CHICAGO — NEC Display Solutions of America Inc. and Cisco announced a collaboration to deliver a function-rich digital signage solution. NEC Display Solutions will offer its suite of large-screen MultiSync LCD displays while Cisco will offer its Cisco Digital Signage solution to provide digital signage customers rich marketing, advertising and training functionality — in addition to unique operational ease and efficiency.

Cisco Digital Signage solution is an advanced offering for management, publishing and playback of digital media on networked digital signage displays.

"We have not seen the full potential of digital signage due to a lack of flexible network-based offerings. The Cisco Digital Signage and NEC Display Solutions combination has the potential to drive digital signage into prime time," said Melissa Webster, program director, Content and Digital Media Technologies, IDC.

"Global operations and rapidly changing business conditions require signs that can be adjusted quickly, and with the way this solution uses the network as the platform, this can be done remotely. It is clear that enterprises will be able to gain strong support from these two leading companies." "Recently there has been terrific growth in the digital signage market — more companies are recognizing the possibilities of out-of-home media in retail; marketing messages during business hours; corporate communication before and after," said Chris Cicmanec, technical director, broadcast production and emerging content, DraftFCB. "We see Cisco and NEC partnered entry into the digital signage business as the start of a new era — bridging the gap between marketing strategy and IT requirements. Since Cisco already provides the backbone to many corporate networks, we are excited they are offering a powerful, value-added platform to deliver messaging for this channel."

This article is excerpted from Digital Signage Today published on Jan 21, 2007.