AOPEN and Axis partner to create world first, hybrid signage and surveillance solution

DEN BOSCH, Netherlands - Oct. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- Digital Signage specialist, AOPEN, has partnered with Axis Communications, the global market leader in network video surveillance, to release DS2. This product, designed for retailers and other commercial applications, combines signage and surveillance in a powerful way that proves that security can enhance customer engagement and satisfaction.

While the security benefits in connecting surveillance hardware to cutting edge displays is obvious, customers will be able to leverage the superior quality of the Axis cameras with AOPEN’s proven signage technology to deliver even more powerful marketing material to customers. Using the solution, retailers are able to use the video feed to deliver targeted messages to the audience in the room via the signage panels. The feed from the cameras can be easily integrated into the signage, allowing retailers to advertise directly to consumers on the monitors facing the audience.

“We see surveillance as an important challenge for retailers who own a store. Shoplifting has always been a touchy subject for store owners as it accounts for unnecessary losses. With the combination of signage and surveillance we try to give the retailer a solution that has a two-fold benefit; using marketing communications such as promotions and advertisements to increase sales, and run security feeds at the back-end of the store thus improving security measures and theft prevention,” says Gabriëlle Offringa, Marketing Manager AOPEN Europe.

DS2 allows a single player to connect up to six cameras, providing total coverage of your premises. Because the AOPEN Digital Engine media player included in the solution is so powerful, a single device is able to power both your local signage network and the camera security feeds, resulting in a significantly lower total cost of ownership.

The Technology

These cameras are the latest high-quality IP devices from Axis. Housed within an inconspicuous 59 x 95 x 41form factor is an SVGA resolution camera that runs at 30 frames per second. Movement Detection and Sabotage Alarm also ensures maximum device security. The AOPEN Digital Engine meanwhile is a Network Video Recorder and media player in one that comes with 320GB of storage in RAID 1 mode (640GB in RAID 0) and 4 GB DDRIII SO-DIMM Memory. Tying this together is a software suite that operates on Windows 7 and supports a wide variety of media and dynamic effects to manage the content and video feeds.

Edwin Roobol, Regional Director at Axis, says “This joined partnership brings together the best of two worlds in signage and surveillance. AOPEN being a strong player in the digital signage market and Axis being the number one in surveillance; makes for a reliable and strong solution. It is unique in its essence, since we are the first vendors that integrate signage with video feeds to enhance security. This is in line with our long-term strategy to develop innovative and intelligent products”.

Gabriëlle concludes: “Axis Communications is the ideal partner for this solution, as its surveillance technology is world leading. Converging their security with AOPEN's signage is a perfect fit, allowing users to get maximum use, flexibility and value from their technology.”

A hybrid solution like DS2 saves users money through its security aspect, and it makes money by driving customer engagement thus growing sales. By using the footage taken of the customer in a playful and engaging manner, retailers will benefit from an increase in customer engagement to drive customer satisfaction.