With any vertical technology, ASI’s goal is to provide informative educational resources that will help our channel partners identify market opportunities and develop strategies suitable for their particular business model.

In the case of Digital Signage, ASI brings together an extensive group of vendors that manufacture solutions that make up the entire ecosystem. Our experience working with a wide range of suppliers allows ASI to offer a diverse set of options that give VARs the ability to deploy solutions for a variety of application models.

• Digital Media Player and SFF Solutions
• Large Format Displays
• Interactive Touch Displays
• Digital Kiosks and Billboards
• LCD Video Walls
• Connectivity Products and Cables
• Video Switches and Repeaters
• LCD Panels
• LCD Panel Mounts
• Touch Screen
• Software

Intel
Intel has been an innovator in the digital signage market and one of the best supporters of the reseller market. With the introduction of the Intel NUC, Intel provides an exceptional solution for media players and appliance PCs to power a digital signage solution. In addition the Intel Computer Stick with their wireless connectivity and ability to easily connect to any display with an HDMI port makes digital signage deployment easy and extremely cost effective. In addition Intel offers their Retail Client Manager digital signage software that has the added benefit of being able to provide audience analytics to improve the effectiveness of ad campaigns. In addition RCM allows SMBs to remotely manage their marketing campaign in near real-time and launch customized content on the fly to quickly and easily deliver a richer brand experience. Intel®-based solutions provide the flexibility, manageability, and security needed to engage customers at every touchpoint

ViewSonic
Viewsonic has taken a unique approach to the Digital Signage market. As a leader in LCD technology, Viewsonic is well positioned in this space to offer large format displays, interactive touch, digital kiosks and billboards as well as media players but they have gone beyond the display to also offer content software. The addition of the software is a significant differentiator for Viewsonic and a tremendous value to the VAR because it not only allows for the creation of the messaging through the use of templates, but also supports a variety of design formats and controls scheduling. ViewSonic Digital Signage just became easier and more accessible than ever with DisplayIt!Xpress. This software makes it easy to manage a signage network of any size from a single PC with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. Use PowerPoint or other familiar office applications to create new content, then simply drag-and-drop media files to build playlists within seconds. Update content with a single click over wired or wireless networks, shared folders, cloud storage or USB drive. Scheduling options for each playlist item ensure the right message at the right time. Add eye-catching widgets that include date, time, weather and scrolling text with RSS support. Creating, uploading and managing content just became as easy as 1-2-3.

Planar
Planar is on the forefront of the digital signage market offering a wide range of digital signage products including solutions for high-end LCD Video walls including their Clarity Matrix, Direct view LED and Planar Mosaic. From high brightness displays to sturdy metal-frame industrial design, from redundant power supplies to Planar's proprietary ERO™ (Extended Ruggedness and Optics™) technology for tiled LCD video walls, Planar products are designed to blend seamlessly into professional environments. Planar digital signage products feature a thin-mounting profile, which complies with ADA standards without additional structures or costly insets. SIIG Connectivity solutions provider SIIG, Inc. brings to market one the largest assortments of digital connectivity hardware designed to carry, extend, split, or multiply HDMI signal transmissions. SIIG's Digital Signage product mix includes a variety of matrix switches, distribution amplifiers, extenders, converters, splitters, cabling, and more.

LG Electronics
LG monitors strike the perfect balance between eye-catching design and optimum performance, rendering color and motion with incredible realism. Widescreen displays and high-resolution bring true-to-life graphics, precise motion and astonishing color to every application making them one of the most common choices of the Digital Signage market. LG LCD displays include a wide range of sizes and capabilities, including large format displays, LED Video walls, OLED displays, commercial TVs and SuperSign software that allows for remote management, and control across a wide range of displays. With its extensive manufacturing resources, LG is the world's largest manufacturer of LCD panels and computer monitor displays.

When most people think of digital signage they tend to focus on examples for large high end multi-screen solutions such as those that we see in airports, convention centers, or department stores but the biggest opportunity is within the SMB market. With over 23 million small business in the US that account for over 54% of all IT sales the opportunity for digital signage is larger at the base of the pyramid than it is at the top with a few large scale high profile deployments.

The potential opportunity for resellers and VARs in the Digital Signage market is significant. For many digital signage represents a natural progression of business solutions that can be offered to help SMBs differentiate their business and create awareness for their services or products.

System Integrators who have expertise in developing a network infrastructure, integrating various hardware technologies, and providing local support have unique skills that are essential to building a vertically integrated business model around Digital Signage.

A complete Digital Signage solution has many elements that make up the entire ecosystem. The physical hardware represents only a portion of the entire business opportunity. VARs that can also build expertise around content creation or partnering with companies that specialize in this area can deliver even greater value to their clients and develop reoccurring revenue streams for each solution they deploy.

By now, most people have seen Digital Signage Displays utilized in airports, hotels, and corporate offices where organizations utilize the ability to instantly update or add content to communicate up to-the-minute information to their customers and employees, but the usage models go far beyond these information based applications. In fact, more and more small businesses, doctor’s offices, schools, hospitals, restaurants, retail stores, and travel agencies for example are discovering the benefits of Digital Display.

By utilizing Digital Signage to deliver targeted messages to specific audiences in select location(s) organizations can increase the effectiveness of their communication.

1. In medical offices for example, Digital Signage solutions are used in waiting areas to reduce perceived wait-time or educate patients.
2. Department stores have integrated Digital Signage into the décor of their facilities and use video to build a story around a brand to create greater awareness for the particular product.
3. In Dental offices, displays are used to explain different cosmetic procedures.
4. Local grocery stores looking for a way to compete against large chains use digital signs to provide customers with recipe information or highlight other areas of the store, increasing the time spent on the premises and helping increase sales.
5. In restaurants the technology is used to display the menu with detailed pictures and to highlight specials which can be changed daily or hourly depending on availability.
6. Delis and bakeries use Digital Signage to show various menu items or cake decorations which allow them to highlight more options or choices.
7. In saloons or specialty stores, Digital Signage is used to highlight products, or services offered by the business.
8. Real Estate agencies can use digital displays to showcase properties offered by the office in great detail.

The usage models, applications and advantages achieved through these solutions provide benefits to almost any business or organization.

The requirements for an SMB client are far different than that of a large deployment but there are still several keys that are recommended when presenting a solution to this market. In addition to these key elements, VARs can also provide additional services such as content creation support, maintenance, and installation.

1. The digital signage solution needs to be self-service meaning the owner is able to run it themselves so they can update content, change schedules, and make other revisions based on their business model. Small businesses are agile so the solution needs to support that attribute.
2. The solution needs to be hosted in the cloud or run on a local LAN. Needing to set up or deploy their own servers is show stopper for the SMB client.
3. The solution needs to be appliance based. PC can be too complicated to configure so the solution needs to be simple and be one that won’t impact other aspects of the business computers functions.
4. The upfront costs need to be low which would be the case with appliance based solutions and many SMBs would prefer a low monthly fee based solution.