Sound & Communications February 2009 Issue

How: Business(Continued from 45)particularly important to CCS thatthe systems had no down time.TxDOT retained CCS on aservice contract, so the installervisits on a regular basis for routinemaintenance. “We wantedto keep an eye on the project,”Ott offered. “It was really im-(Continued from 28)can quickly react to a newscenario or problem, is so important.Fast response time isrequired to make such changesoccur seamlessly. Personnelwho cannot handle the pressureof last-minute changes andCommunications superhighwaytechnological hiccups will notmake it in this particular areaof our industry.Briefly summarized, religiousorganizations on national, regionaland city levels are tryingto strengthen their ministriesportant to us to make sure itwas always up and running.”The ongoing service contracthas also enabled Ott to experiencethe fruits of her laborfirsthand. “Sometimes, I’d beheading out there and I’d calland say, ‘I’m going to be late.’But they’d already know. Theyknew exactly where the trafficwas and they’d tell me, ‘Onceyou get past mile marker soand-so,you’ll be OK’.”She continued, “What amazesme is how quickly they canrespond to things now. Theyby conducting more conventions,meetings and specialevents than ever before inchurch history. The four generalareas specified here arethe minimal requirements fora vendor to operate successfullywithin current religiousconstructs. If you meet thesebasic requirements, then youhave the opportunity to thrive inthe house of worship market.This is what I think. I want toknow what you think! nspot a problem and they get onthe radio, dispatching people tosolve the problem. It used totake a lot more time and theyneeded more operators to monitorthe screens. Now they canspend more time out on thefield fixing the problems.” nstriking Visions(Continued from 52)messages in real time.Integrating this capabilitywith a certified emergencyalert system (EAS), such as theDASDEC EAS encoder/decoderfrom Digital Alert System, enablesautomatic distribution ofweather and other critical emergencyinformation.Display manufacturers arealso expanding their signageofferings to fill specializedrequirements. This can providemore value-added opportunitiesfor integrators inan increasingly commoditizedmarket. LG Commercial, for instance,offers unique displays,such as the Stretch and theMirror, for a variety of signageapplications. LG has plans toship its 42-inch 3D monitor foruse in theater lobbies to display3D movie trailers and at mall kiosksfor 3D video game promoslater this year.Two installations of the 132-inch 3D WOWzone HD LCDmulti-screen display wall fromPhilips 3D Solutions are reportedlycreating spellbinding experiencesat the LA Bridge Theaterand at Karu & Y in Miami. Philipsalso offers a full suite of 3Dcontent creation applications.Easier To InstallSamsung has made it easierto install a videowall with itsnew Interlocking Display 2. Thispre-configured system consistsof 46-inch professional LCD networkedscreens with built-inWindows XP PCs, Samsung’sMagicInfo Pro content deliverysoftware and easy-assembly interlockingstand hardware.Just beyond the horizon are flex-ible screens that can be wrappedaround pillars, scent-emittingLCD displays to lure customersinto restaurants and retail stores,and kiosks with HD touchscreensand RFID for creating more immersiveconsumer engagementand usage reporting.Digital signage is a burgeoningmarketplace and, althoughthe current economic downturnmay impact its growth, the needfor even more cost-effective signagesolutions provides excitingopportunities for those withreal vision and expertise. nSin City signage(Continued from 56)ER. Taken together, this slate ofeducational opportunities comprehensivelycovers the signagesegment.Be sure not to miss the presentationof the 2009 Apex andContent Awards, both of whichare exclusive Digital SignageExpo awards programs. Honorswill be bestowed between5:00 and 7:00pm on February25. “The Apex Awards,” beganGibbs, “as the name indicates,connotes the best of the best;the top deployments out there.Companies are judged in numerouscategories, such as interactivetechnology, retail and publicspaces. It’s an opportunity torecognize the best of breed inthese different tracks.” Editorsfrom industry publications serveas Apex Awards judges, includingSound & Communications’editor, David A. Silverman. TheContent Awards, meanwhile,are new this year, illustratingthe industry’s increased focuson the message digital signageis being used to deliver.Looking at DSE’s history,Gibbs is proud of its evolutionand excited for the future. “Whenwe started, the industry was dyingto have its own identity,” hesaid. “So, when we attracted 600attendees in our first year, eventhough it wasn’t a huge event,people were still elated. Theyfinally had a place they could goto network and discuss the industrywith people who believe in it.And it’s only grown exponentiallysince then.”A Growing SegmentHe continued, “The AV industryhas been around a long time,and digital signage is a growingsegment of it. I think, whenevera growing segment of a largerinstitution is broken off andgiven a more intimate, focusedplace for people to network, youcan really start to see it blossom.Digital Signage Expo is afantastic example of that.”Clearly, for integrators interestedin the commercial segment’sfuture, DSE is a must-attendevent. “There will be moreexhibitors, more vendors, morethings to see and, of course,more new products,” Gibbsstressed. “It’s important for AVintegrators to know what offeringsare out there: what theyhave to choose from…what’sin their arsenal of solutions.And Digital Signage Expo hasmore than any other event forthe digital signage community,period.”We'll see you in Sin City.(Sound & Communications willbe at booth MC4.) n78 Sound & Communicationswww.soundandcommunications.com