Ingram pushes digital signage message to SMEs

Distribution giant signs three vendors whose products form a complete SME offering

Sign of the Times: one of the many uses for digital signage

Ingram has formed a strategic alliance with three digital signage vendors to bring the technology to the mass market.

The broadliner has signed flat screen display and mount vendor Philips, cabling and signal management firm Minicom and software vendor BroadSign, which together supply a complete solution tailored for the SME market.

Initially the solution will be rolled out into the German market, but other countries will follow after the launch.

Jay Forbes, president of Ingram Micro EMEA, said: “We are extremely enthusiastic about the digital signage market and are pleased to announce our strategic partnership with Philips, Minicom and BroadSign. We believe that Digital Signage provides our resellers with an excellent growth opportunity and we are delighted to be adding this SME focused solution to our portfolio. We look forward to rolling it out across the entire region.”

Mark Poldervaart, senior director Philips BU professional and business solutions EMEA, said: “Philips is pleased to work closely together with Ingram Micro, Minicom and BroadSign to offer a complete digital signage solution for the SME segment. Each company brings their own competence into the total solution to provide a great end-result for the customer. With the market reach of Ingram Micro we are positive that we can fulfil the Digital Signage needs of our SMB customers.”

Ronni Guggenheim, president, Minicom Europe, said: “The appointment of Ingram Micro as a distributor for Minicom’s last mile solutions for digital signage is a major step in serving this booming market. Together with other leading brands, such as Philips and BroadSign, we are able to offer a comprehensive package and solution to the market. Ingram Micro is an optimal avenue to serve the SME market of smaller and medium size rollouts. We are extremely excited about this opportunity.”

Rick Engels, chief executive of BroadSign International, added: “Partnering with Ingram Micro enables us to cater to small and medium-size digital signage networks throughout Europe. Ingram Micro's infrastructure provides us with the logistical and marketing bridge to this attractive market that will now be able to benefit from BroadSign's Software as a Service platform.”