Visit START at the NextDSS/START NRA Show Booth #6659, North Hall, Technology Section to learn more about the START revolutionary approach!

Atlanta, GA - The Strategic Technology Alliance for Restaurant and Trade (START) today announced plans to showcase its digital signage and merchandising solutions to constituents attending the National Restaurant Show, May 16 – 19 in Chicago, IL.

START was created to eliminate the inconveniences and inefficiencies related to the traditional fragmented approach for digital signage system solutions. Its solutions-driven network streamlines development, implementation and ongoing operations of a digital signage system,

• • Best-in-class providers of fully integrated, digital merchandising systems
  
• • Turnkey digital signage and mobile solutions for QSR, Fast Casual, FSR or other food service outlets
  
• • Single-source and complete project management of advanced technology, implementation, ongoing management and support 
  
• • Reduction in total cost of digital signage systems by eliminating multiple markups, and coordination on program components
  
• • Ongoing content development and centralized content management
  
• • Digital signage enabling client compliance with FDA requirements
  
• • User training to maximize return on investment (ROI)
  

About START

Headquartered in metro Atlanta, the START Strategic Technology Alliance for Restaurant and Trade collaborative network consists of 14 leading companies coming together to provide total digital signage or digital menu board solutions.  Each START member brings distinctive best-in-class products and services integrated together and operating as one project management organization.  The START partners’ collaboration produces brilliant solutions for restaurants, food service outlets, entertainment venues and corporate locations. START customizes solutions to improve restaurant merchandising and messaging, optimize customer experiences, drive unit volume and increase overall profitability.  

The Start Alliance’s release of its latest two Industry White Papers on Digital Menu Boards (DMBs) brings practical applications and merchandising solutions to clients in the food service industry. To receive a copy of these white papers, please email scondra@startdigital.us.

Learn More

To learn more, come by our booth at the NRA show (NextDSS/START Alliance Booth #6659, North Hall, Technology Section) or contact one of our START representatives: Scott Sharon, START Team Leader at ssharon@startdigital.us or Scott Condra, VP of Sales & Business Development at scondra@startdigital.us.

Cloud-based BYOD Platform for Advanced Room Control and Automation is Industry Game Changer

New Jersey - Kramer introduces the K−Touch version 3.0 platform, a revolutionary Cloud−based solution for easily designing state−of−the−art, user−friendly BYOD room−control and automation eco−systems.

With K−Touch 3.0, integrators can design advanced control and automation for room elements such as lights, screens, sound, HVAC, thermostats, and any existing A/V system. Designers can scale to over 100 devices in the Cloud, all controllable from any tablet or mobile touch screen.

“K−Touch 3.0 is easy−to−use, easy−to−program, incredibly scalable, and saves significant costs to both integrators and end users,” said Aviv Ron, VP Business Development & Strategy at Kramer.

K−Touch 3.0 can be operated from any iOS or Android touch screen and is designed for a wide variety of AV environments, such as Corporate, Education, Entertainment, and Houses of Worship.

“The platform’s drag−and−drop design interface replaces expensive programming, is easy to learn, use and update and offers end users and system integrators alike a complete control and automation solution to even the most complex projects,” said Ron.

K−Touch 3.0 includes pre−programmed, drag−and−drop modules for easy control system design. K−Touch modules represent a wide variety of media programs and devices commonly used in control and automation environments.

K−Touch 3.0 enables the control of room elements via Ethernet. With Kramer FC−series format converters or third−party controllers, room elements can be controlled via RS−232, GPIO, relays, or IR. Kramer RC−series button controllers can also be incorporated into any project to provide tactile operation.

K−Touch 3.0’s platform offers integrators significant cost savings and higher ROI by allowing them to provide remote Cloud−based support and updates to customers without having to be on−site.

Kramer offers a simple online training course for K−Touch 3.0 that can be completed in just a few hours. An extensive support database for K−Touch 3.0 is available online and includes tutorials, articles, videos, and sample project files that provide additional instructions on performing both simple and complex tasks.

OpenEye Global recently celebrated its 13th anniversary by unveiling an updated brand refresh. Formed in 2002, the agency focuses on creating customer focused digital experiences.

New York, NY- OpenEye Global, an award-winning digital experience design agency recently celebrated its 13th anniversary by unveiling an updated brand refresh. The agency, which works with such prominent brands as Santander Bank, Madame Tussauds and Nordstrom, has experienced consistent growth since it launched in 2002.

“OpenEye started at a time when using visual & interactive technology to support customer engagement was not a common practice,” said Bryan Meszaros, OpenEye CEO and Founder. “We were conscious on how we evolved culturally and positioned our thoughts on interactive technology in a way that resonated with the industry.”

The refresh, which included a redesign to their website http://openeyeglobal.com/, helps to convey the agency’s current perspective on digital experience and showcase the many dynamic attributes of the brand culture.    

“It’s a struggle for agencies to maintain a conventional balance between growth and identity,” said Meszaros. “In looking at our overall appearance, we realized it did not lend well to how we perceive ourselves today. Aside from our image, we also worked on our messaging to incorporate key phrases such as 'Future Perfect' and 'Digital experiences for first and lasting impressions,' which help better articulate the agency’s mission.”

The agency originally started in New Jersey and eventually migrated to New York City before expanding to San Diego and London in 2012. Currently, OpenEye has 10 associates spread amongst the three studios.

Roger Starkweather, SVP of Sales & Experiences who joined OpenEye in 2014, commented, “In the time I have been with the agency, we have won several major accounts, which will help fuel our growth in 2015. OpenEye has a refreshing approach to creating meaningful digital experiences and our work demonstrates the level of talent we have in the agency.”

OpenEye also celebrated the recent acknowledgement of Meszaros being named to Design:Retail Magazine’s first ever 40 Under 40 list for top young professionals in the retail design community. “It’s a great honor and helps put into perspective the effort over the past 13 years to build OpenEye," added Meszaros. The award was presented on Monday, May 18th in New York City at the Design:Retail City Scene event.

About OpenEye Global 

Formed in 2002, OpenEye Global is an award-winning digital experience design agency, which looks to combine consumer insight, technology and creativity to redefine how brands engage with their audiences through multi-channel experiences. With studios in New York, San Diego, and London, OpenEye works with such high profile brands including Santander Bank, Madame Tussauds, and Nordstrom.

For more information visit: http://openeyeglobal.com/

Videotel's industrial digital signage solutions seamlessly auto loops both video & picture files without manual interaction.

San Diego, CA - Videotel, Inc., Award winning manufacture, recently introduced its newest industrial digital signage media player, the VP70 XD.  The signage player can be used in any application that requires reliable digital signage.  Designed to provide years of quality running 24/7/365 without failure.

Videotel's VP70XD industrial-grade digital media player simplifies auto-looping of mixed content media. Effortlessly mix audio, video, picture, and image files to create an engaging user experience, regardless of the industry. With hundreds of industrial applications, the VP70XD transforms audience engagement in cinemas, shopping centers, trade shows, or conference rooms. Wherever high traffic, dense customer populations congregate, the VP70XD engages audience with hd media content. 

Regardless of the application, the VP70XD provides best-in-class digital signage combined with true plug-and-play usability. The VP70 XD seamless capability to auto-loop mixed file types while incorporating audio files as background sound eliminates the need for an audio extractor. Content can be loaded directly from USB or SD cards, making it easy to quickly change out custom presentations with little downtime or technical expertise. 

The VP70XD differentiates client's applications from the pack with true solid state digital imagery. With over ten language options, VP70XD gives industrial customers the ability to attract and engage any audience combination. Designed to auto-loop audio, video, photograph, and image files, the VP70XD makes digital signage easy and cost effective. The industrial-grade design eliminates worry in high traffic areas. Whether in a factory, warehouse, hospital, or storefront, the VP70XD effortlessly engages customers 24/7. With nearly 20 slide and photo transition options, VP70XD generates and maintains customer interest. VP70XD is the perfect solution to educate, inform, entertain, and compel customers. Videotel's award-winning history of innovative design and functionality is most evident in this latest digital signage solution.

For more information on the new plug-and-play VP70XD or any other high quality industrial digital media players or interactive technology, visit the Videotel Inc. NEWLY designed website at http://www.videoteldigital.com or call us at (800) 878-4056.

About Videotel Inc. 

Videotel Inc. is an award winning manufacture of industrial digital signage media players and interactive technology. Based in San Diego, CA, Videotel's 34 years of market experience in developing reliable industrial digital solutions has propelled it to industry leader status. To learn more about Videotel Inc., visit Videote'ls new webite at http://www.videoteldigital.com.

Rotate individual displays of any type to calibrate eye-catching art walls in minutes with cost-effective video wall platform

Calgary, AB - Userful Corporation, an industry leader in centralized display software, is making it simple and cost effective to deploy exciting and unique artistic video walls. The Userful Network Video Wall includes a drag and drop, browser-based control center that allows anyone to easily configure a video wall with any angle rotation of individual displays. By leveraging standard PC hardware and zero clients, Userful provides the artistic flexibility to use any layout and any display, making art-style video walls far more cost effective.  

With grid video walls becoming increasingly common, artistic video walls are in increasingly high demand as more and more businesses are looking to convey their specific brand message in an eye-catching and creative fashion. With previous art-wall approaches being built on cumbersome proprietary specialized hardware at an expensive price tag, Userful’s approach relies on industry standard hardware. This dramatically reduces costs and enables customers to deliver 4k content over the network in real time to an artistic, or mosaic video wall. Inexpensive zero client devices at each display connect over a standard Ethernet network to a single PC that can run one or more video walls across up to twenty five displays.

With Userful Network Video Wall, each display can be individually rotated at any angle and can be placed anywhere on the canvas. The solution also supports use of a mix of different sizes and types of display as seen in this architectural video wall feature at DSE 2015. 

From retail, hospitality and restaurants to museums and special events, Userful Network Video Wall allows any company looking to make a splash to quickly create remarkable artistic video walls. 

Tim Griffin, founder & CTO of Userful, is thrilled about providing artistic and architectural video walls at a low cost. 

“What we’re doing here is bringing the the features of high-end mosaic video walls to conventional low-cost displays, and helping customers create a unique video wall installation for a fraction of conventional costs,” Griffin said. “Other comparable video wall solutions are much more costly and are incredibly difficult to operate. Whether for grid or creative art walls, Userful video wall can help them without any complexity or extra costs.”

It’s simple for any business or organization to get started with a Userful Network Video Wall and deploy stunning digital signage. Start building your video wall online for free using Userful’s online control center. Try it out now!  For more information about the solution, or information about becoming a reseller, please contact info@userful.com, or call 403-289-2177, option 1.

Media Contact

Daniel Griffin

Vice President, Userful

daniel@userful.com

250.381.5335

userful.com

About Userful

Userful Corporation is a leading infrastructure software company that makes it simple and affordable for organizations to implement and centrally manage interactive display infrastructure in the post-PC era. Userful software centrally powers video walls, digital signage, touch screens, desktops, and beyond with exceptional performance, unique flexibility and affordability. Userful is the trusted provider of over 1 million managed interactive displays in over 100 countries and works with zero and thin client devices from world-class partners such as ViewSonic, ThinGLOBAL, Atrust, Centerm and HP. Learn more at userful.com.

The SignWave digital door sign, a pioneering electronic meeting room display for event scheduling data automation, receives a complete refresh that provides conference room managers a plethora of installation options, colors and features all wrapped around a larger and higher resolution LCD touch display.

LENEXA, Kan. (June 1, 2015) – Keywest Technology, Inc. announced today that it had refreshed SignWave™ with more options and features for 2015, including a bigger wall-mount LCD. The SignWave refresh also includes all-new designer frames that minimize the labor required for installation. The frames offer a multitude of color options, making it easy to match a building’s décor. It also received various software updates including an upgrade to Android™ 4.2 OS, ensuring its ability to run stably in a 24/7 environment. Most significantly, the touch-enabled LCD screen has increased from 10 to 13.3 inches, the largest display available in its class.

SignWave, known for its dependable workaday duty as a digital door sign for meeting rooms and conference centers, pioneered the set-it-and-forget-it philosophy by integrating with popular event and property management software programs. According to Koytt Nichols, Director of R&D, the goals for the SignWave refresh were “to substantially decrease installation time, improve security and increase display attractiveness and visibility.”

To this end, SignWave now ships with a touchscreen that is 33% larger than the previous model. “Nobody wants to stop and stare at meeting room signage,” says Nichols. “At best, you get a quick glance as attendees shuffle in and out of meeting rooms. The larger screen size gives viewers extra confidence in finding the right meeting place without missing a step.”  The larger 13.3-inch display also offers greater display performance with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and a contrast ratio of 500:1.

Besides making the event and meeting schedules easier to see and read, the refreshed SignWave also decreases installation labor by over 50%, effectively reducing the cost of ownership. Part of the labor savings is obtained by using a custom commercial display. The OEM display includes a built-in Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), which means that only a single CAT-5 or CAT-6 cable is necessary to supply both data and power. All external third-party parts have been eliminated. The other part that makes installation a snap is the addition of the exclusive designer frames. The designer frames offer a quick-mount wall plate that hangs over a single gang box. Four additional mount holes are provided in the wall plate to secure it to any wall. This means that if a single gang box is in place and the CAT-5/6 cable is present, SignWave can be installed in just a few minutes to any wall surface.

Another important feature that has been added as an option to the designer frames is the Key-Rex™ security screws. These OEM screws give SignWave a unique “key” for removing the outer frame that is both tamper- and vandal-proof. This completely secures SignWave in public venues like hotels, where asset protection cannot be an afterthought.

Finally, the SignWave refresh includes a fresh coat of paint, too. The designer frames now come standard with a choice of seven industrial coatings that not only look sophisticated but are extremely durable for a public-use environment. “However,” noted Nichols, “we can custom paint or wrap any graphic on these frames to match a building’s unique ambiance.”

The refreshed SignWave started shipping in the spring of 2015, and all noted options are available immediately. Further details are available atwww.signwave.us.com.

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 plans. Based in Lenexa, Kansas, the company is dedicated to making business communication as enjoyable as a day at the beach. For more information, visitwww.KeywestTechnology.com.

The Cost-Effective VP-444 is Ideal for Classrooms, Conference Rooms, and Hotel Event Rooms

Kramer will introduce its newest ProScale™ Presentation Digital Scaler/Switcher at InfoComm 2015. The Kramer VP−444 features 12 inputs with fast and clean fade−thru−black switching. The cost−effective VP−444 is designed for large classrooms, conference rooms and hotel event spaces and includes 10 HDMI and two computer graphics video inputs.

The VP−444 offers unbalanced stereo inputs for each video input and embedded audio for its HDMI inputs. Level control is available for the outputs as well as for each individual input. It scales the video, embeds the audio, and outputs the signal to two HDMI outputs (up to 1080p). The product includes 22 output resolutions.

The VP−444 has two microphone inputs for mixing, switching or talkover. It has two audio outputs with balanced stereo audio on a terminal block connector and S/PDIF on an RCA connector. The unit features last−connected auto input switching, offering users plug−and−display functionality.

The product features PixPerfect™, Kramer’s precision pixel mapping and high−quality scaling technology for superior image quality. The VP−444 includes a built−in ProcAmp that lets you individually set color, sharpness, contrast, and brightness. The unit also offers constant output sync, which eliminates disruption on the output while switching between inputs and when no video is detected.

The VP−444 features flexible control options: RS−232 and IR remote with on−screen display (OSD) and easy−to−use, built−in web pages via Ethernet. The unit also features powerful audio DSP functions for digital audio signal processing, including audio equalization, mixing, delay, etc.

The VP−444 is housed in a standard 19” 1U rack−mountable enclosure with rack ears. The product is currently in stock and available through Kramer sales offices and distributors around the world. 

Sleek and easy-to-navigate home page highlights redesigned website for industry leader in manufacturing digital signage media players and new interactive digital signage solutions. 

Videotel, an award winning industry leader in digital signage and manufacturer of digital signage solutions has a newly redesigned website that showcases its flagship products with newly added solutions that help companies engage their audiences with digital signs and unique and simple interactive solutions.

The new website features a slick home page with well-defined navigation. Visitors have the option to explore Videotel's digital signage solutions, featured products, custom design and services, press releases and loads of customer case studies and gallery of its portfolio of experience. A bold font, vibrant colors and interactive graphics are easy to navigate and enjoyable to view. They provide a glimpse of the premium signage the company produces. Testimonials from satisfied customers scroll across the bottom of each page.

Each tab leads to a page that is easy to navigate and includes comprehensive description, usage and pricing information for the array of digital media players, cables, connectors, parts, accessories and custom solutions Videotel manufacturers and sells. A photograph of each product can be easily magnified in just one click, visitors can read a thorough overview of the product, or share it with friends via email or various forms of social media. A variety of contact information resources - department phone numbers and email addresses - are readily available at the bottom of each page. The PR and Gallery tab details Videotel's numerous successful partnerships and relationships while featuring further testimonials from an assortment of satisfied clients that range from hotels, hospitals, retail, and museums.

Videotel's commercial-grade industrial digital signage media players are incomparable in the marketplace and one of the featured products on the newly redesigned website. 

About Videotel Inc. Videotel Inc. is the leading nationwide manufacturer of the HD2600 series industrial looping DVD players and a rugged line of industrial digital signage media players and interactive technology.  Videotel is based in San Diego, Calif., with more than 34 years of market experience in developing simple, reliable industrial digital products and solutions. To learn more about Videotel Inc., visit http://www.videoteldigital.com .

Outdoor Digital Menu Boards by Peerless-AV Are the First in US to Receive Both UL48 and CAN/CSA C22.2 Certifications

AURORA, IL-- Peerless-AV, a leader in audio-visual solutions, is pleased to announce that its Xtreme™ Outdoor Digital Menu Boards have received UL48 and CAN/CSA C22.2 certifications, making them the first US outdoor digital menu board manufacturer to attain both certifications.

Ideal for drive-thru applications in quick service restaurants, banking institutions, and pharmacies, Peerless-AV Xtreme™ Outdoor Digital Menu Boards are completely weatherproof, designed to withstand the harshest of elements. The UL48 and CAN/CSA C22.2 certifications are safety standards intended to provide requirements for the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of electrical equipment, primarily to address fire and electrical shock hazards. With conformity to these standards, Peerless-AV continues its dedication to "Getting it Right" for integrators and end users, proving that safety is just as important as aesthetic, functionality, and affordability.

The UL48 and CAN/CSA C22.2 certified Xtreme™ Outdoor Digital Menu Board Kiosk (KOP547-XTR-1), Xtreme™ Outdoor Double Digital Menu Board Kiosk (KOP547-XTR-2), and Xtreme™ Outdoor Triple Digital Menu Board Kiosk (KOP547-XTR-3) boast low operating costs, thin profiles, and a modular design with an easy two-man installation process negating the need for cranes or forklifts.

With the Xtreme™ Outdoor Digital Menu Boards' Fully-Sealed Dynamic Thermal Transfer™ System, internal components are kept safely warmed in severe cold and properly cooled in severe heat, reducing electricity costs. With an IP68 rating, the displays feature no vents or filters, making it impossible for moisture or microscopic dust to infiltrate the display, in turn allowing for easy cleaning through power washing. The displays are also optically bonded for sunlight readability with ambient light sensors, guaranteeing that the information being displayed is visible regardless of time of day or weather.

The Peerless-AV Xtreme™ Outdoor Digital Menu Board is available as a one, two, or three display system, comprised of a kiosk, Peerless-AV Xtreme™ displays and a rain cap, which doubles as a solar shield to reduce solar load within the kiosk. The kiosk is made of aluminum and steel construction, and is powder coated with a formula that will resist fading.

It is currently available through Peerless-AV direct sales representatives and authorized distribution network.

For more information about Peerless-AV, please visit: www.peerless-av.com, www.facebook.com/PeerlessAV, and twitter.com/PeerlessAV.

About Peerless-AV:

Peerless-AV, a Peerless Industries, Inc. company, is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of audiovisual solutions. From its award-winning mounts and wireless audio systems to indoor/outdoor kiosks and the industry's first fully sealed outdoor displays, Peerless-AV aims to Get it Right by fulfilling both integrators' needs for ease of installation and service, and end-users' dreams in residential and commercial applications.

Based in Aurora, IL, 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 www.peerless-av.com.

Digital signage is quickly becoming a standard fixture in restaurants, coffee shops and bars. Digital menu boards are being widely adopted by large food chains and small restaurants. Lately, we have been working to develop a new service especially for these businesses in order to help them to increase sales, optimize their service system and develop a special relationship with their customers.

The goal target of NoviSign digital menu board is to make the operation and management mechanism of the restaurant as easy and effective as it can be. Menus, special dishes, products on sale, invitation for a special event and more - you can publish all this information on your board and update it easily from any place in the world. 

The use of NoviSign digital menu board at your place of business will create a great unique experience for your customers that will make them return to your restaurant again and again…. It will improve your services by giving your customers the ability to enjoy all the information they need without having to wait for a waiter. And if you want to be unique and original, you can also offer them some entertainment with their food by combine NoviSign's interactive widgets on your screens. 

NoviSign digital menu board software is very easy to use and you don't need any technical or design skills in order to create an impressive and professional screen for your business. You can either choose one of our great templates and start filling your restaurant's dishes and prices, or design your own menu board with NoviSign's Studio.

Want to hear more? http://goo.gl/plP4TV

PJSC Announces Managing Director Mark Boidman Named "40 Under Forty" by NACVA and CTI

Press Release Copy from PJSC Public Affairs

June 11, 2015, NEW YORK – Peter J. Solomon Company (PJSC), a leading private investment banking firm, is pleased to announce that Managing Director Mark Boidman has been recognized as a 2015 “40 Under Forty” honoree by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) and the Consultants' Training Institute (CTI).

For the famous Louisville exhibition, top recreational vehicle manufacturer relies on Videotel's dependable digital signage to showcase its travel vehicles

San Diego, CA– Celebrating 50 years on the road, Triple E Recreational Vehicles is the leading supplier of leisure travel vans and other quality vehicles. Their innovative designs, unmatched craftsmanship, and committed customer service, propel them to the top of the industry. The Canadian company offers products that are sleek, durable, and technologically sophisticated, and their superior reputation stretches well into all corners of the United States. When Triple E traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, for the annual RV show, they selected the most reliable digital signage with Videotel's VP70 Industrial Media Player.

Videotel's VP70 Industrial Digital Signage Media Player provides an engaging digital signage solution for displaying video, audio, photos, and images of product or services. The industrial grade digital media player seamlessly loops files for a smooth, clear, visually appealing viewing experience for your audience. Whether showcasing educational or advertising information, the VP70 is easy to use with its USB or SD reader.

Users select from a convenient number of settings, and their video and audio will play continuously without manual interaction. Out of the box solution with HDMI resolution, multiple transition options, multi-function remote control, six-feet HDMI and video cables, and a USB card.

Having carefully selected a digital signage solution, Triple E representatives noted, "We were impressed with the simplicity of the VP70 Industrial Digital Signage Media Player from Videotel, as it enabled us to digitally send out updates over e-mail to be loaded onto the USB key provided with plug and play ability." Our innovative technology assured Triple E a dependable, quality presentation even when they were far from headquarters. "It wasn’t just a looping media device, it was a great and simple solution to play our video content at our Dealer Shows." The leading RV manufacturer trusts Videotel's VP70 model so much that they make sure to bring it along for the massive Kentucky convention.

For exceptional picture quality with 24/7 seamless and reliable auto repeat digital signage media players and interactive technology, Videotel is a number one source.

About Videotel Inc. 

Videotel Inc. is an award winning manufacturer of industrial digital signage media players, industrial looping DVD players, and interactive technology. Based in San Diego, California, Videotel's thirty-four years of market experience in developing reliable industrial digital signage solutions has propelled it to industry leader status. To learn more about Videotel Inc., visit http://www.videoteldigital.com.

Enplug announces version 4.0 of their digital signage software, which includes the industry's first Public App Market, an improved web dashboard, and enhanced options for customization.

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 9, 2015) -- Enplug (enplug.com), creators of the operating system for displays in businesses, announced the latest version of its software, DisplayOS 4.0. The update introduces a host of new features, including the industry’s first Public App Market (enplug.com/apps), a redesigned web dashboard, a new on-screen notification system, and various new options for users to customize their displays.

The announcement of DisplayOS 4.0 reinforces the company’s mission of being the universal platform for powering displays in businesses. Enplug's App Market brings the "App Store" paradigm of mobile computing to digital signage. Anyone can personalize their displays with custom content in seconds by simply browsing the Enplug App Market and selecting from a variety of apps for different use cases.

“Enplug's App Market is a major step in democratizing digital signage.” said Navdeep Reddy, Co-Founder, Enplug. “Until now the ability to curate truly custom content for digital displays was the exclusive domain of a handful of companies. Enplug and DisplayOS 4.0 allows anybody to develop custom applications via our SDK and offer them for public consumption on the Enplug App Market."

"Powering a network of displays with custom content is now no more complex than using your phone." added Navdeep.

DisplayOS 4.0 also includes an improved web dashboard, which provides users a more streamlined and configurable app and display management experience. The new dashboard seamlessly integrates with the Enplug App Market, and new features like user selectable transition animations allow users to further customize their displays.

DisplayOS 4.0’s upgraded on-screen interface features a new notification system specially engineered to increase viewer engagement and provide users with gratifying feedback.

"We’ve learned an incredible amount from our customers around the world. We’re constantly evaluating and questioning how we can make our product better for them." said Zach Spitulski, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Enplug. "With this free update, we’re making our product even more intuitive, engaging, and frictionless.”

DisplayOS 4.0 is set to be released this fall, with the Enplug App Market already publically available at enplug.com/apps.

To learn more about DisplayOS 4.0 visit enplug.com/displayos.

About Enplug

Enplug’s DisplayOS is the operating system for displays in businesses, which transforms any TV or display into a real-time marketing tool. Enplug customers include global brands like WeWork, Marriott, Porsche and Warner Brothers. 

Enplug is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. For more information, visit enplug.com.

Contact

Ryan Gushue, Director of Marketing

Enplug

585-703-3834

http://www.enplug.com

This year NoviSign had an exciting opportunity to take part at Amdocs OSS hackathon and demonstrate how our innovative digital signage widgets can upgrade any competition, company event or business conference. NoviSign's live social walls created a unique interactive environment based on social networks and tremendously upgraded the hackathon experience, otherwise less transparent by nature. NoviSign's interactive widgets added color and interactivity to the event as participants could record themselves working and share their live Twitter and Instagram feeds with the other hackathon teams throughout the world. It was exciting to see this dynamic slideshow made of pictures uploaded by Amdocs participants decorating Amdocs hallways throughout the day.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxZmPi4GmIE

A Hackathon is a short and intensive software development competition, aimed at producing a 'working software' by presenting full development cycle skills, including design, development, testing, product management and product marketing. Amdocs, one of Israel's biggest global software companies, held a hackathon last week that took place in Israel, the UK and India simultaneously. NoviSign was selected to accompany the competition and provide an interactive, social digital signage 'wrapper'. NoviSign provided real-time content sharing on big screens using social networks (Instagram and Twitter) as well as an interactive voting system for the final stage of the competition.

Step 1: Competition Recording 

During the competition each team worked in a closed office but if you walked past Amdocs hallways, you could track the progress by looking at a slideshow of pictures generated by NoviSign social walls application. The competitors took pictures of themselves while working and uploaded the pictures to their Instagram account by using the hashtag #OssHton2015. The result was a dynamic slideshow that mirrored this intense day. Because the competition took place at three different continents simultaneously, it was important to allow interaction and connection among the teams.

Step 2: The Vote

After a long day of project development, the teams woke up to another exciting day of voting and announcing the winner! This is where NoviSign was instrumental with its poll widget. NoviSign presented its poll widget on a big screen at the auditorium on those three locations. All participants and organizers around the world got an invitation to vote with a QR code. After scanning this code with their smartphones, they were directed to a dedicated website where they were given the option to vote for one of the teams, while the results kept updating online on the screens across all three locations. NoviSign software does not allow two votes by the same person, which made the results entirely accurate, and the announcement about the winner was ten minutes after the polls had been closed.

Adding an interactive digital signage to the competition greatly enhanced participant interaction and collaboration . The screens hanged in Amdocs's offices created a fun and an interactive environment and upgraded the experience for all the participants in the competition. NoviSign's digital signage software can benefit each and every screen-based event, with minimum preparation and without a need for ongoing maintenance throughout the event itself. 

Want to hear more? http://goo.gl/QDs4eB

The Breeze 4-channel player simplifies digital menu or video wall installation and management by using a single platform that connects to a cloud server for ubiquitous control. 

LENEXA, Kan. (July 13, 2015)– Keywest Technology has launched another multi-head digital signage player using an Intel® Core™ i7 CPU running on an Ubuntu® open source software platform. The 4-channel signage player supports up to four 1080P channels, which provides a dynamic, high-res presentation for menu systems or video walls. The player is controlled via the company’s cloud-based digital signage service called Breeze Digital Signage℠. 

Just before the summer concert season, Keywest Technology contracted AVIES TECH to install the Breeze 4-channel system at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Breeze system lights up club-level digital menu boards at eight concessions stands using 42 Philips thin-bezel displays. 

Lisa Ramsour, Project Manager at Keywest Technology, commented that the 4-channel Breeze players performed like “rock stars” during a Rolling Stones concert held at the 80,000-seat venue in June. “One menu item needed to be changed instantly because a food vendor sent crispy chicken rather than grilled. One phone call to Keywest Creative and the new menus were updated instantly. The service staff and management were delighted!” 

Working in conjunction with Breeze Digital Signage, Keywest Technology offers network-managed services through Keywest Creative that provide restaurant owners and venue managers all of the benefits of digital menu boards without any of the worry that comes from technical snafus and creative management.  

“The Breeze 4-channel signage player expands Keywest Technology’s capabilities in network-managed services,” said Nick Nichols, Keywest Technology’s President. “With Breeze, we’re not just offering the nuts and bolts of digital signage, but full-on network management that delivers expert results at a reasonable price. The 4-channel Breeze system extends our ability to create and manage robust menu systems or video walls offsite, which not only offers greater utility to clients but also offers far-reaching service value.” 

Although network-managed services is an integral part of the Breeze Digital Signage value proposition, restaurant and venue managers may login to Breeze using the ubiquitous web browser to control the 4-channel signage player. Browser access gives managers advanced digital signage management tools like a template builder, nested playlists, an advertising module, an admin approval queue and handy widgets that add useful features such as weather or data integration. Also, Breeze can also be accessed and controlled via a smartphone. This essentially gives it “pocket control” for those that want to manage the system themselves while on the go, or at least make last-minute changes if a standard browser is not available.

The Breeze 4-channel signage player commenced shipping this spring, and it’s available from authorized AV system and architectural integrators throughout North America. Interested parties and resellers are encouraged to visit the Breeze Digital Signage website for more information: http://www.breezedigitalsignage.com/ 

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 network-managed services. Based in Lenexa, Kansas, the company is dedicated to making business communication as enjoyable as a day at the beach. For more information, visit www.KeywestTechnology.com.

Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

Ubuntu is a registered trademark of Canonical Ltd.

Breeze Digital Signage is a registered service mark of Keywest Technology, Inc.

Charlotte, NC - The Retail Solution Providers Association (RSPA) has selected 11Giraffes as the exclusive digital signage provider for RetailNOW 2015. In this capacity, 11Giraffes will provide digital signage services for the exhibit hall, schedule and announcement boards surrounding the educational session spaces, and information and welcome screens near registration.

As the exclusive digital signage provider, the 11Giraffes software platform will be used for digital signage and interactive content management and presentation throughout the show. The company is also creating custom video content for RSPA. 11Giraffes coordinated with distribution and hardware partners SYNNEX and Samsung to complete the solution for RSPA. 

11Giraffes Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Operations, Jim Marascio, will present "Delivering Modern In-Store Experiences" as one of the event's educational sessions. 

"We are so grateful to have smart, generous members like 11Giraffes.  With their partnership, we are able to offer, for the second year in a row, digital signage at RetailNOW 2015 to help enhance the attendee experience" said Kelly Funk, RSPA President and CEO.

"By incorporating scheduling information, wayfinding, news and announcements, along with the RSPA's branding and custom videos into the RetailNOW environment via digital signage, 11Giraffes is demonstrating how our signage platform is perfect for trade show and corporate communications applications," said Jim Marascio, 11Giraffes Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Operations. "We're all used to seeing digital signage in retail, hospitality and restaurant environments. Working with RSPA allows us to demonstrate ancillary applications to resellers and others attending RetailNOW."

Billed as "where the industry meets", RetailNOW 2015 is expected to draw over 2,000 attendees, representing a dozen countries and all markets of the retail technology industry. The trade show runs August 2-5 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. 

About 11Giraffes

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, 11Giraffes provides innovative, scalable, reliable and easy-to-use digital signage and in-store audio solutions to companies worldwide. The company's software and hardware products are distributed through a large network of value added resellers who place its products in a wide range of industries including retail, hospitality, QSR/restaurant, assisted living, automotive, financial institutions, medical and dental offices, country clubs, and c-stores. 11Giraffes is committed to creating products that extend brands, deliver messages, and speak to customers. 

www.11giraffes.com 

About RSPA

The RSPA is the only association dedicated to the Point of Sale and retail technology industry.   Our members include resellers, software developers, hardware manufacturers, distributors and other service providers that bring technology products and services to the marketplace.

RSPA accelerates the success of its members in the point of sale ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections.   RSPA provides live, face to face education and networking annually at its two signature events, RetailNOW® (www.GoRSPA.org/RetailNOW) and INSPIRE® (www.GoRSPA.org/INSPIRE).  Other member benefits include a legal hotline, webinars, industry advocacy, a bi-monthly magazine and discounted shipping and event access.   Learn more by going to www.GoRSPA.org.

Last week we had the honor to take part at Globes' (one of the major economic newspapers in Israel) annual business conference with our interactive screens. Our goal was to raise the discourse and the experiences from the conference on the screen. In practice, the noise and traffic were larger than we imagined, when hundreds of tweets and photos from the conference were displayed on the screens through the day and the exposure of the content from the conference on social networks was enormous.

https://youtu.be/pygYLc2I0HU

'Mad' (digital marketing and advertising) is an annual business conference attended by influence people in the advertising industry, business people and reporters in order to take part in discussions related to the Israeli economy and to promote themselves and their business. This year, by using NoviSign live social walls we offered the attendees to publish content from the sessions and personal insights on the big screen in front of thousands of people who took part at this event. In fact, the screens allowed to have a practical dialogue about topical issues evoked various panels and it presented a current and dynamic slideshow of the people who took part in different places and on different activities of this day.

Preparations for the social activity were very simple and required no maintenance during the event. The screen itself was designed by NoviSign online Studio and included a ticker for the Twitter tweets, Instagram photos slideshow and RSS feed from Globes website. In terms of hardware, all we had to do was to connect a Minix Neo X7 (Android TV box) to one of the screens at the event using NoviSign's live social walls software. In order to invite people to participate in the activity. The conference organizers published few days before the event and through it that the hash tag word for this event was to be #GlobesMad2015.

The results were amazing! The event took place for more than seven hours and the screen was updating all the time with the most recent content from every panel and location of the conference. In addition for the dynamic screen, the conference social traffic was increased and there were over 50,000 people who viewed the content from the conference by social networks. Beyond the exposure, the guests of the conference got a unique and special experience when they were given the opportunity to take an active factor of the conference by taking part in a debate around the conference on the screen and share their personal experiences from the event. 

Want to hear more?

http://goo.gl/FkZSff 

Intuitive device software supports digital display content for a broad range of markets - now available on Userful video walls

Calgary, AB and Seattle, WA - Userful Corporation, an industry-leading software appliance for display infrastructure company, and UIEvolution, a global leader in highly scalable connected device software solutions, have teamed to provide flexible, integrated content solutions offering for Hospitality, Cruise and Retail customers. Customers can now utilize UIEvolution’s powerful UIE ExperienceManager to deploy and manage content on any display connected to a Userful appliance including the stunning Userful Network Video Wall.

Userful’s Network Video Wall is the first video wall solution to deliver 4k and higher content in real-time over the network. It supports multiple video walls from a single, standard PC and is entirely managed through a browser. With the UIE ExperienceManager platform, now integrated as a plugin into the Userful solution, Hospitality, Cruise and Retail customers can easily deploy content onto Userful’s high-performance, cost-effective video walls.

“Video walls are rapidly growing in hospitality and retail, and cruise ships greatly benefit from the reduced power consumption and easy AV-over-IP distribution built into the Userful appliance and zero-client devices,” said Tim Griffin, founder and CTO of Userful. “UIE ExperienceManager is a powerful solution for companies to engage with their customers while offering great content. Userful now makes it easy to deploy that same content on any display or video wall within the network.”

UIE ExperienceManager is a platform for managing a range of content such as video-on-demand, live TV, music, and over-the-top (OTT) apps. It is designed to deliver rich and highly personalized guest experiences. The software is used for a variety of markets, including hospitality, to provide next-generation guest entertainment and digital signage experiences across brands and establishments.

“We are delighted to have been selected by Userful and look forward to working with them,” said Travis Beaven, CPO and GM of Consumer Engagement at UIEvolution. “UIEvolution has been leading the display technology and digital signage industries with our powerful UIE ExperienceManager platform, now live globally on thousands of endpoints. The combination of Userful’s Network Video Wall with UIE ExperienceManager provides us with another exciting way to deliver engaging, memorable visual experiences for our Cruise, Hotel and Retail customers.”

The new partnership creates many opportunities in the hospitality, retail, and cruise ship sectors to enhance customer and guest experience with easy distribution of compelling content to endpoints including onto high impact 4k video walls. UIEvolution and Userful combined provide simple, flexible and cost-effective digital display solutions for everyone.

About Userful

Userful Corporation is a leading infrastructure software company that makes it simple and affordable for organizations to drive and centrally manage intelligent displays. Userful supports centrally powered displays from desktops to touch-screens to video walls and beyond, with exceptional performance, unique flexibility and at the lowest cost on the market. Userful is the trusted provider of over 1 million displays in over 100 countries and works with zero- and thin-client devices from world-class partners such as ViewSonic, Thinglobal, Atrust, Centerm and HP. userful.com

About UIEvolution

UIEvolution is a vertical cloud Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider specializing in highly scalable connected device software and solutions across a broad range of markets, including automotive, cruise, hotel, retail, and more. We believe that technology and connectivity should enhance and never distract from life experiences. From our inception in 2000, we have said, “The user’s experience matters.” And, now for nearly 15 years we have made software and provided services that deliver this vision. Headquartered in Seattle with offices in Tokyo and Detroit, UIEvolution has a proven track record with clients like Toyota, Lexus, Carnival Cruise Lines, Samsung, AT&T, Microsoft, Disney, Mitsubishi and Panasonic. http://www.uievolution.com

Media Contact

Daniel Griffin

Vice President, Userful

daniel@userful.com

250-381-5335

Cami Zimmer

Corporate Communications, UIEvolution

czimmer@uievolution.com

952-239-9822

Los Angeles, CA -  Eye-catching is an understatement for Haas Brothers' edgy designs that lean primarily toward furniture and sculpture. The designers’ creations are practically unmistakable, and their style has earned a position in Artsy’s top nine designers for 2015. Now, the duo has stated that they will use the Videotel VP70 industrial digital signage media player for their marketing efforts. “Videotel makes the simplest, most reliable video looper I've ever used,” declares Nikolai Haas. “Our business is one of very high dollar and high stakes. I know I can count on Videotel to deliver.”

The Haas Brothers are in a high-dollar business. Big ideas and big-name clients require proven interactive solutions for marketing. The Haas Brothers may be best known for their collaboration with Versace and their association with Lady Gaga, for whom they crafted masks, wings and other costuming pieces, but not all Haas Brothers patrons are celebrities. At design and art shows, Haas Brothers’ enthusiasts find that they can combine form with function and art with design that tends toward zoomorphic creations.

The Videotel HD looping digital signage media player is perfect for this high-end clientele. The VP70 requires very little human interaction, allowing the brothers to focus on demonstrating how their ideas influence emerging trends in artistic furniture and sculpture design. The VP70 is a plug-and-play solution with auto-on, auto-start and auto-repeat functions. Never does the player present an awkward black or green screen that draws attention to itself rather than the Haas Brother’s designs.

The Haas Brothers are quick to suggest that their pieces, should be viewed through a humorous lens. Humor is an essential part of humanity, but there’s nothing funny about a technological glitch in the middle of an important presentation. Perhaps avoiding such gaffs is why the duo chose the Videotel VP70 as the centerpiece of their digital signage.

About Videotel Inc.

Videotel Inc. is the only company manufacturing industrial looping DVD players. Videotel’s players smoothly handle video content, digital signage and industrial media for multiple industries. Videotel, headquartered in San Diego, California, has been the industry leader in providing dependable industrial digital solutions and products for more than 34 years.

Videotel’s players run continuously for years without failure, and the company is the only provider of the auto start, auto play and auto repeat features. The auto features work flawlessly even during power failures, with no user intervention required.

For more information about Videotel Digital’s line of top-quality industrial digital signage media players and interactive digital signage solutions, please visit http://www.videoteldigital.com or call (800) 878-4056. You can also visit Videotel on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ or Twitter.

The Queen's Medical Center, in the Honolulu, Hawaii area, has recently purchased new digital signage media players for its hospital rooms. The solution that the hospital chose to buy were Videotel's VP71 Industrial Media Players. Prior to purchasing this high-quality media player from Videotel, The Queen's Hospital frequently experienced challenges with getting their signage players to power on. They experienced many power glitches, which directly impacted patient care. The hospital administrator has informed Videotel Inc. that the hospital is very grateful to have chosen this solution above all others. The hospital especially likes the auto power switch, which prevents the need to worry about the troublesome power glitches affecting the function of important equipment. This dependable product manufactured by Videotel Inc. allows The Queen's Hospital to provide its patients with the highest quality of care and make news, information, and other important data readily available to patients, visitors, employees, and family members of patients.

Videotel prides itself on providing top-notch industrial digital equipment and exceptional customer support. The Videotel's VP71 is an industrial-grade digital media player that has the ability to auto-power-on, auto-loop and auto-repeat content seamlessly. This is done without the necessity for menus, remotes, or manual interaction. The VP71 supports RS232 with a communication-ready port, which enables users to play content at designated times of the day. The media player’s durable design enables the VP71 to run for more than six years without failure. The VP71 can also be used to create an interactive experience for patients by connecting LED push buttons or motion sensors.

About Videotel Inc.

Videotel Inc. is an award winning manufacture of industrial digital signage media players, industrial looping dvd players and interactive technology. Based in San Diego, CA, Videotel's 34 years of market experience in developing reliable industrial digital signage solutions has propelled it to industry leader status. To learn more about Videotel Inc., visit http://www.videoteldigital.com.