Digital signage: Bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds
Digital signage is an increasingly popular method of promoting businesses, products, and services to consumers who are not physically in the store. A digital signage system refers to both the tangible elements, like media players and displays, as well as the intangible aspects, like content management software and objectives. Because it leverages so many forms of technology, it can be a challenge to get started with creating a digital signage system for your business. This article will help you understand what digital signage is and how it can be useful for your business to use one.
What is it?
Digital signage describes a system where information is pushed to screens in public spaces. The key element of digital signage is that it brings data and content to real-world locations. Digital signage software controls what is displayed, tracks interactions with content and allows for digital delivery of information. Unlike traditional displays, which are often limited to displaying static images or text, a digital sign can use many different formats, including interactive features. Digital media players allow for high-quality video playback as well as a variety of audio and picture formats. The interactive capabilities of digital signs gives businesses an opportunity to engage customers through gamification or quizzes about new products or services. It can be used for marketing purposes by projecting ads onto billboards or screens within stores.
How does it work?
A digital signage system is a network of managed screens and supporting elements that bring digital content to offline spaces. Digital signage software gives businesses an opportunity to display their products, services, promotions, logos or videos on-screen. This provides your business with an affordable way to ensure brand awareness throughout your community, in addition to customer service. The goal is for customers not only become familiar with your logo but with your product or service as well.
The need for digital signage in retail
Not every customer wants to interact with a retail employee, but today’s consumers don’t mind interacting with a kiosk or digital sign. In fact, these tools are becoming increasingly popular as retailers need to find ways to let customers do their own thing while still providing personalized service. As part of a digital display network, advertising media is available in an infinite number of combinations in an infinite number of places. This allows companies to place signs on platforms where they previously didn’t exist, allowing them to show off products that might otherwise go unnoticed. In short, these signs provide endless opportunities for brands (and advertisers) alike—and you can use digital signage software to manage all of it.
Different types of business applications
Digital signage software comprise of a set of applications. Each serving a different purpose. For example, several types of applications can deploy in an environment that runs a single operating system. Applications include but not limit to: Content Management System (CMS), Presentation Manager (PM), Video Manager (VM), Scheduler/Trigger tools. Image management tools, Weather/Traffic or other industry-specific data sources/aggregators and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems. These applications can be deploye on various platforms including Android. Apple iOS or Linux by utilizing an application delivery controller to act as an intermediary device.
Case Study 1 – Retail
In-store digital signs bring an additional layer of interactivity to a consumer’s shopping experience. Whether it’s movie promotions, an upcoming sale or simply a local event, retail stores can benefit from sign marketing campaigns that captivate and inform their customers in real time. With 1 out of 4 retail customers saying they shop more frequently when they see electronic advertising displays, it’s no wonder why it has become such a popular marketing strategy. The same report notes that 67% of marketers utilize in-store signage as part of their overall campaign strategy, especially within categories like fast food/restaurants (74%), drug stores (68%) and clothing retailers (67%).
Case Study 2 – Higher Education
We hire by a large university to help create an interactive banner display system. The team wants to give students real-time updates on information such as weather, Dining hall hours, library hours, class changes and cancellations, sports game times and more. Students could then alert via text or push notification on their smartphones about events in which they interest. The team also interest in using technology that would help them collect student feedback at a variety of points throughout campus as well as encouraging healthy behaviors such as drinking water from water fountains instead of buying bottles from vending machines. After some brainstorming sessions with staff members in both admissions and facilities departments. We came up with a plan for four different interactive displays (one for each corner of campus) that use for various purposes.
Case Study 3 – Healthcare
A hospital CEO has been asking for a new hospital. The senior management of your company decide to focus on creating a Digital Signage System in four large rooms – emergency, ICU, conference room and gymnasium. Write two Digital Signage applications that could help all these areas. Each application should detail with several bullet points on what it is you are trying to accomplish. How you would do it. Why people would care. What is their motivation behind each application, screenshots etc. One of these applications can be anything (if you want to write 2 real world examples then pick 1 area from Case Study 1). The other should be something a little more unique to demonstrate your creativity 🙂 It should also have at least 4 screenshots or pictures so we can see your creation.
Conclusion
The digital signage landscape is becoming increasingly complex. As technology advances, more businesses will implement customized solutions that meet their unique needs. If you interest in putting a plan into action. You can begin by considering your content management strategy. What kind of content are you looking to deliver? Who do you want to reach? How much time and money do you have to allocate? Once these questions answer. It becomes easier to select and implement hardware that fits your business goals. But if all of these factors seem overwhelming. Then don’t worry; ask yourself what features are most important for your business goals and objectives. Find out which hardware fits those needs best. Then move on from there!
