IMS Digital Signage Solutions

Client Case Study: Cephalon

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Account Background: Cephalon was founded in 1987 as a biotech start-up, and has grown into one of the world’s top ten biopharmaceutical companies. Cephalon corporate headquarters are located in Frazer, PA and the company has over 3,000 employees in multiple, global locations. Cephalon selected IMS’ Digital Signage Solutions Group to replace an exiting digital signage system with CastNET/Scala and rolled out the first phase to all Pennsylvania locations and Salt Lake City.

Project Synopsis: “Changing over to the CastNET/Scala solution for our digital signage system was based on CastNET’s ease of use and IMS’ reputation as an established integrator with support and service staff well trained in digital signage and integrated AV” states Lewis Weinstein, Senior Manager of Telecommunications and AV at Cephalon.

“This system has allowed us to manage our time and content more effectively while expanding the type of content we can offer,” states Jeanette Diebold, Cephalon Manager of Multimedia Communications.

Lewis and Jeanette agree that the goal for this project is to provide communications in an interesting format to employees, associates, and visitors within all Cephalon facilities. This information might contain still images, pre-recorded video, live video or a combination of these.

Standardized design templates have been created by the Corporate Communications department and disseminated from the Frazer Corporate Center to each of several major locations. Local content will be managed within Pennsylvania and Salt Lake City where the scheduling and sequencing of slides will play within the ongoing display loop.

Pictured Above: Cephalon Corporate Headquarters at Westbrook in Frazer, PA has strategically placed flat panel displays in the public and employee lobbies as well as locations near the cafes and fitness center. Each display can accept custom designed content from two unique channels and is easily scheduled and updated for employees and visitors. Cephalon has plans to expand to more domestic locations and also in France and the UK with possible additions of channels and displays at the currently deployed sites.

Digital Signage for Corporate Communications:

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:41:00 +0000

Communications, IT and Facilities Professionals:

Are you looking for an effective and efficient way to facilitate communication with staff, visitors and special guests?

Do you need to find new ways to inform people of special events, schedules and procedures?

Then you are invited to attend our special Digital Signage event on March 25, 2009!

Included in the agenda:

Overview of the digital signage medium
Available technologies
Applications within corporate institutions including retail, banks and finance, manufacturing, healthcare, hotels and casinos, restaurants/bars, and public spaces
Approaches to implementation, management, and content creation

Learn how an innovative yet easy-to-implement digital signage network can enhance and simplify communication efforts, both internally and externally, by streamlining the distribution of important information. We will show you how our clients have realized an increase in productivity and revenue by employing our digital signage expertise, and how you can utilize visually-compelling and constantly changing content to achieve the same results.

Digital Signage for Corporate Communications

DATE: March 25, 2009
TIME: 9:00 am -11:00 am
LOCATION: 3055 McCann Farm Drive, Suite #105. Garnet Valley, PA 19061
HOSTED BY: Jack Cary Manager - Digital Signage Solutions

Digital Signage News and Upcoming Events!

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:02:00 +0000

Hello and Happy New Year from IMS Audio Visual!

We would like to take this opportunity to inform you about and cordially invite you to attend two exciting, education-specific events:

Panasonic Higher Education Technology Forum

Panasonic will be hosting a Forum for higher education professionals in which you can preview their new single-chip DLP projector series
.

On the intinerary:

Advanced training by factory engineers in projector networking, control systems monitoring and management
Keynote luncheon
See the flyer below for more information, and to register for the January 28 event taking place in Philadelphia at the Sheraton University City Hotel.

Digital Signage for Schools and Communities: Communications, Content and Curriculum

IMS is offering select educational professionals the opportunity to learn more about today's Digital Signage applications.

Blending Content Creation into Curriculum
How Digital Signage can help with Campus Security & Emergency News
Dynamic Content Automation for Scheduling and Admissions
Digital Directories & Interactive Way Finding
Using "Live Video" to Enhance Community Broadcasts

DATE:
February 11, 2009

TIME:
11:00 am - 1:00 pm

LOCATION:
3055 McCann Farm Drive, Suite 105 Garnet Valley, PA 19061

CONTACT:
Jack Cary - Manager, Digital Signage Solutions (610) 361-1870

REPLY TO:
jcary@ims-av.com

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to your participation!

Jack Cary
Manager, Digital Signage Solutions
IMS Audio Visual, Inc.

Auto-Trigger Your Emergency Messaging Services via Digital Signage

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:23:00 +0000

Info Source: (Digital Signage Weekly)

Timing is critical when it comes to broadcasting emergency messages to students, employees or customers and now with Digital Display Group’s new Live Safety Live Control interface, your digital signage system can be updated instantaneously by your existing security and other protection networks.

Everything from severe weather alert warnings to critical security announcements can be made immediately, thanks to a new component of the CastNET interface. The software can be configured to broadcast these messages system-wide or only to selected displays, and can be created right from the interface or triggered automatically from fire alarms or other monitoring systems.

Here’s the official statement from Digital Display Group’s product manager Joshua Hoffer: "The Live Safety Live Control option gives customers a whole new level of control and purpose to their digital signage system. CastNET powered digital signage can now be used for more than advertising and employee communication; it can be used to give warnings to guests, employees, or customers. Live Safety Live Control also gives users the ability to immediately display immediate special announcements with a simple click of the mouse or from an outside trigger."

IMS is your partner in consulting, designing and installing CastNet and many other digital signage elements. We are an award-winning team of engineers, designers and installation technicians dedicated to the successful integration of technology for your specific needs.

Contact Jack Cary at jcary@ims-av.com or call IMS at 610-361-1870

Best of InfoComm 2008

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:06:00 +0000

Each year, the most innovative products in the Audio Visual Integration industry are revealed during the InfoComm Convention in Las Vegas.

And as always, your IMS Audio Visual representatives have brought back stacks of samples, giveaways and brochures from ground-breaking developers and manufacturers
...with you in mind!

Here are a few of the freshest new products that we've specifically hand-picked to promote to our clientele. We're looking forward to discussing these opportunities and services with our valued customers!

- The IMS Team

Read Our Top Picks from InfoComm 2008 (Drop Down+/-)

Building-wide Lighting Control Systems

AV taking prominence in LEED Certification

See significant energy savings
by allowing Crestron's newest application
automatically adjust lights, drapes, thermostats and sprinklers/fountains based on daylight, time, motion, occupancy, temperature, humidity and other conditions. Monitor and control all these elements from any computer with RoomView remote management software.

Tidebreak
The ultimate team collaboration tool!

Eliminate the laptop huddle. Capture input from multiple participants on one common display while they copy and paste text to and from each other. Disseminate meeting notes instantaneously and automatically. Perfect for classrooms or group work sessions.

Crestron 6X

The Uber-stylish touch screen!

Designed for speed and versatility. With back-lit pushbuttons and sleek glossy finish, it looks great on the desktop then transforms into a portable wireless RF device. View full-screen, full-motion video on the brilliant color screen.

Panasonic's Self-Cleaning Filter Technology

A service and repair Godsend!

Up to an incredible 5,000 hours on one high-efficiency electrostatic filter!

Teliris Teleprescence

Share anything to anybody..anywhere!

Documents, video, audio, presentations and a wide range of other content can be instantaneously shared and manipulated across any number of locations, naturally and easily, as if participants are in the same room. This is the first-ever multi-touch surface designed specifically for immersive collaboration business use.

Instant Access to Handheld MobileDevices

A Breakthrough for College Campus Communication!

From security notifications to campus events, all types of messaging can now be relayed immediatly via RSS feed to PDA's, Blackberries, digital displays and online readers through a multi-channel platform by Nexus Media.

VBrick Online Streaming

Start Streaming Today!

An affordable online presence available through VBoss's end to end solution for capturing, streaming, managing, monetizing, and delivering your video content.

To learn more about any of these promising new developments in integraton and information technology, contact IMS Audio Visual.

On the web at www.ims-av.com

ph: 610-361-1870
fx: 610-361-1873

New Facility Showcases Possibilities

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:53:00 +0000

Earlier this year, our organization moved from 2 separate warehouse and office locations into a combined joined space of 26,000 square feet in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania. Through months of planning and discussions with each internal department, we were able to design a fully-customized and personalized home intended not only to gain additional warehouse/office space, but to increase employee productivity and efficiency as well as provide an environment where our very own products and services could be showcased in a real-world setting to our potential clients.

As they enter our new building through the lobby, visitors are greeted by a reception desk (with an actual human being!), but enhanced with multiple digital signage displays utilizing the very same hardware and software applications that are in many of our Digital Signage and AV Integration projects. In addition to current time, weather and scrolling news headlines these displays also promote via video (created in-house) the various divisions and services of our organization.

Before their arrival on-site, a digital greeting has been created with our guest’s names and professional affiliation, which is incorporated into the running loop of digital video content. Not only does this promote our services and make our visitors feel welcomed, it allows for them to see in a real-world environment what can be achieved through the digital signage solutions we provide at IMS.

This experience continues as we meet with clients in our main boardroom, equipped with the same electronic projection screens, touch-panel control systems and hide-away, in-ceiling projectors that we’ve installed for many of our customers. As we go through our sales pitch, not only are the products described in PowerPoint slides, but can be seen, heard and experienced first hand, with a literal “hands-on” experience. Clients can see how AV elements can easily be integrated into existing room décor, controlled with a graphic-based interface and see a fully-functioning video conferencing solution between our other smaller conference rooms.

We’ve gone even further by allowing our visitors to view the guts and inner workings of the AV systems they plan on purchasing. Our servers, racks and monitors that operate our in-house system are regular stops on the tour through the building. Our clients want to know that whoever does their next install can do so in a clean and efficient manner, so we allow them to look behind the curtain at our own racks of gear, installed and wired by the very hands that will be putting together the system for our clients.

Upstairs, in the Event Staging Warehouse and Offices, our clients can see just what emphasis we put into proper processes, planning and organization. We’ve designed our warehouse from scratch with efficiency first and foremost. Our loading docks range from street-level, drive-in doors to van height docks to tractor-trailer height docks, to accommodate whatever situation may arise. All cable and gear are arranged to avoid unnecessary ladder usage; enhancing the safety of personnel and equipment. The space is laid out to promote the flow of gear from the shelves to the staging area and then to the trucks. Upon return, the gear is off-loaded into an area separate from the staging area, accessible to QC and repair stations (with dedicated areas for audio, video and lighting) before being returned to the shelves.

Safety for our drivers is also a big priority, and we provide each vehicle with visor-attached pouches containing registration & insurance cards, gas cards, accident information packets as well as disposable cameras for incident documentation.

Rental inventory control is maintained through a wireless barcode scanning procedure, which is integrating directly into our show planning, venue information and billing applications

These are some of the highlights of IMS’ new home! Through the entire planning stage we’ve focused on functionality, efficiency, employee safety and the ability to showcase our services in a working environment for our clients. We’re very proud of the accomplishments and growth that we’ve seen in this past year and plan to use our new facility to bring in many new clients for Event Staging, AV Integration, Digital Signage and Video Production opportunities!

Scala Debuts InfoChannel 5 Release 3

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:28:00 +0000

IMS Audio Visual is excited to announce Scala's InfoChannel 5 Release 3. This new release shows Scala’s continued commitment to being the world leader in digital signage software. InfoChannel 5 Release 3 adds new features and modules, performance improvements and fixes.

InfoChannel Designer ScreenShot Content Manager Screen Shot

IMS Design/Build & Digital Signage Solutions

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:36:00 +0000

IMS Provides Pilot Retail Location with Digital Signage

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:16:00 +0000

IMS Audio Visual recently installed a Nexus Digital Signage system at US Supply’s newest retail location in Spring City, PA.

Read More +/-

After some careful decision making during the discovery phase or the project, management at US Supply decided to deploy to the retail location by first using their newest location as a pilot. US Supply settled on Nexus after evaluated several other options.

The key reason was Nexus’ ability to provide a “hosted solution” reducing the initial capital expenditure and leveraging the knowledge and content development experience of the Nexus team.

The system includes a 37” LCD display located behind the cashier stations. Audio is also provided through directional ceiling speakers that are hung above the areas where contractors congregate during checkout. A single networked player allows content to be updated quickly and easily through the Nexus web portal. Content provides customers with information about the newest products, local news and weather and promotional video clips.

US Supply operates 15 retail locations in the mid-atlantic area with expansion plans to add more in the new future. Each store will eventually be equipped with at least a single screen and all stores will be able to brand and identify their corporate identity as well as display local news, weather and items of local interest. All of the content can be accessed and controlled through a web interface and managed through one central location.

For more information about IMS Digital Signage Solutions contact Jack Cary, Manager of Digital Signage, at jcary@ims-av.com or call IMS Audio Visual at 610-361-1870

Digital Signage Expo 2008 Review

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:35:00 +0000

Digital Signage Expo
Las Vegas, Nevada
February 26-28, 2008

by Jack Cary, Manager of Digital Signage, IMS Audio Visual, Philadelphia, PA

Having been to Vegas for industry trade shows almost every year for the past 20 years I was ready to draw comparisons between those events and this, my first experience at DSE. The show was no disappointment. The reviews and conversations all qualified this year’s event as the biggest and the best in the shows history.

Digital Signage by IMS on YouTube

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:39:00 +0000

With our growing capabilities in the areas of video production and editing, we has launched our own Channel on YouTube, highlighting the various Divisions of our organization through short video reels showcasing our work and some of our people.

Currently, we are operating 5 business units: Show Services & Event Staging, System Integration, Service, Digital Signage and Video Content Production. Check out the piece on Digital Signage below and the rest at IMS Audio Visual's YouTube Channel.

Stay tuned for new updates and new video reels highlighting our projects and other successes throughout our company!

IMS Receives 2008 DigiAward

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:43:00 +0000

IMS Audio Visual, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded the 2008 DIGI Award for Excellence in Creativity, Healthcare, from The Digital Signage Group. This recognition is for the Digital Signage Design and Integration of a custom system at Plymouth Meeting, PA. based Health Advocate, Inc.

IMS Audio Visual Signs Official Digital Signage Partnerships

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:14:00 +0000

IMS Audio Visual has reached an agreement with Scala and has gained status as a value-added reseller. IMS, utilizing Scala's™ high-powered and world recognized software, will offer complete, turnkey solutions, software and maintenance. Leveraging 14 years of experience and a 42+ employee team, IMS has the design, engineering, project management, integration and support services to help customers as they develop their short and long range plans for Digital Signage roll outs.

In addition to Scala's Info Channel 5™ software, IMS Audio Visual will enhance the power of Scala by also offering CastNET™. CastNET is a web-browser based compliment solution that works in harmony with Scala to create an even-easier to use digital signage solution. CastNET empowers many users to create and update content easily through any web-browser, from any PC, without the need for any additional installed software. CastNET provides over 700 template combinations that allow multiple users to update content fast, without having any graphics experience. IMS Audio Visual is positioning Scala and CastNET as high-end digital signage solutions for many applications but directed toward corporate, higher education and gaming customers.

IMS Audio Visual Announces New Digital Signage Division

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:02:00 +0000

As the demand from customers for digital signage solutions has increased, IMS Audio Visual has responded by announcing a new division to focus on this need. IMS has hired a Manager ofDigital Signage Solutions with 25 years experience in the industry to spearhead this growth and has assembled a team of existing sales, support, engineering and service resources as a foundation for this exciting new division.

Read More +/-

IMS has conducted extensive market research to establish the best possible blend of products and services to help customers seeking communications solutions. Twelve of the most dominate digital signage developers were chosen for analysis and each was required to provide information based on a thirty category comparison grid. The final group was then interviewed and asked to provide demonstrations of the products and four companies emerged as IMS partners for the Digital Signage Solutions Division.

AGN Pro +/-

An east coast firm offering a diverse lineup of digital signage “appliance” products ideal for entry level systems and stand-alone signage projects. All AGN I PRO products offer compact size, plug-and-play ease of use, simple, inexpensive software and no requirement for “high-powered” PCs.

Scala, Inc. +/-

Headquartered in Exton, Pa with operations in California, the UK, Norway, The Netherlands, China and Japan. Scala is used by some of the largest digital signage engagements and most respectable partners in the industry. InfoChannel 5™ introduces the brand-new InfoChannel Content Manager™ which together with other significant Authoring, Network Management and Playback enhancements ensures that this next generation of digital signage software offers unequaled new features including a new 3D-based rendering engine for improved visual quality and performance and multiple independent output channels per remote Player PC dramatically reducing hardware costs at remote playback locations.

AGN Pro +/-

A web-enabled digital signage solution which was developed to enhance Scala. CastNET works with Scala adding a fully web-enabled feature that allows you to add, update and manage information displayed on any digital display via a simple web browser like Explorer™. An easy 4-step interface empowers many users to share in the content creation and updating process through hundreds of provided templates. Graphics, text and HD quality, full motion video can all be combined in a simple to use, scalable application.

Nexus +/-

A Dallas based digital signage company with offices in Oklahoma, the UK and Malaysia provides two distinct levels of digital signage products. Nexus On-Demand is a “software- as-a-service” offering for clients who do not wish to purchase and manage an on site solution. Nexus CS is an online content and network management suite that is utilized to develop and control enterprise media applications and networks. The Nexus solutions are currently used by companies such as CB Richard Ellis, The University of Oklahoma, EDS, and Pioneer Electronics.

IMS Audio Visual has over 10 years experience in the dynamic AV business under the leadership of Jill and John Renninger and is considered one of the fastest expanding AV companies in the region. IMS operates two business units: Show Services/Event Staging and Audio Visual “Design/Build” integration.

For more information contact Jack R. Cary at 610-361-1870 or jcary@ims-av.com

Using Shure Products for Reliability & Flexibility

noreply@blogger.com (IMS Audio Visual) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:21:00 +0000

Since our very first days in the AV industry, IMS Audio Visual has utilized Shure Products for their reliability and accurate audio reproduction.

From the rugged and road-tested durability of the SM 58s and Beta 57s to the sleek and elegant design of the MX series gooseneck microphones, Shure microphones can always be found in various key functions on our corporate staging productions as well as our permanent AV integration projects

[Shure Microflex Boundary mics on the job for a global consulting firm's executive boardroom]

Our latest acquisitions on the Event Staging side has been the amazingly versatile Shure UHF-R Series for wireless handhelds and laveliers. The transmitter/receiver sync capability is a priceless time-saving functionality and the extra-wide range of available frequencies allows us to maintain clean, drop-out free signal in the overly crammed airwaves in the major East Coast metropolitan areas.

[Multiple Shure products (auto-mixers, UHF-R Bands and ULXPs in use for a major pharmaceutical client]

Our clients have come to expect flawless execution of each project or event they do with IMS and Shure Professional Audio products play a critical role in delivering our continuous world-class service.