The international industry initiative OpenAV Cloud aims to promote API standards in order to move digital signage out of silos. Heavyweights such as Brightsign and Sony are behind the initiative.
The parameters in the digital signage industry have shifted drastically in recent years. The interaction between hardware and software has changed fundamentally. The cloud is becoming increasingly central, but fragmentation and proprietary ecosystems of individual providers are slowing down innovation. Yet it is precisely now that the silos need to be broken down in order to position digital signage in a networked world.
A new industry initiative has been formed to achieve this: OpenAV Cloud’s vision is an open, integrated AV ecosystem in which hardware and software are seamlessly connected.
This is not about introducing a single API for digital signage systems, but about standardization so that all devices and all software programs can communicate with each other.
This results in benefits for digital signage customers, as Bradley Hanrahan, Head of Global Alliances at Founding Member Sony, explains. “It creates a seamless, unified ecosystem that reduces duplication of workflows and support requirements and enables faster innovation and feature delivery.” It also means greater choice and flexibility in adapting customer solutions to the respective company.
Faster integrations
However, system integrators would also benefit from an open API standard. “Faster and more efficient integrations would be possible, with easier and simplified interoperability and scalability,” explains Hanrahan.
In addition to Sony, the Founding Members include Brightsign, Panasonic, Legrand, Shure and Xyte. Other Contributing Members such as AUO, Avocor and Planar have already joined the initiative.
Interested parties can find out more about the details and membership on the OpenAV Cloud website.
