Digital signage helps businesses communicate, inform and engage
Digital signage is one of AV’s most versatile tools, so it is a valuable solution in every industry. Some of the advantages of digital signage include:
- Bringing in customers with an engaging window display
- Reinforcing the brand’s messaging and imagery
- Driving impulse buys and generating sales
- Informing customers with animated, vivid product demos
|
- Entertaining customers once they are in the store
- Helping people navigate to their destination without getting lost
- Powering a company’s social media presence
- Enhancing the positive impression a company makes on others
|
Every organization could benefit from at least one of the above, which is why this technology is found just about everywhere - on boardwalks, on streets, in retail shops, offices, grocery stores, banks, hotels, restaurants, and even at trade shows.
How does digital signage work in a business environment?
Digital signage makes an immediate impact wherever it is used, and an AV integrator can set up and configure it for ease of use. Signage systems are only made of a few components, including:
The display
The display is what makes digital signage a sign, and unlike off-the-shelf displays at a big box store, digital signage is designed for long-term use. With expanded heat sinks and larger fans, heat isn’t a problem for these sturdy displays.
The media player
Media players are what store and deliver content to the displays. The better the media player, the more visual horsepower it can provide the signage. So, high quality media players can handle more than one display and run ultra-high-resolution graphics without any issues.
The software
Digital signage software is the connection point between the user and the signage network. There are many software offerings on the market, including several standout options that allow users to quickly create layouts and program their timing. Templates come with the software, which allows for easy layout creation.
Further, signage software lets users manage their display network, pushing over updates, performing remote restarts, or reserving certain layouts for certain display groups. Users have complete control over how they organize their display network management, so even if your organization has a thousand displays to manage, it can be done from a single remote point.
The components are simple, which means that digital signage is an easy solution to scale up. Scaling up often makes sense, too, as its ROI rapidly outpaces maintenance costs.
If your business has or can produce good content, then digital signage has even more potential. Consider what your organization could do with that content:
Energize social media
Getting customers to social media is tough, which is why businesses invest so much into their social media presence. Digital signage, with the right content, can make this goal easier to attain, as it brings social media in front of the customer. A positive customer review on Yelp, for example, could be the little nudge that inspires more satisfied customers to leave a review.
Build team unity
Digital signage also has potential when used internally. Displays around the office can be used to motivate, congratulate and encourage people to innovate. If a business wants to make doing good part of its mission, for instance, using digital signage to point out employee acts of service can set the right tone. Another approach might be to highlight employee or department achievements, which reminds everyone that their contributions matter.
Sell your products without pushing customers
An outdoor store can run videos of customers using their clothing or gear in the field. A homeware store can cycle through images of lighting or decor installed in homes. An automotive dealership could use digital signage in their showroom to highlight vehicle features and potential upgrades.
Since people are visually focused, there is no limit to what digital signage could do in a commercial setting. If your company has a message or content, then digital signage can optimize it.
How can an AV integrator help businesses with their digital signage?
Although digital signage solutions are relatively simple, they are simpler still with an AV integrator performing the installation, configuration and maintenance. This is especially true if the solution is expansive or if it will be integrated with other AV and IT systems.
An AV integrator provides a few advantages to your organization when implementing digital signage. Some of them are:
On time, on budget
AV integrators have done this many times, so they know what it’s going to cost and how long it’s going to take. If time and money are concerns, and of course they are, an integrator knows how to best prioritize them.
Reliable implementation
Digital signage may be easy, but it can still pose a challenge if the right media player or software isn’t chosen. Ideally, your displays would also be positioned where they can make the most impact, and that won’t always be obvious. An AV integrator will ensure the non-obvious things are taken care of, and that the system operates as expected from the start.
Effective maintenance
AV integrators offer maintenance plans upon project completion, and this can greatly extend the life of your system. Maintenance plans include remote and onsite assistance and can include preventative maintenance if needed. This ensures your display network maintains maximum uptime.
Digital signage is a natural fit for businesses, no matter what industry that business operates in. It makes an instant impression, it’s easy to scale and maintain, and with the right content, it is limitless in application.
_website_rev.jpg)
