MTI at International CES 2007
Company is showing examples of its award-winning merchandising
displays –
which eliminate confusion often encountered when shopping for
consumer electronic products
Las Vegas - January 8, 2007 – MTI (Central
Hall, booth 9032) today announced it is exhibiting an array of
enhanced and conceptual retail experiences at International CES
2007. All of these offerings, which reflect MTI's advanced designs
for merchandising displays, aim at creating immersive shopping
experiences for customers who are in the market for a wide variety
of consumer electronic products – such as HDTVs and digital
cameras.
“We are showing the next generation in merchandising technology,”
says Mike Cook, president and CEO for MTI.
“It will turn more shoppers into buyers, driving retailers'
revenues and profits to new levels.”
New Solutions for Selling 1080p HDTVs and Computer
Monitors
MTI is showcasing its full complement of signal switching and
distribution technology. New to the MTI lineup is retail support
for the HDMI signal format. One such solution carries both digital
video and multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. All of
MTI’s solutions support 1080p resolution and HDCP content
protection, allowing retailers to present customers with the most
current, appealing and visually entertaining material.
For merchandising computer monitors, the VGD8 distribution amplifier
is new for 2007. Besides allowing for the distribution of VGA
signals to the latest high resolution flat panel computer monitors,
this amplifier also incorporates an electronic loss prevention
feature. Special VGA cables from MTI continuously sense the connection
to the monitors and include an LED alarm-on indicator for each
monitor on display. The audible alarm system will activate when
the monitor's VGA cable is disconnected, thereby preventing monitor
theft. The VGD8 utilizes the same key switch, keypad, and alarm
accessories as MTI’s popular Freedom line.
Also in the new-product category is a family of Decora-style switches
for use in demonstrating different home entertainment products.
Each switch has up to eight touch points; and each of these touch
points can be used to control MTI’s OnSite switches or a
device setting, such as volume. The unique design of these switches
allows for fully customized faceplate graphics that match any
retailer's store branding.
SKU-Activated Merchandising Enhances Retail Concepts
Other product enhancements MTI is showing at CES demonstrate the
company's continued commitment to SKU-activated merchandising
– digital signage that is activated automatically when shoppers
interact with products. One such advance is a pressure-sensitive
store shelf embedded with sensors. When a customer lifts a box
from the shelf, the action triggers signage on a nearby screen
providing in-depth information about the product – another
step by MTI to provide assistance to retail customers when salespeople
may not be available. A similar display enables customers to gain
access to account information and purchase history with the use
of an RFID-enabled key fob. When shoppers approach a scanner point,
the key fob is recognized and personalized information is available
for review on screen.
Shopping for Mobile Phones and Digital Cameras Becomes “Immersive”
MTI has also developed a way of shopping for handheld CE products
that directs customers to the ideal gadget. Customers begin by
navigating through a series of product options on a touch screen
– in this case, digital cameras that are sorted by price,
megapixel, zoom range and size. When shoppers arrive at the desired
product model on screen, an LED ring at the product position illuminates
so the customer can easily locate it on the display. Shoppers
can then interact with a “live” fully powered camera.
Further, all MTI systems for merchandising handheld CE products
– including digital cameras, camcorders, mobile phones and
MP3 players – feature electronic and mechanical security
systems, universal power, and modularity for field-replacement
of individual components. The company's “Lift” feature,
which recently earned an International CES Innovation Honoree
Award, triggers text, graphics, even video messaging on a nearby
screen whenever a customer picks up a displayed product.
A “Snooze” Alarm is MTI’s Newest Concept
A concept called “Snooze” is ideal for stores where
sales associates are readily accessible for showing handheld CE
products such as digital cameras. With this feature, the sales
person can temporarily release a displayed product from the security
cable that tethers it to the counter, and pause the alarm for
a few minutes. In this way, a customer can experience the product
freely, thus enhancing the shopping experience. When the demonstration
is finished, the sales person simply snaps the cable back in place,
and the alarm resets. As a security precaution, the alarm system
also will activate if the product is removed from the demonstration
area.
About MTI
Headquartered in Hillsboro, Ore., MTI is a privately held company
that has been building interactive merchandising displays for
consumer electronics retailers since 1977. It remains the leading
provider of turnkey solutions, including design, fabrication,
installation and support. Six of the top seven consumer electronics
retailers in the U.S. build their sales with MTI displays, which
include Freedom Universal and Freedom LP™, Intuition™
(a digital signage solution family), and Audition™ (a store-wide
signal switching system) For more information, contact the company
at 1050 NW 229th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97124, 503.648.6500 x 357,
or go to www.mti-interactive.com.
