Integration of Scala's Ad and Content Manager

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Jeff Porter, Executive Vice President of Dynamic Signage at Scala, talked to us at DS EUROPE about some of the things that makes their solutions so special. “Scala platforms allow the customer to customise the solution to match their needs without them having to sit down and actually write the code for it. Our open platform solutions are easy to use and easy to adapt, so that extra applications can be developed very quickly and without having to start from scratch again. We offer the opportunity for customisation to our partners and customers through our unique open platform, so our customers can ultimately run the network themselves.”
 
He also had some rather illuminating ideas about how people should view the markets and applications for digital signage: “There are so many different applications for digital signage, one of its great strengths, but people usually talk about, and like to think about, digital signage as having different markets. ‘Markets’ is really not the best approach. It is the application that is key. I mean, think about the gaming industry and then think about how many locations in a casino where you might find a screen: there’ll be a welcome screen in the reception area, in the conference area there’ll be an information screen about bookings, above the slot machine there’ll be a sign informing the customer about the jackpot, in the restaurant there’ll be a menu screen, in other areas promotional screens will be in use. There are so many different applications within the one market of entertainment.”
 
Scala’s continued commitment to the development of cutting-edge technology for its global customer base saw the announcement of Release 4 of their connected signage software in October last year. The highlights of Release 4 include: Web Services for Content Manager, Ad Manager Tie-in to Content Manager via Web Services, Media Playback Controls, Time Triggers, and Playback Audit Reports, Multi-Network Content Manager Support, Improved Playback and Interface Improvements. Release 4 adds extensive new functionality to the entire spectrum of the Scala platform. Web Services APIs have been added to the Scala Content Manager to allow third-party applications to interface with the Scala Content Manager functionality.
 
This is the first phase of integration of Scala’s Ad Manager with their Content Manager. Ad Manager (formerly Charting Pro) provides extensive advertising management for digital and traditional signagedeployments. Included in the integration are: the ability to assign media items to contracts; channel and schedule management; automatic playlist building for Scala Content Manager based on contracted ads; generating proof-of-playback reports against contracts; integrating event triggers and time triggers with ads.
 
Release 4 will also support indoor maps, rate cards, overlapping day parts, measurement, and media sets. Scala Content Manager supports a reporting module that produces detailed reports on what media played where. Time triggers have been added to trigger a playlist at specific times or regular intervals. New media playback controls have been addressed to provide network managers with the flexibility to control the sequence and appearance of scheduled content. Scala Content Manager Release 4 will provide multi-network support from a single Scala Content Manager. This function provides the necessary utilities to network managers operating multiple networks for their clients.
 
Additional functionality has been added to Scala Designer to make it more Photoshop-friendly, as a third-party utility has been added to convert Photoshop layered elements to ScalaScript while maintaining the layered characteristics of the design. Other features have been added including: zoom in and zoom out; fit to screen; and mouse wheel support to further facilitate the creation of compelling content. Flash support has been greatly enhanced to provide smoother, faster, high-quality playback including interactive support.
 
“Customer feedback and industry trends are key components of how Scala focuses our development resources. Scala continues to maintain the highest level of quality possible so our customers around the globe achieve even more success from their digital signage deployments,” said Peter Cherna, VP Research and Development for Scala.