QuickStart Launches with HP SignagePlayers
The new Scala QuickStart working with HP SignagePlayers – officially announced Nov. 8 and rolling out to the US, UK, Canada and Netherlands December 6 – is we are told the easiest way for entry into the digital signage market yet.
No IT, no URLs to remember, no mouse or keypad is needed. It’s simply a one-time ‘put in a code’ and away you go. You’ll be up and running in minutes. And with built-in templates for content and the ability to use touch screen, QR codes, 3D – well, what more do you want!
With two SignagePlayers, this marks HP’s first entry into digital signage, but it won’t be its last, and Scala has a long- term blanket agreement to support future offerings as well. (We’ve heard HP has a roadmap of digital signage projects lined up.)
Scala was chosen by HP after an evaluation of various companies in the market, and it is handling all the implementation, set-up, monitoring, updates, backups, hardware maintenance and system recovery. This includes multi-language support.
“And people will feel secure because HP is their security blanket,” says Jeff Porter, executive vice-president at Scala’s head office in Philadelphia.
Scala’s new and innovative ‘zero-configuration’ scheme allows entry-level users a way to set up and manage a Scala digital signage network with ease. And should the user’s needs become more sophisticated, they can upgrade to the full Scala Content Manager platform using the same HP signage without any loss of data, content or customizations.
“Never before has setting up a full-featured digital signage player been this easy,” says Gerard Bucas, Scala’s CEO. “We believe we have achieved a significant breakthrough for the industry.”
The HP SignagePlayer/Scala Quickstart solution features a locked-down Microsoft Windows Embedded operating system and a preconfigured Scala Player for outstanding performance and reliability. Displaying videos, pictures, crawls, interactive Adobe Flash, and ScalaScripts with dynamic text or graphics in any combination up to 1080p allows the system to be used in a wide range of applications. The HP SignagePlayers can also be easily connected to any Scala Content Manager anywhere in the world.
HP is leveraging its existing hardware for use with this system. HP screens with this system measure 42” and 47”. The HP SignagePlayers sell for $1,119 (slim 10”x10”x2”) and $1,079 (a more traditional 15’x15”x3”) After that, there is only a $45 monthly fee to Scala. (Resellers get a share.) The system can be used horizontally or vertically,
“This marks the first time that Scala is supporting a product sold through distribution,” says Porter. “Our own resellers know the system and, while HP resellers are new to this, we’re sure that they will want to get on board quickly.”
Target audience is broad, including corporate reception areas, educational institutions, independent retailers – in short, almost anywhere. It will be eventually rolled out globally.
“This is a landmark product putting weight behind the industry,” says Porter. “You gotta love it!”
Categories: DailyDOOH Update
$1119 for a HP (720p Commercial PC) player + $1620 for a three year Scala Quick Start licence = $2739 SRP total three year cost of ownership.
Alternative : Advantech ARK-DS303P (Full 1080p Industrial PC) + three year signagelive licence inc. live support and all software updates = $1,565 SRP
Whilst I fully appreciate the strength of the HP brand for corporates and consumers, justifying the price difference against signagelive and others offering a more cost effective solution will take some serious salesmanship.
by Jason Cremins on Nov 9, 2010 at 10:42 @487
Windows Embedded, Flash – I do hope they have read the Adobe LA !
by Drew Dilgence on Nov 9, 2010 at 12:09 @548
More Scala bollox from the Texan mouth Jeff Porter. i thought Gerry Mucus ( Bucas had neutralised his wayward tongue years back) The jury is out on this, young Cremins is right, cheaper alternatives abound.
by Alley mc veal on Nov 9, 2010 at 19:05 @837
Not so significant a break through on price.
Not so fast with the prices. The total cost of ownership is hidden. Lots of pesky thorns with these legacy product guys.
Give Gerard credit, he is trying to move the needle over in Exton when no one else seems capable.
I second Drew Dilgence about that Adobe Flash EULA for those that have actually read it and talked to those folks in person. Its not for commercial use with digital signage. Adobe audio licensing is even trickier. Its not impossible, with significant effort one can actually buy a legal commercial use Flash player license with limitations on audio codecs for about $5 per player, with OS restrictions.
by electronicsignguy on Nov 9, 2010 at 19:30 @854
Guys:
Do you actually think Scala or HP would bundle the Flash player from Adobe without paying for a commerical license? Come on. Give us a little credit here. Sheesh.
The question is … how many of our competitors have paid their Flash license for digital signage? hummm… To the nearest whole number… perhaps zero?
Jeff
by Jeff Porter on Nov 11, 2010 at 03:22 @182