BrightSign & Capital Networks Modernize Digital Signage for a Big Four Accounting Firm

Overview

One of Canada’s Big Four accounting firms selected BrightSign Series 5 media players to replace a mixed fleet of approximately 200 devices across its nationally distributed office network.

Working with Capital Networks Limited’s content management system (CMS) platform, Audience™, the firm recently modernized its internal communications infrastructure to consolidate hardware, strengthen security, and support long-term scalability.

The Challenge

The firm’s Audience™ digital signage deployment had supported internal communications for more than eight years across a broad range of environments, including staff lounges, training rooms, wayfinding displays, and large-format video walls. Over time, the network evolved into a mixed hardware estate spanning System-on-a-Chip displays, Android-based players, and Windows-based systems.

As portions of the hardware reached end of life, the firm prioritized consolidating onto a single, consistent platform. With strict IT governance and compliance requirements, standardizing security patching, device health monitoring, and remote support across the full fleet became a strategic necessity.

The Solution

Across the firm’s Canadian offices, Capital Networks deployed 200 BrightSign HD225 players running Capital Networks’ Audience™ CMS:

• Purpose-built OS: Built exclusively for digital signage, BrightSignOS™ reduces the attack surface and minimizes the security vulnerabilities associated with general-purpose Windows or Android alternatives.
• Reliability: Standardized hardware backed by BrightSign’s 5-year warranty supports predictable lifecycle planning across the full fleet.
• Remote management: IT teams can centrally handle monitoring, firmware updates, and diagnostics without on-site intervention.
• Audience™ integration: BrightSign’s validated compatibility with Capital Networks’ platform meant existing content workflows carried over without modification.

Capital Networks led execution across all Canadian offices, including site discovery, hardware replacement, pre-configuration and validation of each player, and coordinated go-live support. Hardware was procured through Thorvin Electronics, BrightSign’s Canadian distribution partner.

Key Deployments

Powered by BrightSign Series 5 players, the deployment supports a broad range of use cases across the firm’s offices, including:

• Staff lounges and cafes: Screens in lounges, cafeterias, and bistros deliver internal news, announcements, and updates to employees and guests throughout the day.
• Meeting and training rooms: Displays in meeting rooms and training facilities support scheduled content and presentations across locations.
• Wayfinding: Interactive screens help employees and visitors navigate large office environments, with content managed and updated centrally through Audience™.
• Guest travel information: Lobby and reception displays surface real-time flight arrivals and departures, keeping staff and visitors informed of incoming guests.
• Video walls: Large-format video walls in high-visibility areas deliver impactful communications at scale.

“For this modernization initiative, BrightSign was the trusted hardware choice, reflecting Capital Networks’ experience deploying the platform across numerous recent client lifecycle upgrade projects. BrightSign’s proven reliability, performance flexibility, and long-term support align well with the needs of enterprise and compliance-driven environments. The close integration between BrightSign and the Audience™ platform enabled a seamless transition, allowing the client to modernize without disrupting day-to-day communications. The success of this deployment reinforces Capital Networks’ intent to continue recommending BrightSign as a core standard for similar client projects.”

— Jim Vair, President, Capital Networks Limited

Looking Forward

With a unified platform in place, the firm is well-positioned to expand its internal communications network as its offices grow. This deployment stands as a strong example of what BrightSign hardware and Capital Networks’ Audience™ platform can deliver together in a regulated enterprise environment.