Why I’m doing this
Currently, the digital signage market is made up of big players who have invested a lot of money and time into selling propietary, high-end systems to stadiums, banks, high-end retail stores, etc. The current estimated cost of a single digital sign over 3 years is a whopping $8,250, or $230/month (according to Wirespring, who sells the systems, so you’d think they’d underestimate if anything).
A lot of the market is entrenched in the high margins they get from selling these systems. Panasonic makes this point for me better than I ever can. Check out the panasonic ad to the right. Panasanonic, who makes both LCDs and Plasma screens, is trying to convince people to buy Plasmas because they say it’s a much better technology.
I don’t want to get in to that whole argument, because that’s not the point I’m trying to make, but LCDs are debateably better because they use less power, last twice as long, and don’t experience burn-in.
But now to the point: companies want to make money. When they sell more expensive things, they make more money. Panasonic’s plasma screens range from $1,600 – $10,000. Their LCDs from $900 – $1,400. Which would YOU want to sell more of? This mirrors the digital signage market–there are a lot of VARs and equipment manufacturers used to getting $8,000 per sign.
I plan to get the per sign cost under $300/yr over three years, that’s $25/month compared to $230/month.
