Scala, a provider of end-to-end connected signage software, has announced that the company’s media management solution, Charting Pro, has been renamed Ad Manager.

The decision to change the name to Ad Manager comes after the acquisition of MISA and Charting Pro to reflect Scala’s leading position in the outdoor advertising industry. The new name leverages on Scala’s objective and commitment to deliver the most advanced media management solution for all out-of-home media advertising, not just digital.

“Ad Manager has a nice ring to it,” explains Robert Koolen, president of Scala. “Charting Pro was a great name, but it was geared more towards traditional signage only. As the traditional outdoor advertising world adds digital signage to their inventory, we chose a name to better reflect the scope of the product, and to appeal to a broader audience.”

The name Ad Manager not only presents a more descriptive, positive image but it also describes the major benefits of a complete advertising management solution for the out-of-home industry. Ad Manager has been designed to simplify your out-of-home advertising campaigns. In a nut shell, you can place your contracts, leases, invoicing, proof of performance, maintenance etc. in one system using one contract. Scala customers around the world will be able to integrate their digital and traditional signage ad campaigns and manage them from one central application.

“It was the right time to change the name,” says Andrea Waldin, director of marketing, Scala. “Ad Manager has six separate modules today: Inventory Management which is the core component of Ad Manager, Financial, Maintenance, Multimedia, Advance Mapping and Digital Media. We needed a product name that reflected what we have to offer. We’re already in the process of making major enhancements to our product line and reworking our corporate look to reflect both the digital and traditional signage networks.”

DigiFour Technologies, a Scala (http://www.scala.com) Certified Partner in India, has implemented Scala’s InfoChannel® Platform in 70 TCS locations throughout India, as well in their overseas offices in the United Kingdom and Netherlands.

(PRWEB) September 12, 2007 — Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Ltd, a world leading IT services provider, has implemented a Digital Signage platform throughout India, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. TCS is part of Asia’s largest conglomerate — the TATA Group.

With a presence in 34 countries across six continents and a comprehensive range of services across diverse industries, TCS is one of the world’s leading Information Technology companies.

DigiFour Technologies, a Scala (http://www.scala.com) Certified Partner in India, has implemented Scala’s InfoChannel® Platform in 70 TCS locations throughout India, as well in their overseas offices in the United Kingdom and Netherlands.

The Digital Communication Channel informs and educates TCS employees on major corporate activities including corporate announcements, staff programs, company performance and achievements etc.

“The need for an effective internal communication system was a priority for TCS’ top management,” says Badarudheen Mohamed, CEO of DigiFour Technologies.

“We have created a special task force consisting of engineers, designers and project managers to study the system including networking, install the components, test features and oversee implementation.”

“The strategy is to develop an effective centrally controlled internal communication system that had the flexibility to support relevant dynamic content and instantaneous changes. The channel would act as the most preferred form of information for employees,” pointed out Rafeeq Mohammed, Director Strategic Planning of Digifour Technologies.

To support this strategy, InfoChannel Designer and InfoChannel Network Manager were installed at TCS Corporate office in Mumbai. InfoChannel Players were located at 70 specific TCS locations across India.

Throughout the 70 locations, 49-inch screens have been installed in the main areas including: reception, lobbies, waiting areas, canteens and conference halls.

Deploying InfoChannel players also linked overseas offices in London and Amsterdam. The channel is to be used as the preferred form of communication in the TCS locations. The content exists of Text, Graphics, Video, Audio, External Feeds and more.

“One of the instances of periodic change is the usage of real-time TCS share value updating from BSE & NSE (stock markets). Part of the content is delivered directly from the TCS website. Updates in the website are reflected live on the screens,” says Sherin Nazer, Technical Director of Digifour Technologies.

“The expected ROI of this project is to have more effective communication that leads to improved employee satisfaction. This will be measured and bench-marked through internal staff surveys,” says Badarudheen Mohamed, CEO of DigiFour Technologies. Currently the Digital Channel is being considered for further expansion to about 150 TCS locations.

The corporate strategy of TCS is to expand the InfoChannel network to over 300 TCS locations across the country in 2007. This second phase of the project will be further enhanced through integration with client databases, live camera and other external feeds. Interactive applications aimed at employees are also considered.

About Scala, Inc.
Scala, Inc. (http://www.scala.com) is the world’s leading provider of software for digital signage software used in retail, education, entertainment, government and other industries. The company’s cutting-edge multimedia software platform powers thousands of digital signs around the world including the digital signage networks of Tesco, Best Buy, T-Mobile, ShopRite, Virgin MegaStore, Bloomberg, Burger King, Kiwi, Azizia-Panda Supermarket, McKee Foods, Muvico, Santiago Airport, RaboBank and Warner Brothers Movie World. Since InfoChannel is proven, scalable and easy to manage, it is the platform of choice for many digital display networks ranging in size from one screen to thousands of screens with uses including advertising displays, touch screens, retail TV, LED billboards, lobby signage, digital menu boards, interactive kiosks and more. Scala, Inc. pioneered the industry of digital signage in 1987, and is today headquartered near Philadelphia, PA with operations in California, the UK, France, Norway, The Netherlands, China and Japan.

About Digifour Technologies
Digifour Technologies (www.digi4tech.com) is an IT development and consultancy company established in India. Digifour offers its expertise in four business verticals — Digital Dynamic signage, Web Application Development, Animation and Digital Multimedia and Business Process Outsourcing. Digifour is the leading provider of Digital Dynamic Signage solutions in India (in association with Scala) and a pioneer of this new growing technology in the market. Services provided by Digifour include Content management, software and hardware support, networking and new technology value added services.

With their Head Office in India, Digifour service their overseas clients through their Middle East Office in Dubai (U.A.E) and liaison offices in London, USA and Saudi Arabia.

The Kayu Nasi Kandar Restaurant introduced its clients and patrons to a new flavor; a taste of digital signage, following the implementation of their very own visual communications channel - based on Scala InfoChannel - at its Petaling Jaya outlet recently.

(PRWEB) September 13, 2006 — The Kayu Nasi Kandar Restaurant introduced its clients and patrons to a new flavor; a taste of digital signage, following the implementation of their very own visual communications channel at its Petaling Jaya outlet recently.

Kayu becomes the first local popular eatery to hop onto the bandwagon of innovative media advertising harnessing the power of SCALA InfoChannel® for its very own customized in-house InfoChannel network; the Kayu Channel.

The clean and spacious restaurant occupies the space of two shop lots, providing ample room for a comfortable eating ambience, and likewise, plenty of strategic locations for the five plasma screens to display the Kayu Channel. At the entrance, a plasma faces the customers while another plasma is placed in the verandah. Two more plasmas are positioned in two corners of the restaurant while the fifth plasma is placed above the full screen glass panel in one of the two rooms.

The Kayu Channel provides patrons, customers and suppliers with updated information on the restaurant’s menu, latest food promotions, offers and news. In addition to that, the channel also serves as an electronic bulletin board for posting electronic classified ads or messages such as rooms for rent, or cars for sale, at a nominal fee. Customers are entertained by media rich content that is visually stimulating and informative.

Further revenue is generated through the sales of advertising space on the Kayu Channel. Several options of advertising space are made available to interested advertisers who can choose to display their own advertisement in “jpg” or “mpg2” format. Alternatively, the design and development of the advertisement is commissioned to Click Grafix. CR Techmedia Sdn Bhd manages the sales of advertising space on the Kayu Channel.

The content for the Kayu Channel is customized and developed by Click Grafix using Scala InfoChannel Designer 3. The content is then played back on the five plasma screens through one unit of InfoChannel Player placed at the restaurant. Content updates are currently uploaded manually from a notebook as Kayu works on plans to network its multiple outlets via broadband.

The Kayu Channel may just mark the birth of a new technology savvy advertising trend and culture for many local eateries in Malaysia, and the compliments go to Mr. Buruhan, the visionary entrepreneur of Kayu Nasi Kandar.

To date the Kayu Channel runs at Kayu’s restaurants in three locations; Petaling Jaya, Aman Suria and Kota Tinggi.

About Click Grafix Sdn Bhd l www.clickgrafix.com
Established in 1995, Click Grafix has firmly established itself in the South East Asia and Middle Eastern market and industry as a premiere provider and system integrator for digital video, animation and multimedia hardware, software, solutions and services. The company is the appointed regional distributor for NewTek Inc. and also holds the distributorship for Scala multimedia and visual communication products, as well as Realviz, Anark, Curious Labs Inc. Bauhaus Software and Qarbon products in Malaysia. Currently, Click Grafix is represented in Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and India.

About CR Techmedia Sdn Bhd l www.crtechmedia.com
CR Techmedia Sdn Bhd is a company affiliated to its principal, Compurep Pty Ltd based in Sydney Australia and established in 1996 with products branded as CR Technology. CR Techmedia provides products and services in 2 main areas namely solutions in Dynamic Digital Signage and Customised Display Systems. The company offers a comprehensive solution for Dynamic Digital Signage, that includes hardware, network infrastructure design, software, content creation, implementation and project management. The solutions for Display Systems offered by CR Techmedia include CRT, LCD and Plasma screens that are embedded within systems such as gaming machines, information kiosks, automated teller machines (ATM) , and other general display systems. CR Techmedia adds further value to the customized solutions offered via servicing, maintenance and upgrades for the solutions.

About Scala, Inc. l www.scala.com
Scala, Inc. (www.scala.com) is the world’s leading provider of software for digital signage software used in retail, education, entertainment, government and other industries. The company’s cutting-edge multimedia software platform powers thousands of digital signs around the world including the digital signage networks of Tesco, Best Buy, T-Mobile, ShopRite, Virgin MegaStore, Bloomberg, Burger King, Kiwi, Azizia-Panda Supermarket, McKee Foods, Muvico, Santiago Airport, RaboBank and Warner Brothers Movie World. Since InfoChannel is proven, scalable, and easy to manage, it is the platform of choice for many digital display networks ranging in size from one screen to thousands of screens with uses including advertising displays, touch screens, retail TV, LED billboards, lobby signage, digital menu boards, interactive kiosks, and more. Scala, Inc. pioneered the industry of digital signage in 1987, and is today headquartered near Philadelphia, PA with operations in California, the UK, Norway, The Netherlands, China and Japan.

Visitors who step into the entrance of Aquaria@KLCC are immediately greeted by visually arresting innovative digital signage displayed from a rear LCD projection onto a long glass panel measuring approximately 14 x 4 feet. The signage, powered by Scala InfoChannel, combines a dynamic mix of graphic visuals, text and video that is both informative and educational.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (PRWEB) September 15, 2006 — Visitors who step into the entrance of Aquaria@KLCC are immediately greeted by visually arresting innovative digital signage displayed from a rear LCD projection onto a long glass panel measuring approximately 14 x 4 feet. The signage combines a dynamic mix of graphic visuals, text and video that is both informative and educational.

Aquaria joins the growing list of organizations in Malaysia turning to the innovative technology of digital signage for an effective visual communications solution.

Aquaria@KLCC, a gigantic aquarium with an underwater tunnel opened its doors to the public in August 2005. Developed and operated by Aquawalk Sdn Bhd, the aquarium integrates state-of-the-art technology in edutainment with the best of live aquatic attractions in its Discovery Centre occupying 929 sq. meters of the aquarium’s 5,110 sq. meters of total floor space. With an interesting variety of over 5,000 creatures and the latest in advanced interactive technology, Aquaria is set to stimulate senses and educate by providing a highly interactive experience to visitors.

Aquawalk commissioned the integration of the digital signage solution to Click Grafix and Be Digital, with the creative team from Be Digital developing the content for the signage. To accommodate the different themes within the aquarium, a variation of relevant design templates in different sizes were created to fit in content such as fun facts, educational facts, video, sales and marketing promotions, detail of events and activities as well as informative data, for the respective areas.

Apart from the main entrance, the digital signage is also prominent in three 61-inch plasma screens strategically placed along the perimeter of the Aquaria KLCC wall. Facing a food court and Starbucks Cafe, the plasma screens are strategically placed in a high traffic area. As visitors progress to the Aquatheatre Gallery, it is almost impossible to miss the digital signage projected onto a large screen measuring approximately 12 x 12 feet, 20 feet above the ground.

The current content which loops and repeats every 10-15 minutes is updated on a consistent basis by the IT team from Aquaria, from Scala InfoChannel Designer to six InfoChannel Players via Gigabit LAN network.

About Click Grafix Sdn Bhd

Established in 1995, Click Grafix (http://www.clickgrafix.com) has firmly established itself in the South East Asia and Middle Eastern market and industry as a premiere provider and system integrator for digital video, animation and multimedia hardware, software, solutions and services. The company is the appointed regional distributor for NewTek Inc. and also holds the distributorship for Scala multimedia and visual communication products, as well as Realviz, Anark, Curious Labs Inc. Bauhaus Software and Qarbon products in Malaysia. Currently, Click Grafix is represented in Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and India.

About Be Digital Sdn Bhd

Be Digital (http://www.gotobedigital.com)was incorporated in 2001 to spearhead the digital content development division of its parent company, Click Grafix Sdn Bhd. Founded by Mr. Ahmed Balfaqih, an IT and multimedia evangelist, Be Digital exists as a digital content provider and developer, and a visual communications company dedicated to providing satisfying and quality creative digital services that impact to various industries in the local and regional market.

Since its inception, Be Digital has been awarded MSC-status endorsement and is widely recognized in the industry for its strength and professional specialization in 3D animation, visual effects, broadcast multimedia, dynamic digital signage and the development of digital content particularly for training and visual communications.

About Scala, Inc.

Scala, Inc. (http://www.scala.com) is the world’s leading provider of software for digital signage software used in retail, education, entertainment, government and other industries. The company’s cutting-edge multimedia software platform powers thousands of digital signs around the world including the digital signage networks of Tesco, Best Buy, T-Mobile, ShopRite, Virgin MegaStore, Bloomberg, Burger King, Kiwi, Azizia-Panda Supermarket, McKee Foods, Muvico, Santiago Airport, RaboBank and Warner Brothers Movie World. Since InfoChannel is proven, scalable, and easy to manage, it is the platform of choice for many digital display networks ranging in size from one screen to thousands of screens with uses including advertising displays, touch screens, retail TV, LED billboards, lobby signage, digital menu boards, interactive kiosks, and more. Scala, Inc. pioneered the industry of digital signage in 1987, and is today headquartered near Philadelphia, PA with operations in California, the UK, Norway, The Netherlands, China and Japan.

Movies all around - The concessions stand Menu Board in the Cines Unidos movie theatre at the Sambil Mall now features moving pictures.

Caracas, Venezuela (PRWEB) September 7, 2006 — Scala Inc., the industry leader in end-to-end digital signage software, announced today UnoLink, a Scala Certified Partner, has pioneered the launch of the VideoMenu into the Latin American market. VideoMenu is a ground breaking new way to present menus at food retailers everywhere – instead of a traditional menu, VideoMenu displays distance-controlled video feeds displayed on plasma screens strategically placed over concessions stands.

This way, customers are able to get dynamic and attractive previews that positively influence purchases – and ultimately boost company revenues. Luis Ginestra, Concessions Manager for Cines Unidos, supervised the installation of the VideoMenu screens, which are now available in over 24 theatres nationwide. “We at Cines Unidos strive to redefine the movie-going experience, so our clientele is constantly amazed. We operate at a technological and service vanguard within the country,” said Ginestra.

UnoLink developed VideoMenu using special components from Scala InfoChannel® software as well as video components developed at UnoLink. This unique approach to menu presentation allows for constant and instant menu updates, price adjustments and sale offer broadcasts; operated remotely and effectively. Content is designed and updated by UnoLink, where we employ an extensive image bank supplemented of custom images for clients – including photographs, graphics, animation and video, all of which are broadcast at high definition quality – an approach which greatly increases the “appetite appeal” of the products offered on-screen.

“We substitute static images that merely portray the product with video and animation providing a preliminary sensory experience, resulting in tangible sales growth,” says Daniel Benaim, President of UnoLink. “ Additionally, VideoMenu influences customers at the moment of acquisition influencing last minute purchase decisions”

VideoMenus can be configured to fit one, two, three or more screens controlled by just one “InfoChannel Player” All information is relayed through a single database – making nationwide menu and price adjustments a breeze, and eliminating re-print and distribution costs, without costly time delays.

VideoMenu also offers the flexibility to modify the menus displayed, customizing projections for certain hours, or catering to local tastes – maximizing targeted sales. For example, Cines Unidos displays a special children’s menu selection at matinee times and a different selection after 5:00 p.m. This way, the menu always displays the products that are pertinent to each market target.

About Scala, Inc.
Scala, Inc. is the world’s leading provider of software for digital signage software used in retail, education, entertainment, government and other industries. The company’s cutting-edge multimedia software platform powers thousands of digital signs around the world including the digital signage networks of Tesco, Best Buy, T-Mobile, ShopRite, Virgin MegaStore, Bloomberg, Burger King, Kiwi, Azizia-Panda Supermarket, McKee Foods, Muvico, Santiago Airport, RaboBank and Warner Brothers Movie World. Since InfoChannel is proven, scalable, and easy to manage, it is the platform of choice for many digital display networks ranging in size from one screen to thousands of screens with uses including advertising displays, touch screens, retail TV, LED billboards, lobby signage, digital menu boards, interactive kiosks, and more. Scala, Inc. pioneered the industry of digital signage in 1987, and is today headquartered near Philadelphia, PA with operations in California, the UK, France, Norway, The Netherlands, China and Japan.

About UnoLink
UnoLink C.A, a Scala Certified Partner, is the leading dynamic advertising and audiovisual corporate design enterprise in Venezuela. In addition to VideoMenu, UnoLink operates two distinct closed broadcasting circles in hospital waiting rooms (Hospital de Clínicas Caracas y Policlínica Metropolitana), as well as in 16 Cines Unidos lobbies. A commitment to excellence and intimate collaborations with clients has proven UnoLink the leading the ‘on-the-spot’ advertising company in the country.

Scala, a provider of end-to-end solutions for the digital signage market, has announced Mobily, the second mobile operator in Saudi Arabia, provides a better customer experience with the use of Scala digital signage.

In 2004, the Government of Saudi Arabia awarded Etihad Etisalat a license to be the second mobile GSM, 3G and 3.5G service provider in the kingdom; Mobily is the official brand name of Etihad Etisalat.

The entrance of Mobily as a second mobile operator in the biggest Gulf market has stimulated a major injection of energy and dynamism. Mobily recognizes many opportunities for growth through offering innovative services and products specifically designed for the Saudi market, in addition to introducing technologies and solutions that would give the market more dynamism and vitality. The challenge was to develop an innovative brand image that would separate them from their primary competition in the kingdom.

In January 2005, Mobily turned to PROAV, a division of United Yousef Naghi, a Scala Certified Partner, to develop an innovative digital information solution, based on Scala’s Digital Signage Platform. The network would serve as a technology solution to enhance the brand image of the company and provide customers with information on products and services available in Mobily Mobile Outlets.

Over the past three years, PROAV have worked as a business partner with Mobily helping them deploy in 35 Flagship Outlets, 45 Fully Branded Outlets, 182 Mini Fully Branded Outlets, and 3 Mobily Megastores. Currently, Mobily has deployed over 360 Scala Players throughout their mobile outlet network.

Each Mobily Megastore employs between 40 and 50 Scala Players throughout the store.

Content for the Mobily digital information network is created and managed by United Yousef Naghi from their three Network Operations Centers (NOC) in Jeddah & Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Content is distributed over an IP infrastructure to all of Mobily’s Mobile Outlets.

To reduce the perception of long waiting times while a sales associate becomes available, Mobily’s digital information network is integrated into the Q-Matic customer queuing system, displayed on a customized LED screen to match Mobily guidelines and sound system. As customers arrive, they interact with a kiosk or counter attendant. Customers can then wait in a central area or browse until called. When a counter becomes available, the counter attendant calls the next customer using an on-screen application, voice announcement and text LED’s. The next individual waiting receives both visual and audio notifications directing the customer to that counter.

In the beginning of 2008, Mobily rebranded their stores to maximize its services. Mobily found that education is a critical factor for selling Mobily’s new technology platforms. To mitigate the huge customer volume the Mobily stores often encounter, the new concept was conceived to provide an area dedicated to casual, independent exploration while waiting for a consultant. This new concept is called the Knowledge Zone (K-Zone) consisting of three areas in a store to enhance the customer experience: Live, Play and Work.

While waiting for a consultant, customers are encouraged to wonder freely throughout the K-Zone and interact with the cutting-edge displays designed to illuminate and educate. Included in the Live, Play ad Work areas are: a Welcome Desk integrated with the Q-Matic customer management system; a self service area powered by interactive kiosks; a gaming zone for gamers; an Internet zone that provides access to the Internet; and a technical support area to assist customers with technical issues.

Mobily’s overall goals to providing a better customer experience and improving the brand image of their stores has been realized. The popularity of the brand has grown in the marketplace and Mobily’s customers have grown to more than 10 million, exceeding all records in the Middle East and North Africa.

Mobily’s future is based in the continued growth and expansion of their network to better provide a superior customer experience.

Rami Badran the Director of PROAV, said “By employing strong post-sales support, building the partner relationship with the client and guiding the project with ownership spirit will ensure success. PROAV have invested heavily to support Mobily as a business partner. We have currently 3 NOC’s, 1 help desk, 13 service centers over the kingdom and more than 20 vehicles to operate and maintain more than 265 Mobily outlets and management offices.”

Scala, a provider of end-to-end solutions for the digital signage market, has announced it will demonstrate the new version of Scala Release 3 in booth #N6931 at InfoComm 08 — June 18 - 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV.

The highlight of the show will be the version of Scala Release 3. Release 3 represents Scala’s ongoing commitment to excellence and to its customers. New features in this release include:

• Scala now has a new high-performance video-playback engine that provides faster videos playback, including 60fps video, and HD video on suitable hardware.

• Scala now supports playback of H.264 (MPEG-4) video files. H.264 offers high visual quality at a smaller file size than MPEG-2 or WMV files.

• You can create text in languages such as Arabic, Thai, Hebrew, Hindi, Vietnamese, and other complex writing systems.

• The new Broadcast Server module for Scala Content Manager allows you to distribute content and plans to players using a multicast or package delivery network.

• Support for playing and controlling external audio sources from the “Line Input” of your sound card.

• When setting up a dual-channel player, you can now configure the PC’s displays to be in spanning/stretched mode, which performs better and looks cleaner than using two independent displays.

• Support for text-entry field elements from the Buttons panel allowing you to create interactive applications that take keyboard input.

• If your Scala Player is behind a proxy server, you can now specify the proxy server’s URL, username, and password.

• In Scala Content Manager, sub-playlists can be easily created by multi-selecting media items and clicking Create Sub-Playlist.

• Text elements using variables, and text crawls now support in-line and adjacent style changes for font, color, italics, size, etc.

• In Scala Content Manager, you can now “synchronize players” instead of “generating plans” and the new Distribution screen efficiently manages this for both conventional and broadcast connections.

Also in the Scala booth are industry partner solutions including:

• ProVision – 3DEO Mini – 3D graphic images.

• Avocent – demonstrating state-of-the-art wireless digital signage solutions.

• NetFaze – demonstrating their interactive casino solutions.

• LG Electronics – LCD Screens/Players for the Digital Signage Marketplace.

“It’s going to be an exciting show this year,” says Andrea Waldin, director of Marketing for Scala. “Our booth is designed to highlight the success the digital signage industry is experiencing throughout the world.”

Visit Scala at booth #N6931 at the upcoming InfoComm 2008 in the Digital Signage Pavilion in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV on June 18th through June 20th, 2008.

InfoComm is the leading business-to-business marketplace for digital signage, display, projection, audio, conferencing, lighting and staging, Internet streaming and networked presentation and communications systems. Scala will have a 20’x30’ booth presence at the event, packed with new and exciting things to see. We will be demonstrating Release 3 of InfoChannel 5, which adds several important new features and modules as well as performance improvements. We also have an entire wall in our booth dedicated to our new video, The Future is Now - it’s a must see!

Get free exhibit hall passes compliments of Scala. Visit infocommshow.org before June 11, 2008, click the “register now” button, and enter the VIP code VMBE1. If registering after June 11, 2008, go to Central Hall 2 of the Las Vegas Convention Center and enter VIP code VMBE1 at the self-registration counters. Register today!

Be sure to stop by Scala’s booth #N6931 for the latest and greatest in digital signage solutions!

Scala, the leading provider of end-to-end digital signage software, recently announced that Scala Certified Partner, IDS Menus, leading supplier of Digital Menu Boards, successfully installed its digital menu board system at Foodstuffs