As one of many industry-related niches in digital signage, the construction sector is certainly untapped. After a couple of conversations with various individuals within that industry, I have come up with several reasons why small digital signs would be helpful for those in construction management.
Those who work in construction are mostly likely familiar with the United States Green Building Council. The Green Building Council has something called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is an internationally recognized green building certification system. The system provides for third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies for water efficiency, energy savings, CO2 emissions reduction, stewardship and resource sensitivity, and improved indoor environmental quality. From the org's website:
LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
LEED is flexible enough to apply to all building types – commercial as well as residential. It works throughout the building lifecycle – design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant fitout, and significant retrofit. And LEED for Neighborhood Development extends the benefits of LEED beyond the building footprint into the neighborhood it serves.
In our "green-focused" economy, you can never be too environmentally conscious. The benefit to construction managers is not just the warm fuzzies of completing a project that may have helped the environment. No, that is not the only motivation. There is an actual monetary compensation available to those who comply to the LEED system.
There are three separate tiered levels of LEED qualification for every sector of building including: commercial interiors, core and shell, retail, new construction, healthcare, homes, and neighborhood development. The three tiers of certification are bronze, gold, and platinum. Each tier offers a differing level of compensation for the organization
How can digital signage be of assistance?
Increasing LEED points is a big deal for companies looking to be at the forefront of the environmental movement, but more importantly, the compensation available is nothing to be scoffed at. Thousands of dollars are given for those who can meet and exceed point levels and expand their business as an environmental leader.
We are currently working with two separate entities who are using digital signage to pull information from a live, updating database to display statistics on how well the team is doing on a "real-time" basis. This gives them real-time stats on what they can improve on to increase their LEED level of certification.
Small form-factor signage can also act as a method of educating builders on specific nuances of the LEED program. The sign can give daily tips on improving operations and give them a reason to change methods and performance. Using digital signage in this fashion would be similar to the signs used in manufacturing facilities for improving operations and performance. Those familiar with the industry know that manufacturer's use the screens with a similar motivation in mind.
There are currently 41 countries using LEED and the opportunities for improvement and compensation are vast. Using digital signage to increase LEED points is a way to effectively measure the ROI of a digital sign squabbling about the "sales lift" of a retail location.
Certified Distribution Partner set to swiftly increase SpinetiX sales, marketing, dedicated product training, customer and partner support
Lausanne, Switzerland and Beijing, China, January 12 2010: Strengthening its reputation for technology and innovation, Swiss digital signage manufacturer SpinetiX has appointed Beijing-based Avopo Technologies as Certified Distribution Partner (CDP) for China.
Avopo will distribute the award-winning SpinetiX HMP100™ Hyper Media Player. The HMP100 is the world’s first ever Hyper Media Player to be introduced and is able to completely replace PC based digital signage platforms. It utilizes open software standards, has an amazingly small footprint with a very practical feature-set.
“Not only will Avopo increase the accessibility of our HMP100 to Chinese companies, they will manage and develop the Chinese partner and customer channels. This includes the provision of dedicated customer-based training at their Beijing demonstration center, events support and project support for a wide variety of customers and markets in regional Chinese territories,” says Nikola Knezovic, Vice President of Sales of SpinetiX. “The partnership with Avopo Technologies is an exciting part of our business strategy to increase and strengthen our presence in China. We’re very excited about the huge potential of this market including the increasing demand for digital-out-of-home installations! With a proven track record in digital video and multimedia for large projects, the highly-experienced Avopo team is perfectly placed to take advantage of the current and future market conditions.”
The two companies have already gained some ground and Chinese market acceptance. Avopo and SpinetiX’ jointly exhibited at InfoComm China in November, 2009 where the HMP100 Hyper Media Player made its first ever debut. The bundled HMP100 player and HMD digital signage management software caught many visitors’ attention and some great leads and follow-up activity took place.
Excited about the potential of this product for the Chinese market, the last word goes to Alvin Guo, President of Avopo Technologies who says: “This new partnership is a very exciting opportunity for us and our Chinese customers. We are adding the SpinetiX’ solution to our already enviable Internet and wireless content management and display product ranges. We’ve also already demonstrated success at InfoComm China and working with the SpinetiX sales, engineering and marketing teams moving forward, I’m sure that both companies will ensure that a strong foundation is laid for a very exciting and successful future!”
About Avopo Technologies
Avopo Technologies was founded in early 2008 with its original name as ART Technologies. Initially it ventured into the provisioning of digital video solutions for surveillance to enterprise customers in China. Following the new investment injected in its portfolio in 2009, ART Technologies became Avopo Technologies with its extended business areas focusing on multimedia solutions to address the rapidly growing market need for centralized content storage and digital signage-Digital Out Of Home (DOOH). A seasoned management team with rich experience and strong background in multimedia is leading the company to envision and catch the wave of evolving technology of multimedia content distribution over the networks-both Internet and wireless platforms. Avopo partners with various global leading companies to provide the Chinese market with cutting-edge solutions. Find more on: http://www.avopo.com
About SpinetiX
SpinetiX SA is a Swiss hardware manufacturer of professional digital signage hardware devices. Find more information about SpinetiX products at http://www.spinetix.com.
This week's CES report has been all abuzz with talk of the partnership for digital signs, Intel, and Microsoft. Other industry vendors have released news pieces which speak of their involvement with Intel and Microsoft. Essentially their work at CES was an attempt to take online to the out-of-home realm.
Putting digital signage in brick-and-mortar arena is not new, but the Microsoft/Intel collaboration means big business is getting more heavily involved in DooH. The Intel prototype is built to allow customers to use a multi-touch holographic display to virtually tour the store, find deals, read reviews, give feedback online, and shop for products online while still within the confines of the store itself. It integrates with social networking, blogs and mobile phones. Joe Jensen, general manager of Intel Embedded Computing Division said the following of the partnership:
"We designed the Intel Intelligent Digital Signage Concept to show that retailers can engage and interact with consumers in a more personal and compelling manner through new usage models such as augmented reality and interactive product explorations, which in turn could yield an increase in revenue and customer loyalty."
In addition, coupon codes integrated with interactive maps of the store can give directions on specific product promotions, making the in-store experience more efficient and enjoyable.
Finally, and perhaps the coolest part of the display is the built-in cameras that can do image analysis of consumers to determine gender, age, and clothing type being worn. This information, while somewhat of a Minority Reportstyle of advertising, it does give the ability to tailor only types of clothing that is similar and that would fit the specific demographic being targeted.
Immediate feedback to advertisers does not always alleviate privacy concerns, but the software should be available by the second quarter of the year. It utilizes Intel's Core i7 processors, and Microsoft's Windows Embedded Standard 2011.
To run the digital signs, which use Intel's Core i7 processors, Intel turned to Microsoft for a version of its Windows Embedded Standard 2011 software optimized for digital signage technology. That platform is expected to be available in the second quarter of the year.
NEW YORK, NY, January 11, 2010 -- YCD Multimedia, a provider of smart digital media solutions for retailers, today announced they have built the next generation of digital signage solutions based on an Intel® CoreTM i7 processor and Microsoft’s Windows 7-based Windows Embedded Standard 2011 operating system. The optimized digital signage platform will be demonstrated at the Intel booth (#1361) at the National Retail Federation’s annual convention at the Jacob Javits Center in New York January 11-12.
At the convention, the Intel and Microsoft optimized digital signage platform, running YCD’s patented digital signage software (YCD|Player™), will be demonstrated managing a multi-zone retail environment serving 4 individual channels of video output from a single processor PC. The new Intel Core i7 processor, optimized for embedded applications such as digital signage, can support up to four individual video outputs from a single mother board, reducing the need for additional video cards or media players. Windows Embedded Standard 2011 delivers the power, familiarity and reliability of the Windows 7 operating system in a highly customizable and componentized form.
Windows Embedded helps retail and hospitality organizations enhance the customer experience by giving OEMs the tools and technologies needed to build the next generation of digital signage applications featuring rich, connected and immersive user experiences that can easily connect to online services and existing IT infrastructures.
The flexibility offered through the optimized digital signage platform from Microsoft and Intel simplifies development, lowering the total cost of ownership, enabling digital signage device-makers to focus on creating rich, connected user experiences including high-definition video and support for multiple content zones that can be managed remotely and deployed anywhere.
“The Intel Core processor-based Windows Embedded Standard 2011 platform is game changing for the digital signage industry by addressing the need for a more streamlined, high performance and highly reliable solution. It is an ideal solution for marketers looking to reach consumers in a more personalized and compelling way by serving multiple zones of content from a single device without compromising image quality and delivering the immersive, interactive user experience consumers expect.” Says Dani Zeevi, Chief Technology Officer of YCD Multimedia.
"With Intel Core processor-based digital media solutions, such as YCD’s media player and retailer- centric management platform, retailers can enhance the way consumers interact with digital signs in retail environments,” said Jose Avalos, Digital Signage Director, Embedded and Communications Group, Intel.
“Windows Embedded is excited to be working with YCD Multimedia as a leading innovator in delivering rich and seamless digital signage solutions,” said Irena Andonova, director of Standard and Enterprise Product Management for Windows Embedded at Microsoft Corp. “With Windows Embedded Standard 2011, YCD provides retail and hospitality organizations the confidence of having a rich and connected digital signage experience with deep interactivity and effective power & remote management.” YCD is also exhibiting a large 9 screen (3X3) Video Wall displaying vivid 4K Ultra-HD content in 3820 x 2160 resolution served by their PC-based MuVi Wall™ solution. 4K Ultra-HD is 4 times greater than Full HD (1920X1080) and equivalent to the resolution seen in cinemas. This system is configured using 2 Intel Xeon processors (i7 series) with proprietary optimization software developed by YCD.
YCD Multimedia provides marketers with a set of tools to manage distribute and target digital media into the retail environment. From large format displays that promote products based on real-time inventory levels, to small shelf level interactive displays, YCD’s flexible platform can help retailers ensure a measurable impact on their business. YCD’s end-to-end offering combines strategy, professional services and technology to increase profits, optimize product mix and enhance the customer experience. To date, the company has partnered with over 1,200 customers, in the retail, hospitality, banking and automotive industries, including some of the world’s most recognized brands such as Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Toyota, American Airlines, Pizza Hut, Kodak, Hilton Hotels, Cartier, Crocs, and Hugo Boss. Founded in 1999, YCD Multimedia is headquartered in the United States with offices in The United Kingdom and Israel and has an international network of resellers serving clients around
the globe.
Intel and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
Project Natal by Microsoft has to be one of the most slammin' and coolest concepts turned reality in a very long time. The applications with the technology are simply limitless. Think of all the industries that could benefit from such an expansion.
The gaming industry is obvious just based on what is seen in the video below, but digital out of home is the next big winner and benefactor of Natal's interactive framework--especially in the retail environment. The following video showcases some of the advanced capabilities of the technology.
Project Natal is currently being showcased at CES 2010 and set to be released very, very soon.
Affordable, integration solution is designed with the end user in mind
Lausanne, Switzerland, January 6 2010. Swiss Digital Signage manufacturer, SpinetiX will be showcasing a live digital signage system that represents many projects in operation around the globe today on their stand at ISE 2010.
Their HMP100™ Hyper Media Player will be integrated with the Poster Digital 1.0 web-based digital signage management software tool from Madrid-based engineering company, Tecnilogica Soluciones Avanzadas, SL.
“Poster Digital 1.0 has been created with the HMP100 in mind,” says Jorge Gutiérrez, MD at Tecnilogica Soluciones Avanzadas, SL. “The failsafe Poster Digital 1.0 software is able to control most of the configuration parameters of the HMP100, as well as the content and interactive features of the HMP100 in real-time. An easy to use interface designed by one of Spain’s leading user experience designers Jesús Gorriti ensures that basic digital signage tasks such as user selectable content, management and scheduling are intuitive as possible. The Poster Digital 1.0 software is made for its intended application, installation time is very simple and the system can be remotely managed from our datacenter in Madrid.”
Most of the processes are automated and the user is involved in monitoring the digital signage and updating content.
The integration of the HMP100 and Poster Digital 1.0 is aimed at small to medium installations. Today, the integration between the two companies can be found in operation at over 300 digital signage installations across the world ranging from hospitality, industrial, educational and even property applications.
“One such installation that we are very proud of is the Senado de España (Spanish senate) where a busy and small team on a daily basis sets up and manages content for display over 25 screens, a process that takes less than one hour for each staff member on each day. It’s that easy.”
“We’re excited about bring the integration of the two products to ISE 2010 and demonstrating to our current partners as well as new customers the ease in which the HMP100 can be integrated with the Poster Digital 1.0 software from Technilogica. The integration is a match made in heaven!” says Serge Konter, Marketing Manager for SpinetiX.
And the last word goes to Jorge Gutiérrez: “In SpinetiX we have found a very reliable partner with a profound knowledge of the digital signage market. The HMP100 is an extremely robust appliance and one we feel comfortable building our own business around. Already gaining success, the HMP100 has already been shortlisted as a finalist in the video processing category for the 2010 InAVation Awards which will be presented at the official InAVate awards ceremony at the ISE show.”
See SpinetiX at ISE 2010, Stand #12D85 As part of the InfoComm Education program, Serge Konter, Marketing Manager at SpinetiX will present Digital Signage – an exploration of embedded systems versus PC based solutions for use in digital signage networks which will take place on 4 February 2010. More information can be found at: http://www.spinetix.com/news/infocommtraining
Media Contacts
SpinetiX
Serge Konter
+41 21 341 15 56
serge.konter@spinetix.com
Katinka Allender
PR Consultant
Telephone: +44 (0)1491 571402
katinka@k-communications.com
About Tecnilogica Soluciones Avanzadas, SL
Tecnilogica Soluciones Avanzadas, SL is a engineering firm based in Madrid, Spain which was established seven years ago. The company has been involved in several projects ranging from early digital signage to integration and web development. http://www.tecnilogica.com/
About SpinetiX
SpinetiX SA is a Swiss hardware manufacturer of professional digital signage hardware devices. Find more information about SpinetiX products at http://www.spinetix.com.
