News

AMX intros total-cost-of-ownership calculator for digital signage

December 12, 2010

AMX, a provider of solutions that simplify the implementation, maintenance and use of technology to create effective environments, today announced an online total-cost-of-ownership calculator for digital signage installations.

AMX says its TCo calculator is the first such tool in the digital signage industry and lets buyers compare digital signage solutions and evaluate costs, both fixed and recurring. The TCO calculator also serves as an education vehicle introducing new buyers to the factors involved in digital signage deployments. AMX will demonstrate the TCO calculator at Almo's E4 AV Tour Dec. 15 in New York City.

By inputting the features of two signage products, the TCO calculator generates a cost comparison enabling potential buyers to make informed purchase decisions. Users can compare several factors, including buying versus monthly subscription service, software fees, maintenance, electricity costs, period of operation and size of deployment.

"A device like this can really benefit the marketplace as there are a number of options and variables that need to be analyzed and understood to make the best purchase in a digital signage deployment," AMX vice president of business development Sean McNeill said in the announcement. "As the digital signage industry is beginning to see explosive growth, organizations and businesses considering a deployment now have a source to educate themselves on the cost factors that come into play."

The TCO calculator was created with input from industry experts such as InfoComm Academy faculty instructor and Lyle Bunn, a leading digital signage consultant. It introduces potential buyers to aspects of a deployment that they may not have contemplated. For example, companies must consider the alternatives of purchasing the hardware or a lease-like monthly subscription solution. Software cost and fees are assessed. And maintenance considerations are evaluated through noting the construction of the hardware, namely whether the solution is designed with solid state parts or moving parts. Moving parts, like a fan, may require repair or replacement during the deployment period.

The TCO calculator even analyzes environmental impact of players and employs wattage information to calculate electricity usage by location (state).

AMX is making the digital signage TCO calculator available free for any organization that wishes to upload it to its website.