CARROLLTON, TX - FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® and SIGNWAVE® sign and graphics centers with over 550 locations worldwide, announces a partnership with Scala and NEC Unified Solutions—two industry leaders in the field of digital signage—to implement its dynamic digital signage program. FASTSIGNS centers are making digital signage available to the mainstream marketplace by offering a viable and attainable option regardless of the size of the business.
As technology has evolved and businesses look for new, affordable and high-tech options in signage, dynamic digital signage, or DDS, has emerged as a viable option for both large and small businesses. FASTSIGNS has been researching dynamic digital signage for the past year and a half, developing a cost effective solution to meet customers’ needs, complimenting the FASTSIGNS® product offering, supporting the goal of making the sign buying process simple – and fast - for customers.
As a result, FASTSIGNS has selected two of the leading innovators in dynamic digital signage, Scala and NEC Unified Solutions, to provide the software and hardware systems that its centers worldwide will sell to end users. FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is investing in the infrastructure critical to support the efforts of the franchise system. This first of its kind solution brings Dynamic Digital Signage to the mainstream sign customer.
Scala will provide built-in content creation software so each FASTSIGNS franchise can create custom content for their customers. Scala has a successful 20+ year record of accomplishments in the digital signage industry. Working with FASTSIGNS, Scala has developed what could very well become one of the largest digital signage networks in North America. This unique setup means that customers do not need to invest the time or dollars in infrastructure to run a DDS network – it will all be handled for them through their selected FASTSIGNS center.
NEC, worldwide market share leader for large commercial LCD displays according to DisplaySearch1, was selected to provide FASTSIGNS with the digital displays, servers and related hardware, as well as U.S.-based installation, maintenance and support of the DDS program.
“Scala currently provides the software that runs more than a third of all digital signage worldwide and NEC Unified Solutions is an industry leader in digital signage display solutions,” said Larry Lane, president of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “These two companies will provide the level of service our customers demand and will be around to support us as our program evolves year after year.”
The digital signage program which officially launched in January, provides a single source solution for customers who need a robust sign solution with visual messaging that can be changed frequently and easily. The customer can make changes to content and schedules quickly and easily, providing the right message to a targeted person at the right time.
Renato Mariani, general manager of marketing at NEC Unified Solutions agrees on the benefits of the relationship between NEC, FASTSIGNS and Scala. “Coming together to develop the program for FASTSIGNS is a win-win for everyone involved. From the franchisees to the sign-buying customers, NEC is helping to ensure that this program offers premier-quality technology and services and is in-line with FASTSIGNS’ mission of using innovation and technology to make the sign-buying process simple for its customers.”
The value of the relationship between these three industry leaders will not only benefit FASTSIGNS franchisees who will be selling this one-stop solution, but more importantly, FASTSIGNS customers by offering them a signage solution that provides high-quality and compelling content, marketing speed and agility, and potentially, future advertising revenue.
About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers use innovation and technology to make the sign buying process simple – and fast – by offering wide-format full color graphics, banners, window and vehicle graphics, floor graphics, safety and identification signage, trade show displays, point-of-purchase signs and exterior signage. Corporate headquarters are in Carrollton, Texas, and centers are located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Australia (where locations operate under the SIGNWAVE® name). FASTSIGNS opened its first center in July 1985 in Dallas, Texas.
About Scala
Scala is a leading global provider of digital signage and advertising management solutions. By combining digital and traditional signage systems, Scala has become the world’s first connected signage company, offering the leading platform for content creation, management and distribution in digital signage networks, and the first unified platform for advertising management of both traditional and digital signage networks. The company's solutions are used in retail, education, entertainment, government and other industries for diverse applications such as retail advertising networks, corporate communications (employee TV), traditional and digital billboards, digital menu boards, digital posters, cable TV, hotel lobby signage, gas pump toppers, outdoor advertising, interactive kiosks, etc. Scala pioneered the digital signage industry and today drives over 200,000 screens worldwide; more screens than all competitors combined. The company's digital signage customers include Rabobank, IKEA, Burger King, T-Mobile, Virgin MegaStore, EuroDisney, McDonalds, Warner Brothers, The Life Channel, Rikstoto, FuelCast, Repsol, Shell, NorgesGruppen and thousands more. Advertising management customers include CBS Outdoor, Clear Channel Outdoor, Magic Media, Reagan, Adams Outdoor Advertising, among others. Scala is headquartered near Philadelphia, USA and has subsidiaries in Canada, Netherlands, France, Norway, Japan and also over 450 partners in more than 60 countries. More information is available at www.scala.com.
About NEC Unified Solutions
NEC Unified Solutions helps companies unify their business communications through innovative software, applications, development tools, and services. NEC offers a complete portfolio for unified communications, wireless, voice, data and managed services, as well as systems integration and application development. NEC Unified Solutions serves as the North American communications integration arm of global giant NEC Corporation for Fortune 1000, as well as small to mid-sized businesses in vertical markets such as hospitality, education, government, and healthcare. For more information, visit www.necunified.com.