If the proper planning is executed from the beginning of the process, finding the best computer enclosure does not have to be overwhelming. Setting aside time for adequate research is the best course of action and will pay off in the long run. Keep in mind: not every enclosure company has the same product for the same price, and appropriate product comparisons should be made and reviewed.

What steps should be completed to find the perfect solution?

6 Steps to Specifying the Best Computer Enclosure for the Job:

1. Define Requirements

Meet with the team members involved on the enclosure expansion to clearly define the computer enclosure requirements. Important items to consider, include the NEMA rating, power supply, locks, hinges, window choices, thermal management, environmental temperature extremes, space requirements to house electronics (computer, monitor, printer, UPS, etc.), and the overall durability of the enclosure material. If every team member is on the same page at the beginning, there will be no surprises when the equipment arrives on site.

2. Research

Complete the necessary homework! Every enclosure company is going to make claims that they offer the highest quality computer enclosures on the market. However, if you dig a little deeper, you will find that the materials and hardware used – to build some enclosures – are flimsy. In the end, experience speaks for itself. To make sure you are purchasing the best product, submit the clearly defined project requirements to enclosure providers for a recommendation on their best product. Also, do not overlook the length of the warranty being offered. This could help down the road, if something unexpected occurs.

3. Choose the Best Supplier

When possible, evaluate a potential computer enclosure in person, or inquire if an evaluation unit is available. Most companies are willing to send one unit for a hands-on review, in anticipation of selling multiple units after the evaluation period is over. Companies with heavy duty units are always eager to send over a sample unit, because it will likely impress the end user. If an evaluation unit is not available, ask the enclosure supplier for a list of referrals of similar companies that they have worked with on previous projects.

4. Pricing

Once it is determined what (product) and who (enclosure supplier) has the best solution for the project, obtain a competitive price quote. Too often, customers ‘ballpark’ their budget far too low in the beginning and do not perform the correct evaluation of the products available on the market. Poor initial budgets could equate to sacrificing enclosure quality, which may end up costing a company more money over the course of time.

5. Create a Timeline

From electronics to accessories, understand the lead time for all the items required to properly execute a successful computer enclosure plan. Enclosure suppliers always have a handful of best-selling products ‘in stock,’ which means the lead time should only be a few days. However, if a specialized project requires a custom-made enclosure, then the lead time can be extensive. At times, a customer may need an enclosure solution in two weeks, but in order to fabricate a new product, the lead time could take up to 2 months. This will create headaches for everyone involved in the process. Failing to prepare – in a timely manner – may result in expedite fees to meet the company’s “go live” date.

6. Execute

If all of the ducks are in a row, executing the project will prove to be the easiest part! Be sure to assign a project manager to keep everything moving on the right track. In the end, if the plan was implemented properly, then the project will be a huge success. Also, save the enclosure supplier’s number or email, because you may want to order more units in the future!

Poor planning may result in poor product choices. In order to get the right product for the job, always ask questions (and more questions) during the process. How much will this cost? Will the chosen enclosure be best for my environment? What is the lead time? How will this ship? Can this product have thermal management? Can a printer fit? How will power enter the enclosure? These are just a few of the queries to ponder.

Detailed research is always the best course of action. When it comes to purchasing new computer enclosures, it is always good to have a strategy.

HAVE QUESTIONS?  LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN ‘ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT’ AT 1-800-423-9911 -or- SEND US AN EMAIL:  INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM

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The term “custom” enclosure often gets a poor reputation for being more expensive than standard units and having excessive lead times. However, this is not always the case. When researching the best industrial computer enclosure for the job, it is critical to choose an enclosure provider which utilizes off-the-shelf items to customize a solution that meets the users’ needs.

Finding the right enclosure for a computer enclosure project is more extensive than just simply picking out a steel or stainless steel ‘box.’ Enclosures are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials with numerous options for accessories, mounting, connectivity, and climate control. End users and system integrators can simplify the process by choosing a customized solution that ships ready to be used upon delivery.

In order to meet the individual requirements of users, enclosure companies usually stock popular models and valuable accessories. Therefore, the company will be able to “build” an enclosure tailored to the end user’s specific needs more efficiently, than if it was constructed ‘from-scratch.’

Custom Factors to Consider:

Custom Colors

Sometimes the standard color offerings (gray, white, black, or even blue) will not suit the needs of a customer. Custom colors to fit a company’s branding scheme, to match other equipment, or for safety reasons may be required for certain applications. It is necessary for an enclosure company to provide specialized color(s) choices (Pantone or equivalent RAL color) on a small or large scale.

Custom Doors

Custom doors, ranging from dust-free printer access doors to rear extended doors to panel mountable doors for touchscreens, are crucial to the efficiency of the enclosure solution. Finding a means to access the electronics inside the pc enclosure is just as important as protecting the electronics from outside dirt, grease and other harmful contaminants. The enclosure can be rendered useless if there is not an easy way to access printer tickets or the ability to use a touchscreen.

Thermal Management

It goes without saying, but all industrial and manufacturing areas are different. It is beneficial to work with an enclosure specialist that has a thorough understanding of specifying the correct heating or cooling (or both) for a computer enclosure. The ability to tailor an off-the-shelf enclosure solution with a filtered fan system, air conditioner, vortex cooling unit, heat exchanger, or various sizes of heaters – specific to the environment the system will be installed – is crucial.

Ask the pc enclosure provider if they have a worksheet to fill out in order to find the best thermal management solution.

Additional Accessories

Although it may seem like minor details compared to the points already discussed, accessories like a foldable mousepad, sliding shelf brackets, mobile or bolt down pedestals (painted steel or stainless), cable entry glands, and power supplies can make a big difference. Most enclosure company websites will list out complimentary accessories below the product, so that an end user can select what will work best for the application. Enclosure specialists will work with customers to find the most appropriate accessories for the specified installation.

Never let the word “custom” affect a computer enclosure solution decision. Custom can simply mean that the end user can pick & choose how the industrial computer enclosure will look and function in a working environment. Homework is essential. As always, do not let price steer you in the wrong direction. In the end, durability and longevity should always be the most important factors when deciding on a brand new enclosure solution.

HAVE QUESTIONS?  LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN ‘ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT’ AT 1-800-423-9911 -or- SEND US AN EMAIL:  INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM

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HOW DID TEU SERVICES FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
According to a TEU representative, “We were working with a restaurant in Kerrville, Texas to provide outdoor digital signage, and they were requesting an outdoor digital menu board. At the time, we did not have a supplier for this product.”

PROJECT:
In the Summer of 2018, TEU Services was in search of an all-weather, outdoor digital signage menu board to be installed at a restaurant in Texas (north of San Antonio). According to TEU, “This was a new [digital signage display] install for a new local restaurant/coffee shop called Monroe’s East End Grill. The building had been remodeled from a working cabinet shop that was in operation for over 30 years.”

The main function of the outdoor digital signage would be to display the menu for Monroe’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee selections. The restaurant desired signage which would permit them to easily make content changes, especially throughout the day as the menu changes for different dayparts.

CHALLENGES:
The proposed LCD enclosure solution needed to be operational 7 days a week from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. The outdoor digital signage would be deployed outdoors in the direct sun, therefore, the end user was also concerned about any glare from the sun and the monitor getting overheated and failing in the hot Texas sun, specifically during busy lunch traffic.

SOLUTION:
TEU Services reviewed two different solutions, the 3-screen outdoor menu board and the 2-screen outdoor menu board. In the end, TEU chose the 2-screen menu board, enabling the restaurant to use similar content indoors and outdoors.

TEU mounted the all-weather, outdoor digital signage in the drive-thru of Monroe’s East End Grill. The solution includes two 47-inch, 2000 nit high-bright LCD monitors (in landscape orientation), and a filtered fan system to circulate the internal air. A small speaker system, not part of the ViewStation solution, was mounted to the side of the enclosure for customers to order food and drinks.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Walter McBroom, from TEU Services, summed up the project, “The new owners did a beautiful job on the remodeling [by] trying to keep the old feel of the building. They even left the antique post and electrical wiring in place. Other than that, it was an easy install. Even before the installation was completed, we had a request from another restaurant across town for a quote to replace their exterior signage. Very nice product and I am sure we will do business again.”

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know how we can best assist you!
Contact an ‘ITSENCLOSURES expert’ at 1-800-423-9911 -OR- send us an email: info@itsenclosures.com

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It’s not just a simple steel box.

Enclosure manufacturers always strive to quickly ship the ideal cabinet to satisfy customers’ requests. The value added through flexibility and modifications can be very appealing if integrators work with a supplier that “can do it all.” When searching online for heavy-duty pc enclosures, integrators and project engineers often investigate outsourcing certain components of a computer workplace to help reduce costs and shorten delivery time. When deploying a new workstation or upgrading an existing enclosure system, designers must determine what type of computer enclosure will perform the best, and plan how components and wiring will come together to complete the project.

Best Practices for Enclosure Customization

1. Cutouts

Prior to an enclosure being populated with functional electronics, holes must be cut out and connections must be mounted. It is common for factories and panel shops to knockout or punch holes for a perceived ‘quicker’ turnaround and cost. This may lead to inaccuracy, especially if the factory or panel shop does not have the correct size of punch or bit. Finding an industrial enclosure company that has the skill and ability to modify an enclosure – before shipping – may eliminate hours of in-house measuring and cutting by hand. Enclosure companies make cutouts and custom modifications daily, and do so with great precision. Popular modifications include cable glands, liquid-tight conduit, and cutouts for knobs and push buttons.

2. Wiring

Wiring electrical outlets, fan systems, thermostats, air conditioners, and heaters can be time consuming for the inexperienced. Large jobs may require a completely turnkey solution with necessary wiring and cabling before deploying the computer enclosure in the field. If an integrator is purchasing a sizeable quantity of enclosures and drop shipping them directly to their customer, the enclosure solution must be ‘plug & play’ and ready to use upon delivery. Ask your enclosure manufacturers if outlets, thermal management and other electrical components are installed at the manufacturing facility before shipping. Properly sourced manpower will greatly reduce the final installation time on big projects.

3. Mounting

Internal components such as brackets, DIN rail, mounting track, unistrut, rack channel, and sub panels are vital for mounting switches and controls. If these items are pre-installed prior to delivery from the manufacturer, it will greatly reduce assembly time for your customer and will help them reach a ‘go live’ date. Again, coordination with the enclosure manufacturer will ensure that everything is installed properly and professionally. Manufacturers perform modification tasks regularly and employ proper installation procedures!

When it comes to industrial pc enclosures, many system integrators, engineers and buyers only consider the purchase price and not the entire package. An enclosure company’s reputation and experience can make all the difference! Over time, a great business relationship can be created between the integrator and manufacturer. Leveraging an enclosure manufacturers’ experience can help eliminate some of the ‘heavy lifting’ on behalf of the integrator and end user/customer. It is always best to research solutions on the market and discuss the project with enclosure experts.

HAVE QUESTIONS?  LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN ‘ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT’ AT 1-800-423-9911 -or- SEND US AN EMAIL:  INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM

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The latest IceStation industrial computer enclosure is the IO352813-4X stainless-steel monitor/computer enclosure, which was designed specifically for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries in mind. NEMA 4X enclosures will defend against dust, dirt, hose directed fluids, corrosive materials, and most weather conditions.f

ITSENCLOSURES IO series enclosures are designed for use with flat panel monitors and thin client/small form computers. The computer enclosures are the perfect solution for limited space environments.

The NEMA 4X IO35 computer enclosure is formed and fully welded with type 304 stainless-steel and a vertical #3F finish. This enclosure features a built-in keyboard drawer to store a desktop or industrial keyboard and mouse. The roll-out keyboard tray – with two quarter turn compression latches – measures 3″ High by 22.62″ Wide x 9.88″ Deep.

The IO35-4X measures 35” High by 28” Wide by 12” Deep with a 25.5” diagonal window measuring 13.75” High by 21.5” Wide. ITSENCLOSURES offers tempered safety glass or polycarbonate window options for the front door. The stainless-steel door panel includes concealed hinges and two quarter turn screwdriver style latches (key locking latches are also available). A monitor sized up to 25-inches can be installed to the internal VESA mount, which is part of the vertical support bracket. The bracket is used to tip out and install the PC/monitor. The chassis includes a 100-cfm re-circulating fan.

“The IO35 is the modern brain-child of our sales team and engineering team with very valuable customer influence. I love that our employees work together to find workable solutions which resonate with our customers. This new stainless-steel IceStation product incorporates pieces of our best-selling products and I am quite pleased with the functionality of the enclosure,” stated JT Spangler, Owner of ITSENCLOSURES, “We will continue to develop and manufacture additional heavy-duty units throughout 2020. Our dynamic products continue to innovate and advance beyond our wildest expectations and we feel that solid growth is in our near future.”

For installation, the heavy-duty IO35-4X computer enclosure can be affixed to a wall with a mount, a stainless-steel bolt down pedestal, or a stainless-steel mobile pedestal with swivel castors, which can be locked into place. A Roxtec sealed cable entry gland can be installed – in various spots on the enclosure – for the ingress and egress of power cords, wires, and cables. ITSENCLOSURES also offers surge protectors, industrial keyboards, and thermal management options, like stainless-steel vortex heat exchangers for cooling or an electric thermal heater for refrigerated environments.

ITSENCLOSURES has two additional stainless-steel monitor/computer enclosures; the IO28-4X (measuring 28″ High x 26″ Wide x 8″ Deep) for a 22” monitor and the IO29-4X (measuring 29″ High x 28″ Wide x 12″ Deep) for a 25” monitor.

“Computers, printers, monitors, and other essential electronics are protected in our IceStation NEMA rated products. As we always say, our monitor, printer, and computer enclosures are built-to-last and we stand by that promise,” added Mr. Spangler.

IceStation by ITSENCLOSURES has over 3 decades of experience in successful printer, monitor, keyboard, and computer enclosure deployments and offers a wide variety of ‘built-to-last’ products.

For more information and to watch the product video, visit the IO35-4X product page

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About ITSENCLOSURES

ITSENCLOSURES builds the strongest, NEMA rated computer enclosures, which are ideal for all environments where dust, dirt, and exposure to liquids or corrosives are present. The IceStation line of products allow the use of computers, printers, keyboards, and monitors in the harshest locations and will protect a company’s investment and maximize the lifetime of the electronics protected.

To learn more about ITSENCLOSURES, contact the Sales Department: 1-800-423-9911 –or– info@itsenclosures.com

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The post ITS Announces IO35-4X Computer Enclosure appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.

COMPANY SYNOPSIS:
For almost 100 years, Kewpee Hamburger has been serving fresh ground hamburgers with high quality fixings, fresh baked pie, frosted malts, and much more to many happy customers across the mid-west. The first Kewpee restaurant opened in 1923 in Flint, Michigan. Burger Beast notes that “Kewpee Hamburgers is the 2nd oldest Burger Chain in the United States after White Castle.” According to the Cleveland.com website, “during the 1940s, there were more than 400 Kewpee locations nationwide.” Today, Kewpee Hamburgers has locations in Lima, Ohio, including the downtown, westside, and eastside locations, and two out of state locations (Lansing, Michigan & Racine, Wisconsin). In addition, Kewpee has been recognized for having one of the first drive-thrus in the country. It is rumored, in the industry, that Wendy’s copied the square burgers made famous at Kewpee!

HOW DID KEWPEE BURGERS FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
Scott Shutt, Kewpee Hamburgers owner/operator, found the ITSENCLOSURES website while performing an online Google search for drive thru digital signage. He was interested in a menu board for the drive-thrus at his three Lima locations. Once he found the solution that would work for his needs, he called ITSENCLOSURES and talked to a salesperson about his options.

PROJECT:
Mr. Shutt was in pursuit of an all-weather, outdoor digital menu board to be installed at Kewpee Hamburgers in Lima, Ohio. He researched various digital signs and monitor solutions available on the market. His main goal was to determine what competitors were utilizing at fast food/quick service restaurants in the United States. The most important function of the digital signage would be displaying the restaurant’s menu for Kewpee’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert selections. Mr. Shutt wanted the ability to change out advertising on the screens, as well as update pricing and promote best-selling food items and seasonal items, like holiday pies.

CHALLENGES:
The current static signage would need to be removed, new heavy-duty bolts installed in existing concrete, and updated wiring would have to be fed into the building under the ground. Also, the digital signage would be deployed in a tight area in the existing drive-thru lane.  Mr. Shutt was concerned about drivers being able to maneuver around the drive-thru without hitting the sign. He also wanted to make sure that the sign was bright enough in direct sunlight. In addition, two of his locations would need special mounting, as the signs were in close proximity to brick walls.

SOLUTION:
Kewpee Hamburgers reviewed a few different solutions over the course of a few months and, after visiting ITSENCLOSURES in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, chose the VS-6 2×1 digital menu board with two high bright Samsung outdoor monitors. Kewpee and ITSENCLOSURES mounted the all-weather menu board in the drive-thru of the downtown Lima Kewpee Hamburgers. The innovative solution includes two 55-inch, 2,500 nit high-bright LCD monitors (in portrait orientation) encased in a mount/pole configuration with housing for media players and other necessary electronics. The signage encasement is marine grade aluminum with a polyester powder paint finish and stainless steel fasteners. For the locations with limited space, ITSENCLOSURES designed a custom ‘swinging arm’ mount for the menu boards installed near brick walls. This built-to-last structure would make it easier to access the monitors, while keeping air circulation intact.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Scott Shutt, Kewpee Hamburgers owner/operator, summed up the digital sign project, “Like much technology today, there are considerations to be made with hardware and software. Many vendors have a background in software and it becomes apparent that they are more interested in selling software licenses than how the menu board will perform. The engineering of the ITS VS-6 2×1 is superb and the quality of the fabrication is unsurpassed. The ITSENCLOSURES’ VS-6 2×1 gives us the flexibility to use a media platform of our choosing knowing that the structure will provide us years of outstanding services.”

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION

• VS-6 2×1 Outdoor Digital Menu Board

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know how we can best assist you! Contact an ‘ITSENCLOSURES expert’ at 1-800-423-9911 -OR- send us an email: info@itsenclosures.com

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FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME SYNOPSIS:
In business for over six decades, the Frank Kapr Funeral Home is located on West Pittsburgh Street in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh, PA. The funeral home offers pre-arrangement services, burial services, cremation services, and pet services. According to the Frank Kapr website, they “embrace all faiths, traditions, creeds, customs and honor the rights of everyone’s personal choice.” In 1997, the Frank Kapr Funeral Home was recognized as Scottdale’s sole funeral home member by the Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

HOW DID THE FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
The production manager of ITSENCLOSURES resides near the funeral home and noticed their attempt to use a consumer-grade, indoor television outside of their building. The ITS employee spoke with Frank Kapr about a functional solution, which includes a high bright LCD that is sunlight readable. Frank Kapr reviewed the ITSENCLOSURES website to get a better understanding of the enclosure company’s capabilities.

PROJECT:
By using digital signage, the funeral home desired to show up-to-date, current information on the front of the building, including obituaries and announcements. Frank Kapr was interested in a solution that would permit them to make real-time changes to the signage and revise content at their leisure. The original screen (intended for indoors) was mounted outdoors on the front porch railing. After preliminary testing, the television was found to be far too dim and nearly impossible to view during the day.

CHALLENGES:
Because of cold winters and sunny, hot summers, Western Pennsylvania weather conditions were a concern. Thermal management was discussed to combat the temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Also, Frank Kapr desired to use digital signage around the clock, so the proposed LCD enclosure solution needed to be operational 365 days a year. Because the current system was difficult to see, the funeral home turned to ITSENCLOSURES for a better solution.

SOLUTION:
After reviewing digital signage choices with ITSENCLOSURES, the Frank Kapr Funeral Home installed an all-weather, LCD enclosure, in the flower garden, at the front entrance of the building. The digital signage displays brief obituaries and announcements/events for the Scottdale area. The LCD enclosure is mounted in portrait orientation and includes a 46” high bright LCD (1,500 nits), and a heating/cooling system to guarantee operation in temperatures of -40° to 120°F with direct sunlight exposure. To modify content on a regular basis, a small form pc/media player is hard-wired to a computer in the funeral home’s office. The enclosure is mounted on a cement footer, surrounded by flowers and greenery, and can be seen by those taking a stroll or driving past the building. Frank Kapr also had the funeral home’s logo silk screened on the enclosure for customization and brand awareness.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Frank Kapr, Owner of The Frank Kapr Funeral Home, was pleased with the deployment of dynamic, eye-catching digital signage at his funeral home, “We wanted state-of-the-art signage for our funeral home… something that could be seen from a distance. ITSENCLOSURES took the time to explain everything clearly to us and helped us make the best decision for our needs. We are ecstatic about our attractive sign and all that it can do. It is the right size for the exterior of the funeral home and the important message(s) can be read from a distance. We are happy with our investment!”

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION

• All Weather LCD Enclosures

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know how we can best assist you! Contact an ‘ITSENCLOSURES expert’ at 1-800-423-9911 -OR- send us an email: info@itsenclosures.com

The post Frank Kapr Funeral Home – Digital Signage appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.

COMPANY SYNOPSIS:
In operation since October 2007, The Mall at Partridge Creek is an outdoor shopping mall covering approximately 640,000 square feet and located in Clinton Township, Michigan – a suburb of Detroit. The website for The Mall at Partridge Creek describes it as “an exciting open-air regional shopping center… It is home to nearly 90 distinctive stores (Nordstrom, Carson’s, The Gap, J. Crew) and restaurants. In addition, The Mall at Partridge Creek has amenities unique to malls in Michigan, including: bocce ball courts, free Wi-Fi, pop jet fountains, a TV Court, and a 30-foot fireplace.”

HOW DID THE MALL AT PARTRIDGE CREEK FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
The Mall at Partridge Creek desired to have outdoor televisions, in a courtyard, to show advertisements and for shoppers to watch pro-sports games, like the Detroit Lions or Detroit Tigers. Partridge Creek found ITSENCLOSURES through an internet search for outdoor digital signage providers who could fabricate weatherproof lcd monitor enclosures, which could be viewed outdoors.

PROJECT:
In the Summer of 2007, the Mall at Partridge Creek installed two 50-inch ViewStation Universal enclosures with 4,000 BTU air conditioners in its TV Court area. In 2014, the Mall at Partridge Creek decided it was time to upgrade the enclosures and LCDs.

One of the main reasons for replacing the enclosures was explained by Dennis Dettmer, Operations Director at The Mall at Partridge Creek, “The HVAC units were starting to fail, maintenance tracking showed more repairs yearly, and cost was a decisive factor. [However], the original units were very high-quality units [and] they performed admirably.” When the Mall at Partridge Creek desired to replace the 7-year-old enclosures with new LCD enclosures, ITSENCLOSURES suggested installing a more energy efficient, fan cooled, all weather unit. After reviewing the spec sheets and images from similar deployments, the Mall agreed to the technologically advanced enclosures and installation began in the summer of 2014. ITSENCLOSURES removed the original lcd monitor enclosures and installed the innovative, fan cooled units.

CHALLENGES:
Temperature extremes and sun are always one of the main challenges that exist when deploying outdoor digital signage. The previously installed enclosures required air conditioners to combat against the warm and cold temperatures. Frigid temperatures during the winter posed a challenge, especially with the mall’s proximity to Lake St. Clair. The Mall at Partridge Creek management stressed the need for brighter displays for better visibility outdoors. In addition, ITSENCLOSURES was tasked to create a custom bracket to mount the new enclosure to the existing post. Partridge Creek also requested the solution incorporate weatherproof speakers in the enclosure.

SOLUTION:
Designed around the use of a 47-inch high bright LCD (2,000 nits), the fan cooled digital signage eliminate the need for a large air conditioner on the rear of the unit. The high bright monitors have a higher heat tolerance, and therefore do not require as much cooling power as earlier models. The new enclosure design eliminates considerable maintenance and contains a filter that only needs to be replaced every 3-5 years! With internal speakers, ITSENCLOSURES eliminated the need for separate pole mounted speakers, creating a sleek and modern solution. ITSENCLOSURES also added a humidity/temperature control and 400-watt heater to protect against Detroit weather extremes.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Dennis Dettmer, Operations Director at The Mall at Partridge Creek, is very pleased with the new LCD enclosures and explained that the high bright monitors are mainly used to display sporting events, but they also use them for another purpose, “They are advertiser driven. The sponsors’ messages are played at precise intervals.”

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION

• All Weather Digital Signage

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know how we can best assist you! Contact an ‘ITSENCLOSURES expert’ at 1-800-423-9911 -OR- send us an email: info@itsenclosures.com

The post The Mall at Partridge Creek – Digital Signage appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.

THE GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA SYNOPSIS:
According to WikiTravel, “Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for the infant English colony of Virginia. Bermuda is a self-governing British overseas territory in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Caribbean, off the coast of North America east of North Carolina. It is one of the last remains of the once vast British colonial empire in North America.” Bermuda is made up of 138 islands/islets, which contain one city (Hamilton), one town (St. George), and two villages (Flatts, Somerset).

HOW DID BERMUDA FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
Knowing they were going to need an enclosure expert that specializes in outdoor digital signage, Bermuda consulted with an audio/video integrator in the United States to help make their vision a reality. After reviewing the large product line of outdoor enclosures, the integrator reached out to ViewStation by ITSENCLOSURES, on behalf of Bermuda, to provide a skilled consultation in protecting electronics inside of a digital signage enclosure that would shield against the various challenges mapped out by the country.

PROJECT:
The Government of Bermuda sought a way to provide more self-service information to tourists and travelers visiting the island, especially those using public transportation. They wanted to offer an electronic solution to assist in visitor information, directions, and to help promote local businesses – who would, in turn, use the digital signage to advertise and market themselves.

CHALLENGES:
When Bermuda made the decision to install large-format displays in the bus terminal area, they knew that they needed to be protected in an outdoor digital signage enclosure. Various obstacles existed, including the summer weather with extreme hot temperatures, corrosive & salty air (due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean), and high humidity. In addition, the proposed enclosure solution would need to securely and safely mount to the existing bus shelter. Bermuda recognized that they had some significant obstacles to tackle and the most obvious was the cost of a prospective solution under capital budget restraints.

SOLUTION:
After discussing the complications set forth by Bermuda, ITSENCLOSURES stepped in and assessed the environment, including the heat, corrosive air, and humidity. After review of stock products, ITSENCLOSURES made a recommendation to deploy ViewStation LCD enclosures. The enclosure is constructed out of marine-grade aluminum with a clear coat/powder coat finish to protect against the salt air. Separate external mounting brackets, constructed out of stainless steel, support the weight of the enclosure and electronics installed inside of the cabinet. All exterior hardware featured non-corrosive elements that are suitable for exposure to a marine environment. The LCD enclosure features fan cooling and provides a NEMA 3R/IP53 protection rating for a semi-outdoor environment. Overall, the enclosure design was dictated by the requirement to use a specific make and model of a 42″ high-bright display.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
ITSENCLOSURES assisted Bermuda with installing the enclosures with specified mounting devices to the bus terminal structure. Within months of the original contact, the ‘Hamilton Bus Terminal’ installed 14 new LCD enclosures assisting visitors and promoting local vendors. The Government of Bermuda commented, “We can’t thank ITSENCLOSURES enough, for working with us and making our vision a reality. Now, the Hamilton Bus Terminal is reflective of the strides Bermuda has been taking to become a world class vacation destination.”

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:

• Outdoor Digital Signage

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know how we can best assist you! Contact an ‘ITSENCLOSURES expert’ at 1-800-423-9911 -OR- send us an email: info@itsenclosures.com

The post The Government of Bermuda – Digital Signage appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.

VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS SYNOPSIS:
According to the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) website, “VRE provides commuter rail service from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City, and downtown Washington, D.C., along the I-66 and I-95 corridors. Services began in 1992, operating 16 trains from 16 stations and carried, on average, 5,800 passengers daily. Now, VRE operates 30 trains from 18 stations and carry, on average, 20,000 passengers daily.”

HOW DID THE VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
Virginia Railway Express contracted International Display Systems (Sterling, Virginia) for an outdoor digital signage project to upgrade a total of 18 train stations. In the past, International Display Systems had worked with ITSENCLOSURES on previous outdoor enclosure projects and knew that ITS was the right company to design and fabricate weather-proof enclosures.

PROJECT:
In the Fall of 2007, Virginia Railway Express desired to upgrade existing, out-of-date LED scrolling signs to dynamic outdoor digital signage. The signs would be used for train schedules (up-to-date on-time or delay communications) and any pertinent passenger announcements.

CHALLENGES:
With Virginia temperatures ranging from below zero to nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit, VRE recognized the need for outdoor LCD enclosures that would protect against weather extremes, environmental conditions, and potential vandalism. The train stations contained various sizes and forms of beams and poles, so a variety of enclosure mounts would need to be utilized for the project. Thermal management would also be essential throughout the planning stage, so that the screens would not freeze in the winter and/or power down during the sweltering summer months.

SOLUTION:
ITSENCLOSURES installed numerous ViewStation single and double-sided outdoor digital signage (powder coated black) that housed 40″ monitors. The key-lockable outdoor digital signage were mounted to beams on the ceiling with drop pipes and most of the mounts required a suspension assembly or arm support to install an air conditioner. Each outdoor digital signage solution incorporated a 1,400 BTU outdoor air conditioner with a built-in 450-watt heater. VRE worked with ITSENCLOSURES to upgrade all of their stations with eye-catching and state-of-the-art ViewStation LCD enclosures.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
“The ViewStation by ITSENCLOSURES’ enclosures [were] the perfect product in support of the new International Display Systems (IDS) Variable Message Sign System installed for the Virginia Railway Express. ITSENCLOSURES delivered both a high quality/value environmental enclosure with excellent design and integration support services. IDS and the VRE are very pleased with the end product.” Robert Keelor – Vice President, International Display Systems

In 2011, VRE placed another order for two, double-sided 42” outdoor digital signage Viewstation Arrays.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:

• Outdoor Digital Signage 

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know how we can best assist you! Contact an ‘ITSENCLOSURES expert’ at 1-800-423-9911 -OR- email: info@itsenclosures.com

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