Networking vendor D-Link announced that Arts Alliance Media a European provider of digital film distribution services selected D-Link to supply the network infrastructure for each of the digital cinemas being rolled out by AAM. The agreement will enable existing cinemas across Europe to make the transition to fully digital cinemas thus providing an optimized viewing experience for filmgoers. Working closely with its distribution partner Azlan the networking distribution division of technology distributor Tech Data Europe D-Link will supply and support AAM on a pan-European basis as the network is deployed across 12 countries and an estimated 7 000 cinema screens over the next three years. AAM is the first company in Europe to have secured long-term digital cinema deployment agreements with 20th Century Fox Universal Pictures International Paramount Pictures International Walt Disney Studios International and Sony Pictures Releasing International. These agreements will see the conversion of up to 7 000 cinema screens over the next few years. In the UK AAM has already completed the Digital Screen Network project for the UK's Film Council which has seen the introduction of 240 digital screens across the country. The main factors that AAM considered when selecting a vendor to work with were D-Link's business strength reliability its Think Global Act Local approach to customer support and the fact that it is recognized as a trusted global brand. Richard Phillips vice president of technical operations Arts Alliance Media says The D-Link switches provide a very high level of specification and reliability at a very competitive price. On-site trials involving a number of key networking vendor products highlighted the robustness and manageability of the D-Link products. In addition our digital cinema deployments are long-term contracts and D-Link had the confidence in their products to provide us with warranties that exceeded our minimum average 10-year requirement—that in itself was very important to us. They have demonstrated a willingness to work with us as a partner not just as a supplier. Kevin Wen president of D-Link Europe says D-Link's selection by AAM for this application is indicative of the reliability performance and world-class support that D-Link provides and what a customer would expect from a market leader in networking. We are very much looking forward to seeing the digital cinema project revolutionize the way in which cinemas across Europe operate and working closely with AAM over the next years to ensure the project is a continued success. Pal Croft Azlan’s European business development manager says The partnership between Arts Alliance Media and D-Link is a significant step forward in the move towards DCI-compliant rollout across Europe and we are delighted to be working with D-Link Europe and Arts Alliance Media to support this evolution. With our established pan-European and advanced logistics capabilities we are able to provide tailored logistical services to help D-Link meet the needs of specialist providers of audiovisual solutions and the technology industry as a whole. Arts Alliance Media (AAM) www.artsalliancemedia.com Azlan www.azlan.com D-Link www.dlink.co.uk Tech Data www.techdata.com
