DALLAS, TX - Zephyr Media Inc. has announced that it has joined the prestigious Digital Screenmedia Association (DSA). DSA is a non-profit trade organization serving the digital signage, interactive kiosk, mobile and self-service technology industries.

Zephyr Media develops inventory and networks within the fast expanding digital out of home sector through out of home media partnerships with high profile, high footfall events, venues and locations, driving additional revenue and publicity toward the partner organization while enhancing and enriching audience experience and delivering for advertisers unique access to targeted high profile networks.

“As our industry matures and develops, we hope that through I membership of the DSA we can help educate, advocate and operate within our industry to ensure that Digital Media and especially DOOH grows into the biggest and best marketing solution for advertisers and audiences.”  Luke McEvoy VP Marketing

“The DSA membership is a world-class organization comprising a who’s who in digital screenmedia,” said Paul Flanigan, DSA executive director. “We have a broad cross-section of members, from small start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Our membership includes users, vendors, network operators, agencies, brands, integrators, pro A/V firms and more. Companies join the DSA to network effectively, gain access to valuable information, and to save money, all with the goal to be successful in their digital efforts.”

About Zephyr Media, Inc.

Zephyr Media is able to provide seamless digital screen venue strategies. Working with Zephyr Media advertisers are able to better engage audiences, drive purchase decisions, and deliver more relevant brand messages and offers – increasing loyalty and driving sales.

About Digital Screenmedia Association

The Digital Screenmedia Association was formed through the April 2010 merger of the Digital Signage Association and the Self-Service & Kiosk Association. With over 650 members, the purpose of the DSA is to advance the growth and excellence of the global digital signage, interactive kiosk and mobile community through advocacy, education and networking. See www.digitalscreenmedia.org.  

The Scala Americas Partner Conference takes place from April 1-4 in Austin, Texas.
 
Exton, PA  — Scala’s Americas Partner Conference will focus heavily on retail this year and it’s no secret why: “The retail sector will make up approximately 42 percent of total digital signage displays revenue from 2013 to 2017,” forecasts IHS. They’ve invited thought leader Bryan Eisenberg to speak to their Scala Certified Partners about future trends connecting digital signage, retail and mobile technologies. Read on about Bryan and his keynote topic that plays a central role in Scala’s Partner event this year.
 
Bryan Eisenberg
 
Speaking Topic: The Future Shopper: How Offline is the New Online
 
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 2, 9am-10am
 
Description: Nobody argues whether search, social, and mobile technologies have impacted customers’ minds and buying behavior over the last five years. Today companies worry about keeping ahead of their competition when the truly critical issue is keeping pace with their customers. Technological and social advances are forcing companies to embrace authenticity and improve customer experiences across all channels, or suffer the consequences. This session will show how the convergence of communications, logistics and technology continue to evolve, as they always have, in order to reduce the friction in the customers’ buying process – online and in the store. This session will focus on ways that Scala Partners can leverage these technologies and build solutions that will engage the future shopper.

For more about the Scala Americas Partner Conference, please visit www.scala.com/apc2014

About Bryan Eisenberg

Bryan Eisenberg is the co-author of the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today and New York Times bestselling books “Call to Action”, “Waiting For Your Cat to Bark?” and “Always Be Testing”. Bryan Eisenberg is an internationally recognized authority and pioneer in online marketing, improving online conversion rates, persuasive content, and persona marketing. Bryan has been recognized by eConsultancy members as one of the top 10 User Experience Gurus, was selected as one of the inaugural iMedia Top 25 Marketers, and a Marketing Edge Rising Star Award winner in 2010.

About Scala

Scala has a passion for creating intelligent digital signage solutions that move consumers, employees and products. Driving more than 500,000 screens worldwide, Scala solutions increase sales, improve brand loyalty, optimize the customer experience, and reinforce business objectives. Scala is headquartered near Philadelphia, Pa., with multiple subsidiaries across Europe and Asia, and over 500 partners in more than 90 countries. Visit www.scala.com to learn more.

PROVISIO, developer of kiosk and digital signage software, has released SiteRemote 5.0, a remote management solution for public computers and advertising displays running SiteKiosk.

The management console of SiteRemote 5.0 has been completely redesigned to optimize usability for remote maintenance, content management and reporting.

A snapshot of all kiosk and digital signage devices running Android or Windows OS is available in a single interface after logging into your server account. Free test accounts are available at www.siteremote.net.

Taipei, Taiwan – Axiomtek, one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of innovative, high performance and reliable PC-based industrial computer products, announced the arrival of the P1197E-861, a ruggedized 19-inch expandable industrial touch panel computer. The P1197E-861 supports 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7/ i5/ i3/ Celeron®/ Pentium® processors in LGA1155 socket with the Intel® H61 Express chipset. The P1197E-861 is equipped with a 19-inch SXGA TFT LCD display with high brightness LED backlight (350nits), and has an IP65/NEMA 4 compliant front panel. Built around user-convenience, this stylish touch panel PC adopts a less screw and slim mechanism design. The slim-type industrial grade panel unit supports complete expandability features, including dual display interface, one expansion slot, eight USB 2.0 ports, four COM ports and Wi-Fi connectivity, making it suitable for kiosk, factory and automation.

“The less screw design makes P1197E-861 easy to install, and the IP65 compliant housing make it reliable to operate in any extreme environment. Its slim yet expandable design also fulfills different requirements,” said Debbie Tu, Product Manager of Product Marketing Division at Axiomtek. In addition, this outstanding all-in-one unit supports 4 COM ports, 8 USB 2.0 ports, flexible expansion interface (one PCIe x4 slot or one PCI slot), built-in speakers and optional Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n module and supports two 2.5” SATA HDD trays for easy maintenance. The P1197E-861 is an excellent solution for factory automation, kiosk and more industrial fields.”
 
Expansion capability with 1 PCIe or 1 PCI Slot

The P1197E-861 features one PCIe x4 or PCI slot for expansion purpose. User can easily plug in standard half-size PCIe or PCI card based on any application needs.

Speaker and WLAN Antenna Supported

The 19-inch industrial touch panel PC features built-in speakers for kiosk application to display multimedia content program. It also supports WLAN module antenna (optional) for wireless network connectivity.

SATA HDD Trays for Easy Maintenance

The all-in-one P1197E-861 supports two 2.5” SATA HDDs with convenient side access trays. Without the complicated steps, users can maintain hard drive easily that make the work more efficiency.

Friendly Less Screw Design

There are only three screws on the back chassis for quickly removed and easily install. It saves time, maintenance cost and increases work efficiency.

IP65/NEMA water/dust-proof design

To withstand harsh operating environments, the expandable panel system is made with robust aluminum housing and has an IP65/NEMA 4 water/dust-proof protection to prevent the system from outside damage.

Full I/O and more features

Axiomtek P1197E-861 includes two DDR3-800 SO-DIMM sockets with up to 16 GB memory. Interfaces for DVI-D, VGA, four COM (3 x RS-232, 1 x RS-232/422/485), eight USB 2.0 (two front USB & six back USB), two Gigabit Ethernet ports, audio (Line-out), and two 2.5” SATA HDD drive bays are available.

The P1197E-861 will be available in the end of March, 2014. For more product information or pricing, please visit us at www.axiomtek.com or contact one of our sales representatives at .

P1197E-861 Main Features:

•     19-inch SXGA TFT expandable industrial touch panel computer
•     Supports 3rd & 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7/ i5/ i3/ Celeron®/ Pentium® processors in LGA1155 socket with Intel® H61 Express chipset
•     IP65-rated water/dust-proof front bezel and NEMA 4 protection
•     Friendly less screw design for user’s convenience
•     Expandable for one PCIe or one PCI slot
•     Speaker and WLAN antenna supported
•     Dual view support (DVI-D and VGA interfaces)
•     Four COM ports (three RS-232, one RS-232/422/485), eight USB 2.0 ports, two Gigabit Ethernet ports and audio (Line-out)
•     Supports panel mount, wall mount, VESA arm ,rack mount and desktop stand
•     Supports various embedded operating systems including Windows® XP, Windows® Vista, Windows® 7, Windows® Embedded 8

The self-professed ‘mobile geek’ co-founded Vibes before text messaging was even possible in the U.S.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Networld Media Group announced that Jack Philbin, co-founder, president and CEO of Vibes and chairman of the Mobile Marketing Association, will deliver the opening keynote address at its 2014 CONNECT Mobile Innovation Summit in Chicago.

“This year’s Retail Customer Experience Summit, which convenes this year on Aug. 18-20, will explore how retailers and restaurants can leverage mobile and digital channels to build their brands, increase sales and improve customer engagement and loyalty,” says Publisher Kathy Doyle.

Mobile Marketer recently named Philbin as its 2013 Mobile Evangelist of the Year. Philbin co-founded Vibes with Alex Campbell in 1998 “when you couldn’t even send a text message in the U.S.” The company has been pioneering the mobile marketing industry ever since and has more than tripled its employee base in the past three years to meet rapidly growing demand for mobile marketing and relationship management technology. “The mobile phone is the most personal technology we own,” Philbin says. “Mobile engagement is no longer an option for retailers and restaurants. It’s a must have.”

In his address, Philbin will explore the mobile landscape and discuss the many ways in which retailers, brands and restaurants are embracing mobile technologies to foster customer relationships and create great experiences for their customers. He will address building mobile databases, personalization and emerging mobile wallet technologies such as Google Wallet and Apple’s Passbook. Philbin will also share case studies, best practices and performance benchmarks and discuss which strategies work best (and which don’t work) for reaching mobile consumers.

“Jack Philbin is a true thought leader in mobile marketing,” says Networld Media Group’s Senior VP of Events David Drain. “He is an entertaining and engaging speaker who is going to wow our Summit attendees with the sheer breadth and depth of what he knows about mobile consumer marketing.”

Philbin also serves as vice chairman of the Mobile Marketing Association’s Global Board and on the CTIA Wireless Internet Caucus. Under Philbin’s leadership, Vibes was ranked No. 92 on the 2007 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies.

Both seats and sponsorships for the Summit are filling up fast, Drain says, noting that DIRECTV, the event’s Executive Premium Sponsor, will be the official sponsor of Philbin’s keynote address.

Early bird registration is now open.
 
About Networld Media Group

Founded in 2000, Networld Media Group is a leading business-to-business (B2B) media communications company specializing in digital media, associations and events in the mobile, self-service, digital signage, retail, food service and financial services industries. Online properties include ATMmarketplace.com, DigitalSignageToday.com, FastCasual.com, KioskMarketplace.com, MobilePaymentsToday.com, PizzaMarketplace.com, QSRweb.com, RetailCustomerExperience.com, SelfServiceWorld.com and ChurchCentral.com. The company produces executive summits in the fast casual, retail, ATM and mobile payments industries. Its custom media division develops premium content and marketing services for associations such as the ATM Industry Association.

HP SMB Solutions combine offerings from AT&T, Google with HP hardware and services to maximize efficiency, reduce IT expenditure

PALO ALTO, Calif. — HP announced new offerings that empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to save time and money while embracing technology as a competitive advantage and a key lever for business agility.

•     HP SMB Solutions—based on a previously announced collaboration with Google—are precurated bundles of hardware, software, services and solutions from HP and other technology providers.
•     HP Financial Services (HPFS) Partner Connection enables SMBs to purchase these bundled offerings, as well stand-alone hardware products as a monthly subscription billing.

“HP is helping channel partners and business customers realize the vast benefits of bundling hardware, services, solutions, as well as offering them as a service,” said Enrique Lores, senior vice president and general manager, Business Personal Systems, HP. “The end results for our customers are worry-free, turnkey IT—and more time to ensure success for their core business.”

HP SMB Solutions: Leading-edge technology, bundled by HP

HP SMB Solutions, available exclusively through HP authorized channel partners, give SMBs access to the latest HP solutions, as well as innovative offerings from leading technology providers like AT&T and Google.

HP SMB Solutions are ordered through a comprehensive communications portal that helps SMBs understand how the latest technology trends can impact and improve their business. The portal makes it easy for SMBs to identify business solutions that address their key needs, while at the same time allowing them to save money, receive better support and manage their devices for improved return on assets.

HP also is announcing the launch of HP Business Helpdesk to support SMBs operating in non-managed IT environments. This new service provides 24/7 technical support for a wide variety of PC and software applications running on Microsoft, Apple and Android operating systems, as well as connectivity support to common peripherals such as tablets, smartphones and printers.

HPFS Partner Connection

HPFS provides SMBs with the flexibility to pay for the use of solution bundles or hardware through a monthly subscription payment model. It provides options that allow SMBs to easily return or upgrade the equipment at the end of the contract period, ensuring that infrastructure is always up to date with the latest hardware and software. The HPFS Partner Connection is a web-based tool that provides quick approvals, customer quotes and auto document generation.  

Availability

•     HP SMB Solutions are now available in North America and Canada by Synnex resellers via its web portal. Availability will expand to additional distributors globally throughout the year.
•     HP Business Helpdesk will be available in the United States in June, and will extend to select countries throughout the year.
•     The subscription capabilities on the HPFS Partner Connection tool will be available to HP channel partners in the United States and Canada in June, and in select countries throughout the year. (1)

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. With the broadest technology portfolio spanning printing, personal systems, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP delivers solutions for customers’ most complex challenges in every region of the world. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com

(1) HP Financial Services Partner Connection is currently available in nine countries: United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Australia.

This news advisory contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance, market share or competitive performance relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the need to address the many challenges facing HP’s businesses; the competitive pressures faced by HP’s businesses; risks associated with executing HP’s strategy and plans for future operations; the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the need to manage third-party suppliers and the distribution of HP’s products and services effectively; the protection of HP’s intellectual property assets, including intellectual property licensed from third parties; risks associated with HP’s international operations; the development and transition of new products and services and the enhancement of existing products and services to meet customer needs and respond to emerging technological trends; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its suppliers, customers, clients and partners; the hiring and retention of key employees; integration and other risks associated with business combination and investment transactions; the execution, timing and results of restructuring plans, including estimates and assumptions related to the cost and the anticipated benefits of implementing those plans; the resolution of pending investigations, claims and disputes; and other risks that are described in HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013, and that are otherwise described or updated from time to time in HP’s Securities and Exchange Commission reports. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2014 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
 

Interactive formats give mall shoppers omin-channel choices in wayfinding.

York, PA (PRWEB) - Washington Mall in Bermuda called on Livewire Digital to provide up-to-date information to shoppers and diners. "We have to speak to our visitors in their language -- in this case that language is technology. Of course we still have signage on property. We still deliver offers using traditional media. But now we also communicate using computers and smart phones to improve their shopping experience," says Paul Slaughter, General Manager of Washington Properties (Bermuda) Limited. The mobile app, the latest iteration of technology Livewire provided in Bermuda, dovetails with the brand new website released in January, and became available in the Apple iStore and Google Play store in February. The mobile app and website allow tourists to plan their visit ahead of time and provide a handy resource to island residents and workers in the various service industries. With over 600,000 visitors annually to the island, technologically appropriate wayfinding solutions are in demand.

The new interactive formats work hand in hand with Livewire’s original kiosk and wall-mounted interactive digital signs, which were installed for the client in 2010 and 2012. Together, these omni-channel communication tools mean that:

•         wayfinding is facilitated for travelers planning to visit the island
•         tourists already in Bermuda can find stores, restaurants, and special events
•         staff is freed up to provide other guest services
•         management can keep information updated
•         up-to-the-minute content is quickly and easily added
•         marketing messages can be customized and synchronized in each format
•         weather and safety alerts can be communicated instantly
•         customer service workers anywhere on the island can direct inquirers to the new app
•         technology interfaces are safeguarded against improper use
•         user stats are collected to customize future marketing
•         tenants of the mall can access the information they need automatically

The mobile app and website, which is still accepting updates from the 49 shops and restaurants, are powered by Livewire Digital’s eConcierge® Content Management System. David McCracken, CEO at Livewire Digital, says, “This type of omni-channel customer engagement is critical for the success of any retail or tourism-oriented businesses in the future. The four interlaced content management solutions—mobile apps, website, interactive kiosk and digital signage—work together to make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for. At the same time, they give the client a single platform for tailoring service and marketing to customers—all from one central database. Equally helpful, they enable instant dissemination of hurricane and other critical alerts.”

About Livewire Digital

Livewire is the Power to Connect, creating software solutions for kiosks, digital signage, and online and mobile applications, all managed from its eConcierge® Content Management System. Livewire’s many turnkey solutions increase revenue and productivity for its customers, while lowering overhead and providing seamless integration. Livewire provides cutting-edge software, hardware consulting, and system integration, bringing the necessary puzzle pieces together to increase customer engagement and create a better end-user experience.

NCR demonstrates ‘one-stop shop’ approach with innovative software and hardware for hundreds of Lindex fashion retail shops across 16 markets

HELSINKI (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NCR Corporation, the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, announced today that Lindex, one of Europe's leading fashion retailers, is rolling out a complete retail solution to seamlessly manage its omni-channel shopping experience. The solution features both fixed and mobile point-of-sale (POS) components, as well as a comprehensive range of marketing, receipt, order, inventory and returns management software.

The deployment of NCR’s Department and Specialty Retail Suite provides Lindex with a platform that adds new services to improve the overall consumer experience while minimizing migration risks, operational impacts and technology adoption challenges. To help lower operational costs, the new solution will enable Lindex to remove their traditional store servers for a cloud-based deployment, starting this year.

“Our mission is to offer inspiring, affordable fashion to fashion conscious women. To achieve this, we must ensure that our customers are able to shop how, where and when they want. By creating a shopping experience that is more engaging and much more enjoyable, we are making our customers’ lives easier,” said Jonas Björkman, director of IT at Lindex. “NCR helped us achieve this by aligning innovative software and technology with our vision for an omni-commerce future.”

NCR worked closely with Lindex to identify solution requirements and address the fashion retailer’s long-term strategy with an integrated, cost-effective solution that will future-proof its business. NCR will also support existing legacy solutions to maintain a consistent level of service during the migration to new technology.

”Improving the customer experience is at the heart of many major retail strategies, as they engage with consumers through many different channels,” said Adam Blake, vice president and general manager, Department and Specialty Retail at NCR. “Software is at the heart of this omni-channel approach, working seamlessly with proven hardware to provide the experience that today’s tech savvy shopper demands. It also allows retailers, such as Lindex, to run their businesses more effectively and reduce complexity when migrating from legacy systems.”

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation NCR is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 485 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Web site: www.ncr.com , www.ncrsilver.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

Mvix, an industry leader in HD digital signage solutions announces its partnership with industry leading financial institutions to offer financing and leasing programs for small and medium-sized clients.

Sterling, VA (PRWEB) - Mvix, an industry leader in HD digital signage solutions has partnered with industry leading financial institutions to offer financing and leasing programs for small and medium-sized clients. The program will make it easier for its SMB to adopt digital signage by streamlining the financial processes.

Digital signage systems are programmable digital screens that can be used in place of traditional paper or backlit signage. They can consist of a single screen and controller and can be installed for only a few hundred dollars. However, as systems get more complex, such as multiple screens, video walls, and display grids working in tandem with multiple networked controllers, the systems can be more of a financial burden, especially for smaller firms. By partnering with established equipment financing firms, Mvix can have an organization approved for 100% of equipment costs in only a few hours. This program will also make it easier for clients to access more flexible options, such as step-leases and lease-to-own options, which enable financing to be tailored to the income level of the client.

Primarily targeted toward fast-food, fast-casual, and quick-serve segment markets, these financing programs aim to mitigate the financial stress as new business concepts are being tried around the country. “Our financing options will allow franchise-based owners and managers to conserve their working capital and preserve their credit lines,” stated A. Jay, Director of Business Relations at Mvix. “We have worked with our financing partners to enable a hassle-free process. Our website provides a loan calculator to illustrate payment options.”

Digital menu board systems are quickly becoming a necessity in the fast food and QSR market. They enable the restaurateur to present video, animated product photos, logos, graphics and text in any combination or layout - all of which have shown to increase revenues, cross-sales, and customer stickiness. “Ability to vary menu items, pricing, and specials across days and times, instantly and automatically, is a reality in today’s QSR market,” stated A. Jay. “This financing program is designed to meet the needs of such a market.”

Mvix, based in Sterling, Virginia, was founded in 2005 and has become one of the industry leaders in the field of cloud-based digital signage and menu board solutions. With over 9000 clients in over 25 countries, Mvix has established itself as a dominant player in the affordable digital signage market.

To learn more about Mvix’s diverse line of digital signage solutions, call 866-310-4923 or visit: http://www.mvixdigitalsignage.com.

HP's MX10 delivers both stationary and mobile functionality

25 March 2014, Hebron, Ky. - BlueStar, a leading global distributor of ADC, Mobility, Point-of-Sale, RFID, Digital Signage, and Security technology solutions, announced today the immediate availability of the HP MX10, a "3-in-1" point-of-sale solution for retail and hospitality customers. The versatile package combines the HP ElitePad Mobile POS solution with the HP Retail Expansion Dock, providing a seamless transition from a fixed location to a mobile solution. Businesses who once had to choose one or the other can now have the best of both.

The HP MX10 makes point-of-sale completely flexible. Sales associates can check inventory and verify prices at the customer's side, and accept payment with a built-in magnetic stripe reader. Instant connection to the HP Retail Expansion Dock provides a complete POS experience at the counter, with immediate access to receipt printing and a cash drawer.

"Customers are drawn to businesses that consistently meet their needs and expectations in satisfying ways," said Ray Carlin, vice president and general manager, Retail Solutions, HP. "With our new MX10 solution, store managers and associates are empowered with critical information at the point of decision, enabling them to deliver an enhanced customer experience."

The HP MX10 also offers easy integration into existing IT infrastructures. The Windows-based solution links to customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and USB and RJ-45 ports make it simple to connect to a store's existing POS peripherals. The compact and stylish design of the ElitePad makes it easy for associates to carry and use on the sales floor, and the trim functionality of the MX10 Expansion Dock frees up valuable counter space in a stationary configuration. Cable locks and security options protect the unit from theft.

Denise Spears, Business Development Manager for BlueStar, summed up the potential benefits of the new solution. "Now, businesses can serve their customers at the counter or on the sales floor," she said. "The HP MX10 will help them meet their goal of providing the ultimate service experience. And, we have made it even easier for our customers to purchase by bundling the MX10 with pcAmerica software to offer a fully integrated, turn-key point of sale solution. Please see your BlueStar sales rep for details."

About BlueStar

BlueStar is the leading global distributor of solutions-based ADC, Mobility, Point-of-Sale, RFID, Digital Signage, and Security technology. BlueStar works exclusively with value-added resellers, providing them with complete solutions, business development and marketing support. The company brings unequaled expertise to the market, offers award-winning technical support and is an authorized service center for a growing  number of manufacturers. BlueStar is the exclusive distributor for the In-a-Box Solutions Series , delivering hardware, software and critical accessories in one bundle with technology solutions across all verticals. For more information, please contact BlueStar at 1-800-354-9776 or visit www.bluestarinc.com.

About Hewlette Packard

As the world's largest technology company, HP operates in more than 170 countries around the world creating new possibilities with technology and services can help people and companies address their challenges as well as realize their possibilities, aspirations and dreams. HP applies new thinking and ideas to create more simple, valuable and trusted experiences with technology, continuously improving the way our customers live and work.

HP brings together a portfolio that spans mobility, printing, hardware, software, services, and IT infrastructure to empower employees and engage consumers. We provide infrastructure and business offerings that span from handheld devices to some of the world's most powerful supercomputer installations. This comprehensive portfolio helps us match the right products, services and solutions to our customers' specific needs.

lotus823 to provide the audiovisual industry leader with public relations, digital marketing services.

Eatontown, NJ (PRWEB) - lotus823, a PR and digital marketing agency based in New Jersey, is proud to announce the addition of a new client – Peerless-AV, a Peerless Industries, Inc. company and leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of Made-in-the-USA audio-visual solutions.

Through this new partnership, lotus823 will provide public relations and digital marketing services to Peerless-AV. lotus823 will also work with Peerless-AV to execute these tactics with a goal of further building the company’s brand awareness, increasing media exposure, and expanding its engagement with both devoted fans and new relevant followers.

“Continuing to expand our presence in the audiovisual space is a key focus for us at Peerless-AV,” said John Potts, President, Peerless-AV. “Upon meeting with David and the lotus823 team, we knew we found a perfect partner to help us meet this goal.”

Since 1941, Peerless-AV has been a leader in audiovisual mounting, accessory and digital content delivery solutions. The company has also developed the industry’s first fully sealed outdoor TVs for commercial and residential applications.

“We are excited to embark on this new partnership with Peerless-AV and not only impart our wisdom on the company, but also learn from them,” said David Hernandez, Managing Partner, lotus823. “Coinciding with our ability to use public relations, social media and search engine optimization, we’re proud Peerless-AV has joined us as a fully integrated client. We look forward to utilizing our fusion of traditional and digital marketing to increase Peerless-AV’s presence as a thought leader in the TV mount, outdoor TV, digital signage and wireless audio industries.”

lotus823 was founded in 2010 as a full-service PR and digital marketing agency. Combining creative genius, smart thinking and analytical acumen, the executive team at lotus823 developed a new communications model using a cross-platform approach to create an immersive experience for brands and their publics. By building powerful connections across multiple channels, lotus823 delivers engaging business solutions with measurable results.

About Peerless-AV

Peerless-AV, a Peerless Industries, Inc. company, is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of Made-in-the-USA audiovisual mounting, accessory and digital content delivery solutions as well as the industry’s first fully sealed outdoor TVs for commercial and residential applications. The company’s innovative AV products span off-the-shelf, commercial and custom flat panel, projector and tablet mounts as well as cables, AV carts and stands, medical carts and stands, AV racks, AV furniture and a wide range of other accessories. The Peerless Technology Division specializes in wireless, kiosk, touch, digital audio and connectivity technologies that simplify today’s complex digital equipment installations. Peerless-AV manufactures over 3,600 products that serve original equipment manufacturers, commercial integrators and consumer retailers in 22 vertical markets through direct sales representatives and authorized distribution. For more information, visit http://www.peerless-av.com.

About lotus823

lotus823 is an integrated search engine marketing, social media and public relations firm, offering a wide range of services to increase brand visibility both online and offline. With offices in New Jersey, lotus823 develops and executes customized strategies that produce measurable results, for a diverse base of clients. Visit http://www.lotus823.com for more information.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - To efficiently manage internal communication 24/7 among different branches, Muñoz Corporativo has adopted CAYIN’s digital signage solutions. By taking advantage of digital signage, the corporation can instantly show specific information to target audience and further facilitate the information flow across all branches.  

The need for real-time communication

As one of the fastest-growing companies, Muñoz Corporativo requires a reliable, robust, and easy-to-update system to manage its internal communication 24/7 among different branches including four call center floors housing more than 900 positions. In order to efficiently meet various demands from its clients, Muñoz Corporativo needs a complete solution to integrate timely information for various campaigns including surveys, metrics, strategies, etc.

By cooperating with Difraxion Group, CAYIN deployed 101 SMP-WEB4 digital signage players with 101 displays in each branch of Muñoz. Each screen will instantly show specific information to target audience. Through the deployment of CMS-80 content management server, administrators can centrally deliver and schedule messages to each branch via network in the future.  

The Benefits:

Timely • Highly Efficient • Low Labor Cost
In a fast-paced company like Muñoz Corporativo, successfully managing the internal communication is always the key success factor. CAYIN’s digital signage solutions can help Muñoz Corporativo effectively deliver its message to different branches. Administrators can easily manage and schedule various types of content through the central control system.

Please download the complete case study.

Muñoz Corporativo

Muñoz Corporativo is one of the largest call center companies dedicated to managing and developing multichannel campaigns in Mexico. With more than 20 years of experience, Muñoz Corporativo has cooperated with countless global brands to achieve their needs with its high-quality services, including integral collection, customer survey, telemarketing, technical support and direct mailing.

CAYIN Technology

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

Triggered and on-demand content, app-free interactive mobile, high impact content capabilities enhance ComQi's shopper engagement platform

New York, - New high-impact interactive features that drive product awareness and boost sales are now being rolled out to retailers and brands using EnGage, ComQi’s Shopper Engagement Technology platform.

Enhancements to ComQi’s cloud-based in-store digital CMS platform, EnGage, power everything from video content launched by RFID tags on products, to content controlled and integrated with shoppers’ smartphones.

“Shopper engagement is absolutely central when we release new features to our EnGage digital signage platform, ” explains Stuart Armstrong, President Americas and Chief Revenue Office for ComQi. “These latest features add even more depth to a platform that are focused on engaging shoppers in the retail environment, and driving up sales and conversion ratios.”

Triggered Content

Triggered Product Videos - When featured merchandising areas have screens, they can be made interactive for shoppers using low-cost RFID sensors and tags, or simple GPIO switches. For example, moving a specific product instantly triggers a targeted video about it.

Pop-up Product Details - Barcode scanners located near in-store digital displays provide shoppers with key product lookup details, including price, using a semi-transparent pop-up window, that doesn’t interrupt the primary video loop on the in-store screen.

Mobile Interaction

Video on Demand - Sales associates can interrupt a regularly scheduled playlist to show and control product videos displayed on a digital signage screen using their smartphone or tablet. EnGage tools allow store staff to choose from a list of videos to play, pause, rewind, and fast-forward content, on demand.

App-free Mobile Engagement - Passport enable shoppers to communicate in real-time with in-store digital screens using their smartphones, without requiring a dedicated mobile apps. Tapping an NFC tag or scanning a QR code lets shoppers launch a simple but effective browser-based gateway to product information, discounts, and social media.

High Impact Visuals

Whole Store Take-Over: Every screen in a retail zone or entire store can be switched to a single message – such as a flash sale. Timing for visually dominant messaging can be defined down to the second using EnGage, or done on demand in stores using a simple mechanical switch.

Social Integration - Retailers can now blend highly relevant, eye-catching social streams – such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram – with their own messages on store screens.

“In-store digital in 2014 is so much more than just digital signage or mobile apps,” explains Armstrong. “ComQi has been focused on developing and delivering a range of tools that really ‘walk the talk’ about shopper engagement, on one unified, easily managed platform.”

About ComQi

ComQi is a global leader providing a cloud-based Shopper Engagement Technology that influences consumers at the point of decision, in-store, using all digital touch-points: digital signage, mobile, video, touch, web, and social networks. ComQi’s mission is to deliver an end-to-end solution that is tailored to engage consumers by optimizing communications and marketing strategies that provide the best ROI. Passport, ComQi’s mobile solution, is a targeted communication channel between the retailers and the shoppers, through the stores’ displays and the shoppers’ smartphones and tablets.

Through the Passport interactions, retailers enhance their marketing campaign for shoppers to experience a unique and personal connection with their brand.  Visitors are stimulated by an entertaining digital dialogue, reinforcing the brand identity and the consumer brand relationship. Simultaneously, retailers gain valuable detailed data analytics and business intelligence on the shoppers.

ComQi’s hundreds of customers include leading brands around the world, such as Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works, Meijer, H&M/Weekday, Six Flags, AT&T, McDonald’s and The Premier League (in the UK), CinemaxX (in Germany), Toys ‘R’ Us (in China) and Carrefour and Credit Lyonnais (in France).

By combining travel expertise in self-service and retail technology solution leadership, NCR enables airlines and airports to drive more ancillary and non-aero revenues

Barcelona – NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, is showcasing technology solutions designed to improve the travel experience by making it easier for travel providers to sell and passengers to buy.  These solutions are on display at the Passenger Terminal Expo Show, the world’s biggest airport exhibition and conference, March 25-27 in Barcelona.    

As the expectation grows among travelers for a seamless digital experience, so does the opportunity to drive ancillary and incremental sales.  Airlines and airports are turning their sights from the travel industry to the world’s leading retailers for direction on how to maximize this opportunity by engaging buyers at the right place and time.

NCR, a leader in travel self-service and retail, is showcasing solutions that help facilitate the evolution from filling seats to connecting with passengers throughout the journey, including:

•     The NCR Travel Marketplace, a comprehensive self-service merchandising solution designed to help customers sell, attract and promote offers to passengers.
•     NCR mobile solutions that incorporate dynamic content and an advertising platform to engage customers by delivering offers at the right time and place.
•     NCR Wayfinding solutions that integrate with passenger info to drive retail and concession traffic.

”More than half the customers we surveyed around the world said they’d be willing to give personal information in exchange for better targeted offers when they are at airports.”  says Tyler Craig, vice president and general manager, NCR Travel. ”We believe airports and airlines alike can cultivate more revenues by strategically engaging the traveler in how and when they choose to buy.”

To learn more about the solutions NCR has on display at PTE, visit our show site or come by our booth #1636.

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 485 million transactions daily across the retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology industries. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with over 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.  

Web site: www.ncr.com, www.ncrsilver.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

We are pleased to announce the release of our cutting edge mobile application Astray, an augmented reality (AR) app demonstrating how computer vision can increase point-of-sale engagement, brand awareness and revenue opportunities.  By developing Astray, we display our abilities to solve how to utilize the accelerometer to realistically model gravity within the Astry 1context of the AR space, something few in the industry have solved.

AR allows anyone with a smartphone or tablet to transform a printed advertisement, postcard, product package or still image into an interactive 3D experience simply by pointing the device’s camera at it. AR draws consumers into a personalized retail experience by overlaying a new digital world onto the physical world, instantly transforming everyday marketing materials – print, static product packaging, direct mail – into a virtual shopping trip, vacation-like experience or personification of the product.

Built on top of the popular Unity graphics engine, Astray embraces the format of a challenging maze game but adds a clever real-world twist that kids and adults find exciting. The maze-like Celtic world of Astray explores endlessly changing environments, allowing players to experience as much outside of a mobile device as they do within it. Players don’t need to tediously download and print a target as required in first generation AR products. Just snap a photo of a flat surface such as a book or box. Astray will use that as your game board, seamlessly attaching a rich 3D environment to your surface.

Astray mixes animated 3D models in the app to create an AR experience like nothing available in the market. Players can navigate through an augmented reality world, where superimposed graphics, video, audio and other sensory enhancements are used over a real-world environment and in real-time. As players try to beat the clock, they are captivated by the energy and mystery of the application.

UIEvolution utilized Qualcomm’s Vuforia software platform to create Astray. Providing the glue that bridges the virtual and real worlds together, Vuforia gives unparalleled and highly convincing image tracking, making the distinction between the real and the augmented difficult to detect.

Instructions to Play Astray

1.    Download Astray in the Apple Store or Google Play
2.    Hold the device parallel to the target
3.    Fill the viewfinder with the target
4.    Take a picture
5.    Rotate the paper – not the mobile device – to make the ball roll through the mazes

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented reality technology is the merging of real-time, real life scenes or images with digital content that is experienced via a smart device camera, using a mobile app like Astray. The digital content is linked to the real life trigger using image recognition software, and when a camera is focused on the image it quickly launches the digital content, creating an augmented reality experience. It brings to life any creative media with interactive features that help consumers discover, share and interact with brands, products or services.

Augmented Reality for Consumer Engagement and Advertising ROI

The world of marketing and advertising is changing, and it is becoming more and more challenging for brands to stand out from the competition to attract and keep customers’ attention. Applying augmented reality technology to a marketing strategy and creating the appropriate calls-to-action is a highly effective way to engage customers and increase consumer engagement and brand awareness.

And the data collection possibilities with the help of AR are immense. Customer behavior can be gauged and analyzed to make personalized offers and product recommendations, as well as seeing who accessed the AR content, when, from what device, and how long they interacted with it. Augmented reality opens a new window to engage the prospect at a deeper level, offering more profound experiences and more enticing and compelling calls to action.

Augmented Reality is here to Stay

A recent study by Juniper Research has revealed the immense scope of AR, revealing that mobile augmented reality apps generated nearly $300 million in revenue in 2013 and will grow to $5.2 billion by 2017. Apart from applications in games, AR is now being increasingly used in other mainstream areas like enterprise, lifestyle and entertainment. The report states that within 5 to 6 years, each of these sectors should attain annual revenue of more than $1 billion through mobile AR.

UIEvolution – Your Mobile AR Partner

AR solutions and applications from UIEvolution drive brand engagement by merging digital content with real-world objects. Our visual recognition technology can recognize 2D and 3D shapes directly, making logos, products and brochures come alive with powerful, interactive content, creating increased engagement and driving sales.

To find out more about Astray and how your company can utilize the rich technology experience UIEvolution has to offer, contact us today.

Hardware and software from Wincor Nixdorf

Banco del Tesoro is extending its range of customer-friendly automated teller machine services. Venezuela’s third biggest public bank will be installing 200 new CINEO ATMs from Wincor Nixdorf by July of this year, doubling the number of systems in its ATM network and supporting its growth strategy. The order placed by Banco del Tesoro with Wincor Nixdorf also includes software to enhance security and manage the systems.

At many of the systems, the bank’s customers will be able to do far more than simply withdraw cash. For instance, they will be able to use the multifunction systems to deposit cash and checks and process passbooks. They will also be able to use them to pay bills quickly and easily by scanning in all invoice information via a barcode reader and acknowledging the credit transfer with a tap on the touchscreen. Wincor Nixdorf will integrate the software for these services by the fall of this year.

The security of the systems and customer transactions is very important for the financial institution, so PC/E Terminal Security will be installed on all CINEO systems. This software protects self-service systems against unauthorized access as well as viruses, Trojans and spyware. For its IT service management, Banco del Tesoro is counting on ProView software, which also comes from Wincor Nixdorf. Using this software, the bank will be able to access all relevant system software at any time and initiate service processes as and when necessary.

“To grow and reach more customers, we are expanding our branch and self-service network. Wincor Nixdorf made us a compelling offer consisting of harmonized hardware and software that allows us to provide optimal customer service,” said Nancy Rojas, Operational Bank Services General Manager of Banco del Tesoro.

Global technology leader provides leading-edge cinema operator with mobile and cloud-based solutions  

DULUTH, Ga – NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, today announced that Marcus Theatres®, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS), has now deployed NCR’s full suite of cinema and restaurant solutions to improve its business operations and enhance its customers’ movie experience. Marcus Theatres has been a long-time customer, using NCR’s mobile and fixed point-of-sale (POS) systems, indoor kiosks, takeout and delivery software and NCR MovieTime mobile application.

Marcus Theatres is using the full suite of NCR solutions, including NCR’s Aloha takeout software to support its growing pizza takeout and delivery business. This was a ‘found’ business resulting from movie patrons asking for a pizza ‘to-go’ after watching a movie. Marcus Theatres was able to take advantage of the NCR Aloha solution and capitalize on its restaurant functionality to bring in the revenue.

"At Marcus Theatres, we believe technology can't replace personal service, but it certainly can enhance it. Throughout our relationship with NCR, the company has delivered considerable value. We take a data-driven approach to our business and NCR’s software and solutions provide smart, actionable results that translate right into bottom-line savings," said Rolando Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of Marcus Theatres.

Additionally, Marcus Theatres will be amongst the first to integrate Movio’s best-in-class data analytics and campaign management platform into NCR’s cinema POS technology. This will allow Marcus Theatres to make better marketing decisions by providing deep insights into the company’s movie-going customers’ preferences, attendance habits, demographic composition, and as a result increasing marketing campaign effectiveness by tailoring offers to the targeted audience.

“Our goal is to support Marcus Theatres’ vision to create magical movie memories and exceed guest expectations in everything the company does," said Brian Whitney, managing director, Cinema, NCR Corporation. “For 17 years, our cinema solutions have enabled Marcus Theatres to build a better, more connected relationship with its customers by offering an exceptional user experience.”

About Marcus Theatres

Marcus Theatres®, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS), is the fifth largest theatre circuit in the United States and currently owns or operates 685 screens at 55 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio. For more information, please visit www.marcustheatres.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@Marcus_Theatres).

About The Marcus Corporation

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries, with significant company-owned real estate assets. In addition to its Marcus Theatres division, the company’s lodging division, Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in 11 states. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.marcuscorp.com.

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 485 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Web sites: www.ncr.com, www.ncrsilver.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

About Movio

Movio (www.movio.co) is the global leader in marketing data, analysis, insights and campaign creation and management for theatrical exhibitors and distributors.  Working with cinema exhibitors and distributors in six regions worldwide, Movio maintains real-time, authoritative data on the loyalty activity and transactions of over 26 million customers.

Digital signage keynote and educational sessions; More than 35 AV manufacturers showcasing digital signage products; Joint reception

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) - Fresh off its first successful stop in Dallas earlier this month, today Almo Professional A/V announced it will co-locate with ISA International Sign Expo for the next E4 AV Tour event on April 23 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. E4 Orlando will be held in conjunction with ISA Sign Expo, taking place in the same location, April 23-26.

“This is the first time we have co-located our E4 event with a major tradeshow and we look forward to connecting with those in the sign industry to share the value, benefits and profitability opportunities in digital signage from an AV perspective,” according to Melody Craigmyle, vice president of marketing for Almo Professional A/V. “E4 Orlando will include a digital signage keynote address, a full day of courses focusing on digital signage and information about Almo’s new Content Creation Services, and more than 35 audiovisual manufacturers showcasing the newest digital signage products. We will also co-host a reception immediately after E4.”

Craigmyle added that the morning keynote address and afternoon panel discussion will also be available live via webstream so those who cannot attend in person can still tune in to ask questions and learn valuable information.

“We are so excited to have Almo’s E4 tour co-locating with ISA International Sign Expo,” said Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO. “Dynamic digital signage is a growth area for the sign industry. Partnering with Almo’s E4 tour will bring integrators and sign manufacturers together to help both serve their customers better.”

Now in its fifth year, the E4 tour continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of AV resellers, integrators and consultants. Credited as the industry’s most specialized one-day dealer event, E4 has traveled to countless cities to serve the product, technical and business training needs of thousands of resellers and installers while creating the ideal forum for professional networking.

ISA International Sign Expo is the on-premise sign industry’s largest event, drawing 19,500 attendees in 2013. Its exhibit floor exceeds 200,000 square feet of space and includes an area dedicated to this unique sector of the sign industry, ISA Dynamic Digital Park (DDP). In addition to education sessions within the DDP throughout the show, ISA will once again hold Dynamic Digital Day at ISA Sign Expo on Wednesday, April 23, a special day of education for sign companies dedicated to dynamic digital signage.

E4 Orlando will include a specialized keynote address delivered by Gary Kayye of Kayye Consulting called “Press the ‘ON’ Button: Digital Signage is Here to Stay,” which focuses on how to get in on the ground floor of this explosively growing market. Additionally, E4 Orlando will include the following courses, some worth valuable InfoComm Renewal Units:

•         Content Creation for Digital Signage. Almo Content Creation Team            
•         Power and Grounding Best Practices. InfoComm International                 
•         Don’t Be a Commodity: Dealing with RFPs. Stimson Group, LLC
•         Video Walls: A Start to Finish Guide for Success. NEC                
•         Assessing Network Readiness for AV Systems. InfoComm International
•         Demystifying Media Players for Digital Signage. Brawn Consulting
•         New A/V Integration Model. Stimson Group
•         The Art of “Techorating” with Displays for Commercial Applications. Brawn Consulting                  

Epson EIC Training and Event  
          
Epson’s traveling integrator certification (EIC) training is making a stop at E4 Orlando and will feature three customized sessions for attendees:

•         Color Light Output - A New Industry Specification/Specifying Large Venue Projectors
•         The Integrated Interactive System/Guide to Selecting Front Projection Screens
•         5 A/V Technologies That Will Define the Next 5 Years

E4 Orlando Details

E4 Orlando is on April 23, 2014 at the Orange County Convention Center and runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be an onsite networking reception sponsored by Almo, ISA and NEC Display Solutions of America immediately following from 4:00-5:00 p.m. It is an entirely free event, including parking, for Almo Pro A/V’s reseller, integrator and consultant partners. To register, go to http://www.e4avtour.com. The E4 AV program can be accessed on demand during and after each event for instructor videos, copies of the course presentations and live Twitter updates.

About ISA International Sign Expo

ISA International Sign Expo is the on-premise and visual communications industry’s largest event, bringing together local and national sign companies, suppliers and manufacturers. ISA International Sign Expo showcases the breadth of the industry, from digital printing to dynamic digital signage. It offers four days of education for the sign industry as well as a 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall. To learn more, visit http://www.signexpo.org.

About Almo Professional A/V

Almo Professional A/V provides the industry’s most advanced product distribution, training and education, and technical support options available for the Pro AV community. With a highly skilled sales team, reseller education programs, seven 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 is a division of Almo Corp., the nation’s leading independent distributor of consumer electronics and major appliances. For more information about Almo Professional A/V, please call 888-420-2566 or go to http://www.almoproav.com. Almo Professional A/V can also be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/almoproav and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/almoproav.

About ISA

The International Sign Association (ISA) is a 2,300-member trade association. Its members are manufacturers, suppliers, and users of on premise signs and sign products from the 50 United States and 60 countries around the world. ISA supports, promotes, and improves the worldwide sign industry, which employs or directly impacts over 250,000 American workers and more than $49 billion in annual shipments.

*All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

Company may build up to 10,000 of the patent-pending systems over the next 5-years

CORONA, Calif./PRNewswire/ -- AVT, Inc. (OTC Markets: AVTC) (www.autoretail.com), a leader in the design and development of custom kiosks and automated retailing units, announced today that they have signed a manufacturing agreement with Opticwash, creators of the world's only self-service kiosk dedicated to the cleaning of eyewear and jewelry.

The Opticwash kiosk cleans and sanitizes eyeglasses, sunglasses and jewelry to perfection in a matter of moments.

The system uses Reverse Osmosis water, which is filtered to the point where it has no minerals or organics, and can attack and absorb dirt on contact. Additionally, an ultraviolet light source kills up to 99.9% of bacteria.

The Opticwash system began development in 2009 and has had great success during beta testing. The Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) participated in the beta testing with 7 kiosks in 3 different bases throughout Florida.

Opticwash kiosks have also proved successful in 5 shopping malls in Florida, the Wyndham visitor center at the Emerald Grande (2013 Hotel of the year), two marina ship stores, two Airport Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) and other locations.

The Opticwash system has won many awards, including three gold medals at INPEX - America's Largest Invention and New Product Expo - for best design, best cleaning product, and most entertaining system, plus it earned the Grand Prix Award for overall best new product.

"Just as 20 years ago no one would have ever thought to buy water in a bottle, we believe that soon, most people won't even think about cleaning their eyewear with a cloth or shirt," said Bryan Myers, CEO of Opticwash. "The market potential is enormous and we are pleased to have partnered with AVT, and look forward to their contributions in manufacturing and development as our company continues on this remarkable growth path."

Germs! Don't touch that!

The average human touches their face between 3,000 and 4,000 times a day. With the outbreak of the flu virus and other germ-related aliments, having a clean pair of glasses and sanitized jewelry is essential.

Over 4 billion people worldwide need or wear some type of corrective glasses. There are over 350 million pairs of sunglasses and over 150 million pairs of corrective lenses sold every year. Over $18 billion dollars is spent on eyewear each year, yet there was no easy way to remove the bacteria around the nose bridge or frame areas, or protect eyewear from the scratches that hand-cleaning causes… until now.

The Opticwash kiosk drives customer traffic while generating ongoing revenues, and is perfect for most locations, including shopping malls, schools, airports, student unions, hotels, bookstores, and optical centers.

"We are excited to be involved with this great company and this amazing kiosk," said Shannon Illingworth, Founder and Chairman of AVT, Inc. "Opticwash will create an entire new industry, and develop a powerful, worldwide brand in the process," he added. "We are proud to have been selected as their manufacturing partner and look forward to helping them achieve their goals."

For more information on Opticwash, contact the company at (352) 745-0500, or visit the website at: www.opticwash.com

For more information on AVT contact the company at (877) 424-3663, or visit the website at: www.autoretail.com.

Super Hi-Brite Public Information Displays and complete Kits for Digital Signage and Retail applications

Gilching, Bavaria, Germany – Brightness is taken to a new level with Samsung’s new 46” Ultra High Brightness PID Display LTI460HZ01. With an amazing 5.000 cd/m² it enables superior sunlight readability and exceeds existing Public Information Displays in large sizes by a significant factor. Previously shown only to selected customers on ISE in Amsterdam earlier this year now sample orders can be placed. Distributor Display Solution AG offers also complete Display-Kits with its in-house developed controller boards.

The Hi-Brite 46 inch FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution LCD panel comes with an extremely wide viewing angle of 178°/178°,  a high speed response time of only 8ms and a high contrast ratio of 4.000:1. Operating in portrait and landscape mode and with a low power consumption the PID Displays perfectly matches the special requirements of modern Digital Signage applications in Retail, at Point-of-Purchase, Entertainment etc.

Placement of screens outdoor, or indoors in high-ambient light conditions, such near a window, has been the most challenging use of other panels in the past. The new Samsung 46” high brightness screen combats the effects of high ambient light and direct sunlight conditions by maintaining an excellent visible image.

LTI460HZ01 is a PID Display from Samsung Semiconductor Europe. Samples available in Q2 and MP planned for Q3 2014.

About Display Solution

Display Solution, based in Gilching, Bavaria, Germany, is a leading developer and marketer of customized LCD solutions for existing and future markets, combining leading-edge screen and electronic technologies. Products range from single components to complete system solutions built around TFT displays for commercial and industrial use with applications in such areas as digital signage, point-of-sale, point-of-information, automation, measurement engineering, medical instruments, and other mobile and embedded applications.
 

Optimized for use in broadcast applications

Clinton, NJ – Kramer Electronics is pleased to announce the introduction of the VP-470 3G HD−SDI Digital Scaler.  The VP-470 is a digital scaler for SDI signals up to 3G HD−SDI resolution.  It up or down-scales SD, HD and 3G HD-SDI signals to one of 16 resolutions of up to 1080p @60Hz.

The VP-470 is ideal for use in broadcast applications.  The output of the VP-470 can be used to feed a production switcher, edit suite, or router in a television studio.  It can take the feed from a satellite receiver and scale it before it is sent out live over the air.  In production, it can scale camera feeds coming in from the field before ingesting the footage into a video server.
 
The VP-470 has one SDI input and looping output for a local monitor on BNC connectors to accept an SD, HD or 3G SDI signal.  Its input automatically detects the incoming signal format.  Supported formats include SMPTE standards 259M (SDI), 292M (HD-SDI) and 424 M (3G HD-SDI). The VP−470 simultaneously outputs the scaled signal to two active outputs on BNC connectors.

The VP-470 supports output resolutions of 480i @59.94Hz, 576i @50Hz, 720p @50/59.94/60 Hz, 1080i @50/59.94/60Hz, 1080p @23.98/24/25/29.97/30Hz and 1080p @50/59.94/60Hz.

The VP-470 features a built−in proc amp that can adjust the brightness, contrast, and color of the output signal.  The picture can be conveniently adjusted via the on-screen display (OSD) of the VP-470, accessed by the front panel buttons.  Also included on the front panel is a button for image freeze.  These settings are stored in non−volatile memory that retains the last settings used.

The VP-470 also has selectable output aspect ratio settings of Full (default), 16:9, 16:10, 4:3 or Best Fit and it has the ability to turn over-scan on or off.

The VP-470 features an external 5V DC power source, making it suitable for field operation and it is housed in a compact Kramer MegaTOOLS™ enclosure.  The VP-470 is currently in stock and available from Kramer Electronics sales companies around the world.

For information about all of Kramer Electronics, Sierra Video, Minicom Digital Signage and Kramer Powered by Calibre products please visit www.kramerus.com.  

Forty interactive touchscreens strategically deployed throughout Dubai International Airport are used by millions of passengers to reach their gates and more  

DULUTH, GA, – NCR Corporation, the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, has been selected by the Digital Screenmedia Association for providing the Best Travel & Hospitality application of digital signage.

Deployed by Dubai International Airport, NCR Wayfinding is an interactive solution allowing passengers to search on a touchscreen for gates, flights, restaurants, shopping, restrooms and more.  It enables passengers to easily toggle between Arabic and English, and incorporates airport-standard symbols enabling usage by speakers of different languages, acritical feature for the world’s second busiest airport for international traffic.

“At an airport serving 60 million passengers a year, having an automated solution that scans boarding passes and projects a route through this enormous facility is vital to providing a great customer experience,” says Tyler Craig, vice president and general manager, NCR Travel.  “The solution also provides weather forecasts at destinations and delivers dynamic, customized content depending on how much time a passenger has before a flight.”

NCR’s solution has a backend tool that allows airport operations staff to update their maps and kiosks in real-time to respond to changes in operations. For example, if a restroom or other facility is closed or out of service, the staff can instantly change the map and all the information center kiosks will update automatically.

“This was truly one of the best sets of entries we have ever seen,” said Paul Flanigan, executive director of the DSA. “We received entries from all over the world, including Denmark, Australia, Taiwan, Dubai, and Canada as well as outstanding entries from the United States. So many of the entries and winners are branching out beyond one channel of consumer engagement. Many used two or three channels, including digital signage, mobile, and kiosks. It’s clear that multi-channel interactivity is beginning to dominate the consumer experience in every vertical.”

The Digital Screenmedia Association Industry Excellence Awards honors the best digital signage, mobile and self-service kiosk technology deployments across all vertical market segments.  For more information on the association and to see a full list of award winners, please click here.

About the Digital Screenmedia Association

The DSA is an independent, non-profit association, whose mission is to advance the growth and excellence of the global digital signage, interactive kiosk, and mobile community through advocacy, education and networking. Members include users of digital screenmedia in all vertical markets including retail, hospitality, food service, and healthcare, as well as manufacturers, resellers, and distributors of hardware and software, network operators, integrators, advertising agencies, consultants, analysts, publishers, trade show organizers, and service companies. http://www.digitalscreenmedia.org

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 485 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries. The company encourages investors to visit its web site which is updated regularly with financial and other important information about NCR.
 
Web sites: www.ncr.com, www.ncrsilver.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation
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Wincor Nixdorf is further scaling the portfolio for cash management in retail

Wincor Nixdorf has extended the payment systems terminals by the MEI Banknote recycling system (BNR). Through this Wincor Nixdorf is able to offer a more scalable solution which can easily be adapted to customer demands.

“The decision by Wincor Nixdorf to specify the MEI BNR reinforces the value that cash recycling offers automated checkout lanes,” said Tom Nugent, CPI president – Gaming and Retail. “It is also a testament to the MEI BNR, which has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to deliver on its value proposition in this market space.” Crane Payment Innovations (CPI) is part of Crane Co., a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products, and has used its acquisition of MEI to launch CPI.

The MEI BNR, which is an abbreviation for bank note recycler, utilizes notes collected from customers in previous transactions to dramatically lower a store’s cash float while simultaneously offering efficiencies across the entire cash management process. The product’s unique architecture – featuring a 600-note cashbox to store notes for bank deposit, a 250-note loader to supply additional quantities of notes that are heavily used and four-denomination recycling – was designed specifically for automated checkout. Retailers consistently have reduced cash float by 90% while minimizing machine downtime to either refill dispensers or remove full cashboxes. And, because the BNR uses notes provided by customers, retailers can streamline back office operations and costs associated with transportation to the bank.

“Wincor Nixdorf is constantly striving to expand its automated checkout product portfolio to offer our customers the most efficient product,” said Mark Brew, Wincor Nixdorf strategic purchasing manager. “The BNR allows us to offer the benefits of four-denomination note recycling technology at an overall unit cost that offers retailers an attractive payback.”

“Wincor Nixdorf and MEI will enter into a cooperation centered around the BNR that will result in compact, powerful and economical retail solutions, especially for the North American market,” said Gerhard Schiller, Wincor Nixdorf vice president, global head of product line retail automation.

MEI offers a full range of note processing solutions to the Retail market. SC Advance has become the standard product in automated checkout lanes that utilize separate devices to accept and dispense notes.

“The BNR’s success in automated checkout lanes continues MEI’s evolution from being a component supplier to a cash management expert,” said Tom Nugent. “Retailers continue to notice the positive impact of note recycling on operations from the store to the bank. Due to the costs that have been historically associated with managing cash, retailers are eager to implement MEI technology to define new cash processes and, ultimately, enhance profitability.”

Prominent platform to allow experimentation and customization of kiosk app

SALT LAKE CITY – Moki (www.mokimobility.com), a leader in mobile app security and operations, today announced that its kiosk app MokiTouch is available for extension via the Apache License 2.0 model. This move further positions Moki to help developers and businesses using tablets as kiosks. Leveraging the existing source of MokiTouch, developers now have the opportunity to customize Moki’s solution for their unique circumstances.

The open source projects for MokiTouch iOS and Android are available at https://github.com/MokiMobility/MokiTouch-iOS and https://github.com/MokiMobility/MokiTouch-Android respectively. The Moki Engineering team will monitor issues and questions through GitHub.

“We are seeking to enable the developer community, as well as companies, that need to create custom kiosk solutions,” said Tom Karren, CEO and co-founder of Moki.” Our mission at Moki is to enable continuous innovation, and we are excited to be more collaborative with our customers on the MokiTouch apps via this open source model.”

MokiTouch is a mobile app designed to enable the creation of remotely manageable kiosk networks using iPads and Android tablets. MokiTouch can be easily managed using Moki’s Manager product, which provides control, security and support at the device and app layers. Together MokiTouch and Manager help companies deploy, monitor and support custom kiosk experiences. Whether the kiosks are all in one location or spread across the globe, users can quickly and easily manage the entire experience from a single web dashboard.

MokiTouch is one of many apps that leverages Moki’s SDK, which gives app developers the ability to easily add control, security and support features to any app. Moki’s Manager service is also in a wide variety of app types including mPOS, personal productivity, hospitality and retail.

MokiTouch delivers the essential visibility, control, and security needed in customer-facing kiosk apps. It is highly configurable, and all MokiTouch settings can be adjusted on the device or through the Moki Manager service. Other key features include web traffic tracking, printing, content control via ‘white-listing,’ video and image play lists and powerful user data security.

To find out more about MokiTouch, please visit http://mokimobility.com/products/mokitouch/.
   
About Moki

Moki is founded on the vision that mobile apps are increasingly the touch point where enterprises engage with their customers. The company’s mission is simple: give enterprises the tools they need to thrive in the app era. Moki is continually developing new ways to help companies deploy, support and secure their mobile initiatives.

Service hours extended through NCR APTRA Interactive Teller

CLARINDA, Iowa, — PCSB Bank, a family owned community bank in Southwest Iowa, is the first bank in the state to implement software-driven interactive video technology from NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer transaction technology. NCR APTRA™ Interactive Teller lets PCSB customers bank with a live video teller and conduct up to 95 percent of typical teller transactions – beyond what can be done at an ATM.

“Our family is both excited and proud to bring the most innovative banking technology to our hometown communities,” said Ken Whitmore, Owner, PCSB Bank.

In November 2013, PCSB Bank installed two drive-up Interactive Teller units at its south branch location in Clarinda, extending service hours to 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Friday and 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturdays.  Interactive Teller Machine (ITM) technology allows customers to speak with a live remote teller, while giving the teller remote control over the machine to conduct transactions.

Since the initial November launch, PCSB Bank has installed a third drive-up Interactive Teller unit at its branch in Lenox, a strong agricultural community with a population of 1,400.

“By utilizing ITM technology, we were able to increase the service hours for our Lenox customer base by 173 percent,” said James Johnson, Chief Operations Officer, PCSB Bank. “The drive-up ITM from NCR not only allowed us to extend weekday hours in Lenox, but also allowed us to offer all new Saturday hours. We’re using ITMs right alongside our local branch staff, and it’s just incredible what this new channel has done for our customers in terms of convenience. Interactive Teller is a digital extension of our people, and allows us the ability to maintain our very personal, relationship-driven style of banking that our customers value so much.”

PCSB Bank has plans to bring Interactive Teller to all branch locations over the next two years.

“NCR technology helps financial institutions better connect their customers with their staff, growing the relationship and their brand in the local community,” said Jed Taylor, general manager, NCR Interactive Services. “Interactive video technology creates a bridge between availability and personal service. At PCSB Bank, customers will be able to bank with a staff member more often and more conveniently.”

About PCSB Bank

Founded in Clarinda, Iowa in 1866, PCSB Bank has grown over the past 147 years into a multi-branch institution serving consumer, agricultural and commercial customers throughout Southwest Iowa.  It is currently a fourth generation family owned business with $185MM in assets and branch locations in Clarinda, Corning, Creston, Lenox and Mt Ayr.  PCSB Bank seeks to enrich local communities by offering innovative products and services to assist customers in reaching their financial goals.
Website: www.pcsbbank.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pcsbbank

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 485 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Web sites: www.ncr.com, www.ncrsilver.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

CHICAGO - EA274WMi Ideal for Corporate Environments with Its WQHD Resolution, Slim Profile, Full Ergonomics and Comprehensive Connectivity

NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading provider of commercial LCD display and projector solutions, announced today that its 27-inch MultiSync® EA274WMi display received PCMag.com’s Editors’ Choice Award for Best Big-Screen Business Monitor.

In the product review, the publication writes: “Always popular with business users, NEC’s MultiSync EA series of desktop monitors continues to impress.  The latest addition to the [MultiSync] EA family, the NEC MultiSync EA274WMi uses a high-resolution, 27-inch IPS panel to deliver robust colors, wide viewing angles, and solid grayscale performance.”

The EA274WMi is a 2560 x 1440 WQHD resolution, LED-backlit model featuring a slimmer profile, lighter weight and increased power savings than previous generation displays.

“The EA274WMi display has been delighting people since it came on the market late last year, and we’re grateful for PCMag.com’s highest honor,” said Kevin Christopherson, Director of Product Marketing for Desktop Displays at NEC Display Solutions. “The unit’s extensive input panel and NEC exclusive features like ControlSync are additional benefits that help this display stand out.”

The MultiSync EA274WMi display ships with a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty, and is available at an estimated street price of $799.  

About NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc.

Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc., is a leading designer and provider of innovative desktop LCD monitors, commercial- and professional-grade large-screen LCD displays, a diverse line of multimedia and digital cinema projectors, and integrated display solutions. NEC Display Solutions develops leading-edge visual technology and customer-focused solutions for a wide variety of markets, including enterprise, healthcare, education and digital signage. It has deployed more than one-million large-format displays worldwide.  For additional information about NEC Display Solutions of America products, call (866) NEC-MORE, or visit the website at www.necdisplay.com.

About VUKUNET

VUKUNET, from NEC Display Solutions of America, is the engine that powers the digital out-of-home advertising business.  VUKUNET is the only universal ad serving platform that drives ads to any digital out-of-home network, regardless of content management system. VUKUNET makes the buying, flighting and reporting of digital out-of-home ad campaigns easy.  For additional information about VUKUNET, visit www.vukunet.com, or call (877) 805-VUKU. 

Axiomtek’s railway transportation solutions awarded the "Taiwan Excellence 2014"

Taipei, Taiwan, March 12, 2014 - Axiomtek, one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of innovative, high performance and reliable PC-based industrial computer products, offers advanced industrial-grade and ruggedized box computers and panel computers that are in compliance with railway standards and related regulations. Designed with high performance and reliability in mind, these intelligent transportation product lines were made specifically to meet the complex demands of Mass Transit/public transport, high speed rail and rolling stock applications. They were built and tested for a range of extreme conditions including drops, vibration, shocks, dust-resistance and temperature extremes. These high-performance computers can be operated using green power and various peripheral interfaces for applications such as intersection traffic control, passenger infotainment system, video surveillance, passenger information system, automatic gate operations. With over 20 years of experience in industrial and embedded computing, Axiomtek is the leading expert manufacturer of railway computer hardware. The company proudly offers products that meet certifications and regulatory requirements. Its design capabilities and ability to provide long-term partnership and customer support make Axiomtek the best choice for intelligent transportation product needs.

“Today, we are moving into a new era of intelligent transportation. Every country in the world lists the public transport as one of the major national development projects. The Taoyuan Aerotropolis project in Taoyuan County in Taiwan is one of the best examples. By interconnecting the Aerotropolis MRT system with the current Airport Access MRT system, this complex network can effectively transport Taiwan populations in all directions. Since rail transport can be considered a type of sustainable transport, many cities are moving towards improving their current systems to be more environmental friendly and incorporating the following characteristics as key project considerations, i.e., energy saving, high loading, low pollution and high safety level. Rail transport supports massive traffic volume in the most effective manner. It is fast, reliable and helps reduce urban traffic congestion and parking problems as well as air pollution. Our railway solutions are designed to meet all of the demands of the new era of intelligent transportation,” said Roger Shyu, product manager of Product Marketing Division at Axiomtek.

Axiomtek’s advanced tBOX321-870-FL adopts onboard high-performance Intel® Core™ processor and onboard DRAM which greatly reduce the impact of vibration and shock in railway environments. It is certified with EN50155/EN50121 for rolling stock, and complied with EN45545-2 for fire resistance which greatly advancing the system performance and reliability. This compact, embedded box computer has an IP40-rated and rugged aluminum extrusion and steel case. It can operate in critical environments with temperature ranging from -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F). For system reliability and stability, Axiomtek’s tBOX321-870-FL offers M12 type of LAN, USB 2.0, power input, and audio port which keep all cables tightly secured. Two front-side SATA3 HDD drive bays with RAID 0/1 function are lockable and removable. Its anti-vibration design can endure up to 5Grms (with SSD or CFast) and 1Grms (with HDD).  Three PCI Express Mini Card slots are added to the system for greater expansion capability. One SIM slot is also available for 2G/3G/4G, GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth applications, allowing for more efficient networking options. In case of emergency, the tBOX321-870-FL can provide a stable, reliable and effective communication to the control center, dispatch attendant and driver.  Axiomtek’s tBOX321-870-FL received the prestigious "2014 Taiwan Excellence Award" from the Taiwan’s Ministry of Economics Affairs for Excellence in Design and R&D. This application-ready platform is perfect for many transportation applications including mobility control unit, passenger information systems and transportation video surveillance systems.

The most common rail-related accident occurs at railroad crossing. Without a clear eye-witness account of the unfortunately event, it’s difficult to determine the accident’s cause, responsibility and future prevention steps. Through remote wireless transmission technique, a video from the railway’s surveillance system at each railroad crossing can be transmitted to the control center to promote safety and accident prevention. Axiomtek’s eBOX660-872-FL is a designed to serve the unique requirements of rail safety.  This specialized embedded box computer is equipped with powerful Intel® Core™ processor, high performance DDR3 memory, rich network and wireless connection capabilities (WiFi or 3G/GPRS). The eBOX660-872-FL is equipped two PCI Express Mini Card slots and two SIM card sockets with eight isolated DI/DO. It’s allowing for connectivity to a sensor or camera for environment control and security management. For noiseless and reliable operation in critical environments, this rugged unit has excellent fanless and thermal design, and can stand operating temperature ranging from -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F). Its rugged aluminum cold-rolled steel enclosure possesses anti-vibration advantage, which protects the entire system from vibration up to 3 Grms (with CFast™).  With the great graphics computing capability and dual-view support, this embedded platform is also suited for automatic optical inspection, digital signage, digital surveillance, gaming, automation control, embedded controller, factory automation and POS/Kiosk. Axiomtek’s eBOX660-872-FL was also awarded the "2014 Taiwan Excellence Award” for Excellence in Design and R&D.

Another Axiomtek product designed to serve the unique needs of the transportation industry is the rugged DIN-rail controller, rBOX101-6COM (ATEX). The system can be used to manage various functions related to train operations, e.g., automatic door control in train, MRT or high speed rail station. The rBOX can serve as the control unit for a train’s doors to open and close rapidly, safely and continuously to accommodate large flow of human crowds. This rugged system is equipped with the ultra-low power Intel® Atom™ processor Z520PT, six isolated COM ports and isolated digital I/O and is built to withstand extreme environments. It operates in temperature ranging from -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F) and has an ATEX anti-explosive certification, making the unit more reliable and stable in potentially explosive environments. To streamline the implementation of management software application, Axiomtek has exclusively launched the “AXView,” its own proprietary system management software solution for customers who want to customize their own remote management system with ease. This hardened, feature-rich embedded system is among one of the most thoughtful creations in the industry. Deservedly, the rBOX101-6COM (ATEX) was also awarded the "2014Taiwan Excellence Award." Despite the fact that the system is designed to serve the complex needs of the transportation industry, the rBOX101-6COM(ATEX) can also be used for other indoor and outdoor industrial applications, i.e., power plant automation, facility monitoring systems, intelligent transportation systems.

With the rapid growth of railways and the increasing number of trains and passengers, it is important to set up the railway dispatch and command center to effectively monitor the status of train operations. Axiomtek’s GOT3187W-832-PCT is an 18.5" WXGA fanless touch panel computer that can be used in harsh environments with an operating temperature range from -10°C to +50°C (14°F to +122°F). The slim, multi-touch PCT panel PC offers great performance using low power consumption Intel® Atom™ processor.  Among many important features this panel computer has to offer, the GOT3187W-832-PCT has one PCI Express Mini Card slot for wireless network connection to support the growing demands of wireless applications. By simply plugging in the WLAN mini card, the users can have instant access to a variety of wireless LAN/GPRS/GSM/3G/4G/LTE networks. Axiomtek’s GOT3187W-832-PCT was also awarded the "2014 Taiwan Excellence Award" and is also suitable for many applications including marine, heavy industry, and oil pipe monitoring systems.

The tBOX321-870-FL railway box computer, the eBOX660-872-FL fanless embedded box computer, the rBOX101-6COM (ATEX certified) DIN-rail system, and the GOT3187W-832-PCT rugged human machine interface are available for purchase. For more product information, please visit our global website www.axiomtek.com or contact our sales representative at .

Greenville, SC - SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX), a leading distributor of IT products and services, was named Distributor of the Year by CradlePoint, a global leader in cloud-managed, 3G/4G networking solutions for distributed enterprises, at the CradlePoint 2014 Channel Partner Kick-Off in Scottzdale, AZ. CradlePoint is a strategic vendor for SYNNEX' MOBILITYSolv group, which provides end-to-end mobility and connectivity solutions leveraging best-of-breed vendors that help resellers increase employee productivity in a highly mobile world through its connect, move, control strategy.

In addition to being CradlePoint's top producing distributor, SYNNEX was selected for providing exceptional service to CradlePoint resellers; its flexibility regarding special programs including pilot programs; its strong stocking positions and its thought leadership on product needs and VAR recruitment, engagement and onboarding. SYNNEX has access to all CradlePoint products and distributes them across a variety of verticals including retail, financial services, transportation, hospitality and more.

"We are honored to be named CradlePoint's Distributor of the Year, a recognition that solidifies MOBILITYSolv's exceptional approach to providing best-in-class support for mobility resellers," said Adnon Dow, Vice President, Global Mobility Solutions, SYNNEX Corporation. "We value CradlePoint's ongoing commitment to helping drive our MOBILITYSolv strategy and shared vision of furthering the development of mobility solutions in the IT channel."

 "At CradlePoint, we have seen firsthand how SYNNEX' MOBILITYSolv group accomplishes their pledge to deliver best-in-class service and support to the mobility ecosystem," said Tony Puopolo, Vice President, Channels, CradlePoint. "SYNNEX' long-standing expertise in the IT channel and high-level of thought leadership has proved to be invaluable to our company and has provided great value to our joint customer base."

To learn more about CradlePoint through SYNNEX, visit www.synnex.com/mobilitysolv.

About SYNNEX Corporation

SYNNEX Corporation, a Fortune 500 corporation, is a leading business process services company, servicing resellers, retailers and original equipment manufacturers in multiple regions around the world. The Company provides services in IT distribution, supply chain management, contract assembly and business process outsourcing. Additional information about SYNNEX may be found online at www.synnex.com.

About CradlePoint

CradlePoint is the global leader in cloud managed 3G/4G networking solutions, providing business grade, secure connectivity to distributed enterprises. Specializing in business continuity, advanced edge routing, machine-to-machine (M2M), and primary connections, CradlePoint's award-winning solutions are purpose built for PCI-compliant networks. CradlePoint is the first to pioneer and fully enable high-speed LTE in our solutions to maximize the potential of the cloud for businesses worldwide. CradlePoint is a privately held company in Boise, Idaho. Learn more at CradlePoint.com or follow us on Twitter @CradlePoint.

Safe Harbor Statement                                                                                                                                            

Statements in this release that are forward-looking, such as the general success of the collaboration and product and service capabilities and features, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release.

Copyright 2014 SYNNEX Corporation. All rights reserved. SYNNEX, the SYNNEX Logo, MOBILITYSOLV, and all other SYNNEX company, product and services names and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of SYNNEX Corporation. SYNNEX and the SYNNEX Logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Other names and marks are the property of their respective owners.

DALLAS, March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, today announced that Ed Heffernan, president and chief executive officer, and Charles Horn, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will present at the following conferences:

•     Ed Heffernan will present at the TAG Spring 2014 Consumer Conference at the Westin New York at Times Square in New York, on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. The presentation will take place at 9:05 a.m. EDT and will be broadcast live over the Internet at the following address:  http://wsw.com/webcast/tag11/ADS.
•     Charles Horn will present at Barclays Emerging Payments Forum 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in New York on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 8:50 a.m. EDT and will be broadcast live over the Internet at the following address: http://cc.talkpoint.com/barc002/032414a_bc/?entity=4_DB4WI58.

The company's presentations can also be accessed through the Company's website at www.AllianceData.com. A replay of the webcasts will be available for 30 days following the presentations.

About Alliance Data

Alliance Data® (NYSE: ADS) and its combined businesses is a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving large, consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys customized solutions, enhancing the critical customer marketing experience; the result is measurably changing consumer behavior while driving business growth and profitability for some of today's most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its clients create and increase customer loyalty through solutions that engage millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies. An S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, Alliance Data and its three businesses employ approximately 12,000 associates at more than 80 locations worldwide.

Alliance Data consists of three businesses: Alliance Data Retail Services, a leading provider of marketing-driven credit solutions; Epsilon®, a leading provider of multichannel, data-driven technologies and marketing services; and LoyaltyOne®, which owns and operates the AIR MILES® Reward Program, Canada's premier coalition loyalty program. For more information about the company, visit our website, www.alliancedata.com, or follow us on Twitter via @AllianceData.

New York/Boston, - ComQi, a global leader of shopper engagement technology, and Aceso, the healthcare industry’s premiere interactive patient care and digital media solutions provider, announced today that they won the DSA Industry Excellence Awards for the Best Healthcare Digital Signage for their Spaulding Hospital Deployment.  

ComQi and Aceso™ are providing Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, a global leader in rehabilitative medicine, with turn-key digital media solutions.

Combining the strengths of ComQi’s EnGageTM Content Management System and the local messaging capabilities of OnSite Manager™, Aceso has delivered a cloud based digital media solution for a full range of creative options.

The Spaulding digital network utilizes the technology to transform the hospital experience into an inspirational and uplifting environment for its patients, friends, family and healthcare personnel.   The 1×6 video wall in the lobby of the facility acts as a digital signage canvas displaying encouraging visuals.  A determined rower is seen steering down the scenic Charles River in Boston filling visitors with emotional strength as they embark on their rehab program.  The network content includes motivational videos and images, patient testimonials, stories of strength and local messaging with entertaining video features, news and weather as well as informative facility information.   The dramatic videos and branding templates were developed in a collaborative approach between ComQi, Aceso, Spaulding and their agency of record FORGE Worldwide of Boston.

“Our ability to integrate the digital media system seamlessly into our new facility was truly a unique opportunity to improve our environment of care while also setting a new standard for our peers nationwide,” said John Campbell, CIO, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. “For our staff, patients and their families the system has allowed us to push and create impactful messaging from the moment you step into our building all the way to the bed side.”

Geoff Fiedler, President and Co-Founder of Aceso commented: “This award is a credit to the collective team of Spaulding, ComQi and Aceso that executed on a shared vision for creating a revolutionary patient and guest experience. This solution supports Spaulding’s mission of building patient strength and confidence. We are very proud of what has been installed and grateful to DSA for the recognition.”

Stu Armstrong, President of ComQi North America and Chief Revenue Officer, said, “We are honored that ComQi’s technology underpins such motivational messaging at one of the top rehabilitation facilities in the country.  Thanks to the excellent work by our client Aceso, the Spaulding project sets the gold standard in showing how the healthcare industry recognizes the importance of positive and inspirational messaging in its facilities.”

About ComQi

ComQi is a global leader providing a cloud-based Shopper Engagement Technology that influences consumers at the point of decision, in-store, using all digital touch-points: digital signage, mobile, video, touch, web, and social networks. ComQi’s mission is to deliver an end-to-end solution that is tailored to engage consumers by optimizing communications and marketing strategies that provide the best ROI. Passport, ComQi’s mobile solution, is a targeted communication channel between the retailers and the shop­pers, through the stores’ displays and the shoppers’ smartphones and tablets. Through the Passport interactions, retailers enhance their marketing campaign for shoppers to experience a unique and personal connection with their brand.

ComQi’s hundreds of customers include leading brands around the world, such as Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works, Meijer, H&M/Weekday, Six Flags, AT&T, McDonald’s and The Premier League (in the UK), CinemaxX (in Germany), Toys ‘R’ Us (in China) and Carrefour and Credit Lyonnais (in France).

About Aceso

Aceso, (Uh-kesso) provides the nation’s premier interactive patient care and digital media solutions. UpCare ™ delivers patient-specific educational content, top entertainment and bedside assistance to enhance recovery, ease staff workload, improve outcomes and better coordinate education and patient care. Hospital Television Network, (“HTV”), Aceso’s digital network of screens, enables patients and visitors to experience personally relevant and timely content in common, waiting and treatment areas. Aceso’s engaging and efficient digital display solutions communicate a caring experience across the entire hospital enterprise to bring patients, visitors and staff closer together. Our approach to care connects the public with the provider and creates awareness while building confidence in the provider’s expertise and specialties Established in 2009 and headquartered in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Aceso advances patient care for some of the nation’s leading hospital networks, from the bedside up. Please visit www.aceso.com for more information and follow Aceso on Twitter- @Aceso UpCare.

About the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Founded in 1971, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston is one of the largest rehabilitation facilities in the United States, and ranked the 6th top rehabilitation hospital in the country by U.S. News & World Report. As the official teaching hospital of the Harvard Medical School Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Spaulding is at the forefront of research in advances in rehabilitative care. In April 2013, Spaulding opened a new 132-bed facility in Charlestown which is a national model for environmental and inclusive design. With a wide range of inpatient programs and 23 outpatient centers throughout Eastern Massachusetts, Spaulding strives to continually update and improve its programs to offer patients the latest, high-quality care through its leading, expert providers. Spaulding has been awarded a Model Systems designation in three specialty areas- Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and Brain Injury Rehabilitation- by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. For more information, please visit www.spauldingrehab.org

The awards recognizes the best digital signage, mobile and self-service kiosk technology deployments across all vertical market segments.

Louisville, KY (PRWEB) - The Digital Screenmedia Association (DSA) has announced the winners of its annual DSA Industry Excellence Awards, which honors the best digital signage, mobile and self-service kiosk technology deployments across all vertical market segments.

The 2014 winners are:

Best Corporate Communications Digital Signage
Project: Four Winds Enterprise Interactive Experience
Client: Four Winds Interactive
Submitted by: Four Winds Interactive

Best Corporate Communications Self-Service/Interactive Kiosk
Project: Performance Court Videowall
Client: Morguard
Submitted by: Cineplex Digital Solutions

Best Cultural Digital Signage
Project: Dallas Arboretum – Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden
Client: Dallas Arboretum
Submitted by: Reflect Systems

Best Digital Out-of-Home Digital Signage
Project: HTC Interactive DOOH Campaign
Client: HTC
Submitted by: Aerva, Inc.

Best Entertainment/Gaming Digital Signage
Project: Art Alive Crayola Experience by GestureTek
Client: Crayola Experience
Submitted by: GestureTek

Best Financial Services Digital Signage
Project: Jyske Bank TV
Client: Jyske Bank
Submitted by: Scala, Inc.

Best Government/Education/Non-Profit Digital Signage
Project: Montréal Convention Centre
Client: Palais des congrès de Montréal (Montréal Convention Centre)
Submitted by: Arsenal Media, Inc.

Best Healthcare Digital Signage
Project: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Client: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Submitted by: ComQi, Inc.

Best Healthcare Self-Service/Interactive Kiosk
Project: Digital Wayfinding Solution for Gold Coast University Hospital
Client: Command Australia
Submitted By: 22 Miles, Inc.

Best Retail Digital Signage
Project: TELUS Digital Signage – SportChek West Edmonton Mall
Client: FGL Sports Ltd.
Submitted by: TELUS

Best Retail Digital Self-Service/Interactive Kiosk
Project: The Home Depot Appliance Finder
Client: Home Depot
Submitted by: Image Manufacturing Group

Best Travel/Hospitality Digital Signage
Project: Interactive wayfinding: navigating a path to success at Dubai Airports
Client: Dubai Airports
Submitted by: NCR Corporation

Best Travel/Hospitality Self-Service/Interactive Kiosk
Project: New York City MTA On-the-Go Kiosk
Client: New York Metropolitan Transit Authority
Submitted by: Control Group

Best Screenmedia Integration Award
Project: @Cafe Social Media Headquarters
Client: San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball Club
Submitted by: Array Interactive

“This was truly one of the best sets of entries we have ever seen,” said Paul Flanigan, Executive Director of the DSA. “We received entries from all over the world, including Denmark, Australia, Taiwan, Dubai, and Canada as well as outstanding entries from the United States. So many of the entries and winners are branching out beyond one channel of consumer engagement. Many used two or three channels, including digital signage, mobile, and kiosks. It’s clear that multi-channel interactivity is beginning to dominate the consumer experience in every vertical.”

The prestigious panel for the 2014 DSA Industry Excellence awards were:

Lyle Bunn - BUNN
Paul Burkhart - DigiEngage
Jeremy Caverly - Quicken Loans
Christopher Hall - DigitalSignageToday.com
Pat Hellberg - Preset Group/Kaicon
Luke Kelly - Westpac Banking Corporation
Bob Kronman - Kronman Associates Ltd.
Dan LaFayette - Lowe’s Companies
Faith MacPherson - Avery Dennison
Jared Padgett - Pepperdine University
Barnaby Page - Screenmediamag.com
Lou Thurmon - Two West
Michael Tutton - Ontario Lottery & Gaming Commission
Beth Valdettaro - Burkhart Marketing Associates
Janet L. Webster - Creative Solutions Consulting, LLC

About the Digital Screenmedia Association

The DSA is an independent, non-profit association, whose mission is to advance the growth and excellence of the global digital signage, interactive kiosk, and mobile community through advocacy, education and networking. Members include users of digital screenmedia in all vertical markets including retail, hospitality, food service, and healthcare, as well as manufacturers, resellers, and distributors of hardware and software, network operators, integrators, advertising agencies, consultants, analysts, publishers, trade show organizers, and service companies. http://www.digitalscreenmedia.org

Company helps banks create digital, in-branch marketing experiences.

New York, NY (PRWEB) - OpenEye, a global digital media consultancy, has announced the completion of a multi-million dollar, full rebranding initiative for one of the 25 largest retail banks in the United States. The company also is working to expand the digital merchandising program for the bank’s UK entity.

OpenEye upgraded more than 700 branch locations with 1,500 digital displays by creating a dynamic, modern environment, including a digital merchandising program that allows the bank to communicate more frequently and effectively with its customers. The program – designed and implemented by OpenEye – allows the bank to display a variety of dynamic marketing messages, such as real-time rate information, localized offers and core product information.

“We look at the relationships banks have with their customers and the means in which they communicate with them to create and position a digital merchandising program,” said Bryan Meszaros, OpenEye managing partner. “The goal was to allow the bank to maximize the impact of their marketing messages and help increase customers’ awareness around new product offerings.”

Meszaros says more banks are turning to digital as they explore ways to upgrade their in-branch marketing and boost engagement with customers.

“Digital technologies have brought a major shift in consumer banking behavior. Brick-and-mortar branches will need to leverage the latest technologies to offer a personalized banking experience if they want to secure their place in the future. Digital tools are driving this transformation,” said Meszaros.

As banks explore ways to integrate digital solutions in their branches, Meszaros says no two clients are alike. That means the products and technologies that were successful with one client won’t necessarily work in the next project. Therefore, OpenEye engineers and designers listen to clients before they start to develop a solution and offer a customized approach.

“It shouldn’t just be a display on the wall – you should look at ways to integrate the displays within the design of the environment,” said Meszaros.

OpenEye is involved in all phases of the digital signage installation, from start to finish – and beyond. This includes conceptual design and content creation, either by OpenEye staff or one of its partners.

The company also completed projects at Provident Bank and Brooklyn Independence Community Bank, before it was acquired.

OpenEye has studios in New Jersey, New York, San Diego, London and Moscow. For more information, visit http://www.openeyeglobal.com.

About OpenEye

Formed in 2003, OpenEye is an award-winning digital media consultancy, which looks to combine consumer insight, technology and creativity to redefine how brands and retailers engage with consumers through a strategic digital in-store experience. With studios in New Jersey, New York, San Diego, London and Moscow, OpenEye has worked with such high profile brands, including The Nuance Group, The Corcoran Group, Apple, and Penske.

Middletown, CT Digital merchandising firm, Reality Interactive has been working with Time Warner Cable for over a year to roll out their redesigned experience stores. After rolling out 20 smaller stores nationwide in 2013, Time Warner Cable was ready to unveil their New York City Flagship Store in February 2014.

The Time Warner Cable Flagship Store features a range of digital installations, including a large video wall, interactive product demos, a digital fireplace, several large 21" tablets combining product learning with internet browsing, multiple 5-screen video walls around the store and smaller signage tablets highlighting relevant offerings to customers during face-to-face contact with Time Warner Cable associates.

Each piece of technology was strategically placed in the store. Customer and employee traffic flow, crowding, engagement zones and sightlines were taken into careful consideration. The placement of digital experiences was designed to encourage traffic movement in some areas while discouraging crowding in others, and various techniques were used to draw customers in. The screens are placed so that they are visible from different locations in the store, each playing a different role in the customer journey.

Flagship Store: TWC Anywhere Showpiece from Reality Interactive on Vimeo.

"This was an exciting project for us because we could take everything we had learned from the smaller stores over the past year and apply it to this new grand retail environment," Creative Director, Doug Hampton-Dowson said. "The customer experience was always the central focus for us. We wanted to create the right blend of entertaining, relatable content with just the right amount of brand messaging. Our challenge was to create an environment where customers could experience intangible Time Warner Cable services in a tangible way."

The biggest, most exciting part of Reality's digital installation is the Mobile Station Showpiece; a larger-than-life 90" custom-built tablet that looks and behaves like a giant mobile device.

The Time Warner Cable Flagship Store is located at 43 W 23rd St New York, NY 10010. The grand opening event is slated for March 18, 2014. For more information on this project, please visit http://realityi.com/work/time-warner-cable-nyc-flagship-store

Reality Interactive is a full-service Digital Merchandising agency developing solutions for kiosks, signage, eCommerce, Mobile and Social Media.

The white paper explores why customer engagement amplifies marketing impact. It further explains how the marriage of interactive technology with digital signage opens a world of possibilities to savvy marketers.

LENEXA, Kan. – Continuing the tradition of providing keen insight into the booming digital signage (a.k.a. digital-out-of-home, DOOH) media marketplace, Keywest Technology released a white paper today with the rather cheeky title, Give Your Digital Signage The Finger! It emphasizes how the marriage of complementary technologies is creating more opportunities for brand managers and marketers alike by integrating customer engagement into corporate objectives and strategies.

The premise of the white paper is based on the principle of synergy, which is this: the sum of related technologies holds a greater potential than any of the individual parts. The white paper makes a case that those who are willing to try something different also have the ability to succeed. The paper goes on to explain that by adding an interactive component to digital signage, the possibility of creating many forms of progressive customer experiences are greatly magnified.

David Little, Keywest Technology’s Director of Marketing, made this observation concerning the white paper’s supposition, “Imagine where we would be today without the smartphone? Do apps make the smart phone brilliant or is it the nifty swipe screen? What we are talking about in this white paper are synergistic products, and if you have a smartphone, then you know exactly what we are talking about—now let’s apply this thinking to business needs.”

To make sure the white paper remains practical and not just theory, two real-life examples are given in the “portfolio” section that highlight installations by national brands. The most exciting example of a synergistic product that Little mentions is referred to in the portfolio as a “digital concierge” application.

For example Sam Ruggles, the Hospitality Solutions Manager for Keywest Technology, advocates interactive digital signage where added efficiencies via automation can promote useful customer touch points. Ruggles stated, “Our digital concierge is the centerpiece [for hotels]. It operates on so many levels for individual guests that it truly becomes part of the hospitality service process and greatly enhances the quality of the guest experience.”

Rather than emphasizing the technology, the new white paper expounds the advantages of expertly integrating known and trusted technologies in clever ways that bring about improvements in self-service, wayfinding, product selection, and customer loyalty. This is a major departure from the non-interactive digital screens that work on the same principle as television, which have become so common in today’s marketplace.

Keywest Technology is making the white paper available free of charge on major digital signage news forums, but interested readers can also download the white paper directly from Keywest Technology’s corporate website (KeywestTechnology.com) by browsing in the menu bar and selecting “White Papers.”

About Keywest Technology

Keywest Technology is an authentic developer of digital signage technology and a full-service provider offering solutions from simple playback to large multi-sign and interactive networks. Keywest builds systems with a holistic approach that includes key software technologies, creative design, system design, and comprehensive support. Based in the Silicon Prairie of Lenexa, Kansas, the company is dedicated to making business communication as easy as a day at the beach. For more information, visit www.KeywestTechnology.com.

Market leader in business collaboration delivers enhancements that enable mobile and distributed teams to connect through a "better than being there" experience

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Cisco made a series of announcements aimed to put high-quality video at the fingertips of everyone in the organization—in organizations of all sizes.

Technology makes it easier to connect and collaborate with colleagues, partners, and customers from any location—whether that's the work office, the home office, a hotel room, or a coffee shop. Reliable, high-quality, interoperable video—as opposed to video that's webcam-based, unreliable, or incapable of scaling—plays a significant role in the collaboration mix. With it, a San Francisco-based manager can have face-to-face meetings in London in the morning, spend time with the East Coast team in the afternoon, and close out the day with the manufacturing team in China–an eight-hour feat even the most seasoned traveler couldn't achieve by plane alone.

But there isn't enough of this technology: Industry statistics show that more than 93 percent of meeting rooms globally aren't equipped with high-quality video. So, many times we have to do without.  

For truly amazing things to happen, Cisco believes video needs to be available everywhere: from the browser to the boardroom to all the spaces in between, including the other 93 percent of meeting rooms. To get those rooms video-connected, Cisco today announced the following:

Great experiences for every conference room

Cisco announced three video systems so people can effectively share video and content in rooms ranging from small to large, depending upon their needs as well as the setup of the room. These fully integrated systems combine a sleek, award-winning design with a simple and intuitive user experience. In its second generation, the Cisco TelePresence® MX200 is optimal for smaller rooms, is value-priced to scale, is incredibly easy to install, and offers premium HD resolution out of the box. The Cisco TelePresence MX700 and Cisco TelePresence MX800 represent the performance line and are ideal for medium- to large-sized rooms. These integrated systems come equipped with premium HD resolution and support H.265, which will give users incredible quality at half the regularly-needed bandwidth.
 

No compromises between price and performance

Costing less than the price of a PC, the Cisco TelePresence SX10 Quick Set builds upon elements many companies already have in smaller meeting spaces—flat panel displays—to create incredible video meeting spaces. Sure to be popular with SMBs, this system turns any standard flat panel display into an HD video collaboration system in 10 minutes or less. By making such a high-quality experience available at such an attractive price point, Cisco aims to make video the de facto collaboration tool for every conference room.

Everyone has a front-row seat

As anyone who has endured a video call via webcam will tell you, a video session is only as good as the camera technology behind it. Cisco announces two new offerings in this category, both of which work with many of the solutions announced today. The Cisco TelePresence Precision 60 offers the industry's best image quality (1080p60), is highly adaptable to varying light conditions, and has a large zoom range, ensuring that the entire view is captured. The Cisco TelePresence SpeakerTrack 60 gives everyone the best seat at the table; based on the Precision 60, it is a unique dual camera system that intelligently finds the active speaker in larger meeting rooms and quickly zooms in to show his or her image. Intelligent facial recognition and voice triangulation technology lets the camera follow the speaker from table to white board and then seamlessly move to the next speaker when he or she begins to talk. The result is a more natural conversation—smoother transitions, less latency, and fewer disruptions.

For unique rooms and use cases – the integrator's dream

Not every room is built alike, and not every customer has the same needs. The Cisco TelePresence SX80 is an ideal solution for integrators looking to equip large, unique spaces with video. The new, powerful, and flexible Cisco® SX80 can be paired with a variety of camera options (including the two announced in the paragraph above), can support up to three screens, and joins the MX700 and MX800 as the industry's first platforms to support H.265 for great quality at significant bandwidth savings.
 

Making every screen count with Intelligent Proximity

It takes more than mere travel avoidance to make video "better than being there"; things get truly interesting when video technology is additive to the experience. Cisco is committed to delivering these additive innovations, and in that vein today announced that it will integrate the innovative beta feature Intelligent Proximity with several of these new endpoints.* With Intelligent Proximity, the Cisco video system senses any smartphones and tablets that users have brought into the meeting and asks if the user would like to add them into the experience. Once paired, the user can easily view shared materials, save needed slides, and even review previously shared content without asking the presenter to go back – all directly from the mobile device's display. It's a completely new way to make mobile devices an extended part of the collaboration video experience.

Making collaboration simple to install, deploy, and scale

Giving users delightful experiences every time requires collaboration technology that is simple for IT and partners to set up, maintain, and deploy. To that end, Cisco announced the following to help organizations get going quickly:

- Giving organizations of all sizes the building blocks to simplify installation, deployment, and scale. The ability to order all the applications needed to support collaboration environments with a single SKU—and get them on a preloaded, ready-to-activate server—dramatically eases deployment and maintenance. Today Cisco enhanced its popular, existing packaged solution for smaller organizations, the Business Edition 6000, by adding all the software needed to manage pervasive HD video conferencing and including a new, low-cost, 25-user starter license bundle and a new wizards-based tool that dramatically reduces deployment time. Due to the popularity of the BE6000 and demand from larger organizations for a similar offering, Cisco today also introduces the Business Edition 7000 for organizations with more than 1,000 users. Built to help IT keep pace with the organization, the new solution quickly and easily expands to meet the growing demands of the business.

    Collaboration in the Cloud. Cisco is committed to offering organizations the same collaboration user experience regardless of whether they opt for a premise-based solution, a cloud-based model, or a bit of both. To that end, Cisco today enhanced the Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to make it easier for remote or mobile users to get cloud-based collaboration over the Internet with no VPN required. Cisco also made HCS more attractive for mid-sized organizations by giving them the ability to cost-effectively get voice mail and smaller contact centers for 20-100 agents. Cisco today also improved operational efficiencies with management tools for quicker onboarding and better end-customer experience. Learn more about these innovations and how they will help HCS partners reach new markets here.

AVAILABILITY
All products announced today are expected to be available in spring 2014.

Availability Disclaimer: Many of the products and features described herein remain in varying stages of development and will be offered on a when-and-if-available basis. Products and features are subject to change at the sole discretion of Cisco, and Cisco will have no liability for delay in the delivery or failure to deliver any of the products or features set forth in this document.
 

SUPPORTING QUOTES

Jeremy Stubbs, VP Business Development, Sabre Travel Network
"As a global technology company, Sabre provides travel and video management solutions to thousands of corporations with our GetThere business. We know the importance of business travel and video collaboration with customers, partners, and suppliers. There are times when video really can be just as good as being there, and can play a pivotal role for organizations large and small—as long as it is delivered at the right price, in the right format, and provides business-class quality, reliability, security, and interoperability. Cisco gives customers all of this – from software on their desktops to small and large room-based systems to help customers enhance collaboration everywhere."

Richard Johnston, IT Manager, Raymond Handling Concepts Corporation
"We are a small but mighty company that uses enterprise-level solutions to enhance the bottom-line effectiveness of our entire company. When researching this, we found that Cisco's Hosted Collaboration Solution delivered by Collab9 with voice, video, instant messaging, and presence was by far the best cloud option for our company. Not only did cloud-based collaboration increase the productivity of our workers, but it also financially reduced our recurring monthly costs, showing an immediate positive impact to our bottom line."

Chris Walston, CIO, Coldwell Banker Howard Perry Watson
"As far as organizations go we're on the small side-but we're certainly big enough to need secure and highly reliable voice, video, and collaboration services. To be productive and efficient, we needed to support a bring-your-own device program and give our employees IM, presence, and click-to-call not only from their desktop but also from the device of their choice. Moving to a Cisco-Powered cloud service gave us exactly what we needed—at a price we could afford and in a configuration that frees up our IT staff to focus on other key projects."
 

James de Poortere, CEO of Viju Americas
"At Viju, we're committed to uniting technology, innovation, and creativity in order to increase business performance. The new video collaboration solutions introduced today by Cisco couple industry-leading innovation, such as H.265 ready-endpoints and intuitive user interfaces, with value and affordability."

Rowan Trollope, SVP/GM, Collaboration Technology Group, Cisco
"Previous attempts to deliver collaboration have been incremental and good. But the cold, hard truth is that today's collaboration tools are forcing users to do today's jobs with yesterday's technology. It is time for a change. The industry is ready for a great leap forward, and Cisco is making that leap. These new products represent the first phase of a multi-phase rollout in how Cisco is reimagining collaboration and setting the foundation for a revolution in the industry; stay tuned for more."

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected. For ongoing news, please go to http://thenetwork.cisco.com.

About Cisco Capital:
Cisco Capital provides customers and partners with customized financing solutions allowing them to take advantage of state-of-the-art collaboration technology and services. With effective cash flow management, organizations can to continue to invest in other key pieces of business such as research and development or workforce growth. For more information about Cisco Capital, please visit: www.cisco.com/capital

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.

Includes content creation services for digital signage, interactive and video production; content creation course offered next week at E4 Dallas

PHILADELPHIA - As another way to provide revenue opportunities for its partners, Almo Professional A/V today launched a new Content Creation Services Program for digital signage, interactive and video production. The new services allow Almo partners to offer content creation as part of the initial installation and the ongoing maintenance package to include in a sale. Almo is showcasing its content creation services and offering a Content Creation for Digital Signage session during its E4 AV Tour, which stops in Dallas on March 11.

"Our integrators have a wealth of experience installing displays, distributing signals and controlling digital signage solutions, however, one area that has been underdeveloped is the ability to provide content creation services to round out their offerings," said Sam Taylor, executive vice president and COO for Almo Professional A/V. "As the first distributor to offer our own private label content creation services, we are enabling our integrators to provide a true end-to-end digital signage solution for their customers and enjoy increased margins from the services revenue."

Whether the client is in need of a single asset or full-scale custom content project, Almo's content creation team has the experience and expertise to design it. Some of the specific offerings include:
Digital Menu Boards. Allows the flexibility of changing pricing, menu items and features. This package is suitable for smaller chain restaurants ranging from upscale casual dining to quick serve.

Live TV with L-Bar. Offers the best of both worlds - live TV broadcasting of news or sporting events while a smaller portion of the display focuses on the client's business. Bars and restaurants can feature drink specials or seasonal menu items, while the healthcare professional's waiting room might display new clinical offerings and services.

Lobby Welcome Sign. Help the client make a lasting impression with lobby welcome signs. Customized to include the company's branding, the lobby sign facilitates directional needs or can be used for internal communications.

Ultra HD 4K Video Clips. Choose from hundreds of stock 4K video clips that provide stunning content. The library includes everything from outdoor scenery, sports, lifestyle and everything else in between. Almo also offers custom editing as well as sound design and audio mixing to the clips to make them perfect for a specific installation project.

Custom Content Offerings. If it can be imagined, the content team can create it. Some custom options include video walls, way finding and directory screens, interactive kiosks, waiting room signs and more.

To learn more about Almo's Content Creation Services or to get started, contact the Almo Content Creation Services Team by calling 888-420-2566, ext. 6546 or send an email to contentcreation@almo.com.

Content Creation for Digital Signage Session at E4 Dallas  

Everyone knows that the digital signage market has had exponential growth over the past 10 years. Many AV, IT and even traditional signage companies have hooked at least part of their wagon onto this market by selling displays, media players and all the hardware essentials. But what about the content? Not much has been put into take advantage of the residual revenue from content creation, not to mention the value-add that can be brought by providing this service. This session will take attendees through the different options of how to offer these services to a client. Real-world installations and case studies will be shown as examples of how to implement content creation into a business model.

E4 Dallas Details

E4 Dallas is on March 11, 2014, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas and runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is an entirely free event, including parking, for Almo Pro A/V's reseller, integrator and consultant partners. To register, go to www.e4avtour.com. The E4 AV program can be accessed on demand during and after each event for instructor videos, copies of the course presentations and live Twitter updates.

About Almo Professional A/V

Almo Professional A/V provides the industry's most advanced product distribution, training and education, and technical support options available for the Pro AV community. With a highly skilled sales team, reseller education programs, seven 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 is a division of Almo Corp., the nation's leading independent distributor of consumer electronics and major appliances. For more information about Almo Professional A/V, please call 888-420-2566 or go to www.almoproav.com. Almo Professional A/V can also be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/almoproav and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/almoproav.

The VP-773 and VP-774 offer 4 HDMI Inputs and an HDBaseT™ output and are part of the family that won the 2013 AV Awards Systems Product of the Year Award

Kramer Electronics is pleased to introduce the VP−773 and the VP-774 ProScale digital presentation scaler/switchers. The VP−773 has 8 inputs and the VP-774 has 9 inputs, including four HDMI inputs, one DisplayPort (DP) input, one composite video input and two computer graphics video inputs.  The VP-774 also includes a 3G HD-SDI input.  These models scale the video, embed the audio where applicable, and output the scaled video signal simultaneously to two HDMI outputs and one HDBaseT (Twisted Pair) output. The VP-774 also includes a 3G HD-SDI output.  The audio output is simultaneously available on digital and unbalanced analog stereo outputs.

The VP-773 and VP-774 support multiple output resolutions, up to 2K and including 1080p.  The units feature Kramer’s PixPerfect™ Scaling Technology - Kramer’s precision pixel mapping and high-quality scaling technology which results in superior image quality. They also incorporate Kramer’s FTB™ (Fade-Through-Black) switching technology that ensures ultra-fast, glitch−free switching.

The VP-773 and VP-774 are HDTV compatible, HDCP compliant and support HDMI Deep Color.  They also feature advanced input and output EDID Management and the ability to set a user-selectable EDID for each input on the unit.  This is a significant advancement in scaler/switcher design and results in improved integration into AV systems and a significantly enhanced user experience.

These scaler/switchers have a built-in ProcAmp that allows for individually setting color, sharpness, contrast, brightness and gamma for each input.  They also include a built-in time base corrector to stabilize video sources.

The VP-773 and VP-774 advanced feature sets also include:

•     Mass Notification Emergency Communication System - a unique and important feature that provides the ability to have a national or campus-wide notification immediately displayed when an emergency situation develops. Notifications include flexible options such as the inclusion of an audio alert siren, and the choice of displaying either a text crawler or a text window. The system uses the industry standard Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) to ensure compatibility with existing systems.
•     Full Web Page Management - an easy-to-use, built-in web server activates when connected through Ethernet, to provide simplified setup and switching, windows customization, scaling and deinterlacing functions, and more.
•     Kramer’s K-IIT XL™ Picture-in-Picture Image Insertion technology – the image from any video source can be inserted into or positioned next to a computer graphics video source image or vice versa. Using this technology, both images can be sized in any manner and positioned anywhere on the screen.
•     Luma Keying Technology - an easy-to-use method of compositing two video sources into a single image. By setting up a “key” image or clip on a black background, this image can be merged onto the primary video.

The VP-773 and VP-774 also include powerful audio DSP functions and a microphone input that supports mix and talk−over features, as well as 0−90msec adjustable delay to prevent feedback.  The units offer flexible control options through their front panel buttons with OSD (on-screen display), contact closure capability, IR remote interface and the included Control Application software, which is available for use via the unit’s Ethernet and RS−232 control ports.

The VP-773 and VP-774 are housed in a standard 19" 1U rack-mountable enclosure, with rack "ears" included. The VP-773 and VP-774 are currently in stock and available from Kramer Electronics sales companies around the world.

For information about all of Kramer Electronics and Sierra Video products please visit
www.kramerus.com.

About Kramer Electronics

Founded in 1981, with its world headquarters in Israel, Kramer Electronics Ltd., is a leading manufacturer of high-quality analog and digital audio, video and computer signal management products for the ProAV, Presentation, Production, Broadcast, Home Theater, Houses of Worship and Security markets.  Kramer’s product line includes audio, video and computer signal processing equipment, distribution amplifiers (DAs), switchers, matrix switchers, digital and analog decoders and encoders, time-base correctors, presentation accessories, cable assemblies, scan converters and scalers.  Kramer also offers broadcast quality routers, distribution amplifiers, and controllers through Kramer’s acquisition of Sierra Video Systems.  Recently, the company added a line of Serial Digital (SDI), FireWire (IEEE 1394), DVI, HDMI and HDTV signal processing and distribution equipment.

Aside for its headquarters in Israel, Kramer has corporate sales and distribution offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, India, China, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia.

www.kramerus.com

Star Micronics announces  its partnership with UK-based mobile payment company Ensygnia to offer retailers a powerful and engaging in-store customer experience.

UK-based mobile payments company Ensygnia, backed by Telefonica’s technology start-up accelerator Wayra, has developed a secure mobile payment app called Onescan that has been integrated into the unique 38cm high ‘All-in-One’ interactive communication platform, the AsuraCPRNT™ from Star Micronics. With the explosion of mobile POS and the emergence of software companies responding to this evolving marketplace, it comes as no surprise that Star has been chosen for its mobile POS printing solution. Star is known for low cost reliable POS printing solutions, many of which have been installed in major retail and hospitality applications worldwide.

The revolutionary patented Onescan process from Ensygnia enables retailers to sell products via a digital screen with customers simply using their smartphone to scan the screen and make fast, friction-free purchases through the secure mobile payment app. As a result, any customer viewing a promotion holding an iOS or Android device can purchase on the go with just one scan, making it ideal for endless aisle applications. All Customers have to do is use the App to scan the special Onescan padlock on the screen to trigger the transaction.

The AsuraCPRNT is a new versatile compact solution that can integrate seamlessly into any environment or mobile infrastructure as a stand-alone terminal, server or Thin Client solution whether at store entry, point-of-sale or shelf edge to run product advertising, retail merchandising and point-of-sale promotions. At its heart is the powerful Cortex processor that manages the 7” touch screen and 80mm intelligent receipt, ticket and coupon printer housed within. Much more than a standard kiosk, this innovative solution offers a unique way to engage customers, simplify and personalise the purchase experience and ultimately maximise sales.

Richard H Harris, CEO, Ensygnia states: “Star Micronics are innovative leaders in their field and share the same vision as Ensygnia for a simple fast and secure shopping experience, reducing queues and basket abandonment. Working together and being at RBTE is a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate to retailers how we can allow any connected device with a camera to interact with the screen on the AsuraCPRNT™. Typically we can turn looking into buying in just ten seconds and the difference with Onescan is that our patented app using bank-grade encryption to authenticate ensures a secure transaction.”

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Ensygnia. Its significant expertise in the mobile payment software arena perfectly compliments Star’s extensive experience in developing pioneering POS printing solutions. Our commitment to this rapidly evolving market is reflected in a broad portfolio of mobile printing solutions including the unique 38cm high ‘All-in-One’ interactive communication platform, the AsuraCPRNT™, which is ideal for running the Onescan application from Ensygnia and allowing retailers to provide an engaging customer experience,” adds Annette Tarlton, Marketing Director, Star Micronics EMEA.

Meeting the needs Of expanding digital media client base

Reflect, the premier turnkey digital media solutions provider for out-of-home customer experiences, today announced additions of key personnel and departmental roles to keep pace with the needs of their rapidly growing industry and client base.  Reflect, coming off a very successful 2013, has added personnel to sales, creative, operations and executive management in preparation for a new chapter of growth in 2014.

Servicing brands like Target, Best Buy, GameStop, and Verizon Wireless for over a decade, Reflect’s reputation as the go-to turnkey solution provider for in-store digital media has led to rapid growth including nine new clients in the last eight months.   In response to this growing demand, Reflect has added to its executive management team and refocused key leadership roles.

Bart Massey joins Reflect as Chief Operating Officer.  He is responsible for leading product design and development, and for providing technical leadership for internal and partner programs.  His background in engineering management and operations allows him to bring almost twenty years of experience to Reflect’s leadership team.  Prior to joining Reflect, Bart led development teams from startup software teams to large cross-discipline R&D organizations, and also gained years of experience in business strategy consulting and venture capital management.  Bart holds a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.

“Reflect has amazing resources, a tremendous customer base, and is well positioned for exciting growth. We have world class people and a proven product, and I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to and grow this great team.” said Massey.

Rusty Wagner joins Reflect as Senior Vice President of Sales.  Wagner is responsible for business development and sales, and provides consulting services on in-store digital media solutions to ensure clients maximize their return on investment.  Rusty brings over twenty years of account management and sales expertise for technology solutions.  Before joining Reflect, Wagner was Director of Sales, Central Region, for Prysm.  In this role, he was responsible for strategic business development of scalable video wall solutions aimed at delivering immersive and engaging visual experiences.

“I am excited to start a new journey with Reflect.  My entire career has been spent in the technology industry and I look forward to continuing that tradition by providing best of breed solutions to current and future Reflect customers.  I am fortunate to be joining such a respected company that prides itself on unmatched quality, service, and people,” said Wagner.

“I am thrilled by the talent and experience we have on our executive management team.  I am confident we continue to add valuable resources that increase our company’s ability to provide world class digital media solutions and services to retailers and brands.” said Bill Warren, Chief Executive Officer of Reflect.

Matt Schmitt, Reflect Co-Founder and President, will be taking on the role of Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer.  In this role Schmitt will draw from his years of experience developing some of the largest and most successful out of home digital media networks in the nation to help Reflect clients develop customized solutions based on their business goals and resources to ensure long term success.

Arnie Rivera, who has led Reflect’s client support, service delivery and operations since 2006, has been promoted to Vice President of Solution Delivery and Client Services.   Arnie oversees the customer support, training, procurement, project management, installation and field service groups.   Arnie provided technical consulting for the design, deployment and operations of some of the largest digital signage networks currently in existence, including those at Best Buy, Verizon, GameStop and Target. Rivera holds a B.S. in Information Technology from Western Governor’s University.

“This executive management alignment will best leverage the strengths of our leadership team, ensuring continued product innovation and growth moving forward,” said Schmitt.

iSIGN and Magnetic 3D ink deal to combine mobile advertising with glasses-free 3D
 
New York, NY - iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. (TSX-V: ISD) (OTCQX: ISDSF), a leading provider of interactive mobile advertising solutions that serves advertisers, manufacturers, retailers and advertising agencies throughout North America, is pleased to announce that Magnetic Media Holdings Inc. ("Magnetic 3D") is now a reseller of the Company's software and hardware solutions which compliment Magnetic 3D's industry leading line of glasses-free 3D products and services.
 
While the specific terms of the agreement are confidential, iSign has named Magnetic 3D their exclusive reseller/network partner in the glasses-free 3D space. The companies will work closely to demonstrate the power of 3D and mobile together.
 
"Glasses-free 3D is a powerful messaging tool that delivers an unparalleled level of engagement in the digital-out-of-home environment when compared to traditional digital signage," said Mr. Tom Zerega, Magnetic 3D's Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
 
"The inclusion of iSIGN's Smart Antennas in a given campaign provides us with the ability to directly interact with shoppers on their mobile devices in proximity of our 3D displays, serving up a host of additional content and delivering measurable ROI," added Mr. Zerega. "Connecting 3D and mobile is of interest to many of our customers and we are excited to integrate iSIGN's technology in our campaigns next quarter."
 
"Magnetic 3D has a broad range of clients, many of which are Fortune 500 companies," said Mr. Alex Romanov, iSIGN's Chief Executive Officer. "They are a well-established glasses-free 3D company with truly eye-catching solutions for digital-out-of-home. We believe that adding our technology to deliver mobile messaging along with our ability to gather data on interactions with shoppers will provide immense value to Magnetic 3D when combined with their already impressive metrics on 3D which elevate customer engagement and retail purchases."
 
"Adding Magnetic 3D as a reseller will help to more quickly introduce iSIGN products to companies demonstrating interest in new and exciting technologies," added Mr. Romanov.
 
About Magnetic 3D

Headquartered in New York City, Magnetic 3D (http://www.magnetic3d.com) designs and produces industry-leading, end-to-end, autostereoscopic (glasses-free 3D) solutions including 3D displays, software, digital media, and creative services. Magnetic 3D's proprietary Enabl3D™ technology modifies flat panel displays, enabling them to show high-definition 3D video content without the need for special eyewear. This process provides audiences with a realistic visual experience that includes both captivating off-screen "pop" and the immersive perception of depth on what would otherwise be a flat display. The Company's versatile solutions are employed by system integrators, resellers, and end-customers across a variety of industries including Entertainment, Gaming, Science, Medical, Military, Education, and Professional Audio and Video. Through its subsidiary, Magnetic 3D provides glasses-free 3D advertising and marketing services for Retail, Point-of-Sale, Trade Show and Events, Experiential Marketing, Digital-Out-of-Home, and Digital Signage applications.
 
About iSIGN Media

Since 2007, iSIGN has been developing multiplatform advertising and marketing solutions for brands to better attract, engage and retain customers through their mobile devices. The data and SaaS (software as a service) company collects and analyzes shopper preferences so that brands can deliver targeted messaging and personalized offers to consumers' mobile devices, in-location and in real-time. The company's interactive proximity-marketing technology is capable of gathering average price points, typical purchases, in-store dwell times and other shopper metrics to deliver business intelligence and insights into emerging consumer behaviors that can help brands make better business decisions and measure their marketing efforts. Utilizing Bluetooth™ and Wi-Fi, and location-aware technologies to deliver relevant and timely messaging to any screen or mobile device, iSIGN delivers rich media, permission-based messages free to consumers that can drive immediate brand engagement, increased customer loyalty and deliver higher ROI on marketing dollars spent. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, with R&D and customer support operations in Vancouver, BC and Tampa, FL, the Company has also grown to become the largest owner/operator of in-store digital media in Canada with 5,600 digital signs in about 1,400 locations. Partners include: IBM, Keyser Retail Solutions, Baylor University, Verizon Wireless, TELUS and AOpen America Inc., with solution distribution by GraphicMedia, Inc. and BlueStar Inc. http://www.isignmedia.com
 
Forward Looking Statements
This news release may include certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties associated with iSIGN Media's business and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect iSIGN Media's current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. iSIGN Media assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.
 
© 2014 iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
 

Merger combines exceptional strengths of digital signage industry’s leading technology innovators

MINNEAPOLIS – Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: RNIN), a leading digital marketing technologies solutions provider, has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Broadcast International (OTCQB: BCST), a leading provider of digital media and broadcast solutions.

Under the terms of the all-stock transaction, Broadcast International shareholders and other security holders (e.g., options and warrants) will receive approximately 36.5% of the outstanding shares of Wireless Ronin common stock calculated on a modified fully-diluted basis.

Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Broadcast International brings to Wireless Ronin more than 20 years of experience delivering enterprise-scale digital signage solutions for large organizations, like Caterpillar and Washington Trust Bank.

Broadcast’s award-winning Managed Media Services (MMS) platform is a unified multi-channel solution that allows global enterprises to centrally manage and deploy digital media assets, including signage, posters, video, and music. The platform leverages Broadcast’s patented CodecSys software, a breakthrough, multi-codec video compression technology that reduces video bandwidth requirements and provides significant performance benefits. Broadcast’s digital signage solutions use CodecSys to optimize content delivery, thereby providing end users high quality video content across minimal bandwidth.

Broadcast also licenses a range of point solutions which, in addition to CodecSys, includes its Messaging and Music On Hold (MMOH) technology that allows companies to customize on-hold music as well as broadcast promotions and important information to its customers. Wireless Ronin believes that CodecSys, MMOH, and other Broadcast products will provide new licensing and revenue streams for the combined company.

“This merger combines the exceptional strengths of two of the industry’s leading technology innovators,” said Scott Koller, Wireless Ronin’s President and CEO. “Adding Broadcast’s technology to our RoninCast content management system creates what we believe will be the most comprehensive, synergistic offering in the digital signage industry. Moreover, we expect that it will provide tremendous cross-selling and upselling opportunities across our combined customer base.”

“We expect that this merger will also give us greater scale and a broader offering, which has become a critical factor in the highly fragmented digital signage industry. We believe that our combination with Broadcast will enhance our market scope through its deep experience deploying and managing large-scale digital signage solutions, while its CodecSys technology provides a strong competitive advantage to Wireless Ronin’s core business and offers attractive new IP licensing opportunities.

“Wireless Ronin brings to the table customer omnichannel marketing capabilities, which can be sold into Broadcast’s customer base and sales pipeline along with other extended solutions and services. Altogether, we expect the merger to provide valuable synergies and competitive advantages in terms of business development, geographical footprint and platform technology to more effectively capitalize on the multi-billion dollar market opportunity in digital marketing and signage.”

Wireless Ronin currently expects the merger to close in Q2 2014. The closing is subject to certain conditions, including the acquisition of required consents, the approval from the shareholders of Broadcast International, and other customary conditions.

Wireless Ronin's president and CEO, Scott Koller, and SVP and CFO, Darin McAreavey, will lead the combined company, and expect Broadcast director Don Harris will join the board of directors upon closing.

Mr. Harris has more than 20 years of experience in the IT services and telecommunications industries, including serving as president of Comcast Cellular Communications, as well as senior management positions at PacTel. He also previously served as chairman, CEO and president of UbiquiTel, a leading provider of digital wireless personal communications services and NASDAQ-listed company before it was acquired for $1.3 billion by Sprint in 2006. Mr. Harris is currently president of 1162 Management, a private equity firm.

About Broadcast International, Inc.

Broadcast International (OTCQB: BCST) (BI) is a leading provider of video-powered broadcast solutions, including IP, digital satellite, Internet streaming and other types of wired/wireless network distribution. BI's patented CodecSys software is a breakthrough, multi-codec video compression technology that cuts video bandwidth requirements over satellite, cable, IP and wireless networks. By slashing bandwidth needs, CodecSys enables a new generation of rich-media applications and offers unprecedented price/ performance benefits for existing applications. BI is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

About Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc.

Wireless Ronin Technologies (OTCQB: RNIN) (WRT) is a pioneering marketing technologies company. WRT combines interactive digital media — signage, kiosks, mobile, social media and web — to create 360-degree solutions so companies will be “Communicating at Life Speed®” to deliver the right content at the right place at the right time. WRT’s turnkey approach includes strategic consulting, creative development, installation, hosting, training and support. Since launching its cloud-based RoninCast® content management platform in 2003, WRT has become the leading digital marketing provider for large-scale deployments in retail, automotive, food service and public venues. The company is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information about Wireless Ronin, visit www.wirelessronin.com.

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 reflect management's present expectations and estimates regarding operating efficiencies, increased revenue opportunities, potential new markets, cost savings, the ability to effectively compete in a highly competitive market and the value of certain assets relating to the potential transaction described herein. Nevertheless, and despite the fact that management’s expectation and estimates are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable and data management believes to be reliable actual results from the potential transaction are subject to future risks and uncertainties, any of which could materially affect actual performance. Risks and uncertainties that could affect such performance include, but are not limited to, the following: the adequacy of funds for future operations; 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; the impact of the company’s financial condition upon customer and prospective customer relationships, 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 cautionary statement set forth in the company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2013. Readers should also refer to the risk factors disclosed in the company’s recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

4th generation Intel Core-based Processor, Axiomtek’s NA570

Taipei, Taiwan, – Axiomtek, one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of innovative, high performance and reliable PC-based industrial computer products, has introduced the NA570, its new, high-performance 1U rack-mount network appliance product.  The NA570 offers high and reliable performance through the latest 4th Generation Intel® Xeon® E3-1275 v3 or E3-1225 v3 processors with Intel® C226 chipset.  The powerful NA570 also supports the 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i processors, allowing developers to configure their network solutions based on performance requirements.

This advanced network appliance is scalable, customizable and has great expansion capabilities.  Through the PCIe 3.0, the NA570 can integrate up to 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports or up to 4 ports at 10GbE.  The standard NA570 comes with 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports using Intel® i210AT controller and supports 2 groups of LAN bypass segments.  Four DDR3 1600 MHz DIMM sockets can provide storage of up to 32 GB and support both ECC and non-ECC memory types.  To enhance reliability, this SMB platform supports data protection via 2 pairs of latch-type LAN bypass functions for fail-over option and features BIOS console redirection. Axiomtek’s network appliance platform is suitable for a variety of applications including VPN, firewall and security applications, network bandwidth controller, WAN accelerator and surveillance system.

“Axiomtek’s outstanding NA570 network appliance product offers a greater range of processor choices and expansion capabilities that allows developers to configure their network solutions based on performance requirements and price points,” said Joyce Wu, Product Manager of Product & Marketing Division at Axiomtek.  “The Intel® AES New Instruction (AES-NI) enhancements included with NA570 use hardware-based acceleration to encrypt and decrypt data.  It also supports the Intel® Data Plane Development Kit (Intel® DPDK), a set of software libraries that can improve packet processing performance by up to ten times.  It can achieve over 80 Mbps throughput on a single Intel® Xeon® processor.”

The NA570 features two internal 2.5” SATA hard drives and one CompactFlash™ socket for storing event logs.  In order to address the various network application needs, the appliance also features one console port, two USB 2.0 ports and a VGA port.  There is a front-facing LCD module activity indicator for convenient monitoring of power and HDD activity.  The system also supports mainstream Linux operating systems.

Axiomtek’s NA570 is one of the most advanced, high performance network appliances of its kind.  It will be available shortly in March of 2014. For more product information or pricing, please visit us at www.axiomtek.com or contact one of our sales representatives at .

Advanced Features

•     Supports the 4th Generation Intel® Xeon® E3 / Core™ i family processors (codename: Haswell)
•     Eight 10/100/1000Mbps ports in default, two expandable LAN modules with up to 24 LAN ports
•     Supports LAN Bypass and Bios redirected to COM port
•     Supports max. 32 GB DDR3-1600MHz non-ECC / ECC memory
•     Two 2.5" SATA HDD or one 3.5” SATA HDD (optional)
•     ATX power supply in default, 1U redundant power supply by optional
•     Supports Intel® AES New Instruction (AES-NI) and Intel® Data Plane Development Kit (Intel® DPDK)
•     Suitable for UTM, VPN, Network bandwidth controller, firewall applications

New release of POS system for iPad®, now with rich loyalty program, makes it easy for small merchants including restaurants and retailers to reward customers

DULUTH, Ga., (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Small businesses can now easily create, run and manage reward programs with the release of NCR Silver iPad® point of sale (POS), with subscriptions starting at only $59 per month. NCR Corporation, the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, today announced the new loyalty component of its powerful mobile POS for small businesses.

Loyalty complements the existing automated email and social marketing functionality in NCR Silver making it even easier for cafés, shops, restaurants, boutiques, food trucks, and any small business to reward customers for repeat purchases. Loyalty fits seamlessly into the checkout process, automatically tracking rewards with each sale so customers see exactly what they have earned and eliminating the need for paper punch cards. Rewards and customer information reside on the NCR Silver POS system and merchants retain all the data rather than share it through a third-party loyalty application.

“Satisfying your best customers is critical to the success of every small business,” says Justin Hotard, general manager, NCR Silver. “We added loyalty to go along with email marketing, customer history, and reporting to make NCR Silver the perfect fit to grow any small business.”

Technology has changed how small businesses build loyal customer bases with digital alternatives to the old paper punch cards. Recently, MarketingProfs published ‘Surprising Facts about Customer Loyalty Marketing,’ reporting that if you structure your loyalty program effectively, you will see a lift in visits and revenue from your enrolled customers. The report also notes that over their lifetime, loyal customers spend 10 times more than new customers.

NCR Silver with loyalty now does more to help time-starved small business owners like Patrick Harkins.

“I send a personal note after every sale and people really respond to that,” said Harkins, owner of Jackson, MS-based, Fondren Guitars . “When they come back, I look at their order histories to see their preferences and recommend just the right guitar or accessory. Now, my customers know they can trust me and they come back, because at my store they have a better customer experience – which is the foundation of building loyal customers.”

Getting started with NCR Silver is easy. Simply visit the website , or call 1-877-630-9711. NCR provides live, 7-day support and access to Silver SidewalkTM, a customer community portal with information and opportunities to connect with other members. NCR Silver runs in the cloud, uses consumer-friendly technology, and works on Apple® devices running the latest iOS.

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 485 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Apple, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.

HyperSound directional audio benefits listeners with hearing loss

– SAN DIEGO, California, – Parametric Sound Corporation (NASDAQ: PAMT), a leading innovator of audio products and solutions, today announced it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the marketing of the HyperSound® Audio System as a hearing improvement device. The HyperSound technology has been shown to improve the clarity of audio and speech comprehension in individuals with certain hearing impairments.

HyperSound is an innovation in audio that uses a thin film to generate an ultrasonic beam of sound. Like a flashlight controls a ray of light, HyperSound directs sound in a narrow beam limiting it to a specific location, creating a precise audio zone. When an individual enters the beam’s radius, they hear immersive 3D audio, similar to wearing a surround sound headset. The characteristics of the HyperSound audio beam have been shown to enable individuals with certain hearing impairments to hear audio with more clarity. The Company believes that the combination of exceptional control over the placement of audio, and the immersive quality of the sound, makes HyperSound a disruptive innovation that has the potential to change not only the hearing-loss market, but commercial and consumer markets as well.

“We are extremely pleased to have passed the important milestone of FDA clearance,” said Juergen Stark, CEO of Parametric Sound Corporation. “We are hard at work on the next generation of HyperSound products and we are confident they will improve the quality of life for millions of people who suffer from hearing impairments.”

Researchers estimate that one in five Americans, and one in three people over age 65, suffer from hearing loss. Impacting over 48 million Americans, hearing loss is the third most common physical condition in the United States after arthritis and heart disease. An estimated 360 million people worldwide suffer from some form of hearing loss.

About Parametric Sound

Parametric Sound Corporation is an audio technology company that markets innovative products under the Turtle Beach and HyperSound brands.

The company designs and markets premium audio peripherals for video game consoles, personal computers and mobile devices under the brand Turtle Beach (TurtleBeach.com), including officially-licensed headsets for the next-generation Xbox® One and PlayStation® 4 consoles. Turtle Beach is the leading brand in video game audio and the official audio provider for Major League Gaming, the world's largest eSports league, and Twitch, the world’s leading video platform and community for gamers.

Under the brand HyperSound (HyperSound.com), the company markets pioneering directed audio solutions that beam sound to a specific listening area without the ambient noise of traditional speakers. HyperSound has applications in digital signage and kiosks, consumer electronics and health care.

Cautionary note on forward-looking statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements. Except for historical information contained in this release, statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events. Forward looking statements are based on management's belief, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management.

While the Company believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurances that its goals and strategy will be realized. Numerous factors, including risks and uncertainties, may affect actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by the Company or on its behalf. Some of these factors include the substantial uncertainties inherent in acceptance of existing and future products, the difficulty of commercializing and protecting new technology, the impact of competitive products and pricing, general business and economic conditions, and other factors detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the SEC. Except as required by law, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

X554UNS, X554UN, and X464UN deliver quick color calibration, DisplayPort 1.2 multi-streaming, and new auto-tile matrixing for rReduced install times

CHICAGO - NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading provider of commercial LCD display and projector solutions, announced today its fourth generation of video wall products, capable of delivering brilliant imagery to organizations deploying displays for 24 x 7 use in a variety of digital signage, corporate and broadcast video wall applications.

Like their predecessors, the 55-inch X554UNS, the 55-inch X554UN and the 46-inch X464UN are direct LED-backlight LCD displays, which allow for improved brightness uniformity, reduced power consumption and mercury-free components.

The UNS model now minimizes that distance to a mere 3.5mm while the UN displays have a bezel gap as low as 5.5mm.  With DisplayPort 1.2 multi-streaming, they are capable of delivering ultra-high definition resolutions across the entire canvas of displays comprising the video walls.

In addition, Auto TileMatrix features allow a user to simply set up the size of the video wall on the first display and automatically scale the content through the remaining displays.  With the press of a few buttons, the entire video wall is set up.  The result is faster installation, which reduces costs and improves the customer experience.

“Video walls are helping organizations bolster their brands in magnificent ways,” said Rachel Karnani, Senior Manager of Product Marketing for Large Screen Displays at NEC Display.  “Our company has been a pioneer in the development and installation of video walls.  The latest X Series displays take video walls to the next level of customer experience and ease of installation.”

The X Series displays also support Intel’s Open Pluggable Specification (OPS), which is the first industry-wide standardization in option slots to simplify digital signage. The OPS option slot allows for easier installation, use and maintenance of digital signage.  An accessory slot is now included on new X Series models as well.

The X Series displays include the following features:

•     Professional-grade LCD panels with advanced thermal protection and sealed panel design for the most formidable digital signage industry requirements
•     Picture perfect image quality with 3840 x 2160 ultra-HD resolutions through DisplayPort 1.2 daisy chain
•     Ultra-narrow bezels of 3.5mm (X554UNS), 5.5mm (X554UN) and 5.7mm (X464UN), which enable seamless images
•     Brightness of 700 cd/m² and 3500:1 contrast ratio, which deliver superior image quality
•     Network Control and Communication through RS232C or LAN, which allows the highest level of remote display management
•     Auto ID/Auto TileMatrix™ technology for video walls up to 100 displays
•     Faster operational speeds than predecessors
•     Carbon footprint meter, which calculates and tracks carbon savings
•     ENERGY STAR® 6.0, which meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy

The X464UN, X554UN and X554UNS displays will be available in March 2014 at an estimated street price of $4,999, $6,999 and $7,599, respectively.  The displays ship with a 3-year parts and labor warranty, including the backlight.

About NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc.

Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc., is a leading designer and provider of innovative desktop LCD monitors, commercial- and professional-grade large-screen LCD displays, a diverse line of multimedia and digital cinema projectors, and integrated display solutions. NEC Display Solutions develops leading-edge visual technology and customer-focused solutions for a wide variety of markets, including enterprise, healthcare, education and digital signage. It has deployed more than one-million large-format displays worldwide.  For additional information about NEC Display Solutions of America products, call (866) NEC-MORE, or visit the website at www.necdisplay.com.

About VUKUNET

VUKUNET, from NEC Display Solutions of America, is the engine that powers the digital out-of-home advertising business.  VUKUNET is the only universal ad serving platform that drives ads to any digital out-of-home network, regardless of content management system. VUKUNET makes the buying, flighting and reporting of digital out-of-home ad campaigns easy.  For additional information about VUKUNET, visit member-nec-display-solutions--inc-http://member-nec-display-solutions--inc-, or call (877) 805-VUKU. 

Grafton, WI, - Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. will be exhibiting at this year’s GlobalShop tradeshow in Booth #3005. GlobalShop is the world's largest annual event for retail design and shopper marketing and will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from March 18-20, 2014.

Showstopping in-store merchandising programs for Mizuno, SoloHealth, Nintendo Wii U, and more, will be featured. Debuting at this year’s show will be the Mobile/Cell Phone Charging Stations.  Free cell phone and mobile charging will be available at the show along with an opportunity to discuss a variety of display and interactive kiosk programs.

Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. (www.frankmayer.com) is a creative point-of-purchase display, in-store merchandising, interactive kiosk and promotional marketing company. Founded in 1931, Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc.’s headquarters are located in the Milwaukee area with additional sales offices in the U.S.

Largest video in-flight media network cited by Nielsen, competitive media channel for marketers targeting affluent consumers

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired) - RMG NETWORKS (NASDAQ: RMGN), a leading provider of Digital Out-of-Home media and digital signage solutions technology, announced today that its RMG In-Flight Network has been added to Nielsen's review of place-based media networks commencing with its Q3 2013 edition. Nielsen's quarterly report measures audience exposures for video networks in out-of-home locations, offering agencies and networks an easier way to compare place-based advertising audiences to TV, Internet and Mobile.

"For the first time ever TV buyers can purchase airline media like television, using Nielsen data," said Jim Bell, Executive Vice President, Partnerships & Sales Operations, RMG NETWORKS. According to the U.S. Travel Association, U.S. business travelers spent $258.6 Billion on meetings, events, and incentive programs in 2012. Bell added, "Nielsen's recognition of the RMG In-Flight Entertainment Network's measurability confirms the engagement of this hard-to-reach and valuable audience."

"Media buyers looking to engage business traveler audiences can now see RMG's In-Flight Network in a way that is comparable across all measured channels," said Paul Lindstrom, senior vice president, Nielsen On-Location.

The Nielsen report is the most influential and authoritative review of digital-out-of-home options for media buyers. It is updated quarterly with audience measurements collected by transactional data and on-site customer interviews. The Q3 report will be released to agencies and advertisers via the Nielsen Answers web site.

RMG's Airline Media Network reaches 35 million passengers per month on 2,200 domestic aircraft and 100 airport executive clubs. Previous media research has determined that its viewership has an average household income of $154,000 and indexes strongly for managerial positions and college education.

About RMG Networks

RMG Networks (NASDAQ: RMGN) is a leading global provider of technology-driven video advertising and visual communications solutions. The company delivers digital signage media solutions for corporate networks, consumer networks, and advertising networks, including solutions to over 70% of Fortune 100 companies. RMG NETWORKS operates an Advertising Media business unit that sells digital video advertising across a network of over 200,000 display screens, reaching 100 million consumers each month. RMG NETWORKS also operates an Enterprise Solutions business unit that provides digital signage data visualization solutions for a variety of application areas including contact centers, supply chain, employee communications, hospitality, higher education, financial services, healthcare and retail. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, China, India, Singapore, Brazil and the U.A.E. For more information, visit http://www.rmgnetworks.com.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - To provide customers with a better overall dining experience, Dazzling Café has adopted CAYIN’s digital signage solutions. Through the use of digital signage, Dazzling Café hopes to replace the old-fashioned printed posters and to combine fashion and technology in the Dazzling Café Express store in Breeze Center at Taipei Main Station.

The exquisite fashion dessert culture has been popular in Taiwan for a long while. Facing the proliferation of gourmet coffee shops and tea shops around the country, how to stand out from this competitive market, increase potential sales opportunities, and further attract the attention of customers have become important issues.

The connection of fashion and Technology

By cooperating with Vcheng Technology, CAYIN deployed SMP-WEB4 web-based digital signage players with 42-inch industrial LCD displays. Going with the basic colors in the store, the display is exclusively designed in black and white using sheet metal technology, automotive paint, and artistic lettering to create a new style of fashion technology.    

In the future, Dazzling Café can simply introduce special offers and promotions to communicators and tourists in Taipei Main Station via appealing digital content. For the customers who are waiting in front of the store, they can also have an initial experience of food and service from the multimedia content. With the decoration of in-store digital signage, customers can have a chance to further experience new visual enjoyment while enjoying delicious cuisine. Moreover, it would be of great help to spread the spirit of the brand and enhance the communication between brand and customers.  

Four Digital Marketing Trends for Restaurant and Catering

•    High-tech fashion to enhance overall dining experience
•    Multimedia content to show eye-catching digital menus
•    Remote content scheduling to manage real-time promotions
•    Paperless advertising to save energy and reduce overall costs

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired) - RMG Networks Holding Corporation, or RMG Networks (NASDAQ: RMGN), a leading provider of technology-driven video advertising and visual communications solutions, will present at the 26th Annual ROTH Conference taking place in Dana Point, CA on March 9-12, 2014.

Garry McGuire, CEO, will present on Monday, March 10, 2014 at 11:30am PT and will conduct one-on-one meetings that day. A webcast of this presentation will be available at http://wsw.com/webcast/roth28/RMGN and on the Calendar of Events tab on RMG Networks' Investor Relations website at http://ir.rmgnetworks.com.

About RMG Networks

RMG Networks (NASDAQ: RMGN) is a leading global provider of technology-driven video advertising and visual communications solutions. The company delivers digital signage media solutions for corporate networks, consumer networks, and advertising networks, including solutions to over 70% of Fortune 100 companies. RMG Networks operates an Advertising Media business unit that sells digital video advertising across a network of over 200,000 display screens, reaching 100 million consumers each month. RMG Networks also operates an Enterprise Solutions business unit that provides digital signage data visualization solutions for a variety of application areas including contact centers, supply chain, employee communications, hospitality, higher education, financial services, healthcare and retail. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, China, India, Singapore, Brazil and the U.A.E. For more information, visit http://www.rmgnetworks.com.

Signs multi-million dollar deal with NCR Corporation to roll out country’s first dual deposit ATMs and software services that transform the banking experience

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB), a prominent financial institution in Saudi Arabia, will better serve customers with a number of new ATMs with video technology from NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer transaction technologies. NCR APTRA Interactive Teller will allow customers to complete over 95 percent of typical branch transactions right at the ATM, 24 hours a day, with the assistance of a live, remote teller.

Supporting SAIB’s goal to be Saudi Arabia’s financial partner of choice, NCR will also deliver the country’s first, most advanced NCR SelfServ dual cash deposit ATMs that are highly configurable and offer a unique dual deposit ATM, making it one of the highest capacity ATMs in the industry. NCR SelfServ ATMs allow the bank to better serve its customers, especially its business customers, who prefers to make bulk deposits at the ATM beyond banking hours. NCR SelfServ runs on NCR APTRA AANDC software platform which seamlessly integrates a suite of the industry’s most trusted applications and management tools to make every day banking transactions easy.

Configured with ‘scalable cheques processing module’ (SCPM), NCR APTRA Interactive Teller can accept and process cheques, while also enabling the remote teller to immediately cash cheques for customers from anywhere, at any time. As part of the agreement, NCR will provide software application development, system analysis, support services and related training programs.

Mr. Suliman Al-Obaid, General Manager, Information Technology and Shared Services said, “SAIB has always made technology investments in proven innovative technologies as part of our Information Technology strategy. Investment in our customers’ branch automated services is a visionary step to make the banking experience in Saudi Arabia more convenient and easier than it has ever been before. I am fully confident that our new FLEX BankPoint concept will truly change the way our customers experience banking. Customer engagement is a key strategy and the focal point of everything we do. We want our customers to enjoy banking with us across all channels as we transform our branch experience in order to be The Bank of choice.”

Further, by making counter-based transactions available 24 hours a day, consumers and businesses can bank at a time that suits them, rather than when the branch is open. By effectively extending branch hours around the clock, NCR dual deposit ATMs further reduce queues and waiting time when the branch is open.

“SAIB is leading the way when it comes to implementing new solutions with a major impact on enhancing the consumer experience. NCR is proud to partner with SAIB to introduce innovative technologies and software solutions that not only allows SAIB customers to execute branch banking transactions 24/7, but also helps to reduce queues at the branch allowing more face-time for tellers with the customers,” said Wael Elaawar, managing director, NCR Saudi and North Gulf.

APTRA Interactive Teller offers more services than can be conducted on an ATM or other self-service devices. For instance, customers can perform secure transactions, as the remote teller provides customers access to cash in their accounts in amounts over the standard ATM daily cash withdrawal limits. An internal study done by NCR showed that implementation of NCR’s Video Interactive Teller resulted in a 33 percent reduction in transaction time and the cost-per-transaction is 40 percent more economical compared to a branch teller transaction.

About SAIB

The Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB) is a Saudi Arabian joint stock company established in 1976. SAIB’s shareholders include JP Morgan Chase, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Saudi institutions and nationals. Apart from traditional wholesale, retail and commercial banking products, SAIB finances government and private industrial sectors and trade finance products for facilitating imports and growing Saudi exports.

Website: www.saib.com.sa

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 485 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Web sites: www.ncr.com, www.ncrsilver.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation

Improving productivity for marketing departments and content designers is essential for efficient management of multichannel digital signage networks. Large retail and advertising networks require frequent and accurate content updates. ONELAN's new CMS features make this possible.

Channel and playlist complexity is simplified through use of the Conditional Play Editor. Content and media players are tagged with pre-defined meta data values. Content then plays when the conditions are met e.g meta tags match. Additionally to speed up building of long or complex playlists, playlist items can be duplicated and then the media only replaced, retaining the original items' play properties.

TORONTO, ONTARIO and NEW YORK, NEW YORK--(Marketwired) - iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. ("iSIGN" or "Company") (TSX VENTURE:ISD)(OTCQX:ISDSF), a leading provider of interactive mobile advertising solutions that serves advertisers, manufacturers, retailers and advertising agencies throughout North America and Dynamic Digital Strategic Solutions, LLC ("DDSS"), a subsidiary of Dynamic Digital Sign Solutions, LLC, are pleased to announced the signing of iSIGN's Partner Network Agreement.

This agreement sets up a strategic alliance to deploy, sell, install, service and support a portfolio of Bluetooth and WiFi wireless proximity marketing devices with expanded capabilities.

DDSS, with over 16 years' experience in the automated equipment, marketing, digital signage, payment solutions, and ATM field in 28 states, selected iSIGN, a technology distribution and services firm focused on the deployment of wireless communication equipment, to form a strategic alliance to play an integral part in deploying, installing, and servicing its industry leading wireless marketing devices across North America.

The DDSS line of products, enhanced with iSIGN mobile technology and hardware offers extensive flexibility, multiple revenue streams, turn-key solutions, the lowest price point, and unparalleled reliability.

"We are delighted to have been chosen by DDSS to be their partner," said Mr. Alex Romanov, iSIGN's Chief Executive Officer. "We have been in discussions with them since July concerning their utilizing our technology and both iSIGN and our North American distributor, GraphicMedia, look forward to supporting DDSS in achieving their multiple application objectives."

"Digital advertising, which includes proximity marketing, generated $20 billion in advertising revenue in the United States in the first half of 2013, with 15% of that coming from mobile ad revenue," said Mr. Joe Harris, Executive Vice President of DDSS. "Latest estimates predicted that global marketers were going to spend $117 billion on digital advertising in 2013. Proximity marketing is a fast growing industry and the desire to reach consumers in proximity to stores is rapidly exploding."

"As consumers are now familiarized with wireless communications and interactive marketing on mobile devices, the wireless marketing method is fast becoming the gold standard for marketing efforts in North America," added Mr. Harris. "Our selection of iSIGN as our proximity-marketing partner is the culmination of a search conducted both domestically and internationally to find an equally superior provider in the industry. We now truly have the ability to meet the needs of any operator and environment, large and small."

About iSIGN Media

Since 2007, iSIGN has been developing multiplatform advertising and marketing solutions for brands to better attract, engage and retain customers through their mobile devices. The data and SaaS (software as a service) company collects and analyzes shopper preferences so that brands can deliver targeted messaging and personalized offers to consumers' mobile devices, in-location and in real-time. The company's interactive proximity-marketing technology is capable of gathering average price points, typical purchases, in-store dwell times and other shopper metrics to deliver business intelligence and insights into emerging consumer behaviors that can help brands make better business decisions and measure their marketing efforts. Utilizing Bluetooth™ and Wi-Fi, and location-aware technologies to deliver relevant and timely messaging to any screen or mobile device, iSIGN delivers rich media, permission-based messages free to consumers that can drive immediate brand engagement, increased customer loyalty and deliver higher ROI on marketing dollars spent. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, with R&D and customer support operations in Vancouver, BC and Tampa, FL, the Company has also grown to become the largest owner/operator of in-store digital media in Canada with 5,600 digital signs in about 1,400 locations. Partners include: IBM, Keyser Retail Solutions, Baylor University, Verizon Wireless, TELUS and AOpen America Inc., with solution distribution by GraphicMedia, Inc. and BlueStar Inc. www.isignmedia.com.

About Dynamic Digital Strategic Solutions, LLC

Dynamic Digital Strategic Solutions, LLC ("DDSS"), a subsidiary of Dynamic Digital Sign Solutions, LLC has been active in the automated equipment, ATM, and digital signage industry for 17 years. More recently their value-added services have expanded into prepaid VISA® and MasterCard® branded Debit card payroll programs, and discount healthcare card platforms for dental, vision, TeleDoc and prescription. Through strategic alliances with multiple North American companies with a customer base exceeding 11 million, DDSS offers a premier value-added service portfolio to North American companies, particularly in the hospitality, travel, hotel, restaurant, and convenience store sectors. Marketing efforts recently expanded internationally due to peaked interest overseas. In today's fiercely competitive climate, companies are vying for an edge for both loyal customers and talented workforce. The DDSS suite of turn-key solutions offers companies unique and powerful means to attract and retain loyal personnel, and bolster customer base and profitability. This results from simplified systems processes and cost containment on the payroll side, and introduction of the exceptional alternative of discounted dental/vision/Teledoc and no-fee discounted prescription to traditional insurance for healthcare assistance. All of this is delivered for dramatically low cost to the card end-user, with little to no effort on the part of the company. Additionally, the large majority of the un-banked and under-banked employees receive their first ever opportunity to have a Debit card they can use with most any ATM, point-of-sale, and internet-enabled device. DDSS is headquartered in Hamburg, NY. www.ddssglobal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

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

© 2013 iSIGN Media Solutions Inc. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor Its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility or accuracy of this release.

EDISON, NJ--(Marketwired - Mar 4, 2014) - Star Micronics America is pleased to announce its exclusive partnership with Sanei Electric Inc. to expand its kiosk solution offerings with two-inch (SK1-20 Series), three-inch (SK1-30 Series) and four-inch (SK1-40 Series) thermal kiosk printer series as part of the company's continued commitment to the growing kiosk market.

The SK1 line of thermal kiosk printers provides dependable, maintenance-free printing with a quick speed of up to 200mm/sec with 203 dpi resolution. The diverse SK1 Line of kiosk printers provides horizontal, vertical and drop-in loading paper formats for the SK1-20 Series and SK1-30 Series and horizontal paper format for the SK1-40 Series. Presenters are available on select models for the entire SK1 Line of kiosk printers. Additional options include large paper roll holder and bezel paper detector for the SK1-20 and SK1-30 Series.

The SK1 line of thermal kiosk printers offer a variety of features, accessories, and sizes to meet virtually every kiosk application, including gas pumps, airline e-ticket/boarding passes, ATMs, bus/rail tickets, gift registries, Internet access terminals, lottery/gaming, and maps/direction kiosks.

To learn more about Star Micronics printers, visit www.starmicronics.com.

About Star Micronics America

Star Micronics America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Star Micronics Company Ltd., one of the largest small printer manufacturers world-wide. Star Micronics also manufactures high-precision machine tools and precision parts. Star Micronics Company Ltd. is ranked as one of the Top 50 "Most Stable" Japanese companies on the Japanese Nikkei. For more information, visit www.starmicronics.com or call 800-782-7636.

Livewire and Marketechs created high-tech displays for a "cool" tradeshow client.

York, PA (PRWEB) - A client asked for a “sexy but straightforward” way to showcase its customer’s line of freezers, which are used to cool everything from a beer brewery to oxygen, coffee and tulips. Livewire Digital met the challenge in partnership with another York-based company, Marketechs, for its global client. The deadline was tight, with the client preparing for a large trade show in January—less than 4 weeks away. Together, Livewire and Marketechs presented the client with two kiosks that did everything but sing and dance.

"Fast turnarounds can be challenging. This project would have been impossible just five years ago," reports Livewire CEO David McCracken. "But good digital teams can do amazing things when they have access to state-of-the-art technology."

Specifically, Livewire Digital designed and delivered interactive touchscreen solutions for the counter-top and wall-mounted kiosks that were used in the trade show booth. Straightforward, but also “sexy,” Livewire’s eConcierge® Information Navigation’s display allowed the trade show booth staff to engage visitors in a creative way centering around the company’s products and applications.

Equally helpful, the client is also able to utilize Livewire’s eConcierge Content Management System to easily add and update content between shows. Already there is talk of expanding the kiosk software contract into other applications.

Marketechs (http://www.marketechs.com), a marketing design and fabrication company also based in York, approached Livewire to assist with the project after partnering on interactive kiosks for Penn State’s All Sports Museum.

About Livewire Digital

Livewire is the Power to Connect, creating software solutions for kiosks, digital signage, and mobile applications, all managed from its eConcierge® Content Management System. Livewire’s many turnkey solutions increase revenue and productivity for its customers, while lowering overhead and providing seamless integration. Livewire provides cutting-edge software, hardware consulting, and system integration, bringing the necessary puzzle pieces together to increase customer engagement and create a better end-user experience. Simply put, Livewire builds kiosk software that elevates your experience and exceeds your expectations.

Digital Signage Software PADS4 Release 4 available March 3

Eindhoven, the Netherlands (PRWEB) - Net Display Systems (NDS), key player in the global market of smart digital signage software, announced details on their latest PADS4 software release to be released on March 3. This release includes a significant expansion of social media data providers.

"In PADS4 Release 4 we introduce an extensive set of new social media features to our customers. With new dedicated data providers such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube you can now simply include content from social media into your digital signage presentation," said CEO Willie-Jan Bons.

"With an even better integration of social media our customers will have more tools to engage their audience and provide a more personalized experience within their digital signage solution," he continued. "It's also an inexpensive way to keep your content fresh and up to date."

Another highlight is the enhanced control of digital signage networks. NDS has added more control to the PADS4 Agent application and included a powerful way to respond directly to unexpected events in a digital signage network.

With this release customers will be automatically be notified in case of important issues in their digital signage installation. These notifications are made possible by using the new PADS4 Agent alerts functionality.

By defining alerts in the PADS4 Agent application users can specify exactly what situations they wish the system to monitor and how they want to be notified, for example by e-mail or alarm sound notification.

PADS4 Release 4 also includes Arabic language, SDK documentation and improved performance for large installations with 1000+ displays.