The first draft of industry standards for digital signage is slated for release to the broad signage marketplace this month. These initial standards — non-technical definitions of common industry terminology and processes — were developed by the Digital Signage Standards Working Group, one of five Digital Signage Group committees formed early this year by the not-for-profit Point-of-Purchase Advertising International (POPAI) organization.
Non-technical nomenclature standards were deemed the most appropriate starting point because they will help establish a common lingo for the other digital signage groups at POPAI – and for the maturing signage industry at large – according to Matt Nelson, director of strategic business at Avocent, who was recently named chairman of the standards working group. His committee, which meets via conference call every two weeks, is charged with fostering both non-technical and technical standards to enable compatibility and interoperability among digital signage technologies and signage-related business processes.
Nelson said the standards group examined glossaries provided by companies in the industry to develop its initial list of top terms, as well as a reference system that describes a typical digital signage network.
The digital signage group completed its draft standards in late September. After a brief review and comment by other signage industry participants at POPAI, the draft standards will be released later in October to the broader marketplace. Many digital signage companies have agreed to post the draft nomenclature standards to their Web sites, Nelson said, noting that his committee welcomes feedback from the marketplace.
More than 60 companies and more than 100 individuals from the digital signage industry already participate in the efforts of the five digital signage working groups at POPAI, according to Joe Finizio, vice president of member services at POPAI.
For more information, visit www.popai.com.
