SignMatic

SignMatic
Startup Screen
Developer	Netroda Technologies
Product Family	Extensible Services / Server
Licenses	N.P.A.L., FoundationShield (EULA)
Source Model	Closed source, open-source
Initial release	October 20th 2020
Current Version	1.1.7281 (February 12th 2023-)
Platform	x86-64 on Windows NT Based Operating Systems
Engine	HTML5 Based Rendering Engine
Language(s)	Available in 21 Languages, including Deutsch, Italiano, Tiếng Việt, 汉语, عربي

SignMatic is a open Digital Signage System developed for Windows based host Systems. It features live preview, remote control and a pan-screen application based scene concept.

The Digital Signage software was initially created by Netroda Technologies for inhouse use only and first went live in 2017. In 2020, Netroda Technologies published the first ready-to-run installation binary for demo purposes.

Overview

SignMatic was initially created from 2015 onward. The Commercial extent has been raised in early 2019

Installation

SignMatic is usually distributed as ready-to-install self extracting executable assembly. For specific pre-release or customized versions, where no installer exists, a guided extraction and registration must be carried out.

Setup

When first started, SignMatic will prompt the user to select the preferred language and system type. The System Setup must be carried out using a secondary (or local) device, like laptop, mobile phone or computer in the same network. This is due to SignMatics key principle of remote operability. The Host system must only be touched to install applications to SignMatic, as this requires administrative privileges.

Setup Entered Remotely

System Requirements

• Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) 7,8,8.1,10,11
• x86-64 (64 Bit) CPU
• Direct3D, DirectX11+, OpenGL Enabled GPU
• 4 GBytes of Memory
• 8 GBytes of Storage
• Network Connection (LAN or WAN)
• Internet Connection ² ³

² Internet Connection is required upon Setup to activate, then at least every 180 days

³ Does not apply for Versions featuring activation by Hardware device.

The minimum required Mirosoft(R) Windows(TM) Version is Windows 7 x86-64 (AMD64) Build 7601. Previous versions are not supported. SignMatic will not work on Systems that do not feature DWM like some versions of Windows Server. SignMatic is heavily dependent on the Graphics Card, older or poorly supported GPU's may have serious effects on the general screen replay

Integrated Features

Public-Address

SignMatic can be used to inform the audience in shared or central locations. Temporary or permanent announcements can be published, additionally with voice, Text-to-speech or additional media

Energy management

SignMatic can shutdown and start it's own host system by scheduled times to save energy. The API additionally allows to integrate with Automation systems to request energy state on display(-groups) or activation by motion sensors.

Presentation Mode

Presentation mode functions can be used to hide contents partially, apply overlays like drawings, camera streams or text annotations. Scenes can also feature live magnifying and pointing

Web Based configuration and Control

SignMatic provides a full web-based user interface. The Web interface is used to control SignMatic from local networks and the internet. The integrated Web Service supports HTTPS, certificates can be updated by the user.

To fulfill the requirements for public web services, only TLS (HTTPS) connections can be established from outer networks. The Web Server supports

• TLSv1.1
• TLSv1.2
• TLSv1.3
• Diffie-Hellman (DHE) Size 2048 bits
• Elliptic Curves
  • P-384 (secp384r1) (384 bits)
  • P-256 (prime256v1) (256 bits)
  • X25519 (253 bits)

Additionally, the implementations have been proven to be immune against the most common TLS vulnerabilities ²

• POODLE over TLS
• GOLDENDOODLE
• Zombie POODLE
• Sleeping POODLE
• 0-Length OpenSSL
• client-initiated insecure renegotiation.
• ROBOT
• Heartbleed
• CVE-2016-2107
• CVE-2014-0224 CCS Injection.
• CVE-2021-3449 OpenSSL Maliciously Crafted Renegotiation Vulnerability

²: Tested on reference platform, may vary by used security patches and frameworks

Applications

SignMatic features Applications, these can be distributed using the SignMatic Application Package file format. These are installed on the master host system once, and are available to all screens using the control menu.

Integrated Applications

Name	Purpose
Restaurant	A Restaurant menu offering Pizza, Burger and Drink menu, with variable prices
Airport	To display live data of passenger flights (schedule board) on SignMatic
Aquapark	A welcome sign of a Water park
Stop & Go	A remotely controlled switchable entry allowed/prohibited sign.
Occupancy	A remotely controlled remaining places sign.
Mirror	Displays one or more camera streams

Licenses

SignMatic, in latest version 1.1.7281, is available in the following license configurations:

• Community: Free license, may include third-party avertising (not on education/non-profit installations), includes up to 2 displays.
• Premise: Manages up to 4 Displays simultaneously, licensed per system. It also includes the full-featured Toolkit SMStudio.
• Enterprise Manages up to 256 Displays simultaneously, also includes unlimited user accounts.

The license price also distinguishes whether a license can be used for a single host systems, multiple hosts systems. Licenses including the FoundationShield Cloud Services are usually slightly more expensive.

Pricing

The Community version is offered free of charge. Enterprise versions vary by functionality, support and included tools.

In December 2018, Netroda Technologies announced the first Preview version of SignMatic. The FoundationShield Cloud Service has been topic of current Price Increase and forced upgrades due to end-of-life policies, becoming its first price adjustment in 2 years of business. The company raised the prices of all SignMatic licenses, alleging it was to cover the increasing cost of support and management over the past two years. Following the announcement, Netroda Technologies created a FAQ page to clarify any questions about the new pricing adjustment.

Globalization

SignMatic is available in 21 Languages

• Deutsch
• English
• Svenska
• Türkçe
• العربية
• 汉语
• ภาษาไทย
• Tiếng Việt
• 日本語
• Français
• Español
• Português
• Pусский
• 한국말
• Shqip
• Soomali
• Polski
• Ελληνικά
• Italiano
• Magyar
• አማርኛ

Support

On-site, phone and email support for SignMatic is available in English, German

Other languages are supported by Netroda Technologies authorized translators

• Italiano
• Espanol

SignMatic Community licenses are limited to the Community-Question-Anwser forums.

Version history

Version history starting from first distributed version 1.1.1620 (2019)

Product	Released	End of Life
1.1.1781	12 February 2023	Current Version
1.1.1780	31 August 2022	2022/12
1.1.1724	21 June 2022	2022/12
1.1.1723	11 October 2021	2022/12
1.1.1720	16 June 2020	2020/12
1.1.1620	29 December 2019	2020/12

Version Changelog

Extract and most important feature updates of various timelined versions.

Date	Version	Important Changes
12th February 2023	1.1.7281	Third Major update to "WALHORN" featuring new Task manager, Application manager, System Ressource monitor, Installers and Application packages.
21st August 2022	1.1.7280	Second Major update to "WALHORN" featuring new Scheduler manager and energy management

See also

• Digital Signage
• Comparison of Digital Signage License models