BrightSign, Convergent and KenCast Deliver Closed-loop, Satellite-based AV Distribution Platform
New Approach Helps Large Organizations Overcome Bandwidth Limitations of Terrestrial Networks
LOS GATOS, CA – (May 6, 2019) – BrightSign, LLC® today joined forces with Convergent Media Systems Corporation and KenCast to debut a new platform for large organizations to distribute and manage media files with their existing satellite networks.
Although terrestrial networks are used for a broad range of digital signage applications, bandwidth constraints and other inherent limitations have limited their appeal for many organizations. Meanwhile, larger organizations from national retail chains to government institutions that multicast to thousands of locations via satellite networks have had limited ability to customize and confirm complete delivery of their video, audio and image files to all end-points.
“This new solution gives AV integrators an entirely new way to look at satellite networks,” said Jeff Hastings, CEO of BrightSign. “Our partners Convergent and KenCast developed an innovative way to use satellite technology not to simply broadcast content, but to intelligently deliver and manage robust video content across any satellite network, no matter how complex or geographically distributed.”
Convergent has developed an innovative solution to take full advantage of satellite network infrastructure using BrightSign and KenCast technologies. Convergent integrated KenCast’s client software with BrightSign’s media players and KenCast’s head-end software with BrightSign Network Enterprise Edition (BSNEE), to create a cost-effective means of distributing large files to networked players via satellite.
Convergent’s INSPIREEnterpriseSM content automation service is a complete Digital-Signage-as-a-Service package that includes the media player and software, content and support for a flat monthly fee. INSPIREEnterpriseSM makes it easy for organizations to broadcast a wide range of employee-facing content including live townhall meetings and Video-on-Demand, which enables users to access stored media files using a touchscreen display or IR remote control. Convergent also provides custom-branded motion graphic templates that can be dynamically populated from a web form or customer database/application. This ensures the content is always fresh and engaging, yet only requires minimal effort to produce.
“Now, satellite service providers and their customers can increase the return on their investment in satellite infrastructure by using these networks to support digital signage,” said Greg Davis, SVP Sales & Marketing at Convergent. “Our INSPIREEnterprise digital signage service enables businesses and government organizations to communicate with their employees more effectively, and thereby increase employee productivity, compliance, safety, morale and retention.”
KenCast pioneered the use of satellite networks for reliable and secure file and stream distribution in the early 90’s. Its Fazzt digital delivery system is a sophisticated and widely used tool that securely and efficiently manages content delivery via satellite and terrestrial networks. Although terrestrial networks are an excellent option for corporate communications videos – driving costs down as the number of players increases – this approach is not ubiquitous. As part of this joint solution, KenCast client software is loaded onto BrightSign players that are connected to each end-point. The KenCast server software tags and then multicasts every data packet to each of the designated end-points, ensuring precise content distribution.
“KenCast is pleased to join Convergent and BrightSign to offer this hybrid platform that unites the innovative AV distribution tools of each of our companies, which have been developed from years of experience building highly efficient satellite networking solutions,” said Dr. William Steele, CEO of KenCast.
Visit www.brightsign.biz for more information about the company’s complete portfolio of digital signage hardware and software solutions.
About BrightSign
BrightSign LLC, the global market leader in digital signage media players, is headquartered in Los Gatos, California, with offices in Europe and Asia. BrightSign manufactures media players, and provides free software and networking solutions for the commercial digital signage market worldwide, serving all vertical segments of the digital signage marketplace. From entry-level BrightSign LS players to BrightSign XT players offering state-of-the-art technology and unsurpassed performance, BrightSign’s products are known for their signature reliability, affordability, ease-of-use, and market-leading technology. For more information, visit www.brightsign.biz. Follow BrightSign at http://twitter.com/brightsign and http://www.facebook.com/BrightSignLLC.
About Convergent
Convergent Media Systems Corporation, a Ballantyne Strong Inc. (NYSE American: BTN) company, is changing expectations about how to create and manage location-based digital experiences. With 35 years of innovation, we challenge clients to think differently about how they engage with their customers and employees and the technology they use to do it. Clients rely on us to eliminate complexity by integrating and managing best-of-breed technologies into single-source solutions. And our award-winning creative captivates, engages and motivates buyers. Today our digital experiences reach thousands of locations around the world and are seen by millions of people each day.
About KenCast
Based in Norwalk, CT, KenCast is trusted by the Hollywood movie studios, military and government agencies, major news networks, retail businesses and financial institutions to provide fast, secure and ultra-reliable delivery of their most important multimedia content via terrestrial, satellite and mobile networks. With an extensive patent portfolio, the company has been innovating since its founding in 1994 and continues to stay ahead of the pack in the content-delivery market. Today, the company powers more than 2,000 networks on every continent around the globe, enabling end-to-end control for users sending and streaming content to any number of sites. Visit www.kencast.com for more information.
