Press release from the issuing company:
Pulse Technology, a technology company serving the IT, managed print services, audiovisual, and other needs of businesses throughout the Midwest and beyond, has completed the design and installation of a 14×48 foot outdoor digital display that is mounted on the side wall of a parking garage in the Schamburg, Illinois, 90 North Entertainment District, some 35 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.
Motorists heading west along the Northwest Tollway in Schaumburg (population: 78,000) can see this astonishing display while driving along the tollway. The sign is being used for advertising and messages by the Village of Schaumburg, to promote its new entertainment district. The district houses the Renaissance Hotel and Schaumburg Convention Center, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, Motorola, a golfing destination venue, a Brazilian restaurant and more — and a 900-space parking garage where the sign resides.
With the Village poised to add more buildings and businesses, the overall strategy to create a walkable, vibrant community that fosters economic growth and community engagement. A highly visible display is the perfect way to attract visitors and communicate the different messages that the Village wants to share.
Paul Miceli, director of Audio-Visual at Pulse Technology, says that his company won the bid for the work against several competitors and credits a careful review of the original specifications, and the company’s understanding of and experience with audio-visual signage with helping them “seal the deal.” The original architectural plans for the district did include provisions for a sign design on the side of the parking garage, with the bottom edge of the sign being 65 feet above ground. “Knowing that the building was designed to support a visual display of this size and weight was helpful in our preparing a recommendation for the sign,” he said.
Pulse was able to aid the Village for recommendations for the ideal specifications for the display by doing some research and analysis. Although the original request was for a 6mm display with broadband and cloud access, Pulse instead recommended a 10mm display, which would provide greater ease of reading from a distance as vehicles travel along the tollway and through the neighborhood.
Miceli said, “In looking at the routes and exits from which the sign would be visible, we believed that a 10 mm display would give them the visibility they sought.” And while one bidder offered a fiberoptics solution, Miceli offered a more effective and less costly alternative. The 10mm option would save the Village tens of thousands of dollars in overall costs.
“Another advantage for us and for the client is that we provided a service agreement that protects their investment,” he said. Pulse Technology provided a five-year service agreement that will maintain the board for parts and labor, and for seven years on the board software itself. Pulse oversees the licensing and maintenance and software updates.
“We have had considerable experience in designing both indoor and outdoor signage,” Miceli said. “We are pleased to have been able to provide the Village of Schaumburg a cost-effective and dynamic display, and we look forward to seeing this district continue to expand and tell its many stories through this digital display.”
