diff --git a/dbus/org.nemo.ssu.xml b/dbus/org.nemo.ssu.xml
index 8bcd9b0..291f630 100644
--- a/dbus/org.nemo.ssu.xml
+++ b/dbus/org.nemo.ssu.xml
@@ -49,6 +49,12 @@
     <method name="deviceVariant">
       <arg direction="out" type="s" name="model"/>
     </method>
+    <!-- return a model-specific string suitable for displaying -->
+    <!-- see documentation of Ssu::DisplayType for supported types -->
+    <method name="displayName">
+      <arg direction="out" type="s" name="label"/>
+      <arg direction="in" type="i" name="type" />
+    </method>
 
     <!-- repository management -->
     <method name="deviceMode">
diff --git a/libssu/ssu.h b/libssu/ssu.h
index e95067d..ec835bb 100644
--- a/libssu/ssu.h
+++ b/libssu/ssu.h
@@ -118,6 +118,14 @@ class Ssu: public QObject {
       ReleaseMode        = 0x4,   ///< Enable Release mode
       LenientMode        = 0x8    ///< Disable strict mode (i.e., keep unmanaged repositories)
     };
+    /**
+     * A list of types ssu provides shiny values suitable for displaying
+     */
+    enum DisplayType {
+      DeviceManufacturer = 0,     ///< Manufacturer, like ACME Corp. Board mappings key "deviceManufacturer"
+      DeviceModel,                ///< Marketed device name, like Pogoblaster 3000. Board mappings key "prettyModel"
+      DeviceDesignation,          ///< Type designation, like NCC-1701. Beard mappings key "deviceDesignation"
+    };
 
     /**
      * Edit modes for variables containing bitmasks
diff --git a/libssu/ssudeviceinfo.cpp b/libssu/ssudeviceinfo.cpp
index bdc2a51..5203360 100644
--- a/libssu/ssudeviceinfo.cpp
+++ b/libssu/ssudeviceinfo.cpp
@@ -308,6 +308,48 @@ QStringList SsuDeviceInfo::disabledRepos(){
   return result;
 }
 
+QString SsuDeviceInfo::displayName(const int type){
+  QString model = deviceModel();
+  QString variant = deviceVariant(false);
+  QString value, key;
+
+
+  switch (type){
+    case Ssu::DeviceManufacturer:
+      key = "/deviceManufacturer";
+      break;
+    case Ssu::DeviceModel:
+      key = "/prettyModel";
+      break;
+    case Ssu::DeviceDesignation:
+      key = "/deviceDesignation";
+      break;
+    default:
+      return "";
+  }
+
+  /*
+   * Go through different levels of fallbacks:
+   * 1. model specific setting
+   * 2. variant specific setting
+   * 3. global setting
+   * 4. return model name, or "UNKNOWN" in case query was for manufacturer
+   */
+
+  if (boardMappings->contains(model + key))
+    value = boardMappings->value(model + key).toString();
+  else if (variant != "" && boardMappings->contains(variant + key))
+    value = boardMappings->value(variant + key).toString();
+  else if (boardMappings->contains(key))
+    value = boardMappings->value(key).toString();
+  else if (type != Ssu::DeviceManufacturer)
+    value = model;
+  else
+    value = "UNKNOWN";
+
+  return value;
+}
+
 // this half belongs into repo-manager, as it not only handles board-specific
 // repositories. Right now this one looks like the better place due to the
 // connection to board specific stuff, though
diff --git a/libssu/ssudeviceinfo.h b/libssu/ssudeviceinfo.h
index d09120d..ce90063 100644
--- a/libssu/ssudeviceinfo.h
+++ b/libssu/ssudeviceinfo.h
@@ -62,6 +62,17 @@ class SsuDeviceInfo: public QObject {
      * This does not include repositories only disabled in the user configuration.
      */
     QStringList disabledRepos();
+    /**
+     * Return a string suitable for display in dialogs, ...
+     *
+     * See Ssu::DeviceTypes for supported types.
+     *
+     * If not configured the model name used by SSU will be returned instead
+     * for product and type.
+     * If no manufacturer is found UNKNOWN is returned.
+     * For an invalid type an empty string is returned.
+     */
+    Q_INVOKABLE QString displayName(const int type);
     /**
      * Return the complete list of repositories configured for a device.
      * Depending on the filter options, all repostories (user and board),
diff --git a/rndssucli/rndssucli.cpp b/rndssucli/rndssucli.cpp
index ca8a226..bc7ebdf 100644
--- a/rndssucli/rndssucli.cpp
+++ b/rndssucli/rndssucli.cpp
@@ -489,7 +489,9 @@ void RndSsuCli::optStatus(){
 
   qout << "Device registration status: "
        << (ssu.isRegistered() ? "registered" : "not registered") << endl;
-  qout << "Device model: " << deviceInfo.deviceModel() << endl;
+  qout << "Device model: " << deviceInfo.displayName(Ssu::DeviceModel) << " ("
+       << deviceInfo.deviceModel() << " / "
+       << deviceInfo.displayName(Ssu::DeviceDesignation) << ")" << endl;
   if (deviceInfo.deviceVariant() != "")
     qout << "Device variant: " << deviceInfo.deviceVariant() << endl;
   qout << "Device UID: " << deviceUid << endl;
diff --git a/ssud/ssud.cpp b/ssud/ssud.cpp
index 17cf051..2816db1 100644
--- a/ssud/ssud.cpp
+++ b/ssud/ssud.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,13 @@ QString Ssud::deviceVariant(){
   return deviceInfo.deviceVariant();
 }
 
+QString Ssud::displayName(int type){
+  SsuDeviceInfo deviceInfo;
+
+  autoclose.start();
+  return deviceInfo.displayName(type);
+}
+
 bool Ssud::error(){
   autoclose.start();
   return ssu.error();
diff --git a/ssud/ssud.h b/ssud/ssud.h
index b42bad5..5537835 100644
--- a/ssud/ssud.h
+++ b/ssud/ssud.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ class Ssud: public QObject {
     QString deviceFamily();
     QString deviceUid();
     QString deviceVariant();
+    QString displayName(int type);
     /* credential management */
     bool isRegistered();
     void registerDevice(const QString &username, const QString &password);