Smart Signage, Real Strategy: What AV Pros Should Be Pitching

Let’s talk about digital signage, but not in the tired way. I’m not here to pitch “content on a screen” and call it a day. This is about real strategy, real control, and solutions that actually scale. The industry’s evolving, and as CTS-certified AV pros, we need to lead with options that aren’t just flashy. They need to be functional, intuitive, and built to handle the chaos behind the curtain.

Now, if you haven’t looked into Autora, it’s time. It’s our own platform and yes, I’m biased, but also right. It’s been flying under the radar, and that’s exactly why it’s such a smart play. Autora DSM is clean, cloud-native, and built for teams who want control without needing an IT translator every time they schedule a slide. The platform recently powered a full digital signage rollout across Texas A&M University. We’re talking hundreds of displays across campuses with centralized scheduling, emergency override capability, and branded content templates that even non-designers can update without breaking something. It’s signage that respects both the tech and the people using it. The feedback has been strong. IT teams love it. End users adopt it. Everyone wins.

Now for the usual suspects.

BrightSign is still the MVP when you want a rock-solid player that just gets it done. A retail chain in Puerto Rico used BrightSign players triggered by motion sensors for in-store promos. Ads played when customers reached for a product. No extra clicks, no wasted airtime, just smart, reactive content that helped move inventory.

Carousel deserves a nod too, especially when design flexibility matters. One municipality used it to manage content across multiple public buildings and gave each department the ability to manage its own screens. It kept things decentralized without going rogue, and the admin team didn’t need to babysit anyone through the process.

When you need to impress, tvONE steps in. We used CORIOmaster for a luxury hotel video wall that needed multiple inputs, layout changes, and scheduled zones without losing quality or giving the tech team a heart attack. No fuss, no delays, just a stunning lobby experience that made a serious first impression.

And of course, behind every great signage setup is clean distribution.

That’s where Atlona and WyreStorm come in. A client in Brazil needed signage throughout their HQ along with meeting room scheduling and VC integration. We tied everything together with WyreStorm handling signage feeds and Atlona managing signal control across the rooms. It worked, looked good, and stayed future-proof.

Here’s the takeaway.

Digital signage isn’t a “nice to have” anymore. It’s a key part of AV ecosystems. If you’re not leading with flexible, scalable options, someone else will. Autora DSM gives us a major advantage in that conversation and it’s the one I’m bringing to the front of the line.

Let me know if you want to dive deeper or see how these platforms play in real-world installs. I’ve got examples, and I’ve got time.

Gisela Ramirez, Sales Director - LATAM

About the Author

Gisela Ramirez

Sales Director – LATAM

Exertis Almo

Where Talent Meets Teamwork: The Real Magic Behind Pro AV

You can spec the sharpest display, install the cleanest rack, tune the tightest DSP—but without connection? It’s just a bunch of impressive parts sitting quietly.

AV isn’t about isolated greatness. It’s about what happens when individual talent meets collective purpose—when the right people and the right gear sync up to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

This industry runs on collaboration—and that’s my favorite part.

Every Piece and Every Person Matters

On the surface, a polished AV system looks seamless. But behind that experience is a network of sharp minds, skilled hands, and real-time teamwork.

  • Displays shine because someone spec’d the right brightness.
  • Tom KehrAudio hits because someone knew how to tune it.
  • Control works because someone thought through the end-user experience.

Individual talent makes it shine—but collaboration is what makes it unforgettable.

A few weeks before Easter, one of our audio pros, Tom Kehr, CTS-D, CTS-I, helped me figure out what questions to ask the AV tech at my church to spec headsets. That gave me exactly what I needed to take to our always-friendly and responsive partner, Sean at Shure, who helped me choose the best headset option available in time for the Easter program. Just a few small pieces of gear—but a perfect example of how great results come from people working together and sharing what they know.

This Industry Runs on Connection

Compatibility. Sync. Collaboration.
These aren’t just tech specs—they’re the values that keep ProAV moving.

Jennifer FisherWe play well with others. We share what we know. And we show up—online, onsite, at trainings, and at events. Trade shows and demos give us a chance to exchange more than information—we share a little of ourselves. That’s where real bonds form, and those connections make everything we do together stronger.

Whether it’s our in-house technical lead Eric Olson, CTS, hopping on a call to break down complex specs… or my west coast LG BDM counterpart, Jennifer Fisher, turning a long-lead DVLED project into a ready-to-ship solution by combining two of LG’s 136” all-in-one DVLED bundles with a connector kit—saving time and serious money… or Daryl from LG following up on an RMA on his day off to make sure it’s approved in time for a grand opening.

Darryl SeeseIt’s these behind-the-scenes wins that turn potential into real results.

Almo: Collective Support in Action

At Almo, nothing moves alone—including our reseller and dealer partners.

Our culture is rooted in integrity, innovation, teamwork, and treating people like family. That’s how we show up for each other—and it’s why we’re able to support the AV industry in such a meaningful way.

Every win is backed by a crew that makes it happen:

  • Sales reps who stay sharp to offer real solutions
  • BDMs who bring product expertise and project support
  • LinkLab specialists who step in with programming, drafting, and install services when you need them
  • Warehouse teams who pack with care and move fast
  • Buyers who keep gear in stock
  • Behind-the-scenes pros in registrations, claims, inside sales, IT, and marketing—working together to deliver the best experience for everyone involved

We don’t just move product—we help move the whole project forward.

The Best Part of AV? The People.

This industry doesn’t just run on tech. It runs on people who care.

People who dig into design, stay up on specs, and solve problems under pressure.
People who build not just systems—but experiences—for the people who use them, and with the people who help bring them to life.

And we have a good time doing it. I’m proud to be part of that.

LG team

Together Is How It Works

AV isn’t a solo gig—it’s a team effort from start to finish.

When strong products and sharp professionals sync up, the result is something no single piece could achieve alone.

So here’s to the techs, the trainers, the reps, the warehouse teams, and our vendor and reseller partners. To the folks who ask smart questions, find better answers, and always make time to help.

When we plug in, sync up, and support each other — we build systems that work, and an industry that works even better.

Tiff Jones-Morton headshot-frame

About the Author

Tiff Jones-Morton | DSCE

BDM – Brand Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: LG Business Solutions (NE, SE, MW)

Contact Exertis Almo for product info, inventory availability, or to start a quote.

The Impact of AV Over IP on Global Installations: Why is everyone converting?

In today’s AV landscape, AV over IP (AVoIP) isn’t just an upgrade—it’s the new standard for global installations. Whether you’re connecting a boardroom in Bogotá, a resort in Punta Cana, or a university campus in São Paulo, AVoIP is transforming how large-scale deployments are designed, managed, and scaled.

Why AVoIP? Because Matrix Switchers Are Outdated

Let’s be real—traditional matrix switchers had their moment. But in today’s fast-paced, multi-location world, they just can’t keep up. AVoIP offers infinite scalability, simplified deployment, and cost-efficiency—all while running over standard Ethernet networks.

  • atlona omnistreamExample: During a recent deployment for a Fortune 500 client in Mexico City, we connected 20 meeting rooms with seamless 4K video distribution using Atlona’s OmniStream AVoIP solution. No bulky switchers. No infrastructure headaches. Just smooth, scalable content delivery over their existing 1Gb network.

Global Deployments: One Setup, Infinite Possibilities

One of the biggest wins with AVoIP is its consistency across regions. Whether you’re installing in Miami, Madrid, or Medellín, you can replicate the same system architecture. 

zeevee zypher That means faster rollouts, fewer compatibility issues, and streamlined support.

  • Caribbean Example: We recently helped a hospitality group overhaul their digital signage network across multiple resorts. Using ZeeVee ZyPer4K encoders and decoders, they centralized content distribution from a single hub. Now, they push real-time promos, event schedules, and resort updates to multiple locations—without the need for separate headends or complex cabling at each site.

Higher Education: Smarter Campuses with AVoIP

lecture hallUniversities are quickly adopting AVoIP for lecture streaming, content distribution, and hybrid learning. The flexibility and remote management capabilities make it a game-changer for higher ed.

  • Higher Ed Example: We recently worked with a university in LATAM that wanted to create a seamless hybrid classroom experience. Using Kramer’s KDS-EN6 and KDS-DEC6 AVoIP system, they linked lecture halls, remote classrooms, and overflow areas into one unified network. Students attending virtually had zero-latency audio and video, and the IT team could manage the entire system remotely—no more frantic campus sprints to fix a frozen screen.

Scalability: Because Expanding Shouldn’t Break the Bank, just be installed in them!

The beauty of AVoIP is its modular scalability. Need to add ten more displays next month? No problem. Just drop in more encoders and decoders. No forklift upgrade required.

  • muxlab controllerLATAM Example: A corporate campus in São Paulo rolled out MuxLab’s ProDigital Network Controller for 4K content distribution across 50+ displays. When they expanded, they simply added more endpoints—no need for new infrastructure.

Speed and Simplicity: Your IT Team Will Thank You

One of the biggest reasons Fortune 500s are all in on AVoIP? It plays nice with existing IT infrastructure. No proprietary cabling, no octopus like cable heads. No weird compatibility issues. Just standard Ethernet.

  • wyrestorm Financial Sector Example: When upgrading the Panama offices of a financial institution, we deployed WyreStorm’s NHD-400-TX/RX system. Their IT team took over AV support without breaking a sweat, thanks to the system’s seamless integration with their existing network.

Security: Because Boardroom Meetings Shouldn’t Be Hackable

lumens ndi encodersAVoIP also offers enhanced security. Solutions from Lumens, AMX, and Kramer use encrypted video streams, protecting sensitive content from prying eyes.

  • Corporate Security Example: A multinational bank in LATAM needed to securely stream financial data between branches. By using Lumens’ NDI encoders, they ensured low-latency, encrypted content distribution without compromising data integrity.

AVoIP: Because You Deserve to Leave the Server Room Before Retirement.

Let’s be honest—AVoIP is also about quality of life. With remote management tools, you can troubleshoot systems from anywhere. No more spending your weekend in a freezing server room.

  • kramer-control-pi-1Hospitality Example: One of our Caribbean resort clients now manages their entire digital signage network remotely using Kramer’s Control Platform. Need to update content across multiple resorts? One click—done. No techs on-site. No downtime, just sunshine and pina coladas!

Why corporations are All In on AVoIP?

For global companies, AVoIP is the only logical choice. Here’s why:

  • Consistency: Same setup from in every location… no matter where in the world.
  • Scalability: Add endpoints without adding infrastructure headaches.
  • Remote Management: Because nobody wants to spend their day troubleshooting in a server room. Yuck!
  • Cost Efficiency: Less hardware, fewer cables, happier CFO. Happy CFO, happy sales team!
  • Flexibility: Works across corporate, hospitality, and higher ed sectors. Endless possibilities.

The bottom line?

AVoIP isn’t the future—it’s the now. So, the next time someone pitches you a clunky, outdated AV solution, just smile and say, “That’s cute. But we’ve moved on.”  Talk to your Almo Pro AV rep when designing your next project and let’s lock down a better solution that will make your life easier and your customer happy!

Gisela Ramirez, Sales Director - LATAM

About the Author

Gisela Ramirez

Sales Director – LATAM

Exertis Almo

Empower Your Corporate Clients with Smart Huddle Spaces: Essential AV Products for Seamless Collaboration

If you’re looking to design and install top-notch huddle spaces, we have everything you need to create the perfect solution for any space and budget, ensuring your corporate clients stay satisfied and return for more. In this blog, we’ll cover the basic principles to foster effective communication and recommend essential AV products for seamless collaboration.

Creating the Perfect Huddle Spaceperfect huddle space elevation

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, having a dedicated spot for quick meetings and brainstorming sessions is essential. But to make these spaces truly effective, they need the right tech solutions to enhance user productivity.

Building the perfect huddle space involves more than just selecting the right products. It’s about creating an environment that fosters collaboration and inclusion for a hybrid workforce.

Here are some tips to help you design an effective huddle space for your clients:

  1. Strategic Placement: Position your display and video conferencing equipment to ensure that everyone in the room has a clear view and can participate fully.
  2. Comfortable Seating: Provide comfortable seating arrangements that encourage engagement and interaction.
  3. Adequate Lighting: Ensure that the space is well-lit to reduce eye strain and create a welcoming atmosphere.
  4. Good Accoustics: Consider soundproofing or use sound-absorbing materials to enhance audio quality and reduce distractions during meetings.
  5. User-Friendly Technology: Choose AV solutions that are easy to use and integrate seamlessly with existing systems.

Essential AV Tech for Collaboration

Huddle spaces come in various configurations and sizes. For an example, check out this flyer featuring a signal flow diagram and elevation drawings prepared by the LinkLab services team for a recent E4 Experience event, where we set up a demo huddle space for attendees to experience firsthand. Now, let’s dive into some of the AV products we offer to elevate any corporate huddle space.

Philips displaysDisplay Solutions

A high-resolution display is the centerpiece of any huddle space. The Philips 55″ Q-Line 4K Ultra HD Display offers stunning visuals and vibrant colors, making it ideal for presentations, video calls, and collaborative work. With its sleek design and advanced features, this display enhances the overall experience and ensures that every detail is visible to all participants. As integrators, you’ll appreciate the ease of installation and the impressive performance this display offers.

Middle Atlantic free standing display mountFree-Standing Mounts

A sturdy and versatile stand or mount is essential for any huddle space setup. The Middle Atlantic Forum Free-Standing Display Stands are designed to support displays ranging from 42″ to 55″. These mounts provide a secure and adjustable platform for your screens, ensuring optimal viewing angles for all participants. Whether you need a floor-to-wall mount or a freestanding option, these products offer flexibility and reliability, making installation a breeze for integrators.

Video Conferencing Solutions

Barco ClickShare Bar ProEffective video conferencing is essential for remote collaboration. The Barco ClickShare Bar Pro is a powerful tool that combines a camera, microphone, and speaker into one compact device. This all-in-one solution simplifies the setup process and delivers high-quality audio and video for clear communication. With features like AI-powered noise cancellation and automatic framing, the ClickShare Video Bar Pro ensures that every meeting runs smoothly, making it a valuable addition to any huddle space.

Power Management

power distribution - rack mountedReliable power management is critical to maintaining uninterrupted operations in your huddle space. The NEXSYS Rackmount PDU from Legrand AV is a horizontal rackmount power solution that offers multi-stage surge protection. This ensures that all your AV equipment is safeguarded against power surges, providing peace of mind and consistent performance. With easy installation and robust protection, it’s a must-have for any huddle space setup.

High-Quality Cables

high speed hdmi cablesQuality cables are the backbone of any AV setup, ensuring clear and stable signal transmission. The CG41364 HDMI cable from Legrand AV’s C2G Plus Series is designed to deliver high-definition video and audio with minimal interference. This cable supports 4K resolution, making it perfect for presentations and video conferencing. Its durable construction and reliable performance make it an excellent choice for connecting your devices, ensuring your clients get the best possible experience.

Conclusion

By following these guidelines, you’ll create huddle spaces that not only meet your clients’ needs but also foster effective collaboration and productivity. A well-equipped huddle space can significantly enhance your corporate clients’ experience, transforming any corner into a hub of innovation and success that meets the demands of modern corporate environments. Satisfied clients lead to a thriving business for you!

Have more questions or want to consult with us about a specific use case? Connect with Exertis Almo’s Collaboration Solutions Category Manager or contact your Sales Representative, and we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your clients’ needs.

Want to know more? Check out one of our other collaboration solution blogs.

SDM Chip: The Key to Streamlined Digital Signage and Connectivity

I’m always in the pursuit of better understanding our current technologies, so I’ve decided to delve into Smart Display Module specifications. You’ve probably heard a lot about them, and you’re probably already using them.

How much do you really know about them and their capabilities? Improving upon the previous version called OPS (which is still currently available), SDM was developed to meet the needs of higher resolutions and higher data transfer speeds while minimizing space allowing displays to remain thin.

What are some of the other enhancements? In essence, the SDM is designed to future-proof your setup, whether you need capability for sharing content to a display or projector, or flexibility in connectivity options for today and the future.

As the demand for digital signage grows across a variety of applications, so does the need for more efficient and streamlined solutions. SDM, which stands for Smart Display Module, is a groundbreaking innovation that brings impressive power and efficiency to your digital signage setup.

In a recent conversation with Rudolf Vitti, Panasonic Product Manager Displays, we discussed the benefits of SDM and how its transforming digital signage and other AV over IP Solutions. Let’s explore how this innovative technology enables smarter, more streamlined installations.

The Basics: What Is SDM?

Developed by Intel®, SDM is a small, but powerful module specification designed for connecting displays and other peripherals to computing systems. SDM is designed to streamline the integration of displays into various types of systems, such as digital signage, interactive kiosks, and other embedded applications.

By helping with the need for a separate computing device, the modules can run signage software and support different connectivity capabilities.

Streamlined Integration Across Many Applications

Panasonic displays with SDM chipThe versatility of SDM makes it an ideal solution for a wide range of applications across various industries with flexible connectivity options without overhauling your entire system.

Retail & Advertising: For retail environments, SDM enables digital signage that’s simple to manage and maintain. Displaying ads, promotions, and product information on digital screens can enhance customer engagement by delivering targeted content based on location, time of day, or customer preferences.

Transportation: Airports, train stations, and bus terminals can use SDM-powered displays to show real-time flight or schedule information. With its compact and integrated design, it allows for easy installation and management of multiple screens across large spaces.

Higher Education: In colleges and universities, digital signage can be used for announcements, event schedules, and campus news. With SDM, educational institutions can set up digital displays in classrooms, halls, or lobbies without worrying about complicated setups or additional hardware.

Why Is SDM a Game-Changer?

One less point of failure: By creating a more streamlined, efficient setup, SDM reduces the potential for breakdowns or technical issues. Fewer components mean fewer opportunities for malfunction, making the system more reliable.

Futureproofing and adapting to new trends without replacing the entire display: The SDM’s modular design ensures that digital signage installations can evolve without having to replace entire displays. It’s easier to upgrade the module itself rather than overhaul the entire system, allowing businesses to stay up to date with new technologies and trends.

Easier to update and manage content: With SDM, content management becomes more efficient. Updates can be made remotely or directly through the system, reducing the time and effort needed for manual updates. This streamlined process ensures content is always fresh and relevant.

Designed for the Future SDM is flexible, adaptable, and built for the future. It provides versatile, standardized solutions that reduce the need for custom designs and ensure compatibility. The modular nature of the chip allows for easy upgrades in signage. Additionally, it offers backward compatibility, making it possible to connect new displays with older infrastructure. SDM also enables the integration of multiple displays within a network for complex setups and large-scale deployments, all while reducing cables. Panasonic projector with SDM chip

Panasonic Connect supports SDM across the EQ, SQE2, and SQ2H series displays and PT-RQ25, REQ15, and RQ7 series projectors.

The SDM is a game-changer for digital signage, offering a more reliable, adaptable, and scalable solution for various industries. By reducing complexity and hardware requirements, SDM enables businesses to implement cost-effective and future-ready connectivity options for various applications inclusive of digital signage systems.

Interested in learning more about Panasonic SDM modules or other Panasonic products? Please feel free to reach out to me, Angie Greene, Exertis Almo BDM Brand Specialist, Panasonic.

Angie Greene
About the Author

Angie Greene | DSCE

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Panasonic Connect

QDEL: Just Another Acronym or the Next Quantum-Dot Leap?

Display technology advancements seem to pop up every other day, but every now and then, a true game-changer emerges. Enter QDEL—Quantum Dot Electroluminescent displays. More than just another acronym in the tech world, QDEL has the potential to redefine the way we experience screens by overcoming the limitations of OLED, LCD, and even the latest QD-OLED technology.

Sony Bravia 9 NanoLEDWhat is a QDEL Display?

QDEL (Quantum Dot Electroluminescent) is a cutting-edge display technology that eliminates the need for a backlight. Unlike traditional LCDs, OLEDs, and QD-OLEDs, which require external light sources or organic materials to emit light, QDEL uses quantum dots as the primary light emitters. This results in a self-emissive display that delivers exceptional brightness, richer colors, and greater energy efficiency.

The good news? Quantum dots are already being successfully used in LCD-LED and OLED screens, proving their viability in consumer technology. Now, with QDEL, stakeholders predict even greater efficiencies—including lower power consumption and higher brightness compared to OLED.

Why QDEL Could Be the Ultimate Display Tech

QDEL offers significant advantages over existing display technologies:

Wider Color Gamut – Expect richer, more vibrant colors than today’s QD-OLED displays.
Higher Brightness – More intense illumination without excessive power consumption.
Burn-in Resistance – Unlike OLED, QDEL won’t degrade over time, making it more durable.
More Affordable Production – Potentially lowering costs compared to OLED and microLED.

By addressing the weaknesses of OLED, QD-LED, and direct-view LED (DVLED) displays, QDEL represents the future of screens—offering a superior visual experience with greater longevity and accessibility.

Sony Bravia 9 NanoLED QLED technology The Future of Display Technology with QDEL

With QDEL technology on the rise, the future of displays looks brighter—literally and figuratively. This innovation could reshape the industry by delivering next-level performance, efficiency, and affordability.

Imagine a world where displays are:

Ultra-bright yet energy-efficient – Perfect for outdoor viewing and HDR content.
⏿ Vivid and true-to-life – The widest color gamut ever seen in consumer displays.
⛨  Free from burn-in worries – Long-lasting screens for TVs, smartphones, and beyond.
$ More affordable – Bringing premium visual experiences to a wider audience.

As QDEL technology continues to evolve, we can expect thinner, more flexible, and more durable screens, paving the way for groundbreaking applications in gaming, home entertainment, digital signage, and even augmented reality.

The rapid progress in quantum dot applications proves that QDEL isn’t just a concept—it’s the next leap forward. We’re on the brink of an exciting transformation, where screens will be brighter, richer, and more reliable than ever before.

The future isn’t just high-definition—it’s QDEL-defined.

Oshiana Lindsley

About the Author

Oshiana Lindsley​​​​​​ | DSCE

BDM – Brand Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Sony

Want to know more about innovative LED technologies?
Check out this blog, “How Transparent LED Film is Revolutionizing Display Technology“.

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