ETOBICOKE, Ontario – January 29, 2009 – Rise Vision, Inc., a provider of a web-based content management system for the control of digital signage networks, announces that Tech Data Corporation will distribute the Rise Display Network to its value-added reseller customers via its Digital Signage and Projectors Specialized Business Unit (SBU). Tech Data offers a broad line of displays, cabling, mounts and other digital signage components and accessories in addition to the Rise Display Network, providing its resellers with a complete digital signage offering.

Rise Vision provides a variety of programs to help its channel partners grow their businesses, including the Private Network Program, which offers volume discounts and the ability for resellers to build a branded digital signage network for their customers based on the Rise Display Network platform. By partnering with Tech Data and its dedicated SBU, Rise Vision will increase engagement, support, and education for its reseller community.

“Rise Vision is committed to expanding the availability of our digital signage content management solution, and is proud to add Tech Data as a partner in our distribution channel,” says Ryan Cahoy, Managing Director, Rise Vision, Inc. “Our Private Network Program will enable the Tech Data resellers to brand Rise Display Network as their own solution, and our Software-as-a-Service platform will help them reach the small- and medium-sized companies that are so important to their business.”

Tech Data reseller customers operate across all key verticals, including markets with significant growth opportunities for digital signage such as healthcare, retail, and hospitality. Many of Its reseller customers have expertise in the networking environment, and digital signage offers them an opportunity to add depth to their offerings to existing customers. Tech Data’s Digital Signage and Projectors SBU has an experienced team of professionals dedicated to giving IT resellers the service and support they need to sell these high-margin solutions.

“Digital signage touches a myriad of vertical markets and represents tremendous growth potential for VARs,” says Wendy Linsky, Tech Data’s vice president of Peripherals Product Marketing, “Because Rise Display Network is a Software-as-a-Service solution, it’s easy to deploy and has low start-up and infrastructure costs, which are key selling points for resellers supporting the IT needs of small and medium businesses”

The Rise Display Network is a web-based, Software-as-a-Service content management system operated by Rise Vision. Subscriptions include access to live content such as news headlines, local weather, sports scores, and stock ticker updates. Users incorporate this live content with their own information, including media files, graphics, and text, and publish it directly to their network of digital signs. The new Private Network Operator program provides resellers with a personalized log-in page where they can promote branding, cross-selling, and event messages directly to end users every time they access their digital signage networks.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is one of the world’s largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 100,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these value-added resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 105th on the FORTUNE 500(R), Tech Data generated $23.4 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2008. To learn more, visit www.techdata.com.

About Rise Vision, Inc.

Rise Vision, Inc. owns, develops, and operates the Rise Display Network, a web-based, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) content management system for digital signage that brings live data, custom messages, and content to thousands of displays. The Rise Display Network is a web service that does not require hosting infrastructure; users login from any Internet-accessible browser to update, control, and monitor their displays, or use their smart-phone browser to send critical alerts. Every display needs a message – we believe that it should be as easy as creating that message from the web, anywhere, anytime and knowing that it has been delivered. It’s that simple. For more information, call 877.538.7473 or visit http://www.risevision.com.

Contacts:
<table style=”text-align: left; width: 100%;” border=”0″>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=”vertical-align: top;”>Todd Hemme<br>
Rise Vision, Inc.<br>
913-538-6988<br>
todd.hemme@risevision.com </td>
<td style=”vertical-align: top;”>Alison Harris<br>
Harris Media Services<br>
207-829-4500<br>
alison@harrismediaservices.com</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Digital Signage Software, Software-as-a-Service

“Software as a service”. “On-demand applications”. “Application service providers”. “Cloud computing”. If you’ve spent any amount of time online lately, you’ve probably heard some of these terms. But what do they mean exactly?

Digtial Signage at Auburn

Simply put, they’re referring to a new and increasingly popular way to use software: through the Internet.

The way that most of us are used to thinking about using computer applications is the traditional “boxed software” approach: you buy a program, install it on your own computer, and use it exclusively on that single computer. When your single licensed copy of that software becomes outdated, you purchase the updated version, install it on that same computer, and so on.

By contrast, a program delivered “as a service” is installed on the Internet. You don’t have to install anything on your own computer. So instead of purchasing a single “boxed” version and installing it on a single computer, you purchase a subscription to the program, which gives you access to it, at any time, via the Internet. Your license allows you to use any computer on the planet – as long as it’s connected to the Internet – to access and use the software.

It’s a different way of thinking about using software. And once you try it, the many conveniences of this Software as a Service (or “SaaS”) approach become obvious, quickly. If there was one word to summarize the advantages of this new approach, it would be “easy”.

To begin with, you can say goodbye to all your installation, deployment and upgrading hassles. Since you’re not physically installing anything on any of your computers, you don’t have to experience any delays when you want to use the latest version of the program.

And most importantly, you’re no longer tethered to any one single computer. Since the program you’re subscribing to is installed on the Internet, you can log in and access it from any computer that has an Internet connection. Anytime.

That’s why we’ve built the Rise Display Network as an SaaS. It’s a great fit for digital signage applications, because it enables you to get up and running quickly. It’s completely scalable, from one display to a virtually unlimited number of displays. It has a low initial cost. You don’t have to reinstall anything on every one of your network’s computers every time a new version is released – which is often, because we’re always updating the features in Rise Display Network. And you don’t need any special hardware, IT experts, or programmers to make the program work. Just fire up the web browser on any Internet-enabled computer, anywhere in the world, to gain instant and full access to the Rise Display Network.

What do you think?   Lend me your insights on Software as a Service for digital signage applications.

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Ryan Cahoy is the Managing Director of Rise Vision the owner, developer, and operator of the Rise Display Network. Learn more at www.risevision.com

Digital Signage Software, Software-as-a-Service

I was speaking with a reseller the other day that was frustrated with digital signage because he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t getting more deals to close.  I started asking him questions to see if I could help and after just a few minutes I realized he was making a very common mistake.  He was expecting the software to sell the system.  His sales approach was to get a meeting with the client, get them interested in the concept and his closing push was always to have them download the software and try for themselves.  His expectation was to come back the next week and pick up the order.

The fact is that most digital signage software (our Rise Display Network included) has a lot of flexibility, and with flexibility comes complexity. There are many intricacies with digital signage systems and without the proper introduction an end user not familiar with digital signage  will feel overwhelmed, thus leading to a poor evaluation experience.  In many cases the end user doesn’t really know what they want, and if they don’t know what they want how will a free trial help.

Software trials can help close deals if positioned correctly, but they can also kill a sale if poorly executed. Below are my top 5 reasons why software free trials fail along with my suggestions to help make sure your next trial goes smoothly.

Why Free Trials fail:

• The client dusts off an old computer that is underpowered, configured incorrectly, or has a poor quality video card.  Any of these factors will make content look bad even on the best of software platforms.
• The user tries evaluating both the “player” and “editor” components on a single PC such as their laptop.  This is because the end user doesn’t know that in the real world these are nearly always split.
• They evaluation environment doesn’t  have a large format display.  Evaluating content on a 15″ screen at low resolution has a significant difference in contrast to a HD screen that is 40+ inches.
• No defined content direction or design to evaluate.  Content is king, so with the right message every evaluator will say it hits the mark, but leave them a blank screen to place some random boxes at the wrong aspect ratio with 5 different colored borders and anyone will give it a thumbs down.
• The resolution of the demo content, the video card of the media player, and the actual LCD display being used for the demo don’t properly match up.  The result here is skud or stretched content or even black bars if something doesn’t fit – again not providing “wow factor”

How to succeed at a Free Trial:

The best free trial is a controlled environment.  Most established resellers will have a demo center where they have good quality, commercial grade LCDs, dedicated media players, and an environment where you can properly experiment.  In this environment you know all of the components and they will likely be the same quality as what you are recommending to your client so they can get an accurate picture of the final outcome.  If you don’t have one I strongly encourage you invest in one to help up your success rate for demos.

If you do need to set the client up with a 30 day evaluation at their site here are some tips for success:

• Make sure you either provide the LCD screen or know what model they are using.  Don’t let them pull a 5 year old plasma TV off the wall that is burned in.  I recommend working with your distribution partner to get a manufacturer involved and know what resolution the display runs native at.
• Provide the client with a computer identical to what you are suggesting for the deployment.  This way you know the capabilities and you can make sure Windows is properly configured for things like shutting off screen savers, minimizing task bars, installing 3rd party applications like Flash Player or Windows Media Player , and all Windows Updates are applied.  A full check list of Windows tweeks we recommend are found here.
• The most important step is understand what message the end user wants to communicate and have the proper content design in place.  Make sure the design uses their colors, logo, and branding elements in a cohesive and professional design.  I hate to repeat myself, but content is king – this single step can help set the tone for your clients evaluation of your offering.
• Set up their software account for them.  In the case of a SaaS application such as ours have all of their users in place, their appliance(s) registered, content set up and hand them their username and password.
• As you hand them their login information take them through a quick overview of how to log in and show them how to make some changes based on your understanding of what they want to accomplish so they can see how it works.  At a minimum direct the user to a webinar or training session where they can learn how to use the system.

Your best chance for success is to have the client walk in and see exactly what they envisioned running on the screen.  In many cases the client didn’t really want to take the time to build something themselves in the software, what they really wanted was you to understand their need and come to them with a solution – that is the “trial”.  If you demonstrate your expertise and while setting up the “trial” and answer all of their concerns, you may leave the “trial” with an agreement to move forward with deploying their system.

In summary don’t expect the software to do all of the work.  As a salesperson, take the time to understand what they want to accomplish and then if you need to set up that 30 day trial make sure your put the right components in place to ensure success.

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Ryan Cahoy is the Managing Director of Rise Vision the owner, developer, and operator of the Rise Display Network. Learn more at www.risevision.com

Digital Signage Software, Software-as-a-Service

While dirt-cheap prices on consumer grade LCD TVs have helped drive record growth in digital signage, it also creates headaches for digital signage resellers trying to provide the best solution for an application.  We have all run into the customer that just put the latest 1080P, HD LCD in his/her home at a ridiculously low price from the local discount big box mart and they don’t understand the price difference.  A study from Pacific Media Associates found that less than 40% of the monitors in corporate boardrooms were commercial grade and that over half of the companies surveyed were just planning to purchase their next flat panel from Wal-mart or Best Buy.

While a company can get away with putting a consumer grade product in a boardroom since they likely only use it a few hours a day, taking the same consumer strategy can be a costly mistake with digital signage intended to run a majority of the day.  Integrators selling consumer grade products are setting themselves up for the potential of big problems down the road.  Saving the money today can be very costly in the months and years to come as you struggle to service the displays.

The main  problem with consumer displays is they are designed to run 4 to 6 hours a day not 16 to 24.  Commercial grade displays from leading manufacturers such as NEC, Samsung or LG are designed to dissipate heat and use higher grade components to act more reliably during the more intense usage.  As that consumer grade display continues to run it gets hotter and hotter thus increasing the likelihood of failure.

When (not if) you encounter a failure, this is where the real difference between commercial and consumer grade comes to light – warranty.  With a consumer grade product you typically get a 90 day warranty but in most cases if you read the fine print that warranty is void when you use the display in a commercial setting.  A commercial grade product typically comes with a 3 year warranty and some manufacturers that includes on-site service.  As a reseller or integrator you want to know the warranty.  The last thing you want to do is start a relationship with a local university, hospital, or corporation, provide them a consumer grade product and have it fail in 6 months.   to go explain to your client that the product is no longer under warranty – probably not a pleasant conversation.

As an integrator help educate your customers on the benefits of using the right product and sell a solution not just a display.  If you get into debating specific brands and model numbers because the client has spent weeks on the internet looking for the cheapest deal take a hard look at the opportunity and decide if it is right for your business.

If you would like to learn more about the comparisons between commercial and consumer LCD products please visit the links below:

Brawn Consulting White Paper

Pro AV Magazine

NEC White Paper

Ryan Cahoy is the Managing Director of Rise Vision the owner, developer, and operator of the Rise Display Network.

Digital Signage Software, LCD Displays

I was flying through the Greenville, SC airport a few weeks ago when I noticed some Flight Information Displays with an unusual static sign on them – “Do Not Touch Screen”.

This tells me not only has the public embraced digital signage, but they want to interact with it.   The advancements in touch screen technology from personal communication devices such as iPhones and Blackberries have trained us how to interact with content and as a society we have come to expect every LCD display to be respond to our touch.

As interactivity becomes more common it will be less about the content and more about the experience.  Just telling your client about your latest promotions or programs won’t be enough.  They will want to touch it, resize it, make it larger, zoom in, or move on to something that is of more interest to them all of this while providing an experience that is fun and cool.

The inevitable trend for 2009 and beyond is interactivity, so if you are considering digtial signage you should investigate making it interactive.

Interactive Touch Screens