Cisco Still Doing Digital Signage Deals, Despite Reports It Left Space

December 9, 2013 by Dave Haynes

The conventional wisdom is that Cisco is no longer in the digital signage space, having bingo’d the internal team that was marketing its product more than a year ago.

However, the more accurate story is that the networking giant still markets and sells that capability. It does so through a partnership with Dallas-based AppSpace, which has very quietly built up to being one of the larger software companies — 140+ people — in this sector. And Cisco still has guys selling direct or with integrators.

Consider the following news from up the highway from me in Ottawa:

The Ottawa Senators, along with partners Canadian Tire and Cisco, announced today the addition of Cisco StadiumVision, which will be branded Canadian Tire Centre Vision in the venue. Canadian Tire Centre will be the first NHL venue in Canada to incorporate Cisco’s innovative digital video and content distribution system that centrally controls and delivers targeted high-definition video and highly relevant digital content to Canadian Tire Centre guests.

“It has been our commitment to provide fans with the best possible entertainment experience and the addition of these 700 high definition screens will bring our fans’ arena experience to a whole new level,” said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. “Our partnerships are paramount in bringing innovation and an increased level of engagement to our fans. Working closely with two of our major partners, Canadian Tire and Cisco, we are exceptionally proud to be the first venue in the National Hockey League to deliver this type of highly specialized multimedia experience.”

“We are thrilled to introduce Canadian Tire Centre Vision to further enhance the game day experience for hockey fans and create lifelong memories of the game,” said Landon French, vice president, sport partnerships at Canadian Tire. “Along with the Ottawa Senators and Cisco, Canadian Tire continues to solidify our commitment to sport in Canada, reinforcing this venue as a premiere sports and entertainment destination.”

In a venue that features a wide variety of events and shows, Canadian Tire Centre Vision will allow the entire venue to change content, colour and branding on a moment’s notice. The system will provide an unparalleled visual experience that will transform and amplify the intensity of any event for attendees.

Two new full colour, 234-square-foot LED screens will also be installed at the venue’s Highway Marquee along Highway 417. Both the Gate 1 screen and the marquee will incorporate Cisco StadiumVision® technology, offering the same engaging content that is available throughout the venue.

Cisco’s StadiumVision is also running in AT&T Stadium (Dallas), Barclays Center (Brooklyn), O2 (London), Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid) and Eden Park (New Zealand). Interestingly, Cisco doesn’t mention Yankee Stadium in NYC or some other high-profile installs. I have heard conflicting stories about this tech going in and ten getting pulled out.