What is digital signage?

What is digital signage?
July 26, 2023

Digital signage refers to a form of visual communication that uses digital displays, such as LCD screens, LED panels, projectors, or video walls, to present multimedia content for informational, advertising, or entertainment purposes. It allows organizations and businesses to display dynamic and engaging content to their target audience, replacing traditional static signage with more interactive and versatile solutions.

From videos at the gas pump to programming in waiting areas to airport check-in and hotel maps, digital signs entertain and inform customers in businesses of all sizes. Digital signage has many benefits if you really know when to use digital signage. The business world accepts engaging and large-scale digital signage in response to the emerging popularity of dynamic signage and interactive content. Read on for a definition of digital signage, components, examples of digital signage, and more.

What is digital signage?
Digital signage is a screen displaying menus, information, advertising, and other messages. Digital signage displays (using LCD, LED, OLED, or projected images) are visible in various places, such as banks, restaurants and churches. Digital signage for offices is also very trending nowadays for internal workplace communication.

In other words, digital signage is a centralized system that serves the digital content like menus, advertisement news, live weather etc., allowing digital content to be displayed on one or more displays or screens.

Examples of digital signage uses
Digital signage is an effective way to influence decision-making, enhance customer experience in your store and improve the communication with your community, audience or even employees. It can disseminate public information, internal messages, product information, promotions, and more.

Digital signage in banks
Digital Signage helps banks in the following ways:

Provides quick and informative in-branch banking services.
Promotes relevant services and timely information to keep customers informed and entertained during their stay.
Provides concierge-level service and one-on-one personalization to committed customers, boosting brand value.
Notifies customers about schedules, waiting for queues, token numbers, and many more.
Digital signage in restaurants
digital signage in restaurants
Digital Signage helps restaurants in the following ways;

The content displayed on digital signage can vary widely, including:

Advertisements: Digital signage is often used for advertising products, services, or promotions in retail stores, shopping malls, airports, and other public spaces.

Informational Messages: It can be used to display news updates, weather forecasts, real-time data, or emergency alerts in various settings like corporate offices, public transportation, and educational institutions.

Wayfinding: Digital signage aids in guiding visitors by displaying maps, directions, and points of interest in large venues like museums, hospitals, and convention centers.

Menu Boards: Restaurants and cafes use digital menu boards to showcase their offerings, prices, and attractive food images.

Corporate Communication: Companies utilize digital signage to share internal updates, employee recognition, and announcements with their staff.

Interactive Content: Some digital signage setups include touchscreens or other interactive features to engage users and allow them to interact with the displayed content.

Keeps customers interested and informed about meal specials, seasonal goods, and special discounts.
Provides nutritional information directly next to customer food and drinks items.
Highlights favorable consumer feedback on the food, location, overall experience, and other comments that speak well of the restaurant.
Keeps the customers entertained while they wait for their food by providing access to popular TV shows, YouTube content, or even branded advertisements from restaurants.
Components of digital signage
You may be curious about how much digital signage costs, however it is an investment that will definitely pay off in the long run. Digital signage can help you market a product, launch your brand, communicate messages to the general public, and interact with anyone who sees it. You can also use digital signage to engage people waiting in long lines. You don’t even have to choose between a static and digital sign; they can both educate, inform, and entertain your target audience.

Every digital signage project includes the following digital signage components, all of which require thought and planning:

Digital displays
The digital signage displays are screens that everyone will see playing various multimedia content, and they are the most adaptable banners in the world. To meet your requirements, choose from single large format screens to multi-screen TV video walls, complimentary kiosks, shelf-edge displays, digital signage projectors, and even various-sized digital signage tablets.

Commercial digital signage displays resemble standard consumer flat-screen TVs in appearance, but they are more durable and may be used 24/7 without causing screen burn. Furthermore, they can be made brighter to match the ambient light and used in portrait or landscape orientation. Digital displays are LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens that, like current televisions, are lighted from the edge using LEDs.

Media players
The media player is in charge of storing and transmitting content to the digital signage system. Digital signage players are hidden, and most can fit in the palm of your hand, making them convenient to use. Most displays are paired with a media player, though some can work with multiple displays simultaneously. The majority of the media players can connect to the display via HDMI, making setup and configuration much more straightforward.

media player
Some digital signage has built-in media players, while some have third-party apps to store and play media. Media player retrieves its content from the internet or the local storage such as a hard disk. It becomes easier to access control wherever you go with cloud-based but needs the internet. But, with local storage, it works offline as well.

The display can also be controlled by media players, which allows them to turn it off during off-hours and extend the equipment’s lifespan.

Software
The software consists mainly of content and device management systems. Your content could be played on the display with the help of a digital signage content management system (CMS). These systems come with many features, all of which are priced differently. You can upload and organize your stuff, make a playlist, and share the same content across several players. Other CMS can only handle a particular type of content, whereas others can hold text, photos, videos, etc.

If you want to use many screens in different locations, you’ll need to be able to control them all from afar. With the correct device management software, you can collect playback data from media players, check their health (temperature, storage space, etc. ), take screenshots, update the software, and remotely reset the device. In addition to the alternatives in the market, you can also find many open source digital signage software.

Connectivity
A digital signage player is usually inserted into an electrical socket and connected to a display through an HDMI cable. VGA, DVI, and RCA connections are also available on some devices, but HDMI is the most common.

A cloud-based digital signage solution allows the player to access your content from the internet. A web-based content management system will enable you to access your content over the internet. Some players save content “locally” on the device like a hard drive.

One player delivers content to one display. For multiple displays, use an HDMI splitter, which allows one device to connect to multiple displays. If you intend to have multiple displays, it is best to buy a package that includes multiple players. This is never an issue because modern digital signage players are inexpensive to buy and produce.

Content
The content is the most exciting aspect of digital signage because you have complete control over what you show your audience. You’ll be able to communicate with them, and if everything goes as planned, you’ll be able to meet your campaign goals.

milk tray
Even if you have the best software and hardware, your investment will be for naught if you don’t have the right content to play on it.

However, content is the project’s most expensive ongoing cost. To keep your content relevant, you must continuously create new content. What works on the first day may not operate a month or even a year later.

You can display slides, graphics, videos, pictures, animations, 3D graphics, live feeds, database contents and 3rd party apps.

The content on digital signage can be managed and updated remotely, allowing for real-time changes and flexibility in messaging. This flexibility makes it an effective tool for marketing, branding, and conveying information in various industries, including retail, hospitality, transportation, healthcare, and more.

Additionally, digital signage allows for better audience engagement compared to traditional static signage, as it can capture attention through dynamic visuals, animations, and interactive elements, leading to improved customer experiences and increased effectiveness in conveying messages.

Conclusion
Businesses can use digital signage for various purposes, including marketing, morale, and navigation. By following digital signage best practices and avoiding common digital signage mistakes, you can also communicate your message in a vibrant, engaging, and fascinating way.