History of Scala
Before It Was Called Digital Signage - The Early Years
Like all great technology companies, Scala started with one man and a vision. Scala was founded with very humble beginnings in 1987 when Digital Vision AS was founded in Norway. Back then, the company was focused on developing a product for cable TV stations that could still be called digital signage, even in today’s world. The software ran on the first computers focused on graphics, Commodore Amigas. Imagine the kind of ingenuity it took to create digital signage software in 1987, when VCRs and cable TV were just becoming mainstream and flat panels were only for millionaires. That level of ingenuity and forward-thinking is alive and well at Scala today.
In 1988 Digital Vision AS introduces its first product on the popular Commodore Amiga platform and InfoChannel was born. This was the first time an InfoChannel named product was sold to the public. The Scala development team and our customers stretched the very capabilities of the Amiga platform and led the way for the evolution that would be the current version of InfoChannel.
In 1992 Digital Vision AS was renamed to Scala and the headquarters moved to the United States. The platform of choice was still the Amiga but there were signs that Commodore was losing its position in the computer marketplace. Finally, in 1994 Commodore goes bankrupt and Scala engineering started on a PC based product. 1994 was also the year that IC500 was launched.
In 1996 Scala released MM100, IC100, PB100 for the PC platform. Scala was honored with the BYTE award for technology.
Evolution continued and in 1997 MM200 and IC200 were launched. Scala MultiMedia MM200 was named a PC Computing "1997 Most Valuable Product (MVP) Award Finalist" and also won PC Format's "Gold Award" in the November 1997 edition of the publication.
Over the next couple of years changes were happening very quickly. In 1999 InfoChannel Designer was born. The product was to be the flagship product for creation of InfoChannel content. In 2000, Broadcast Server and Reporter were introduced.
The Market Catches Up With Scala's Vision - The 21st Century
In 2002 IC3 was introduced and Gerard Bucas was named as CEO. Gerard came from the lofty position as Chairman of the Board to lead the company into the future.
As the demand grew for IC3 and our customers were asking for more functionality it became apparent Scala needed to look ahead to the next generation of products. The new platform needed to have a strong distribution engine and the ability to process high definition quality graphics and video. In 2004, Scala acquired Streambase in Olso, Norway. Streambase had the distribution technology necessary to drive the new product vision. When Streambase was acquired Scala’s engineering team grew dramatically.
In 2006, Scala5 was launched combining much of the functionality that our customer base desperately needed. But more importantly, the foundation of the Scala product was rebuilt and fortified to build the future generations of Scala products.
During the same time Scala began its expansion and its continued market leadership in the digital signage industry. Scala expanded by opening new offices in Japan to address the growing demand for new technology in the region. Scala Japan is managed by Guillaume Proux, VP Asian Operations. Scala also opened a new office in France to focus attention on the French marketplace. The office was located in Paris and became home to the new Vice President of EMEA, Oscar Elizaga.
With Scala5 firmly implanted into the digital signage marketplace Scala celebrated it 20th anniversary in 2007. 2007 saw much change in the industry. The digital signage industry began its growth to a more mature market throughout the year. Much of this growth was attributed to a reduction in cost of the major components of a digital signage network including: screens, computers and mature products to address the market needs on the industry. The other factor that contributed to the growth was the availability to high-speed infrastructure for a very low cost. It appeared that the planets began to align in 2007.
In addition, there was a healthy base of technology adopters in the marketplace. These companies deployed digital signage networks into real-world applications and through perseverance and tenacity proved the worthiness of digital signage in a myriad of vertical markets.
In 2008, Scala acquired MISC, a Canadian company famous for providing distribution and management of Out-of-Home advertising management. Scala realized early in 2008 we needed an advertising management system to address the requirements of the industry. As a result of this acquisition, Scala now had a wholly-owned subsidiary in Canada called Scala Canada. The acquisition of this vital technology transformed the company from just servicing the digital signage industry to also servicing the traditional Out-of-Home signage industry. Scala coined the term “connected signage” to offer the first unified platform for advertising management of both traditional and digital signage networks.
Digital Signage Hits Its Stride - The Vision Becomes Reality
Today, Scala is a leading global provider of digital signage and advertising management solutions. By combining digital and traditional signage systems, Scala has become the world’s first connected signage company, offering the leading platform for content creation, management and distribution in digital signage networks, and the first unified platform for advertising management of both traditional and digital signage networks.
The company's solutions are used in retail, education, entertainment, government and other industries for diverse applications such as retail advertising networks, corporate communications (employee TV), traditional and digital billboards, digital menu boards, digital posters, cable TV, hotel lobby signage, gas pump toppers, outdoor advertising, interactive kiosks, etc.
Scala pioneered the digital signage industry and today drives over 300,000 screens worldwide; more screens than all competitors combined. The company's digital signage customers include Rabobank, IKEA, Burger King, T-Mobile, Virgin MegaStore, EuroDisney, McDonalds, Warner Brothers, The Life Channel, Rikstoto, FuelCast, Repsol, Shell, NorgesGruppen and thousands more. Advertising management customers include CBS Outdoor, Clear Channel Outdoor, Magic Media, Reagan, Adams Outdoor Advertising, among others. Scala is headquartered near Philadelphia, USA and has subsidiaries in Canada, Netherlands, France, Norway, Japan and also over 450 partners in more than 60 countries.
