April 30, 2008 - All over the world, Scala Broadcast Multimedia is
leading the way in the emergence of the digital signage industry.
Scala, the leading provider of end-to-end digital signage software, the leading provider of end-to-end digital signage software, today
announced that Akademibokhandeln (Academy Bookstore) has deployed a Scala digital signage network
in 62 bookstores across Sweden.
Akademibokhandeln is Sweden�s largest bookstore chain. With 700
employees across 62 stores across Sweden, Akademibokhandeln commands
30% of the bookstore market in Sweden. Stores are located in most of
Sweden�s largest cities, often near higher education centers.
Akademibokhandeln is the country�s most comprehensive book seller with
over one million titles in various categories including: entertainment,
information and development etc. They also offer this wide range of
titles at their internet store. Each bookstore caters to local market
demands.
The impetus for adoption of digital signage was to ensure their
ongoing leadership in their marketplace. By implementing technology and
presenting the company with a new image, Akademibokhandeln wanted to be
the first bookstore company to adopt digital signage in their industry.
The goal of the network was to promote the products and services
available in the bookstore and respond to the demands of their
customers. Sweden�s largest bookstore chain, Akademibokhandeln, is
currently rolling out the next phase of its digital upgrade program for
all its stores. The in-store signs and displays are being supplemented
with a digital signage network that opens up new possibilities for
communicating with employees and customers alike. The Akademibokhandeln
store in the "Skrapan" shopping centre in Sφdermalm, Stockholm has been
the project�s testing ground. It now has 42" screens installed in its
new Film & DVD department and smaller 19" screens on its line of
checkout desks. Mobile units, installed into a bookshelf with wheels,
are strategically placed throughout the store for special promotions or
to highlight special departments.
"It�s almost like a television station; we are able to rapidly adapt
our message for all the stores," says Bo Rφstberg, director of
operations and also the project�s visionary. "Previously, we had
difficulties presenting relevant messaging. Now, with our dynamic
digital signage network, new messaging can be dynamic. Customers who
see a product on television in the morning will find the product
waiting for them in the store by lunchtime."
"This is something completely new to our industry in Sweden. But as
we and our competitors spur each other on, I suspect we will see this
development spreading to other companies. For now, however, we are
leading the industry. This means improved information and more
promotions for the customer", continues Rφstberg. "Although the
technology is relatively new, the project has gone smoothly and there
have been no major problems; it has gone like clockwork. Zone Systems,
a Scala Certified Partner, has broad competence in this field and has
been very receptive to our ideas, while Rekyl, who produced the
content, have shown us how we can communicate a solid, well conceived
message for this new channel right from the start."
Jan Pettersson, Sales Manager at Zone Systems emphasizes that the
new digital signs will not be replacing the classic signs completely:
"It all depends on what type of message the store wants on the screen
and which zone they intend to place it in. It�s a matter of finding the
right balance between digital and traditional media. But in terms of
getting people�s attention and content flexibility, the digital signs
are highly effective."
All 62 Akademibokhandeln stores will be fitted with the new digital
signage system in the spring. The first evaluation findings indicate
that the initiative is already a success: both the publishing companies
and our own staff are enthralled by these new possibilities. Now we can
stay on top of current events, follow-up on major campaigns and provide
stores around the entire country with coverage of author events and
other activities that can normally only be experienced on site or at
special book-signings. Now we can record these events and broadcast
them to all the stores. We can even set up a studio and use the digital
screens as our own TV channel; perfect for internal information.
About Zone Systems
If you are going to stand out from all the others, and be seen in
the right way, you need inventive solutions. At Zone Systems we combine
ideas, design and function. The fact is that we have a whole building
full of highly resourceful, gifted, inspired, original, artistic,
clever, ingenious, imaginative, smart, capable, productive and talented
people, brimming with inventiveness. Take all those synonyms for
creativity, for example. We came up with those in just four minutes!
More information is available at www.zone-systems.com.
About Scala, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Scala pioneered the Digital Signage industry and
today remains the world's largest provider of software for creating
digital signage networks, driving more screens than all competitors
combined. The company's InfoChannel product line is used for dynamic
digital media networks in retail, education, entertainment, government
and other industries for diverse applications such as Retail
Advertising networks (Retail TV), Corporate Communications (Employee
TV), Digital Billboards, Digital Menu Boards, Digital Posters,
Community Access channels (Cable TV), Hotel lobby signage and
information channels, Gas Pump "toppers", Convention Center Signage,
Interactive touch-screens and Kiosks, etc. The Company's cutting-edge
InfoChannel software platform powers thousands of digital signs around
the world including the digital signage networks of Rabobank, IKEA,
Bloomberg, Burger King, T-Mobile, Virgin MegaStore, EuroDisney, Kiwi,
McDonalds, Warner Brothers, Santiago Airport, Ericsson, The Life
Channel, Rikstoto, FuelCast, Repsol, Shell, NorgesGruppen, The Wall
Street Journal Office Network and many more. Scala is today
headquartered near Philadelphia, PA and has wholly-owned subsidiaries
in The Netherlands, France, Norway, and Japan with a direct presence in
a number of other locations and countries. Scala's products are
primarily sold through an international network of Scala Certified
Partners. More information is available at www.scala.com
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