New York, NY – MediaNow has completed the installation of two high-definition LED indoor displays for the landmark Times Square Building. Commissioned by building owners Africa-Israel, this large-scale project has met its goal of transforming the lobby of the former New York Times Building into a visual showcase, highlighting the stunning designs conceived by Andres Escobar and Associates.

MediaNow integrated two 9 x 16-ft, 6mm Ultravision LED displays into the glass façade at the 43^rd and Broadway location, where they will reside among some of the finest LED displays in the world. The lobby’s LED displays and two informational concierge LCD screens are controlled by Scala 5 digital signage software, and hidden JBL speakers powered by Crown provide the audio. All content is delivered in 720p HD format, making these two of the largest indoor HD displays in the nation. MediaNow delivered during construction, managed by Turner Construction, and was supported by Lewis Engineering, Adamson Associates, AVAL Interiors, North Shore Neon, HOK Electric and New York Union trade professionals.

West Palm Beach, Florida – Upon MediaNow’s successful completion of Phase I in 2007, the U.S. Veterans Medical Center of West Palm Beach re-contracted MediaNow to complete Phase II of their hospital-wide Scala 5digital signage system. The 50-plus LCD system, managed by the VAMC Medical Media Department, serves a critical role by disseminating important news to key areas instantly. The tremendous nine-story complex serves thousands of U.S. veterans every month, and the digital signage project has reportedly been received with enthusiasm by the veterans who rely on this facility every day.

In addition to providing all of the hardware and software for this project, MediaNow also installed LCD displays at well-traveled areas throughout the complex, some of which required custom-built monitor mounts. MediaNow was also supported in this effort by the West Palm Beach VAMC Engineering and IT Departments.

Carlisle, Pennsylvania – The prestigious U.S. Army War College once again teamed with MediaNow to expand a formidable campus-wide Scala 5 digital signage system. The LCD displays are placed at prominent locations in several buildings to keep both students and faculty informed and up-to-date.

With several AWC departments as stakeholders in this ongoing project, Phase II expanded the digital signage system to an adjoining property to service the U.S. Army Heritage Educational Center.

Jamaica, New York – The Federal Aviation Administration called on MediaNow to develop and install a custom controlled and mounted video display system for use in critical operations at JFK Airport. The various large-sized LCD HD screens are integrated into a unique system that displays multiple sources of HD video, information, and data, controlled by a single Philips Pronto user interface. MediaNow performed all phases of the project, including modification, installation, and programming.

Washington, DC – The USDA Graduate School contracted MediaNow to deploy a digital signage and television system throughout their Washington, DC center. The Scala 5 system is capable of full HD video, satellite television, animated text messages and emergency alerts. MediaNow installed several 42” LCD displays, designed specifically for business settings, throughout the facility to provide information to students and staff. Phase II of this project is planned for 2009.

New Jersey – The U.S. Army Command at Picatinny Arsenal relied on MediaNow to perform upgrades on several mission-critical conference rooms throughout the base. MediaNow relocated existing plasma displays and reconfigured them for alternate uses while installing state-of-the-art Sharp 65” HD LCD monitors and NEC LCD projectors. The largest conference room features two 65” LCD displays, four 52” LCD displays, and one 120” Da-Lite in-ceiling projection screen, creating a dynamic forum for the base’s highly specialized needs. Many of the new devices were integrated into a Creston control system, providing ease of use and management.

San Juan, Puerto Rico - The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency retained MediaNow to provide and install a building-wide HDTV and video display system at their Caribbean Division complex. The system, which includes nearly 20 plasma and LCD HDTVs in sizes ranging from 32” to 60”, disseminates critical information to staff and DEA agents in offices and conference rooms. MediaNow quickly and efficiently procured, installed, programmed and tested the system with no interruption to critical DEA operations.

Harlingen, Texas – When the U.S. Veterans Administration of Southern Texas decided to “go digital” in their new Harlingen VA Patient Outreach Center, they relied on MediaNow to develop and deploy their multiple-location system. The Scala 5 Digital Signage System includes 40” LCD displays that greet and direct patients as well as provide the latest clinic information to patients and employees alike. The easy to maintain system can also be changed almost instantly to display emergency notices.

Bamberg, Germany – The U.S. Army Directorate of Bamberg called on MediaNow to deliver two 9×12ft Apcus Technologies outdoor LED displays. The dual-sided, full color video and graphics display relays vital base information to outside traffic, and the Scala 5 Digital Signage software allows the content to be quickly and easily changed to meet the army’s needs, including emergency message dissemination.

By Michael Hardy

As the three companies that now hold the Networx Universal contracts continue final preparations for filling orders, executives at other companies are racking their brains to figure out how to get a piece of the action.

Small businesses in particular want in, but those that are not already involved may have a hard time, especially in the early stages of the contract. The bidders all included teams of subcontractors in their proposals to the General Services Administration and will almost certainly want to reward those partners first, industry observers say. And the sheer number of small businesses interested means that everyone won’t succeed in getting on one of the teams.

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