Applied Media Technologies Corporation

Infobox_Company
company_name = Applied Media Technologies Corp.
company_
company_type = Private
company_slogan = Marketing challenges. Technology solutions.
foundation = 1991 Tampa, Florida
location = Clearwater, FL

industry = Music, On-Hold Messaging, In-Store Messaging
num_employees = 70
products = Sirius Satellite Radio "for Business", TelAdvantage
homepage = [http://www.amtc.com AMTC Corporate Site]
revenue = profit$5.2 million USD (2007)

Applied Media Technologies Corporation (AMTC) was founded in 1991 in Tampa, Florida as a provider of "on hold" messaging to US and Canadian businesses under the brand name TelAdvantage. In 1993, they released their first proprietary "on hold" message player, the "Optical Disk Repeater 1000". Since then, AMTC has released several other players. In 2003, AMTC entered into a partnership with Sirius Satellite Radio to become a provider of Sirius' commercial-free music streams to American businesses nationwide.

AMTC relocated to a new 10,000 square foot headquarters in Clearwater, Florida in 2000. AMTC has also opened a satellite sales office in New Port Richey, FL. An additional 10,000 square foot expansion to their Clearwater headquarters is scheduled for completion in 2008.

AMTC Timeline

* 1991 - AMTC begins operations in Tampa, FL as an on-hold messaging vendor.
* 1993 - AMTC releases its patented [http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5506821.html] "Optical Disk Repeater 1000". The device was the first compact disc-based "on hold" player on the market.
* 1998 - AMTC revamps the ODR-1000 with its "TraxMaster", and added the "iQueue" (a removable memory card player) and the "RemoteLink td64", which permitted remote-initiated downloading of messages via a modem.
* 2000 - AMTC moves into its new 10,000 square foot headquarters in Clearwater, FL
* 2000 - AMTC installs its "RemoteLink td64" in every Bally Total Fitness gym.
* 2003 - AMTC signs agreement to be the exclusive provider of Sirius Satellite Radio for businesses. [http://investor.sirius.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=152755&cat=&newsroom=]
* 2003 - AMTC introduces a third CD-based "on hold" player, the "TraxMaster II", and releases the "iQueue II", a CompactFlash-based MP3 player for "on hold" messaging. The iQueue II works in conjunction with [http://www.holddirect.com HoldDirect.com] , the first web-based distribution system for "on hold" messages. [http://www.amtc.com/iqueue2.html]
* 2004 - AMTC becomes a preferred on-hold messaging vendor for Nationwide Insurance and rolls out its "iQueue II" digital messaging player to the offices of Royal Caribbean.
* 2005 - Major endorsements and partnerships include Daimler-Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, Raymond James Financial, and Allstate Insurance.
* 2006 - Major partnership deals signed include Yum! Brands, FOCUS Brands, Huddle House, Big Boy Restaurants, Piggly Wiggly, Cici's Pizza, Sysco Foodservice and Wendy's International.
* 2007 - AMTC announces national rollouts of Sirius Business to Volkswagen of America dealers and McCoy's Building Supply stores.
* 2007 - AMTC announces it has updated all the components in the Sirius Business Equipment Kit and promises more product updates this year.
* 2007 - AMTC opens its satellite sales office in New Port Richey, FL.
* 2007 - AMTC releases the "iQueue III", a SecureDigital-based MP3 player designed for both in-store and on-hold messaging.

SIRIUS Music for Business

In 2003, AMTC began reselling Sirius Satellite Radio's music channels to business customers, under the brand name SIRIUS Music for Business. Under this arrangement, AMTC pays a monthly fee to performing rights organizations such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, to ensure that customers can legally play the music in a business setting. The channels available via SIRIUS Music for Business are identical to the channels available to consumer subscribers but are licensed for business audio use. Some of these channels feature occasional interruptions such as sounders and DJ talk.

AMTC claims [http://www.amtc.com/sirius/chart.html] that the high look angle of Sirius' satellites, coupled with the site diversity provided by multiple satellites and a network of terrestrial repeaters, virtually eliminates rain fade. The highly elliptical orbit of the Sirius satellite constellation can pose difficulties for the reliable delivery of the signal stationary antennas in certain parts of the country. Sirius has developed an [http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=Page&cid=1071870446092 antenna placement guide] to help optimize antenna placement for the unique orbital pattern of their satellites. Sirius has also vastly increased its network of terrestrial repeaters and intends to launch a geostationary satellite [http://investor.sirius.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=199896&cat=&newsroom=] to augment signal strength for non-mobile customers such as those of SIRIUS Music for Business. The launch is scheduled for 2008.

AMTC also provides receivers, amplifiers, speakers, and other sound equipment to businesses in conjunction with the Sirius service.

Clientele

AMTC's on-hold messaging is utilized in a variety of businesses, including restaurants, automotive dealerships, van lines and airlines, hotels and fitness centers. High-profile clients include Allstate Insurance, Morgan Stanley, Spherion and Raymond James Financial.

Sirius Business is used in several hotels, retail stores, automotive dealerships and restaurant chains, including Big Boy Restaurants and Huddle House. In 2006, AMTC executed agreements to install Sirius Business in Yum Brands (A&W, Long John Silver's, KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell), FOCUS Brands (Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky's and Moe's Southwest Grill) and Wendy's stores, among others. AMTC's SIRIUS offering is featured in many of the same automotive dealerships that sell SIRIUS in cars, including Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen of America, Volvo, Chrysler, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Mazda among others.

See also

* Sirius Satellite Radio / XM Satellite Radio
* Muzak / DMX Music
* PlayNetwork
* Trusonic
* InStore Broadcasting Network

External links

* [http://www.amtc.com Applied Media Technologies Corporation's official site]
* [http://www.sirius.com/business SIRIUS Music for Business]
* [http://www.sirius.com Sirius Satellite Radio official site]
* [http://www.holddirect.com HoldDirect.com, AMTC's "on hold" message distribution site]

References

* [http://www.hotelinteractive.com/hi_articles.asp?func=print&article_id=6181 Hotel Interactive] - "Article covering AMTC's agreement with the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley"
* [http://www.hotelmotel.com/hotelmotel/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=364137 Hotel & Motel Management Magazine] - "AMTC agrees to install TelAdvantage in Woodfin Suites locations"

* [http://www.amtc.com/news/NPWOA_Spring2006.pdf National Piggly Wiggly Owner's Association] - "Piggly Wiggly endorses AMTC/Sirius as their preferred background music provider"
* [http://www.amtc.com/news/amexbrief-marapr2006.pdf American Express Restaurant Briefing March-April 2006] - "AMEX discusses the particulars of Sirius Business, VP Sales/Marketing Clayton Burton quoted"
* [http://satellitestandard.blogspot.com/2007/01/ssg-interview-with-amtc.html Satellite Standard Group] - Interview with research and development manager Matt Holden