News

AOPEN, Blocks partner on digital signage-as-a-service platform for Android

April 4, 2013

AOPEN, a digital signage hardware manufacturer, has formed a partnership with Australian software developer Blocks Global to market and support an e-commerce and m-commerce Android platform.

Through its OpenService initiative, AOPEN will tap its network of distributors and partners to push the platform, which was developed by Blocks.

The worldwide digital signage market is expected to grow substantially in 2013, AOPEN noted in a news release, with retail the largest vertical, accounting for a projected 25 percent of equipment and software sales. But many retailers don't understand the hidden cost of buying a display and a software package, the company said, and that most of the total ownership cost comes from operating and maintaining systems and content creation.

OpenService was created as an end-to-end solution for the retail sector, from remote management to content creation and distribution, and analytics to social media engagement.

Blocks Global managing director Paul Wilson said in the release that interactive Web-based digital signage gives retailers an opportunity to transform how they support customers through a consistent and measurable shopping experience, which ultimately leads to more satisfied customers and an increase in sales for the retailer.

The Blocks platform will complement AOPEN's existing relationships with software providers, system integrators, installation partners and specialist consultancies, said Stephen Borg, AOPEN's global director of strategy and market development, while delivering a seamless digital-out-of-home experience to customers who may have limited technical experience.

"Our vision for OpenService is to create value beyond signage as we know it today, by unifying end customer channels," he said. "We want customers to think of digital signage like they would a new smart phone. They can just pay a monthly fee and use it, without worrying about how it works. Instead of shopping around for all the necessary components, customers can go to one provider and get everything in one place."

Learn more about digital signage content management.