Kiosk: Self-Service Kiosk Software Leader Netkey Acquires Webpavement, Top Digital Signage Software Brand

Netkey, a recognized leading provider of software for self-service kiosks, recently announced that it has acquired Webpavement, one of the largest providers of software used for the operation and management of networks of digital signs.

Webpavement, based in Alpharetta, GA, was founded in 2000 and is a pioneer in the development of software products designed specifically for the operation of digital signage – video screens that display multimedia content and messages that are connected using private networks or the Internet. Webpavement customers include Pfizer, Clear Channel, Welch Foods, Robins Air Force Base, Jacksonville International Airport, the University of Houston, and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

This acquisition places Netkey in a leadership position as the only company able to offer businesses a comprehensive suite of best-in-class software products and services designed to increase sales, improve the customer experience, and inform workers through kiosks and digital signage, while at the same time reducing the time and resources required by IT to deploy, operate and manage these networks.

"There is tremendous opportunity in the convergence of interactive kiosk technology and digital signage, and Netkey is now uniquely positioned to offer to Fortune 1000 companies software and services that are optimized to address the specialized business and technology requirements of these fast-growing channels," said V. Miller Newton, CEO of Netkey. "Webpavement is recognized as being one the top providers of digital signage software, and we welcome their employees, customers and partners to the Netkey family. As a result of this acquisition, Netkey is redefining the way self-service and digital signage solutions are delivered to the market by making it easy for businesses to select a single best-in-class vendor for both."

"Webpavement was one of the first companies to develop and deploy software designed specifically to operate digital signage networks, and we are proud to have helped transform the way businesses communicate with customers and employees," said Eric Unold, co-founder of Webpavement. "As a result, the company has achieved strong industry momentum and built a solid base of flagship enterprise accounts. Joining with an industry leader like Netkey creates a solution provider that is stronger and better positioned to service customers in both the kiosk and digital signage markets."

Rapid Market Adoption of Digital Signage
Emerging trends such as the need for real-time information in public locations, enhancing the customer experience, synchronizing sales and marketing channels, and improving employee productivity are driving the explosive adoption of digital signage in retail stores and malls, bank branches, airports and train stations, corporate offices and government facilities. Published reports estimate that the digital signage marketplace will grow up to 50 percent per year to become an over $4B industry by 2011.

"Retailers plan to increase in-store technology spending by nearly 14% this year," said Robert Garf, AMR Research Vice President and General Manager, Retail Strategies, in a new report. "Netkey is well-positioned to take advantage of this trend by marrying the two advanced selling technology platforms, which have the potential to let retailers offer timely and relevant communication, via myriad devices, throughout the entire shopping process."

Netkey Webpavement: Market-Proven, Feature-Rich Digital Signage Software
The Webpavement solution – now called Netkey Webpavement – is a comprehensive suite of digital signage software modules that are feature-rich yet easy to use. Netkey Webpavement addresses the key business processes and workflows required to develop, deploy, operate, manage and report on networks of digital signs displaying advertisements and a wide variety of other content types. Product modules include:

• Sign Server: Server software for centrally managing networks of digital signage media players. Sign Server automates all content management and distribution for digital signage networks. Playlists and schedules are programmed using a web browser and stored in a central database for distribution to a network of media players.
• Sign Administrator: Administrative tool for controlling digital signage in real time. Local or centralized users can immediately update screens with text crawls, instant messaging, RSS news feeds and more.
• Sign Host: Media player software that displays playlists according to schedule. Alongside playlists, information can be displayed in a sidebar, while a ticker scrolls text messages, local weather forecasts, stock market summaries and headline news.

More information about Netkey Webpavement solutions for digital signage can be found at: www.webpavement.com Full-featured, free 30-day trial copies of Netkey Webpavement Sign Administrator and Sign Host are available for download at: www.webpavement.com/digital-signage-downloads.htm Please contact Netkey for pricing and purchase options.

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