SageNet, a Tulsa-based managed network services and cyber-security provider, has acquired digital signage firm Convergent.

Convergent, a subsidiary of Ballantyne Strong, is based in Alpharetta, Georgia, with offices in Toronto. For more than 35 years, it has provided digital signage to many of the USA’s leading retailers as well as organisations in healthcare, convenience, financial services and the US government.

Convergent is a pioneer in digital signage managed services with an emphasis on data integration and the creation of engaging interactive experiences. The company’s digital signage as a service (DSaaS) platform helps organisations overcome the barriers often associated with launching and maintaining a robust, reliable digital initiative.

The DSaaS model enables rapid deployment and scalability of digital experiences, while its turnkey content creation, management and maintenance services make digital experience programmes sustainable for the long run. Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing marketing and IT teams as they struggle to keep digital initiatives operating to their fullest potential.

SageNet offers service and support via its multiple US-based round-the-clock network operations centres (NOCs) and security operations centres (SOCs), geographically diverse teleports, a central national logistics centre, multiple data centres and a nationwide field service organisation.

According to SageNet CEO Daryl Woodard, the acquisition of Convergent further strengthens SageNet’s position as a company redefining how agencies, partners and end-users create and maintain digital engagement campaigns.

“Bringing the already extensive capabilities of our two companies together creates an organisation with uniquely broad yet focused expertise,” said Woodard. “Both companies have tremendous experience deploying large, widely dispersed multisite networks with an emphasis on reliability at scale. Combining Convergent’s proficiency in data integration and hyper-targeted marketing with SageNet’s full lifecycle methodology, cyber-security expertise, multiple NOCs and SOCs, and nationwide support organisation creates a digital experience partner with unrivalled capabilities.”

He said the market was fragmented, with many companies offering digital signage but few providing turnkey offerings.

“Even fewer monitor and maintain a system after its launch,” said Woodard. “Fewer still offer advanced data and device integration. With this acquisition, SageNet is perfectly positioned to provide customers everything they need for a truly holistic and engaging digital experience.”

The US digital signage market has seen enormous growth over the past several years. According to Grand View Research, the market was valued at $4.7bn in 2019 and expected to register a compound annual growth rate of 6.4 per cent from 2020 to 2027.

Convergent’s leadership team remains in place and both companies will continue to operate as usual as the integration process proceeds.

“Convergent and SageNet are proven leaders in the digital signage industry,” said Convergent president John Campbell. “Together, we will deliver a much broader scope of services with the combined talent and expertise of two passionately customer-focused organisations.”

As a specialist in managed network and cyber-security services, SageNet connects, manages and protects technologies and devices across the enterprise. The company manages communications at more than 220,000 locations. Headquartered in Tulsa, it has regional offices in Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago and Philadelphia.