Next-Gen Digital Signage Evaluation Kit streamlines development and deployment

The new kit is co-developed with Intel Corporation and with technology from Microsoft to address the growing demand from companies in markets such as retail, transportation and medical that want to use digital signage as a powerful new vehicle to interact with customers and gain valuable consumer information in real time. Up until now, the basic design resources and tools that allow for cost-effective digital signage development and deployment have lagged behind the latest display and graphics technologies, which have led to expensive and time-consuming integration.



The Kontron DSEK-12 offers a pre-validated system that features technologies from Kontron, Intel and Microsoft. The kit uses the modular OPS-compliant Kontron media player KOPS800 based on 3rd generation Intel Core processors, which will also be available as a standalone media player in early Q4 2012. The Kontron KOPS800 has at its core a Kontron COMe-bIP6, which delivers a proven Computer-on-Module high performance COM Express solution that provides high-end graphics and display support features. Offering a clear migration path, Computer-on-Modules also give developers the scalability required for future digital signage upgrades, thus providing a future-proof solution that protects customers' technology investments.



The Kontron DSEK-12 includes demo versions of Flypaper and Scala Content Creation and Content Management Software, and a 180-day evaluation copy of Microsoft Windows Embedded POSReady 7 that enables OEMs to quickly jumpstart application development without having to locate and load software. With Microsoft Windows Embedded POSReady 7, developers have a familiar operating system platform optimized for POS systems that allows them to create compelling media and interactive applications while simplifying application control and management.



Designers can take advantage of using the Kontron DSEK-12 kit now to evaluate their intelligent signage applications in preparation for implementing Kontron's advanced, yet cost-effective next-generation media player KOPS800 that will be released in early Q4 2012, said Kevin Rhoads, vice president of Embedded Products at Kontron. With the Kontron DSEK-12 and the OPS-compliant Kontron media player KOPS800, customers will have powerful resources to help them quickly develop and deploy content-rich digital signage that delivers increased graphics and computing performance along with upgraded manageability features and improved security.



Additionally, the Kontron DSEK-12 comes with pre-loaded Intel Audience Impression Metrics. This software solution allows advertising companies to present personalized content to consumers and at the same time gather valuable analytics. It does this by anonymously screening viewer metrics such as gender, age bracket and length of viewer attention so companies can deliver more relevant content for individual viewers and track return on investment with greater accuracy. The kit also incorporates Intel vPro Technology that enables easy platform management.



The Kontron DSEK-12 is available now from Kontron, and can also be purchased through Avnet and Arrow distribution channels.