What is Digital Signage?

What is Digital Signage?

 

Imagine transforming how you connect with your audience, using technology that bridges the gap between digital innovation and physical spaces. This is the premise of digital signage, a dynamic communication platform that elevates the traditional concept of signage into an interactive, engaging experience. In this guide, we explore the ways that digital signage displays can revolutionize your space, redefine your messaging, and create unforgettable interactions to address common questions such as: 

  • What is digital signage? 
  • How does digital signage work? 
  • Why use digital signage? 

Digital Signage, Defined

 

As a touchstone between organizations and people, digital signage is a type of electronic display that shows information, advertising, and other forms of visual content. These dynamic displays are powerful vehicles for delivering consistent messaging, sharing inspiring content, and strengthening community bonds in both public and private environments, including retail stores, hotels, restaurants, and corporate offices, among other locations. 

 

Digital signage solutions include many technologies, such as display screens, mounting systems, media players, remote power management, network switches, connectivity solutions, and more. It offers several advantages over traditional signage, including the ability to update content remotely over the internet, adapt the screens to viewers and context, and even interact with the audience through touch screens, sensors, and other inputs. This technology is increasingly used for outdoor advertising, wayfinding, event broadcasting, retail signage, and immersive installations designed to engage customers or visitors. 

 

How does digital signage work?

 

Digital signage uses hardware, software, and services to display and manage content dynamically. At its core, this technology allows for the seamless management and dissemination of digital

information across various platforms, from single screens to extensive networks spread over multiple locations. The essence of digital signage lies in its ability to facilitate real-time communication with audiences, offering businesses the flexibility to update and tailor messages quickly in response to changing circumstances or audience needs. 

 

Digital signage is inherently scalable, adapting to the needs of businesses regardless of size. Whether for a local restaurant or a multinational corporation, digital signage systems can be expanded or modified to cover an extensive array of screens, enhancing visibility and engagement across different environments. 

 

This technology empowers businesses to broadcast information and engage with their customers through interactive content, making it a versatile tool for marketing, information dissemination, and customer service. With digital signage, businesses can create immersive experiences that captivate their audience, encourage interaction, and foster a deeper connection with their brand.

 

What are the components of a digital signage display?

 

Digital signage encompasses a diverse array of configurations, each tailored to specific contexts, goals, and installation requirements. While the exact components necessary for any given application can vary widely, each digital signage solution will require hardware, software, and services from the following lists:  

 

Hardware

 

  • Display: Display screens are fundamental components of digital signage displays. They are available in various sizes, resolutions, and technologies (LCD, LED, or OLED), allowing for flexibility in meeting different digital signage applications' specific needs and requirements. 
  • Display Mount: Display mounts securely attach the display to a wall, ceiling, or floor stand, ensuring proper placement and stability for optimal viewing. 
  • Media Player or Video Processor: Display configurations require a media player or video processor to handle content playback, synchronize content delivery across multiple screens, and connect to content management systems (CMS) for remote management and updates. 
  • Network Connectivity Equipment: Network connectivity equipment such as a network switch, network patch cable, and Wi-Fi bridge extender facilitate communication between various components, enabling remote management, content distribution, and synchronization. 
  • Cables: Cables, such as HDMI cables, are essential for transmitting audio and video signals between media players or video processors and the display screens. 
  • Cable Management: Cable management solutions, including cable trays, raceways, and clips, organize and conceal cables to maintain a tidy and professional appearance, reduce the risk of damage and accidents, and simplify maintenance activities. 
  • Power Solutions: Power Distribution Units (PDUs) and Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS) are integral to digital signage displays for ensuring reliable and consistent operation. PDUs distribute electrical power from a single source to multiple devices, while UPS systems provide backup power during outages, preventing disruptions to content playback and system functionality.
  • AV Equipment Storage: Racks, in-wall storage boxes, lever lock storage plates, and other storage solutions are essential for organizing and securing the various components of digital signage displays. These storage solutions streamline installation, enhance equipment protection, and contribute to digital signage displays' overall reliability and professionalism. 
  • Outdoor-Rated Equipment: Outdoor digital signage displays require special hardware to withstand the elements. Kiosks, display stands, mounts, charging stations, wireless access points, and displays are designed to be weatherproof and durable so that display systems are reliable even in harsh conditions. 

Software

 

  • CMS: This software allows users to create, upload, schedule, and manage the content that will be displayed. It often includes features for organizing content into playlists, applying templates for consistent branding, and monitoring the performance of displays. 
  • Player Software:This software runs on the hardware devices connected to the display screens and is responsible for retrieving content from the CMS, caching it locally for offline playback if necessary, and rendering it on the screen according to the specified schedule and layout. 
  • Analytics Software: Some digital signage solutions incorporate analytics software to track the performance and effectiveness of the displayed content. 

 

Services 

  • Content Creation and Management: These services involve designing and producing visually appealing and engaging content tailored to the specific needs and objectives of the display. 
  • Installation and Setup: These services include the physical installation of hardware components such as screens, media players, and mounting systems, as well as the configuration and integration of software systems. 
  • Support and Maintenance: These services are crucial to ensure the digital signage display's continuous operation and optimal performance. They include troubleshooting technical issues, performing software updates, and providing regular maintenance to keep the hardware in good working condition. 

7 Common Types of Digital Signage

 

Digital signage has a wide range of applications, including the following: 

  1. Restaurant Menus: Digital restaurant menus offer dynamic content updates, enabling restaurants to showcase menu items, prices, specials, and nutritional information in an engaging and visually appealing format. 
  2. Directories: Digital directories provide crucial information in public spaces such as shopping centers, airports, universities, and healthcare facilities, helping visitors navigate complex environments by locating specific stores, offices, or amenities. 
  3. Wayfinding Maps: These digital displays offer maps and directions to guide users through large venues such as campuses, hospitals, and transportation hubs, simplifying navigation and enhancing the visitor experience. 
  4. Immersive Displays: Immersive displays create captivating environments through large-scale visuals, augmented reality, or virtual reality experiences, enhancing engagement in retail stores, museums, corporate environments, and entertainment venues.  
  5. Interactive Displays: Interactive displays allow users to engage with the content through touch screens or other input methods. These displays are commonly used for navigation, self-service, product information, and customer engagement.  
  6. Communications: Digital signage displays are used for communication needs such as real-time updates, corporate news, and announcements in office buildings, manufacturing facilities, and educational institutions.
  7. Advertisements: Digital signage for advertisements aims to increase brand awareness and promote products or services through dynamic and targeted content delivery in high-traffic areas such as shopping malls, transportation hubs, and commercial districts.  

Why use digital signage?

 

Digital signage offers many benefits for businesses and organizations across various industries. Here are some of the key advantages: 

  1. Unlock Dynamic Content Updates: Unlike traditional printed signage, digital signage allows instant and remote content updates. 
  2. Save Money: Over time, digital signage can be more cost-effective than printed signs due to eliminating physical production, shipping, and installation costs associated with new campaigns. 
  3. Increase Engagement: With interactive digital signage, businesses can dynamically engage customers, offering touch screens, QR codes, and other technologies that encourage audience participation. 
  4. Target the Messaging: Digital signage allows businesses to display targeted messages at specific times, tailoring content to different audiences throughout the day or in response to particular events, enhancing the impact and reach of communication efforts. 
  5. Increase Retention and Recall: Dynamic and engaging multimedia content can significantly improve message retention and recall among viewers, making digital signage an effective tool for advertising and information dissemination. 
  6. Improve Operations: Digital signage can streamline operations by displaying real-time information such as queue times, product availability, and schedules, reducing the need for staff to communicate this information manually. 
  7. Gain Valuable Insights: Advanced digital signage solutions can integrate with analytics tools to measure viewer engagement and the effectiveness of the content, providing valuable insights for optimizing future communications. 

Discover Digital Signage Solutions with Legrand | AV

 

Are you ready to transform your communication strategy with cutting-edge digital signage solutions? Legrand | AV is here to help. Explore our comprehensive range of digital signage solutions and resources such as our Trends & Solutions eBook, Digital Signage Diagrams Collection, Digital Signage Top Products Guide, TiLED Web Tool, and more, to take the first step toward unlocking the full potential of digital signage for your business.