The first step to setting up digital signage displays is to procure all the hardware, software, and other resources you need. It's always a good idea to spend enough time researching before making a choice. For instance, you may need to choose between a touch-screen and a regular display. If your business needs customer interaction, it is always better to choose a touch-screen and a cloud baseddigital signage solution. For example, employing an easy to usetouch screen kiosk at a restaurant will make ordering and payment processing a breeze. If you need to disseminate information, use regular LED displays, which are easier on the pocket.
It may appear simple, but a great deal of technology is involved in making a digital signage system effective. At a broad level, a digital signage display system can be divided in the following categories-
- Hardware- It includes the physical components -- screens (for instance, LED displays), media players (if necessary), other network components, mounts, etc.
- Software- The device management system, the playback software, and the solution to stream the content.
- Connectivity- One of the trickiest parts of having digital signage displays is ensuring connectivity -- deciding on whether you want to use hard-line, Wi-Fi, or mobile technologies.
- Installation- The installation process is long and includes site surveys, evaluation of the weight of the hardware, weather conditions if you have chosen an outdoor location, and the final installation with all connections intact.
- Content- A content management system (CMS) and the continuous flow and change of content, whenever necessary, is important to keep the display effective and relevant to the target group.
Here is a step-wise guide on how to put together digital signage displays.
1. Choose the display device for your signage- To display any content, you will need a display device -- the front end of your digital signage hardware. The display device and the content are the only components your target audience will see.
2. Determine your media players- Once you set up the display, you need a media player that is compatible with the display device to deliver the media to the display unit. There are several varieties of content players, each with its own configurations and properties. The IT team and the digital signage developers must consider the process's challenges. Different media players support different types of media through codecs. Advanced software saves these media files on the internal storage to ensure uninterrupted playback if there is an internet connectivity issue. In the case of a streaming solution, constant internet connectivity is required.
3. Choose a distribution network- One of the best examples of content distribution is cable television, with which a service provider distributes video programming. However, most current technologies use wireless technology, like Wi-Fi and even Ethernet, to cast content on a display device. For wireless technology to work effectively, a stable internet connection is a must. In the absence of a reliable internet connection or reach places where the internet is inconsistent, hardware (HDMI, AV, VGA cables) is the best choice.
4. Content management system and content are key- Content Management Systems (CMS) and content are the pillars of effective digital signage. CMS is the software that works in the background and manages what to display and how to display it on electronic signage. You have to upload content to the CMS interface if it's cloud based and it will keep rolling.
However, if it isn't cloud based, you will have to manually upload it time-to-time on the online user interface to control how it displays.
Once the CMS is set up, it is time for the most important element -- the content. The adage "content is the king" isn't popular for no reason. Content, or clear communication with your target group, can make a huge difference to your business. Thus, it's important to have a content team that understands your business, is aware of new developments, and creates effective content to display on your digital signage.