LED and LCD Sign - Recent Trends

Time Zone Clocks Homeland Security

2011-07-25T15:01:00.000-07:00

Events throughout the world and incidents closer to home have underscored the unrelenting need to enhance preparedness, expand prevention efforts, and improve response capabilities to terrorist threats against our nation. The 2nd Annual South Dakota Homeland Security Conference will bring together nationally renowned experts on emerging threats, highlight cutting edge technological resources and speakers will share their expertise on these topics and more.

Our goal is to provide training and information to response agencies from all levels of government and private sector stakeholders in regard to Homeland Security issues affecting the United States. The conference provides a forum for government and industry to foster the partnerships necessary to protect the potential disasters we face.

see www.alpha-led.com for more information regarding world time zone clocks in Homeland Security applications

LED Signs Get Tighter

2011-06-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

LED signs are getting tighter........with higher and higher resolution.

The pitch of an LED sign is the distance between each pixel. If a pitch is 16mm, that means that each pixel (or LED cluster) is 16 millimeters apart. Smaller numbers mean a "tighter pitch".

The closer the pixels (or the tighter the pitch), the crisper and more realistic your image appears, especially when viewed from shorter distances.

The large billboards seen on the side of highways started out at 35mm pitch and have gone to 20 and even 16mm pitch. Some outdoor LED signs are 10mm pitch. The "right" LED sign selection depends on what content the user wants to show and the distance and speed of the viewer.

The smaller the pitch, higher the resolution see............. www.alpha-led.com

The LED sign shown above is a 20mm pitch, location VA hospital, Jackson, MS

2009-11-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

ENTECH Alpha LED signs, we have released a new product that is being well received by Texas schools. our ENTECH InfoDisplay is an LCD signs with LED ticker capability:

We are sending this brochure to Texas schools.

ENTECH InfoDisplays
School~ISD Lobby Greeter

Get Your Message Noticed By Staff, Students & Visitors

The Lobby Greeter from ENTECH InfoDisplays, positioned at highly trafficked entry points, allows you to communicate with staff, students and visitors as they enter your educational facility. Use the system to promote upcoming events, showcase staff, student or team accomplishments and to communicate other on campus happenings.

Every day, more and more schools, colleges and universities are turning to digital signage to inform, educate and alert their campuses. Primarily deployed in common areas such as main lobbies, cafeterias, lounges, and hallways, these communication displays provide a critical link between administrators and the student body, facility and public.
For day to day operations the displays provide basic announcements and information about campus activities and events, and to direct foot traffic in the event of construction, building closures or classroom changes. Campus-wide digital signage networks are also essential during campus-wide emergencies including weather alerts, hostile or intrusion-based events, and for other crisis-management situations.
The multimedia nature of the system gets noticed by a mobile audience providing institutions additional ways to effectively communicate. Best of all, it’s so easy to use your staff can quickly update the message every day right from a Microsoft Word document.

Complete Lobby Greeter System
Everything you need to outfit your lobby and entryways
in one convenient package:

Includes: 42”HD Commercial-Grade LCD,
Content Management Package,
Onsite Installation, Start-Up and Training &
Lifetime 1-800 Phone Tech Telephone Support
Basic Package Price $5895
ENTECH TXMAS-6-78040
Available from:
ENTECH InfoDisplays To Learn More Visit:
Call 972-641-0390 and ask for Richard Teas www.alpha-led.com

.

Time Zone Clocks Made Simple

2009-06-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

Military units require relative precision timing during critical operations and often times for daily activities.

Since the collection and exchange of weather information are of international concern, use of a single, systematic time keeping scheme is a necessity. By international agreement, the reported times for essentially all meteorological reports are given according to Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), which has replaced the previously used Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). GMT time is also referred to as "Z" or, phonetically, "Zulu" time, for the letter identifying that time zone centered on the Greenwich Prime Meridian (See the time zone labels along the top of the accompanying World Map of Time Zones).

Time in the Z or UTC system is reckoned from the local standard time observed along the Greenwich Meridian. This reference meridian of longitude (defined as 0 degrees longitude) passes through the Old Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. For each 15 degree zone that an observer progresses to the east of Greenwich, the clock is advanced one hour. Locations in each adjacent zone to the west are an hour earlier. The number of hours that must be added or subtracted from local civil time in the zone to Greenwich time is indicated on the map for each zone.

Time zones came about due to the earth's rotation that causes day and night and since not all the earth can be facing the sun at once. So while one part of the earth is experiencing night, the other side is experiencing day. When it is eight o'clock in the morning in London, it is still very dark in the United States - the earth has not yet rotated so that the portion of the earth where the United States is located faces the sun.
To help deal with the differences in night and day throughout the earth, we have assigned time zones. There are 24 time zones corresponding to the twenty-four hours in a day and night.
The time zones are based on various degrees of longitude which is the measure of distance from the Prime Meridian which goes through Greenwich England, the starting point for such measures.
Local civil time converts to Z time or UTC in the following manner. First, local civil time must be expressed in the 24 hour time format (e.g., 8:45 A.M. = 0845 and 1:15 P.M. = 1315). Then, depending upon your longitude, subtract or add1 hour of time to this local standard time for each 15 degree increment of longitude (or time zone) that your location is west or east from the Prime Meridian to determine the equivalent UTC time. Inspect the World Map of Time Zones for the location of civil time zones.
For the exact location of the boundaries between the four time zones in the continental United States, consult an atlas or almanac. Central Standard Time lags UTC by 6 hours.

To simplify time keeping the military purchases time zone clocks from vendors like ENTECH Signs - ALPHA LED http://www.alpha-led.com/ go to this web site or http://www.ledticker.com/ to view various time zone clock configurations.

LED Signs High Resolution

2008-10-31T12:30:00.000-07:00

Outdoor LED Signs and Electronic Signs can be used to advertise your products and services at a moment’s notice to dramatically increase your company sales and profits like no other advertising medium can.
We offer a full Selection of Electronic Outdoor Digital LED Signs, LED Marquees and LED Displays available in full color, monochrome 256 shades, text, graphics, and video. Our electronic moving message display systems will surpass your digital signage needs. Contact us first for your outdoor electronic sign requirements and a no-cost, no-obligation quotes.

AlphaEclipse Classic Series - Outdoor LED Signs
Available in Red or Amber
AlphaEclipse 2500
2500
2500
THE ECLIPSE 2500 offers many features and functions; front-serviceable case, wireless control, more memory, faster installation design features, and improved visibility. The individual LEDs are on a .45 " pitch, with array sizes from 96 x by 16 rows, to 192 x 80 rows. 30-Degree lamps are standard, 70-degree lamps are not required due to the close pitch. Available in red and amber.

AlphaEclipse StreetSmart Series - Outdoor LED Signs
Available in Red or Amber, 256 Shades, or RGB Full Color 16.7 Million Colors
AlphaEclipse StreetSmart 17mm
17mm
17mm
The AlphaEclipse StreetSmart 17mm series is specifically designed to provide highly visible outdoor advertising along any local city street. 5-Inch to 22-inch letters, and high display resolution make it ideal for monument applications, lower pylon, and slower city traffic volumes. Brilliant red or amber LEDs with 256-shades/grayscaling will grab attention and bring more drive-by customers into your business.

AlphaEclipse StreetSmart 35mm Mono
35mm Mono
35mm Mono
The AlphaEclipse StreetSmart 35mm monocolor series is designed to deliver highly visible outdoor advertising along any city or main street. 1-ft. to 4-ft. letters, and medium display resolution make it ideal for pole or monument applications and almost any traffic volume. Brilliant red or amber LEDs with 256-shades/grayscaling will grab attention and bring more drive-by customers into your business.

AlphaEclipse StreetSmart 35mm RGB
35mm RGB
The AlphaEclipse StreetSmart 35mm RGB series is designed to deliver highly visible outdoor advertising along any city or main street. 1-ft. to 4-ft. letters, and medium display resolution make it ideal for pole or monument applications and almost any traffic volume. Brilliant red, green and blue (RGB) LEDs produce 16.7 million colors to grab attention and bring more drive-by customers into your business.

AlphaEclipse Excite Series - Outdoor LED Signs
Excite 23mm
The AlphaEclipse Excite series is designed to provide the ultimate outdoor advertising experience. High-resolution video impact adds excitement to your business, and provides the latest technology that will meet your needs now and into the future. Excite designs are all digital. Excite’s advanced architecture provides lightning fast DVI connectivity, pure image transmissions without analog loss, and huge file display processing.• All digital design with industry standard DVI architecture • Ooh!Media PC software editor & display emulator • Embedded PC with Ethernet connectivity • Peace-of-Mind 5-year factory parts warranty• Alphamation graphic library–hundreds of animations •Wired, wireless Ethernet, DSL or cable modem control • Real-time 60fps video display processing • Digital PureColor processing-16.7 million colors • Message marquee 20fps display processing

ALPHAEclipse RoadStar Series - Outdoor LED Signs
Roadstar The AlphaEclipse™ RoadStar™ series is designed for maximum visibility along highways, highly elevated installations, or any application requiring long distance visibility.
Character sizes from 17.5" to over 9' feet tall
AlphaNet™ software included with exclusive user tutorial CBT (computer based training) program
Five-year limited factory depot warranty PureColor™, exposed LED pixel design enables optimized readability
Convenient calendar scheduling of messages
Display text, graphics and animations (BMP/GIF)
Front access to all electronic components
Modular design enables fast delivery
Over 200 sizes from 1.5' x 5' to 14' x 46'
Convenient PC control from home/office
Wired or wireless connectivity
256 shades of red or amber
Protector™ case keeps out external contaminates
No filters to maintain and clean

for more information see www.alpha-led.com or www.ledticker.com

LED Signs New Technology

2008-10-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

Dr Faiz Rahman, the researcher leading the project at the University of Glasgow, said: “By making microscopic holes on the surface of the LEDs it is possible to extract more light, thus increasing the brightness of the lights without increasing the energy consumption. As yet, LEDs have not been introduced as the standard lighting in homes because the process of making the holes is very time consuming and expensive. However, by using world-class facilities at the University of Glasgow we believe we have found a way of imprinting the holes into billions of LEDs at a far greater speed, but at a much lower cost.
“LEDs not only use less power than current energy efficient light-bulbs but they are much smaller and can last years without needing to be replaced. This means the days of the humble light-bulb could soon be over.”

Scientists at Rensselaer’s Lighting Research Center (LRC) have developed a method known as “SPE” (scattered photon extraction) to get significantly more light from white LEDs (light-emitting diodes) without requiring more energy.
“We have developed a technology based on a new scattered photon extraction method that will speed up the progress of solid-state lighting and help secure our nation’s energy future,” says Nadarajah Narendran, director of research at the LRC. “The new technology dramatically increases light output and efficacy of white LEDs, and could play a fundamental role in the evolution of white LEDs for lighting in homes and offices.”
Commercially available white LEDs combine a light-emitting semiconductor with a phosphor, a rare earth compound, to produce visible white light. However, more than half of the light, or photons, produced by the phosphor is diverted back toward the LED where much of it is lost due to absorption. This reduces the LED’s overall light output.

Cree a market-leading innovator and manufacturer of semiconductors and devices that enhance the value of solid-state lighting, power and communications products by significantly increasing their energy performance and efficiency. Key to Cree’s market advantage is its world-class materials expertise in silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) for chips and packaged devices that can handle more power in a smaller space while producing less heat than other available technologies, materials and products.

For more information contact:

www.ledticker.com www.alpha-led.com www.yourledsigns.com www.ledpeople.com
www.ledsurplus.com

LED Signs Outdoor

2008-10-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

OUTDOOR LED & ELECTRONIC SIGNS

Outdoor LED Signs and Electronic Signs can be used to advertise your products and services at a moment’s notice to dramatically increase your company sales and profits like no other advertising medium can.
Outdoor LED sign are available in full Selection of Electronic Outdoor Digital LED Signs, LED Marquees and LED Displays available in full color, monochrome 256 shades, text, graphics, and video. Our electronic moving message display systems will surpass your digital signage needs. Contact us first for your outdoor electronic sign requirements and a no-cost, no-obligation quotes.
Entech EA Monocolor Series - Outdoor LED Signs
17mm Available in Red or Amber or 256 Shades
Available Models17mm 35mm Mono
The 17mm series is specifically designed to provide highly visible outdoor advertising along any local city street. 5-Inch to 22-inch letters, and high display resolution make it ideal for monument applications, lower pylon, and slower city traffic volumes. Brilliant red or amber LEDs with 256-shades/grayscaling will grab attention and bring more drive-by customers into your business.
The 35mm monocolor series is designed to deliver highly visible outdoor advertising along any city or main street. 1-ft. to 4-ft. letters, and medium display resolution make it ideal for pole or monument applications and almost any traffic volume. Brilliant red or amber LEDs with 256-shades/grayscaling will grab attention and bring more drive-by customers into your business.

Entech Full Color EA Series - Outdoor LED Signs
Available Models20mm23mm35mm
The Full Color Series is designed to provide the ultimate outdoor advertising experience. High-resolution video impact adds excitement to your business, and provides the latest technology that will meet your needs now and into the future. Excite designs are all digital. The Full Color Series advanced architecture provides lightning fast DVI connectivity, pure image transmissions without analog loss, and huge file display processing.
• All digital design with industry standard DVI architecture • PC software editor & display emulator • Embedded PC with Ethernet connectivity • Peace-of-Mind 5-year factory parts warranty• Alphamation graphic library–hundreds of animations • Wired, wireless Ethernet, DSL or cable modem control • Real-time 60fps video display processing • Digital PureColor processing-16.7 million colors • Message marquee 20fps display processing
Entech EA Highway Series - Outdoor LED Signs
The Highway series is designed for maximum visibility along highways, highly elevated installations, or any application requiring long distance visibility.Available Models64mm 86mm
Character sizes from 17.5" to over 9' feet tall
Software included with exclusive user tutorial CBT (computer based training) program
Five-year limited factory depot warranty PureColor™,exposed LED pixel design enables optimized readability
Convenient calendar scheduling of messages
Display text, graphics and animations (BMP/GIF)
Front access to all electronic components
Modular design enables fast delivery
Over 200 sizes from 1.5' x 5' to 14' x 46'
Convenient PC control from home/office
Wired or wireless connectivity
256 shades of red or amber
Protector™ case keeps out external contaminates
No filters to maintain and clean
Entech EA Classic Series - Outdoor LED Signs
EA 2500 Available in Red or Amber
The EA 2500 offers many features and functions; front-serviceable case, wireless control, more memory, faster installation design features, and improved visibility. The individual LEDs are on a .45 " pitch, with array sizes from 96 x by 16 rows, to 192 x 80 rows. 30-Degree lamps are standard, 70-degree lamps are not required due to the close pitch. Available in red and amber.
ENTECH offers a diverse selection of monument designs. You can choose from one of our forty standard models, or design your own! As master fabricators, we make the manufacturing process of custom foam monument structures a breeze. Simply choose your design, graphics, and LED sign and we put it all together for you.
We also have hand sculpted, stone and brick designs to add the perfect finishing touch to your next architectural monument project.
• Exceptional Durability
• Cost Effective
• Lightweight
• Superior Versatility
• Easy To Install
• Simulated Concrete Finish
Stone Monument Signs and Brick Monument Signs have never been easier! Choose one of our standard stone designs or send us a picture of your existing brick or stone and we will be glad to provide a custom color match free-of-charge.
All of our faux stone designs are hand sculpted by our team of skilled artists using a mixture of artistic mediums; then fully encapsulated in our exclusive hybrid plastic polymer hard coat that eliminates fading, peeling or ripping.

LED TICKERLED Signs, Electronic Signs and LCD Signs

http://www.alpha-led.com/ http://www.ledticker.com/ http://www.ledpeople.com/ http://www.ledsurplus.com/

http://www.yourledsigns.com/

LED Signs U.S. Air Force

2008-10-07T14:08:00.000-07:00

Outdoor LED Signs and Electronic Signs can be used to communicate alerts, alarms and critical mesages at a moment’s notice. The market offers a wide Selection of Electronic Outdoor Digital LED Signs, LED Marquees and LED Displays available in full color, monochrome 256 shades, text, graphics, and video. The current technology for electronic moving message display systems surpass' any other medium for critical instant communication for personnel.

The mission of the United States Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests to fly and fight in air, space and cyberspace.

ENTECH Signs - ALPHA LED is proud to support the United States Air Force by supplying quality products and excellent service.

ENTECH Signs - ALPHA LED, LLC is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB)and is on GSA Schedule. ENTECH supplies indoor and outdoor digital signage and has completed many "turn-key" projects for the Government and Military.

Contact Government Sales 1-800-383-8163, http://www.alpha-led.com or www.ledticker.com

LED Signs and LCD Signs

2008-10-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

Sony develpoed the first television for the commercial market with an organic light-emitting diode (LED) display. The XEL-1 uses new light-emitting display technology called OLED based on electroluminescent organic materials to deliver clear image quality, even for the color black and a metallic sheen.
Sony officials said the technology was superior to liquid-crystal and plasma displays, now widely used in thin TVs, because OLED technology uses materials that emit light on their own and don't require a backlight.
It can also relay video 1,000 times faster than liquid-crystal displays, eliminating the blur of LCD TV imagery, and reduces energy consumption by 40 percent, Sony said.
Sony, which has movie and music as well as video-game businesses, fell behind rivals in display TVs and now makes liquid crystal TVs in a partnership with rival Samsung Electronics Co of South Korea.
Sony no longer makes plasma display TVs, a market dominated by Japanese rival Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, maker of Panasonic products.

OLED TV's won't replace LCD TVs until they become available in bigger sizes and cheaper pricing, he said.
Prices have plunged in thin TVs, and a small LCD TV sells for about the tenth of the price of the XEL-1, although prices vary.
Other companies, including Samsung, are working on OLED technology. Besides pricing, another obstacle to putting OLED in a commercial product has been its life span.
The new OLED TV will last 30,000 hours, about 10 years for someone using the TV eight hours a day. An equivalent Sony LCD TV lasts twice that long.

Digital signage is showing up in locations where people gather to work, learn, shop, play, commute and wait.
Displays are growing in size and numbers and delivering content via Interactive Digital Signage(iDS) software platforms that turn LCD and Plasma displays into a flexible, reliable, easy to use digital signage networks. With creative multi-media, web, RSS feeds and live data content types to create visually stimulating, dynamic, and compelling digital signs. iDS is a complete solution allowing end users to manage content to digital display networks. The end user can design, schedule, deploy, playback, with reporting and system monitoring capability.

Digital signage is the perfect medium to advertise, inform or entertain…. or even all three at once. It offers an unrivaled attention-grabbing ability, a built-in flexibility for content refresh and a much better return on investment compared to traditional printed signs.

Digital signage has many names but mostly it is the use of flat format displays such as Plasmas and LCD’s to convey messages to the public. These display signs can be configured for single signs, networked signs, and entire LCD wall signs. Digital LCD / Plasma packages are available from “plug and play” to internet server based systems we have a solution that will show an immediate return on investment without the hassle of expensive equipment or technicians.

For more information see http://www.alpha-led.com/ http://www.ledticker.com/ http://www.yourledsigns.com/

LCD Signs New Media

2008-10-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

LCD Signs are the preferred communication tool for business, government and the military.

LCD signs sometimes referred to as Digital signage is the delivery of dynamic rich-media content using ethernet, CAT5, VGA or satellite networks for display, typically on a plasma or LCD over a centrally managed network.
This rich-media (usually video content and animated text/graphics) is delivered to targeted locations. The power of digital signage is the ability to update content at a remote facility in a matter of minutes rather than weeks or even months.

Some digital signage networks are operated through an IP network where content is down-loaded during non-business hours and stored on a device at the customer site for playback at pre-determined times. Other more traditional deployments are simply looping on stand alone DVD players. However, this type of signage is likely to soon be replaced by the more dynamic and powerful networked digital signage.
More traditional digital signage deployment has been around for several years. More interest and activity is being driven by:
A decrease in hardware costs--primarily flat screens.
An increase in IP addressable devices/products.
An acceptance by IT departments to support higher bandwidth applications such as IP cameras and interactive distance learning.

DIGITAL SIGNAGE NETWORK BASICS
Digital signage networks generally have the following components:
Content Authoring (MPEG, AVI, Flash).
Content Scheduling.
IP Network for distributing content.
Media Player.
Displays.
Content Distribution Server.
How it works:
Create content using content authoring tools in MPEG, AVI, Flash, etc.
Schedule content and upload playlists, schedules and content to the Content Distribution Server.
Content distribution server "pushes" content out to the IP addressable Media Players on the network to display content on screens in multiple locations anywhere in the world.

ENTECH Signs - ALPHA LED is supplying digital signage nationwide.

ENTECH's Government Sales Manager, Steve Teas has heard many customers say "Nothing attracts attention like a moving message sign!"

ENTECH Signs - ALPHA LED, LLC is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) and is on GSA Schedule. ENTECH supplies LED and LCD signs and has completed 100's of "turn-key" projects for the Military and Government.

Some recent installations include: http://www.ledticker.com/gsa.htmlContact us: GSA@alpha-led.com or 972-641-0390To see Military Base LED sign installation go to http://www.alpha-led.com or http://www.ledticker.com

LCD Signs for Corporate Communication

2008-10-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

LCD signs are being used to communicate in commerence, the government and the military.

Digital signage informs and entertains employees and vistors. LCD signs are placed in lobbies and waiting areas to help visitors find their destination as well as keep them entertained. LCD signs are placed in employee areas to convey sales information, company news, and HR announcements.
LCD signs are also being used for Wayfinding to assist visitors and guests with easy to follow directions and or maps to their destination. LCD signs are used for advertising to market to captive audiences with text, pictures and video. Third party advertising is also being sold so space on your network is used to create a new revenue source.. Live News/Weather along with real-time information directly from the Internet to your digital signage displays.

Some digital signage networks are operated through an IP network where content is down-loaded during non-business hours and stored on a device at the customer site for playback at pre-determined times. Other more traditional deployments are simply looping on standalone DVD players. However, this type of signage is likely to soon be replaced by the more dynamic and powerful networked digital signage.
More traditional digital signage deployment has been around for several years. More interest and activity is being driven by:
A decrease in hardware costs--primarily flat screens.
An increase in IP addressable devices/products.
An acceptance by IT departments to support higher bandwidth applications such as IP cameras and interactive distance learning.

Contact ENTECH Signs - ALPHA LED www.ledticker.com or www.alpha-led.com

LED Sign Terror Alert System

2008-10-06T08:47:00.001-07:00

/ -- Washington, DC....10/08/2008

The Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard are now employing EMC's (Electronic Messaging Centers) to communicate with Base personnel and Base visitors. Messages consist of security alerts, alarms, instructions to vistors, safety reminders, messages of the day, VIP welcoming, congratulations for jobs well done, and anniversary and retirement announcements.Any time sensitive information can be quickly and efficiently displayed in a manner of seconds. Displays consist of LED signs and LCD signs. Multiple LED and LCD signs can can be networked in groups or as single stand alone signs.

ENTECH's Government Sales Manager, Steve Teas has heard many customers say "Nothing attracts attention like a moving message sign!

"ENTECH Signs - ALPHA LED, LLC is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) and is on GSA Schedule.

ENTECH supplies LED and LCD signs and has completed 100's of "turn-key" projects for the Military and Government.Some recent installations include:

http://www.ledticker.com/gsa.htmlContact us: GSA@alpha-led.com or 972-641-0390To see Military Base LED sign installation go to www.alpha-led.com or www.ledticker.com

LED Signs Mass Communication

2008-10-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

This article was found on the ISA website.

Titled : Tech installs message boards in classrooms
The electronic boards display the date and time unless there is a need to get news out quickly.
By Greg Esposito

JUSTIN COOK The Roanoke Times
Students mill around Squires Student Center at Virginia Tech. Cellphone reception is poor in some campus buildings, and many professors don't allow students to keep their phones turned on in class. Tech's electronic message boards offer another layer to notify people on campus of emergencies or weather cancellations.
BLACKSBURG -- A new academic year has brought another new security measure at Virginia Tech.
Electronic message boards to notify students and faculty of campus emergencies have been installed in 165 classrooms. The cost to purchase 220 of the devices and install 201 of them is $243,700, Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said. Tech bought 19 backup message boards.
The message boards were recommended by a committee formed by the university last year to review security after the April 16, 2007, shootings on campus. The committee, one of three the university formed to assess recommendations made by internal, state and national reports on the shootings, also recommended an alert system incorporating cellphones, which Tech installed for the start of the 2007 academic year.
That system allows subscribers to be notified of emergencies via text message, e-mail, phone and Instant Messenger. Hincker said the university is working on syncing up the various notification systems so one message could go out over all media.
Cellphone reception is poor in some campus buildings, and many professors don't allow students to keep their phones turned on in class. The message board offers another layer to notify people on campus of emergencies or weather cancellations.
The boards are about 2 feet long and normally display the date and time. The last of the devices were installed late last week, and Hincker hopes to have control of them this week. Three people in his department and three in the university's police department will have the ability to post messages on the boards.
The message boards, which are hooked up to Tech's existing Internet system.

Institutions are looking for quick and dependable ways to communicate emergency alerts to the on campus and local population. One aspect is with visual displays including LED and LCD signs.

For more information visit: http://www.yourledsigns.com/ or http://www.ledticker.com/ or http://www.alpha-led.com/

LED and LCD Sign Content Distribution

2008-09-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

The key to effective digital signage utilization is content generation and distribution.

If interesting and pertinent content is not being displayed then the LED or LCD sign is not being used to it's maximum potential.

One such solution is ENTECH Signs - ALPHA LED's InfoScreens networked system.

This is a web-based content management system for the control of digital signage networks, a typical campus installation would display information about current and upcoming events, schedules, and emergency notifications, some schools would also sell advertising to local merchants.
Facilities can network multiple screens in multiple buildings to create a fully networked, campus-wide information system.Schools have found the ENTECH InfoScreens network consisting of LCD signs offers a dependable, eye-catching, and affordable way to convey up-to-date information – events, special activities, schedules, and emergency notifications– to students, staff and faculty.”ENTECH InfoScreen’s offer school administrators complete control over the composition and timing of all content. Distributing information via digital signage enables the school to communicate effectively to students, staff and campus vistors.
Digital signage can be a cost-effective and attractive way to communicate up-to-date information to a broad number of people without littering the campus with paper signs.ENTECH’s InfoScreen system is a web-based, Software-as-a-Service content management system. Information selections include access to live content such as news headlines, local weather, sports scores, and stock ticker updates. Users incorporate this live content with their own information, including movies, graphics and text, and publish it directly to their network of digital signs.

Shown are few pictures of LED and LCD signs in various military applications.

For more information go to www.alpha-led.com or www.ledticker.com

LED Sign Count Down Clock

2008-08-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

A major sports management company put together an advertising package utilizing a 20 foot by 5 foot countdown display. The LED sign countdown clock counts down days-hours-minutes-seconds until the first Ohio State football game of the 2008 season. The large LED Sign was placed outside Molly Woo's in Columbus, Ohio

The equipment and installation was provided by ENTECH LED Signs located in Grand Prairie, Texas. http://www.ledticker.com/

LED Signs vs LCD Signs

2008-08-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

When considering a digital signage system for an indoor application there are at least two questions that come to mind:

What type of information needs to be displayed and what is the typical viewing distance?

If the information that needs to be shown is basically text and the distance is greater than

75 feet then an LED sign will typically be used. If video and pictures are to be displayed

then an LCD sign will normally be most cost effective up to a 60" to 70" LCD sign. However

some "off the shelf" LED signs are available at good price points.

For more information see http://www.ledticker.com/

LED Sign - Comparing Technology

2008-08-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

Typical Lean Manufacturing LED Sign.

Comparing Multiple Quotes

Are you getting several quotes? Do you require a minimum of 3 bids for a project?We make it easy to decide what you are getting for your money and that you are comparing apples to apples.

Compare Checklist:

1. Are the Pixel Matrix and viewing angles the same?

2. Does it come complete with software and communication hardware?

3. What type for warranty does it have?We have a standard 5 year warranty on all outdoor signs and a 2 year warranty on all indoor signs.

4. Do you get technical support?We offer lifetime 1-800 technical support on all products we sell

5. Is freight included?Could be an expensive cost

6. Are you receiving any kind of additional support or hardware? Lightbox, installation, on-site support?

7. What type of business are you dealing with?Fly by night sign companies could offer lower prices but as soon as money changes hands you will be lucky to receive any support. We have been in the sign business almost 2 decades and are dedicated to supporting our product and to keep our customers happy by any means necessary.

Entech Signs1-800-383-81631905 W. Arbor RoseGrand Prairie, Texas 75050

for more information see http://www.alpha-led.com/

LED Signs Utilizing Lean Six Sigma Principles

2008-08-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma

ENTECH-ALPHA LED supplies visual solutions for corporate communication needs. Whether you need a single LED sign or a world wide network of LED signs.
In today's world, quick and effective communication is essential. To achieve this, you need the right display using the right technology. ENTECH network ready LED message displays have revolutionized the way companies communicate with their customers and employees.

ALPHA displays enhance your Lean Manufacturing programs
Manufacturers can increase productivity by giving the right information to the people that make process decisions. ENTECH provides integrated communication systems that allow instant status of work stations, process lines and plant-wide statistics at a glance.
The principles of lean manufacturing created by the Japanese have become so widespread chances are you’ve heard something about them or are involved in some form of it. The idea is that one can divide their workforce into distinct processes or work cells that can be easily monitored. Companies with active Lean Manufacturing programs understand the need to map and measure every stage of their "Value Stream" for each product with the objective of eliminating waste from every process.Companies with active Lean Manufacturing programs understand the need to map and measure every stage of their "Value Stream" for each product with the objective of eliminating waste from every process. Click here to view ROI stories for LEAN projects.ALPHA LED displays can quickly improve the effectiveness of any Lean Program by giving you the ability to post these measurements where they are needed most. Click here to learn more.

KPIworks
In today’s highly competitive manufacturing environment, companies that will thrive are those that implement some form of continuous improvement program. Visual Workplace solutions have played a key role in improved productivity and cost savings by displaying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).Harvest real-time KPI data points from your OPC or ODBC* servers easily with this turn-key, software solution. KPIworks™ software from ENTECH, allows you to connect to various inputs: database fields, relays, photo cells, status values, process sensors… Monitored Key Performance Indicators combined with your custom-set parameters will optimally format and visually display the desired information – automatically. Benefits can include: trends being caught and corrected, reduced time between line changes, proactive front office action, maintained parts inventories, and swift response to line errors or equipment bottlenecks to maximize uptime.Easy to install and configure, KPIworks gets your real-time production data to ENTECH Andon boards, marquees and other plant floor displays in a fraction of the time of other integration options. This translates into production efficiencies. And, with no custom code to maintain, this scalable software is economical, easy to install and configure, and fast to learn.Tested, proven, robust and well supported. KPIworks has been proven in some of the largest and most complex manufacturing facilities. It can provide broad stroke information or can be configured to provide more detailed production statistics. But its real strength is its ease of use and flexibility. Robust and well supported, KPIworks can help you achieve your Continuous Improvement goals by making a Visual Workplace solution an easy and economical step into the future. Call ENTECH to learn more about this exciting new software. Seamlessly harnessing the power of data, visually displayed, to drive productivity.

ALPHA displays enhance your Lean Manufacturing programs
The principles of lean manufacturing created by the Japanese have become so widespread chances are you’ve heard something about them or are involved in some form of it. The idea is that one can divide their workforce into distinct processes or work cells that can be easily monitored. Companies with active Lean Manufacturing programs understand the need to map and measure every stage of their "Value Stream" for each product with the objective of eliminating waste from every process.
ALPHA LED displays can quickly improve the effectiveness of any Lean Program by giving you the ability to post these measurements where they are needed most.

For additional information see www.alpha-led.com

How to Program LED Signs

2008-08-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

How do my messages get into the LED sign?If your message is simple, then you would use the handheld remote control. With this user-friendly input device you can enter multiple messages with canned animations and you can even schedule messages. There also are IR message loaders available to program from a PC then you would hand carry this to remote signs or different locations for downloading. Most customers use (off the shelf) messaging software, or write thier own custom software. Networking options are also available to send messages to multiple signs.
Can you automate sending messages to LED signs?Yes, if you have a lot to say or multiple signs to program then the ENTECH LED signs messaging software is what you need. When using software you can connect from your PC to the signs over various methods: Direct Data Cable, Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless (LAWN), Paging (WAWN) and Modem.
Can ENTECH connect manufacturing and call center equipment into LED signs?Yes, if you would like "real-time" information from an existing database to be displayed then consider ActiveX or various custom software packages available. There is also an ENTECH LED signs communications protocol available for writing your own software.
Is it possible to get live news, sports, or stock feeds displayed on LED signs?Yes, Internet fed "Stock Market" subscription services are available with "real-time" or delayed stock and index quotes. Canned subscription services are also available with different packages for business and sports options.
How can you improve the way our business works?Imagine that you are arriving at a championship basketball game late. You don't know who's winning, how much time has expired, or how many fouls have been called, and you don't even know who is playing. What do you do? How do you acquire the basic statistical information you need to become an educated viewer? The same way you have hundreds of times before, you look up to the scoreboard and are instantly informed of the current situation. What if it was not there? How would you know what was going on? Does this differ from today's fast paced world of business? A manager enters a plant or work floor and is presented with a very similar scenario. There is a tremendous amount of activity; the employees (players), the supervisors (coaches), and in turn the managers (officials) are all involved in the business or production process. How do you know the score? How do they know the score?

An LED Marquees provides employees, supervisors and managers with real-time information anywhere in business/manufacturing/material handling/etc. process. Information is power, and the power of displaying intelligent and clearly presented data greatly improves your team's ability to address issues before they become problems.

Various software options are available to program from a remote location, one at a time or an entire network of signs in an instant! Through cable, telephone modem, local wireless or nationwide wireless technologies, you can react to a situation in minutes, not months. Speak to every employee through a LAN or WAN connection from a remote location. The possibilities are endless.

For additional information see http://www.alpha-led.com/

LED Signs - A Few Definitions

2008-08-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

Lets start with a few basic definitions:

Full color LED Sign installed in Texas.

What is an LED?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LEDs are much different than a light bulb. Light bulbs burn out; LEDs last for several years. LEDs also consume much less electricity than a typical light bulb. LEDs use 1/10 to 1/40 the energy of incandescent bulbs. LEDs are basically a maintenance-free product.

What is a Pixel?

A pixel is a cluster of two or three LEDs. If you want your image to look crisper and more realistic, then the pixels should be close together. The closer the pixels, the crisper and more realistic your image appears.

What does Pitch mean?

The pitch of an LED sign is the distance between each pixel. If a pitch is 20mm that means that each pixel (or LED cluster) is basically 20 millimeters apart from each LED cluster around it.

What about Viewing Angle?

The LED viewing angle refers to the angle you are at while viewing a sign. When you look at an LED straight on, it is at full brightness. As you view the LED from different angles, the brightness changes. This is typical for all LED signs.

What is the difference between Color and Monochrome?

Monochrome LED signs have been around a long time. They are a proven way to get your message to people. Monochrome (single color) LED signs are perfect for delivering text messages to your audience. You can customize your message on monochrome signs and change the message as often as needed. Color LED signs can do everything the monochrome signs do yet they are great for displaying short videos and animations. With a color LED sign, you can utilize just about any color on the spectrum.