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September 6, 2007 - GOSHEN, Ind. — RedPost inc., an Indiana-based software company, today announced the launch of the beta version of Corktop, a software application that allows anyone to manage a network of digital signs via the Internet.

Eric Kanagy, CEO, founded the company after discovering that digital signage is far too expensive and complicated. “Until now, places like Times Square have dominated digital signage — you can spend millions of dollars on signage when you have a million people walking by every week. The local shoe store, coffee shop or bar can’t afford a Times Square digital sign. Corktop is the beginning of a paradigm shift — digital signage will be accessible to everyone.”

Corktop consists of a simple interface divided into three sections: create, organize and deliver. A Corktop user creates their own posters, pulling from online data sources like Flickr, RSS feeds, and websites; builds a playlist of these posters; and assigns the playlist to a RedPost digital sign.
Within six months, Corktop will expand to allow anyone to simply and cheaply manage their own digital signage ad network, with ad buyers paying for and creating their own ads through the software, much like RedPost/Goshen, a 9-sign network located in Goshen, Ind., that advertises for upcoming arts events.

Written in Ruby on Rails, RedPost follows the “release early release often” mantra championed by companies like Google and Netflix. The latest web technoligies enable this type of fast, iterative, quality software development, allowing RedPost to continually build and test Corktop.

Kanagy believes in listening carefully to his customers. “It’s all about the users. We can’t predict exactly what they’re going to use Corktop for, but, by us trusting them to tell us and by them trusting us to listen, we’re building an application that will fit their needs more than anything else available.”

Corktop is based on open source technology, including Linux, Ruby on Rails and Firefox. The customized version of the operating system running on RedPost digital signs, DamnSmallLinux, is also open source and available for download.

According to Kanagy, “I’ve had interest in what we’re doing from large media, consumer products, and internet companies on one end to artists, entrepreneurs, car wash chains, local non-profits and car dealerships on the other. I’ve talked to people from four continents. There is huge pent-up demand for the simple, cheap, user-driven approach we’re taking.”

RedPost/Goshen launched in May with digital signs in a farmer’s market, private college, retirement home, chamber of commerce, grocery store, coffee shop, bar, and tourist attraction. The signage network has found a high level of local interest, with an average of one poster purchased every day since its launch. All RedPost/Goshen signs now operate through Corktop.

Corktop is also compatible with RedPost/Kit, a digital sign released in June that consists of a 19″ LCD with built-in mini-PC and wireless internet to allow the sign to communicate with the software. RedPost sells the Kits via their website: every Kit purchased comes with a free Corktop account.

Wanna see the very first Corktop digital signage network? Click here