Ten years ago, Scala stood as the undisputed benchmark in the digital signage world. Founded in Norway, Scala was rarely the perfect CMS - but it was the best integrators had. Those who mastered its quirks were the industry’s elite, forming a tight-knit global network of partners who enhanced its capabilities with clever workarounds. European integrator names like M-Cube, Trison (TMM, Beaver), and First Impression became synonymous with Scala’s golden era.
Opinion: Dise in the Footsteps of Scala – Vertiseit’s Bold Play for Global Leadership
But the landscape has shifted. Today, Scala is part of Stratacache, the world’s largest pure-play digital signage group. Scala’s strategy shifted from partner-driven growth to direct business, leaving former Scala integrators out in the cold. While legacy licenses remain in play, Scala’s role as the preferred CMS choice for integrators has diminished, and its once loyal partners now view it as a competitor.
invidis Opinion: Our analysts’ thoughts on the global digital signage and DooH markets and more
Enter Vertiseit – a Swedish newcomer turned European powerhouse. In just seven years, Vertiseit assembled a potent portfolio through strategic acquisitions including Dise, Grassfish, VisualArt, and most recently MDT. With over 300,000 active licenses and a unified IXM architecture in the pipeline, CEO Johan Lind is clearly aiming higher: global retail experience platform market leadership.
Dise is emerging as Vertiseit’s channel spearhead, particularly in Europe, where it’s gradually replacing Scala at major integrators like First Impression, Pixel Inspiration and Dobit. The expansion isn’t limited to partner swaps; Dise is building the foundation for future growth by signing new integration partners across verticals and regions. And it’s now crossing the Atlantic.
With a new office in Atlanta and relocation of Dise’s top leadership to the US, Vertiseit is setting the stage to challenge Scala – and Stratacache – on their home turf. The US market is complex and competitive, but it’s also essential for any company aiming for global dominance.
Vertiseit’s strategy blends organic growth via a leading CMS platform with targeted acquisitions, echoing Scala’s early rise but with more modern tools and a multi-platform approach. The competition, however, is far from idle. Stratacache and other incumbents are likely to respond assertively, both in Europe and in the US, turning regional rivalry into a global showdown.
As the market evolves, a handful of digital signage brands are scaling toward international dominance. Dise and Vertiseit are moving fast, but they’re stepping into an arena where agility, innovation, and deep partner networks will define who leads – and who fades.
This is more than a story of a stock-market company; it’s a signal that digital signage is no longer a fragmented space. It’s consolidating, globalizing, and maturing. Dise may not be the new Scala just yet – but the path is clearly being paved.
