Digital signage is often touted as a way to boost engagement and sales, but what is it and how can it help? In essence, digital signage is a way to showcase information and/or promotional advertising on indoor or outdoor screens. It includes digital signage software—called content management systems (CMS)—to create, manage, and schedule content, and also consists of digital signage displays and often media players, which display imagery and messaging on-screen.
Digital signage has proven to be an exceptionally powerful communications tool, because it can deliver dynamic content at exactly the right time and place, catching the eye of target audiences. Curious to find out more? Then, read on!
What is a Content Management System (CMS)?
Content management systems (CMS) enable you to create, edit, manage, and schedule your content on-screen.
On-premise CMS Digital Signage Solutions
On-premise CMS solutions are hosted on physical business servers. While they offer more room for customisation, they necessitate ongoing and dedicated IT resources to manage:
- Servers
- Network infrastructure
- Security protocols
- Remote access tools
The Power of Digital Signage in the Cloud
Choosing Digital Signage in the Cloud makes your business more efficient. It is a cost-effective, user-friendly, and infinitely scalable solution. With platforms like Signagelive, you can grow your network instantly. Just update your subscription and add new screens. There is no need for complex, on-site server maintenance.
Hardware Compatibility
Choose CMS solutions like Signagelive that are compatible with a wide range of digital signage screens and media players. This gives you flexibility to mix and match manufacturers as needed.
How does digital signage ensure timely messaging?
Unlike traditional print communications, digital signage ensures timely and relevant messaging at exactly the right location.
With enterprise-grade Digital Signage in the Cloud, such as the Signagelive platform, you can remotely manage your entire global estate from a single browser. This allows you to::
- Pre-schedule content for some or all screens
- Set start and end times so content never overruns
- Edit live content in real-time
- Schedule content across multiple locations
Why choose an enterprise-level digital signage platform?
Advanced platforms offer enhanced, enterprise-level support for the management of large digital signage networks.
Signagelive offers:
- ISO-27001 certification for secure data handling
- Two-factor Authentication (2FA) for an additional layer of security
- Single Sign-On (SSO) for group logins
Signagelive enterprise features also lightens the content management workload. You can:
- Securely roll out customised user roles with Granular User Permissions (GUP)
- Share messaging simultaneously across categorised groups of screens to save time
Digital Signage Displays
Digital signage displays can make or break your content, impacting how effectively it displays on-screen.
Why use professional-grade displays for digital signage?
Always opt for professional digital signage displays. While it may be tempting to use cheaper consumer TVs, they’re unreliable and not designed for commercial use.
Professional-grade displays offer:
- 24/7 operation
- Better heat dissipation
- Lifespans of 70,000+ hours
What are System-on-Chip Displays?
System-on-Chip (SoC) displays are screens with built-in media player functionality. They’re great for minimalistic setups or where space is limited.
Digital Signage Brightness
Choose the right brightness level for your displays, based on their locations. For shopfront windows, 1,500 to 3,500 cd/m² is often necessary for sunlight readability.
What do I need for outdoor digital signage?
You’ll need specialised screens with:
- Weather-proof IP65 or IP66 ratings
- High brightness and anti-glare displays
- Temperature control systems
- Vandal-resistant, toughened glass
Digital Signage Media Players
Invest in reliable media players that offer:
- Multiple connectivity options (WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth)
- Sufficient internal storage for offline content playback
Resolution and Frame Rates
Digital signage can feature impactful high-resolution videos and complex HTML content, but only with the right digital signage displays and media players.
Check that the displays and media players you plan to use can support:
- The picture resolution of your content e.g Full HD (1080p) or 4K (2160p)
- Higher frame rates – 60fps – to ensure the smooth flow of fast-moving videos or animations
What can digital signage do?
Boost Engagement with Immersive Experiences
Digital signage can offer interactive experiences to enhance customer service, as well as captivate and engage audiences.
Create touchscreen experiences for:
- Self-service
- Wayfinding
- Personalised product searches
Boost Sales with Digital Signage
With platforms like Signagelive, you can:
- Deliver immersive experiences by syncing content with connected devices (e.g., lighting)
- Automatically trigger relevant on-screen product information
- Highlight promotions by scheduling screen takeovers across multiple displays
Inform and Inspire
Digital signage is also a highly effective platform for informing and motivating audiences. Securely deliver:
- Real-time updates
- Data from multiple business intelligence platforms for data-driven decision-making
- Emergency notifications at the touch of a button
FAQs
Q: What kind of businesses use digital signage?
A: From hospitals to retail, any business needing timely, visual communication can benefit.
Q: Is digital signage expensive?
A: Not necessarily. Cloud-based CMS platforms are scalable—you only pay for what you use.
Q: What are the benefits of Digital Signage in the Cloud?
A: Digital Signage in the Cloud is often the most cost-effective choice because it eliminates the need for expensive physical servers. It’s highly scalable, meaning you only pay for what you use while receiving automatic security and feature updates.
Ready to level up your digital signage? Reach out today
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