Network Digital Signage: Infrastructure, Displays, Software and Technology

Digital signage networks are a new, compelling communications platform between storefronts, advertisers, and shoppers. Digital displays supplant static ink-and-paper signage because the advertising is more vibrant, and because of IP connectivity, the advertising copy can be changed dynamically. Revenues from digital signage opportunities abound for infrastructure providers and installers, wireless semiconductor manufacturers, digital display manufacturers, end-to-end software providers, content creators, and advertisers.

• As the digital signage network ecosystem grows and innovates, there are nonetheless questions.
• How do recent global economic conditions affect the industry?
• What display form-factors are most popular in digital signage networks?
• Ethernet is the most common digital display interconnect; will wireless connections between displays ever take hold?
• What differentiates the major software providers?

Like many technologies, digital signage is the sum of the growth of many applications. One of the key observations that MultiMedia Intelligence makes is that there has to be consolidation among software providers before the focus moves from winning business to innovating and customizing digital signage software suites.

It is an exciting time in digital signage, as networks become increasingly dynamic. Analytical tools are being integrated into digital displays and have the potential to change a message or promotion depending upon the age and gender of the person interacting with the display. Displays can use direction sound, have touch screen interfaces, and, even emit scent to passersby. Customers can have short-codes prompted to their phones, which means that coupons could be printed or URLs can be sent offering a customer the incentive to visit a company's website.

MultiMedia Intelligence believes that digital signage networks have a permanent place in the communications landscape. The biggest immediate challenge to digital signage is the current global economy. But once that red-flag is lowered, it is likely that investment in digital signage solutions will be as great as it has ever been.

Network Digital Signage: Infrastructure, Displays, Software and Technology analyzes the digital signage network market in regards to:

Expected Worldwide Expenditures for

• Digital Displays
• Digital Media Players
• Infrastructure Costs Including Cabling and Labor

Display Interconnect

Software is Covered from the Perspective of Applications such as

• Analytics
• 3D
• Holographic displays
• Touch screen

Software Service Providers are Compared by a Matrix

End-user Cost of End-to-end Software Providers
Forecasts are provided on an annual or per monthly average (e.g. PB/month) from 2007 through 2012.

Forecasts include:

• Digital Billboards - Revenue and Units Sold for Manufacturers and First-Year Costs and Maintenance
• Digital Displays by Type and Digital Media Players by Type and Storage Solution
• Set-top boxes with TV Tuners by Video Broadcasting Protocol
• Costs Associated with Digital Signage Networks in cabling and Installations
• Percentage of Wireless Interfaces that ask a Customer to Opt-in (RFID, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular)
• Regional and Individual Country Spending for Digital Signage Software