△ Hyesung Ha, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics

Last month I had the opportunity to travel to Barcelona, Spain to attend Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) for the first time in two years. It reminded me that the world is returning to routines and norms. At the same time, it will be a fundamentally different world moving forward.

I can also apply these observations to Samsung’s digital signage business. In 2022 and beyond, Samsung will deliver a variety of solutions that were and still are important to businesses today, as well as new technologies designed to meet the needs of the modern world.

It’s clear that we will never fully return to what we used to think of as “normal” life. We’ve already reimagined offices, classrooms, entertainment and so much more within our daily routines. It’s my job not only to keep up with these trends, but to fundamentally reimagine the role of digital signage moving forward. That’s why Samsung is focused on redefining our most common spaces, reconnecting the world through new experiences and re-emphasizing the importance of digital signage in our daily lives.

Redefining Learning and Collaboration in a New Era

One of the largest shifts of the past few years is the role technology plays within common environments such as classrooms in schools and meeting rooms in offices. These environments saw an increasing demand for digital transformations and now new considerations are required to ensure every student and professional has the same high-quality collaboration experience regardless of whether they attend in-person, online, or in a hybrid manner. In other words, learning and collaboration spaces have been redefined with an increased emphasis on inclusivity in any scenario.

Samsung is addressing this need with the new Samsung Flip Pro. It provides students and professionals with high-quality collaboration experiences whether they are in-person or remote with enhanced usability and specialized features to meet ever-changing business and education needs. With a focus on seamless and intuitive interactions, it’s easy to set up and easy to use. The newly added intuitive control panel enhances the overall classroom or meeting room experience along with the industry’s fastest touch latency, enhanced multi touch features and the ability to simultaneously connect devices to the display wirelessly for enhanced collaboration.

Reconnecting Through New Outdoor Experiences

As consumers return to public shopping malls, sporting events and other forms of entertainment, businesses are competing now more than ever for their attention. With more outdoor activities, signage has become a bridge between consumers and brands while helping people enjoy digital art. In other words, signage reconnects consumers with the world.

LED signage also creates unforgettable experiences inside sports stadiums. Delivering the best viewing angles for fans was one of Samsung’s highest priorities. As part of these efforts, Samsung designed the largest videoboard ever created for sports, the Infinity Screen in SoFi Stadium as a part of the Hollywood Park Technology Alliance. Measuring 70,000 square feet, the incredible curved, 360-degree, dual-sided screen greets fans and provides a state-of-the-art way to experience the game.

Another trend where we see a major opportunity for growth is the electric vehicle industry. As demand for electric vehicles surges, carmakers, governments and local businesses are rushing to build more electric vehicle charging stations. This provides a new outlet to serve information and deliver promotions to electric vehicle owners, and Samsung outdoor signage is the perfect solution for this scenario. With ultra-bright picture quality and durability with certified IP56-rated protection, the outdoor signage can excel in a variety of weather conditions and environments, hence businesses can create engaging visual experiences while customers top up their batteries in charging stations.

Re-emphasize the Vision of ‘Screens Everywhere’ With Unmatchable Micro LED Technology

Micro LED technology is set to define the future of display innovation. From the luxury industry to hospitality and travel, the potential of Micro LED is endless. The Wall is Samsung’s state-of-the-art display technology, which features even more options for businesses looking to transform their spaces with next level picture quality and immersion.

Samsung is the leader in Micro LED displays, which contain smaller LEDs, and allow greater LED density, enabling brighter and more detailed color expression inside a slimmer display profile. To create our industry-leading Micro LED technology, we have focused on three key areas: Samsung developed fully integrated ultra-fine Micro LED chips; such densely populated LEDs result in stunning brightness; and we continue to secure processing know-how for ultra-fine semiconductor chips to improve mass production.

These unparalleled technologies helped Samsung’s 2022 lineup of The Wall (IWB) open up new possibilities. The micro pitch feature of the IWB delivers the most detailed picture with 0.63 pixel pitch, the slimmest ever, in addition to providing a variety of screen sizes to meet any consumer or business need. Meanwhile, The Wall All-in-One (IAB) has transformed the installation process with a pre-adjusted seam and a ‘Pre-Assembled Frame Kit’ which makes the whole process as simple as a consumer TV. The Wall All-in-One not only saves valuable time but also lowers the total cost of ownership while delivering a better viewing experience.

In a constantly changing world, Samsung will continue to deliver breakthrough innovations to realize the vision of “Screens Everywhere” based on industry-leading Micro LED technology.

Reimagining the Role of Digital Signage

As an industry leader in the global signage market for the past 13 consecutive years,¹ we will continue to expand our sustainability efforts by creating products that can reduce carbon emissions and contribute to resource circulation.

Our digital signage solutions, including the 2022 Smart Signage, have received certified energy efficiency grades that rise to new industry standards, such as ENERGY STAR and EPEAT. Samsung also has incorporated eco-conscious packaging featuring recycled materials in all signage products since 2021 and became the first business in the industry to achieve the reducing CO2 label, certified by the Carbon Trust for its display portfolio.

In recognition of our eco-conscious efforts for our sustainability initiative, we won the ‘Sustainability Innovation of the Year’ at the AV News Awards in ISE. As we are grateful for the recognition of our efforts, we plan to make each step count while we collectively change production practices for a sustainable future.

The return to routines combined with new customer expectations and habits provides businesses with a rare opportunity to reimagine their offerings and practices. By considering a new role for digital signage moving forward, we’re helping our customers reimagine what’s possible to keep them ahead of the curve.

I’m excited for this next chapter for digital signage. At Samsung, we’re passionate about bringing game-changing innovation and value to our enterprise customers. We will continue to innovate, reimagining the role of digital signage in new and conventional spaces, all while increasing our customers’ possibilities in this new era.

¹ Samsung has been the No.1 selling digital signage brand for 13 consecutive years by Omdia. (Note: Consumer TVs, along with Commercial Lite and Hospitality TVs used for signage are excluded.)

Samsung Electronics has been showcasing its portfolio of innovative display solutions at the Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas in March. The company’s collection of cutting-edge solutions includes the latest digital signage products, industry-leading displays including the Samsung Flip and exciting new video conferencing solutions with HARMAN and Cisco.

Samsung’s workplace solutions are designed to foster a creative, collaborative and productive business environment. The Samsung Flip is a perfect example of Samsung taking digital connectivity and collaboration to a new level by transforming the paper white board into a digital solution for businesses designing mobile workspaces.

The Samsung Flip display promotes more collaborative digital engagement by addressing some of the leading challenges businesses face when coordinating, facilitating and recapping meetings. The Samsung Flip gives users the familiar feel of writing, while also providing a noticeable upgrade on both analog boards and standard flip charts. Additional capabilities include the display’s ability to easily share and search content, allowing for multiple users to contribute at once and quickly transform any location into a huddle room with its wheel-based, portable stand.

By leveraging Samsung’s industry-leading professional displays and collaboration products from HARMAN, the Samsung-HARMAN Huddle Room Solutions take a modern twist on a huddle space. From reducing setup time and offering support for sharing materials with the advanced display technology, these meeting systems can address all needs for small and medium-sized collaboration sizes. Suitable for modern office style, it provides the best solution for BYOD meetings and comes with easy to use features including one-click Skype for Business. The huddle rooms are available in four different options, providing a range of functionality for any huddle room application, including: Huddle Standard Solution, Huddle Premium Solution, Huddle Enterprise Solution and Huddle Enterprise Plus Solution.

Visitors used the Cisco Spark Room solution to connect the Cisco Korea office and the exhibition hall in Las Vegas for video conferencing.

Samsung and Cisco have completed the HDMI-CEC compatibility test between Samsung’s QMH and QBH displays, and Cisco Spark Room Kit and Kit Plus. Now, Samsung UHD SMART Signage, QMH Series displays and the last firmware release of Tizen 3.0 can be seamlessly integrated with the Cisco Room Kit Series featuring non-touch and play synchronization for smooth user experience.

Combining Samsung’s dynamic displays with Cisco’s innovative video conferencing creates the ultimate Cisco meeting experience. It includes automatic recognition of devices, optimal Spark display configuration for video conferencing and automatic HDMI switching for incoming calls. Powered by stat of the art technology, it provides more advanced features including analytics and cloud service. The compatibility of Samsung displays and Cisco solutions create smart rooms for smart meetings with crisp images and clear connections.

Further, business managers can elevate the customer experience at their commercial locations by installing Samsung’s fine pixel pitch IF-H LED screens for an ideal combination of superior picture quality and intuitive usability. The IF Series combines Samsung’s leading video processing technologies with High Dynamic Range (HDR) picture refinement to add clarity and sophistication to featured content – all within a compact, easy-to-maintain design. In turn, indoor users can deliver more realistic and memorable content without incurring additional costs or added burden.

Back in February, Samsung unveiled its state-of the art display technologies including ‘The Wall’ and ‘3D Cinema LED’ at the ISE 2018. The company has shown continued commitment to setting new standards in the display market and will continue to make meaningful contributions as an industry leader.

At Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2018, the largest display trade show in Europe, held last month, Samsung Electronics introduced a host of next generation SMART signage solutions poised to bring about the shopping experience of the future for consumers. Particularly, Samsung highlighted the potential application of its new technologies to the hypermarket, fashion and food and beverage (F&B) shopping sectors.

The Evolution of Digital Signage

The topic of the ‘omni-channel’ has circulated around the shopping-industry for many years. Omni-channel is a service that allows consumers to search and buy for products on various channels including online, offline and mobile. The one (or ‘omni’) channel combines characteristics of discrete distribution channels to offer a seamless experience of shopping on one marketplace, despite the inherent differences of on- and off-line shops. To support this shift, digital signage technology has also been rapidly evolving.

37-inch stretch signage helping to guide visitors to experience zones

One example, demonstrated at ISE 2018, is Samsung’s SMART signage ‘MagicInfo’ solution. Based on the data on purchasing behavior by time of the day, customer-tailored analysis as well as customer interaction in the store, the solution provides tailored advertisements and information on products for customers. For stopres, it will help enable more effective store display and inventory management based on analysis of products that each customer is interested in throughout the store. At its booth at ISE, Samsung showcased the potential application of the solution to three key shopping spaces, the hypermarket, fashion and F&B.

No-Hassle Searching for Better Deals in the Hypermarket

In current and future hypermarkets, use of Near Field Communication (NFC) tags will be central. NFC tags provide shopping information that customers need through a simple tag of their smartphones. For example, customers can check-in on the day’s sale items, specially priced products, and other price information. As customers move throughout a market, stores will utilize large signage LED screens to display ads. Combined with ‘MagicInfo’, sensors throughout the store will potentially be able to recognize customer faces, and provide tailored advertisements on the signage screens based on customer information. After finishing shopping, customers will be able to use a barcode reader and self-checkout function through a smart solution at the checkout counter.

Let’s picture today’s large stores. There are various flyers for items on sale, as well as other banners and ads everywhere. Soon, however, the MagicInfo solution and SMART signage may take their place. Because the solution adopts a central control method, store managers will not have to install and collect advertisements by themselves. Also, stores will be able to employ more effective, targeted advertisements displaying different products for different customers, based on individual shopping routes and preferences. Finally, maintaining advertisements will become far more efficient.

Fashion and Cosmetic Information at Your Fingertips

In the potential fashion or cosmetic store of the future, with Samsung SMART signage solutions and MagicInfo, a user could encounter a cosmetic display at store entrance. Once a camera on the display gathers information on which products the particular customer may be most interested in, the display will show relevant information about the products. The user will also receive various other information such as the main ingredients, price and make-up style of the cosmetic products.

In short, with MagicInfo, stores will be able to provide more tailored shopping experience for consumer, as well collection of more detailed preferences of customers, allowing more effective store management and monitoring.

Choosing Food, Smarter  

For the F&B space, MagicInfo offers the possibility of diverse smart functions. For example, at a restaurant or cafeteria, when customers select their food choice from the product display, the display screen will provide information about the food, including price and even nutritional information. Also, NFC tagging will give easy access to sales and special event information.

Limitless Possibilities

In the areas described above, it is clear that the scalability of Samsung’s MagicInfo and other smart signage solutions is limitless. And at ISE 2018, Samsung demonstrated that these technologies of our imaginations and the movies are far closer than we realize. In the near future, the shopping experience as we currently know could dramatically change. It will be exciting to see what’s next, with Samsung committed to making a better experience for consumers everywhere, the reality.

There’s a new league gaining traction in sports venues around the world. But rather than governing the rules of the sport, this particular league is changing the game in terms of the in-stadium experience, capturing the attention of spectators all over. Not to mention, the competition among its teams is undeniably fierce. Who, you ask, is this new player in the sports world? The answer can only be LED signage.

Stadium LED signage offers improved visibility, enhanced connectivity and unlimited possibilities for fan engagement. And, while the competition in the LED signage market is just as tough as it is among rival sports teams, Samsung Electronics is quickly becoming an industry leader through its LED signage installed in some of the world’s major sports arenas.

Stadium LED Signage Off to a Running Start

Across the US, Samsung’s LED signage can be found in major NFL, NBA and college stadiums, as well as MLB stadiums. Displays at the AT&T Center, home of the San Antonio Spurs, and the Baltimore Ravens’ home turf, the M&T Bank Stadium, elevate the spectator experience by providing new, more immersive views of the action.

Likewise, in New Zealand, Samsung Electronics recently completed the installation of a ribbon-type LED display at the Eden Park Stadium, the country’s largest and most iconic sports arena. Offering over 100 LED screens throughout the concourse, in the stands and in corporate areas to further enhance the spectator experience.

The Eden Park Stadium in New Zealand

Across the world in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, plans are set for 17 large-sized LED electronic signboards to be installed at National Stadium, Hockey Stadium, Aquatic Center, and AXIATA Arena that will host the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. The state-of-art LED signage, which will allow the popular event to be displayed more vividly and accurately, will be installed in August.

In Incheon, South Korea, meanwhile, the SK Wyverns Munhak Baseball Stadium boasts the world’s largest LED baseball scoreboard at that time – a 64-meter-wide, 18-meter-tall Samsung screen that not only displays the score, lineup and player stats, but also messages and videos from fans.

As the competition heats up, it’s safe to say that Samsung is advancing as a clear leader.

An Entirely New In-Stadium Experience

The San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center, San Antonio, TEXAS

Because sports stadiums are full of blind spots, even the most quick-eyed fan can easily miss important moments in the game. But with the outstanding image quality and differentiated solutions of Samsung’s LED signage, spectators can enjoy every dynamic detail of the action no matter where they’re seated.

Samsung’s Smart LED Signage displays promise crisp images with uniform color brightness, accurate color calibration, equal and balanced screen color, and a high refresh rate of 24,000 Hz, which is achieved through direct driving. While replays displayed on TVs or personal cameras – which generally have a refresh rate of 10,000 Hz or lower – tend to flicker, Samsung’s LED signage ensures that spectators can enjoy flicker-free images of the field or court, even during ultra slow-motion replays.

Furthermore, Samsung’s signage solutions offer a number of possibilities to enhance fan engagement. For instance, spectators might participate in games displayed on the signboards via their smartphones or interactive voice response (IVR). Together, these features are pushing LED signage into the spotlight, allowing them to play a more central role in the venue experience.

As the industry leader in signage in 2016, Samsung’s vertical signage has been used widely in hospitals, airports, schools and offices. Now, as sporting arenas begin to incorporate the technology, Samsung Electronics hopes to further enrich game day for sports fans all over the globe.

Together, More and Better

At the start of the conference on June 14, the companies held the Samsung-HARMAN Partners Forum, where speakers discussed how the integration of Samsung’s visual display technologies with HARMAN’s audio, lighting and control solutions can create an engaging, multi-sensory experience in entertainment, transportation, retail, hospitality, corporate, education and government environments, among others.

Through the incorporation of Samsung’s motion sensors, drape controls and thermostats, and HARMAN’s voice-enabled cognitive room solution, for example, a hotel room can be transformed into a fully-connected environment that offers guests an upgraded in-room experience.

Hospitality Vertical Scenario

Likewise, a theater that utilizes a combination of Samsung’s cinema screen and HARMAN’s JBL speakers and Lexicon immersion processor allows moviegoers to enjoy the latest blockbusters in an exciting new way. This collaboration, first presented in Samsung LED Cinema Screen in Las Vegas on March 27, is expected to be commercialized in July.

Cinema Vertical Scenario

Everywhere, Every Vertical

Under the theme “Your Future. On Display,” Samsung’s booth at InfoComm also showcased a suite of next-generation signage technologies, including two that were deployed in collaboration with HARMAN, that aim to improve efficiency in customer engagement and operation across all verticals.

Samsung demonstrated how HARMAN’s AMX Acendo Core and Acendo Vibe work well with its touch-screen displays to create a huddle space solution that allows for highly efficient remote video conferencing. Visitors were also able to see how corporate interactions in the boardroom can be enhanced through Samsung’s SMART LED Signage equipped with HARMAN’s AV Control System.

“By bringing the leading technologies of Samsung and HARMAN together, we hope to build a more synergistic future to redefine what’s possible in the enterprise environment,” noted Seoggi Kim, Executive Vice President, and Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We look forward to elevating user experiences and offering more powerful and integrated solutions to our partners as the needs of the market evolve.”

“Together we are well-positioned in an economy where businesses are increasing spending to create more memorable experiences for their customers and to increase productivity from their employees,” said Mohit Parasher, EVP of HARMAN and President of HARMAN Professional Solutions. “Combining audio, video, lighting and controllers into one solution is where the combined synergies of HARMAN and Samsung become very compelling as we define the next generation experience.”

Thanks to a partnership with Samsung Electronics, visitors to the Sydney Opera House may now enjoy access to unique artistic and cultural content illuminating the legendary venue’s storied tradition and delivered through eye-catching LED signage.

Samsung expanded its presence at the landmark this year with the opening of The Lounge enabled by Samsung, a new meeting place located in the heart of the Opera House that features stylish, comfortable seating, as well as interactive displays and exclusive digital content. The centerpiece of the new lounge is Samsung’s IL020F fine pixel pitch LED signage, which forms a large-format (4m x 2m) display that is designed to draw visitors’ attention to a specially commissioned digital artwork.

A ‘Landmark’ Visual Experience

The Lounge marks Samsung’s first Smart LED display panel deployment in Australia, and is one of a number of technologies being trialed as part of the Sydney Opera House’s $202 million renewal plans. Backed by the government of New South Wales, the renewal program will transform the cultural icon for the next generation of artists, audiences and visitors. A multi-venue performing arts center adjacent to Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House is among the most recognizable landmarks in the city, hosting more than 2,000 performances and welcoming 1.2 million visitors on site each year.

Samsung Australia, the Opera House’s first and only principal technology partner, collaborated with the venue to design The Lounge in a way that would enhance the visitor experience while preserving the integrity of its structure and brand.

“[The Lounge] is an early milestone in renewing the experience for our visitors, and highlights the importance of collaboration in transforming the Opera House experience,” said Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Wilson. “With Samsung’s support, we have a wonderful opportunity to trial the latest technology while creating a more welcoming environment for visitors.”

Samsung’s IL020F LED signage presents a deeper exploration into the landmark’s story through an original digital artwork that draws on the history, inspiration and design of the Opera House as well as the performances held within it. Content includes a vast library of past performances, photos and interviews all brought to life by the high-resolution displays, which leverage the same technologies employed in Samsung’s televisions and LCD screens to deliver vibrant and consistent visuals.

Signs of Collaborations to Come

In addition to The Lounge, Samsung and the Sydney Opera House have agreed to collaborate over the next five years on further initiatives to improve the landmark and provide visitors with the best possible experience.

“The Lounge enabled by Samsung is an incredibly exciting way for Australians and tourists from all over the world to experience what the Sydney Opera House has to offer,” said Phillip Newton, Corporate Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Australia. “We are proud to work in partnership with the Sydney Opera House to enrich the experience of millions of visitors through our most advanced and immersive technology.”

Beyond IL020F LED signage, Samsung’s presence in The Lounge includes a virtual-reality station that transports users to the top of the Opera House’s famous exterior sails, as well as a ‘Cultural Institute’ station, where Samsung’s Galaxy View and Galaxy Tab S2 tablets allow visitors to cycle through more than 50 online exhibits highlighting the landmark’s past, present and future.

The Lounge at the Sydney Opera House is a landmark example of how cutting-edge digital signage can enhance storytelling capabilities that ultimately foster unique and memorable experiences. By implementing first-class display technology in one of the world’s most famous buildings and busiest performing arts centers, Samsung continues to define entertainment and hospitality environments of the future.

Out-of-home outdoor digital displays, often referred to as DOOH (Digital Out-of-Home) signage, like the interactive billboards and street guides that have transformed the world’s cities, are perhaps the most obvious example of the evolution of modern communications. In fact, signage is completely changing the way we interact with the world around us.

Signage is Everywhere

For example, with the incorporation of the Internet of Things and big data, signage allows for a more personalized shopping experience. This is exemplified in new displays that utilize consumers’ shopping histories to recommend specific products, or allow customers to see virtual models that share their height, weight and even hair color posing in a selected outfit.

Restaurants, too, are leveraging digital signage to enhance the dining experience through interactive digital menus that let diners easily customize their orders.

At concerts and sporting events, digital signage provides a full view for all so that not a minute of the action is missed. With the addition of AR technology, the audience can learn about the performers or players in a way like never before, taking entertainment to an entirely new level.

In the workplace, teams can now connect their own devices to LED signage to more conveniently collaborate on projects. In this way, signage drives a more open idea exchange, and helps participants overcome the limitations of one-way communication. It also significantly improves professional and educational presentations by allowing for enhanced engagement through captivating visual media.

Transportation is yet another sector that stands to greatly benefit from digital signage. Displays that provide up-to-the-minute information refine the customer experience at train stations, bus terminals and airports. Once en route, passengers are kept informed and entertained by on-board displays.

While these are just a few examples of how digital signage has infiltrated—and improved—everyday life, modern technologies have the potential to drive even bigger changes in the tourism, recreation, healthcare and security arenas, among countless others.

And, considering the rate at which the market is expanding, as well as the consistent efforts of companies entering the space, these changes will no doubt take place sooner than later.

Samsung, A Leader in Digital Signage for Seven Years

According to Mordor Intelligence estimates, the global digital signage market was valued at $14.9 billion in 2015, with a projected annual growth rate of eight percent. At this rate, digital signage will continue to escalate to $21.9 billion in value by 2020.

Ranking number one in annual global digital signage unit sales since 2009, and having recently extended its global market share to 28.1 percent in 2015*, Samsung has established itself as a leader in this ever-growing market.

Samsung continues to maintain its position through its state-of-the-art technologies that suit a wide range of business needs, including LCD-based transparent displays, the world’s largest e-LED signage, ultra-narrow, slim-bezel video walls (including the UH55F-E model), UHD signage and DOOH-equipped trucks.

The company’s achievements have garnered industry-wide attention at global events, such as the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2016 tradeshow, the largest annual exhibition for commercial display technologies. It was here that Samsung received an “AV Display Innovation of the Year” award from AV News.

Later on at InfoComm 2016, Samsung Electronics’ OHD Series outdoor signage was named the “Best Outdoor Display” by Commercial Integrator. Additionally, Digital Signage Magazine and Rental & Staging Systems both selected Samsung’s UH55F-E model as the top video wall, while rAVe Publications named Samsung Electronics as the industry’s most favored display manufacturer for the second consecutive year.

Following their previous successes, Samsung made an impression at IFA 2016, when the company unveiled its first Motion Sensor Touch Solution, a new display that combines 3D sensors with digital signage to provide content based on users’ physical actions.

Evolving Digital Signage for Next-Generation Communications

As our world becomes more sophisticated with each passing day, so too does digital signage.

Once-complex communications can now be relayed through simple images, making retail signage, outdoor displays and road signs that allow for unlimited possibilities. Additionally, digital signage has evolved to accommodate a wide variety of content, providing new avenues to deliver engaging and aesthetically-appealing messages while replacing analog signage all together.

As the race to create the “next big thing” in signage continues to accelerate, Samsung Electronics remains a leader by offering innovative solutions that have the power to transform the future of global communications.

*Source: IHS Public Display Market Tracker; Product Definition: Public display + Public display TV

Samsung’s SMART Outdoor Signage offers an all-purpose solution for businesses looking to display vivid visuals in even the most demanding environments. Backed by an ultra-durable design, SMART Outdoor Signage is built to rebuff the typical wear and tear associated with both inclement weather and life in bustling urban jungles, allowing businesses greater versatility to broadcast their stories and create meaningful impressions.

Behind the sleek contours and svelte, 85mm frame are certifiably rugged specs. SMART Outdoor Signage is IP56-certified dust- and water-resistant and designed to deliver crisp visuals in demanding situations. Also, an anti-Infrared-coat cuts off heat from outside the panel while a water-proof cooling fan helps regulate temperatures, allowing the display to operate in a wide temperature range of -30˚C to 50˚C.

The Magic Glass screen features a 5,000 to 1 contrast ratio, reflection reduction technology and 2,500-nit brightness, completing a design that ensures that your visuals are not only physically reinforced, but optimally displayed at a quality validated by TÜV Rheinland.

Samsung’s SMART Outdoor Signage may be rooted in utility, but it also fosters great creativity. Such versatility in design offers businesses more unique entry points to display their content, and creates more opportunities to sync messaging with the pulse of the city around it. The result is an easy-to-install, all-in-one creative solution from the world’s leading display and signage company that allows your business’s visuals to make a mark on their environment, and not vice versa.

See how Samsung’s SMART Outdoor Signage holds up against particularly extreme urban abuse in the video above.

One of Europe’s busiest intersections now has a new tenant – one capable of displaying brilliant, captivating stories high above the area’s bustling streets.

In partnership with Super 8, founders of City Lights, Samsung Electronics completed a prominent commercial installation of its P6 display in Madrid’s Plaza Callao in June.

The vertical display is integrated seamlessly on the exterior of one of the plaza’s tallest buildings, and runs 6 meters by 37 meters in size. With its optimal placement – the plaza is considered the heart of Madrid’s shopping and entertainment district, seeing more than 51,000 cars each day and 113 million people each year – the new P6 outdoor LED signage offers prime visibility for advertisers to deliver captivating content.

Samsung’s P6 LED signage features several additional enhancements that refine picture quality. The displays incorporate the industry’s highest quality diodes to create deeper contrast and a wider viewing angle. Enhanced resolution (960 x 5760) and a rich color presentation further foster lifelike picture quality, making the Samsung LED display an ideal choice for Plaza del Callao.

The unique composition of the P6 LED signage further ensures long-term performance, and enables local businesses to reach passersby with uninterrupted and uncompromised messaging at any hour of the day. A high-resolution Surface Mount Diode (SMD) board and cabinet structure extend the signage’s lifespan and guarantee continuous performance for up to 100,000 hours. Additionally, each P6 series display includes embedded temperature control and ventilation management technologies that further reduce energy and overall ownership costs.

As Samsung and Super 8 bring their new P6 vertical display to life, Samsung is already looking ahead to future opportunities to expand its outdoor LED footprint in other global markets later this year.

Samsung Electronics announced that it has won the prestigious 2016 “AV Display Innovation of the Year” award from AV News for its OHD Series SMART Signage, an all-inclusive outdoor display solution for brilliant business messaging, and overall excellence in the integrated audio/visual (AV) arena.

“With state-of-the-art technological development and close collaboration, Samsung enables our partners to create customized, immersive and interactive experiences for their own audiences – even in potentially challenging outdoor environments,” said Seog-gi Kim, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are thrilled to be recognized by leading industry influencers and the media for our commitment to deliver impactful outdoor visual displays, and we look forward to building new, innovative AV technologies that will further enhance the customer experience.”

Featuring a flexible and customizable design as well as embedded tools to foster efficient content management, Samsung’s OHD Series outdoor displays make it easier for businesses to deliver critical, real-time messaging to widespread audiences. The displays’ reinforced composition and internal heating and cooling controls ensure uninterrupted performance even when exposed to extreme weather or temperature conditions ranging from -30 ℃ to 50 ℃, further driving continuous stress-free operations for users.

OHD Series has also been adopted in the Samsung Safety Truck, a technology for trucks that seeks to prevent road accidents. It has also been selected as one of the ‘25 best inventions of 2015’ by TIME Magazine.

Sponsored by AV News, a leading business and technology-focused publication in the AV industry, the AV News Awards celebrates exceptional contributions made by individuals and companies to advance the overall industry. Winners of the “AV Display Innovation of the Year” award and other categories were selected from a pool of nominees by a committee consisting of AV News’ editorial staff and wider AV industry influencers.

For more information about the AV News awards, visit www.avnews.org. To learn more about Samsung’s OHD Series SMART Signage and its complete line of outdoor display innovations, visit displaysolutions.samsung.com.

Bryan Denyer, editor of AV News (left), Damon Crowhurst, European Business Development Director of Samsung Electronics (right)

This growth may be attributed to Samsung’s recent moves: adding LED signage to its B2B display lineup, commercializing next-generation smart, transparent and mirror display solutions, and further strengthening its open platform. Continuing to attract the attention of businesses that need cutting-edge displays will help Samsung become No. 1 in the global commercial display market for nine consecutive years in 2016.

Winning Contracts Around the World

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) moved its head office into a new, landmark building in Bangkok on January 4. For the new building, Samsung supplied 230 Smart Signage displays to help SET provide comprehensive information related to stock exchanges. In addition, SET installed a video wall made of 36 55-inch Smart Signage displays to offer visitors a clear view of the status of exchanges and stock news. Based on its ten years of experience in the B2B display business in this region, Samsung plans to further expand its presence in neighboring countries, including Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

In mid-January, Samsung also signed a major contract with MSC Cruises, a Swiss shipbuilding giant, to create seven “smart” cruise ships over the next five years, supplying them with state-of-the-art B2B solutions. Initially Samsung will supply more than 6,600 devices to two cruise ships, including 95-inch Smart Signage displays, augmented reality (AR) mirrors, tablets and medical equipment. Construction on those first two ships will begin in early 2016.

The commercialization of futuristic products like transparent displays and mirror displays, which until recently looked like devices from sci-fi movies, has also become a reality. Last month, the BMW Driving Center in Korea installed a video wall made of six 55-inch transparent OLED displays from Samsung. Displaying a wide variety of information and videos, the wall invites visitors to enjoy the special features of the cars in a unique manner.

Furthermore, at an apparel shop operated by Samsung C&T Corporation, Samsung Mirror Display intelligently helps customers with their shopping. When customers try on a piece of clothing, this technology can show them photos of how they look from the sides and behind. It also can recommend the clothing options for customers by analyzing their gender, patterns and the colors of the clothes they are wearing.

In addition, Samsung is gaining attention from its plans to supply its Signage products to super-large landmarks in North America, Europe and Asia.

Three Advantages That Give Samsung a Major Competitive Edge

Three advantages are leading Samsung’s growth in its B2B display business in 2016. First of all, it added the LED Signage business to its portfolio to attract large outdoor facilities. Since last March when it acquired YESCO Electronics—a U.S.-based LED display manufacturer—Samsung has prepared new offerings that link those products with its own signage solutions. With significant advantages over existing models in terms of picture quality, reliability, and lifespan, Samsung’s LED Signage has proven to be a good fit for outdoor settings and large venues that specialize in sports and entertainment events. Combining the competitiveness of YESCO in LED Signage with Samsung’s capacity as the No.1 B2B display business in the world, the company expects its performance in the market will show significant progress starting this year.

Secondly, Samsung has been at the forefront of introducing futuristic display solutions. It recently commercialized new displays such as transparent OLED displays and mirror displays that provide consumers with a new shopping experience by displaying products and enriching their look in a unique way. To increase these advantages, Samsung plans to make retail environments even smarter by combining Smart Signage, Samsung Pay and its Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, allowing retailers to better predict the flow and demand of consumers and provide individualized information for them.

Finally, the rapid spread of its open-source B2B platform represents the third Samsung advantage. Since there are different kinds of systems, solutions and devices used by the typical business, an open display platform with reliable compatibility is a must. Samsung has long recognized the importance of software in the world of B2B displays in the development of its Samsung Smart Signage Platform (SSSP). Businesses can apply SSSP in the way that best suits various situations, fully optimizing their signage for the best operation of their products. 25 Samsung partners will be using SSSP in their exhibits at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2016 in Amsterdam from February 9 to 12, showing how the open display platform is spreading quickly.

Since 2008, Samsung has been the top company in the world in the commercial display market. According to IHS, a market researcher, Samsung’s global market share in the third quarter of 2015 accounted for 28.6 percent of unit sales, about three times higher than its closest competitor.

The global commercial display market has been posting an impressive annual growth rate of 19 percent on average, and is predicted to reach US$8.77 billion by 2019. By supplying its next-generation display solutions, Samsung intends to provide consumers with more information and change their way of making purchases.

“Having that close connection between the re-seller and the vendor is extremely important in creating a successful partnership,” said Phil Gaut, Head of Display at Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland. “Through STEP we’re committed to ensuring our re-sellers have everything they need to reach their customers, quickly and easily.”

New Strategy

As part of this new push, Samsung has also unveiled a change in its business warranty strategy, aimed at providing next day repairs and replacements. Under the old strategy, faulty products would be repaired within five days. However, any issue that is reported before 4pm will now receive an on-site visit the next business day and the faulty product will be replaced with a new one, while it is being repaired.

“Being unable to operate because of a faulty product can be very disruptive for a business and even result in lost revenue. This new strategy will give companies the immediate assistance they need to get them up and running as soon as possible so any downtime is minimal,” said Gaut.

New Products

Samsung outdoor signage

This new change in strategy comes as the company prepares to launch its new products at ISE 2016 this month. Alongside showcasing its outdoor display screens, video walls, e-boards and its transparent OLED screens, Samsung will become the first major brand to unveil an LED Modular screen designed for use in a multitude of environments.

With the new strategy and launch of the new products due to hit the market, Samsung is continuing to establish itself as a major player in the AV industry. Over the last five years, it has achieved a target of doubling its smart signage business from $100m to $200m.

“The AV market is undergoing considerable change as a result of the increasing development in technology in the industry. With this change in strategy and new products sets, we’re putting our customers at the forefront of this technology and helping them to become leaders in their own sectors,” said Phil Gaut.

Samsung’s 2016 ISE booth

“As Samsung manufactures the world’s most brilliant and powerful visual displays, we consistently seek new avenues to further refine our technology and enable our partners to offer new and differentiated experiences to their own customers,” said Seog-gi Kim, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re looking forward to bringing our vision of the future to life at ISE 2016. As well as demonstrating how our complete display portfolio and latest technology will unlock new opportunities to deliver fresh, interactive content to our partners most important audiences.”

Samsung’s diverse line-up will range from large-scale video walls and crystal-clear LED signage to retail-friendly transparent OLED and mirror displays. All of which will help show visitors the value of immersive and informative viewing environments and how influential they can be in driving improved engagement and, ultimately, sales.

Powerful, Durable Outdoor Signage

Samsung’s outdoor signage suite enables businesses to share brilliant, highly-visible content in even the most challenging conditions. As highlighted by the OH55D display, Samsung’s outdoor technologies feature internal heating and cooling systems that adjust settings for continued performance in temperatures ranging from -30 to 50^o C. Furthermore, the OH55D display is IP56 certified to prevent damage from dust and water.

Easy to install in kiosks and other complex outdoor usage scenarios, the OH55D display maintains consistent 2,500 nit brightness and a 5,000:1 contrast ratio. Coupled with an embedded automatic brightness sensor that adjusts settings in real-time, users can be confident that their messages will be seen clearly with minimal impact from surrounding natural and ambient light sources.

Professional-Grade Video Walls

Samsung Video Wall at ISE 2016

Optimized for a range of indoor retail, corporate and public-viewing applications, Samsung’s professional-grade, narrow bezel (3.5mm bezel-to-bezel) UD55E-A video walls combine advanced color management capabilities with the visual enhancements of large-format signage, to deliver clear and consistent content. Each UD55E-A video wall undergoes rigorous factory calibration and tuning to prevent brightness and color accuracy irregularities, and ensures that viewers receive messages without visual distraction. As the industry’s first video walls to feature integrated DisplayPort (DP) 1.2 and HDMI ports, the UD55E-A displays accommodate UHD content across a variety of configurations.

ISE 2016 attendees can also get a first look at the industry’s slimmest video wall. Samsung’s UHF-E display features a thin bezel-to-bezel design (0.9mm on the upper and left sides, 0.5mm on the lower and right sides) that keeps viewers focused on the display’s content rather than the display itself. Equipped with the same durability and color presentation components as its predecessors, the UHF-E video wall represents a sleek, stylish alternative for delivering uninterrupted content in most indoor environments.

Fine Pixel-Pitch LED Signage

Designed for corporate, control room and customer-facing environments, Samsung’s indoor SMART LED displays deliver compelling content and inspire collaboration at a lower total cost of ownership. These displays feature top-tier diodes and customizable pixel pitch compositions ranging from 1.5 to 2.5mm, providing seamless visibility while simultaneously accommodating users’ specific operational needs. Combined with design elements that produce the same deep contrast, realistic picture quality and color consistency viewers expect from Samsung’s latest televisions, the LED signage portfolio offers users an extra edge to stand out within often-crowded indoor environments.

In addition, Samsung is spotlighting how its indoor LED signage represents a higher-performing and lower-maintenance alternative to legacy classroom and boardroom technologies. In lieu of projectors and analog boards, Samsung’s LED displays condense multiple pieces of equipment into a single signage solution that expands content sharing possibilities and enhances collaboration.

The Next-Generation Retail Store

Samsung Mirror Displays at ISE 2016

Through its “retail store of the future” exhibit, Samsung invites ISE attendees to view how interactive and sensory displays will drive new customer engagement. Samsung’s ML55E mirror displays and TO55F transparent OLED signage can be used for both promotional and welcome messaging. They can also function as a virtual catalogue of accessories and products. In fashion and cosmetics applications, shoppers also can use the mirror to digitally view how a particular product would look, to enable more informed purchasing decisions.

Samsung’s booth will showcase a wide range of future-focused technologies and applications, including:

• A replica hotel guest room, containing Samsung’s LYNK REACH centralized in-room content management system
• Touchscreen-enabled small signage that provides supplementary information and encourages seamless wayfinding in entertainment environments
• Interactive white board (IWB) displays that enable real-time content sharing and promote simultaneous group collaboration in boardroom and classroom settings
• A dedicated applications exhibit where several Samsung partners will demonstrate how the company’s display technologies enhanced their operations. This includes case studies using Samsung SMART Signage Platform (SSSP) content management and H.Browser hospitality connectivity systems.

Samsung Transparent OLED Display at ISE 2016

ISE is Europe’s largest annual professional AV and electronic systems event, and is expected to draw more than 60,000 attendees and exhibitors.

Starting with MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside, which will come into service in June and December 2017, respectively, the strategic partnership with Samsung will supply all seven MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia and Seaside generation new builds with digital solutions and devices, including among others:

Visual displays: in-cabin flat screen HDTV’s, public screens and displays, ad hoc digital signage solutions like augmented reality mirrors

Mobile solutions: smartphones, tablets and accessories for virtual reality and 360° digital experience

Medical equipment: expert technology for on-board medical centres

Printing solutions: in support of MSC Cruises’ business needs

MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato commented: “Samsung is the master of technology, and at MSC Cruises we have consistently shown our commitment to both cutting edge innovation and working with best-in-class partners that can support and further enhance the on-board experiences we offer our guests.”

He added: “As well as being revolutionary in concept, design and marine architecture, the Meraviglia and Seaside generation ships mark a leap forward in terms of cruise ship technology. Equipped throughout with Samsung’s latest-technology products and solutions, they will make available to our guests the best of the next generation in smart ships at sea.”

Samsung Italia President Carlo Barlocco said: “Samsung has always been committed in providing its technology to improve the quality of people’s lives and to support the competitiveness of companies. The partnership with MSC Cruises is an example of how our advanced solutions are able to enhance the passenger experience: not only monitors and tablets to access information and  infotainment contents on board but also advanced medical equipment to support first aid in case of emergencies. This partnership, finally, allow Samsung and MSC to bring innovation to the whole cruise industry.”

The new agreement was signed today in Milan, Italy, at an international media event at Samsung’s local headquarters, the “Samsung District”.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., today unveiled the newest SMART Signage and monitor line up, highlighting world’s thinnest bezel to bezel video wall and its new curved gaming monitors. Samsung is showcasing how visual displays will transform the entertainment, business and retail arenas of the future at its CES 2016 display product booths (11906, 11929 and 12429 in the LVCC Central Hall).

“Today’s display customers want a wealth of clear, engaging and readily-accessible information at their fingertips, whether they are mastering video games or evaluating products at their favorite stores,” said Seog-gi Kim, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our cutting-edge monitors and signage technologies are designed with these consumers in mind, delivering compelling visual content and unlocking new interactive possibilities across a range of business and at-home usage scenarios.”

Razor-thin 1.4mm Bezel Video Wall

Samsung has amplified large-scale message presentation capabilities for business and retail customers with its new UHF-E (Extreme Narrow Bezel) video wall. Featuring a thin bezel-to-bezel design (0.9mm on the upper and left sides and 0.5mm the lower and right sides), the UHF-E is the world’s slimmest bezel video wall available. With minimal bezel interference, business customers can keep audiences focused on rich visual content rather than on the display itself.

Optimized for indoor applications, Samsung’s UHF-E video wall combines visual quality with the power of professional-grade digital signage. Each UHF-E display undergoes advanced factory tuning to maintain picture integrity and enhance resonance for viewers. An additional embedded ACM chipset adjusts picture content to meet specific color settings and maintains a uniform presentation. The durable UHF-E video wall is designed to perform 24/7, allowing uninterrupted content delivery in various conditions.

More Comfortable and Convenient Gaming Experience

Samsung is showcasing its newest curved gaming monitors (CF591, CF391, CF390 and CF398). These 1800R curvature monitors are designed to match the natural shape of the human eye, and with Samsung’s flicker-free and Eye Saver technologies, the products minimize eye strain and fatigue. Samsung’s gaming monitors are supported by AMD FreeSync Technology Over HDMI^®, which synchronizes the screen refresh rate with users’ AMD graphics card frame rate to reduce input latency, stutter and lag during gaming. In particular, the CF591 monitor recently earned a verification certificate from UL, evaluating color and uniformity.

Captivating LED Signage

In light of growing demand from corporate, retail, sports, entertainment and transportation clients, Samsung has enhanced its LED Signage to offer even greater visual detail. Samsung’s LED Signage is designed with top-tier diodes across a range of fine pixel pitch configurations. Through this construction, large-screen LED Signage viewers can experience the same deep contrast, realistic picture quality and high brightness that they would expect from Samsung’s latest TVs.

The Electronics Shop of the Future

Samsung is showing how retail-oriented display technologies, including mirror and transparent OLED displays and ultra-slim bezel video walls, can elevate electronics shopping to a more convenient, informed and customized experience.

As customers enter the store, retailers can use mirror displays to interact and further drive point-of-purchase shopping. The displays’ reflectance (65 percent), high transmittance (90 percent) and frameless design offer retailer new avenues to immediately refine and deliver content from welcome messages to special limited-time offers.

Samsung’s 55-inch transparent OLED offers customers complete product visibility in an engaging and informative format. It also allows retailers to deliver demos and real-time promotional content with improved brightness (150nit), transparency (45 percent) and color presentation (Adobe RGB 100 percent).

Related stories:

[Video] Samsung Smart Signage Solution at IFA 2015

Samsung Smart Signage to Transform the Way We Shop

Samsung to Showcase Expanded SMART Signage Portfolio at IFA 2015

For more information about CES 2016, please visit our exclusive page #SAMSUNGxCES2016