Key Systems, a provider of software solutions for the out-of-home industry, is taking its management system to the street with a new mobile application. Media owners armed with a Windows 7 mobile device can access Key Systems's Fusion on the go.

"Using Key Systems software, media owners are no longer limited to being at a desk to show what they have on offer," explains Ian Morris, Key Systems client services director. "Today, sales executives are able to walk around a city with their clients and give them instant answers on what there is available either on static media or digital screens. They can even find out what's playing at that precise moment and what's coming up."

The mobile application is just part of how Key Systems strives to keep up with the times, and the needs of the market. Originally set up in 1987, Key Systems has been developing and providing software exclusively for the out-of-home industry for over 25 years.

The Fusion application from Key Systems allows mobile digital signage management

Founded in the UK by Mike Dillon and Mark Nicholls, Key Systems quickly expanded to North and South America, Australia and the Far East. Initially it worked with traditional static media, six-sheets and billboards, but in the last few years it has wholly embraced the world of digital screens. Over 25 media owners and agencies world-wide use Key Systems products.

So how does it work? Key Systems has an all-encompassing software product called Fusion. With Fusion Media Owner (MO) companies can manage the whole lifecycle of its assets, from planning, sales, creative and production to delivery, finance and maintenance.

Another software flavour, Fusion Agency, is for media planners and media buyers. It helps agencies manage campaigns, create contracts with media owners, check locations of panels and their relation to other panels in the campaign, and monitor prohibitions and blacklists.

Also for media owners and under the Fusion umbrella is Quattro. This program has the same capabilities as Fusion MO, including geo-location mapping, landlord and lease management and invoicing, but it has been tailored for the US market, which has some different requirements to the rest of the world.

Digital Director is the techy-cool kid in the Fusion family. For 'DigiD' (as I choose to call it) it is all about screens, any size, any resolution, LCD, plasma or LED. As long as they are digital screens, it can manage them, make playlists and schedules, and give proof of posting and reporting. Finally, Key Systems offers also Web Services for remote access and management.

Key Systems works with major media owners in all vertical markets, from transit to leisure, retail, roads and airports. Just some of the companies it works with are JCDecaux, Titan, APN in Australia, Eye and Primesight.

"Primesight must manage its large and diverse inventory efficiently and effectively to remain competitive and deliver business growth," says Paul Daniels, the company's operations director. "Key Systems provides a stable platform through which we can achieve this."