Digital Messaging Company and Signagelive supply dynamic digital menu board solution to Sodexo Defence Partners

Signagelive SoC software ensures compliance with current Pay as you Dine charges implemented in the Armed Forces

Sodexo Defence Partners, a worldwide supplier of facilities management and quality of life services to the armed forces, has implemented a Signagelive-powered digital menu board solution in two new restaurant facilities in Merville Barracks, Colchester. The new solution helps ensure compliance with PAYD (pay as you dine) services implemented by the military.

The digital menu board system, based on Samsung Smart Signage platform (SSP) and powered by Signagelive’s cloud-based technology, has been supplied and installed by Digital Messaging Company Ltd, a provider of digital signage solutions and digital menu boards to public and private sector organisations in the UK. Digital Messaging Company is also one of Signagelive’s strategic channel partners.

PAYD services offer soldiers a number of different meal options, ranging from a staple menu (comprising a balanced meal to provide soldiers with a pre-determined calorific intake) to commercial menus, comparable to high street casual dining offers to create a broad range of food choices.

The newly installed digital menu boards have not only helped to resolve compliance issues, they have also improved the visual appearance and aesthetics of the dining facilities. In addition, digital signage has helped streamline menu management processes by removing the need for printed menus, which are costly and time-consuming to maintain.

Digital Messaging Company has supplied and delivered an end-to-end digital signage solution that comprises 16 x Samsung SMART Signage LED displays installed in military dining areas in two different locations. The Colchester site uses x 3 portrait entrance screens to display the opening times and showcase daily promotions, while the remaining 13 screens are used to display menu content above the counters in the diners.

The onscreen menu display is split, with the left hand side showcasing imagery of the dish items and seasonal promotional offers, while the right hand side displays the menu specific to that counter, day of the week and time of day. Using Signagelive’s intuitive menu management software, Digital Messaging Company is able to ensure the correct menu items and pricing information is displayed on the different screens. Menus are also scheduled to dynamically update, saving significant time and enabling Sodexo to focus on delivering their own core services.

Comments Ian Gabbie, Commercial Director of Digital Messaging Company;

“Strict legislation governs catering services in the Armed Forces. Menus must include certain information and pricing has to be completely transparent. Signagelive’s menu management software ensures that menu boards are completely synchronised and offers the facility to amend menu items on the fly, should the need arise.”

Comments Catrin White, Marketing Director at Sodexo defence;

“Digital Messaging Company have been a pleasure to deal with throughout the mobilisation of our new restaurant facility in Colchester. The screens had been checked and were up and running prior to the launch date with all content managed quickly and efficiently.”

Digital Messaging Company’s installation team worked in tandem with Sodexo’s on-site contractor and project management team to ensure all screens were installed and connected to the network in a timely manner.

Since the restaurant facilities went live on 1st September, the feedback relating to the screens, the content and the service provided by Digital Messaging Company has been extremely positive.

Sodexo Defence plans to roll out further sites with the DMC solution before the end of Q4 2014.