Digital Signage Connection

Black Box has announced the launch of iCOMPEL WDS, a centrally manageable platform for wearable digital signage. The WDS players feature a screen no bigger than a nametag, but because they show full-motion, customized video loops, they are designed to attract attention and enhance one-to-one sales interaction.

In addition to the rechargeable 2.4-inch LCD player tag, the iCOMPEL WDS system includes access to a Web-based portal for assembling and customizing video content with special effects, scrolling text, logos and branding. Content can range from simple text and JPG images in a slideshow to a video. When used with Black Box’s iCOMPEL EDS platform, content can be updated globally from one central location.

“From a browser connection, you just log in to our Web portal to change your sales content on the fly,” said George Borden, Black Box digital signage national sales manager. “The newer content replaces older content on the players the next time each WDS user plugs their player into their PC. This way, each person in the field has ready access to your latest signage messaging and promotions.”

iCOMPEL WDS has applications in retail PoS/PoP advertising, restaurant wait staff, greeters, and tour personnel, as well as convention and youth-centric event marketing. “Plus, it’s a novel way for salespeople to gain an edge,” Borden said. “If you want to stand out from your competition, WDS is the way to go.”

Each player comes with a magnetic clip for fastening to one’s clothing, a lanyard holder for wearing around the neck, a Mini-USB cable for recharging via a USB port and PC-to-player content downloads, and an AC charger.

Black Box is based in Lawrence, Pa., and will be showcasing iCOMPEL WDS mini-screens and its Web-based content-control interface at Digital Signage Expo 2012.