Digital Signage Articles

Siel-Satis-Radio is one of the two big digital signage events in France. L’Affichage Dynamique had a significant place at this years show, which took place October 20-22 in Paris, although the ultimate themes were broadcast tv and audio. Nevertheless, almost full digital signage food chain was presented – in the puzzle, only content creation and integrator representatives were missing.

Two main trends are spotted, or better say, confirmed over there:

• 3D digital signage
• Touch screen installations

About the show itself… next to the very fancy VIP club (see the photo above), Apple Village was, as usual, eye catching, this time with open training area for software products (of course, software compatible with their products).

Très bien!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/10/siel-satis-radio-showing-french-market.html

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Last night, or early this morning on central European time, U2 held a concert in Los Angeles’ Rose Bowl Stadium. So, what special about it, concert like any other? Well this one had two points which will distinguish it from others – it was the first one that was broadcasted live over youtube (see the U2 channel, they are rebroadcasting it at this moment) and had an amazing “world’s biggest” stage with some fantastic displays showing either the band performing or the customized clips made out of their videos.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/10/u2-webcast-on-youtube-what-stage.html

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When I think about digital signage in Italy, my first thought is: so many museums with an urgent need for some signage, preferably digital! Imagine Uffizi in Florence with running presentations about Botticelli, Birth of Venus and La Primavera! One wouldn’t even have to carry those  heavy exhibition guides – the info would be in each room…

Yes, the market in Italy is still developing, and there is finally a company that might be a real answer to all its needs – Videosophia – wisdom of video, in free translation (greek. sophia = wisdom). Since they offer full support on end-to-end digital signage solutions – we can freely say: segnaletica digitale era in Italy has begun!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/10/wisdom-of-video-and-italian-digital.html

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We talked already about it in one of our previous posts, but lets repeat it:

The business climate is a mean of the balances of the business situation and the expectations.

According to the latest report, coming from OVAB Europe’s advisory board, it seems that the industry is still optimistic about its presence and future, but just a little bit less than 3 months ago. DBCI went from 43 to 39.

I think it is very important that the industry continues to think positive about its future – as it overwhelmingly does at this moment (see the chart above – it represents the expectations for the next 6 months).

The report in detail can be found here: http://invidis.mittelstandswiki.de/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/2009OVABDigitalSignageIndexQ32009_English.pdf

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/10/digital-signage-business-climate-index.html

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What does it take to digitize traditional billboards and posters? What are the principles of communication at the Point of Sale? Does industry need Audience Metrics Standard – standard for qualifying DooH networks and providing a transparent calculation basis which leads to reasonable and comparable costs?

All interesting questions, and it does not stop there. Much more to be heard and many more questions to be answered at the 3rd Munich Digital Signage Conference, hosted by OVAB Europe, and taking place on October 21st at the ICM Munich. Just drop an eye at the agenda. As at any other good event, number of participants is limited, so use the opportunity and register for it. One can even save some money by using the special discount code: MCOM169.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/10/ovab-europe-conference-delegate-pass.html

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After all the shows I walked last week I thought I should afford myself a bit a different exhibition experience, so I flew to Istanbul to CeBIT Turkey, where our partner Saben, in partnership with Minicom Digital Signage is using all its power to move the Turkish market closer to digital signage. When I arrived at the show at 6pm the night before opening, it seemed as if the exhibition will be only in at least two days. But as you know, magic happens and these shows usually start on time the next day, and it appears that the speed of orient express applies here as well in this context.

The booth Saben built is impressive and reminds building rather than a booth. This is real commitment to our application and industry! Lazar Demisulam, Saben’s CEO is one of these real, authentic, hands-on DS pioneers who know that Rome hasn’t been built in a day and who understands what it takes to move things ahead in one of the most promising markets in Europe. Turkey is, not only for Minicom Digital Signage, a market with one of the biggest CAGRs and the projects we are seeing in Turkey itself, and far beyond in much more developed countries (yes, managed and rolled out by Turkish companies) are impressive, professional and visionary. Did you know that Turkey has the biggest screen manufacturing plants outside Taiwan/China??

So just to share with you, here is a first picture from the impressive booth in its construction. more to follow.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/10/orient-express.html

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I have been advocating for long time the theory and fact, that the real, long term future is in the East. CeBIT Turkey once again underlined my view. Although, coming from the west, all looks rather like an organized chaos at a first glance, but looking and digging deeper, one discovers quickly that we talk real business, a word is a word and people bring with them a fantastic dynamic and enthusiasm which I for long time am missing in our western world.

I find here real entrepreneurship and the capability to turn around decisions to reality quickly and efficiently. People, from top to bottom in the pyramid, are hands-on, loyal and trustworthy, understanding that their biggest asset is their reputation. Yes, connections and relationships are indeed important, and without the real, top-end networking nothing will move. Yes, the further east you go, the more corruption there is. But once you learn the instruments and ways of not getting involved yourself in the “I-know-the president-etc.” carousel by partnering with the right persons and companies, business flows and you can concentrate on the essential – selling your solutions.

Being a Western European, sometimes I feel looking pale and soft in light of the new dynamic in the East.

Just for the impression see the picture from our team at the booth in CeBIT Turkey, in the background the new DS Vision Wall launched this week worldwide.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/10/wild-east-soft-west.html

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 For the tenth time, the CeBIT Eurasia is taking place in the Istanbul, from 7th to 10th of October. Great opportunity to present DS Vision Wall – multiscreen video wall, which supports 3, 4, 6, or 9 screens of any size in any matrix. So, if you are around, you can see it at Saben’s booth C15 Hall 3.

Here are some of the pictures from the last year…

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/10/dijital-iletisim-at-cebit-eurasia.html

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Talking about Poland & digital signage… Yesterday was the final of European Championship in Basketball, which was held in various cities in Poland. The Polish championship organizers proved to be good hosts and some good basketball was seen in last 2 weeks. The climax was the final, held in Katowice, in Spodek Arena. The sport complex was modernized couple years ago, and now is one of the best digitally equipped on the old continent.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/09/digital-signage-and-european-basketball.html

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At the Laureus Charity Night in Zurich last weekend digital signage was a built-in part of the show. Some 25 displays around the location were used to support the fund raising event with background information about hte Laureus projects as well as ambient. Only the life concert of Ronan Keating and the shine of prominence such as Boris Becker, Robby Naish and Rainer Maria Salzgeber successfully competed with the presence of the displays.
This once again underlines our claim that digital signage is not all about advertising (DOOH), but there is a huge market out there in the corporate, institutional and entertainment environments.

Even nicer and more important: the charity evening collected 230’000 CHF for its projects.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/09/digital-signage-meets-high-society.html

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We are attending today the “Digital Signage Trends” conference in Warsaw, organized by PDSA, the new Polish digital signage association. Once again, a great event organized very professionally. The agenda is rich and full of variety – first day was mainly training and technologies, second day use cases, case studies, marketing. For those who speak Polish you may take a glance at the agenda. Amazing how this local market mobilized 200 participants.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/09/poland-calling.html

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Yes, another one! This time, the host is the beautiful city of  London, and the show is The Digital Signage Show Europe.

As at all previous ones, the tour is “an educational framework, helping visitors understand and experience the full digital out-of-home application on the show floor.” The tour will be conducted by our expert – Diego Barrow.

It is free of charge, and the spaces are limited! The tour registration -http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/events/dsse09.cfm

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/09/tours-next-stop-digital-signage-show.html

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Yet another paradox of everyday life – one of the world’s biggest screen manufacturers is advertising on simple picture frame display.

The pictures are taken by our digital signage agent in Jumbo, Dietlikon, Switzerland. This advanced advertising method is the focus of Philips’ lamp corner. Btw the lamps for this season have “revolutionary lighting design, are minimalistic and multifunctional”.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/09/philips-advertising-on-picture-frame.html

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Eli Sasson, President and CEO of Minicom Advanced Systems has just been interviewed @ Minicom KVM IT blog.

A bit more then six months after the Minicom’s split into two dedicated divisions – Digital Signage and KVM IT, it is explained how it came to that decision, as well as how the split was implemented. Also good to read is a “cautiously optimistic” prediction about both markets development – looking forward to the fast growth in 2010!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/interview-with-eli-sasson-ceo-president.html

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LED Screen was definitely the highlight of the SummerDays Festival, held last weekend in Arbon, Switzerland. Although the competition, in the shape of Deep Purple and Huriah Heep, was more than tough.

As one can see on the schema of the Open Air area, the screen was having a central space, and was even emphasized (the bullet No. 2).

And, it played a big role, specially when the public transportation schedule was published on it, or when the audience from back rows tried to see what Ian Gillan and the band are doing on the stage.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/led-screen-as-highlight-of-open-air.html

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Lionel Messi is the footballer of the year, UEFA just announced it on the draw of the Champions League groups. The event was taking place at  Grimaldi Centre, in Monaco.

The stage in the Prince Pierre hall needs a bit of refreshment, since it looks the same for couple years already, but still has this contemporary look, with digital signage written all over it.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/uefa-champions-league-draw-in-grimaldi.html

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The German town Konstanz is one of my favourite one-day travel destinations. It is only 60km away from Zurich and lies on the third biggest lake in Europe – Bodensee.

The town is well know in the region as the biggest harbour on the lake and the starting point for all lake cruisers. The departure times are announced on two info billboards, on both sides of the harbour:

Besides those two info billboards, I spotted only one T-Mobile phone cell with touch screen.

And, that’s it. No displays in retail, no info screens at train station, nothing. If there are some, they are well hidden. So, thumbs up for Konstanz’s mediterranean feeling and thumbs down for its analog appearance.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/konstanz-germany-non-digital-town.html

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DSE reported yesterday about the free white paper in Research on Asia production.

One of the conclusions of the study, is that “the recognition level of digital signage is lower in Japan compared to other countries, but the market is expected to grow steadily. This is based on the fact that the Japanese market has a favorable infrastructure for digital signage in terms of displays and servers.” Very similar to situation in Taiwan, on which we reported in one of our posts.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/digital-signage-in-japan-low.html

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Very nice post at The Mainframe blog. In the post has been discussed which points cinema and billboard advertising have in common. Conclusion: no wonder both media have projected “strong growth in the coming years”. It goes well with the latest report from Media Life that the industry is buzzing about – the DOOH is leading OOH growth with 13.2% through 2013.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/cinema-billboard-advertising.html

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“There is not just one way or method of rolling out a digital signage network. However, if you follow some of the more basic rules and patterns, there is a high chance or turning it into a successful and profitable roll-out!”

This is the closing paragraph of the article published in the latest issue of DDR Magazine. It covers 10 most important factors which impact the success of digital signage roll-out:

1. Content is the king
2. Mix advertizing with information
3. Engage
4. Architectural esthetics
5. Keep eyes contact
6. Guide customer
7. Constant control of TCO
8. Allow the easy maintenance
9. Avoid duplication
10. Keep the system green.

A lot of points for discussion, but they all definitely cover the basics of beneficial digital signage installation.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/technology-in-action-ten-commandments.html

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Ronni Guggenheim, CEO Minicom Digital Signage, was interviewed by Digital Signage Blog. Comprehensive industry experience and some very good tips for the newcomers can be found over there. Enjoy the reading!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/minicom-interviewee.html

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Why should one give up on something that is successful? The overwhelming response from the industry on Digital Signage Expert Tour made its organization @ viscom düsseldorf 2009 very logical.

The Tour has been premiered at ScreenMedia Expo London, repeated at InfoComm and DSE Essen, and serves as a certain service to the industry – by providing the information about complete digital signage supply chain. This time again, it is going to be the guided tour which “gives the participants the opportunity to experience practically what has been learnt before in theory and to discuss issues directly with the exhibiting companies”, says Ms. Petra Lassahn, the viscom Event Director.

So, if you see a group of people @ viscom, having audio systems in their hands, standing in front of some booth discussing digital signage puzzle vivaciously – you’ll know what it is about. Of course, you might also be one of them, by signing up for the Tour today: http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/events/viscom_dusseldorf_2009.cfm

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/digital-signage-expert-tour-viscom.html

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Yesterday, a new electric car from Nissan has been presented. It is called Leaf and is 100% green. Its maximum speed is 140km/h, and has 160 km range.

OK, but what does it have to do with digital signage? On Leaf’s presentation, which was held in Nissan’s new HQ in Yokohama, Japan, the most impressive thing, next to the car of course, was the big screen right above the car and Nissan’s CEO, Mr. Carlos Ghosn head. This is how it looks like on a normal day:

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/08/green-car-green-digital-signage-nissan.html

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No Smoke on the Water this year, but it was equally exciting. And we saw some digital signage installations at Montreux Jazz Festival this summer. This is what I can report – attention attracting installation on Media Stage, at the central lobby of the Music and Convention Centre.

And the Miles Davis Hall did not loose the touch with contemporary technology. The screen on the stairs in front of its entrance:

And the projectors in the hall itself, playing both infos and advertisement.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/07/digital-signage-montreux-jazz-festival.html

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Digital signage content over IP set top box – the solution that TriplePlay provides. See below some pictures of their installations.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/07/hd-digital-signage-called-triplesign.html

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Art Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia started this year on June 6th, and will last until November 22nd. Its slogan this year is Making Worlds and, according to the already shown installations, the worlds in making definitely have a lot to do with our industry. See below some of the installations:

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/06/la-biennale-di-venezia-art-technology.html

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(source: wimbledon.org)

Two weeks of the best planet tennis can be seen from Monday in Wimbledon. Pretty disappointing is that the new Court No. 2 has no big screens installed.

The weather is still cooperating, so there are no scenes like the one below.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/06/digital-signage-wimbledon-2009.html

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In the month of big transfers, when Kaka and Ronaldo are moving to Madrid, we got a star of our own. Let me introduce you Emmanuel Canizares, Sales Manager France & Benelux.

“Minicom Digital Signage offers me the opportunity to fulfill expectations of pre-sales and distribution channel management challenges. I want to be a part of this fast growing sector”, says Emmanuel.

Welcome!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/06/french-star.html

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This is a project of some Savannah College of Art and Design student. It reminded me a lot on last week’s hit from RiseVision’s blog:

Piece of art.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/06/post-it-revolution.html

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There was a lot of buzz today around the show floor about the quality of the people coming to the show this year. I found that many vendors had cut back a little on coverage and presentations in anticipation of smaller crowds. Many were pleasantly surprised by the attendees as many were very focused and looking to gain more knowledge and experience in the many and varied Infocomm and NSCA training sessions as well as the manufacturer trainings being conducted at the show.

There was also a group of people who signed up for and attended the Digital Signage Expert Tour to learn about the different players in the puzzle that becomes a digital signage network or installation. The tour visited 10 different booths that covered all components of a digital signage network including content creation, content management, player technology, distribution technology, displays, mounts and full service integrators and distributors. Reaction by the attendees was VERY positive and all found the 90 minute tour to be worth their time and effort.

There will be one additional tour at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 19th – starting at the Peerless Industries booth (5441). Thanks to all of the participating attendees and vendors for their time and attention. You can register at the Peerless boot hor by visiting http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/events/infoComm09tour.htm.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/06/infocomm-day-two.html

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