Profile: Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. (RNIN.O)

Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc., incorporated on March 23, 2000, provides digital signage solutions to retail and service markets. Through a suite of software applications marketed as RoninCast, the Company provides an enterprise-level content delivery system that manages, schedules and delivers digital content over wireless or wired networks. The Company generates revenue through system sales, license fees and separate service fees for consulting, hosting, training, content development and implementation services, and for ongoing customer support and maintenance. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Wireless Ronin Technologies (Canada), Inc., develops e-learning, e-performance support and e-marketing solutions for business customers. The Company and its subsidiary sell products and services primarily throughout North America. In February 2008, the Company launched an industry-specific digital signage solution for one of its focused vertical markets. The RoninCast for Automotive system offers an interactive solution that impacts every area of the dealership, including dealership showrooms, finance and insurance, and service and parts.

RoninCast solutions offer a digital alternative to static signage that provides its customers with a visual marketing system. The Company’s technology can be combined with interactive touch screens to create new platforms for assisting with product selection and conveying marketing messages. RoninCast software enables it to deliver a solution that includes project planning, design services, network deployment, software training, equipment, hardware configuration, content development, implementation, maintenance, around-the-clock help desk support and full-service network operations center. The Company’s software manages, schedules, and delivers digital content over wired or wireless networks. Its solution integrates software components and delivers content over communication protocols.

Master Controller (MC) is divided into two operational components: the Master Controller Server (MCS) and the Master Controller Client (MCC). The MCS provides centralized control over the entire signage network and is controlled by operators through the MCC graphical user interface. Content, schedules and commands are submitted by users through the MCC to be distributed by the MCS to the end-point controllers. In addition, through the MCS, network and content reports, and field data are viewed by operators utilizing the MCC.

End-Point Controller (EPC) receives content, schedules and commands from the centralized MCS. It then passes along the information to the End-Point Viewer (EPV) in its local environment. The EPC then sends content, executes schedules and forwards commands that have been delivered. In addition, the EPC monitors the health of the local network and sends status reports to the MCS. The EPV software displays the content that has been distributed to it from the EPC or the Site Controller (SC). It keeps track of the name of the content that is playing, and when and how many times it has played. This information is delivered back to the MCS through the EPC.

The SC provides localized control and operation of an installation. It is able to deliver, broadcast, or distribute schedules and content. The level of control over these operations can be set at specific levels to allow local management access to some or all aspects of the network. The SC also allows information to be reviewed regarding the status of their local RoninCast network. It is also used as an installation and diagnostic tool. Network Builder (NB) allows operators to set up virtual networks of signage that creates groups for specific content distribution. EPVs can be grouped by location, type, audience, or whatever method the user chooses.

Schedule Builder (SB) provides users the ability to create schedules for extended content distribution. Schedules can be created a day, a week, a month or a year at a time. These schedules are executed by the EPCs at the local level. The Zone Builder (ZB) allows screen space to be divided into sections (zones) that can each play separate content. This allows reuse of media created from other sources, regardless of the pixel size of the destination screen. In addition, each zone can be individually scheduled and managed.

RoninCast Wall (RCW) provides the ability to synch multiple screens together to create complex effects and compositions, such as an image moving from one screen to the next screen, or all screens playing new content at one time. Database Client (DBC) allows for automation of control of the RoninCast network. Information can be retrieved from a database and sent to the EPVs automatically. This software is suited for implementation where information changes on a regular basis, such as meeting room calendars or arrival and departure times, or data feeds from the Internet. Event Log Viewer (EVL) allows the user to analyze logs collected from the field in an organized manner. Filtering and sorting of data in any aspect further simplifies the analysis. Software Development Kit (SDK) is provided so that customers can create their own custom applications that can interface with the RoninCast network.

The Company competes with EnQii, Stratacache, Broadsign, Scala, Omnivex, Hughes, Texas Digital, c-nario, Harris-Infocaster, Planar/Coolsign, Cisco Systems, Netkey and Nanonation.