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Nanonation releases FrameWorks DS digital signage software for SMB market

February 18, 2010

Nanonation's new FrameWorks DS software, which makes it simple for small and medium businesses to start and run sophisticated digital signage networks in their stores, will be launched at Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas.

FrameWorks DS is a streamlined variation of Nanonation's enterprise-class software for digital signage. It was developed to serve the needs of small business owners who wanted an easy, highly affordable way to set-up, design, and run effective digital marketing and messaging content in stores, restaurants, corporate lobbies, hotels, banks and other local network or single sign locations.

FrameWorks DS is a full plug-and-play solution that can ship with software installed and ready to run, using a small form factor PC from long-time Nanonation hardware partner Dell.

The so-called "digital signage in a box" concept for small business is not new, but that market has been characterized by products with very limited functions, or stripped-down and compromised versions of business-class software. Distinctively, FrameWorks DS retains many of the sophisticated capabilities of Nanonation's software intended for large, complex retail networks, but tunes the necessary features to small retail's needs and presents a simplified, highly intuitive user experience.

"We've spent years providing digital signage solutions to large retail and hospitality clients," said Brian Ardinger, chief marketing officer for Nanonation, "and FrameWorks DS addresses the demand we've steadily seen from small businesses who also want to use digital signage. It had to be simple and it had to be affordable, but it also had to have some powerful capabilities."

FrameWorks DS was previewed at this year's National Retail Federation show in January and is being formally launched at DSE 2010, February 24-25 in Las Vegas, with live demonstrations available at Nanonation's exhibit hall booth (#1610).

The key features of FrameWorks DS include:

•    A simple user experience that reduces the workflow to 1 - adding media using drag and drop tools, 2 - scheduling playlists of content, and 3 – publishing; •    Dozens of attractive, professional content templates that make it easy to create and edit content on the fly; •    Easy management and control of content and devices, like PCs and screens, including an auto location tool that scans for players on a local network; •    Support for a wide range of media formats including HD video, RSS data feeds and live TV; •    Plain language scheduling and event creation that clearly spells out what will appear on a screen, where and when.

"Customer experience technologies are what we do. It's what we're all about. And we think this fills a gap in the market for small retailers and the SMB market that have been looking for, simple but effective ways to promote products, inform their customers, and educate employees," said Ardinger. "It's a sensible solution for everything from promotional signs to menu boards to lobby signs and employee messaging."