Convergent, Author at Blog by Convergent

Better Sex through DSaaS*

Yes, you read that headline right. And yes, we’re being provocative, but bear with me, because I’ll prove my point: DSaaS* + an experienced, committed solutions provider = increased retail sales, less stress and a better home life (and all that implies) In last week’s blog, we talked about the continued struggles of today’s retailer (as if you needed reminding). Same store sales data is down and fewer people are shopping in brick-and-mortar stores. RetailNext’s latest Retail Performance Pulse report on store performance showed a 6 percent year-over-year decline in August, continuing a years-long trend. At the same time, the […]

Strategy and Measurement

5 Reasons Why Marketing Should Make Your Digital Signage Buying Decisions: Part 2

Last week, I was pretty tough on marketing professionals and the reasons they give to justify a digital signage solution. Too often, in my experience, they rely on what looks sexy and sounds cool, rather than considering hard issues such as cost, ROI and metrics to show results. I gave a lot of credit to IT professionals and their focus on those and other concrete details that can lead to a successful implementation. On the other hand . . . IT folks also have a few blind spots when it comes to digital signage. In general, their focus is on […]

Strategy and Measurement

5 Reasons Why Marketing Shouldn’t Make Your Digital Signage Buying Decisions: Part 1

During my career in start-ups and tech, I’ve spent a lot of time selling to IT professionals. The philosophy and discipline they bring to decision-making has always frustrated…I mean, impressed me. They focused on things like Return on Investment (ROI), measuring value and true cost of ownership. They understand the challenges of owning and operating rapidly changing technology. They speak a concrete language of finance, logic and analysis: ROI modeling, TCO, capex vs opex and cost of capital. They demand product demos, pilots and proof of concept to validate and measure value of solutions. On top of that, they demand […]

News

Allen Edmonds Renews and Extends Agreement with Convergent

Allen Edmonds premium men’s retailer counts on Convergent for digital signage expertise and support in 50 stores across the U.S.

Digital signage

Doing the Heavy Lifting: Digital Signage as a Service

Lest you think that cloud-based computing is brand new, shared computer processing and data storage resources actually have been around in one form or another for more than 40 years. However, in the last decade, migration to the cloud is happening faster and faster. According to a study by the Cloud Security Alliance, 33% of organizations have a “full steam ahead” attitude toward cloud services and 86% of companies spend at least part of their IT budget on cloud services. 79% of IT leaders receive regular requests from end users each month to buy more cloud applications, with file sharing […]

Digital signage

Why Our Industry is Broken

“Our industry is broken; it’s as simple as that. With a fragmented market of more than 300 software providers, an array of hardware and technology options, high up front cost and no meaningful performance metrics, making an investment in digital signage today is a roll of the dice. But we’re changing that.” – Steve Schilling – President, Convergent

Uncategorized

Ballantyne Strong Announces Acquisition of Convergent Media Systems

Combination will create leading player in fast growing digital solutions market. OMAHA, Nebraska (October 1, 2013) Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTN), a provider of digital equipment, screens and managed services as well as specialty lighting equipment, today announced the acquisition of Convergent Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary Convergent Media Systems, a leading player in digital signage and content creation and distribution systems. Convergent Corporation was a subsidiary of Sony Electronics Inc.