Case Study : Sky Sign
A Sign of the Times…Challenge: Solution: Benefit: |
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PDF Version– Gary Polsgrove,
President Sky Sign
Founded in 2004 as a division of Planet Telecom,
Sky Sign is the leading provider of remote technology and equipment for LED displays and signs. Recognized as an inexpensive, but powerful communication and marketing tool that can be customized, Sky Sign’s solutions are utilized in a number of environments from retail stores and fast food chains to factories and warehouses.
The Challenge:
A NEED TO REMOTELY MANAGE CONTENT ON ALL SIGNS FROM A CENTRAL LOCATION
Traditionally, LED signs are controlled locally and must be connected directly to a computer. To change content, customers would load Sky Sign software to the local computer, which is connected to the sign; then visit the Sky Sign web site to select and aggregate content such as weather, stocks, sport scores and other custom messages to the sign.
This short process enabled customers to change the sign content in real-time, however the need for local control made updates hard, particularly during a power outage or if the computer was turned off. In addition, firewalls created issues and oftentimes prohibited connection to the sign. Because of these obstacles, most customers only purchased the number of signs they could feasibly manage locally.
Dedicated to continually developing innovative ways to deliver advertising messages, Sky Sign needed a plug-and-play solution that made it easy for its customers to connect and control their LED signs regardless of location. They also needed a solution to eliminate the geographical management barrier so customers could expand their range, thereby increasing Sky Sign sales.
The Solution:
LANTRONIX UDS & WIBOX PROVIDE RELIABLE PLUG-AND-PLAY INTERNET ACCESS
Aware of the strong Lantronix reputation for reliability and ease-of-use, Sky Sign selected the UDS1100 single-port device server. Lantronix solutions are essentially plug-and-play and do not require an IT administrator to connect making it an ideal solution for Sky Sign’s customer base. The UDS is designed to provide a quick, simple and cost-effective way for users to network-enable virtually any piece of equipment with a serial port.
For increased mobility or hard-to-reach areas, Sky Sign also offers Lantronix WiBox®, an 802.11 b/g device server that enables users to easily and quickly connect equipment to WiFi networks via serial or Ethernet. WiBox is ideal for environments where running cable is too expensive or impractical.
Now, instead of having a computer connected directly to each sign, customers can connect a UDS or WiBox through its web server capabilities to access, manage and configure signs from a standard web browser, regardless of location. Coupled with Sky Sign’s proprietary software, loading content and accessing LED signs has never been easier.
The Result:
TRUE NETWORKED REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF SIGN CONTENT, EMPOWERMENT FOR CUSTOMERS AND ADDED UNIT SALES
Eliminating the need for local control of each sign, Sky Sign customers are able to make updates and send new aggregated content to their signs regardless of their location. This has changed the way Sky Sign conducts business by empowering customers to buy multiple units to support more locations.
By offering Lantronix device server solutions, Sky Sign has seen a huge increase in the volume of units sold. Customers can now outfit their entire organization with multiple signs. As a result, customers are beginning to realize additional uses of sign information in areas such as their factory floors and/or warehouses to communicate unique or timely promotions. In turn, they are maximizing their return on investment. In fact, Sky Sign estimates that businesses that are effectively utilizing LED signs have increased sales by 20 percent.
“Using Sky Sign’s Mobile message unit resulted in an average sales increase of 162% for a 3-day period,” reported Jerry Benware, owner of SportsClips KY-102.
“Partnering with Lantronix has clearly changed the way we do business,” said Gary Polsgrove, president of Sky Sign. “Our customers are now able to connect to and control more signs than before, which have generated a substantial increase in sales. Overall, Lantronix has been an ideal partner with not only guaranteed customer service, but with solutions that are extremely ease-of-use and deploy.”
Contact Info:
(949) 450-9855
nitasha.rohatgi@lantronix.com
