W.J. Strickler Signs

LED Message Centers Are Not TVs

Bryan Strickler — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 19:16:39 +0000

It is true, the latest version of color LED message centers produce TV quality pictures, but please don’t think of them as TVs during your buying process. There are many possibilities to consider to protect yourself from making a bad purchase. It is not as easy as just comparing specifications. There are many factors needing to be addressed by a seasoned LED sign professional to insure a quality installation and years of profit producing use. Please remember a sign is an outdoor product that must be engineered and constructed to withstand: UV rays, heat, cold, water and wind damage. Not the sort of challenges experienced by a wide-screen TV. What do you think?

A recent incident reminded me of some of the heartache when the wrong message center is purchased. We were contacted by a business owner who had purchased a very inexpensive LED unit a couple of years ago. The sign never worked properly, it has been very difficult to program and when programmed the text would only work in red monochrome mode even though she had invested in a full color unit. We will offer her a high quality domestic unit to replace her problem unit. It is sad to see someone have to go through this kind of experience but it is not uncommon.

Following are some words to the wise to keep you from making a “bad purchase”.

1. SPECIFICATIONS DO LIE………we have experienced prospects who say “The other company’s specs are as good or better than yours”. For those who purchase an off shore EMC (Electronic Message Center), the specs do lie. The pixel pitch (resolution) turns out to be a lie. The LED’s are driven too hard, as in extra electrical current being forced into the sub par LED’s to make them bright enough causing extra heat. Heat is the main enemy of LED’s and will cause a rapid deterioration and eventual failure. The software is a nightmare to use and even when an adequate level of proficiency is achieved it still only has basic capabilities. Images are not crisp. Colors are not produced well. The sign cannot be automatically dimmed causing a sign that is too bright at night. The sign is not waterproof over a long period of time. There are hundreds of feet of wiring and connectors that will begin to breakdown over time producing service nightmares. HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF? Visit at least three of the manufacturer’s signs in the field and ask the owners of the businesses to share their ownership story.

2. HOW WILL YOU BE TRAINED TO OPERATE THE SOFTWARE TO PROGRAM YOUR MESSAGES?……… over the phone? Really? Do you want to receive your training to operate a piece of electronic advertising equipment costing tens of thousands of dollars during a two hour phone call and then be left out in the cold? HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF? Make sure you purchase your sign from a local sign company who has a software trainer who knows the software inside and out. The trainer will spend four to eight hours at your office teaching software use and answering questions. The trainer should also follow up 6 to 8 weeks after the sign is installed with follow-up training. The trainer should be available by phone or email to help with questions that inevitably arise as the sign is being used, better yet, participate in a hands on software demonstration.

A properly programmed high quality EMC

3. WHO ARE YOU REALLY BUYING FROM?……… Is the LED manufacturer reliable? Do they manufacture their own signs or do they re-brand cheaply made imports? HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF? Make sure the business has several years of experience in manufacturing LED message centers. Ask to see at least three operating signs. Compare your findings to information you receive from other manufacturers.

My next installment will provide more buying tips.

LED Message Centers Are Not TVs

Bryan Strickler — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:14:23 +0000

Buy the correct EMC! Following are some more tips to protect yourself from a bad “buying decision”.

4. IS THE WARRANTY SOUND?…….. The longer the warranty term, typically the better the EMC manufacturer and their product. The EMC manufacturers we use offer a five year warranty and when the provider has been in business for 80 years that means something. Conversely, if an EMC manufacturer offers a five year warranty but has only been in the market for a few years, well, their warranty may not be as solid. HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF? Confirm the EMC manufacturer has a long track record. Speak with several end users who have owned their EMC for more than six years to judge the strength of the warranty as well as overall performance.

5. DOES THE EMC MANUFACTURER HAVE A DEDICATED SERVICE DEPARTMENT?……… The vast majority of EMC manufacturers do NOT have a reliable service department to support your sign company who sold the EMC to you. Hard to believe isn’t it, you just purchased an electronic advertising tool for tens of thousands of dollars and you can’t rely on the display to be supported properly? HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF? Make sure the EMC manufacturer has a dedicated support staff housed in the continental United States with hours of operation that mirror your own. Does the manufacturer have an “in house” parts department who will send replacement parts to your sign professional without having to receive the defective part before releasing the replacement part? How long are parts kept in stock? If the unit you purchase is replaced with a newer model, will you be able to obtain parts two or five years in the future? The EMC manufacturer should stock parts for at least ten years after a model is discontinued. Does the manufacturer maintain a service history of your sign? There should be a detailed long term record kept regarding your sign to help assist in trouble shooting.

Martin America Development Progresses

Bryan Strickler — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:10:18 +0000

Troy Martin and his team continue their progress towards making Martin America a reality. Seeing a need for a office complex with a fleet of private jets at their tenants beckoned call in Middle America, Troy envisioned a secure complex consisting of offices and an airport.Troy’s dream is heading towards fruition. This cutting edge project will be developed just across the river from St. Louis MO. Strickler Signs will be providing the signage for this exciting project.

You can learn more about this project at http://privacyjetsandoffice.com/

Martin America Phase One

NEW STUDY SHOWS THE POWER AND IMPORTANCE OF SIGNAGE

Bryan Strickler — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:08:29 +0000

Do you think it is important to market and advertise? Have you had serious doubts about the effectiveness of your past and current advertising efforts? Do you wish you could measure its effectiveness? Would you use advertising that has proven itself? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, please read on.

It’s long been said that signage is the most cost-effective form of marketing. According to a new survey, it ranks pretty high in overall marketing effectiveness as well.

The recently released survey was conducted by Brand Spark International in conjunction with Better Homes and Gardens. The survey sampled 100,000 North American Shoppers representing the largest consumer survey of its kind.

The survey results surprised this “old sign guy” even!

Would you believe data gleaned from the survey indicated outdoor signage ranked higher than the internet, radio and TV in its ability to advertised new products?
Some 29% of the the survey respondants said that they had been drawn into a store based on the quality of the exterior signage.
More than 33% of those surveyed said that their assessment of a store’s quality was based on how attractive the stores signs were.
Almost half of the respondents (49%) said they had driven by or failed to find a store because of unclear or effective signage.

So there you have it, signs do make a difference! Please visit our website http://www.stricklersigns.com/ to discover how you can benefit just like our customers have.

Congratulations to Matthew Domeier

Bryan Strickler — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:01:58 +0000

Congratulations to salesman Mike and his family. Matthew, one of Mike and Cindy’s sons recently finished his doctorate in geophysics while working in paleomagnetism at the University of Michigan, that in itself is a great accomplishment but Matthew even accomplished more, his work deciphering and corroborating differing theories on the movement of the earth’s crust brought some closer to further support the theory that there was at one time a supercontinent called Pangaea. Matthew will continue his studies when he moves to Norway as a post doctorate fellow at the University of Oslo.

Strickler Signs EMC Programmer Newsletter – Volume 8

Derek Gebhart — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:20:51 +0000

Stand Out From the Crowd
Welcome! 2011 is in full swing and one of the first words that comes to mind is Growth. We already know Spring time brings new growth to the trees and fields abroad, however this year I believe that growth has a double meaning. As our economy begins the long climb from a global recession, we too will begin to re-establish our market share and grow our businesses.

Spring Time is slowly coming to our neighborhoods, and that means that seasonal products and promotions will be making their way to the forefront of our “to do” lists. There is no getting around them! And I can’t think of a better way to assist you in the task then your Electronic Message Center (EMC) Sign.

Whether it be a seasonal product, promotion, event, etc., let your EMC work for you. Plan aggressive schedules now for spring time events and let your EMC put the word out and grow your customers enthusiasm.

Be Direct with Your Message! It’s All About Presentation…
Speaking the truth is a good thing, just be careful how you say it. Promoting honesty and integrity is a GREAT way to run a business. Never belittle your audience. Keep the content positive and precise. In most cases you only have a brief amount of time to “get the word across”.

Programming Tip – Spell Check is a Good Thing!
Don’t let an image of your sign be the next Internet sensation because of a spelling error. Make sure to use the Spell Check feature located within the software before updating your sign.

Welcome to the family

Strickler Signs would like to welcome the following customers to our family of EMC Sign programmers.

Advanced Vein & Laser

Apple Automovive

Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar

Universal Athletic Club

Thank You again for your continued support of W.J. Strickler Signs, and we look forward to being able to further assist you with all your onsite advertising needs again in 2011. Please feel free to contact us if you have something you would like to see in future newsletters.

Strickler Signs Employee Spotlight

Derek Gebhart — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:17:02 +0000

Jeremiah Reichert came to work for us as a sales representative in August of 2010 after spending time working in construction and manufacturing throughout the mid-state, Jeremiah is a graduate of Hanover High School and currently resides in Hanover with his wife of 7 years Lindsay. When Jeremiah isn’t working he is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys Hunting, Fishing, Softball, Golf and Bowling. Jeremiah is a rabid sports fan and follows the Penn State Nittany Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Orioles, Duke Blue Devils and the Washington Capitals. Jeremiah came to a realization that he wanted to learn and develop a career that would offer long term stability and financial security with a local organization that would allow him to have a career and not just a job, so he began the search for the company and the field he wanted to work in and sales seemed like the best fit for his long term success. I personally have known Jeremiah over 13 years and can say that his determination and competitive nature will be a tremendous asset in the sales field, Jeremiah approached me asking A LOT of questions about the company and my experiences working here prior to beginning his attempts to seek out a position with the company. If you haven’t already please take a moment to introduce yourself and I can safely say if you want to talk sports or hunting he will always be willing to talk and share information and ideas with you.

Strickler Signs Football Fantasy Land

dfink — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:38:07 +0000

For the first time in my 18 plus years of playing fantasy football, we have a tie in the fantasy football championship. Well it’s been that kind of year!
Team Wagner (lead man/ road crew) and Visigoths (company President) score 110 points each in the final game to share the crown of Strickler Signs fantasy football co champions for the 2010 season.
Team Wagner had the best team in the league from the start of the season till the playoffs with a 12 and 2 record ,scoring 1658 (league high) and surrendering 1270 points (league low).
The playoffs are a new season and everyone that makes the playoffs starts over with a 0 and 0 record. The 3rd seeded Visigoths 9 and 5 record proved to be too much for the 6th seeded Spongebob Whoopass (service technician) in the first round, winning with a score of 147 to 87. Visigoths then beat the 2nd seed Achmed’s Bombers (graphic designer) 103 to 97 in the semi round to advance to the championship. Meanwhile Team Wagner having a bye in the first round beat Romo’s Homo’s (estimator) in the semi’s 120 to 87 to earn his way to the championship game. Second seed, Achmed’s Bombers 9 and 4 with a tie, came back thru the losers bracket to beat Romo’s 106 to 78 to take 3rd place in the league, 5th seed Romo’s finished in 4th place, Spongebob Whoopass finished 5th in league by beating yours truly 4th seed (Six time world champs) 93 to 90 to give me 6th place,7th place goes to Scoots (graphics technician), followed by 8th place Balt’s Dirty Dozen (accounts receiveable) ,then 9th place go’s to Hall’s of Fame (office manager) and, last but not least our very own football guru Mexican Express (installation manager).
It was a fun season, although very quiet on the trash talk front. There was lot’s of conversation and fellowship throughout the the season here at Strickler Signs, which helps make Strickler Signs a great place to work and the best sign company in the land!
Till next season….Go S-T-E-E-L-E-R-S!

Strickler Signs Joins Martin America

Bryan Strickler — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:20:40 +0000

Strickler Signs is privileged to be named as the sole signage provider for Martin America. Martin America is the world’s first global office air-park. Martin America Strickler PR

Sign’s, Sign’s Everywhere A Sign

dfink — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:08:42 +0000

I’m sure Tesla didn’t put much thought into the lyrics of their 80’s hit song “Signs” when they performed it! But if you think about it signs are everywhere. Signs, like any thing else mechanical cars, appliances, machines etc., eventually need some tender loving care to keep them in working order. Whether it’s a fluorescent lamp sign, channel letter sign with LED’S or neon or an electronic EMC sign, maintenance is important. That’s why sign service techs are so important to the sign industry.
Here at Strickler signs I feel we have some of best service tech’s in the in the business. Ron Phillips and Brian Driesbach our top service tech’s have been trouble shooting, repairing and servicing signs for over 30 years combined and I never seen a sign either one of them could not get working like a new sign. All of are install guys here at Strickler Signs are also top notch service guys, so do this (call on Strickler Signs for your service needs) don’t do that! (contact the other guy) can’t you read the signs!