Content Design: Washington & Lee University
Posted on Mon, November 30, 2009
How do you connect with the Xbox - Ipod - Twitter - Facebook generation? They are bombarded with information every second of every day so sticking a static poster on the wall won’t even get a glance. On a college campus the best way to connect with students is to embrace technology and use digital displays to communicate. The graphic in this posting is an example of how Washington & Lee University mixes their dynamic messages in with the latest headline news on large format LCD screens strategically located around campus.
Aloft Dubai Opens with Rise Display
Posted on Fri, November 27, 2009
With over 30 properties opened across the US and Canada in the last 18 months, we are excited to share the following picture of our first international installation with the hotel chain for Aloft Abu Dhabi in Dubai.
Digital Signage at Bergen County Technical Schools
Posted on Thu, November 26, 2009
In my previous post about Bowie High School I talked about the advancement of LED tickers and digital signage in high schools. Here is another example of a financial services lab installed at Bergen County Technical Schools in New Jersey.
The new program capitalizes on the school’s proximity to New York City, the financial capital of the world, and strives to interest and prepare students for careers in the financial services industry. The curriculum touches upon topics common to commercial banking, investment banking, brokerage, trading and investment management. Learn more about their program by visiting their website.
LED Tickers in High Schools
Posted on Thu, November 26, 2009
In the late 90’s we saw a trend of colleges and universities starting to investigate finance labs for their business schools. In the last 2 years we have seen more and more community colleges expanding their curriculum to have these specialized rooms and classes. Now we are seeing a movement at the high school level.
James Bowie High School in Austin, Texas became our latest client in the K-12 arena to install a LED ticker display to help create a financial atmosphere for their students.
Custom LED Ticker Installation at Arkansas Tech University
Posted on Wed, November 25, 2009
When students choose Arkansas Tech, they get the best of two worlds: big-time technology and education in a friendly, small-town setting. Because the university believes that exposing students to tomorrow’s technology is the only way to prepare them for the jobs they deserve, Tech has invested in world-class equipment and facilities.
To bring the latest in technology to the new trading lab opening next semester in the college of business the faculty enlisted the help of Rise Display to design a unique LED Ticker that starts in the hallway, goes through the glass wall, and wraps around the finance lab.
The focal point of the trading room is a large 2x2 LCD Video Wall showing the latest market updates and news information controlled by Display Wire.
Learning is a serious business, my hat goes off to Arkansas Tech for investing in the technology to create this one of a kind atmosphere for their students.
Overview of LCD Video Walls
Posted on Tue, November 24, 2009
Are you interested in learning about LCD Video Walls? If you have 10 minutes watch this video overview showing different configurations, content options, and client applications for Video Walls.
52” LCD Installation at First Bank of Owasso
Posted on Tue, November 24, 2009
The recent installation of a digital sign at First Bank of Owasso in Oklahoma is a perfect example of how retail banking institutions can take full advantage of the latest advances in digital display hardware and software to modernize their image, keep their customers informed, and manage their own messaging from one central location.
To complement the building’s decor, the 52” LCD display was built into a custom tiled wall. Strategically situated within the Financial Services area of the bank the display serves as a welcoming first impression to visitors as soon as they enter the building.
The images and data on the displays serve up a mix of live stock market information, breaking headline news, live TV, and special announcements that advertise their products and publicize community events.
Installation Advice
Posted on Mon, November 23, 2009
You can buy the most expensive screen, the best media player, the coolest software, and build exciting content but if you put the display 20 feet in the air and no one knows it exists all you accomplished was to spend a lot of money.
Free advice - if you are going to invest in digital signage remember location, location, location.
Video Overview of LED Ticker Technology
Posted on Sun, November 22, 2009
Are you interested in learning about LED ticker displays? If you have 10 minutes watch this video overview showing different color options, sizes, software features, and how to customize to fit into any architectural design.
Traditional Bulletin Board verses Digital Signage - Which Do You Think Attracts More Attention?
Posted on Fri, November 20, 2009
Some people have the misperception that you have to be a big school in order to consider, let alone install digital signage. Fulda Public Schools, a small school in MN with less than 500 students and tight budgets made the strategic decision to investigate innovative ways to communicate with their students.
For years they have used traditional bulletin boards, but with the information overload between Twitter, text messaging, blogs, banner ads, etc, etc they decided to try a new approach by installing a 46” LCD screen to dynamically and digitally connect with students. While the display is still relatively new and they are still experimenting with the best ways to use the technology one thing is for sure - the display gets a lot more attention than the static bulletin board below it.
Southern Finance - Captiva Island, FL
Posted on Thu, November 19, 2009
If you are attending the Southern Finance event at Captiva Island, FL please stop by the exhibit hall and visit our booth to see our interactive digital signage and LED tickers for business school finance labs. At 10:15 this morning Jason Berberich from Rise will be moderating Session B.7 Trading Rooms and Technology in the Auger Room - please stop by to learn more about building a state-of-the-art finance lab.
Keeping Content (and your message) Simple
Posted on Thu, November 19, 2009
While we don’t do a lot of retail signage I thought the article Why Digital Signage Content Must Lean Toward Simplicity by Frank Lucer was very good in reminding people that simplicity in content is important and when using multiple elements make sure they work together cohesively.
Video Overview on an Interactive Concierge
Posted on Wed, November 18, 2009
Updated video showing interactive content in action. Take a look
Digital Signage Addition to the Main Lobby at Dodge Hall
Posted on Wed, November 18, 2009
The school of business at Northeastern University recently added a 2x2 LCD video wall and two 46” LCD digital signs to the main lobby area of Dodge Hall.
The video wall shows the latest market updates and news to keep students updated with the happenings in the financial markets and provides a focal piece for all visitors to building.
Each 46” NEC LCD display is mounted in portrait mode with one showing a building directory and the other one showing all of the latest events within the college.
The end result - a dynamic atmosphere that uses technology to communicate with students each days as they pass through the halls.
Shouldn’t all Directories be Interactive?
Posted on Tue, November 17, 2009
I noticed this directory recently in the Atlanta airport. Great display, nice enclosure, sharp content BUT it wasn’t interactive. Over a 10 minute span I watched at least a dozen people try to touch it to get more information. Think of all of the missed opportunities to communicate with viewers looking for more information.
The greatest part about interactive content is you get hard data at the end of each day, week, or month. Instead of guessing if people are viewing or using your digital signage - you know because you can track what they touched. You can take this data and look for trends to help improve your content design and how you communicate with the audience.
Free advice: If you are going to put up a directory make it interactive because your audience expects it.
Vertical LED Tickers - something unique
Posted on Mon, November 16, 2009
For clients looking to do something unique and architectural to fit in with their facility mounting a LED ticker vertically can provide a different look. A few example installation photos can be seen at the following links:
- Bank of America
- Wells Fargo
- Wacovia
One of the driving factors for installing a digital sign is to create “Wow Factor”. While Digital Signage and Video Walls can do a great job of creating this “Wow Factor” the LCD displays are much more rigid in design so they don’t allow for architects to curve them, bend them, or run them vertically up columns.
If you are looking to create a one of a kind atmosphere using sports scores, stock quotes, headline news, or just your own messages consider using a LED ticker display and finding a way to position it vertically.
CALSTRS uses multi-screen LCD configuration to replace LED Datawall
Posted on Fri, November 13, 2009
The California State Teachers Retirement Services (CALSTRS) recently replaced their character -based, three color, LED wallboards with new NEC LCD Displays. While most of their content is simple financial market data that is shown in Green (for positive) and red (for negative) the new Video Wall Display system gives them the flexibility to now show charts, graphics, and utilize the full spectrum of colors.
Most video wall applications stack the LCDs together in traditional landscape orientation, but to best fill the space left by the LED Datawall we worked with the client to orient each display in portrait mode to best utilize the space.
The end result a uniquely designed digital signage solution that keeps traders abreast of current market conditions.
Content Design: Whose opinion matters?
Posted on Tue, November 10, 2009
Everyone has an opinion on content designs. Some people like lots of windows, some like tickers, some like to incorporate TV, some like a simple full screen message. It always comes back to the application and environment.
Having a dozen moving zones at one time for a presentation in a high traffic hallway where you have a 8 second window to get your message out is probably not as effective as a single powerful message. On the opposite end of the spectrum in an elevator bank or corporate waiting room where you have a 2 minute dwell time more content helps entertain viewers.
The key is to select a software tool that gives you flexibility and to come up with a few different template designs that you can experiment with in your environment to see what works best for your audience and your message. End of the day the only opinion that maters is yours.
Roger Williams Finance Lab - Video Wall installation
Posted on Mon, November 9, 2009
Roger Williams has been a Rise client for many years originating with our 3 color LED wallboards through an upgrade 3 years ago to a LCD Video Wall. Video Walls come in all shapes and sizes and for their finance lab we utilized NEC monitors to create a 3x1 wall that acts as the focal point to the room showing all of the latest market information from around the world.
This picture was taken last week during a service visit and as you can see after over 3 years the displays still look very sharp. While the displays may not have the ultra thin bezels and sleek look of the video walls we are installing today, the effect is still the same when people view the room for the first time - the displays definitely attract attention.
Rise Display Expands Sales Team
Posted on Fri, November 6, 2009
Shawnee, KS – November 5, 2009 – Rise Display, a provider of integrated solutions for Interactive, Video, and LED digital signage, announces its expanded sales team. These seven consultants provide a broad range of expertise selling digital signage solutions in every market, including higher education, healthcare, government, and commercial sales.
Rise Display’s new sales consultants are:
Southeast Region: Jennifer Fryc has ten years of experience in IT, audiovisual, and digital signage markets in higher education, corporate, healthcare, hospitality, and government and military sectors. Prior to joining Rise Display she worked for Visix.
Western Region: Dave Leo has extensive experience in technical solutions sales and business development in the audiovisual and telecom industries, selling digital signage hardware and software solutions through a broad range of channels and markets. He most recently served as National Accounts Manager at Canvys, and held prior sales positions at Display Devices, GE Supply, and Communications Supply Corporation.
Northeast Region: Jim Mahoney has been involved in the digital signage industry for more than 25 years with experience in field sales, major account sales, and sales team management for companies including Trans Lux and Display Solutions.
Mideast Region: Eric Wigdahl has extensive experience in architectural sales, architectural specifications for hospitals and medical facilities, and with outdoor and indoor digital displays. Prior to his position with Rise Display, Eric was a Northeast Regional Sales Manager for both Adaptive Micro Systems and Trans-Lux.
South Central Region: Perry Kirk started his career as a Communications Officer with the U.S. Marine Corps, and has sold telecom and broadcast technology solutions for more than 25 years. Prior to joining Rise Display, Perry was a Sales Representative for Marlin Communications.
Mid Atlantic Region: Joe Hawk has significant expertise in the touch/interactive digital signage market within the education, healthcare, and hospitality industries as well as the commercial, government, and military sectors. Prior to joining Rise Display, Joe worked as a Sales Representative for Trident Systems, Inc.
Midwest Region: Jeff Blankensop has spent 22 years in the display industry with a heavy concentration in digital signage and digital media. Jeff has had roles in business development, sales management, product management, and partner development. Prior to joining Rise Display, Jeff worked for NEC Display Solutions and other NEC affiliated companies, where he served as Director of Business Development responsible for launching NEC’s go-to-market strategy in the digital signage arena.
To find a representative for a specific state, visit http://www.risedisplay.com/contact/map/.
“As the digital signage market becomes more sophisticated, we need a professional team that can communicate the unique benefits of a Rise Display solution in every vertical market and in every geography,” says Brian Loosbrock, President, Rise Display. “We’ve built a great team of consultants who have the knowledge and experience to lead Rise Display into new markets.”
About Rise Display, Inc.
Rise Display has provided digital signage solutions for more than 15 years, and has more than 1,000 installations at financial institutions and businesses across North America, including at more than 100 business schools. Our Complete Display Solution enables companies to attract attention and deliver messages to their target audiences via Interactive Digital Signage, Traditional Digital Signage, LED Tickers, and other large-format public displays. Our approach ensures that companies deploy the best solution for the application, and that the displays look great long after installation. For more information, visit http://www.risedisplay.com.
Why NOT to use Stolen Data on Digital Signage
Posted on Thu, November 5, 2009
To further expand on my posting from yesterday on Content Design: Balancing Live Data with User Messaging I took this picture at a hotel in Florida with digital signage that was borrowing content from the web.
While it may be hard to see in the picture, it was equally as hard to see in person. Instead of paying for licensed data that the client could use software tools to properly format to ensure it looked good with their content design, they choose to embed a web component designed to be viewed on your desktop at very close range and was virtually impossible to read on the LCD screen. I was very disappointed to see such a high class facility, use such rudimentary software to create digital signage.
The devil is in the detail with content and if you cheap out viewers will notice your digital sign for the wrong reason.
Content Design: Balancing Live Data with User Messaging
Posted on Wed, November 4, 2009
Incorporating live data such as financial market updates, sports scores, news headlines and local weather into your digital signage content is a great way to make your display a destination and keep your visitors entertained every time they pass by. Check out the enclosed graphic showing a creative design utilized by one of our university client to help them convey their message along with a nice mixture of real-time information to capture attention.
Many users question costs for licensed data because they can go grab similar information for free from Google or Yahoo. Why is that data free? Because those websites are trying to attract your traffic in pursuit of pay-for-click or advertising revenue. While those data services may be free to visitors someone is ultimately paying for the rights to display the information and if you read the website user terms many of them specifically say it is for personal use and not allowed for public display. Another concern with using “free” data from the web is that it could be unreliable or go away at any time. What is to prevent that website from changing their design and removing the data service you are using.
In summary using live data is a great way to make your display stand out, just make sure you use an authorized source so you don’t wake up to find a key element of your content is missing.
Creating a Sports Watching Atmosphere
Posted on Tue, November 3, 2009
The new sports bar at Muckleshoot Casino is brought to life with a custom full color LED ticker display designed by Rise Display. The ticker shows current sports scores from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA Basketball, and NCAA Football along with the latest healdine news to keep guests captivated. In addition to showing the latest sports information the casino can quickly and easily add drink specials, promotions, and other announcements via the web-based digital signage software application - Display Wire.
Atmosphere is everything in creating a serious sports watching environment. Nothing adds atmosphere like a sports ticker display
NDSU College of Business is buzzing with Digital Signage
Posted on Mon, November 2, 2009
On August 24, Richard H. Barry Hall opened its doors to more than 4,000 students, faculty and staff as the new home of the College of Business and Departments of Agribusiness and Applied Economics.
The new College of Business building at NDSU is buzzing with technology. With 20 digital LCD displays providing student messaging and 4 LED tickers with a combined length of over 100 feet showing the latest in market conditions students and visitors alike can see experience financial atmosphere from the moment they walk inside the door. The new facility boasts two finance labs to provide students with a real-world trading environment, and as you exit each elevator you are greeted with a 40” NEC LCD providing you with the latest market conditions, campus events, and classroom information.
Aloft Hotels install 35th LED Ticker in the United States
Posted on Mon, November 2, 2009
Aloft Hotels, a fast-growing brand for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, completed their 35th property in the United States this past week. The hotels feature an urban-influenced, open and airy design, with the centerpiece to the lobby being a 30 to 40 foot Rise Ticker display. In addition to news headlines and property information, the LED tickers feature promotional and branding messages, including special offers from hotel partners. The LED tickers are simply updated via any computer connected to the internet, which enables Aloft hotel staff to incorporate new ideas quickly and easily.
With several hundred properties planned globally over the next few years, the tickers help bring the lobbies to life and create a unique technology atmosphere for the next generation of traveler.
If you would like to visit a property in person to experience the atmosphere created by the LED ticker, a directory of current and planned properties can be viewed online.
