The Next Game-Changers
* Paul A. Larson
* On Wednesday June 10, 2009, 7:00 am EDT
Economic moats are dynamic entities that are constantly shifting. As investors, it's crucial to know whether the competitive advantages of our firms are getting stronger, weaker, or not changing much. Below are some of the larger trends we are observing that will change the landscape in the coming years. How these trends play out will determine whether or not dozens of companies we follow hang on to their moats as well as which companies will eventually graduate to wide moat.
Fragmentation of Media
It was only a generation ago that media companies of all stripes had some of the widest moats. In any given city, there might be one or two newspapers, as well as a handful of television and radio stations, and that was about it. The companies that held the appropriate licenses controlled the dissemination of information. It was almost impossible to start and maintain a business without paying the relatively steep price of the few toll-keepers that managed information exchange.
As an example of just how concentrated media was a few decades ago, back in the 1950s, it was common for more than half the televisions in the country to be tuned to the typical "I Love Lucy" show. But today, the world has totally changed, and it will likely only continue to get worse for the existing media companies. It's safe to say that the shared media experiences of the past are mostly gone.
The number of options for receiving information via any given medium has exploded. We've gone from three major television networks to hundreds of available cable channels. In radio, in recent years we've gone from a couple dozen stations in any given market to hundreds because of high-definition and satellite services. Each additional channel slices the existing pie into pieces that are that much smaller.
Not only are we seeing a proliferation of options over media that have existed for some time, but we are also seeing an explosion of alternatives. For instance, I no longer receive physical newspapers; I just read everything online, a far superior format in terms of scope and speed. Plus, why watch "reality television" when Web sites Facebook and YouTube can provide just as much entertainment? My kids and their friends (as good an indication as any of what the future will bring) still watch small amounts of TV, but it is a tiny fraction of the amount I watched growing up in the pre-Internet era. They much prefer (as do I) to spend their downtime in front of a computer instead of sitting on a couch in front of the TV.
The losers from the trend are the media companies themselves, including conglomerates Disney and General Electric . In a nutshell, these companies control something that was once scarce but is now plentiful. There is a big silver lining, however, as there is a group benefiting from this trend. Namely, the consumer products firms with strong brands, such as Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble . In the golden age of media, it was relatively easy to reach a broad audience to launch a new product. Today, attaining critical mass for a new national brand is much more difficult, as there is no easy way to advertise to a majority of the population. As media fragments further, the incumbent brands simply become that much more entrenched.
Digitization
Not only is the way we receive media fragmenting exponentially, but the information and entertainment we consume is moving to the digital realm. Examples best tell the story here. Physical newspapers are closing by the day, as people migrate online to receive the news. Audio CD sales continue to plunge (now at roughly half the peak reached in 2000), while download services such as Apple's iTunes continue to explode in popularity. Or, consider the high growth rates of Netflix , while Blockbuster is nearing bankruptcy. (And even the traditional Netflix mail service is likely to be supplanted by downloads.)
In a nutshell, in the future, if something is able to be delivered and consumed electronically, it probably will because this method of distribution is much less expensive. After all, the value in any given media is not in the cardboard and plastic, but rather in the information itself. Apple and Amazon's gain will be at the expense of physical retailers such as Best Buy and Barnes & Noble .
Cloud Computing
It's not just music and movies that are likely to be delivered via the Internet in coming years, but software, too. The days of buying a physical cardboard box full of software and manuals are numbered.
Consider "cloud computing" (which is sometimes called "software as a service"). Basically, instead of having all your software and files installed on your computer, in a cloud computing world, you would just fire up a Web browser and use services provided remotely from central locations. In the current way of doing things, I buy Microsoft Word, install it on my machine, use it, and store my files on my local hard drive. But on the bleeding edge of technology, I could just fire up a Web browser, visit the Web site of a word processing service (such as the current Google Docs), and save my documents on the service's central computers. It's cheaper, and the documents are automatically backed up and available from anywhere.
Allow me a short analogy using electricity. Think of how the world would look if each of us had our personal electricity generator in our backyards. Although silly and inefficient, this is essentially what we have with computers today. Eventually, it looks as though the computing world will move to the electricity model, where power is generated efficiently at a handful of central locations and then distributed via a robust transmission system.
Another emerging example of this trend comes from console gaming. A new firm named OnLive will soon be offering a service that--according to early reviews--will offer games comparable to what is available today from Microsoft's Xbox or Sony's PlayStation. But with OnLive, there is no big box under the television or physical games required, just a controller and a simple device that connects to the Internet.
The winners are the companies that can provide the large central servers such an infrastructure would require. This means numerous firms, such as IBM (NYSE:IBM - News), Oracle (NasdaqGS:ORCL - News), Cisco , and Google, could see their moats widen a tad and/or their growth rates tick up. Those with narrowing moats are those that benefit from the old way of doing things. Dell does a great job selling powerful desktop boxes, but the amount of computing power sitting on a desktop is becoming much less relevant. Moreover, Microsoft has a stranglehold on desktop software, but once software becomes provided as a service, the desktop loses relevance. (We still think Microsoft has a wide moat as it will no doubt be a major player in cloud computing, but its moat is definitely narrowing from its previous "superwide" status.)
Cloud computing is perhaps the most revolutionary trend in this article, as opposed to the other trends that are more evolutionary. Simply put, software is no longer married to hardware. Or, just think of it as the trend toward having the majority of computing power no longer distributed on millions of desktop boxes, but rather provided by central servers in thousands of locations and distributed via the Internet.
Health-Care Reform
Health-care spending growth has outpaced overall economic growth for several decades now, and this is not a sustainable situation. This means we will have to limit care (no more "all you can eat" health care), or we will have to reduce the cost of care, or both. Reform could potentially take several paths, and in the most drastic scenarios, nearly every health-care company we follow would have its moat destroyed. But we think milder, incremental changes are most likely to occur.
One thing that seems to be obviously coming down the pike (because it was mentioned in President Obama's budget) are generic versions of biologic drugs. Biologics are drugs composed of proteins that tend to be quite large chemically (thousands of atoms) and made via biological processes. These differ from most pharmaceuticals, which are small molecules with only a couple dozen atoms, easily manufactured in bulk. Whenever a biologic drug goes off-patent in the United States, the drugs essentially maintain a monopoly because a biologic drug's form and function depend on its manufacturing method. Much like how a wine from France tastes different than a wine from Ohio; the differences are subtle but important. With biologics, creating a precisely exact copy of a drug is nearly impossible, so at the moment, a generic manufacturer cannot simply say "me too" concerning the safety and efficacy studies. Right now, there is no meaningful approval pathway for generic biologics.
But that is changing. In order to generate greater competition (and lower prices) the government wants to create relatively easy pathways for generic biologics to make it to market by relaxing and streamlining testing restrictions. Should this happen, the losers would be those companies currently selling biologics, such as Amgen and Johnson & Johnson . Winners would be generic manufacturers, such as the Sandoz unit at Novartis (NYSE:NVS - News). (This trend could move the needle a lot at Amgen, but not so much at J&J and Novartis, given their diversity of operations.) Either way, the broader trend is that the government will be doing everything in its power to lower its costs (reduced pricing power in the industry across the board), offset mildly by an increase in volumes as the currently uninsured receive more care.
As you can see, some companies will see the competitive advantages weaken a tad over time, while others will get stronger. It's simply the way of the world to have comers and goers. We've got eyes on the changes and are incorporating all the shifts in the landscape into our ratings and analyses.
A version of this article originally appeared in the May issue of Morningstar StockInvestor. Click here to learn more:
http://msi.morningstar.com/Purchase.aspx?pgid=msispec
Morningstar Premium Members get access to over 3,900 Stock and Fund Analyst Reports, Analyst Picks, and award-winning portfolio tools
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Next Game-Changers! A Media Revolution!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Press Release: Vario A1 Atom Player available bundled with signagelive for £775 Trade
Vario A1 Atom Player available bundled with signagelive for £775 Trade
By Jason Cremins • June 12th, 2009
The new Intel Atom based Vario A1 from Blue Chip Technology is available preloaded with signagelive for true Instant Digital Signage.
The performance of the Vario A1 enables full unrestricted support for all signagelive features including Multi-zone layouts with multiple video, still image windows, multiple RSS tickers, TV Overlay Card and Live IPTV streaming. In addition, the Vario A1 is capable of supporting a full range User Generated Content through native support of Media RSS within signagelive.
Including 12 months warranty and signagelive licence, the Vario A1 / signagelive bundle represents tremendous value for money. Options are available to increase the warranty and signagelive licence to 3 years at the time of order.
The Vario A1 and signagelive bundle is available through signagelive Distributors and Blue Chip Technology. Further information and trade pricing is available direct from signagelive, our Distributors and Blue Chip Technology.
| Kind regards Interested in a free 30 day trial of signagelive? Click here to register
| |||
| This document and any attachments to it contain information that is private and confidential and should only be read by those persons to whom they are addressed. No person, without subsequent written confirmation of their contents, should rely upon the contents of this e-mail. This e-mail and the information it contains are supplied in good faith but Remote Media shall not be under any liability in damages or otherwise for any reliance that may be placed upon them by the recipient. | |||
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
Join Gefen at InfoComm for Insight into New Connectivity Solutions for AV Pros.
Extends any HDMI v1.3 signal with IR and RS-232 up to 1000 feet (300m) using a single fiber optic cable, streamlining cable costs with today's highest quality method of signal extension. The use of a fiber optic cable also ensures that all EMI is eliminated.
GefenTV Home Theater Audio Processor
Creates surround sound in any room by extracting audio from any HDMI input and delivering it in 8-channel analog format with 25 watts per channel amplification. The same HDMI input is delivered to two mirrored outputs, allowing you to connect an HDTV and projector or dual displays as well.
About Gefen:
Gefen manufactures a wide selection of signal switchers, splitters, extenders, scalers, converters, KVM solutions and home theater accessories that support digital signage, education, government, residential, retail, industrial and commercial applications. Gefen's hardware enables audio/video and computer systems to be easily integrated, extended, distributed and optimized to maximize performance. For more information, please visit www.gefen.com.
4X DVI DL to HDMI v1.3 Converter
First solution in the world to allow four dual link DVI computers to be viewed on four HDMI v1.3 deep color displays offering a 12 bit conversion to view high density content on projectors using HDMI v1.3 format.
16x16 DVI Matrix
Supports the connection of up to 16 computers or graphics cards using DVI to any 16 digital displays or projectors, supporting resolutions up to 1920x1200.
Linda Morgan, 818.745.0020, linda@gefen.com
Review any product free for 30-days with the option to purchase at discounted rates. Contact linda@gefen.com for details.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A Music Video that tells the story of MadisonAvenue's Current State of Affairs
I hope all of you will find this an interesting take on internet multimedia’s effect on the Advertising world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CqRcCHk_Pc
Capital Lighting Uses StrandVision Digital Signage in All 21 Locations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Capital Lighting Uses StrandVision Digital Signage
in All 21 Locations
Upgrades to Platinum package with streaming video…
Capital Lighting uses the digital signs to promote products and services at its branch locations. The signage system also promotes upcoming training seminars and features customer events, as well as individual customers who participate in
The signage network supports
The digital signage displays, mostly 42" LCD television monitors, are mounted over parts counters where customers can easily view a rotation of informational slides and videos. The signs also display national and local news, weather and sports.
Designed to complement other
The full rollout to all 21 locations enables
"Our StrandVision digital signage network is yet another avenue to communicate with customers in order to introduce new products, services and events," said
A Marketing Trend
Digital signs are a marketing trend for industrial distributors. StrandVision's approach is low-cost and easy to implement, and does not require specialized knowledge or equipment. Its Internet-based approach employs a standard television screen, such as an LCD or plasma display, and a personal computer. The digital signage images are distributed over the Internet from StrandVision directly to the local display. Updates and changes are simply made at any time to one or many screens by logging onto a special password-protected Web site.
In Capital Lighting's case, Marketing defines the communications campaigns and the slides are then uploaded to the StrandVision server by a marketing administrator who posts both the corporate-wide and regional pages and videos.
"Capital Lighting is typical of many StrandVision customers," said Mike Strand, StrandVision founder and CEO. "They experimented with a limited deployment and then expanded to the rest of their facilities. In the case of Capital Lighting, they also paid for the Premium video package to take advantage of more of their vendors' promotional tools. We're looking forward to continuing to work with Capital Lighting and seeing how their system evolves."
About StrandVision
StrandVision LLC delivers low-cost, Web-based Software as a Service (SaaS) digital signage through a patent-pending approach that delivers content to subscribers' LCD and plasma displays, as well as computer screens and Web sites. StrandVision's service distributes text and graphics pages, including advertisements, video content, and national and local weather and news. It is ideal for medical and dental offices (patient education), banks, retailers and industrial distributors (video merchandising), employee break rooms (events and benefits), non-profit and religious organizations (member and supporter communications), and other applications.
StrandVision also offers PC-2-TV.net, a fully digital, high-definition (HD) personal computer-to-television adapter for use with digital signage and many other applications.
StrandVision Digital Signage services and PC-2-TV.net are available directly from StrandVision and through registered affiliates and system integrators (http://www.strandvision.com/?installers). Additional information about StrandVision is available at http://www.strandvision.com, by calling 715-235-7446 or emailing sales@strandvision.com.
###
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
EDITORS - For further information:
Mike Strand
StrandVision
715-235-7446 X100
Soucy Communications Group
781-898-7305
High resolution photo available - Contact
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
[PR] Digital signage bundle delivers turnkey solution for resellers
| Hi Robert -- Check out new digital signage bundle from Rise Vision and AOpen -- details follow. Let me know if I can arrange interviews, or answer questions. Are you attending InfoComm09? If so, I'd be happy to arrange a time for you to talk with Ryan Cahoy in person. alison --- Alison Harris | 207-829-4500 | alison@harrismediaservices.com Rise Vision, Inc. Partners with AOpen to Develop Turnkey Digital Signage Solution Bundled package offers digital signage customers a low-cost media player that is pre-loaded with digital signage content management solution ETOBICOKE, Ontario – June 9, 2009 – Rise Vision, Inc. has announced it is partnering with AOpen America, Inc. to pre-load the Rise Display Network, its web-based content management system for the control of digital signage networks, on AOpen’s robust, ultra small form factor Digital Engine™ powered media players. The upcoming bundled players will be available through Ingram Micro and Synnex distribution partners, enabling customers to quickly and affordably deploy complete digital signage solutions. The partnership powers both companies to leverage their expertise, distribution partnerships, and technical support capabilities to deliver a turnkey solution to customers. Benefits include: • A low-cost solution, delivering AOpen’s state-of-the-art media player bundled with a one-year subscription to the Rise Display Network content management solution. • A plug-and-go turnkey solution, enabling customers to jump-start their digital signage deployment and focus on messaging and content creation rather than technological deployment. • Wide network distributor access and reseller partners. • Enhanced education, market-building expertise, and technical support services. “AOpen is committed to increasing market share of digital signage by partnering with independent software vendors such as Rise Vision to develop complete and affordable turnkey digital signage solutions,” says Dale Tsai, President, AOpen America. “This partnership leverages Rise Vision’s significant expertise in digital signage content management, and enables customers access to an affordable, web-based solution.” "This partnership makes sense for Rise Vision and AOpen, but more importantly, it makes sense for digital signage resellers and their customers," says Ryan Cahoy, Managing Director, Rise Vision, Inc. "This bundled solution enables customers to get started on the things that are important to them – displaying their messages in an attractive and compelling way – without wrestling with technology issues. That, combined with the affordable price point, makes it an easy sale for our reseller partners." Please note that attendees to the Infocomm’09 conference and exhibits may stop by the Peerless booth to sign up for the Digital Signage Experts tour offered by Minicom Digital Signage. The tour is offered at no cost to attendees; for more information, visit www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/events/infocomm09tour.htm. The Rise Display Network is a web-based, Software-as-a-Service content management system operated by Rise Vision. Subscriptions include access to live content such as news headlines, local weather, sports scores, and stock ticker updates. Users incorporate this live content with their own information, including media files, graphics, and text, and publish it directly to their network of digital signs. The new Private Network Operator program provides resellers with a personalized log-in page where they can promote branding, cross-selling, and event messages directly to end users every time they access their digital signage networks. About AOpen America, Inc. As the pioneers of ultra small form factor (uSFF) components and customizable platforms, AOpen America, Inc. (http://usa.aopen.com) remains in the wheelhouse with its strategic alliances, setting the standard for vertical market solutions via Mini-ITX platforms that provide open architecture versatility, next-generation technology and unmatched value through huge energy cost savings and readiness compliance with Energy Star and EPEAT. AOpen drives Innovation Economy Technology™ (I-ET) in socially responsible, green IT solutions for offices, homes and mission-critical applications including digital signage, workstation PCs and ruggedized industrial PCs. About Rise Vision, Inc. Rise Vision, Inc. owns, develops, and operates the Rise Display Network, a web-based, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) content management system for digital signage that brings live data, custom messages, and content to thousands of displays. The Rise Display Network is a web service that does not require hosting infrastructure; users login from any Internet-accessible browser to update, control, and monitor their displays, or use their smart-phone browser to send critical alerts. Every display needs a message – we believe that it should be as easy as creating that message from the web, anywhere, anytime and knowing that it has been delivered. It’s that simple. For more information, call 877.538.7473 or visit http://www.risevision.com. Contacts For Rise Vision: Todd Hemme Rise Vision, Inc. 913-538-6988 todd.hemme@risevision.com Alison Harris Harris Media Services 207-829-4500 alison@harrismediaservices.com For AOpen America: Laura Diaz Marketing Communications 408-586-1281 lauradiaz@aopen.com |
Saturday, June 6, 2009
We Aren't Going to Infocomm!
An InfoComm Booth Redefined
Digital signage company .advancedMethod decided to approach the week after next’s InfoComm (held this year in Orlando, Florida) a little differently.
Robert Grawet, General Manager of .advancedMethod, told us “Our digital signage system, express, is perfectly capable of doing the talking for us. Not only does digital signage greatly reduce on the printing and shipping costs of traditional signage material; express provides the perfect platform for us to have our voice heard loud and clear!”
So instead of flying a large Seattle-based team and booth materials across the country .advancedMethod has basically decided NOT to attend InfoComm at all - at least not in the traditional sense!
Through express, the Seattle team is able to create and schedule content ahead of time that explains the company’s various offerings. In addition, .advancedMethod will even offer guests at booth #2179 a very special interactive kiosk/video conferencing experience that will put them directly in touch with the team back in Seattle.
It’s certainly one of the first places we will be visiting. Very clever, though how well it works in practice we will have to wait and see.
By the way, following InfoComm, the box will be disassembled and all materials will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, going towards building homes for those in need and to further conserve resources (there’s a big green message in this all) .advancedMethod will be building their booth in Orlando from local recyclable resources.
As you can see in the picture, the booth is designed to look like a giant express box that guests can interact with in order to learn more about the express digital signage system.
Chris Sheldrake
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Instant Expert by .advancedMethod and Tandberg comes to Infocomm!
Find us as a Gold Sponsor in the Digital Signage Pavilion at Infocomm 2009 - Orlando Florida. Booth 2179. .jpg)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
June 4, 2009 Kasie Dawkins, 206.973.2938
kasie@advancedmethod.com
THE INSTANT EXPERT /TRANSLATION STATION (ONE EXPERT TO SERVE MANY CUSTOMERS) ARRIVES AT INFOCOMM 2009!
SEATTLE, WA – Digital signage company .advancedMethod, in cooperation with TANDBERG, is gearing up to demonstrate a very special interactive kiosk/video conference experience at this year’s InfoComm that will allow instant video contact with a subject expert or an interpreter at the touch of a button. The system offers a retailer, mass transit hub, or any other customer facing facility the ability to have an “instant expert” on hand at any time. It can be used anywhere a retailer or organization needs more of a presence without hiring additional employees.
By touching any of the custom buttons on the Instant Expert/Translation Station, a user can instantly be connected to a pre-determined expert at any location in the world. Buttons can be customized to fit a company or organization’s specific needs. For example, one can have an instant translation into a foreign language in order to provide a lost traveler with the ability to communicate in his/her native language. When it is not in use the Instant Expert is automatically turned into digital signage using .advancedMethod’s express system.
Instant Expert can also provide businesses running with fewer personnel due to the current economic situation the capability of having one employee in a central location become the go-to expert for many sites, reducing local staffing costs. By offering retail store customers the ability to communicate via a world class HD video conference connection with an expert on a company’s product; organizations can now offer their clientele a world of better service at a great reduction in staffing.
First seen at Infocomm 2006 as a concept, the system has undergone many improvements and is now ready for market. The solution is made possible by working with TANDBERG and their world class video conferencing system, the TANDBERG 1700 MXP. Customers can buy the product from .advancedMethod after InfoComm on a limited basis. You can experience it for yourself at booth 2179 in the Digital Signage Pavilion at InfoComm 2009.
Initially Instant Expert/Translation Station will be a custom product; however plans are underway to develop it into an off the shelf solution. You can be the first in your market to offer this new high level of service to all your customers by calling .advancedMethod right away at 206.957.2626.
.advancedMethod’s express prides itself on being a new kind of digital signage system:
one that is easy to use, easy to update and easy to buy - express includes the basic player and software necessary to create your own content right out of the box, plus industry-related templates, even “live” news feeds. express is designed to dramatically simplify the deployment of digital signage, whether that means to a single sign or a gigantic network. With the re-bundling of their IT services, .advancedMethod continues to offer customers the options they are looking for in a digital signage system – all at a competitive price point.
The .advancedMethod team members have unique backgrounds having worked with Apple, Smart Technologies, Da-Lite, EIKI International, Packard Bell Computers, and Adobe. More information can be found at www.advancedmethod.com.
###
About .advancedMethod:
Founded in 2002 to provide innovative web-based communications services, .advancedMethod engineered new concepts in streaming video and in creating eVideo, a proprietary methodology for delivering a "live" presentation with available bandwidth. This mastery was then applied to digital signage solutions, resulting in a robust digital signage operating system, user-friendly authoring tools, and support services.
About EIKI Digital Systems, Inc.
With more than a half century of experience in professional audiovisual communications technology behind it, EIKI Digital Systems, Inc. was established in 2008 to broaden the scope of The EIKI Family of Companies. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, EIKI Digital Systems shares management and a focus on the ProAV channel with its older sibling, EIKI International, Inc. of Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Press Release - Product Announcement
Dear Editor,
I’m pleased to provide you this press release which announces the beta release of SceneStudio Online, the most exciting product to ever hit the digital signage market. It’s a presentation development application that provides industry leading price points and the ability to be utilized across multiple communication platforms. Multimedia presentations can be played back on a webpage, offline on any Windows PC and in a traditional digital signage setting. It’s the first product to have a legitimate chance to enable small & medium business to adopt digital signage.
Product website: www.SceneStudioOnline.com.
Presentation Output Examples:
- Business: http://www.scenestudioonline.com/View.aspx?job=2c191d6d-07eb-464b-86b1-950484cd8f01
- Personal (these are mine so use for informational purposes only): http://www.scenestudioonline.com/View.aspx?job=5e9c609b-df38-4651-94f9-eb3fdaacde96
Media assets are available for download at: http://www.box.net/shared/3s332iv2x2. Assets include company logos, a PowerPoint file describing the product and associated images and icons.
If you have any questions please contact me by email or cell phone.
Best regards,
Monday, June 1, 2009
Electrograph Sinks Like The Titanic-New Tips for Distributors, Resellers and Manufacturer's
I can’t help it, but this story reminds me of the Titanic with its super fast new engines and its ego driven need for speed that was its demise. This will undoubtedly change the distribution channels and should make resellers carefully choose suppliers who (moving forward) are in it for the long haul.
Read More Of The Story Here:
Lisa Jachimowicz
President
Digital Signage Forum
16416 Lemolo Shore Drive
Poulsbo, WA 98370
Phone: 360-551-2323
www.digitalsignagedirectory.com
Your success is our success!
Goodbye Electrograph!
Electrograph Systems Enters Liquidation Process
HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK — Electrograph Systems, Inc. announced today that it will be moving forward
with a liquidation process of all its inventory and assets.
Alan Marc Smith, Electrograph’s outgoing CEO said, “We are very disappointed with this outcome. There were a number of factors leading to this result including poor economic conditions and constrained access to vendor credit. After exploring all other possible avenues for sustaining the company, including an unsuccessful sale process, our board decided this was the only path for our company.”
“After being with Electrograph for 22 years, I am deeply saddened by the result of this situation. We would like to thank our resellers for their business over the past 25 years, our vendor partners and other friends in the industry for their support. Above all, we thank our loyal employees for their hard work and dedication,” said outgoing President Sam Taylor.
During the wind-down period, a group of 60 employees will be staying and the four warehouses in City of Industry, CA, Grove City, OH, Hauppauge, NY and Middletown, NY will remain open and shipping product. The remainder of Electrograph’s 75 employees was laid off today.
Continued Smith, “The last couple of months have been challenging for our employees and we’d like to say thank you for their loyalty, professionalism and service to our customers and to each other.”
The company’s website will remain functioning during this period where it will be advertising promotional offerings and posting updates on the liquidation process.
About Electrograph
Founded in 1982, Electrograph Systems, Inc., is a national distributor of technology solutions, including plasma displays, LCD displays, LCD and DLP™ projectors and other specialty displays. The company specializes in display, audio, connectivity and other complementary technologies for both the consumer and commercial markets. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.electrograph.com.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Press Release : Flickr, Google Picasa, Photobucket Web 2.0 UGC Support Added to signagelive.
Flickr, Google Picasa, Photobucket Web 2.0 UGC Support Added to signagelive.
Saffron Walden, United Kingdom – 22nd May 2009 – signagelive the Software as a Service (SaaS) digital signage platform, has added full support for User Generated Content (UGC) enabling pictures and video uploaded and stored to Flickr, Google Picasa Web Albums, and Photobucket (plus any Media RSS* publishing platform) to be scheduled and played back on Displays, Desktops and as Screensavers on any internet connected Windows based PC.
Using the signagelive online layout creator users can create pixel accurate multi-zone templates to be designed in any combination of style and layout required, ready for User Generated Content to be shown.
Playlists of uploaded media (Images, Videos, Flash), streamed media (IPTV, Web pages) and UGC content (Flickr, Google Picasa, Photobucket), can be created and scheduled for play back either in full screen or within the user designed templates for any date and time required, allowing for users to create their own multimedia experience.
Comprehensive live online monitoring and reporting tools provide total control of every connected signagelive player enabling 100% compliance. Standard online reports and dashboards detail when players receive the content sent and when the scheduled media has been played.
"It is important to provide signagelive customers use of their existing online media libraries enabling convergence of the web, TV and digital signage content." said Jason Cremins, CEO of Remote Media Limited, the company behind signagelive.
Cremins added "By adding Media RSS support to signagelive we have seamlessly opened up access to users Flickr, Google Picasa and Photobucket libraries along with any Media Publishing platforms supporting the Media RSS standard."
Media RSS (MRSS) is an RSS extension used for syndicating multimedia files (audio, video, image) in RSS feeds. It was designed in 2004 by Yahoo! and the Media RSS community, and adds several enhancements to RSS enclosures.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_RSS
* Media RSS is used by content publishers to feed media files into Yahoo! Video Search, which is a feature of Yahoo! Search that allows to search for video files. The format can be used for podcasting, which uses the RSS format as a means of delivering content to media-playing devices. Media RSS allows for a much more detailed description of the content to be delivered to the subscriber than is covered by the RSS standard.
More about signagelive
Signagelive is available in three editions: the desktop edition can be configured to operate as a live alert where a taskbar notification alerts the user to the arrival of new content ready to be viewed. The screensaver edition will playback the scheduled layout and media content as a standard Windows screensaver and the display edition provides full screen control of media content for digital signage applications with automatic content updates taking place in the background without interruption to the media content running on the display.
- ends –
Notes to Editors:
Additional features of the signagelive platform:
Low cost, easy to use Web‐based Digital Signage for the management of media assets, creating playlists/screen layouts and the deployment of content to limitless devices that can be located anywhere around the world ‐ all managed through your web browser:
- True SaaS (Software–as‐a–Service) Digital Signage Application: Enabling your Digital Signage network to be managed from anywhere that you can connect to the Internet via your web browser.
- Zero set up costs: Unlike other Digital Signage applications, there are no setup fees associated with signagelive®.
- No servers needed: Save £000's on implementing and maintaining your own servers.
- Real‐time reporting: Run live reports on your hardware, assets, users, playlists and impressions to prove content playback.
- Mortality check‐ins: Each signagelive® enabled device lets the signagelive® server know it's alive and working as it should be, which can be monitored in real‐time.
- Pro‐active network monitoring: Tools to allow you to check the signagelive® device has the correct content and has checked in when it should have.
- Value added opportunities: Offer value added services to grow your business around signagelive®.
- Automatic Software Updates: All signagelive® devices are automatically updated with the latest release without the associated costs of sending engineers onsite to upgrade.
- Zero onsite configuration: Installation couldn't be simpler. Plug in the power and connect to the Internet and you can begin managing the signagelive® device immediately.
- Layout controller: Full control of the screen layout and where your content is positioned.
- Rich asset support: Use just about any type of content created in any application making use of current design skills you have with mainstream content packages like Flash or Photoshop.
- IT friendly: Each device simply needs access to the Internet! No VPN's are required and no special ports need to be opened. Fully support for cache and proxy servers to minimise Internet bandwidth usage, signagelive® is kind to network bandwidth.
- Fast deployment timescales: Multi‐site networks can be deployed and live within minutes.
- One size fits all: Doesn't matter if your network comprises of a single device or 50,000 devices located worldwide!
- Worry free: No worries about reliability, security and software upgrades, it's all taken care of for you. signagelive® is hosted in secure data centres providing a guaranteed service.
- On‐demand service: signagelive® is always on and available through the Internet 24/7/365.
- Easy to use: A focus on simplicity ensures user acceptance which increases the success of your Digital Media network.
For further information, please contact signagelive:
Contact: Jason Cremins – CEO
Tel: +44 (0) 1799 533471
Email: jason@signagelive.com
Website: www.signagelive.com
| Kind regards Interested in a free 30 day trial of signagelive? Click here to register
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| This document and any attachments to it contain information that is private and confidential and should only be read by those persons to whom they are addressed. No person, without subsequent written confirmation of their contents, should rely upon the contents of this e-mail. This e-mail and the information it contains are supplied in good faith but Remote Media shall not be under any liability in damages or otherwise for any reliance that may be placed upon them by the recipient. | |||
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Thursday, May 21, 2009
News From Digital Display Group
Please see below for the latest press release from Digital Display Group. Thanks!
Alpha Video and Digital Display Group Selected to Integrate Audiovisual and CastNET Digital Signage Solutions into Choctaw Casinos
One of the largest Southern casino chains receives audiovisual upgrades and enterprise-wide digital signage solution
Minneapolis, MN, May 21, 2009 - Alpha Video & Audio, Inc. and its digital signage division, Digital Display Group (DDG), announced that it has been selected to design and integrate its digital signage solution, as well as upgrade audiovisual components, into all eight Choctaw Casinos in Oklahoma. The casino chain, one of the largest in the Southern United States, entered into the $3.6 million enterprise-wide deal that utilizes DDG's CastNET digital signage software to drive the casino's marketing messaging and gaming initiatives.
Alpha Video's Digital Display Group, developer of the CastNet signage solution, will provide a flexible, secure, and efficient advertising system to promote the casino's marketing, restaurants, hotels, spas and nightlife with vibrant and real time messaging. The signage system will be utilized by Choctaw to drive messages related to the casino's menu boards, event center performances, travel plaza information, conference schedules, point of sale solutions, and gaming-related marketing. CastNET will also allow the casinos to control the floor with jackpot celebrations when a winner hits a jackpot, triggering lights, sound and interruption of displays with celebrations that excite the entire casino and promote individuals to continue playing. In addition, numerous interactive kiosks will be installed for wayfinding purposes, which allow casino customers to find their favorite game locations and amenities.
"Digital Display Group's CastNET digital signage solution is providing us with the technology we need to take our casino marketing programs to the next level," says Taron Graves, Media Manager for Choctaw Casinos.
Alpha Video, a leading professional video systems integrator, is also working with the Choctaw casino chain to update the entire audiovisual system. Upgrades include lighting installation, audio, video, and complete control systems throughout the facility.
Paul Medlin, Associate Director of Business Development for Digital Display Group, says, "Choctaw Casinos is one of the first projects industry-wide that will be integrated with both a best-in-class digital signage solution and audiovisual upgrades from one company." Along with Alpha Video's state-of-the-art AV components, DDG will provide mission critical functionality to over 230 screens along with a full range of services, including: consulting, creative development and strategy, project management, training, technical support, and full-scale integration. "This unique deployment is sure to truly create an enterprise-wide environment, something that more and more customers are now requesting in order to improve time and resource efficiencies, utilizing one platform."
For more information from Alpha Video or Digital Display Group, please call (952) 896-9898 or (800) 388-0008.
About Alpha Video & Audio, Inc.
Since 1970, Alpha Video, a member of Professional Systems Network Inc. (PSNI) has been a leading digital video systems dealer, integrator and provider of visual communications solutions. Alpha specializes in products, systems and services for video and digital media content creation, management, and distribution.
About Digital Display Group
For over fifteen years, Digital Display Group (DDG), a division of Alpha Video & Audio, Inc., has been the leading Web-enabled solution for creating and managing digital signage for Fortune 500 companies, entertainment venues, retail outlets, cable advertisers, and schools worldwide. It's revolutionary CastNET digital signage solution is backed by over 38 years of experience in audiovisual and IT integration.
Both Alpha Video and Digital Display Group are privately held and headquartered at 7711 Computer Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55435; tel: (800) 388-0008 or (952) 986-9898; fax (952) 896-9899; website: www.alphavideo.com or www.digitaldisplaygroup.com.
Leslie Parker | Marketing Specialist | Alpha Video & Audio, Inc.
direct: 952.841.3357 | fax: 952.896.9899 | email: lesliep@alphavideo.com
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
IMPORTANT : Groupe VIVA voit le jour
Sportech Média devient Groupe VIVA et obtient 1.1 million de dollars en financement
Opérant sous le nom de Sportech depuis sa création en 2002, l’entreprise est heureuse de vous annoncer le lancement de sa nouvelle image de marque, Groupe VIVA, une résultante directe de la diversification de ses activités au fil des dernières années.
Consultez les détails dans notre communiqué de presse en attaché.
Pour plus d’information, visitez www.groupeviva.
_____________________
Sportech Media becomes Groupe VIVA and secures $1.1 million in financing
Groupe VIVA, which has operated under the name Sportech Media since its creation in 2002, is proud to unveil its new brand image, a direct outcome of the diversification of its activities in recent years.
For more details, see the attached press release.
For more information, visit www.groupeviva.com
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Displaybank Projects e-Paper Market to Soar to $2.1 Billion by 2015
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3M Unveils Industry’s First Combination Film for Monitors at SID’s Display Week 2009
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New Westinghouse TV topper helps car washes clean up at the register
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Monday, May 18, 2009
Electronic Art President Named Chair of PR & Marketing for Digital Signage Association
Hi Robert:
Could you please post the following on the Worldwide Digital Signage Network Blog?
Thanks! Jill
Electronic Art President Named Chair of PR & Marketing for
Digital Signage Association
CINCINNATI — Tim Burke, Founder and President of Electronic Art, was named chair of the PR & Marketing Committee for the Digital Signage Association (DSA) on May 5, in Las Vegas, during a board meeting prior to the 2009 KioskCom Self Service Expo.
In this role, Burke plans to provide marketing and PR guidance to promote the awareness of the industry association and increase membership. He expects to work with other association committees to help them achieve their missions as well.
“Marketing is one of my key strengths. I’ll help drive awareness through social media, trade shows and other events with attendees that consume digital signage,” Burke said.
Burke’s first goal is to get the DSA involved with the Cincinnati Digital Non-Conference to be held on Sept. 24 - 25, which provides a targeted audience for the DSA to provide education and drive awareness of the association. He will also encourage involvement in the Digital Signage Expo and other events that serve to educate agencies, media and IT professionals, architects, and property management firms about digital signage.
DSA members are some of the most prominent and respected suppliers in the digital signage industry. Other committee chairpersons were named at the board meeting, including Margot Myers of the Platt Retail Institute, the chair of the Education & Certification committee, and Greg Masingill of Seneca Data, the chair of the Membership committee.
“Our industry has grown tremendously in the past three years and is expected to double in size by 2012. I want to help lead the organization meet its mission and play a role in that industry growth,” Burke said.
About the Digital Signage Association
The purpose of the Digital Signage Association (DSA) is to accelerate the growth and advance the excellence of digital signage deployments worldwide. The DSA strives to help those deploying digital signage solutions be as successful as possible. The Association is built on three pillars: advocacy, education and networking. For more information, visit http://www.digitalsignageassociation.com.
About Electronic Art
Electronic Art (www.ElectronicArt.com) is a Cincinnati-based interactive agency specializing in kiosks and digital signage as well as many related online services. Originally founded in 1998 and incorporated in 2002, Electronic Art began primarily as a Web studio offering high end custom programming, ecommerce, and design. Electronic Art provides custom solutions for many industries in kiosks, digital signage and website development. Sales of kiosk and digital signage hardware allow for a complete solution from one vendor, and an onsite IT staff handles build, integration and support needs.
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For more information about Electronic Art, contact Tim Burke at (513) 321-1771 or tburke@electronicart.com, or visit www.ElectronicArt.com.
See attached for formatted release and image or visit http://pitch.pe/11917
Thank you,
Jill Isaacs
Senior Account Executive
O'Keeffe Communications, Inc.
513.221.1526
www.okeeffecom.com
We Tell Your Story!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
NEWS: Gefen Offers One to Many Wireless Transmission
The GefenTV Wireless for HDMI 5Ghz Extender Delivers Any Hi-Def Source to One or More Displays with No Cables Required, Perfect for Both Residential and Commercial Installations |
Digital Signage Co-opts Paper Posters
Digital Signage Co-Opts Paper Posters
13/05/2009
Digital signage provides a clean, uncluttered, professional look to corporate lobbies
Proctor & Gamble embraced digital signage as a way to provide a professional look to its lobbies as well as a way to communicate regularly and effectively with its employees.
Many organizations understand the value of digital signage as a communication vehicle, but few appreciate its value as a cost-effective “green” technology.
By Jim Huber
As a corporate communication vehicle, digital signage not only informs the viewer but also creates a connection, in part because employees are conditioned to receive information and entertainment digitally. In addition, digital signage lets managers readily control the organization’s brand equity, enforcing company standards with the addition of quick and easy updates. Plus, digital media offer facility managers more clutter-free control over the areas where this information is presented, improving the look of and adding a professional feel to the venue.
By comparison, easel farms, which often sport poorly mounted, foam core paper posters, can convey a lack of organizational credibility and present an unprofessional corporate image. Updating these printed posters also is a lengthy process.
Essentially, the design costs for static printed posters and dynamic digital media are the same. Digital media, however, have several advantages:
1. They use lower resolution images, which have a cost advantage. When purchasing stock photos or images through a standard service, the stock photos at 300 dpi, the standard for print, are five times more expensive than the same stock photos or images at 72 dpi, the standard for digital.
2. Digital media designs often can be reused in Web site applications and presentations.
3. The hardware itself can be multi-purposed for video conferencing and internal or external TV broadcasting.
Conventional static paper poster in corporate lobby generates waste each time it is replaced
Conventional static paper posters displayed in lobbies generate waste and additional expense each time the message requires updating.
Cost Comparisons
Generally, when factoring the entire printing budget for an organization on an annual basis, the cost of designing, printing, transporting and setting up posters often can be around $300,000 to $350,000, including the salaries of those who maintain the signs. In contrast, the cost for screens, hardware, software, installation, etc. for the same organization’s first year with digital signage computes to more than 30 percent cost savings, including the salaries of those who would manage it.
This savings is partially due to the more efficient management method of digital media. Updating the signage in just a few minutes for an entire organization even on a global scale can be part of an existing employee’s assignment, eliminating the coordination of several individuals.
The following is a real world digital signage cost justification, with which we were involved at a Fortune 100 organization.
In a single lobby within one building, an average of 10 posters are displayed on easels per month. The printing and mounting of one poster is approximately $150. The design work for one poster is approximately $300. The logistics outlined includes delivery, setup, removal and disposal costs.
As you can see from the breakdown in the accompanying table, the signage for this single lobby will cost a total of $5,000 per month, bringing the first year total to $60,000. And after the fifth year, you would have spent $300,000.
Print Media Summation Printing and mounting $1,500
Design work $3,000
Logistics $500
Average monthly poster expense $5,000
1st Year Total $60,000
5th Year Total $300,000
Using that same scenario, the digital media system in that lobby, which includes all hardware, software, power, LAN and installation charges, is about $5,000. The design work for one image is still approximately $300, so for the 10 images per month, the cost is the same $3,000. Logistics only includes scheduling of content delivery and power consumption, reducing the cost to $200.
As you can see from the accompanying table, for the digital signage lobby, the average cost is $3,200 per month. When you factor in the purchase of the system, installation and monthly costs, the first year total is $43,400. And after the 5th year, you would have spent $197,000. (Note: The longevity for digital signage is approximately 5-7 years, depending on the robust nature of the initial installation.)
Digital Media Summation Digital media system $5,000
Design work $3,000
Logistics $200
Average monthly poster expense $3,200
1st Year $43,400
5th Year Total $197,000
In this example, the Return On Investment (ROI) of the digital signage is realized just after the third month.
Dynamic digital signage in corporate lobby provides easily updated professional look
In contrast to paper posters, digital signage provides easier updating and a more polished look, with a higher upfront cost but lower total cost over time — as well as less ongoing waste for landfills.
Ecofriendly Impact
Green or sustainability initiatives are top of mind in many industries and governmental agencies today. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 246 million tons of trash were created in 2008, but only about 50 percent of all paper products were recycled, or about 42 million tons.
Greenhouse gas emissions are ever increasing, fueled by incineration, methane release from landfill decomposition and the transportation logistics of paper products throughout the paper signage creation cycle.
Even if the paper products come from a recycling plant, the process is changed only slightly. The consideration is not just for the paper but also for the chemicals, inks, solvents and adhesives, all of which are necessary for the remainder of the printing process. The logistics involved also contributes to the carbon footprint. In the case of foam core posters, only certain types of materials are eco-friendly.
To make matters worse, the currently soft economic climate is affecting the recycling industry itself. As demand for consumer goods is decreasing, so is the market for raw materials. Recyclers and manufacturers aren’t buying because they aren’t selling. Companies are no longer realizing the benefit they once had from recycling.
Even assuming paper products still get gathered for recycling, there’s no guarantee those materials won’t be sent to a landfill or incinerator. This happens when the recyclers can’t move them. In fact, companies currently are having to pay for material removal.
But is digital signage greener than paper? Though the industry currently lacks sufficient hard data on its environmental impact to make a lock-tight case, the answer seems to be yes, as it alleviates companies from the task of printing and reprinting paper signs, eliminates the transportation and logistics of those signs, and eliminates disposal costs of obsolete signage.
In addition, digital displays are constantly evolving, offering increased display real estate in thinner, lighter and more energy efficient packages. As the process to manufacture these electronics refines over time, more of the materials used are reused, with the products becoming more environmentally friendly and less expensive to produce, transport and deliver to the customer.
Of course, the world of digital electronics is one of planned obsolescence, as items are constantly being upgraded and thrown away. However, this has spawned its own recycling movement that is expected to grow in the future.
In the balance, the superior ability of digital signage to inform while capturing the viewer’s attention in a way that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly makes it the practical solution for any company’s future signage needs.
Jim Huber is general manager and director of sales and marketing for NOR-COM Inc., a nationally recognized audio/visual and security system integration corporation in the Greater Cincinnati area delivering digital multimedia, audio/visual and security solutions to its more than 1,200 customers. Among NOR-COM’s corporate customers is Proctor & Gamble, for whom the company installed a digital signage system throughout its facilities. To contact him, email: jhuber@nor-com.com.
