ViewSonic: Sign Up For Bundles
ViewSonic's entry-level bundle, which includes the 17-inch N1750W LCD display and WMA 100 Wireless Media Adapter, will be available in July and will retail for less than $1,000, said Jeff Volpe, vice president of marketing at ViewSonic, Walnut, Calif.
The midlevel bundle, also available in July, will include a display, the WMA 100 Wireless Media Adapter and the WMG 120 Wireless Media Gateway and will be priced at more than $1,000 depending on the configuration, according to ViewSonic.
Finally, the enterprise bundle, expected in the fourth quarter, will include 42- and 50-inch displays that are networkable, IP-addressable and have the Wireless Media Adapters integrated into the displays. The bundle also will include content management firmware. ViewSonic has not yet priced the enterprise bundle.
ViewSonic is initially targeting the bundles at about 180 of its specialized audio-visual partners but will roll them out to IT solution providers once the company chooses distributors to support them, said Volpe.
"This solution plays right in the middle of the IT and A/V guys," Volpe said. "They're excited about it because it's easy to install, reliable and affordable. It's an enhancement to both of their businesses."
The move comes as more products originally created for the consumer market find their way into commercial environments. It also reflects the need for integrators and vendors to collaborate on value-added solutions that offer higher margins rather than stand-alone products.
"We've only been selling the hardware piece. Now we've partnered to sell hardware in the context of a full solution," Volpe said.
Ethan Simmons, partner at Boston-based network integrator NetTeks Technology Consultants, said more clients are studying digital signage applications as they look to maximize advertising and marketing space.
"Where before customers were buying a sign or artwork, now they're filling every available space possible with plasma or LCD screens to do digital signage and deliver their message to customers," Simmons said.