John Ricci
Founder & CEO, Danavation
Danavation’s industry-leading technology is modernizing and digitizing a variety of industries, from retail to healthcare.
Entering Danavation’s corporate headquarters in Woodbridge, ON, you notice something special: the office feels sleek and modern with its Zen Room and tech labs, but also very Canadian. With reclaimed black walnut live-edge tables and many pieces of Indigenous artwork, our country’s unique culture and heritage are unmistakably emblazoned on Danavation’s office.
“We like promoting our Canadiana roots,” said founder and CEO John Ricci. Danavation is proud to be Canadian, and Canada should be proud of Danavation, too. As one of the companies leading the way in digital retail, Danavation is helping to secure our country’s future as innovators and trailblazers in the digital space.
Danavation is helping to secure our country’s future as innovators and trailblazers in the digital space.
Bringing retailers into the digital age
Danavation Technologies Corp.™ is a leading provider of micro e-paper displays in North America. The company’s state-of-the-art Digital Smart Labels™ enable companies to automate labelling, pricing, information, promotions, and workflows in real time.
When Ricci started Danavation, he had one goal in mind: to bring retailers into the digital age. With over 30 years of experience in the retail industry, he’d seen it all, except for one thing — a solution that met and exceeded the needs of modern businesses and tech-savvy consumers. And from that, Digital Smart Labels™ were born.
“We’re the only company in the electronic shelf label world that was grounded and founded in Canada,” said Ricci. “We design and engineer our hardware and software internally, right here in Canada.” This homegrown approach gives its customers an unmatched level of service, with on-site technical support and 24/7 availability, plus peace of mind in terms of security and privacy.
Transforming industries across the board
Danavation is known primarily for its work in the retail and grocery space, but its Digital Smart Labels™ also serve healthcare facilities, warehousing and distribution companies, military supply chains, animal services and shelters, and more.
“We live in a day and age where access to information in real time is really important,” said Ricci. “We started with automating pricing, but Digital Smart Labels™ are great for anywhere it’d be beneficial to have information updated in real time.”
Whether through updating and modernizing hospitals and long-term care facilities or automating workflows for logistics and manufacturing companies, Danavation’s technology is helping to transform a variety of industries.
Danavation’s platform-as-a-service effectively meets the needs of Industry 4.0 or the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) — the ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices. The company’s Digital Smart Labels™ enable real-time data updates, while NFC/RFID Smart Tags, IoT Smart Sensors, video analytics, and biometric systems all help Danavation to streamline connectivity, analytics, efficiency, and the customer experience.
Leading Canada’s digital transformation
Between its experienced leadership team and game-changing IoT technology, Danavation is facilitating digital transformation across industries.
“We preach three wins: operational efficiency, consumer-engaging features, and revenue generation,” said Ricci.
There’s also the sustainability piece to consider — in removing paper and plastic displays, Digital Smart Labels™ are a smart environmental choice. “We maintain a clear ESG commitment by advocating for environmental sustainability through significantly reduced paper use,” said Ricci. Canada is working hard to move in the direction of environmental sustainability, and Danavation is leading the way.
Digital Smart Labels™ are also a great choice when it comes to post-COVID considerations. Digital displays take away touchpoints, keeping retail spaces, hospitals, and other facilities safer and more hygienic for consumers and staff.
Excelling today while planning for the future
The team at Danavation has a variety of innovations in the pipeline. “Our future growth profile is expected to be supported by the continued development of new proprietary products and services,” said Ricci.
Upcoming developments currently in the works include larger-format products, multi-coloured technology, and exciting new software features to better engage shoppers at the shelf, including improved graphics and augmented reality features.
“Customers are more product-savvy in this day and age, and there’s a real thirst for knowledge,” said Ricci. “Why not try to engage them and help them make educated buying decisions? This is a great way for retailers to build up their customer base and loyalty.”
