and kiosk controllers including looping, interactive, network-enabled, network-enabled/interactive media players, players with built-in Wi-Fi and a free-standing tabletop display that delivers high-resolution video displays instantly without external power or wiring.  BrightAuthor 2.3 software, the central interface for BrightSign single-site and networked digital signage displays, is included at no additional cost with all BrightSign models and runs on a standard Windows PC with XP, Vista or Windows 7 plus Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 or later.

About Almo Professional A/V

Almo Professional A/V is the nation's fastest growing distributor serving the needs of professional audiovisual integrators, dealers and consultants. With a highly skilled sales team, reseller education programs, 10 distribution centers across the U.S. and product lines for the Pro A/V channel, Almo Professional A/V provides customers with the full distribution experience on a local and a personal level. Almo Professional A/V distributes all the leading displays and peripherals, with new manufacturers and products being added each day. For more information about Almo Professional A/V, please call 410-560-2890 or go to www.almoproav.com. Almo Professional A/V can also be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/almoproav.

Almo offers Professional A/V E4 AV tours which are free, full-day program with an intense educational focus that allows partners to earn valuable InfoComm International CTS RUs while networking with the industry's top manufacturers. For more information, go to www.e4avtour.com.

About BrightSign

BrightSign, LLC, based in Saratoga, California, develops products and software 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 sales inquiries, please or call 408-852-9263 in the USA and +44-1223-911842 internationally.

’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, AOpen Europe announces the availibility of a new product. The WarmTouch WT22M-RH is an all-in-one multi-touch Panel PC.

The WT22M-RH has a 21,5 inch multi-touch display with a LED backlit panel. The built-in PC is based on the AOpen Digital Engine technology including Intel® Core™ i3 Processor. It supports dual channel DDR3 memory that allows for high performance. The Watchdog functionality can trigger a corrective action to automatically recover from lockups, eliminating IT support or help desk calls.