NEC pushes 65-inch commercial grade LCD through channel

The LCD6520 is embedded with NEC’s Digital Signage Technology Suite (DSTS), which includes 20 features and functions developed specifically for digital signage, making the display ideal for the corporate, retail, transportation, medical, hospitality and education markets.

When used in digital signage applications, these features create a lower cost of ownership by eliminating the need for additional and sometimes expensive third-party components.

The LCD6520 has no TV tuner, and the products need to have a commercial metal housing, thermal cooling, RS232 control and a digital signage technology suite built-in to the unit (DSTS is a range of software designed to work with the screens and providing features commonly used in digital signage applications ie colour calibratiion, clock showing running hours, temperature guage, tile matrix (videowall), serial no. lookup feature, etc.

NEC’s national channel manager, Daniel Hancox told CRN that such a product gives resellers access to a commercial grade screen for demanding 24/7 applications such as digital signage and digital media, where larger screens are constantly being requested.

“This product exposes the resellers to digital signage, which is still a new business stream for many resellers that have not involved themselves in to date,” said Hancox.

Margins for the resellers should be very profitable with a screen of this size and feature capabilities, he said.

“Most applications for a screen of this size and quality are for digital signage and information display, this opens a whole new revenue stream for resellers. Resellers can offer end-to-end digital signage solution, including software, hardware and broadband distribution. This gives the reseller the chance to add a new business to their stable and offering to existing corporate customers incorporating into existing managed services,” said Hancox.

He believes this form of signage will suit any industry or corporation that uses these types of products within its business to display information or drive revenue into the store. Examples include in-store promotion/advertising in retail stores and and shopping centres, banking and finance, govt departments, educational institutions, transportation (airport, train stations) etc.

“This takes the IT/AV convergence to the next, but logical level. For IT and AV integrators interested in diversifying into a new business utilising the best technologies from AV & IT, it gives them the opportunity to expand their corporate customer base but also the chance to offer a digital signage solution to their existing customers and incorporate into existing managed services,” said Hancox.

Digital signage is rapidly on the rise. By offering a total digital signage solution to customers, the reseller can make up for shrinking flat-panel margins, he said.

According to Hancox, both the LCD6520L and LCD6520P are available now through NEC authorised commercial resellers and carry recommended retail prices of $26,825.00 (L) and $27,599.00 (P) (inc GST), respectively.

Both the LCD6520L and LCD6520P displays come standard with a one year limited on-site warranty with an optional two year extended warranty.

65inch channel commercial grade hardware lcd nec pushes through