Palmer Digital Group (PDG) unveiled a new PDG 22OCBSM Order Confirmation Enclosure. The standalone solution enhances digital signage menu boards by bringing digital order confirmation capabilities to quick-service restaurant (QSR) drive-thru lanes.

[The Art of Digital Signage]

Designed and manufactured entirely in-house at PDG's Illinois headquarters, the new enclosure integrates an LG 22XE1J-B high-bright outdoor display with a speaker, microphone, and camera into a compact standalone structure. The system allows customers to view their orders in real time without requiring a complete digital menu board replacement, offering QSR operators an affordable path toward modernizing existing drive-thru lanes.

Unlike traditional speaker posts that rely solely on audio communication, the PDG 22OCBSM adds an integrated visual confirmation display directly at the ordering position, eliminating the need for customers to look elsewhere to verify their orders. The enclosure also creates opportunities for restaurants to promote limited-time offers, seasonal menu items, and other messaging while customers place their orders.

The new enclosure supports LG's 22XE1J-B outdoor display, one of the few high-bright 22-inch commercial displays available for exterior applications. Lewis noted that the display size offers an ideal balance of visibility and enclosure footprint, ensuring order details remain clear and easy to read without creating an oversized structure.

"The new Order Confirmation Enclosure is another example of how we're evolving our outdoor digital menu board portfolio to solve real customer challenges," Lewis added. "Whether a restaurant is taking its first step into digital ordering or expanding an existing deployment, we've designed a solution that's durable, flexible, and easy to integrate into virtually any drive-thru environment."

Zynchro System is harnessing the power of AI at the core of technical development while at the same time delivering its new AI assistant, Zyvo, to aid customers with content creation and campaign management.

[An AI Future]

Zynchro’s digital signage business's latest update delivers enhanced integrations with a full range of partners including android platforms CE Labs, Bluefin, Sony Aitrios, Placer.ai, and IRT for 8k content, as well as continued support for BrightSign and Elgato Stream Deck. Importantly, a manager of a digital signage network trained on the creation, management, and reporting features of Zynchro can seamlessly manage a vast and varied array of mixed platforms in the field. Retailers are currently running a variety of digital signage hardware in massive nationwide signage networks, all managed cohesively and simultaneously using only the Zynchro CMS.

“Saving time and money, essentially maximizing the monetization of their digital signage investments, is the most important metric for our customers,” stated Jose Behar, Zynchro CEO. “So, we are pleased to introduce Zyvo, a custom AI assistant that provides step-by-step instructions in campaign development and improved efficiencies at all levels within the application.”

Zyvo analyzes campaign results and delivers AI summaries of ideas and next steps based on performance. Clear and actionable reporting on key metrics enable brand managers to quickly and effortlessly make adjustments for significant improvements to bottom-line ROI.

Another example of augmented capabilities in monetization for Zynchro customers is found in a recent partnership with Placer.ai. Placer.ai delivers place-based data driven by interaction from customers’ cell phones. Location data is stored in the cloud and analyzed as part of a dynamic and robust Zynchro reporting tool further allowing network managers to optimize decision-making. Advanced location analytics deliver data tied to individual player performance, customer interaction with signage, and more, unlocking deep insights for enterprise-level optimization.

PPDS has launched its thinnest and lightest 4K UHD digital signage line to date with the Philips Signage 7000 Series. Built for versatility and flexibility, the Philips Signage 7000 Series comes in 43, 50, 55, and 65-inch models to support a diverse range of verticals and environments with retail, corporate, public venues, hospitality, and food and beverage among target markets.

[The Art of Digital Signage]

Designed with a depth of just 30mm for the 65-inch model and 28.5mm on all others, it is 60% less deep than its closest Philips Signage counterpart, the Philips Signage 4050Q, lso helping with ADA compliance. The 43, 50, and 55-inch models are 10% lighter than their 4050Q size equivalents, and the 65-inch model weighs 20% less than its 4050Q comparison. All Philips Signage 7000 Series models bring 500 nits brightness inside an elegant 11.5mm even bezel design.

Internally, much like other Android SoC models from PPDS, the Philips Signage 7000 Series comes with the out-of-the-box features and functionalities that have become standard of Philips Professional Displays, allowing each display to be tailored to meet the unique requirements of every customer.

Running on a professional Android 16 SoC and with a TOPS 3.0 Neural Processing Unit ready for AI applications, the Philips Signage 7000 Series brings complete reliability and peace of mind to installations, with trusted connectivity and security built in. All while enabling customers to select and install their preferred native Android apps and software directly onto the display. Unlocking its full power and intelligence still further, the Philips Signage 7000 Series joins PPDS’ portfolio of displays that are compatible with the Philips Wave remote display management platform, putting users in complete control.

Ideal for presentation settings, such as in meeting rooms, corporate boardrooms, and classrooms, the Philips Signage 7000 Series also comes with integrated Philips SmartBrowser app, which leverages HTML5 to enable managers to set URLs to play as a media source. Wireless screen sharing is available with optional Philips ScreenShare, while the Philips Signage 7000 Series also provides a full suite of connections, including HDMI, USB-C, RS232, LAN, USB, W-iFi, and Bluetooth, to meet user preferences and promote the reuse of existing cables and equipment.

“We have bided our time and communicated carefully with customers to ensure we have shaped the Philips Signage 7000 Series around true market needs," Bart Wouters, international product manager at PPDS, commented. "We are thrilled with the results and, more importantly, so are our partners and customers, whose insight has played an integral role in its design and development.”

Korbyt have introduced new advanced device management and content-publishing capabilities within its suite of 5C^AI agents, including ScreenDetective and Launchpad 2.0. Korbyt’s growing suite of AI agents for the workplace is designed to help AV and IT teams proactively manage devices and content across distributed networks using smart diagnostics, automation, content publishing, and other AI-assisted functionality. With the addition of ScreenDetective and Launchpad 2.0, Korbyt is addressing two of the most persistent challenges in enterprise digital signage: maintaining uptime at scale and enabling non-technical users to publish with ease.

[The Art of Digital Signage]

“Enterprise teams are being asked to do more with fewer resources, while maintaining higher expectations for uptime, performance, and usability,” said Travis Kemp, chief product officer at Korbyt. “With these latest innovations, we’re eliminating the need for reactive troubleshooting and specialized training. Instead, we’re delivering proactive intelligence and intuitive tools that make it easier to keep networks running and content flowing without friction.

ScreenDetective: Automated Detection and Recovery for Display Networks

ScreenDetective introduces continuous monitoring and automated recovery capabilities to enterprise signage environments. Rather than relying on manual reporting or help desk tickets, the system detects anomalies such as black screens and frozen content at configurable intervals and can initiate corrective actions automatically.

This shift from reactive to proactive operations helps organizations reduce downtime, minimize costly service interventions, and ensure that critical communications remain visible and effective. By identifying and resolving display issues before they are noticed by employees or customers, ScreenDetective helps protect both operational efficiency and brand experience.

Launchpad 2.0: Simplified, Brand-Controlled Content Publishing

Launchpad 2.0 delivers a fully redesigned content authoring experience built for non-technical users across the enterprise. A new centralized theme system allows administrators to define and enforce brand standards across all templates, ensuring consistency without limiting flexibility.

With Launchpad 2.0, users such as HR managers, communications teams, and branch leaders can select a template, apply a theme, and publish content in minutes, without formal training or reliance on IT or professional services. The result is faster execution, stronger brand alignment, and broader participation in enterprise communications.

A Comprehensive Suite of AI Agents

Together, these new capabilities within Korbyt’s suite of 5C^AI agents reinforce the company’s core mission to help AV and IT teams detect issues early, accelerate troubleshooting, automate routine maintenance, streamline content publishing, and maximize uptime across complex device networks. Beyond improving day-to-day operations, Korbyt partners can integrate ScreenDetective into existing managed service offerings to proactively oversee and support entire networks through automated monitoring and remediation capabilities. This approach reduces costly site visits, improves response times, and elevates partners beyond providing reactive support to delivering higher-value customer outcomes.

Digital signage has evolved into much more than a blast of an ad or a menu at a drive-thru. Whether it is interactive solutions, wayfinding, or simply a canvas for digital signage, the vertical continues to grow and evolve.

[SCN's InfoComm Impulse Preview Series]

It will all be on display at InfoComm 2026, when doors open June 13-19. Take a peak at what these booths will be showcasing, but bookmark this page and check back, as we will update with more as we hear more to have you prepped for the show.

22Miles to Debut DX Pro

22Miles will showcase the newly launched DX Pro at booth C5753. This unified web-native management platform was designed for visual communications applications such as digital signage, wayfinding, immersive experiences, and space management. DX Pro brings content creation, device management, fleet monitoring, and governance into a single browser interface, with support for both cloud and on-premises deployment.

DX Pro supports the full range of enterprise visual experience needs within a single, scalable platform: digital signage, dynamic wayfinding, videowalls, mobile applications, and multi-touch and interactive experiences. Organizations can standardize on DX Pro for initial deployments and expand to more complex applications over time without changing their software stack or adding tools.

DX Pro is designed to make content updates fast and intuitive while supporting the access controls and governance workflows enterprise operations require. Map editing, screen grouping, and mass scheduling tools enable content teams to manage large, multi-location deployments efficiently, while DX Pro's emergency overwrite capability allows instant full-network content takeover, triggered manually or integrated directly with enterprise emergency notification services. Native enterprise integration capabilities include Microsoft Places, Zoom Enterprise, Teams, Outlook Space Finder, SharePoint, Office 365, Google Workspace, and major social media platforms.

Avocor and IAdea Partner to Deliver MDEP-Powered Digital Signage Solutions

Avocor will collaborate with IAdea to showcase Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP)-powered digital signage solutions at booth C6403. The collaboration brings together Avocor’s display expertise with IAdea’s enterprise signage technology to deliver a secure, scalable, and intelligent digital signage solution designed for modern business environments.

Making its North American debut at InfoComm 2026, Avocor’s new B Series range of non-interactive displays has been specifically developed for professional signage applications. Engineered for 24/7 operation, the B Series is designed to support high-traffic environments where reliability, clarity, and centralized device management are essential.

Through its collaboration with IAdea, the Avocor B Series will be demonstrated with IAdea's MDEP-enabled signage technology, enabling organizations to explore simplified device management, seamless integration with Microsoft environments, and the IT governance frameworks already applied to other enterprise endpoints.

Bluefin to Unveil New Battery-Powered Portability to Weather-Resistant Outdoor Displays

Bluefin International will debut several new digital signage solution at booth C9607, Bluefin will showcase a growing portfolio of commercial-grade displays designed to support retail, hospitality, healthcare, corporate, transportation, and outdoor environments. From battery-powered mobility and interactive engagement to durable outdoor performance and customizable aesthetics, each new solution reflects Bluefin’s customer-first approach to innovation.

The new battery-powered stand is an all-in-one solution built around a 13.3-inch commercial display with support for both landscape and portrait orientations. Featuring an integrated camera, microphone, and NFC reader, Bluefin’s Connect Assist is their newest tablet-style interactive display. It comes in 8 and 15.6 inches and is powered with a single USB-C plug from an external player making installation easier.

The Bluefin Outdoor line will also be on display with a new 32-inch Outdoor Display engineered for high-brightness performance and all-weather durability. The display is ideal for outdoor menus, transportation hubs, pickup zones, public gathering spaces, and exterior installations. In addition to new hardware solutions, Bluefin will showcase its COLORFRAME capabilities. Announced post-InfoComm last year, Bluefin now offers customers the ability to align display hardware with brand aesthetics through customizable frame colors and finishes.

Custom Channels to Bring Audio to Signage

Custom Channels will introduce its new In-Store Open Media Platform at booth C9700, extending its capabilities into the rapidly growing retail media network (RMN) market and giving enterprise retailers a new way to build and control in-store media at scale.

The In-Store Open Media Platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of third-party systems, including digital signage platforms, retail media technologies, and enterprise content management environments.

The Custom Channels In-Store Open Media Platform provides enterprise retailers and their technology partners with direct, programmatic access to in-store audio infrastructure—including music scheduling, zone control, ad insertion, proof-of-play reporting, and device management. By connecting existing CMS, DSP, or digital signage platforms via API, retailers can extend audio across any platform within their environment, using Custom Channels as the underlying engine for licensed content delivery and control. The In-Store Open Media Platform framework also supports integration at both the platform and device level, enabling compatibility with control systems and on-site AV environments where localized management is required.

Geephon to Launch Its LCD Display Solutions for Digital Signage in North America

Geephon will debut its next generation of high-bright LCD displays at booth C9178, introducing integrators and channel partners to a more flexible, cost-effective approach to digital signage deployments for DOOH, QSR, transportation, and retail.

Attendees will experience a range of solutions designed for high-demand applications, including outdoor enclosure displays with brightness up to 6,500 Nits and IP66 protection with operating ranges, -40 to +55C; window-facing displays delivering up to 5,000 Nits for maximum visibility in direct sunlight; open frame solutions optimized for QSR drive-thru and DOOH environments; and indoor digital signage and kiosks built for reliable, long-term performance.

At the core of Geephon’s engineering is its proprietary heat exchange technology. This innovation actively manages internal LCD temperatures and protects panels from overheating, avoiding commonly seen problems such as blackening and yellowing. Combined with local dimming, Geephon displays deliver improved contrast and enhanced visual clarity that utilize significantly less power.

LG Targets More Efficient Signage

LG Electronics will debut the newly unveiled LG E-Paper Display at booth C7836. The solution is designed to help businesses modernize static signage for efficiency, flexibility and ease of management. The display combines a paper-like design with smart power management and webOS-based content control to simplify updates and reduce operational overhead.

The LG E-Paper Display features a 32-inch QHD (2560x1440) resolution screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It uses electronic ink panel technology, which forms images by moving and positioning electrically charged color particles through an electric field. The display consumes power only when updating on-screen content, significantly lowering energy consumption. Its ability to support dynamic content updates while reducing reliance on printed promotional materials—such as point-of-purchase displays and in-store signage—makes the solution well-suited for commercial indoor spaces, including retail, hospitality and corporate environments.

Navori Labs to Preview Composable Digital Signage Platform

Navori Labs will unveil its next-generation composable digital signage platform, introducing a new architecture that unifies content management, data integration, AI-connected workflows, device management, analytics, and monetization within a single platform. The company will showcase the platform and its key innovations at booth C7223. Built around modular capabilities including Edge, Link, Measure, Automate, Monetize, Build, Studio, and Orchestrator, the platform enables organizations to deploy intelligent screen networks that can adapt dynamically to changing business requirements.

The launch marks a significant milestone for Navori Labs nine months after the integration of Signagelive, bringing together decades of digital signage innovation, cloud expertise, and enterprise-scale software development into a unified platform strategy. Designed to move beyond the limitations of traditional content management systems, the composable platform enables organizations to connect screens, business applications, data sources, AI services, and operational workflows through an open and extensible architecture.

VITEC to Showcase Expanding Enterprise IPTV and Digital Signage Innovations

VITEC will demonstrate its latest enterprise video technologies at booth C9257 with new solutions designed to address growing demand for high-quality, low-latency video distribution across all environments. VITEC will present an exclusive technology demonstration where a live private 5G network will be used to deliver video content wirelessly throughout the booth, in collaboration with LG Electronics’ Private 5G Solutions team. Other highlights include a range of first-time showings at InfoComm, such as the X-View integrated display range.

X-View, VITEC’s integrated displays, combines purpose-built display hardware with full compatibility with VITEC’s Avedia platform, delivering a commercial-grade, reliable and centrally managed signage solution for meeting rooms, public areas, and workplace communications without the complexity of separate external players and power supplies.

After weathering some tough years during the pandemic, the events industry is booming again. According to Market Intelo, the global convention center market is projected to reach $89.3 billion in 2034, riding a 7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

This growth presents an opportunity, and many convention centers are investing in infrastructure and logistics upgrades to enhance the customer experience. This includes the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) in Philadelphia, which recently unveiled one of the largest and most sophisticated digital display networks in a U.S. convention center.

The project was something John McNichol, president and CEO of the PCC, said had been on the agenda for a few years. The goal was to enhance the east side of the building, which opened in 1993, to match the more modern amenities of the west side expansion, which opened in 2011.

“The customer experience is always top of mind in everything we do,” he explained. “Having such a wide array of digital signage at the venue now allows our customers to incorporate striking, creative, and budget-friendly signage options for their events, while also providing a more seamless, intuitive, and engaging experience for event attendees, organizers, and exhibitors.”

Across the Venue

Completed in January, the new network was developed in partnership with technology consulting firm Anthony James Partners (AJP). Together, they saw it as an opportunity to create a venue-wide communications platform featuring more than 150 displays, including approximately 4,700 square feet of LED video wall displays and LCD displays in public and meeting spaces.

The network allows the venue and event organizers to enhance event branding, improve attendee navigation, offer new sponsorship opportunities, and modernize the overall guest experience. AJP provided turnkey concept development, system design, and construction management, while Eastern Sign Company and HB Frazer supported the physical implementation.

One of the most striking elements of the network is the 79-foot digital ribbon in the Broad Street Atrium, along with three towering 28-foot vertical LED displays, which were treated as permanent digital architecture, creating a cathedral-like experience as guests travel to the upper floors. Curved screens were placed at key intersections, wrapping around the walls. UberDisplays manufactured and delivered all LED video walls for the project.

Prior to the modernization, PCC relied heavily on static signage and temporary printed banners, with each event producing something new that was then discarded. This project allowed them to change that. “The primary goal was basically two things: communication and to be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective with signage,” said David Watroba, managing director with AJP.

To determine placement, PCC traffic patterns, historical banner locations, and natural guest interaction points were evaluated to identify where displays would have the greatest impact without detracting from the venue’s architectural features, which pay homage to its deep Philadelphia roots. This strategic placement in high-traffic areas would catch guests at natural points in the venue where they would look for directions, reducing their need to seek help from staff.

“Our goal with this project was to provide a modern and innovative signage solution without overpowering the elements that make the Pennsylvania Convention Center a one-of-a-kind event venue,” McNichol added.

Central Control

The new network also dramatically improves real-time communication by providing a central control system that allows staff to instantly update messaging across the building's display network. “We can push instant updates regarding room changes, keynote alerts, or emergency notifications across the entire facility simultaneously,” McNichol said. “By providing this information on demand, we allow visitors to focus on their event rather than the logistics of finding and navigating it. It turns the building into a responsive environment that guides the visitor through their experience.”

Messaging can be distributed across the network, and event organizers can decide what content goes where. “They can put wayfinding on it. They can put information on it. They can put the weather on it. It’s whatever they want to do with it,” added Watroba.

It also provides organizers with additional monetization opportunities by selling space across the digital network and increasing the value to event sponsors. “A high-visibility digital wall can now showcase multiple sponsors in a high-definition loop,” McNichol noted. “This increases the share of voice for brands and creates significantly more inventory for show organizers to monetize, all while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic throughout the halls.”

The system also helps PCC better support concurrent events within the venue, which in the past required significant lead time, manual labor, and substantial physical waste when printed materials were replaced as events transitioned back and forth. "Now, we can execute a total 'brand flip' for the entire facility almost instantaneously via the digital signage," said McNichol. “We can transition the messaging, color schemes, and logos for a massive convention to a private gala with no downtime and zero physical footprint.”

New Expectations

AJP had to ensure that construction did not affect events occurring during the installation process. “We did a lot of coordination with them just to make sure that our three to four-week look ahead wasn’t just dedicated towards the material and the physical installation, but what it looks like to not make a mess or make noise around where certain events were,” said Jeremy Lomax, senior project manager with AJP.

The network debuted while the venue hosted the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders event, offering convention and meeting planners from across the country the chance to see the network and its capabilities firsthand.

“The additions have been extremely well received by our customers who have stated that the signs have elevated their event experience,” McNichol said.

The digital display network is part of PCC’s broader, multi-year improvement program, which focuses on technology upgrades, operational efficiency, and the overall experience for event organizers and attendees. Future phases are already underway, including the recently completed display installations in the Grand Hall, which was being designed as a synchronized media zone with approximately 760 square feet of wall-mounted displays.

An entirely new power and data infrastructure, included in Phase 1, was designed to support the additional loads in future phases. “We made sure that when we sized the transformers and the new panel boards, they would be able to handle the additional loads in a proposed Phase 2 or Phase 3,” said Lomax.

Many installations don’t account for data and power needs for future technology integrations, but knowing that future phases were already underway made it clear to all involved that this was an important Phase 1 investment. “Establishing this foundation during Phase 1 was key, not only to support the current power and data needs, but also to support our future requirements as we continue to develop our digital signage offerings,” added McNichol.

Red Dot Digital Media recently partnered with Waikiki Shopping Plaza to design and install a network of four double-sided digital kiosk displays to promote newly opened restaurants and improve visitor navigation throughout the plaza. The kiosks provide visually engaging content that highlights each restaurant’s unique offerings while delivering clear, easy-to-follow wayfinding to help visitors discover and explore dining options throughout the property.

[The Art of Digital Signage]

Installed in high-traffic areas of the plaza, the kiosks serve as central information hubs, combining dynamic restaurant promotion with intuitive mapping to enhance the overall guest experience.

As Waikiki Shopping Plaza expanded its dining portfolio with the opening of several new restaurants, the property team identified a growing need for a more effective way to communicate these new dining options to visitors. Traditional static signage lacked the flexibility to showcase multiple venues, highlight rotating promotions, and provide real-time orientation within the plaza. Red Dot was challenged to deliver a solution that aided in visibility and navigation.

The solution needed to be modern, intuitive for everyday staff to manage, and durable enough for consistent public use.

“The most meaningful projects are the ones that truly elevate how people experience a space," said said Darryl Kuder, CEO of Red Dot Digital Media. "These kiosks don’t just promote restaurants, they encourage discovery and remove friction for shoppers navigating the plaza. Just as important, we designed the system to be easy for the plaza team to manage and simple for us to support long-term. Delivering a solution that enhances the guest experience while remaining practical, serviceable and cost-effective makes this project especially rewarding for our team.”

Red Dot had a track record of delivering projects for high-profile clients across the island, which instilled confidence in their ability to execute seamlessly. Red Dot’s fully integrated approach managing software, hardware, and installation simplified what otherwise would have been a complex, multi-vendor undertaking.

“Working with Red Dot was a fantastic experience. Darryl and his team were highly professional, and the project was executed precisely as planned,” said Michelle Look, real estate manager at Waikiki Shopping Plaza. “The digital kiosks are sleek and visually striking, and the software interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with customizable features that perfectly support the needs of our shopping plaza now and into the future.”

Red Dot designed and delivered a turnkey digital signage solution featuring four double-sided portrait kiosks equipped with 65-inch commercial displays. The kiosks were strategically placed to maximize visibility and ensure guests encountered relevant information at natural decision points throughout the plaza.

The digital experience was crafted to balance strong visual impact with ease of use. Restaurant content showcases branding, imagery, and highlights key culinary offerings, while integrated maps clearly highlight each location within the shopping plaza. The software interface allows non-technical users to easily update content, adjust layouts, and tailor messaging as restaurants evolve or new tenants are added.

Red Dot managed the project end-to-end, including system design, hardware selection, installation and software configuration, ensuring a smooth deployment with minimal disruption to plaza operations.

The kiosks now serve as effective promotional platforms for the plaza’s restaurants, while making it easy for guests to navigate to their chosen destinations. Visitors can quickly understand what dining options are available and where to find them, encouraging exploration and increasing overall engagement across the property.

The flexibility of the system ensures the plaza can continue evolving its content strategy over time to support new openings, seasonal promotions and updated layouts without additional infrastructure changes.

Planar is expanding its Simplicity Series with the launch of the Planar Simplicity E Series. The next-generation line of large format 4K LCD displays introduces wireless connectivity and dependable performance for essential digital signage applications spanning advertising, wayfinding, menu boards, presentations, and emergency messaging.

[The Art of Digital Signage]

Planar Simplicity E Series enables easy wireless connectivity through embedded WiFi or Bluetooth without the need of additional equipment. The expanded line includes a new 98-inch display, in addition to 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, and 86-inch models that deliver 500 nits of brightness and media playback. Continuous-run operation supports 24x7 digital signage applications, and ENERGY STAR certification helps minimize energy consumption and costs while maintaining reliable performance.

“The Planar Simplicity Series remains one of our most popular LCD display lines and with the new Planar Simplicity E Series, we’re responding to customer requests for the ability to connect to the network wirelessly,” said Cindy McCullough, senior product manager at Planar. “We’re proud to present a solution that streamlines the user experience and changes the game for more applications, all while delivering the exceptional visual performance customers expect from Planar.”

Planar Simplicity E Series can be mounted in landscape or portrait orientation, offering customers greater deployment flexibility. The displays are built with two 10 watt speakers, on/off scheduling and LAN distribution. Planar Simplicity E Series displays run quietly due to a fan-less design and ship with a slim profile mount for simplified installation. The displays include three HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI ports supporting native 4K resolution at up to 60Hz, along with USB, RS-232 and IR control. The comprehensive set of inputs and external controls ensure seamless integration into a wide range of digital signage environments.

Those working in the digital signage space can attest that the technology has come a long way. In fact, one wonders whether we should still be calling it signage, given the role it plays in communications and operations today.

Joseph Mendonca, director of business development at AVI-SPL, observed that digital signage has moved beyond being a screen-based messaging medium, as an increasing number of organizations are leveraging the technology to provide intelligent, integrated digital experiences. “What was once a standalone communications tool now plays a critical role in workplace communications, operational awareness, employee and customer engagement, and data-driven decision-making,” he noted.

This is being driven by several developments, Mendonca noted, including AI and automation, cloud adoption, compliance and security requirements, and more sophisticated display and media player systems. He also highlighted the evolution of end-to-end content workflows.

“Modern platforms now integrate seamlessly with existing communications, workplace management, operations, and collaboration technologies, enabling organizations to deliver the right information to the right audience, at the right time, with minimal manual effort,” he said. In other words, for many companies, digital signage is a core component of their communications strategy, be it inward or outward facing.

Technology Boost

Innovation in LED, microLED, and ultra-high-resolution display technologies are also changing the digital signage landscape. In particular, Mendonca said microLED is well-suited for environments with high ambient light—including corporate offices, stadiums, and transportation hubs—thanks to high brightness and contrast, energy efficiency, and longevity.

Companies are also taking advantage of 8K, glasses-free 3D, holographic displays, and transparent LED walls for immersive experiences. Flexible or rollable screens, ideal for curved surfaces, serve as standout architectural features.

Systems have also matured to the point where digital signage content is truly dynamic. “[There are] more and more interactive scenarios where content is both live and [coming in] from different types of sources so that you can really animate all the elements of the screen in an automatic or interactive way,” said Francesco Ziliani, CEO at SpinetiX.

These capabilities have led to the combination of live streaming with more traditional digital signage content. For example, a soccer match may be broadcast in real time with a ticker featuring statistics on the players. “Before, you were forced to choose between streaming [or displaying the stats]," Ziliani explained. "Now it’s hybrid.”

Amber Ward, marketing director at Carousel Digital Signage, noted that a growing number of companies are engaging more than one digital signage content creator for their strategic marketing and communications efforts. This has led platform providers like Carousel to support multiple contributors across departments, people who are already accustomed to creating messages with industry standard software. “To make that possible, CMS providers are adding more integrations and familiar tools that simplify content creation and collaboration,” she said.

Managed Services

While small and mid-sized organizations often keep digital signage management in-house, many—especially those with large campuses, national firms with multiple locations, and global enterprises—opt to outsource to a third party. According to Mendonca, the main reason for this is the need to lighten the workload for AV and IT personnel.

“Managing platform operations, device fleets, content workflows, security, compliance, and ongoing support places significant strain on internal IT, AV, and communications teams,” he said, adding that his firm is witnessing increased demand for managed services from Fortune 500 and global organizations in financial services, government, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, and retail. “[These are markets] where digital signage is evolving from a point solution into a mission-critical component of the digital workplace and customer experience ecosystem.”

For Misty Chalk, VP of sales for the Americas at BrightSign, more clients are expecting their AV partners to provide managed services. In the client’s eyes, it renders AV integrators more accountable for the systems they deploy.

“I think that people are recognizing that if you have an unmanaged signage network, that’s not a strategy,” Chalk said. “Everything is now networked and connected, and people want someone that’s going to manage the entire fleet as well as everything else on their network.”

AI for Everything

Initially, organizations began experimenting with AI for digital signage content creation. According to Mendonca, companies these days have expanded their application of AI for automation, governance, and localization, as well as for the delivery of more personalized messaging. “Beyond content creation, AI is transforming how signage networks are operated and evolved, enabling intelligent workflows, policy-driven governance, and continuous optimization with far less manual effort,” he said.

AI is also augmenting interactive displays with the adoption of kiosks that support conversational AI and virtual assistants, as well as smart wayfinding featuring real-time navigation and multi-language support. This, combined with AI-powered analytics, enables companies to be more strategic in communicating with their target audiences.

“These capabilities allow digital signage to adapt dynamically to users, locations, and context, delivering more meaningful and inclusive experiences,” Mendonca said. “Organizations gain the ability to make data-informed decisions, communicate more intelligently, operate more efficiently, and continuously improve employee and customer experiences across the digital workplace.”

Still, according to Ward, AI has made digital communication more difficult to believe. “It’s becoming harder to tell what’s real, what’s generated, and what’s trustworthy,” she said.

Ward argued that organizations can position their digital signage messaging as more meaningful than the noise their audience receives from other outlets. “In corporate and education environments especially, signage networks have become trusted, curated channels, and a reliable source of information employees and students know they can count on,” she noted.

Keeping It Secure

Because a growing number of digital signage systems are cloud-based and deployed across multiple locations, they are exposed to the same risks as any other technology that sits on a network. While Mendonca acknowledged that today’s CMS platforms incorporate security protocols and standards such as encryption, ISO 27001, role-based access control, single sign-on (SSO), SOC 2 Type II, and zero trust architectures, this isn’t enough to keep systems safe.

“Integrators are no longer just deploying hardware—they serve as a critical bridge between AV, IT, and information security,” Mendonca said. “They must help organizations design, implement, and govern a secure digital signage architecture that aligns with corporate security policies, network segmentation strategies, identity management, device hardening, and long-term operational compliance.”

Jason Cremins, chief product officer at Navori Labs, advises AV integrators to consider these security best practices for their deployments:

• Adopt strict authentication and access control protocols.

• Apply HTTPS/TLS encryption for API calls, data transfers, and remote management.

• Don’t deploy any external APIs, apps, or widgets before vetting them for security compliance.

• Implement a rigorous schedule for firmware and software updates.

• Pay attention to the physical security of hardware, and avoid tampering by locking enclosures and protecting cables, especially in high-traffic areas.

• Segment the digital signage infrastructure from the main business network to reduce exposure to attacks.

• Set up centralized logs and real-time monitoring for threat detection.

“By prioritizing security at every stage of integration, AV integrators can deliver digital signage solutions that are effective and resilient against evolving threats, strengthening reliability, compliance, and customer trust,” Cremins said.

Best Practices

For a digital signage deployment to be successful, it’s necessary to start thinking of the future in the earliest planning stages of a project. When systems are designed for scale up front, the need for expensive reconfigurations down the road is significantly reduced. “Systems almost always grow to include more screens, more locations, more users, and more content,” Ward advised.

It’s also necessary for AV integrators to consider their relationship with the customer beyond deployment, Chalk emphasized. “They want somebody that’s going to be able to manage this all the way through and not just on day one,” she said. “We’re going to see a big shift in 2026 where it’s not going to be a single install anymore. Services are what’s going to matter, [and] that’s what people are going to start basing their decisions off of.”

Digital signage has been used in installations across all verticals, from menus to messaging systems to wayfinding kiosks. However, nothing remains the same in Pro AV, and much like everything else, the role of digital signage is evolving.

"Displays are definitely more than a sign," said Joe Drury, business manager of Sony's BRAVIA Professional Displays. "We’re in an era where digital signage goes beyond sharing simple, basic information to become a dynamic and interactive canvas for two-way, real-time messaging and impactful visuals."

You Tell Me That It's Evolution

Are we entering a digital signage renaissance? As Drury explained, new forms and iterations are addressing the market’s demands. "Digital signage is truly a canvas to convey information, thoughts, feelings, activations, and messages," he added. "It is only as necessary and engaging as the content being shared consistently, so ensuring the best media and message are being conveyed is key to its continued evolution."

If it isn't losing its place in the Pro AV world, then why change? According to Frank Boston, founder of MoodyCanvas.com, digital signage still holds enormous potential, but it does require fresh thinking and creative vision to truly stand out.

"The marketplace is certainly crowded, but the real challenge is that most players are doing the same basic things," he said. "Too often, the focus is on purchasing the screens, while the content becomes an afterthought or a budget drain, yet even the most impressive display will fall flat if the visuals aren’t compelling. This is why it’s important for integrators to propose content as part of the complete solution."

Digital signage on many displays once showcased flashy, bright messaging or maps or even food items. Now, many are now turning to art.

"The concept of a ‘digital canvas’ is integral to approaches when designing solutions," explained Dana Corey, SVP and global GM, Avocor. "Modern displays have evolved beyond simple endpoints, now functioning as dynamic platforms for collaboration and delivering immersive experiences. This transformation illustrates a broader shift toward technology that is expressive and adaptable to its intended environment."

Audience Engagement

Key among the content on these digital canvases is leveraging emotional engagement while reinforcing brand identity and supporting interactive applications. So, what are those new opportunities? How can businesses capitalize on the art of digital signage?

The simple answer: Understand your audience to get viewers engaged.

"Engagement deepens and becomes more impactful when it provides the exact information an audience is seeking and can even take it one step further," Drury said. "As displays and their offerings become more intelligent, end users benefit from increasingly tailored insights and AI capabilities more quickly and efficiently and with more intent than before."

"Digital signage is now a dynamic engagement tool that can transform a space and the way people interact with it," Corey agreed. "In hotels, airports, and retail environments, we see many ways customers can leverage signage to captivate audiences beyond traditional menu boards and wayfinding."

So, what are some of those ways that are currently being used? Corey gave examples of how Avocor enables immersive storytelling on large-format, high-resolution displays to create the mood and atmosphere the moment a guest enters a space. In hotels, for example, Avocor can transform a lobby wall into a digital canvas with sensor integration and smart content management, enabling creatively designed signage to adapt to the audience in real time. He also recommended inviting customers to participate with interactive engagement points.

Mitch Braff, founder and CEO of LiquidView, the virtual window company, turned to Sony's BRAVIA displays to design his new virtual windows. Using the BZ40L series, which features Deep Black Non-Glare technology, Braff immerses viewers by converting a closed-in space like a conference room into a serene atmosphere, all of their own choosing.

Jill Moses, founder and CEO of The Inspired Community Project, a nonprofit research organization in the Bronx, NY, that builds a more equitable, inclusive, and accessible system of care for neurodivergent children, turned to LiquidView to transform therapy spaces into both calming and engaging environments that "promote emotional regulation and reduce sensory overload for the children we serve," she explained. "Our kids may not have access to safe, scenic spaces outside of our center, so this visual connection to the natural world is more than just aesthetic—it’s therapeutic."

For MoodyCanvas.com, no situation is the same. Every piece of content is designed with the specific environment in mind. Whether it is a massive lobby to a high-traffic bar/restaurant, or conversely a slower foot traffic location like waiting rooms and lounges, his team's content is ideal for captivating audiences and enhancing the overall experience. "Digital signage should be part of the interior design, not just an add-on, and architects should have a voice in content selection because it directly shapes the mood and energy of the environment," Boston said.

The Next Big Thing

According to Drury, the next big opportunity to elevate brand awareness using digital signage is directly related to engagement. "Understanding what your target audience would find valuable and providing relevant content via the best visual impact and reliable hardware is key to elevating brand awareness," he said.

To get to this next level of digital signage, it will take a blending of, well, quite a few things to come together. Corey said the new era of digital signage is an intelligent fusion of hardware innovation and software integration. While display quality is of obvious importance, so is versatility like supporting touch, pen, and gesture inputs, as well as seamless integration with content management systems and collaboration platforms.

That could be costly, but that's why Boston created MoodyCanvas.com. "[We are] dedicated to producing high-quality digital signage content crafted with Adobe After Effects and generative AI," he explained. "This approach allows us to offer a ready-made, affordable content library that still delivers strong visual impact while being accessible to a much wider audience." In short, Boston has simplified licensing to make art both affordable and easy to use.

Innovations such as spatial audio, holographic and 3D visualization, and interactivity transform signage from a passive display into a two-way engagement tool. "The next generation of digital signage is about blending advanced display technology with complementary innovations to create fully immersive environments," Corey said. "By integrating these technologies with Avocor’s high-performance displays, customers can deliver experiences that are not only visually striking but also multisensory, adaptive, and memorable," Corey said. "The goal is to create signage that’s not just seen but felt and experienced."

"The next generation of technology is always redefining itself," opined Drury. "Sony has implemented forward-looking innovations that help create and drive impact and purpose. Our Deep Black Non-Glare treatment is just one example of this commitment to unforgettable and purpose-driven visual experiences. This coating, which is featured on our flagship BZ40L pro BRAVIA displays, offers minimal glare with maximum contrast, perfect for bright and challenging lighting conditions."

In other words: The next generation of digital signage is art. People no longer want to simply see the message, they want to feel it. "In a crowded marketplace, impact comes from relevance and engagement, and today’s signage is becoming context-aware and deeply integrated into broader digital ecosystems," concluded Corey. "The challenge isn’t saturation, it’s differentiation. And that’s where innovation in hardware, software, and user experience is making all the difference."

Get even more insights: Download SCN's Integration Guide to Digital Signage.

Download your copy of the February issue of SCN and dive into digital signage.

February brings the annual 'Digital Signage Issue.' Digital signage has a growing role in communications and operations that is leading to new opportunities for integrators. This month were look at how it is being used in locations like airports and museums.

[5 Reasons to Subscribe to the SCN Newsletter]

Also this month:

• Executive Q&As with RF Venue's co-founder, and Avidex's CEO.
• David J. Danto's latest Tech Perspectives.
• Nigel Spratling and his Blueprint for Success.
• And a look at hiring and developing Pro AV talent.

Go ahead and get the inside scoop. Download your copy of the February issue of SCN today!

SCN: How long have you been with Navori Labs Group, and what are your responsibilities?

Jason Cremins: I officially joined Navori Labs Group on Sept. 1, coinciding with the completion of its acquisition of Signagelive. It’s a unique professional convergence where both Signagelive and Navori were founded in 1997, making us among the original pioneers of digital signage. I’m responsible for guiding the overall vision and strategic direction of our software, devices, and product development. I’ll also work closely with the executive team to drive growth. We’ve built a highly collaborative environment that positions us well for the future.

SCN: What are some of the new trends in digital signage?

JC: We continue to see strong momentum around screen monetization, along with a shift in how network control is approached. Retailers, in particular, are showing greater interest in managing their own networks rather than relying on third parties. Many have direct relationships with media buyers and are looking to leverage those connections. Navori digital signage software has long included an ad management feature, and more customers are now using this functionality to its full potential.

LED is also growing quickly. These displays are being used in more locations, and we’re seeing interesting integrations with media player devices, analytics tools, and other technologies in the digital signage ecosystem. We’re actively partnering with companies that have integrated our StiX 3800 devices into their LED cabinets. Moving forward, we expect a focus on simplifying LED design, improving compatibility with CMS platforms and media engines, and ensuring seamless integration between software and display scalers.

SCN: What’s the secret to designing effective digital signage messaging?

JC: It still first comes down to knowing your audience and understanding what inspires their visits. That ties into understanding the proximity of the audience to the screen, and captivating audiences with timely messages that matter. Analytics are essential to creating that landscape with precision. The footfall component is critical to accurately and anonymously identifying your audience.

SCN: What makes Navori’s content management system unique?

JC: The Navori CMS was built with that single pane of glass ethos in mind, meaning that the media, the playlists, the calendar, and the devices came together as one holistic solution. That was Jerome’s vision, fueled through a desire to efficiently manage across large-scale networks. Navori has always been ahead of its time with deployment capability. They deploy on-premise, as a SaaS, or via private cloud—or it can be installed on a customer’s private server. They are not tied to one model and remain very flexible.

SCN: AI seems to be part of every Pro AV conversation these days, so how is Navori using AI in its service offerings?

JC: Navori has long considered AI part of the computer vision world, which has long been an active element in our software. One example is context-based automation, which triggers and serves content relevant to the audience. Computer vision was also an essential element when we launched their first holistic analytics solution several years ago. We have now extended the use of AI operationally inside the organization, often as a test bed. We use it for development and quality assurance purposes. And I think that sets a foundation for Navori to apply and utilize AI for customer deployments and network maintenance.

SCN: Do Navori customers have to use your StiX 3800 digital signage player for all deployments?

JC: The StiX 3800 is Navori’s preferred media player, engineered from the chipset up to deliver a purpose-built, high-performance experience. It’s optimized for seamless integration with our digital signage software and supports advanced features such as AI-powered analytics, offering unmatched value within the Navori ecosystem. At the same time, we maintain a selectively agnostic approach. Our platform supports a wide range of digital signage players and SoC displays that are globally available, manufacturer-supported, and aligned with scalable growth opportunities for our customers and partners.

SCN: How can a facility best determine how many screens it needs in its digital signage network?

JC: This is subjective in most scenarios, and the relevance will typically depend on the size of the space, the size of the screens, and their proximity to the audience. A large open warehouse benefits from one large LED video wall. A corporate office will benefit from screens that are strategically placed throughout the building to ensure that everyone sees and consumes the message. And in any scenario, the decision will correlate with how focused the signage mission needs to be. All successful digital signage strategies rely on reaching audiences, but screen count, position, and density may increase if the emphasis is on increased dwell times to absorb critical, need-to-know information.

SCN: How much is the digital menu board business growing?

JC: It’s a rapidly growing business. QSRs of all types are deploying some form of signage, from single-store independents with indoor digital menu boards to regional and national chains installing outdoor digital menu boards across all locations. We see more single-panel preview screens positioned along the drive-thru journey and double or triple panel menu boards at the ordering stage. The barrier to entry for vendors is lower than before, as it’s easier than ever to build menu board solutions. The question any QSR or fast casual restaurant business needs to ask is whether that solution is scalable and supportable.

The next wave of growth lies in smart menu boards powered by analytics. QSRs can use this data in real time to make updates across the network, right down to individual locations. The era of rotating static carousels of images and videos is over. Today’s menu boards must integrate with point-of-sale systems for dynamic ordering and with monitoring tools for loss prevention. Data is essential for pricing, product mix, and location-specific decisions, making computer vision a key component of any modern solution.

SCN: What new initiatives are we likely to see from Navori?

JC: A new generation of Navori’s pioneering digital signage software is on the horizon. This next evolution will mark the beginning of a powerful integration of expertise from both Navori and Signagelive. More details will be revealed as we build up to ISE.

SCN: How can systems contractors better position themselves to profit from products and/or services you have to offer?

JC: Provide a meaningful managed service. Selling licenses to customers is just one part of the equation. Utilize the opportunities provided through the software, such as monitoring. That can open doors to valuable opportunities with recurring revenue, from network monitoring to troubleshooting and reconciliation. There should be an emphasis on operational revenues and less about just putting money in the tin. Make it a fully managed proposition where you become the heartbeat of the network.

PPDS launched its 32:9 Philips Stretch 3150, delivering advanced creativity, flexibility, and around-the-clock reliability for a widening range of environments and applications. The Philips Stretch 3150 has been crafted to widen the possibilities for installations that demand to be seen, featuring a 37-inch, 32:9, 1920x540 resolution display.

[Trends 2026: Pro AV Hangs Tough]

Superseding the Philips S-Line, the upgraded and enhanced Philips Stretch 3150 has been modeled around the evolving needs of the market, with each display able to be tailored with solutions for retail, transportation, food and beverage, hospitality, education, banking, healthcare, public venues, stadiums and arenas, and more.

Weighing just 7.6kg and featuring ultra narrow bezels (7.7mm L/R and 14.0mm T/B), the Philips Stretch 3150 is designed to transform almost any space, particularly those unsuitable for more conventional sized digital signage displays, including areas above in store shelving, or even on temporary walls, such as those used on kiosks and pop ups within shopping malls.

Philips Stretch 3150 displays can be installed either as a standalone solution or, for larger and more creative visions, multiple displays can be seamlessly daisy chained by connecting the HDMI Out port to the HDMI In port of another display. For tiled setups, businesses can simply connect two or more Philips Stretch 3150 displays with a single external player for single source content management that is effortless, no matter the number of displays selected. The inclusion of a discreetly integrated slot for a CRD32 Wi-Fi module introduces optional wireless network connectivity and Bluetooth functionality on the display.

Meeting all needs and preferences (including security), AV/IT managers can easily create and schedule content to play on their displays either directly from the Cloud (centrally and remotely managed), from local memory, or via USB.

Korbyt introduced a new portfolio of Korbyt media players engineered to power modern digital signage and workplace experiences at scale. This new suite of media players delivers a plug-and-play experience with purpose-built hardware devices that integrate seamlessly with the Korbyt Anywhere content management system (CMS). The lineup—Aries III Fanless Signage Player, Orion 4K Signage Player, and Vega Multi‑Zone Signage Player—delivers reliable, high‑quality playback, robust security, and streamlined remote management. In addition, the Aries III and Orion media players offer out-of-band (OOB) capabilities for remote player control and recovery.

[Digital Signage Continues to Thrive]

“Enterprises need hardware that matches the speed and scale of their communications,” said Andrew Gildin, VP of channel sales and revenue operations at Korbyt. “With Aries III, Orion, and Vega, we’re giving customers flexible performance tiers with standard enterprise features like Out‑of‑Band management, 4K playback, and secure, cloud‑first administration. Teams can confidently deploy, monitor, and update signage networks —and with out-of-the-box provisioning, accelerate time to value for enterprise digital signage.”

The Aries III Fanless Signage Player is ideal for enterprise deployments where reliability and low maintenance are paramount. Its fanless design for silent, durable operation in mission‑critical environments. Powered by AMD Ryzen Embedded processors with integrated Vega GPU for smooth multimedia playback, it supports 4K UHD video support.

The Orion 4K Signage Player was designed for high-quality graphics and multimedia processing capabilities. It is built on Intel N97 for responsive performance in digital signage and edge applications and includes 4K‑ready graphics with multimedia capabilities for demanding visual experiences.

Lastly, the Vega Multi‑Zone Signage Player was created with immersive, interactive experiences that captivate audiences in any business setting in mind. It is a BrightSign-powered solution built for high‑traffic environments that demand consistent, reliable playback that drives multi‑zone layouts to orchestrate dynamic, simultaneous content across multiple areas of the screen.

All three players are pre‑configured for the Korbyt Anywhere CMS, giving IT, AV, and communications teams a single pane of glass for content scheduling, device health monitoring, policy‑based updates, and role‑based access control. The portfolio provides support for BrightSignOS and Windows 11, enabling organizations to plan a smooth migration from Windows 10 before Microsoft ends support in October 2025. It also allows IT teams to standardize their technology stack while ensuring performance, security, and manageability remain uncompromised.

SpinetiX has introduced SpinetiX HUB, the new all-in-one cloud-based platform designed to simplify, secure, and scale the management of the SpinetiX complete digital signage solution, giving users a central place to operate every aspect of their digital signage.

[Digital Signage Continues to Thrive]

With HUB, customers benefit from unified access with a single login to manage a growing number of SpinetiX products and services. The platform offers flexibility to scale, allowing users to activate only the products they need when they need them.

At the same time, SpinetiX HUB delivers built-in enterprise-grade security and compliance with the highest standards such as BSI C5, and GDPR. Users have now the flexibility to choose the location where their data is stored, manage access to other users with confidence, and connect third-party services like Microsoft 365, Power BI, Google Workspace, and more with the highest security standards.

At launch, SpinetiX HUB brings together the Arya cloud-based CMS, simplified activation, centralized storage and management of account resources, and seamless connectivity with third-party data under one roof.

“This is a major milestone in our digital signage vision and in the implementation of our product roadmap,” said Francesco Ziliani, CEO of SpinetiX. “With HUB, we are delivering simplicity, unification, and futureproofing to our customers and partners. SpinetiX HUB it is the foundation on which every innovation from SpinetiX will be built.”

Based in the city of Ottawa, Ingenium owns and operates three museum properties, including the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Fueled by Carousel Cloud software, BrightSign media players and BrightSign’s BSN.Cloud servicefor secure media player management, the Ingenium AV/IT team has quickly scaled from 15 end points on its Canada Science and Technology Museum campus to 50 across all three museums.

[How Digital Signage Can Elevate Healthcare Communications]

All Carousel and BrightSign components live on a common IT infrastructure with native cloud connectivity between all points, empowering network operators through remote management software, secure content delivery and seamless technology integrations.

The Canada Science and Technology Museum campus also includes the Ingenium Centre, an artifact and archive collection storage facility that is open to the public and is part of the Carousel Cloud network. In addition to public-facing signage, Carousel and BrightSign feed corporate-themed content to staff and visitors on seven displays within Ingenium’s corporate office areas. This was in fact the first sign of what was to come.

“I was on staff with the systems integration firm that installed the initial on-prem Carousel servers and corresponding displays in the staff lunch rooms,” said Brian Wragg, AV specialist for Ingenium. “We installed Windows-based media players with those servers. I later joined Ingenium around the time that the Science and Technology Museum went through a major renovation, which included digital signage for visitor information and visual content. We decided to stay with Carousel, but transitioned to BrightSign for media players.”

Ingenium stayed with Carousel because mainly because of its ease of use. “We evaluated other systems but they all proved too complicated,” said Wragg. “Our creative services team handles most of the content creation, scheduling and uploading, and other users have access to certain zones. There was no reason to shake up that formula, and our decision to shift to BrightSign was another reason to stay with Carousel. Now that we have moved to Carousel Cloud, there is an entirely new layer of simplicity and harmony across the network. The BrightSign players are rock-solid. We can synchronize content between them, and we can pipe content from indoor to outdoor screens without having to switch player inputs. BSN.Cloud allows for that freedom, and gives us the power to remotely manage, monitor and control all players.”

The Carousel Cloud network presents a diversity of content across different museums and areas. All museums feature admission screens, which list prices, membership promotions and brief overviews of the daily schedules. The Science and Technology Museum includes a cluster of five screens that offers overviews of current and future events across all three museums plus wayfinding maps for visitor navigation. New to the network are interactive screens that prompt visitors to submit photos for presentation in the Science and Technology Museum and Aviation and Space Museum.

The BrightSign devices installed behind each screen are a mix of players powering 1080p and 4K content. “We have a lot of artifacts with national historic significance at the Ingenium Centre, and very nice images of our staff working with artifacts and prototypes for interactive exhibits,” said Wragg. “It made sense to present these in 4K, which visitors see on a 65-inch display. We will also add a 4K player to project a 40-foot-wide image on the side of the Aviation and Space Museum.”

Speaking of outdoors, BrightSign players are installed in weathertight enclosures with cooling and heating control to compensate for the dynamic Ottawa weather. “We have had one outside for three years with no performance issues,” said Wragg. “We recently added three kiosks with BrightSign players outside of the Agriculture and Food Museum and we expect reliable performance through their first winter. That property is spread out across several buildings, and these screens provide wayfinding and information about exhibits and outdoor activities.”

The transition to a cloud network has also made life easier for the IT department and the creative service staff, the latter of whom typically work from home. “They no longer have to VPN 500MB files to the on-prem server, and they can preview new content without having a physical player in their presence,” said Wragg. “Carousel Cloud manages everything efficiently, and the supervisor in charge of the IT network loves that Carousel consumes minimal bandwidth and has no VPN requirement. Overall, Carousel Cloud makes it’s easy to create, schedule and change content, and BrightSign brings everything to life with exceptional reliability. Everyone benefits.”

Walk into any store, restaurant, or hotel lobby and you’ll notice something immediately: The most inviting spaces don’t just look good—they sound good.

That’s no accident. Businesses are realizing that atmosphere is a multi-sensory experience, and in the race to deliver memorable customer moments, audio is becoming as important as visuals.

For years, digital signage has been the star of the in-store environment—attention-grabbing, content-rich, and increasingly data-driven. But an overlooked truth is that the most effective signage doesn’t stand alone. It works in concert, literally, with music.

Gimme a Beat

The business case for music isn’t theoretical—it’s measurable. A well-known Gant study found that when brand-fit background music played in stores, total sales increased an average of 37%. Other research shows that music aligned with a brand identity can extend customer dwell time by more than 40% and improve purchase intent.

This isn’t just mood-setting. It’s direct revenue impact. For retailers, hospitality venues, and service businesses, music becomes a way to influence behavior, elevate brand perception, and create memorable experiences that bring customers back.

Given that upside, why isn’t music already a standard feature of digital signage deployments? Well, for years, AV integrators had no simple, compliant way to include it.

Many resorted to consumer-grade streaming services not licensed for public performance, creating legal risk. Others pieced together complex hardware setups with multiple points of failure or relied on disconnected systems for signage and audio that required separate management.

Adding music isn’t just about enhancing ambiance; it’s also about avoiding costly mistakes. In the United States, every business playing music that customers can hear must pay music-for-business license fees. These are collected by Performing Rights Organizations (PROs), and violations can result in thousands of dollars in fines.

Many businesses, unaware of the rules, still use consumer platforms intended for personal use. AV integrators can add real value by educating clients about licensing requirements and steering them toward solutions that protect them from legal exposure.

Untapped Revenue Stream

For integrators and signage providers, the move toward AV convergence creates a strategic opportunity. First, there's recurring revenue. Licensed music is a subscription service, extending income beyond installation. That leads to longer relationships, as ongoing music service contracts keep integrators engaged for the long term.

Licensed music can also lead to an expanded client base. Businesses without dedicated audio systems—like dental offices, boutique fitness studios, and salons—become viable targets. There's also differentiation, as bundled audio and signage solutions stand out in a competitive market.

As music becomes an expected element of digital signage, integrators should evaluate providers with the same care they use for displays and CMS platforms. Key criteria include:

Direct, Knowledgeable Support: When issues arise, responsive, informed help can mean the difference between quick resolution and prolonged downtime. Providers that offer direct access to knowledgeable staff, not just a generic call center, can protect client satisfaction.

Curated, Licensed Music Libraries: Broad but generic playlists can miss the mark. A quality provider offers an extensive library of licensed tracks curated for professional environments, ensuring the sound matches the brand’s personality and avoids inappropriate content.

Stable, Transparent Pricing: Sudden price hikes erode trust. Providers with a track record of consistent rates make it easier for businesses to plan budgets and for integrators to price long-term contracts.

Flexible Integration: Look for solutions that can stream via secure URLs, integrate with a variety of CMS platforms, and offer APIs for deeper customization—reducing complexity for both the installer and the client.

Proven Long-Term Value: The right solution should be more than a utility. By improving the customer experience and driving measurable sales lift, it becomes a strategic asset that justifies the investment.

Premium services have often been seen as more expensive. But with many “budget” providers steadily raising rates, high-quality options are now often cost-competitive, especially when factoring in the benefits of curated content, reliable support, and compliance assurance.

For small businesses with minimal music needs, a low-cost service might suffice. But for those that rely heavily on ambiance and brand experience, investing in quality audio is often the smarter long-term choice.

[Editorial: Digital Signage Continues to Thrive]

For years, digital signage providers have focused on the screen. Now, it’s time to think about the soundtrack. The data is clear: Brand-fit music influences behavior, drives sales, and builds loyalty. The technology exists to integrate it seamlessly and compliantly with visual content, creating an experience that engages both the eyes and the ears.

Bluefin has introduced COLORFRAME, a new option that lets customers choose from dozens of RAL color finishes for their screen frames. This addition allows clients to tailor not only the size, specifications, and operating system of their displays, but now the frame color as well.

[Digital Signage Continues to Thrive]

Digital signage is no longer just an information tool; it has become an aesthetic feature in modern interiors. By offering color customization, Bluefin empowers customers to integrate displays into a space’s overall look, creating cohesive, on-brand environments in retail, hospitality, corporate, and public settings.

COLORFRAME is Bluefin’s answer to the emerging market need for frames to integrate seamlessly with their space or make a visual statement. “COLORFRAME is about giving clients one more way to make their vision a reality,” said Tim Bailey, COO of Bluefin International. “It’s exciting to extend our ‘If we can, we will’ motto into the realm of colored frames both affordably and at scale.”

For interior designers, architects, and brand managers, COLORFRAME extends creative freedom into the technology itself. Whether matching a brand’s exact color palette or complementing an interior design scheme, frame colors can help digital signage blend in or stand out; turning functional displays into intentional design elements.

Customers can combine COLORFRAME with Bluefin’s FLEX-OS platform, embedding their preferred operating system (BrightSign, Intel, or Android) into any display. With COLORFRAME, the frame itself becomes part of the brand story. Before a single pixel lights up, your digital signage is already making an impression.

Navori Labs has officially release of Navori Digital Signage Software v2.12. This update introduces a suite of enhancements for corporate, retail, and advertising environments, all designed to simplify workflows and enhance digital signage performance.

[Are We on the Brink of a New Format War?]

Room booking integration offers seamless connectivity with Outlook and Google Calendar. Meeting room availability and booking details can now be displayed in real time across screens, with intelligent, rules-based triggers that adapt content based on calendar inputs. This feature supports dynamic workplace communication while centralizing scheduling within the signage ecosystem.

The Screen Control and Information function gives IT teams greater command over their display networks. When used with Navori-certified monitors and StiX 3800 media players, users gain visibility into panel specifications, power cycle status, and more—all enhanced by the platform’s built-in AI camera vision capabilities.

Navori Labs introduces Auto-Activation, a breakthrough feature designed to simplify and accelerate the rollout of digital signage networks. Now available for Samsung, LG, and ChromeOS devices, Auto-Activation enables players to automatically connect to the designated server, assign themselves a license from the appropriate group, and rename it using the device's serial number. This seamless, touch-free process drastically reduces setup time, allowing enterprise users to deploy and manage large fleets of devices with greater speed and precision.

Retailers and interactive signage operators will appreciate the new Place & Learn system—a simplified alternative to Lift & Learn. Rather than assigning one sensor per product, a single sensor can now manage multiple items, reducing hardware needs while maintaining an immersive customer experience. Content automatically updates in real time based on how customers interact with products, ensuring relevant information is always shown on screen.

Digital out-of-home (DOOH) networks and ad-based signage benefit from two new tools: Programmatic Ad Media Sync, which enables synchronized ad playback across multiple screens, and Share of Voice, which uses percentage-based scheduling to automate content distribution. Together, these upgrades empower advertisers to maximize impressions and manage campaigns with unprecedented ease.

Palmer Digital Group unveiled its first battery-powered kiosk for retail and hospitality environments including QSRs and fast casual restaurants. The kiosk provides sustainable and portable options for indoor and outdoor environments while retaining the durability of PDG’s DC-powered kiosks and digital menu boards.

[Digital Signage Continues to Thrive]

Available in single or dual-sided configurations, PDG’s new Digital Portable Poster Stands have four screen size options (24, 32, 43 and 50-inch), long battery life, diverse color options, and a selection of portable casters to showcase products and services in any scenario. That includes retail environments such as popups, experiential activations (such as museums and exhibits), or even scheduled audience gatherings for tradeshows and live events.

The long battery life is a valuable benefit for customers, offering up to 24 hours of juice and quick-charge capability for immediate deployment. Safety and dependability are also paramount with the choice of specialized, eco-friendly batteries that offer wide temperature tolerance, low toxicity and an extended lifespan with more than 3000 charge cycles.

That battery life, along with its smooth mobility and sturdy structure, also raises opportunities for retailers to gather data on customer journeys. That application is supported through a wireless occupancy sensor built into the base of the kiosk that help businesses generate actionable insights by monitoring dwell time and passing traffic, while informing merchandising decisions. “Businesses can gather this data within a five-to-50-foot radius, and when appropriate, easily move and reposition to new strategic positions that capture the typical customer’s path through the store,” said Chuck Lewis, VP, Palmer Digital Group.

Lewis added that the ability to use different casters makes it viable for movement across standard floors inside as well as outdoor concrete or blacktop surfaces. There also the ability to quickly lock down the wheels for a more permanent or multi-day position where heavy foot traffic. The structure also supports built-in speakers for accompanying audio tracks to the visual presentations, supported through LTE mobile connectivity, Wi-Fi networks, or optional media players.

PDG will also offer customized screen options to support touch-enabled applications such as mobile ordering and wayfinding, as well as high-brightness displays (1000-3000 nits) for optimized performance in direct sunlight.

“Digital signage already creates a more than 80% recall level with customers that engage with screen content,” said Lewis. “Our new battery-powered kiosks will help a variety of brands and organizations enhance the ways they engage with their customers and audiences, while also revolutionizing their strategies for sustainability and operational efficiency.”

Olyns is a Silicon Valley startup innovating at the intersection of recycling and retail media. Its flagship product, “The Cube,” is an AI-powered reverse vending machine equipped with a 55-inch digital screen powered by Wovenmedia and BrightSign that promotes sustainability and brand engagement in high-traffic retail environments.

[Digital Signage Continues to Thrive]

Only 14% of plastic is collected for recycling, leading to significant waste that pollutes ecosystems. Olyns set out to address this by encouraging everyday recycling through The Cube. Positioned at the entrances of high-traffic retail locations, each Cube incentivizes recycling while delivering targeted brand messaging to consumers before they shop.

To succeed, Olyns needed more than smart hardware. They required a digital signage solution that could operate continuously and reliably in unattended retail environments, support remote management for quick updates to dynamic advertising content across a growing fleet of Cubes, scale easily as the network expands nationally, ensure seamless playback to maximize ad visibility and engagement, and work with their chosen Programmatic Advertising platform for network monetization.

To meet these demands, Olyns partnered with Wovenmedia and BrightSign—combining a content management system (CMS) with media players to power the full digital experience.

Olyns selected Wovenmedia and BrightSign to deliver a digital signage solution that could meet the unique demands of The Cube.

Wovenmedia’s flexible, cloud-based CMS allows Olyns to scale effortlessly—adding new units, localizing content, and updating campaigns in real time across the entire network or by designated marketing zones. Additionally, BrightSign’s digital signage players, powered by their purpose-built operating system BrightSignOS, were designed with reliability and durability in mind—ensuring seamless playback across Olyns’ network.

The combination of Wovenmedia’s software and BrightSign’s hardware and operating system gave Olyns a dependable, scalable solution that supports its dual mission: improving recycling rates and enabling brand storytelling at the point of purchase.

The Olyns solution is a win-win for the environment, retailers, customers, and brands. As Olyns continues to grow its network across the United States, it knows it can rely on Wovenmedia’s CMS to support that growth regardless of how geographically dispersed its network becomes.

Daktronics has launched the DXB-1000, a next-generation digital billboard solution that redefines performance, sustainability and return on investment for the Out of Home (OOH) advertising industry.

[Check Out the Largest LED Wall in the Middle East]

Engineered with advanced surface mount technology, the DXB-1000 delivers enhanced image clarity while reducing energy consumption. It is designed to meet the growing demand for high-performance displays that are both environmentally responsible and economically smart.

“The modules we designed and developed for the DXB-1000 are now built on the out-of-home industry standard 400mm by 400mm,” explained Daktronics OOH product manager Lori Sieler. “The transition to the high-resolution DXB-1000 delivers premium image clarity while dramatically lowering energy usage and maintenance costs. This positions our customers to capture audience attention with vibrant advertisement recreation, allowing for seamless brand campaigns across many media. It provides a cost-effective way to update aging inventory with the latest high-resolution outdoor technology in an eco-conscious manner, without a full display replacement.”

The DXB-1000 is more efficient than previous models, resulting in an impressive 30% reduction in annual operating costs and a smaller carbon footprint.

The DXB-1000 features the latest in LED technology, optimized for shorter viewing distances without sacrificing clarity, brightness or color performance. With updated internal architecture, this model reduces power consumption while minimizing the number of components and failure points, resulting in longer operational life and lower total cost of ownership.

“This urban billboard is designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable, high-impact visuals in dense city environments where people engage with digital content up close,” Sieler explained.

Ideal for urban and wallscape applications, the DXB-1000 is tailored for advertisers who demand high-impact visuals and operational efficiency. Daktronics’ rigorous in-house testing ensures every component meets the highest durability and performance standards.

“Our customers are asking for displays that perform brilliantly and operate responsibly,” said Collin Huber, OOH market manager at Daktronics. “The DXB-1000 is built to do both, with quality you can see and savings you can measure.”

LG Electronics USA has introduced a new digital signage management solution called “LG ProActive360.” The three-tier platform (Silver, Gold, and Platinum) is designed to help keep a customer’s inventory of signage displays running at peak performance through active device management and monitoring services, plus optional content scheduling and ad creative management—allowing users to focus on running their business, not their screens.

[Pescatore: Digital Signage Continues to Thrive]

“In today’s fast-paced digital environment, system reliability and performance are critical to business success,” said LG Electronics USA’s B2B marketing head David Bacher. “LG ProActive360 Silver provides medium and large signage users and system integrators alike the omnipresent services required to stay ahead of potential issues, maintaining display uptime, with additional content and advertising management upgrades available via the Gold and Platinum options.”

LG ProActive360 Silver is the next evolution in device management and monitoring services, ensuring that users’ signage networks are always connected, always protected, and always performing. Designed for seamless operation and to be “proactive” rather than reactive, this powerful solution keeps all the customer’s LG signage at near 100% uptime, so that users can focus on running their actual business and not waste IT or retail staff managing the screens. Advanced features, including remote firmware updates, Chromium Long-term Support, and flexible power scheduling, make signage network management a breeze. LG’s intelligent monitoring tools continuously track device health, instantly detecting issues like black screens, frozen content, or playback errors. LG’s expert team diagnoses problems, provides root cause analysis, and even collaborates directly with onsite contacts to file and execute warranty claims. Users are kept fully informed with weekly issue summaries.

LG ProActive360 Gold will upgrade LG ProActive360 Silver with additional content management services that transform digital signage management into a fully collaborative experience. Building on the robust monitoring and device management of LG ProActive360 Silver, LG ProActive360 Gold empowers users with seamless content management, guided every step of the way by LG’s expert staff. With LG’s “Virtual White Glove” Content Management, LG professionals work directly with the users’ creative teams to obtain content, upload it to the secure LG Cloud, and schedule dynamic campaigns and playlists tailored to planned objectives. Digital proofs of campaigns can be previewed before they go live, ensuring every message is accurate. Once approved, LG publishes the content to all devices and provides comprehensive reporting on deployment and performance. LG’s team manages campaign and playlist updates as user requirements evolve, keeping the signage network fresh and relevant. This hands-on partnership will streamline workflows, reduce workloads, and ensure that messaging is always on point, liberating the IT staff from having to manage content.

LG ProActive360 Platinum will provide Digital-Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising-related services such as programmatic ad approval and brand safety to the device monitoring and content management, unlocking entirely new revenue streams while maximizing the impact of digital signage. Thanks to LG’s upcoming top tier LG ProActive360 solution, signage networks are transformed into dynamic DOOH screen inventory and thus profit centers, connecting retail customers with relevant advertisers eager to reach targeted audiences—without any extra effort. DOOH advertising delivers highly visible, engaging, and targeted messages to large audiences in real-world environments, making it one of the most effective and measurable advertising channels available today.

This integrated platform powered by LG’s webOS and Business Cloud technology will help promote advertiser relationships, ad sourcing, and campaign delivery, so that users can focus on their core business. With IAB/MRC-compliant proof-of-play reporting and attribution plus ad campaign management, users gain credibility with advertisers and maximize their signage’s earning potential.

When we talk about immersive environments or technology-driven spaces, the conversation too often centers on what people see: a massive LED wall, an interactive installation, a seamless projection. But behind the scenes, what actually makes these experiences successful isn’t any single piece of technology. It’s how all the pieces and disciplines work together.

That’s where integrated experience thinking comes in.

Integrated experience thinking is an approach that asks us to stop viewing design, content, and technology as isolated components. Instead, it asks us to see them as interconnected: a living, dynamic ecosystem that needs to function holistically. In the context of storytelling spaces, this means looking beyond the surface to understand how the space operates over time, how people interact with it, and how technology supports those moments of engagement.

When Good Design Fails: The Hidden Risks of Static Systems

A few months ago, a client reached out about a high-profile space they had launched the previous year. It looked great on paper, and the installation was technically sound. Now, a year later, their team had stopped using parts of it. Content hadn’t been updated. Staff avoided certain areas. And while nothing was technically “broken,” it just wasn’t serving its purpose anymore as the client’s needs adapted over time. The integrated experience, in a broader sense, had failed, not because the tech wasn’t good, but because the experience wasn’t designed to evolve.

This happens more often than people realize. A space opens, the ribbon gets cut, and everything works as intended. But if the back-end systems are too rigid, the CMS too complicated, or the workflow for updating content too vague, then that immersive space starts to degrade. Not physically, but functionally and emotionally. It becomes harder to maintain, harder to update, and eventually, easier to ignore.

This is the kind of gap integrated experience thinking helps us avoid.

Designing for the Long Haul: Embedding Strategy from Day One

Every experience should be built not just for launch day, but for the long haul. That starts by embedding strategy and technology design thinking into the earliest stages of concept development, before construction drawings are issued, before screens are spec’d, before budgets are locked. The sooner we can ask the right questions about longevity, flexibility, and intent, the better the outcome.

We often work with incredible AV integrators and partners, but historically they’re brought in late, after decisions about layout, infrastructure, or story have already been made. That leads to retrofit thinking. The tech has to conform to decisions it wasn’t part of, and the experience becomes a puzzle of workarounds rather than a cohesive narrative.

Spaces That Grow with You: Learning and Adapting Post-Launch

This is exactly where a role like mine comes in. As a technologist working for a creative strategy and design company, I help bridge the gap between the story and the experience, between the creative vision and the engineering reality. I sit between disciplines to make sure what we dream up can be delivered, and what gets delivered still tells the right story. By helping guide those conversations early, I work alongside AV partners and creative teams to ensure that what we build is as thoughtful behind the walls as it is in front of them.

When we approach a space as an integrated experience from day one, the results are dramatically different. The story flows more naturally. The tools chosen, whether they’re screens, sensors, or sound, don’t distract or dominate – they complement. The infrastructure is designed to adapt, making it easy for teams to update content and keep the experience relevant without needing to start from scratch every time the business changes direction.

It is important to recognize early on that while we strive for perfection in design, we often find out how things are really working within the first six months of a space opening. Once real people are using the space, when a docent has to pivot on the fly based on the conversation at hand, or when an unexpected use case emerges, we learn. We remind our clients that making adjustments after opening is not a failure. It's part of the process. These spaces are alive, and small changes post-launch are not only normal, they're necessary. Our job is to stick with our clients and make it easy to adapt.

Designing for future and ongoing needs doesn’t always mean predicting everything that could happen. There are several things that leave space to adapt.

Flexible CMS A content management system that allows easy updates and changes as needs evolve.

Modular Components Physical and digital components that can be rearranged, replaced, or upgraded without major overhauls.

Remote Access The ability to monitor, update, and manage the system from anywhere.

Clear Governance Model Defined roles and responsibilities for who updates what and when, to ensure ongoing relevance and smooth operations.

Process, Teams and Planning A workflow that anticipates adjustments and includes clear protocols for implementing updates with ongoing training for people who maintain it.

Regular Check-ins and Feedback Loops -Establish a structured cadence of check-ins to review real-world performance and proactive adjustments for evolving needs.

A Collaborative Future: How Teams, Tools, and Strategy Align for Success

Integrated experience thinking also extends beyond technology. It includes the people who will maintain it, the team who will manage the messaging, the audience who will walk into the space six months from now. A successful experience isn’t just what happens when everything goes right. It’s how gracefully it continues to perform when things inevitably shift.

This kind of thinking requires collaboration. It takes architects who are open to rethinking layout based on experience and content goals. It takes brand strategists who understand how a story unfolds spatially. It takes AV partners who see the value in flexible systems. And it takes clients who are willing to invest in thinking ahead, not just building fast.

When all of that comes together, the result is an experience that doesn’t just look impressive, but actually works. It stays relevant. It earns its keep. And it continues to support the mission it was built for, long after the headlines fade.

Storytelling spaces are not one-time installations. They are living, breathing integrated experiences. When we design them with that mindset, we create experiences that evolve, connect, and endure.

PPDS launched the its 'ultra durable' Philips Signage 6000 Series (P-Line), bringing UHD 24/7 performance and reliability for installations in challenging environments. The solution was unveiled at InfoComm 2025.

[Bring on the Visuals: InfoComm 2025 Booths We Loved... and You Will, Too]

The Philips Signage 6000 Series—an upgrade on the Philips P-Line display—becomes what PPDS calls its most powerful, flexible, and durable digital signage model to date. Together with options for additional capabilities via OPS, the display adds a wave of enhanced visual opportunities for businesses operating in rigorous and demanding conditions, such as kitchens, transport hubs, shopping centers, and beyond.

Available in 43, 50, 55, and 65-inch size variants, the portrait or landscape mountable Philips Signage 6000 Series combines the features of its predecessor together with the latest innovations and advances in visual technology, remote management, and hardware design for around the clock operation.

The series is built with a tough metal casing and features conformal coating and IP5X ingress protection, designed to stay strong against airborne pollutants, such as dust, moisture, or diesel emissions, mechanical wear, or poor ventilation. Furthermore, the display can function seamlessly in even the most extreme temperatures, up to 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) and at altitudes of 9,840 feet.

The Philips Signage 6000 Series features PPDS’ FailOver technology, ensuring screens never go blank by automatically switching between primary and secondary inputs to keep content playing.

Sponsored Content

Amazon Signage continues to expand its digital signage footprint with three exciting developments. From new mobile capabilities to growing collaborations and upcoming event participation, Amazon Signage is committed to enhancing the digital signage experience for its customers.

Meet the New Mobile App

On May 28, 2025, Amazon Signage released a companion app to the well-received Signage Stick that launched last fall. With the app, customers can now set up multiple Sticks at once, compared to the previous one-at-a-time approach that required a physical remote. Provisioning multiple Sticks has been a much-sought-after feature by customers and Content Management Software (CMS) providers alike, saving time and effort when configuring Sticks for larger installations. To further expedite setup, the app can store network name, password, and CMS selections through “Profiles,” eliminating the need to re-enter profile information every time additional Sticks are added.

The Signage app's dashboard makes it easy to view and monitor Signage Sticks all in one place. Sticks can be grouped into “Locations,” providing a convenient way to organize. The app can also act as a virtual remote making it easy to restart or reset Sticks when connected to the internet. The app can be found on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Latest Providers

Amazon Signage's CMS provider network has doubled in size since the Stick's launch in September 2024. This strategic expansion offers organizations broader choice and flexibility in digital display solutions. By combining hardware expertise with curated CMS providers, the expanded network continues to reduce implementation barriers while maintaining premier performance. Amazon Signage's growing roster of providers reinforces its commitment to delivering agile, customizable solutions. Learn more about the providers.

Amazon at InfoComm 2025

Amazon Signage will be at InfoComm 2025, taking place June 11-13 in Orlando, FL. InfoComm drew over 30,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors in 2024. The Signage team will host meetings in a dedicated room where they will demonstrate the ease and functionality of the Signage Stick to guests and attendees. To schedule time with the team, contact: signage-info@amazon.com

These developments—the new mobile app, expanded provider network, and upcoming InfoComm presence—represent Amazon Signage's ongoing commitment to simplifying digital signage deployment while offering customers more choice and flexibility. Amazon Signage looks forward to continuing this momentum throughout 2025 and beyond.

Amazon Signage Stick: Professional Digital Signage for SMBs

The Amazon Signage Stick is a cost-effective, purpose-built media player for small and medium-sized businesses. Engineered with security in mind, it offers professional-grade performance with easy setup, 4K video, Wi-Fi 6E, enhanced stability, and scalability. The Amazon Signage Stick bridges the gap between consumer-grade and industrial options, providing reliable, secure digital signage without compromising quality or budget. 

Readily available on Amazon, it empowers businesses to fully leverage digital signage technology.

If you're a regular reader of the AVIXA Report in SCN, you know the Pro AV industry is growing—but not like it did in recent years. Following pandemic-related declines, the industry recovered very quickly. One might even say growth was explosive. Today, that growth has stabilized.

[Editorial: A Farewell to Skype]

While there might not be fireworks, Pro AV is still expected to remain higher than the U.S. gross domestic product. “It’s still growth, we’re in a true growth mode,” affirmed Sean Wargo, VP of market insight at AVIXA. “We’re growing better than the economies in which we exist.”

When you drill down specifically into digital signage, it’s growing faster than other solution areas within the Pro AV industry. It’s also one of the largest solution areas, too.

But digital signage hasn't exactly had the smoothest ride in recent years. Yes, there was rapid growth in 2021 and 2022, but there was a significant slowdown in 2023, and it slowed down even more in 2024. Wargo attributed this mostly to the drop in display prices that resulted from a rapid increase in display supply—but with potentially more stability in pricing, he expects a market correction this year.

Based on AVIXA estimates, you can expect the digital signage market to grow to $44.2 billion this year and continue to grow in 2026. Part of that growth will include projection (remember, digital signage isn’t limited to LED displays) that will be used for everything from live events to projection mapping. Also, some older digital signage displays are being replaced by new technology, such as dvLED, which will drive more growth.

There are plenty of potential public-facing areas where digital signage can be beneficial to customers, visitors, and even employees. Digital signage installs run the gambit, from wayfinding to digital out-of-home advertising to digital menu boards (yes, AVIXA includes them in its digital signage numbers). According to Wargo, “The opportunity is thinking about digital signage as points of delivery in public settings to communicate and convey information to all manners of audience."

Retail and hospitality will continue to lead the digital signage success story. Digital menu boards found in quick-serve restaurants create a bit of a blur between the two markets, but Wargo said they remain a key driver. Another market showing promise is transportation, with facilities investing more in digital signage for wayfinding as well as enticing travelers to enjoy a meal (see the display to the right that encouraged me to have an overpriced dinner on my way to ISE earlier this year).

However, the digital signage market is about more than the display. As Wargo explained, the potential for the content management system component of the digital signage workflow is huge. Pick your flavor, on-site or cloud-based—CMS could see almost 30% growth.

Also, look for managed services to grow significantly as well. Wargo said the “bang and hang” installation possibilities are not where the opportunities end. From servicing equipment to creating content, he said integrators should look beyond the initial install and offer add-on services to create recurring revenue streams.

Another area that warrants some attention is interactivity. Companies like Navori Labs are already using AI to track audiences and deliver personalized content in retail environments. It's not alone. The use of data being captured at the point of customer interaction and the response to that data with personalization used to be the stuff of science fiction. Now, it's a compelling use case.

[The Integration Guide to Digital Signage 2024]

Yes, Wargo acknowledged that there must be a sensitivity to privacy, but it's been shown that shoppers will share private information if it results in something that is relevant and useful. While AVIXA hasn’t quantified interactivity in its forecasts (yet), there's no doubt that personalized digital signage experiences will continue to gather momentum in retail and other markets. In other words, watch this space. After all, it's watching you.

LG Electronics USA unveiled a new line of high-brightness displays ready for outdoor and outdoor-facing showcases. The LG XE3P Series, available in 49, 55 and 86-inch screen sizes, is designed to deliver intense visual clarity in direct sunlight, with a native resolution of 1,920x1,080 (FHD) and brightness of up to 3,500 nits.

[Nebraska Athletics Displays Winning Message]

The displays feature anti-discoloration characteristic technology verified by UL Solutions to help prevent screen yellowing, a common issue for outdoor displays caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight. LG’s innovative anti-discoloration technology simultaneously safeguards display quality and performance stability, ultimately helping extend the lifespan of LG digital signage displays.

LG claims to be 'the first in the industry to achieve UL verification for digital signage display anti-discoloration characteristic technology.' Using newly developed comprehensive LG testing methodologies and defect-evaluation criteria, UL Solutions independently assessed and verified the new displays. Prior to this, there were no internationally recognized standards or testing methods for measuring a display’s resistance to screen yellowing. In addition to LG’s anti-discoloration technology, the new high-brightness displays all utilize webOS™ Signage 6.1.

“Through extensive research and development, LG has ensured that we deliver the pinnacle of digital signage experiences. This commitment is underscored by our industry-leading products achieving the inaugural UL verification for anti-discoloration characteristic technology,” said Michael Kosla, SVP, LG Electronics USA. “LG is dedicated to mitigating inconveniences with proven solutions integrated in our digital signage products, continuously enhancing and evolving customer experience and satisfaction.”

High-Brightness Outdoor Display

The LG XE3P Series advanced thermal solutions prevent common issues like black circles, ensuring long-lasting performance. The XE3P operates within a wide range of temperatures and features an IP56-rated sealed design for reliable operation, protecting against both water and dust. It also includes IK10-rated protective glass, tempered and laminated for outdoor extremes, minimizing damage from external impacts to reduce unnecessary LCD module replacements and provide cost-effective maintenance.

Beyond durability, the XE3P Series excels in energy efficiency. Its M+ panel technology delivers the same brightness as traditional RGB panels while consuming significantly less power. An auto-brightness adjustment feature further enhances visibility by adapting to ambient light conditions, reducing energy use in low-light environments.

A standout feature of the XE3P is its comprehensive suite of smart capabilities. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enable seamless wireless content transfer and distribution while minimizing the risk of data hijacking. The series also includes a range of sensors, such as a vandalism alert function and a self-leveler tool, simplifying installation and monitoring.

High-Brightness Window Facing Display

Designed especially for window-facing environments, and providing brilliant brightness and vibrant and dynamic content, the 75-inch Window Facing XS4P has a native resolution of 3,840x2,160 (UHD) and brightness of up to 4,000 nits. Alongside anti-discoloration technology, window-facing displays require higher nits, as they are exposed to direct sunlight, and maintaining its impressive brightness, the XS4P Series has a lower power consumption compared to RGB panels at the same brightness level.

With its compact size and slim design, the XS4P integrates smoothly into any store's interior, with a thinner bezel than conventional models, enabling closer installation to windows and offering an improved visual experience for customers. Additionally, standard UHD signage can be attached to the back of the XS4P, allowing it to function as a double-sided display, and the display can be used under a wide range of operating temperatures from 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. As with the XE3P, conformal coating helps shield the circuit board and power board against water vapor and solid debris, while the self-leveler tool allows for precise display installation.

The XS4P features LAN daisy chain functionality, enabling the control of multiple displays with a single master remote, offering significant convenience. Moreover, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and beacon capabilities, content and software can be distributed to the XS4P, allowing store managers to effortlessly provide coupons and information to multiple devices in real-time. Finally, the XS4P addresses concerns about display noise, with an upgraded quiet mode that operates at 2,500 nits with minimal fan noise.

High-Brightness Open-Frame Display

The 86XF3SK 86-inch open-frame ultra-high-resolution display, with a native resolution of 3,840 by 2,160 (UHD) and brightness of up to 3,300 nits, delivers visual clarity even in direct sunlight. As an open-frame type, this versatile product enables customers to customize its casing for various applications, making it an ideal solution for large-scale advertising spaces such as bus stops.

In addition to its advanced display capabilities, the 86XF3SK offers enhanced user convenience with an intuitive user interface and supports app development through compatibility with programming interfaces such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. The integrated Control Manager, a web-based monitoring solution, allows users to remotely monitor and control displays from their mobile devices or PCs, ensuring efficient management across locations. Designed for diverse outdoor environments, the 86XF3SK is engineered to operate efficiently under a wide range of temperatures, including those typically experienced in direct sunlight.

The Digital Signage Best Practices Guide features a host of industry experts to guide you through the evolving landscape of hardware and integration approaches that are redefining the technology market, providing a roadmap to behind-the-scenes developments.

[Nebraska Athletics Displays Winning Message]

This Guide has a stellar lineup of digital signage providers and analysts that take an in-depth look at topics such as:

• Current industry trends
• Best practices for choosing a digital signage partner
• How the right dvLED mounting system can extend the life of your display
• Enterprise digital signage security lessons
• Digital signage case studies including sports bars, museums, and event centers

Be sure to download your free copy today!

Red Dot Digital Media recently teamed with the Phenix Design Group to bring an interactive space exploration experience to life at the Orlando Science Center (OSC), a Florida-based science museum that provides experience-based opportunities for visitors to learn about science and technology.

For the past two decades, Phenix provided OSC with interactive video kiosks and simulators for the museum’s annual Otronicon/SPARK STEM Fest events. Using the Space Explorer—an immersive kiosk comprising three vertically oriented screens— users were able to explore key parts of our solar system using Google Earth. Following a successful redesign of the temporary kiosks for the events, OSC decided to add the Space Explorer kiosk to the museum’s permanent collection. When Phenix set out to update the design for use as a permanent exhibit, they turned to Red Dot Digital Media to engineer an integrated hardware and software solution to power this next-generation interactive kiosk.

“We very much enjoyed the collaboration with Darryl Kuder and his team,” said Steve Handy, co-owner of the Phenix Design Group. “Red Dot was thorough and patient with us as we worked to get this project built and deployed on time.”

Given that the Space Explorer experience delivers Google Earth content via a PC, it was necessary to tailor the experience to give visitors control over the experience, without also giving them the ability to unintentionally (or intentionally) alter feature settings and other controls. Therefore it was necessary to limit functionality visitors could access on their own, while reserving higher-level functions for OSC technical staff.

Additionally, earlier iterations of the kiosk relied on a Windows-based system which struggled to meet the processing demands of the system due to Microsoft Windows’ excessive resource utilization for telemetry and other peripheral processes that were not critical to the museum experience.

Phenix engaged Red Dot to design an interactive experience to power the third-generation Space Explorer kiosk. Red Dot custom-built a Linux PC designed specifically to deliver the speed and graphics capabilities sought by OSC, with the reliability and durability required for daily use in a museum setting. The PC manages all custom application interaction between the touchscreen, LED buttons and video outputs.

"Phenix’s request for this type of build was an opportunity we simply couldn’t pass up. It allowed us to flex our custom programming expertise while designing a creative hardware solution to deliver the high-quality results they envisioned,” said Darryl Kuder, president of Red Dot Digital Media. “We look forward to helping them roll out more of these across the country this year."

User input is captured via a 15.6-inch Bluefin V-Series frameless touchscreen, a trio of Nexmosphere colored LED buttons and a manual joystick. The LED buttons enable users to choose whether they want to explore the Moon, Mars or Earth. The touchscreen displays a soft keyboard to provide search functionality and programmable soft keys to play back user-programmed tours. This set of simple yet powerful controls makes it possible for users to virtually visit any point on Earth, Mars or the Moon.

The Bluefin touchscreen enclosure was designed and fabricated by Mega Media Factory, which ensured the enclosure was durable enough to withstand heavy use, while making sure the kiosk met Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for wheelchair accessibility. Red Dot created a bespoke, password-protected maintenance interface for OSC technical personnel to use in conjunction with a keyboard and mouse physically secured within the kiosk’s enclosure.

Red Dot successfully delivered a system that met all outlined objectives and incorporated pre-deployment engineering improvements along the way. The Space Explorer now serves as a permanent educational attraction at OSC, using the latest technology to help visitors take part in self-driven, interactive space exploration.

Founded in 2017 with a single office and an inherited basic conference room setup—a TV and a plug-in USB camera—private equity group and financial firm Further Global soon realized its limitations as conferencing needs increased and the business grew. After expanding into a second office space in the same building, Further Global set out to create a modern, high-quality conference center and meeting environment that would reflect the firm’s professionalism.

Mitch Pessin, vice president and co-founder of Solarus Technologies, and Kevin Muller, a director from Further Global’s operations team collaborated to design and implement a state-of-the-art AV solution that aligned with the firm’s vision and unique needs. Known for its commitment to custom solutions that cater to the unique needs of each client, Solarus Technologies has been a long-time partner of Yamaha Corporation of America and its Unified Communications division. With guidance from Susan Rullo, chief executive officer of Rullo Technologies, Pessin and Muller were able to provide the right solution.

“Our client required an AV solution that could meet a range of environments, including corporate and team meetings, remote conferences, and live events,” Pessin commented. “While focusing on audio clarity, ease of use, and system flexibility to support various conferencing platforms, Yamaha’s ADECIA solutions were a natural choice.”

The system upgrade for both rooms included a Yamaha RM-CR, a digital signal processor that is central to the room's audio system, managing sound clarity and distribution. RM-CG ceiling microphone arrays were positioned in each room for optimal audio capture, and Yamaha RM-TT tabletop microphones were used as supplemental mics to enhance audio capture, especially for meeting participants sitting farther from the ceiling mics. The tabletop microphones also serve the secondary but important purpose of distributing easily accessible MUTE buttons across the table, and the built-in red and green LEDs in each RM-TT indicate the room’s mute status during a meeting. The system in both rooms also includes a control room computer that can be operated from the conference table using a wireless mouse and keyboard and supports a BYOD setup for users to take advantage of ADECIA’s full audio capabilities.

ADECIA handles all the audio balancing and adjusting automatically, which ensures that no matter where participants are in the room, their voices are picked up clearly at normal conversation volume. “In the AV world, audio quality is critical,” Pessin highlighted. “If the video drops during a Zoom call, but the audio remains, you’re fine. But if you lose audio, you’re kind of sunk.”

Muller added, “Our team has reported a significant improvement in the audio quality of their live events and remote meetings. It’s incredibly user-friendly and adaptable to various audiences and needs. The setup is sleek; it combines a modern and minimalistic design with automated functions so that everything works perfectly with minimal intervention.”

Yamaha’s ADECIA solutions are advanced yet straightforward, and its open architecture is engineered for ultimate adaptability. In Further Global’s application, the ADECIA system integrates with an AVer PTZ310, a 4K Ultra HD resolution pan-tilt-zoom camera with IP-based control. In the smaller conference room, the camera features auto voice tracking, which allows it to automatically follow the voice of the person presenting and zoom in on speakers. The open architecture of ADECIA ensures that its sound system and AVer’s cameras can seamlessly communicate with each other over standard protocols.

“Another key advantage of the ADECIA architecture is that everything is powered over PoE, which greatly streamlined the installation,” Pessin added. “Since one cable carries both the audio signals and power, we could reduce cable clutter and keep the installation much more organized.”

Global’s new system upgrade is designed to be more than just a conference space; it is a shared workspace that reinforces a culture of teamwork. The system’s USB audio capabilities allow for multiple audio inputs, making it easy to switch between sources with the push of a button. Similarly, the HDMI support allows for video to be switched between different sources—like a personal computer or a device at the table—providing quick, seamless transitions for different types of work and collaboration.

With these conference room upgrades, Further Global has two spaces that embody their dedication to quality and forward-thinking. The Yamaha ADECIA system delivers crystal-clear audio and adaptability, turning these rooms into dynamic spaces where both in-person and virtual collaboration flow effortlessly and strengthen client relationships and teamwork.

Since its founding in 1950, United Community has grown steadily, establishing a strong presence throughout the southeastern United States. Today, the bank is one of the largest full-service financial institutions in the southeast, known for its commitment to customer service and community engagement, with numerous branches across several states.

When United opened its $65 million corporate headquarters in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, the new seven-story, 118,000-square-foot building was designed to meet the WELL Building Standard, which emphasizes a holistic approach to health in the built environment. Located along the Reedy River, the facility incorporates open and light-filled spaces, advanced air and water filtration systems, and carefully selected building materials to provide efficiency and thermal comfort. Amenities include quiet zones for fostering collaboration and downtime, two terraces, 29 conference rooms, and a dedicated gathering space and coffee bar.

United’s new headquarters also features two Planar fine-pitch LED video walls installed by commercial AV designer and integrator Advanced Video Group. According to Jason Lynch, director of facilities and purchasing at United Community Bank, the LED installations reflect the pivotal role that technology plays in the building’s interior design. “It’s a very important piece to the experience we want to create,” he said.

In the fourth-floor lobby and gathering space, the Welcome Wall is United’s statement-piece. The installation is a nearly 14-foot-wide, 8-foot-high (7x7) Planar MGP Series LED video wall with a 1.2mm pixel pitch that provides a variety of uses, including digital signage, messaging, presentations, and entertainment. “It’s a showstopper,” Lynch said. “When you come off the elevator, the video wall is the first thing you see.”

As a message board, the Welcome Wall allows United to post news, announcements, or corporate-wide updates like quarterly results. It can also be used to extend personalized greetings to clients and other visitors, leaving a lasting impression. “When people come to this building, we want the experience to be one they remember,” Lynch added.

For United’s employees, Lynch said the video wall enhances the work atmosphere, providing a vivid display to recognize birthdays and work anniversaries or see the bank’s social media posts in real-time: “It supports our corporate culture and fits within our vision to create a workplace that employees are excited about.”

Fit for a Boardroom

In the bank’s new boardroom, Advanced Video Group installed a nearly 12-foot-wide, 7-foot-high (6x6) Planar TVF Series LED video wall with a 1.5mm pixel pitch. Complemented with automatic tracking cameras, microphones, and a Cisco Webex room pro system, the LED video wall provides a tailored solution for presentations and video conferencing.

“The 16:9 aspect ratio of the Planar TVF Series video wall matches their traditional video sources without the need for scaling,” Adam Dox, president of Advanced Video Group said. “From an integration standpoint, we’ve had tremendous success with Planar’s LED lineup over many years. We have peace of mind knowing that Planar displays will perform reliably in high-visibility, high-traffic areas, confirming that the investment is truly worthwhile.”

According to Mark Terry, chief information officer at United Community Bank, the superior performance of the Planar displays was a key factor in their decision. “We looked at other options, but in the end, kept coming back to Planar for its picture quality,” he said. “It’s not just a piece of technology—it’s something that brings our community together.”

Carousel Digital Signage and Bluefin have a new partnership that adds several of its commercial-grade digital signage displays to the growing list of Carousel Cloud-supported devices. The new partnership applies to Bluefin’s BrightSign Built-in series, including the All-in-One, Flex-OS, and Ultrawide Flex-OS screens.

[Carousel of Content]

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Bluefin is BrightSign Built-in’s original partner. There are more than 160,000 Bluefin with BrightSign Built-in projects deployed around the globe. Bluefin’s All-in-One, Flex OS, and Ultrawide Flex OS come in sizes ranging from 10.1 inches to 55 inches.

A BrightSign Elite Partner for years, Carousel’s integration with the media player developer’s solutions gives customers streamlined access to purpose-built, high performance media players specifically designed for digital signage applications. BrightSign media players are optimal for high demand environments that require continuous playback. They feature an HDMI input, expandable storage, and Power over Ethernet (PoE).

[The SCN Digital Signage Issue Is Here. Download Yours Today!]

“Our customers and partners need us to support the wide array of devices they have deployed across their organizations,” said Chris Brama, senior vice president of partnerships and channel at Carousel Digital Signage. “The integration with Bluefin BrightSign Built-in displays allows us to put Carousel Cloud to work in many more places, giving people added choice and flexibility as they scale up their digital signage systems.”

Exertis Almo has introduced the Autora Digital Signage Management (DSM) Platform. The new service offering allows integrators to simplify every facet of a digital signage AV project and is backed by a dedicated internal Exertis Almo team.

[The SCN Digital Signage Issue Is Here. Download Yours Today!]

“There are a lot of creative complexities to digital signage – and there will always be unexpected situations. At the same time, existing DSM platforms have lacked what integrators need," said Exertis Almo VP of services, Cory Allen. “Autora DSM was designed as a mechanism to minimize these challenges...To the end user, the process will appear professional and seamless, and to the integrator, they have the flexibility to ‘ala carte’ each project, customizing for the specific needs. We back that up with endless communication, including dedicated email managed by multiple pros, tech support, What’s App messaging, live chat, direct support and much more.”

Autora DSM is a smart and simple solution for managing digital signage content across all screens, making it easier than ever to keep displays fresh and engaging. The user-friendly platform offers seamless plug-and-play functionality, suited for both indoor and outdoor signage requirements. Effective content control is pivotal in digital signage, making the choice of the right DSM platform paramount.

[Is Google Making a Digital Signage Move?]

Autora DSM streamlines the entire process of content creation, organization, scheduling, and updates. Created by users for users, Autora DSM is a world-class platform that provides the tools to accomplish everything on the agenda. From inception to playback on media players, Autora DSM simplifies content organization and customization through a unified platform.

SpinetiX and Bluefin International are partnering to offer an all-in-one digital signage solution ready for business which makes digital signage accessible, secure, and easy to deploy.

The new solution features the SpinetiX DSOS dedicated operating system integrated with Bluefin screens from 10.1-55’ inches. Thanks to this collaboration, the all-in-one signage solution offers out-of-the-box access to the free Discovery Plan of the SpinetiX ARYA CMS to quickly get started with digital signage on any number of screens without any recurring fees. With SpinetiX enabled, Bluefin all-in-one displays provide a highly secure and robust, subscription-free digital signage solution with seamless reliability and globally available support for all customers.

“As digital signage solutions become increasingly critical for businesses across all vertical markets, our partnership with SpinetiX empowers technology integrators and resellers to deliver flexible solutions to adapt to these customer needs," said Frank Pisano, CEO of Bluefin International.

[Brewing Up Effective Digital Signage]

“The SpinetiX cloud-based platform combined with Bluefin displays meets a unique need for AV professionals, IT managers, and digital signage specialists. This all-in-one solution offers a turn-key and scalable technology that adapts to the evolving demands of modern business,” added Pisano.

Bluefin's wide array of form factors, including small format, touch, and ultrawide screens with integrated computing power ensures the requirements of a vast number of applications including Corporate and Hospitality. The displays have minimal power consumption and require no additional cabling or power supplies.

The solution is also designed to grow with customer needs. From a CMS perspective, customers can at any time upgrade their free subscription to one of the SpinetiX ARYA Enterprise plans to get access to more features which are supported by SpinetiX certified resellers. And Bluefin offers its screens ready-to-ship or with rapid turn around times.

[Is Google Making a Digital Signage Move?]

"I am delighted about our collaboration with Bluefin. We share a common vision to develop robust, qualitative, durable, and secure products well-suited for Corporate and Hospitality clients and the entire professional audio-video industry. Our common longstanding expertise in the digital signage field enables us to deliver a 'ready-to-use' professional solution out-of-the-box, making the benefits of digital signage more accessible to many customers,” commented Francesco Ziliani, CEO of SpinetiX. “This unique offering is also designed to grow with businesses, representing a great opportunity for our channel ecosystem of certified resellers to deliver added value to their customers,” added Ziliani.

Recently, Google unveiled its latest innovations for ChromeOS, expanding its capabilities in AI, security, and sustainability. While ChromeOS has traditionally been associated with laptops and desktop devices, its evolution now hints at new applications in kiosks and digital signage displays. But does this mean ChromeOS could become a dominant player in the Digital Signage industry?

In an industry largely dominated by operating systems like Android, Tizen, and WebOS, ChromeOS is trying to carve out its niche with promises of robust security, ease of management, and a connected ecosystem. Additionally, with the introduction of ChromeOS Flex, Google is enabling the software to be deployed on existing hardware. This approach reduces the need for new equipment and extends the life cycle of devices—an attractive proposition.

['Visually Absorbable' Information Delivery]

So far, ChromeOS devices for digital displays are still a novelty. Companies like Acer and HP, close collaborators with Google, have shown initial interest in integrating ChromeOS into kiosks and small displays. However, widespread adoption in digital signage remains untested. For ChromeOS to establish itself as a viable alternative, leading display manufacturers like Samsung and LG would need to integrate it into their system-on-chip (SoC) platforms or offer it as a native option in their displays. At the moment, the market continues to favor well-established, flexible platforms in digital signage.

For digital signage providers, the current approach to ChromeOS might best be described as “wait and see.” Fully ensuring compatibility with ChromeOS requires a significant investment, and the decision to move forward will depend on adoption trends among key manufacturers and demand from specific sectors. A tipping point for ChromeOS adoption could come if major display manufacturers align with Google or if key industries begin specifically requesting ChromeOS solutions.

[How nsign.tv Transforms Digital Signage Experience at Coffee Shops]

The future of ChromeOS in digital signage will depend on how it manages to position itself as a viable alternative in this competitive landscape. Caution is advisable, with companies closely monitoring developments and responding to market demand as it unfolds.

Spring is about to, well, spring, and SCN is hopping into digital signage this March. The latest issue focuses on the Pro AV trend, plus looks at March's Pro AV newsmakers, and expert insights from around the industry.

We went inside University of Nebraska's new Osborne Legacy Complex, where Pro AV technology unites football operations under one roof. See how they are using digital signage to promote working out and friendly competition. We also explored how the Village of McFarland is using digital signage to connect three different buildings.

But that's not all. This month check out:

• Executive Q&A's from C2G and DPA Microphones.
• Insights from Mathew Newfield and Dave Van Hoy on cybersecurity and the cloud.
• A new multimedia experience that explores the history of The White House.
• The new era of live events.
• HMDI 2.2, new products, newsmakers, and much more.

Don't wait. Download you issue today!

Sponsored content.

ISE 2025 concluded with unprecedented attendance figures , marking a 15% increase from the previous year. The Barcelona-based event demonstrated the expanding market, particularly in enterprise and large-scale digital signage technology implementations. The exhibition's scale and scope attests for the industry's continued evolution, with manufacturers and integrators showcasing increasingly sophisticated solutions.

Key Trends That Dominated the Show

Artificial Intelligence and IoT convergence emerged as central themes, with numerous exhibitors demonstrating how high performing digital signage software now incorporates AI-powered content optimization and audience analytics. These connected solutions primarily targeted enterprise-level deployments with substantial budgets and technical resources.

Digital signage design innovations featured prominently, especially in sustainable solutions through power-management innovations and E-paper technologies. Manufacturers presented energy-efficient digital screens in retail and smart power management systems, responding to growing environmental concerns and energy cost considerations.

Security also received significant attention, with vendors highlighting enhanced IT-grade features for digital signage advertising and content management. Integration capabilities were also prominent, with demonstrations of automated systems for digital menu boards and cross-platform connectivity.

Small Medium Business (SMB)-Focused Solutions

Although ISE successfully covered the majority of trends in the industry, it needed more exposure for one critical area — SMBs and digital signage. Reports from Markets and Markets highlighted SMB-adoption fueling digital signage growth, while studies from Mordor Intelligence and Digital Signage Connection emphasized increasing demand for simplified, cloud-based solutions that require lower technical expertise. These indicators pointed to a shifting landscape where SMB needs would carry more weight.

A large part of the industry remains focused on enterprise-level implementations and complex solutions, overlooking SMB’s inclination for cost-effective, easy-to-deploy systems. Manufacturers prefer to showcase higher-end, technically complex products requiring specialized IT knowledge and significant capital investment at the expense of addressing the growing SMB segment's need for accessible solutions. This needs to change given the industry forecasts that emphasize the rising importance of affordable, user-friendly digital signage solutions capable of seamless business integration.

The Amazon Signage Stick directly addresses this gap by offering a plug-and-play solution in an affordable media player, enabling SMBs to deploy professional digital signage without technical expertise or significant upfront investment. Its seamless integration with existing business tools and emphasis on user-friendly operation makes it the exact type of solution that was conspicuously absent from ISE's showcase.

Amazon’s Signage Stick is a digital signage media player that empowers small and medium businesses with premier signage performance at an attainable price. Designed to deliver a hassle-free experience, the Signage Stick enables quick device setup and auto-launch of content management software (CMS, separate subscription required). Seamless integration with leading CMS applications makes it easy to connect to a screen and quickly showcase content in kiosk-mode. Whether deploying a single display or scaling across multiple locations, the Signage Stick offers businesses a professional and affordable way to elevate their signage with the peace of mind and quality that comes with the Amazon brand.

The growing golf entertainment industry promises tech-enabled driving range competitions and fun, as well as innovative experiences for guests. The new Atomic Golf venue in Las Vegas has upped the ante with a property-wide LG digital signage network comprising hundreds of TVs that can be easily managed through SAVI’s webOS-based content and control platform, as well as a variety of direct-view light emitting diode (dvLED) displays with independent content management. As a founding partner of the complex, LG’s involvement extends across the entire experience. With a company tagline as direct as “Bigger, Better, Bolder Golf,” Derek Austin, director of facilities, and the rest of the team at Atomic Golf Las Vegas wanted to make sure the reality lived up to the promise.

For starters, LG displays ranging from 43 to 110 inches grace all 103 hitting bays, multiple sports bars, and the Cosmic Lounge. The building exterior features multiple large-scale dvLED displays, while finer-pitch dvLED models create a 360-degree visual experience inside. These combine to make the venue one of the city’s most enthralling digital attractions, with the special ability to offer branded and customized on-screen content for private events.

A Tech-Heavy First Impression

According to LG Business Solutions USA senior vice president Michael Kosla, Atomic Golf’s show-stopping digital signage network empowers the business with remote control of every connected display, automated on and off schedules, network-wide updates, and the advanced ability to direct content to displays or groups of displays, including custom graphics and presentations for parties and events.

“The guest experience is the driving force behind golf entertainment venues, and the race is on to develop increasingly engaging spaces and attractions,” Kosla said. “Atomic Golf has set a new entertainment standard with the launch of its Las Vegas venue that delights guests with creative digital attractions from the parking lot to their private hitting bay, keeping with the city’s tradition and reputation of bright lights and unique experiences.”

Even when they are simply passing by on the adjacent highway, Las Vegas visitors and residents are introduced to the tech-heavy vibe of Atomic Golf showcased through more than 2,800 square feet of outdoor LG dvLED displays that promote the various activities and zones within the complex. LG’s high-brightness, IP-certified, 10mm-pixel-pitch dvLED technology ensures clear visibility and high-quality imagery any time of day, with light sensors that automatically adjust brightness for optimal daytime and nighttime viewing.

[Dallas Cowboys Enhance AT&T Stadium with LG MAGNIT Micro LED Displays]

Expertly Controlled Chaos

Continuing inside, virtually every step is greeted with a digital display running in-house content, live sports broadcasts, promotions, and graphics powered by RealMotion. In the Cosmic Lounge the “every step” experience is literal thanks to ingenious, 1.5-inch-thick plexiglass flooring housing LG 1.8mm-pixel-pitch dvLED displays. Atmospheric visuals playing on the floor displays can be updated and swapped with a few clicks using a control interface developed by integration firm Simply Connected. The lounge atmosphere is truly top to bottom, with additional dvLED screens on the walls and ceiling.

“Part of the success of our unique design and installation relied on LG’s large product catalog, powerful software, and ability to provide a solution for every need and space—from the giant outdoor dvLEDs to the 55-inch displays in each hitting bay and 110-inch 4K LCD displays in the VIP suites,” said Austin. “When combined with the SAVI control system, we end up looking like maestros as we walk around with a tablet and switch content on request, which is great for sales walkthroughs with event clients or promotions partners. We can change the entire ambiance of a space, or the whole venue, in 30 seconds.”

In fact, every LCD display on the premises can be managed through SAVI’s intuitive interface, which is built on LG’s webOS smart platform and designed to work optimally with LG displays running webOS software. To optimize workflows and expedite system operations, Simply Connected developed a separate content system for the dvLED displays that addresses the variety of shapes, sizes, and pixel counts of each distinct screen.

Special features also enhance specific elements of the venue, such as the ability for DJs to integrate with the Cosmic Lounge dvLEDs to create unique atmospheres or present their personal vision when performing.

Teamwork at Every Turn

“It was enormously beneficial to get LG involved early too, so we could evaluate the full range of options and plan the design around the experiences we wanted to deliver, rather than trying to retroactively fit technology into pre-designed spaces,” Austin said. “The under-floor displays in particular required a lot of planning and input from multiple contractors and would have been incredibly difficult—if not impossible—to add on at a later stage. Since the goal was to create a variety of experiential spaces and exhibit our mastery of technology through a cohesive ambiance, we needed the perfect combination of hardware, software, and experience to get it right the first time.”

A number of rentable VIP rooms include LG dvLED displays, while a 4K 0.7mm-pixel-pitch MicroLED display delivers unrivaled color, contrast, and sharpness in the fourth-floor VIP room, and a 136-inch HD All-in-One display is featured in the third-floor VIP room.

Everything at Atomic Golf is elevated, including the bar menu and the specialized cocktails. Even the putting experience has been enhanced and game-ified, with eight putting bays featuring infrared cameras and projection systems that project different scoring zones onto the green, making for a one-on-one game where players can deploy offense or defense like in bocce or shuffleboard.

Additional project partners included Jones Sign, which supplied and installed the LG dvLED displays; and Peerless-AV Mounts, which provided custom mounts for the dvLED displays.

Before you pack and prep for Barcelona, make sure you stay up to date with the latest ISE 2025 new. Ready to open its doors in Barcelona from Feb. 4-7. 2025, AV Network will be bringing you updates ahead of the show to make sure you know what to check out on the showfloor. 

Today, check out what Legrand|AV's catalog of Pro AV solutions, MSolutions new wallplate, Russound's audio innovations, enhanced digital signage options from nsign.tv, and the next generation of content creating from Stage Precision. 

[ISE 2025: The Must-Attend Event for the Pro AV Industry]

Legrand|AV to Showcase Solutions From C2G, Chief, Da-Lite, Middle Atlantic, and Vaddio

Attendees to the Legrand|AV booth, 3N600 will see its latest innovations from C2G, Chief, Da-Lite, Luxul, Middle Atlantic, and Vaddio—all designed to deliver amazing AV experiences.

From Chief, visitors will see the next generation of its TiLED dvLED Wall Mounts in action. Designed with a patent-pending universal modular system, these mounts simplify video wall installations with innovative floating button-capture technology and universal mounting hardware—compatible with 90% of interlocking dvLED panels. Chief will also showcase its new Fusion Storage Cabinet, designed for seamless integration with Fusion wall mounts.

Middle Atlantic brings its power lineup to EMEA region. More than power distribution, the Premium+ IEC PDU with RackLink an advanced—and simple—to use IP control solution for remote system management. 

Vaddio will showcase the new Vaddio Venture VideoBAR. The all-in-one video conferencing system provides lifelike audio and video quality with its UHD 8.51-megapixel 1/2.5-type CMOS image sensor, a 110-degree wide-angle horizontal field of view, 3x digital zoom, six-element beamforming microphone array, and high-fidelity speaker system with built-in DSP. Also at the booth will be Vaddio’s EasyIP Tx/Rx, a versatile video distribution and extension solution that seamlessly converts HDMI signals to EasyIP or EasyIP to HDMI as well as the new EasyIP Dock is a versatile AV-over-IP switching solution that connects HDMI and USB conferencing devices within the EasyIP ecosystem. 

Da-Lite will showcase its Myriad models and will also show its re-engineered Parallax Thin screen, which offers a convenient alternative to rigid screens that ship assembled in large crates. Parallax Thin is now available in wider sizes but with a smaller shipping footprint, enhancing logistics and cost efficiency. 

Lastly, the C2G Superbooster 4-Port USB over Cat6a Extender Kit (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5Gbps) extends data from USB 3.2, 2.0, and 1.1 devices simultaneously up to 328 ft (100 m) over a single Cat6a F/FTP cable. Designed for USB 3.2 conferencing cameras, interactive whiteboards, security systems, remote storage, and more, it simplifies connectivity in AV and IT installations.

MSolutions Extends USB 3.2 Transport Options

MSolutions will introduce a new wallplate transmitter option for its proven MS-63U1C extender set at ISE 2025, where the company exhibits at booth 5J500. Now shipping, the new MS-WP63 Host unit pairs with the existing MS-63U1C Device unit to transmit USB 3.2 data with zero compression and latency over 333 feet (100m) from a convenient, low-profile, in-wall connectivity point.

The MS-63U1C extender was introduced as a USB-C extension solution to deliver 5Gbps fast data transport of USB 3.2 signals. Same as the traditional Host unit, the new MS-WP63 supports the higher data transfer rates required for streaming video and high-resolution content inside collaboration rooms. Both Host units provide the same flawless and consistent performance when moving USB 3.2 signals onto UC platforms for remote audiences.

Pairing either Host option with the MS-63U1C Device provides a cleaner alternative to bulky active cables for the reliable transport of signals from very high-resolution cameras, as well as recording devices used for lecture capture. The MS-63U1C extender set can simultaneously support lower volume data transfer needs, including KVM connections, alongside high-bandwidth streams.

Russound to Showcase Audio Innovation

Russound’s SMZ8 8-source/8-zone controller amplifier with built-in streamer and SMZ16-PRE 16x16 matrix pre-amplifier with streamer will make their ISE debut. The company will also continue to showcase the Cinema Bar 3.0 and D-Series Multichannel Digital Amplifiers.

Russound’s SMZ8 Controller Amplifier with Built-in Streamer is an eight-source/eight-zone controller amplifier with a built-in high-resolution audio streamer with all the popular sources and support for both AirPlay and Google Cast. It’s ready for any listening needs, delivering 50 watts per channel, and scalable up to 48 zones, making it ideal for larger installations. With 50W per channel amplification and advanced DSP features like Russound speaker presets and a seven-band graphic EQ, it delivers exceptional sound quality in any environment.

The SMZ16-PRE 16x16 matrix pre-amplifier with a built-in high-res audio stream also makes its ISE debut. It features 16 stereo inputs, which can be used in any combination of up to 16 analog, six digital optical, or four digital coax inputs. Though 16x16, the SMZ16-PRE is expandable up to 16x48 for added flexibility. Also being shown for the first time at ISE 2025 will be Russound Cinema Bar 3.0, a passive soundbar specifically designed for wall-mounted flat panels 65 inches and larger, featuring 100 watts MS power handling per channel.

nsign.tv Simplifies Digital Signage Management

nsign.tv, the SaaS platform designed to simplify the complexities of digital signage,  will unveil its latest innovations: Nsign People, and its Applets.

Nsign People is the newest feature of nsign.tv's CMS, enabling businesses to measure the effectiveness of their communications in physical spaces through facial detection. With capabilities such as audience measurement and content interaction, Nsign People enhances content personalization and allows users to evaluate sales impact and return on investment (ROI).

['Visually Absorbable' Information Delivery]

Visitors to the Digital Signage Hall at ISE will also be introduced to the company's Applets. These micro applications, integrated within the CMS, automate digital content creation by pulling real-time data from systems such as ERP, POS, or CRM, enabling the generation of dynamic and scalable content for any screen. Recognized as finalists for two international awards, Applets provide a scalable, ready-to-use solution that meets a wide range of digital signage network needs.

Key benefits of the Applets include full automation that enables real-time updates without manual intervention, centralized control through an intuitive dashboard for personalized management, and significant resource savings by reducing both time and costs, ultimately improving ROI. Additionally, their flexibility and scalability ensure that content adapts seamlessly to various contexts and resolutions, making them an efficient and versatile solution for any digital signage network.

Stage Precision to Launch SP Grid: The Experience Platform

Stage Precision is preparing for a busy ISE 2025 with the launch of SP Grid, the next evolution of its technology built upon the success of SP V1. Designed to enhance how professionals create, manage, and deploy digital experiences, SP Grid transitions Stage Precision’s core offering from a standalone software product to a comprehensive application building, 3D data management, control hub, automation and interactive technologies integration platform.

SP Grid is a no-code or low-code platform aimed at streamlining workflows used in virtual production, live entertainment and AV installation, enabling users of all skill levels to access cutting-edge tools to build AVLM projects of all complexities and sizes. SP Grid scales to fit any project, from small-scale setups using LiDAR sensors and touch tablets to comprehensive full building system control. The platform empowers system integrators, designers and developers to craft tailored solutions for spaces, studios and event environments.

SP Grid provides a versatile and creative platform to streamline project creation and deployment through its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. This powerful platform enables users to quickly visualize system interconnections, calibrate sensors and devices and establish workflow automation with unprecedented ease. A key feature includes the ability to design and deploy custom user interfaces. A future expansion will bring seamless import options from UI design tools such as Figma, making it an attractive and modern alternative to legacy AV control systems.

Sponsored Content

The digital signage landscape is evolving rapidly, with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) driving significant growth. This surge is fueled by cloud-based, networked solutions that have democratized access to digital signage technology. While these solutions offer a simple plug-and-play approach, SMBs face a dilemma with media players (small devices that connect to screens to display digital content): Choose consumer-grade devices that lower upfront costs but lack reliability and security, or opt for more expensive, complex industrial solutions. This highlights the need for balanced solutions that are cost-effective, easy to use, and viable long-term.

Enter the Amazon Signage Stick, a professional media player purpose-built for digital signage. It offers premier performance at an affordable price, easily obtainable on Amazon. The Signage Stick boasts features designed to meet SMB needs, including seamless integration with leading content management software applications and auto-launch in kiosk mode for uninterrupted operation. Its user-friendly setup allows for quick connection to screens within minutes using a mobile device. The Signage Stick delivers powerful performance with its quad-core SoC, 4K video capabilities, and high-speed Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Security features include a secure boot loader and data encryption, alongside smooth, non-disruptive updates. It's also scalable, allowing for effortless expansion across multiple displays and locations.

Amazon has partnered with industry-leading content management software (CMS) providers, offering a diverse selection for various industries, use cases, and budgets. Supported CMS partners include AbleSign, Neon Screens, NoviSign, NowSignage, OptiSigns, Play Digital Signage, PosterBooking, Poppulo, Rise Vision, ScreenCloud, and Yodeck. Each supported CMS works out of the box, allowing users to centralize digital assets and streamline signage operations efficiently. More information is also available on the Amazon Signage dedicated portal.

The Amazon Signage Stick combines professional features with SMB-friendly pricing, reducing upfront investments, and complex setups. This allows businesses to focus on creating engaging content. Its plug-and-play simplicity, improved reliability, and ease of use ensure that businesses can deploy impactful visual communications without technical anxieties. Suitable for various industries, from retail shops to education, clinics, and multi-location facilities, the Amazon Signage Stick empowers users to harness the full potential of digital signage confidently. Available in the U.S. for $99.99 on Amazon and Amazon Business, it offers the quality and peace of mind synonymous with the Amazon brand. The Signage Stick represents a significant step forward in digital signage technology, providing SMBs with an accessible, powerful tool to enhance their visual communication strategies and drive business growth.

Amazon Signage Stick: Professional Digital Signage for SMBs

The Amazon Signage Stick is a cost-effective, purpose-built media player for small and medium-sized businesses. Engineered with security in mind, it offers professional-grade performance with easy setup, 4K video, Wi-Fi 6E, enhanced stability, and scalability. The Amazon Signage Stick bridges the gap between consumer-grade and industrial options, providing reliable, secure digital signage without compromising quality or budget. Readily available on Amazon, it empowers businesses to fully leverage digital signage technology.

According to one study, viewers retain 95 percent of a message when watching it in a video, compared to 10 percent when reading it in text. 

There has never been a more exciting and opportune time to implement displays into your corporate, education, museum, healthcare, hospitality, government, or transportation environment. The cost of displays has come down, content management and workflows have become easier to use, and there's no better way to engage audiences.

Whether a massive wrap-around video wall in the lobby to set the tone and enforce brand identity, a virtual studio for announcing new products or hosting a town hall, large displays for classrooms and collaboration spaces, strategically placed displays throughout campuses for wayfinding, kiosks, critical messaging, dynamic content in cafeterias, projection-mapped immersive experiences and so much more, it's an exciting time.

We asked 25 AV/IT industry thought leaders to share their insight into what’s in store in displays, content, and signal distribution. Below are some excerpts but check out the full interviews by clicking on the manufacturer’s name in the sidebar.

Robert Detwiler, senior director of Product Management and Training at Planar, said, “With a greater variety of LED display products available than ever, customers are not only taking their installations to new heights, but they’re also able to find a solution for nearly every need.”

Keith Yanke, vice president of Product Marketing and Solutions at Sharp, added, “Whether through vibrant clarity, collaborative potential, or the energy-efficient benefits of ePaper, modern displays are designed to meet the evolving demands of businesses, offering improved ways to communicate messages sustainably and impactfully.”

Offering some advice, Cullen Gross, sales engineer at Carousel Digital Signage, added, “We recommend that tech managers partner with systems integrators or consultants to confirm how different screen sizes, orientations, pixel pitches, heights, and viewing distances contribute to the visual element of their communication initiatives.

There’s more to the visual experience than what’s on the surface of the display. Displays wouldn’t operate without a litany of infrastructure, content management systems, signal distribution, security protocols, and much more.

“The effectiveness of a SOC hinges on the synergy of its security tools. In many centers, the challenge lies in connecting these systems into a cohesive unit,” said Aaron Leiker, vice president of Operation Centers at Haivision. “In the face of ever-changing security threats, SOCs must be built on a foundation of flexibility and adaptability.”

New technologies impacting the digital signage space include AI, XR, 3D, and IoT integration, which can create smarter, more tailored experiences for viewers. “Curated discounts and augmented reality product visualization can increase dwell time while providing valuable insights that allow users to refine their business strategies,” added Kianna Pompa, product manager, BRAVIA Professional Displays at Sony Electronics. “Trigger-based content, which is adjusted based on environmental factors, can also enhance engagement and provide more value all around.”

Whatever the future holds, we can rest assured that the display technologies coming next will be creative, immersive, problem-solving, and uniquely suited to any environment.

Planar has enhanced its Simplicity Series with the Planar Simplicity P Series LCD displays. The new series of large format displays is designed and certified for 24x7 usage to support digital signage applications requiring continuous operation, such as wayfinding, emergency messaging, advertising, and menu boards.

[USB-C and AVoIP]

The new Planar Simplicity P Series offers models in 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, and 86-inch sizes delivering 500-nit brightness and media playback. Fully integrated multi-touch models are also available for all sizes, featuring 20 simultaneous touch points and fine-tip stylus support for interactive experiences.

The release of Planar Simplicity P Series follows the cybersecurity certification from the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) for the Planar Simplicity M Series line of 4K LCD displays. ETSI EN 303 645 is designed to prevent large-scale, prevalent attacks against smart devices by establishing a security baseline for connected consumer products, in addition to providing a basis for future IoT certification schemes.

[The Integration Guide to Digital Signage 2024]

The new Planar Simplicity P Series is also certified to the most stringent global cybersecurity standard, better protecting customers from cybersecurity risks and offering peace of mind, in addition to extended run time. The new large format display also maintains the product family’s ENERGY STAR certification, which identifies the series as a solution that saves operation costs and electricity.

Carousel Digital Signage has partnered with Raptor Technologies to strengthen K-12 campus safety. This collaboration integrates Raptor Alert with Carousel Cloud, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of safety information and critical messages over digital signage networks.

“Our new relationship with Raptor Technologies represents the next step in our efforts to keep students and faculty informed, safe and resilient across all grade levels,” said Eric Henry, president, Carousel Digital Signage. “Carousel Cloud’s open IT platform invites clean interoperability and efficient workflows with innovative companies such as Raptor, which shares our philosophy and our ambition to make schools a safer place to learn.”

[The Integration Guide to Digital Signage 2024]

Raptor Alert expedites and streamlines emergency response by allowing school staff to initiate an emergency response alert and provide critical information to first responders, law enforcement, and campus personnel. Built-in communication tools allow administrators and first responders to coordinate effectively throughout an emergency. By sharing real-time updates and critical information, schools can execute more efficient and timely responses, ensuring that every second counts when it matters most.

Operating on the same IT network, Carousel Cloud instantly identifies Raptor Alert activations and disseminates alerts to displays, mobile devices, and other connected endpoints. This seamless integration ensures that critical information is delivered to the right people in real time, enabling schools and first responders to swiftly and efficiently handle both minor and major incidents.

[AI and Digital Signage]

The technology partnership also represents a continuation of Carousel Digital Signage’s strategy to provide specialized tools and services that address the unique needs of the K-12 vertical. Carousel Digital Signage last year launched a social and emotional learning (SEL) initiative to provide school leaders with the content and guidance to communicate processes and procedures through digital signage. That initiative provides K12 schools with a free collection of pre-designed SEL templates or digital signage content, and a booklet that educates districts on how to share the right digital signage content across all age groups.

Praevar is releasing its sustainable signage solutions ePoster this November. Featuring a 32-inch E Ink Spectra 6 display, the ePaper digital signage solution is engineered for indoor advertising and retail environments. Designed as a smart replacement for traditional paper posters, the ePoster combines vibrant, full-color displays with impressively low power consumption, helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint while delivering an eco-friendly and energy-efficient alternative to static signage.

[The Integration Guide to Digital Signage 2024]

“Collaborating with Praevar on their innovative ePoster solution is a significant step forward in sustainable signage,” said AVP for the U.S. Regional Business Unit at E Ink, Tim O’Malley “The integration of our Spectra ePaper technology enhances the visual appeal of digital signage while aligning with our commitment to sustainability. By offering a vibrant, full-color display with minimal power consumption, we help businesses reduce their environmental impact while maintaining high-quality, dynamic content.”

As digital signage becomes increasingly essential for real-time communication, traditional paper posters still hold their ground in places where installing digital displays is challenging due to limited power access or structural constraints. Praevar's newly developed ePoster displays offer a lightweight, reflective, and non-emissive solution, perfectly aligning with the sustainable design priorities of modern cities and businesses.

[Sensors and Digital Signage Strengthen Beauty Product Brand]

In an era where sustainability is paramount for the retail industry, Praevar’s ePoster addresses the need for sustainable communication solutions by merging traditional posters' visual appeal with digital technology's versatility. This innovative approach minimizes energy consumption, drawing power only during content updates, helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint while enhancing customer engagement. The ePoster is set to hit the market in November 2024, providing retailers and brands with a viable, eco-friendly solution to address the growing regulatory demands for sustainability and energy efficiency in digital signage.

The ePoster allows retailers to embrace an eco-friendly solution without compromising on visual appeal or usability. By leveraging cloud-based management and built-in connectivity, businesses can keep their promotions fresh and engaging without the frequent manual updates that traditional posters require.

Key Features of the Praevar ePoster:

• 32-inch full-color ePoster display, supporting 65,000 colors for visually dynamic and detailed content.
• Battery-powered, capable of running for up to one year on a single charge, eliminating the need for power cords and reducing installation costs.
• 2,560x1,440 high-resolution display, offering crisp, detailed visuals for maximum impact in retail environments.
• Lightweight design (9 pounds/4 kg) for easy installation without the need for specialized mounting hardware.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for seamless integration with third-party content management systems and cloud-based content updates.
• An optional two-inch solar panel that utilizes natural or overhead light to trickle-charge the battery, further reducing operational costs and energy consumption.
• A 180-degree viewing angle.

Culinary Misfits, a trendy new bar and restaurant in Crown Point, Indiana, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary with a remarkable AV setup that contributed to its unique ambiance. The project, managed by GKD Technologies and Andy Spolar of AWA Reps, utilized cutting-edge technology, including Crimson AV’s VW4600G3 Video Wall Mount, to create an immersive and dynamic dining experience.

Culinary Misfits wanted to establish itself as a go-to spot, not only for delectable food and drinks but also for a visually engaging experience. The establishment comprises a main dining area and an exclusive upstairs lounge available for private events. The challenge was to integrate an AV system that met the aesthetic and functional requirements of both spaces.

Dave Mackiney, an integrator with GKD Technologies and a seasoned professional with previous successful ventures with Culinary Misfits, collaborated with Andy Spolar from AWA Reps to design and implement the AV systems. The seamless integration of Crimson AV mounts, LG displays, and advanced control systems resulted in a visually stunning and operationally efficient environment. 

In the main dining area, a 3-by-3 video wall using LG commercial panels with the VW4600G3 Video Wall Mount features push-in, pop-out technology for easy service. The design allows for a flexible display of three full-size images, or overlaying them across four displays in a 2-by-2 configuration. The upstairs lounge features a 2-by-6 video wall of LG commercial panels, deployed with an unconventional utilization showing three full-size images across four displays. Additionally, in areas accommodating children, individual LG TV displays were mounted using Crimson ceiling mounts.

Ultimately, Crimson AV’s VW4600G3 Video Wall Mounts were selected for their numerous superior features, including the aforementioned push-in, pop-out technology for easy access to middle displays; six points of adjustment for precise alignment; up to 3 inches of depth adjustment to accommodate uneven walls; an 11-inch pull-out extension for easy wiring; lateral shift, vertical adjustment, and leveling for optimal positioning; and an integrated dual-keyed lock system for security.

When it came to control in both the main dining area and the upstairs lounge, the team opted for RTI systems, ensuring seamless management of the entire AV setup and providing an intuitive interface for staff and guests. For video distribution, they selected AVPro Edge’s MXNet video over IP, enhancing the flexibility and scalability of the video distribution system.

Culinary Misfits’ one-year anniversary celebration showcased the successful synergy of innovative AV solutions and meticulous planning. The Crimson AV VW4600G3 Mounts, coupled with LG commercial panels and advanced control systems, contributed to the restaurant’s atmosphere, making it a memorable destination for patrons seeking not only gastronomic delights but also a visually captivating experience.

The beauty brand market is highly competitive, and the hair tools division is heating up. Legacy brand, GHD, has a fresh strategy on how to remain a top-tier player in the category. Currently, the global hair styling tool market is forecasted to grow at an annual rate of 4.9 percent to reach US $38.4 billion by 2030. With challengers posing some of GHD’s toughest competition yet, the company is taking a proactive approach.

“We have to make sure that we are still uniquely positioned during this cost-of-living crisis, by remaining a significant company in the beauty tech space.” GHD chief executive officer Jeroen Temmerman said in an interview with Cosmetics Business.

The Plan to Strengthen Brand

GHD’s game plan to strengthen its brand position includes expanding into untapped markets and launching new products. The company is also committed to driving innovation and leveraging unexpected technology in stores.

In addition to research and development, the GHD team examined their in-store presence. They asked retail installation specialist, Lime Retail if they could help build an interactive stand to put in stores: “We are thinking about using sensor technology and putting a layer of mirrored glass in front of a standard screen.” 

Ross Halford, senior account manager of Luxury Brands at Lime Retail, agreed to make that goal into a reality: “We can use Nexmosphere presence and lift and learn sensors, all of which work well with BrightSign players. But do you know what happens if you put a layer of mirrored glass in front of a normal screen? You reduce brightness by over 50 percent and make content almost impossible to see. Let’s get a high-bright version in the size you want to get the best possible output.” Halford and his team knew Bluefin could get them what they needed.

The Lime team mocked up a comparison demo to show a normal screen with pane of mirrored glass in front next to the Bluefin custom-built, High-Bright 21.5-inch screen with mirrored glass built in. The difference was obvious!

Bluefin International believes in going beyond standard limitations. By designing to unique environments, they enable customers to achieve their goals. Each Bluefin screen comes with the OS built in. For the GHD project, Halford chose BrightSign Built-In as the operating system. BrightSign Built-In works seamlessly with Nexmosphere sensors, all of which are housed in the Bluefin screen itself for a clean, simple design.

Hair Triggers!

When you approach the unit, sensors trigger the screen. The lights, which are also controlled, dim to 20 percent and content referencing the products being showcased plays. Once it finishes, the lights brighten back to 100 percent so shoppers can see themselves clearly in the mirrored glass. A call to action comes up, cueing them to select a product. When they select a product and pick it up, the unique content for that item is triggered, lights dim, and content plays. The Bluefin High-Bright custom screens make all the difference in whether the shopper can see and engage with the content or not.

[Display Drivers, When Image Matters]

This unit design keeps shoppers engaged for longer and acts as a virtual sales specialist for the brand, so they ended up being exactly what GHD needed to complete their beautiful interactive kiosks. “Bluefin really came through and designed for purpose,” Halford said. “GHD has embraced what we’ve recommended and they are really happy with the final product.” 

The installation has been so successful for the GHD brand and product sales, “We continue to order more screens as the client rolls out more units,” Halford said. “In fact, they are building out an experience zone on Oxford Street, and have expanded to a two-sided screen format for new units rolling out in other stores in the UK.”

Lime and Bluefin continue to work with GHD as they expand their footprint in beauty stores across Europe.

While video walls, flat panels, and projectors deliver eye-popping and engaging content in brilliant color and resolutions, they are merely the window dressing to what goes on behind the scenes.

A bevy of hardware and software solutions are needed to transmit and receive the video signal, switch sources, manage content in real-time and securely, and deliver audio to round out the user experience. Here are just a few; 22 to be specific!

22Miles’ Content Manager

22Miles’ Content Manager is an all-inclusive platform that enables efficient management of visual communications for projects of any size. It features over 1,000 customizable templates, AI-powered design suggestions, and fast editing tools, making it an ideal low-code, drag-and-drop solution for content management for systems integrators. With the industry’s most extensive library of enterprise software integrations and one-click widgets for interactive features like room reservation, 22Miles Content Manager is a future-proof solution that evolves with your business. The platform is compatible with most new and existing hardware, making it perfect for new deployments and retrofits. 

Atlona’s OmniStream 2.0

Atlona’s OmniStream 2.0 AV-over-IP firmware adds support for 4K60 video with 4:4:4 color sampling alongside better bitrate efficiency and integrated multiview processing. OmniStream 2.0 features the new VCx codec that delivers less than one frame of latency from encode to decode, enabling 4K60 4:4:4 streams with artifact-free presentation of computer-generated content and fast-motion video. Increases in coding efficiency enable additional HD streams over 1Gb Ethernet networks, multiple 4K streams over 10Gb switch-to-switch uplinks, and simultaneous 4K and HD over Gigabit Ethernet. OmniStream 2.0 also enables simultaneous display of multiple sources from OmniStream Pro encoders onto one screen.

Audio-Technica’s ATND1061

Audio-Technica’s ATND1061 Beamforming Ceiling Array Microphone has received major upgrades with its latest firmware update, including Video System Control Architecture (VISCA)-over-IP and Voice Lift technology. VISCA offers synchronized control of multiple video peripherals, improving interoperability and meeting equality. Using VISCA over IP, you can position the camera to match with the audio captured by the ATND1061. This creates a more natural experience in hybrid calls. The ATND1061 now includes Voice Lift, a technology that improves the communication environment in a space where voices don’t carry (i.e. larger rooms). Voice Lift makes a presenter’s words more intelligible.

BrightSign’s XT5 Digital Signage Players

BrightSign’s XT5 Digital Signage Players elevate and future proof digital signage activations to create captivating experiences for years to come. The XT245 delivers robust 3D motion graphics in 4K and vibrant HDR video, from Full HD to breathtaking 8K, all while being powered over Ethernet for highly efficient deployments. Meanwhile, the XT1145 enables live video playback via an HDMI input and expands engagement options with USB and serial connections. Brands can seamlessly blend broadcasts into signage, including live news and sports, to offer an engaging atmosphere. And finally, the XT2145 can control two screens simultaneously with dual HDMI outputs. This capability has become more critical as brands look for ways to engage consumers with more dynamic visual content. 

Carousel Digital Signage’s Carousel Daily

Carousel Digital Signage’s Carousel Daily is a new feature for Carousel Cloud that extends the reach of traditional digital signage content well beyond the facility walls, enabling seamless communications to thousands of devices. Leveraging Carousel Cloud’s existing content management, scheduling, and multi-platform tools, users can effortlessly push important organizational news and information directly to intended audiences. Bulletins are distributed as links or QR codes to iOS, Mac, AppleTV, and/or Android mobile devices, with external URLs that seamlessly guide viewers to essential destinations such as training completion, video viewing, company messages, and annual enrolment. Carousel Daily ensures the right messages publish on the right mobile devices, desktops, and displays.

Crestron’s AirMedia

Crestron’s AirMedia enables secure wireless collaboration in the modern digital workspace. Easy to deploy and manage, the solution can be used in conference rooms, huddle rooms, lounges, lobbies, or almost any space to establish a productive meeting environment. When integrated with the Appspace digital signage application or other web-based signage providers, AirMedia can display digital signage content when no presentation is being made or when the room is not occupied. This turns every screen into a content hub to display corporate branding, company news, or list the events slated for that day.

[25 AI-Enabled AV Products]

Datapath’s VSNMini 300 Video Wall Controller

Designed for college, sportsbook, and corporate environments, among others, Datapath’s VSNMini 300 Video Wall Controller can be used as either a personal video wall controller/workstation or as a standalone video wall controller. It boasts a slick form factor, with a modern aesthetic and the industrial-grade components that customers require. Ideal for small- to medium-sized applications, the VSNMini 300 supports the latest standards, including 12th Generation Intel Processors (i9, i7, i5) and NVMe (M.2) SSD storage for maximum performance. Graphics and capture capabilities are provided via three PCIe slots that can be configured as required with Datapath’s Image graphics, Vision capture, and ActiveSQX IP decode/encode cards.

DVIGear’s DN-300H 

DVIGear’s DN-300H DisplayNet SDVoE Transmitter/Receiver USB HID is the newest addition to the DisplayNet AVoIP family. Based on the latest SDVoE ASIC technology, the DN-300H supports USB HID device extension and routing with instant switching. It offers innovative software-defined KVM functionality, multi-screen KVM support, and advanced features including hotkey routing and system control. The DN-300H delivers unprecedented functionality and versatility in an ultra-compact, low-profile form. This unit provides switchable transmitter and receiver functionality with 10G copper and fiber network interfaces. A host of cutting-edge features and a low price point ensure high value for system integrators and their customers.

Green Hippo’s Hippotizer

Green Hippo’s Hippotizer Media Server Range provides real-time video playback, manipulation, and 3D mapping for video production in live event, AV, and broadcast applications. With reliable, purpose-built hardware, Hippotizer boasts industry-leading performance with multiple live capture, input, and output options. Hippotizer’s multi-user, network-based architecture and ZooKeeper interface seamlessly mix DMX, Timecode, Timeline, MIDI, OSC control, and API to build and add elements to any production. With Hippotizer’s complete set of intuitive pre-visualization and mapping tools, instant content updates or pixel-perfect video mapping are made easy. 

Haivision’s Command 360

Haivision’s Command 360 enables enterprise, defense, government, and public safety organizations to make real-time, critical decisions fast by centralizing multiple communication sources into a secure, intuitive video wall display that can span any size network and multiple locations. Command 360 can be set up and fully operational quickly, minimizing disruption to mission-critical environments. Upon setup, the next-generation solution—with its secure, browser-based user interface—delivers the advanced functionality needed to coordinate and manage an entire operation or command center. Key features include easy-to-use, intuitive control; enhanced security; multi-site and remote scalability; fast, easy deployment; and real-time visibility.

IHSE’s kvm-tec Scalable Pro Line

IHSE’s kvm-tec Scalable Pro Line supports up to 5K60 video over a 10G network switch. It uniquely features the ability to control and manage up to 16 computer sources on a single display via a single keyboard and mouse. By simply moving the mouse inside the gridded cell and clicking, the operator has full control of the source.

Jupiter Systems’ Zavus XP

Jupiter Systems’ Zavus XP (XP stands for Xtreme Pixels) represents the pinnacle for Jupiter display engineering, as it can handle all typical deployments, but excels in digital signage. Zavus is available in pixel pitches of 0.7mm, 0.9mm, and 1.2mm, and is truly built for the modern office. The key technology used for Zavus XP is flip-chip COB, providing an encapsulated pixel area with a smooth black resin coating that provides a cooler surface and delivers 30 percent improved energy efficiency over standard dvLED, superior grayscale, as well as unrivaled image depth and contrast. It is powered in collaboration with Megapixel VR processing for superior performance.

Just Add Power’s MC-QX

Just Add Power’s MC-QX MaxColor 4K60 Tiling and Warping Transmitter combines Just Add Power’s award-winning MaxColor 4K60 features with its innovative tiling and warping technology. It allows 4K60 source devices to be displayed on a single screen instantly, along with Warp Engine’s source rotation capabilities. Users can watch four 4K60 video sources simultaneously in multiple formats, including single-screen, video wall, or tiled video. Further, installers can rotate any source in a Just Add Power system in 0.1-degree increments in real time with incredibly low latency. The rotated image can then be sent to an unlimited number of receivers in the network, allowing for the creation of massive artistic video walls.

Korbyt’s Experiential Signage

Korbyt’s Experiential Signage empowers businesses, universities, and corporate organizations to create truly immersive, interactive digital experiences with a near-endless array of third-party sensors and devices, including touch-interactive tablets, pressure sensors, mechanical and capacitive-sensing buttons, temperature sensors, lift and learn sensors, or even optical sensors. Experiential Signage is the newest addition to Korbyt’s cloud-based CMS that lets administrators engage employees, students, customers, and guests via various channels, including digital signage, desktop, email, and mobile devices. With more than 1 million endpoints, 300 cloud migrations, and more than 100 native integrations to date, Korbyt Anywhere is the most advanced platform to captivate audiences on any screen, anywhere. 

Matrox Video’s Mura DVW

Matrox Video’s Mura DVW, a high-performance IP-based 4K distributed video wall appliance, enables the combination of multiple units in various arrangements to easily create a fully synchronized video surface of any size. Mura DVW integrates advanced computing, networking, video decoding, and graphical processing capabilities to deliver seamless visual experiences with maximum security. Mura DVW video walls are flexible and scalable, enabling you to build fully distributed video walls with performance that improves as more appliances are added. Each Mura DVW appliance supports high-density and flexible decoding—up to one 8K60, four 4K60, eight 4K30, and sixteen 1080p60 streams—all in H.265 (HEVC) or H.264 (AVC).

Mersive’s Solstice Dynamic Digital Signage

A blank screen is wasted space. Mersive’s Solstice Dynamic Digital Signage feature makes it simple and easy to bring new life and functionality to all your screens and spaces. Maximize your display’s potential with engaging visuals between meetings, by serving up content from dynamic web pages or content from Google Slides, PowerPoint, AppSpace, Carousel, Tripleplay, and more. With vibrant digital signage on touchscreens, you can create a rich experience by allowing end users to perform a range of actions. Book rooms, submit IT tickets, play videos, display important information, and more, by simply tapping on the display—all within a customizable environment that matches your organization’s branding for a more connected experience.

Navori Labs’ StiX 3800 Media Player

Navori Labs’ StiX 3800 Media Player supports flawless 4K content playback at 60fps, ensuring your media is displayed with stunning clarity and detail. Ideal for various settings, from retail to corporate environments, the compact device is also equipped with AI-powered footfall tracking, providing valuable insights into audience metrics and engagement. Features like auto-activation allow for effortless installation, while PoE capabilities minimize connectivity requirements. The StiX 3800 also promotes sustainable practices by activating the display only when the audience is detected. This makes the StiX 3800 not only a powerful digital signage solution, but also an environmentally conscious choice.

Realmotion Engine

The Realmotion Engine by Realmotion is a versatile spatial computing software. Realmotion Engine can handle both dynamic, interactive elements in real time and linear video content. Integrated with commercial-grade sensors and content creation platforms, it offers unparalleled flexibility, performance, and reliability for projects of all scales. Realmotion Engine can be leveraged in various scenarios, including interactive digital experiences, projection mapping, digital art installations, broadcast, live event venues, and more. A key strength is its ability to integrate sensor data, media outputs, media playback, lighting management, and content management through one scalable software.

RGB Spectrum’s SuperView IPX

RGB Spectrum’s SuperView IPX is a state-of-the-art multiviewer that consolidates up to eight video images on a single screen, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making workflows. Supporting both HDMI and IP inputs, it allows users to seamlessly display local and remote video sources with complete flexibility. The SuperView IPX features 4K 60Hz input and output resolutions, customizable display layouts, and presets, along with H.264 and H.265 decoding. With an embedded architecture for enhanced security and control via a browser-based GUI, Telnet, and RS-232, it is the ideal solution for mission-critical 24/7 operations.

Ross Video’s XPression Tessera

Ross Video’s XPression Tessera is a multifaceted solution for managing and filling video displays in any studio or venue. The XPression Tessera Distributed Workflow system utilizes a simple region-mapping tool to allow users to slice up a graphic on a large canvas and distribute it across multiple channels or engines for pixel-accurate rendering. A single Take ID can be used to trigger the animation to play out in perfect synchronization across one channel or dozens of them. From simple studios to the largest live event stages, Ross Video can help you engage with viewers.

Vanco’s PAEXEARC

Vanco’s PAEXEARC Digital Audio Extender with eARC transmits HDMI eARC/ARC digital audio signals up to 328 feet and S/PDIF signals up to 656 feet over a single Cat5e/6 cable. It supports bi-directional PoC, allowing power supply from either end, and features simultaneous SPDIF and HDMI outputs for a customized audio solution. With CEC pass-through in eARC/ARC mode, it enables integrated control of multiple devices. Designed for reliable performance and compatibility with various audio systems, the PAEXEARC is ideal for enhancing audio distribution in meeting spaces and classrooms, ensuring high-quality sound and ease of control in large or complex setups.

Vizrt’s Viz Virtual Studio Go

In the age of hybrid working, learning, and connecting, it’s become a key challenge to capture and keep the audience's attention. The Viz Virtual Studio Go by Vizrt was designed to help drive engagement in any instance where video is shared, boosting communication, understanding, and connection. Software and hardware are pre-configured with fully designed and customizable AR graphics and an included virtual set scene. Engineered with award-winning virtual studio capabilities, powered by Viz Engine, and built on the connected workflows of NDI, storytellers are empowered with best-in-class technology to create engaging presentation experiences out of the box.

Carousel Daily, the new Carousel Cloud feature launched earlier this year, now enables compatibility across all common operating systems. Launched as an iOS-exclusive feature, Carousel Digital Signage has now extended Carousel Daily support to Android personal devices and MacOS desktops and laptops. The new multi-platform support broadly expands the spectrum of devices that Carousel Daily can reach, anchored by the development and launch of Carousel Digital Signage’s first app for Android devices that is now available in the Google Play store.

For Carousel Cloud customers, working Carousel Daily into the mix was as simple as creating the source material for one or more feeds—typically a short list of bulletins, often with links to external websites for action items—and publishing it in the Carousel Daily iOS app. Subscribers within the organization could open the app for a holistic view of organizational messages, or quickly access the information most relevant to their world through a widget and a quick swipe of the screen.

[On AI & AV 2024: Carousel Digital Signage]

Now, Android compatibility removes all technical limits to external audiences reach since Carousel Daily can now support Apple, Android, and mixed ecosystems used internally.

According to Jennifer McCleary, director of engineering for Carousel Digital Signage, the iOS and Android apps operate in the same manner but required diligent research and development work on the backend to ensure compatibility with Carousel Cloud.

“Carousel Digital Signage has been firmly entrenched in the Apple world for years, beginning with our support for Apple TV and iPad devices. Our familiarity with the Apple ecosystem made extension to iOS and MacOS platforms a simple next step,” she said. “We assigned a team to familiarize themselves with the Android native ecosystem for the purpose of developing a native app for the Android community. The app was thoroughly vetted for proven interoperability with the Android operating system prior to launch.”

[Not All Clouds Are Created Equal]

The Carousel Daily feature comes free with new Carousel Cloud systems and is easily added to existing Carousel Cloud networks.

As competition for student enrollment intensifies, colleges and universities are investing in new technologies to enhance the campus experience. Developing and maintaining digital ecosystems that support campus-wide navigation, communication, and engagement is essential for creating a positive, informed community—and maintaining a competitive advantage.

AV integrators are uniquely positioned to support the growing demand for future-proof, intelligent campus-wide communications, and now is the perfect time to jump in. The education sector is poised for rapid growth in digital signage software, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 21.6% over the next decade.

New AI-enhanced content management software (CMS) innovations can deliver the precise, future-proof digital experiences required to differentiate a campus. AI-driven CMS solutions offer new levels of personalization for digital signage ecosystems. Trained with institution-specific data, the software integrates with hardware across campuses to support wayfinding, communication, and content management.

[Viewpoint: Office Buzz or Buzzkill]

Streamlining Workloads

Let’s address the elephant in the room: The workload associated with digital signage ecosystems can cause hesitancy for higher education leaders. It’s understandable. With many institutions managing campuses that sprawl hundreds or even thousands of acres or multiple campuses, managing digital signage and communication systems requires significant time investment.

Ownership and access are also a core challenge. While common areas like student unions and visitor centers benefit from a wide-net content strategy, many departments have their own content agendas. Limiting CMS control to one individual or team is simply insufficient to tap the potential of signage hardware across campus. Still, all signage must be unified to ensure that critical information—such as emergency alerts—reaches the full campus.

AI-driven CMS solutions enable digital signage management with minimal manual intervention. When integrated with an institution’s knowledge base, AI can retrieve information quickly and support template automation, messaging, content design, and scheduling—offering an accelerated approach to content collaboration and consistency. Put simply, you don’t have to be a CMS expert to update the signage playlist.

It also makes updates easier for users across departments, shortening the time and training investment required to create and share compelling content. Hierarchical controls and location-based scheduling enable department leaders to share location or subject-specific content on “their” screens, while still allowing campus-wide messages and resources to be centrally managed and distributed.

[Editorial: It's (Almost) All Good News for Digital Signage]

The operational support of AI-enhanced CMS extends beyond content distribution. By automating routine tasks, AI integrations can save substantial costs, allowing institutions to allocate funds to other critical areas.

For example, space management is a crucial task for maximizing campus resources. Monitoring space usage, occupancy, and sanitation needs can be complex and time-consuming. With the right integrations, higher education professionals can leverage an AI-enhanced CMS to automate and simplify space reservations for students and faculty via campus screens. From the same backend, administrators can effortlessly monitor space usage, occupancy, and sanitation needs, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring optimal use of campus resources.

Safety Applications

The advantages of AI-enhanced content management extend beyond the backend, too. Digital signage is essential for sharing information with students and prospects and establishing brand familiarity and consistency across campus. AI-powered CMS solutions improve day-to-day engagements that keep students and visitors involved and informed.

A modern CMS with conversational AI can simplify communications by streamlining content editing tasks. Users can interact with an intuitive chatbot trained with the institution’s knowledge base, making it simple to consistently and accurately disseminate important messages across all digital touchpoints.

AI-accelerated content deployment is especially vital for emergency communications. A supplement to mobile alerts and verbal announcements, administrators can use the AI-supported interface to quickly distribute alerts and safety protocols across campus signage. This can help provide immediate instructions, minimize threat response times, and unify action to improve overall campus security.

For maximum impact, institutions should ensure that their CMS integrates with emergency alert software like RAVE, Everbridge, and others. These applications are often familiar to the campus community and serve as a core component of campus safety strategy.

Better Visits

While student and faculty engagement are crucial to higher education success, the visitor experience is also important. Navigating a large and constantly evolving campus can be daunting for newcomers and alumni alike. AI-enhanced wayfinding solutions can help remediate visitor pain points while reducing operational strain and minimizing the need for live staff.

When trained on institutional knowledge, conversational AI can instantly connect students with vital information and resources—an alternative to overwhelming internet searches. When choosing the best solution, administrators should identify a chatbot that provides multilingual support and meets ADA requirements to support diverse student bodies.

[The Digital Signage Best Practices Guide]

Moreover, wayfinding solutions equipped with conversational AI can extend beyond physical navigation to include virtual campus tours and orientation materials accessible through mobile devices. This approach not only caters to the preferences of digital-native students, but also provides flexibility for individuals who may be unable to visit the campus in person due to geographical or logistical constraints.

Systems integrators can help transform the higher education digital experience with AI-enhanced CMS solutions. Encouraging decision-makers to embrace these innovations creates a safer and more connected campus. And as campuses expand, these solutions can scale, ensuring that the technology infrastructure remains robust and effective without requiring major overhauls. Moreover, investing in AI integrations now can prepare institutions for future technological advancements, keeping them ahead of the curve.