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R E L E A S E
Contact: Torin
Roher Dave
Antrim
Roher Public Relations Antex Electronics
Tel: 818.887.8838 310-532-3092, ext. 28
Cell: 310-993-1985
dantrim@antex.com
CITICORP'S BANAMEX TO IMPLEMENT ADVANCED SATELLITE-BASED
MUSIC & MESSAGING SYSTEM IN 1100
RETAIL LOCATIONS IN
Efficient,
Scalable System Also Offers Live and Emergency Broadcasting Features
GARDENA, Calif., November 22, 2004– Taking customized entertainment and messaging to a new level in retail banking , Banamex, the Mexico subsidiary of Citibank, will implement a satellite-based communications system for 1100 locations that will enable site-specific delivery of audio content, including music, advertising, and other promotional messaging, to customers and employees. The system, the most advanced audio broadcasting network employed in retail banking, is being provided by Antex, a developer of satellite and Internet communications products based here, and SSL, a designer, integrator and operator of commercial communications systems in Mexico City, D.F.
The system,
designed as a cost efficient vehicle to communicate with both customers and employees, will allow Banamex to deliver, via
satellite, demographic specific music and messages to customers in each of its
1100 bank locations, and will include two features never before introduced into
retail messaging: the capability to broadcast
live messages, and the ability to broadcast emergency messages. Banamex is currently using the SSL/Antex
system in 20 branches throughout
SSL, an established telecommunications and messaging service provider, acts as host for the service. The company enlisted Antex to help design and manufacture the system. “We were looking for a way to offer the advanced features that Banamex was seeking,” said Ing. William Narchi Karam, SSL Director General. “Antex designed a turnkey solution, from uplink devices, to satellite receivers, to media storage devices and console software to handle program scheduling for each location. Integrating their scalable package allowed us to expand our services for one-third the cost of other systems.” As systems integrator, SSL manages the distribution of the music and messages to each Banamex location. SSL broadcasts over 16 channels: Seven different music channels; three channels for broadcasting advertising and commercial messages, and six channels for live broadcasting and emergency messaging. Both music and message programming are changed on a regular, predetermined schedule, across three different time zones. The system also allows for any or all bank locations to be sent new play lists or messages at any time on very short notice.
According to Banamex, the messaging system is also
reducing employee training costs. Rather than having employees travel to
central or regional training facilities and incurring
all the expenses associated with that travel, employees can now be trained
through this system in their own offices. While many messaging systems use either telephone
systems or the Internet to transmit and receive the information, infrastructure
challenges throughout the country necessitated that Banamex instead employ a
satellite transmission system to ensure the integrity of the communications
throughout a country where phone and Internet systems are not reliable. The immediate nature of broadcasting by
satellite, and the advantage of simultaneous coverage to all locations across
the country, also makes live and emergency broadcasting possible. Said Narchi,
“The satellite solution is also extremely cost-effective for this type of
application due to the country’s inherent infrastructure shortcomings. Satellite is reliable, and the per location
costs – both for hardware and support – have proven to be less costly and far
less complex than standard internet enabled store/forward devices. So the end-user sees a lower cost solution
that is also rather simple in design.”
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About Antex
Electronics
Founded in 1983, Gardena, CA based
Antex Electronics is a leading developer and original equipment manufacturer of
digital audio sound cards, satellite receivers and Internet appliances for the
broadcast, communications, and entertainment industries. Antex products are
used around the world in mission-critical audio applications for a wide variety
of consumer and corporate customers, including Akamai,
Microsoft, Yahoo, DMX MUSIC and Pinnacle Systems. For further
information about Antex or the company’s products, visit www.antex.com.
About SSL
Founded in 1991,
Mexico City Based, SSL is the leading designer, integrator and operator of
commercial communications systems in