Revolabs HD™ Line of Wireless Microphones Ensures High Quality Audio for Your Infrastructure

Revolabs HD™ line of wireless microphone systems includes the Single/Dual Channel; the rack-mounted, dual-channel Venue; and the Executive, which can support up to 32 (Americas) or 40 (international) microphones, each with an independent channel to operate together in one area without interference.

For the highest audio quality, HD microphones provide the sound fidelity of a wired system and CD-quality frequency response. The systems' wireless design simplifies setup and eliminates the clutter of cables for a clean look, while allowing the freedom of mobility. For fool-proof operation, Revolabs' microphones automatically look for and change frequency to avoid interference. In addition, RF Armor™ technology enables the microphones to operate when in direct contact with other wireless devices known to cause audio interference, such as GSM noise from cell phones. All Revolabs wireless microphones are rechargeable, providing up to eight hours of talk time, and offer the security of 128-bit encryption to ensure that no one will be able to listen in on the wireless signal.

With the HD line, Revolabs has you covered with quality audio solutions to make the most of your infrastructure.

Tech Data Strengthens Digital Signage Offering
Tech Data Corp. (Clearwater FL) has expanded its digital signage business unit through a US distribution agreement with Saddle Ranch Digital, Inc. (SRD, Beverly Hills CA), including an exclusive line of SKUs specifically developed for Tech Data to complement its full line of content creation and management services, and a financing arrangement with GE Capital, Americas.
“We are pleased to further expand Tech Data’s digital signage offering through these agreements,” said Wendy Maurer-Linsky, Vice President of Peripherals Product Marketing at Tech Data. “Digital signage continues to be a profitable growth area for resellers and our agreements with Saddle Ranch Digital and GE Capital provide our resellers with more opportunities to achieve success and better serve their end-user customers.”
SRD is an advanced media company specializing in strategy and custom content creation for screen media solutions. With roots in Hollywood film production and place-based media, SRD brings more than 25 years of specialist content experience, evolving into high-impact digital media for all size screens.
“Our new partnership with Tech Data brings a new level of commitment to the channel in support of our content creation services,” said Kim Sarrubi, president/CEO of Saddle Ranch Digital. “Through our partnership, we are enabling resellers to offer a total digital signage solution, including content, to their end-user customers.”
Tech Data has also made arrangements for GE Capital to provide financing to support its digital signage resellers and their end-user customers. GE Capital, Americas, is the commercial lending and leasing arm of GE Capital, which provides loans and leases to more than one million customers across the US, Canada and Mexico.
“Tech Data is a true partner for our business and continues to be very proactive in helping us provide the right products and services for our customers,” said Jason Lambert, key account manager at Sport View Technologies, Inc. (SVT, Brighton MI). “The amount of focused attention that we get from a channel partner has never been better. As we look forward to taking advantage of the huge opportunities that exist in digital signage, Tech Data’s ability to provide a full solutions package simplifies our job of providing a total end-to-end solution for our customers.”
Tech Data’s channel-leading digital signage business unit features the broadest linecard in the channel and a dedicated support staff of more than 50 members that hold more than 130 industry-recognized certifications. The business unit’s portfolio includes credit and leasing services, education and certifications, site surveys and installations, configuration and integration services, marketing and advertising, and content creation services.

Global Special Effects Acquires Universal Fireworks 
Global Special Effects, Inc. (Lexington AL) formerly known as SnowMasters Special Effects, has acquired European fireworks manufacturer, Universal Fireworks. Universal Fireworks previously supplied all major theme parks with their daily fireworks displays. According to the company, “Universal Studios and Walt Disney are excited to now have a US source to provide the best available fireworks in the world.”
Global Special Effects, Inc., a manufacturer of visual special effects products and accessories has distributors in 23 countries.

Sony Ends Joint LCD Panel Manufacturing With Samsung
Sony Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Seoul, South Korea) have signed agreements to transition their current business relationship with respect to LCD panels.
Under the agreement, Samsung will acquire all of Sony's shares of S-LCD Corp., their LCD panel manufacturing joint venture, making S-LCD a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung. Cash consideration of about KRW 1.08 trillion will be paid to Sony by Samsung. Concurrently, the two companies have entered into a new strategic agreement for the supply and purchase of LCD panels with a goal of enhancing the competitiveness of both companies. The agreement also allows Sony and Samsung to continue cooperative engineering efforts focused on LCD panel technology.
This transaction will enable Sony to monetize its shares in S-LCD, and secure a flexible and steady supply of LCD panels from Samsung, based on market prices and without the responsibility and costs of operating a manufacturing facility. With whole ownership of S-LCD, Samsung anticipates heightened flexibility, speed and efficiency in both panel production and business operations.
Established in April 2004, S-LCD has continued to deliver advanced and cost-competitive LCD panels to both of its parent companies, contributing to the expansion of the respective parties' TV businesses, and the large-sized LCD TV market overall. However, LCD panel and TV market conditions have now changed. In order to respond to such challenging conditions and to strengthen their respective market competitiveness, the two companies have agreed to shift to a new LCD panel business alliance.
The share transfer and payment are targeted to close by the end of January 2012, subject to necessary approvals from regulatory authorities.
As a result of this transaction, a non-cash impairment loss of approximately JPY 66 billion is expected to be incurred by Sony in the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, due to the reevaluation of its S-LCD shares. This loss includes an impact from the fluctuation of exchange rate. Despite this one-time loss, Sony estimates that the transaction will result in substantial savings on and after January 1, 2012, in respect of costs associated with its procurement of LCD panels. The current estimate of the yearly savings in respect of such costs is about JPY 50 billion, compared to LCD panel procurement costs estimated for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. Neither the one-time loss nor the estimated cost savings were included in Sony's forecast of consolidated financial results for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, announced on November 2, 2011. Sony is currently reevaluating this forecast, taking into account this transaction and other factors that might affect its full year FY2011 consolidated financial results forecast.

SKC Communications Acquires Mpact Systems, Ahern Communications
SKC Communication Products, LLC (Shawnee KS) has purchased videoconferencing and presentation technology integrator Mpact Systems, Inc. (Rock Hill SC), further increasing SKC’s nationwide reach as a unified communications technology integrator. Headquartered in the Kansas City metropolitan area, SKC employs more than 230 technology professionals across the country.
“Mpact’s approach to client service and support is very much in line with SKC’s. Their clients are a natural fit for SKC’s solution offerings and we look forward to the growth opportunities this will bring SKC, our new colleagues and our new clients,” said Tray Vedock, SKC president/CEO.
The transaction was effective January 1, 2012, with Mpact’s employees becoming employees of SKC Communications; the Rock Hill office is now SKC’s Southeast regional headquarters.
In addition, SKC revealed that it has also reached an agreement with Ahern Communications (Boston MA) to transition all of Ahern’s clients to SKC. Ahern Communications is closing its business operations.
SKC was founded in 1986 as Plantronics, Inc.’s first headset distributor. Today, it is Plantronics’ largest dealer and a full-service integrator of Unified Communications solutions incorporating voice, video and audio/visual technologies.
“After 25 years, I have decided to close my company and look ahead to new endeavors,” said Ahern founder Dana Ahern. “I am confident SKC is positioned to take these new clients to the next level.”
Tray Vedock stated: “As Unified Communications continues to evolve, the voice communications space is rapidly merging with video, presentation and data networks. SKC’s extensive experience in this space will allow us to continue to enhance our new clients’ communication networks.”
SKC’s support of its headset accounts includes a team of specialists available to assist with product selection, setup and troubleshooting. It hosts regular webinars showcasing the latest headset solutions, alerts clients to important news through its TechnoTalk email series and hosts its annual SKC Technology Summit, which brings clients and industry experts together to explore the latest voice, video and AV technology solutions.