SMART Sponsors Interactive Way-Finding Station at Digital Retailing Expo
Trade-show kiosk features SMART's interactive overlay and Scala's software content
CALGARY, Alberta – October 11, 2004 – SMART Technologies Inc. announces its sponsorship of Digital Retailing Expo, a trade show for the booming digital retailing market. The show is being held October 11–12 in San Francisco, California. SMART's interactive overlay mounts on a flat-panel display and adds touch-sensitive interaction to the show's official way-finding station, providing users with instant access to exhibitor booth location. Scala, Inc. developed the software content specifically for use at the trade show.
To draw trade-show attendees to the interactive way-finding station, an attract-loop runs on the 50" (127-cm) display. Attendees simply touch the interactive surface to activate the way-finding system, and a floor plan and list of alphabetical names appear. Once a booth is selected from the floor plan, its corresponding company name appears. Attendees can also select an exhibitor from the list of names, and its corresponding booth will light up on the floor plan. When not in use, the attract-loop resumes.
"We envision great potential for interactive way-finding stations in large malls and stores, and thanks to SMART Technologies Inc. and Scala, Inc., we're able to showcase this application at our show," says Chris Gibbs, Digital Retailing Expo's vice president. "In addition to showing attendees their way around, we hope exposure to this technology adds creative fuel to the possibilities in digital retail display and signage."
"Digital retail signage is an important emerging market," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "This interactive way-finding station is a good example of how SMART's interactive overlays can easily be incorporated into the design of large, durable interactive kiosks for public use."
About SMART's interactive overlays
SMART's interactive overlays attach to a plasma display or LCD and transform it into an interactive display. The custom-sized overlay fastens easily and securely to the display and preserves its crisp, bright image. Simply by touching the large interactive surface, users can access and control any computer application or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. SMART's interactive overlays are ideal for large, interactive digital signage and self-service kiosks at retail stores, hotels, trade shows, airports, museums, lobbies and other public and semi-public indoor venues. SMART offers interactive overlays for over 17 popular brands of flat-panel displays, in screen sizes ranging from 37" to 63" (94–160 cm). For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/kioskinfo.
About Digital Retailing Expo
Digital Retailing Expo and Executive Summit capture the intense interest that retailers nationwide have for this exciting, fast-growing technology. Digital Retailing Expo will deliver a unique audience of key retail decision-makers who are acquiring or considering exciting digital display technology for their retail environments. Digital Retailing Expo is produced and managed by ExpoNation LLC. For more information, visit www.digitalretailingexpo.com.
About Scala, Inc.
Scala, Inc. is the world's leading provider of end-to-end software solutions for creating rich-media digital signage networks. Applications include indoor and outdoor out-of-home advertising networks, in-store TV for retail, corporate communications networks, cable TV access/advertising channels, hotel information networks, cruise ship and casino entertainment networks, and employee training. Based in Exton, Pennsylvania, Scala was founded in 1987 and has operations in the U.S. Europe and Japan supporting a large international installed base. For more information, visit http://www.scala.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
300, 1207 - 11th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB CANADA T3C 0M5
Phone +1.403.802.3337 Fax +1.403.228.2500
pr@smarttech.com
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.