Digital signage’s role in the new retail landscape

With the increase in popularity of online shopping and the changing habits of consumers who have been in lockdown for four months, this is the most challenging time that retailers have ever faced. The pandemic has forced innovation in the sector at an unprecedented pace, resulting in some exciting success stories.

Streamlining in-store
Now, the customer wants to spend as little time as possible in the store, making contactless payments a must, as well as very clear sunlight readable lcd signage to ensure any journeys are easy to navigate.
To achieve this challenging goal, technology is key. Compliance with legal regulations enforcing capacity limitations is made simpler by using cameras, sensors and digital solutions to manage footfall and traffic flow. These are also being used to communicate the differing ways a retailer is making the in-store experience more efficient.

Every journey in-store should end with a seamless, contactless experience, based on a smart queue management system and self-check kiosks. However, Click and Collect is booming – allowing consumers to order online to guarantee purchase before heading into the store to pick up an item.

This is set to increase beyond the hardware and grocery stores to include all types of retailers, so we’re seeing spaces which are being reconfigured to communicate and facilitate this for a quicker transaction.

Creating experiential retail
While many brands have announced store closures, a few are using this reduction in real estate to expand the footprints of their stores, giving flagship locations an experiential focus. Retailers are creating bigger spaces where they can build a stronger relationship with their customers, making them feel safe and ensuring the store is in line with new government regulations.

Creating connection through digital
Big high brightness LCD or video wall screens display, way finders and lift and learn spaces will help the customer enjoy the experience without direct contact with an employee. Fitting rooms will utilise AR, algorithms and powerful data lakes to combine data from the shop including stock and availability information to enable a more high-tech experience than ever before. This can also be personalised for the customer to reflect activity on their social media, or even web browsing or purchase history with the website.

Focussing on the future
Most of the new concepts established high brightness digital signage,lcd display,during the last month (digital screens with handheld sanitisers, thermal cameras, mask recognition, etc.) are great to cover an imminent demand. But are these requirements here to stay and how can they benefit your business in the long term?

With all these systems in place, a massive amount of data will be collected. Therefore, there has never been a better opportunity for the retailer to understand customer behaviors by applying intelligence to improve customer loyalty and ultimately, secure the business with a more robust plan for the future.
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Fengshilcd powers digital signage at experiential landmark

Digital signage is widely used in navigation, placemaking, exhibitions, public installations, marketing, and outdoor advertising. It uses technologies such as LCD, displays, and projection to display contents such as digital images, videos, and information. Digital signage displays make use of content management systems and digital media distribution systems that are installed on PCs and servers to present information. The digital signage market in education sector is growing phenomenally with its unique advertising and communication capabilities in the age of digitized education system.

A experiential landmark in art and cultural district, recently deployed seven LCD video walls as well as circular LCD displays, lift lobby displays and an interactive gaming facility. Fengshilcd provided its Series 4 players to power the seven LCD video walls and other players for the other displays, according to a press release.

used cloud to deliver live streamed events to the displays such as performances by musicians, dancers and theater performers, as well as special promotions. It also installed 1,000 fengshi players throughout the area, which were powered by Power-over-Ethernet, according to the release.

“The high brightness sunlight readable lcd display installation is an exciting example of how digital signage can at once improve a building’s aesthetics, enrich the visitor experience and enhance convenience,” fengshi said in the release. “Featured promotions and special events at fengshi are presented in the most dynamic and visual way possible while the wayfinding solution helps customers find the location of restaurants and retail stores.”

Open frame LCD display for sunlight readable kiosks, digital signage & ATMs

We Fengshi LCD is an ISO9001 certificated high-techenterprise specializing in OEM/ODM sunlight readable LCD products since 2009. Our team of professional engineers designs the state-of-the-art backlit modules with the open cells from LG, Samsung, AUO,BOE and other major brands. With 10,000-Class Cleanroom, Professional Optical Transmittance Tester, Color Brightness Meter Topcon BM-7, Electrical Safety Integration Tester, and Vibration Test Bench, our products are built with highest quality and reliability.All of our products are CE certified.

If you are looking to create prototypes or start mass production on a very specific project, we are happy to help you to achieve your visions and goals. We pride ourselves to be the best in the business.

Providing cost-effective products and customer-oriented services for more than a decade, Fengshi LCD has become a trusted partner of a number of world-class companies. Our products have been exported to over eighty (80) countries worldwide.

Fengshi lcd, an ISO9001 certified supplier and manufacturer, has released a complete line of open-frame LCD display monitors featuring high brightness, transflective, high luminance TFT-LCD display solutions, designed for ticketing kiosks, retail kiosks, digital signage, ATMs, vending machines and outdoor sunlight readability applications.

Fengshi said its standardized pre-engineered designs streamline the production and field-testing process, reducing time and costs associated with project development. The daylight readable flat panel displays not only withstand extreme temperature (hot and cold), but also are readable in difficult optical conditions such as direct and indirect sunlight.

Fengshi high brightness open frame LCD display monitors natively produce luminance up to 1500 nits, for superior performance in outdoor and direct sunlight applications. These open-frame LCD displays are available in a range of standard sizes from 15 inches to 86 inches, according to the announcement.

AIS transflective technology utilizes ambient light as a power source; the active luminance requirement of the backlight is reduced and only required for dark and dim applications, in turn reducing power consumption and heat emissions, which increases efficiency and results in longer product life.

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How digital signage can help you reopen safely

Municipalities and organizations around the country are beginning to relax COVID-19 restrictions, but things can get confusing pretty fast for people. Each state, county and city may have their own guidelines, and even individual organizations or different facilities can have their own set of rules. By leveraging the power of digital signage, you can make sure that everyone who goes to your location, whether it’s customers, visitors, employees or students, knows what to do and where to go. And, more importantly, how to stay safe and healthy.

Obviously, you’ll want some sort of welcome back message up on the digital signs. This is more than just a “feel good” tactic; it also serves to remind your audience that things are a little different now and that there may be changes that they need to pay attention to. Also, this is a great opportunity to thank your staff and clients for supporting you during the closure.

Some places are requiring visitors to either pre-register or register upon entering a building. If this is the case, a reminder message on entryway or reception screens will help set expectations, and you can provide instructions for how to register or contact the person you’ve come to see right on screen.

Buildings may also have a maximum capacity for the time being. Tying a data source like Excel to your digital signs will help people keep track of how many people are currently onsite. And it updates automatically on screen as numbers are entered in the spreadsheet. Elevators and other enclosed spaces may also have capacity limits. You might post physical signs at strategic locations, but the digital messages can help reinforce these rules, as well as make you iconography and imagery familiar to the audience. If there are areas that are off limits to visitors, a message with that information, and maybe a map of restricted locations, would also help head off potential problems.

It will be important to include messages about your facility’s policy on masks and social distancing (for walking, standing, queuing and even sitting). You’re almost certainly going to want to include frequent reminders to wash hands. You may also have disinfectant or bottles of hand sanitizer in various locations, and messages on the digital signs can not only remind people when they should use this (for example, before touching elevator buttons), but where those hygiene stations are in the facility.

To minimize how often people need to touch things, you might add a policy of trying to leave doors open whenever possible, or to take the stairs over the elevator if your destination is just a couple of floors away.

Some organizations are implementing one-way hallways to help people maintain proper distancing. High Brightness LCD Digital Signs can point the way with simple directional arrows. Some stairways may also become one-way during this transition period, with certain ones being “up only” while other are “down only.” Even if you have these instructions on screens, it’s still a good idea to put directional markers on floors and stairway doors.

Reminders to wipe down workstations and other areas used when finished are also a good idea. It may seem obvious, but there’s a lot of newness going on, and reminding people can only be of benefit to them and your organization. Similarly, messages telling people to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, and to stay home if they feel any symptoms may seem like overkill, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Even policies like not sharing pens, cups and other commonplace items are a good idea.

On-site locations such as café or gyms may remain closed or have new hours of operation, or they may have rules of their own. Again, use your digital signs to keep people updated so you can set accurate expectations and avoid confusion or frustration.

If you have interactive lcd displays, QR codes are a great way to retain the benefits of interactivity without asking people to touch screens. Adding a voice-use interface, where people interact with the lcd screen simply by talking to it, keeps all of your interactive option while minimizing risk to your audience. At the very least, you should have sanitizer next to the lcd screens, and reminder messages to wipe it down after use to minimize germ transmission.

You can also add a voice interface to some interactive meeting room digital signs, making them a totally hands-free option for space management. If you can’t do that, you can still put messages on your room digital signs that list things like current seating capacity, and maybe show a seating chart with spacing recommendations. Policies about how to enter and exit meeting rooms (for example, always enter/exit in a clockwise direction) can help avoid crowding around doorways. Room signs can also show if a room is waiting to be cleaned, in the process of being cleaned, or is ready to go for the next group of people.

Even if you don’t have room digital signs, you can still put room capacities, seating recommendations and other room policies on your large screens. This can help your staff to know which rooms are best for their meeting, and what to expect when they get there. And this isn’t just for meetings, you can do the same for computer labs, cafeterias, libraries, huddle/collab places, lounges and any other shared spaces.

On all of your reopening messages, try to include a QR tag or short URL that lets people access a comprehensive list of current guidelines on your intranet or website. Including links to state or county guidelines, or even CDC recommendations, can also be helpful to remind people that all of these new rules are part of a much larger picture.

And don’t forget to reinforce the positive. COVID-19 has created major change in people’s lives, and getting used to new rules can cause some people to feel anxious. So, try to counteract that with some inspirational, motivational or even funny messages. As restrictions are lifted, instead of simply discontinuing those messages, celebrate that change and let people know about the most recent step toward normalcy. Lightening the mood helps everyone deal with the current situation better, and creates community and unity.

Hopefully, people were already used to relying on your lcd digital signs for current info, so getting on-screen updates about reopening measures should seem natural to them as they come back to your office, school or shop. The key is transparency and communication, and with the right reopening messages you can ease stress, minimize disruptions, and keep everyone safe and healthy.

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Releases coronavirus response digital signage solutions

It is expanded its suite of Health Protocol Solutions to help businesses reopen and adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic with new digital signage solutions.

COVID-19 Digital Signage
Expanded its suite of Health Protocol Solutions to help businesses reopen and adjust to the coronavirus pandemic with hardware and software tools for occupancy management, temperature screening and public health announcements.

The new solutions are largely part of digital signage packages that include wellness kiosks, occupancy management systems, portable battery-operated systems and contactless interactive digital displays.

A statement that digital signage solutions are helping businesses address pubic health concerns as regulations and guidance continues to change.

“These purpose-built digital signage solutions combine leading displays with the industry’s top sensors and software,” “They’re designed to help retail stores, schools, transit centers and public venues address specific needs that are unique to the current consumer environment, including greater information sharing, customer health monitoring and occupancy tracking.”

Wellness kiosks
The upright, rectangular wellness kiosk systems include a thermal scanner for temperature scanning integrated with a 22- or 32-inch high brightness lcd digital webOS Signage display. It also includes a motion-activated hand sanitizer dispenser and slots for boxes of gloves or masks.

Read Next: New Digital Signage from Optimized for Outdoor Applications

Occupancy management
With a greater emphasis on social distancing, retail environments must control how many people are inside the store at once. Occupancy Management Solution integrates with 49- and 55-inch high brightness lcd displays and can reduce staff workload by tracking when customers enter and exit. The system includes a separate media player that can help manage traffic by providing wait times or current store occupancy.

Health protocol signage
The Portable A-Frame Display solution combines a 32-inch high brightness Singage display with folding or rolling base so it can be easily relocated. Digital signage can help communicate rules and restrictions in retail stores, schools, and corporate campuses. Larger solutions are available in 49- and 55-inch displays.

Contactless interactive solutions
Contactless solution packages can be customized to any business and are built around virtually any fengshi display to fit specific needs. These solutions allow customers to connect with on-screen digital content through their own mobile devices or voice controls.

Digital menu board solution for restaurants

Solution for restaurants, fast-food and other franchises including gas stations, allows for a flexible menu to be customized to the time of day, geographic location, days of the week or weather, resulting in better decision making by the customer and increased sales. The solution consists of high-resolution commercial grade high brightness lcd monitors with matching bezels and adapted to the continuous operation in harsh conditions. These displays are equipped with built-in, professional grade players with passive cooling requiring no additional space or other considerations. This reduces device downtime while increasing service life and easier and faster servicing. A specially designed fastening system with low weight also ensures easy installation and service.

The article highlighted the consumer’s frustration with the menu, detailing that the customer, in this case, wasn’t just “hangry,” but frustrated. Seems the lightning-fast digital menu animation gave him just seconds to see, then recall the name of the item he really wanted to try. As a result, the customer ended up ordering an item he was familiar with, instead of getting to try the new chicken sandwich he really wanted.

Imagine the overall dissatisfaction in having to settle for that standard burger, when you really wanted the chicken — especially as you see that desired sandwich flash across the menu as you pull away. A real bummer, to be sure, as well as an instance that prompts the question: What is the goal of digital menus’ animated content after all?

We want to empower customers to find what appeals to their appetite, right? In limited-service settings, we want to help guests make quick decisions, while helping them to feel confident in their selections, but also keeping the whole process simple and quick. And there, too, some limited-service concepts get in their own way by choosing poorly designed printed menus.

For instance, on a recent trip to a growing Mediterranean fast-causal chain, where guests pick up small printed to-go menus to choose their orders as they approach the counter, I watched some guests step out of line to analyze calorie counts. Health-conscious customers went on to their mobile browsers to find nutritional values for specific items that were part of each meal. More info, please!

Another couple made their way to the order counter where they conversed with one another about different options on the tiny paper handout. The line and frustration built as the couple asked the order-taker what was included with each meal. It literally took 10 minutes for the one order! So, where were the pictures anyway? Show me that tilapia with caper-dill sauce, please!

When digital menus rush the customer
Now let’s talk about slowing things down a bit. Digital menus can be stellar for giving us visuals and appealing to our taste buds. But what happens when the flash animation is too fast?

I consider myself a fast reader but it can easily turn into a game of “who saw it first?” As mentioned in the aforementioned Wall Street Journal article, customers want a realistic opportunity to see the menu, but not have to chase down or wait for the content they really want to reappear. “Now you see me… now you don’t” tactics do not lend themselves to a satisfying ordering experience.

When trying to improve the bottom line with any menu design, a balance of information, animation and animation speed is the bottom line goal. Over the course of working with numerous brands of all sizes, we’ve tracked the sales data and talked to restaurant operators about what most pleases their customers in this area of daily operation.

What’s really working?
Well, printed menus just don’t do this customer need justice anymore, especially with growing concerns about sustainability and waste. However, brands and customers can both win when animation and imagery is used for featured items.

So though it may seem obvious, give some real thought to the time your content actually stays on screen before customers and make sure you’re keeping it in front of their eyes long enough for the average customer to make a decision and selections. This is absolutely essential to your QSR’s customer experience because it cuts ordering complications and empowers consumer tastes.

How digital signage is set to transform the future of communication and brand engagement

The current global climate is prompting behavioral shifts across the world, requiring both consumers and businesses to adapt to new ways of life. One result of this has been a renewed appreciation for the importance of digital communications, with the digital OOH market poised to grow by 8.72 billion USD between 2020 and 2023.

Below, I explore some industries and businesses that have a unique opportunity to adapt to these changing times by utilizing high brightness lcd digital displays to provide customers with full access to the information they need, when they need it.
These days, consumer-brand interactions are defined by reduced facetime and increased communication through screens and digital displays. These shifting habits have presented an opportunity for retail and quick service restaurant (QSR) businesses to make use of eye-catching visual solutions that deliver information, improve engagement and build brand affinity.

One example of this is drive-through restaurants, which in March of this year generated $8.3 billion in the U.S., up from $8 billion over the same period in 2019 (reported by the New York Times). Companies with drive-through capabilities have gained a strong competitive edge, leading QSR providers to commit more resources to expanding drive-through capabilities and digital aspects of the consumer experience.
In South Korea, high brightness lcd display has been commissioned to supply SMART Outdoor Signage for the Starbucks Cheonggye drive-through store, in addition to all future Starbucks drive-thru locations – which account for 40% of the approximately 120 new stores that open in Korea every year. SMART outdoor signage is set to play a pivotal role in how consumers engage with brands going forward, and with IP56-rated water and dust resistance, as well as excellent visibility – even under direct sunlight – Samsung solutions are ready to answer the call.

Increased Collaboration
In these times, video conferencing has quickly become an important platform for communicating with friends, family, customers and businesses, resulting in a record 62 million video conferencing app downloads in the week of March 14-21 alone. Technologies like these that facilitate broader collaboration have been praised as the future of work, but they are now facing their greatest test to date. While some solutions have thrived, others have not adapted as well, demonstrating the importance of establishing intelligent, reliable, seamless and visually impactful solutions.

For many, the concept of the ‘workplace’ has recently shifted from the office to the home, making the ability to reliably share content and information electronically more important than ever before.
Digital signage solution provides an effective and secure combination of video conferencing and visual display technology. The white boarding features of the enable pen-to-paper like writing and editing, while also facilitating quick and convenient document access and wireless screen sharing for better collaboration. Paired with leading video conferencing technology and protected by proprietary security features, allows people working from multiple different locations to come together and collaborate without limitations.

Leading the Way
As the role digital signage plays in our lives becomes better understood, so too does the potential that signage technology can have moving forward. Visual displays are evolving in a range of ways – from featuring higher resolutions to incorporating intelligent cloud-based, AI-powered management software. These innovations and more will prove essential if industries are to keep providing the powerful tools needed to maintain communication and improve collaboration amid the new landscape in which we find ourselves.
Having led the digital signage industry for the past 11 consecutive years, has a well-rounded understanding of the demands of businesses and their customers, and is able to develop tailored solutions to meet their diverse needs. What started out as simple outdoor displays to replace unreliable analog signage, has become the powerful visual platform that is at the heart of communication for facilities like airports, shopping malls, city squares and sports stadiums. Fengshi LCD is excited about the future, and will continue to play a leading role in shaping and improving the ways we communicate.

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2 ways to save money on digital signage

As COVID-19 continues to impact how businesses do business, many people are looking at tools to help make the transition easier. Digital signage can help provide solutions to make it easier, but it can also be expensive. Luckily, there are a few ways to save some cash on digital signage.As COVID-19 continues to impact how businesses do business, many people are looking at tools to help make the transition easier. For example, many retailers are looking for ways to enforce capacity and social distancing requirements without allocating precious employee time.

High Brightness LCD Display Digital signage can help provide solutions to both monitor customer movement and ensure social distancing.

That being said, there are a few ways you, as an end user, can save some cash on digital signage if you decide to deploy it.

Determine your hardware minimum
What I mean by hardware minimum is you need to consider carefully what type of hardware you actually need to get your message across. What is the simplest and cheapest equipment you can use?

For example, if you are just looking to showcase your latest promotions and advertisements, do you need a 4K video wall or a simple LCD display? Do you need a robust media player or a USB thumb drive to deliver content?

I’m not saying you need to purchase the cheapest equipment out there, but rather you need to determine what your requirements are and what your negotiables are. For example, your requirements might be that you need a display that can deliver three pieces of content 24/7 and your negotiables would be the overall screen resolution and size.

Be careful in the planning stage to not get requirements and negotiables mixed up, and make sure to talk carefully with your vendor about hidden costs such as repairs and warranties.

Take advantage of apps
When it comes to digital signage software, it is easier than ever to integrate complex features, such as social media feeds, analytics, content triggers and other features, thanks to many digital signage apps out there. And the best part is, most of these apps are pretty inexpensive.

For example, many apps will feature digital signage content templates, which will help you easily craft content that looks good on any screen.

Some companies also offer free apps or trial versions that you can use. That way you can see if the app is right for you before you make a purchase.

The final word
When it comes to saving money, there are many more tips I could give, such as comparing hardware offerings, purchasing upgrade plans to save money down the road, and other options. However, most of these tips boil down to one key principle: Do your research.

When you clearly research what your needs are and what the market can provide, you will have a leg up and won’t outrun your budget as easily. Your goal, after all, should be to communicate your message clearly with digital signage, not add every bell and whistle.

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Digital signage: a valuable asset during COVID-19 & beyond

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the U.S., businesses large and small jumped into action to address everything from health precautions to changing hours to new services and product offerings. Many also took full advantage of one particular asset: Digital signage. The pandemic, perhaps more than any other business disruption, clearly highlights the benefits of digital signage solutions, and businesses seeking to remain competitive will continue to lean into this technology as we settle into a new normal.

During the pandemic, as consumers experience radical shifts in their shopping habits, in-store, high brightness lcd digital signage is proving its value, mostly in supermarkets. for example, uses high brightness lcd display to remind customers to remain two shopping cart lengths apart to reinforce social distancing, while other stores have adopted the practice of regularly updating the availability of items in high demand (“Toilet paper in stock, Aisle 10!”). Likewise, restaurants have seamlessly shifted from featuring their regular menu offerings to highlighting limited selections, special items, or even grocery options via digital menu boards.

LCD Digital signage makes sense outside the store too. At the drive-thru, flexible lcd digital signage ensures that menus are always up to date so no customer has to hear that their selection is not available. LCD Digital signs facing the sidewalk or parking lot make it easy for stores to announce changing hours, special offerings, or temporary closures without customers having to step outside their cars. Many retailers also use their outside-facing, brightly lit, easy-to-read, and regularly updated digital signs to announce curbside pick-up, grab and go meals, and store re-openings.

Activating digital signage in these ways isn’t just practical. It makes a meaningful difference in the customer experience. As strategy firm the pandemic has changed the very definition of customer care: “Suddenly, examinations of customer journeys and satisfaction metrics to inform what customers want have given way to an acute urgency to address what they need.”

As their research notes, especially in trying times, a customer’s experience with a brand can have a long-term effect on trust and loyalty. In an uncertain and competitive time, businesses should harness every advantage to improve the customer experience.

In an environment of constant change, customers seek accurate, updated, and timely information; and digital signage offers ultimate visibility and flexibility. With cloud-based CMS systems programmable from anywhere – and with minimal human resources required – today’s lcd digital signage is a highly adaptable and powerful means to engage consumers. It’s not just customers who are better served by digital signage capabilities during the pandemic. The shift benefits employers and their staff as well. From digital training to on-boarding essential new hires and break room televisions featuring important hygiene and new store practices, businesses are relying on digital signage to improve the employee experience and enhance timely communications in this challenging time.

Digital signage has proven to be a valuable asset for businesses forced to react quickly to the recent pandemic, and it has clear advantages for enhancing customer and employee experiences, even in a post-COVID world. Digital signage more easily conveys information to customers interested in details like product sourcing, ingredients, and functionality. Someday soon, we hope timely messages about high-demand products will evolve from the availability of disinfectant wipes to summer specials on ice cream. For addressing today’s unique needs and planning for the future, now is a good time for businesses to maximize the potential of their existing digital signage assets or introduce them for the first time.

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Fengshi all-weather full outdoor lcd display

All-weather full outdoor lcd displays are developed to deliver and keep optimal environment for integrated electronics in any outdoor location directly exposed to sun, rain, and snow. Fengshi displays excel in heat management, and are immune to humidity and dust particle intrusion, result in optimal performance of the LCD panels, and have long life expectancy.
Highest reliability and operation with accented aesthetics feel is what drives Fengshi product development. We do not want our customers restless when weather gets bad, when contents need higher processing power and there isn’t.

FEATURES
●High brightness, visible in direct sunlight
●Extreme system stability and reliability in all Outdoor conditions, even in most extreme environments
● Optimal performance of the LCD panel Lower risk of critical LCD panel failures Simplicity and lower frequency of maintenance activities
● Extended Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
● Wide operating temperature from -22 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit
● Lowest fluctuation in internal display temperature
● Highest operating humidity level
● Vandalism protection
● Different configurations optional like monitor, media player, Android built-in
● Wall mounted, floor-standing for landscape or portrait mode
● 43”, 49”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 86” optional

Finding the correct product for your application can be outright challenging. Fengshi has multiple combinations of vital product solutions that will fit your project’s architecture. Beginning from mechanical design, add-on options, to post-sales support; Fengshi can take your project from start to finish in record time with substantial cost savings. With a full-range product line available, there are multitudes of pre-designed and configured solutions that reduce development time, engineering, project costs and overhead, and increase your time to market. We can also do customization for your special project or application.
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