What is Digital Signage

Digital signage is the display of content on TV screens using online technology to control the content of a screen, thus eliminating the cost of printing. As well as being cost efficient, content is scalable and can be changed on the fly with little to no cost using cloud based software such as a content management system. They are used in fast food restaurants as digital menu boards, used inside shopping malls as informational, wayfinding and advertising displays. They are even used in fitness centers, spas, gyms, hotels, hospitals and dental clinics not only as information displays, but also to entertain waiting customers, thus lowering the perceived amount of wait time. They are also great to advertise in-house products and services to clients or patients waiting so as to generate more sales. They drive up sales and are considered great to upsell client’s purchasing decisions at the point of sale.

Digital Signage is the remote controlled playback of content on any given TV. It is made up of a flat screen TV projecting content such as digital restaurant menus, advertising, or information from a media player attached to the HDMI of your TV. You need Wi-Fi or an internet connection for initial setup and for updating.

Using the internet or Wi-Fi, the media player, plays your content onto your TV through our app which is controlled by a Content Management Software, managing all your content and pointing them to the right screens. You also need iCloud hosting to host all your content.

To recap, first you need a graphic designer to design and create your content, which is then uploaded to the iCloud and managed from there by the Content Management System which runs it through an app onto your TV, via a media player using Wi-Fi.

It is important not only to understand how digital signage works but to use it correctly. When asked, over 70% of shoppers didn’t remember seeing. There are three components in a digital signage system.

They are:

1. Content Management System: Also known as a CMS, which is where the content for your digital signage system is uploaded to and told to which screen to deploy. You can also schedule and time your content using the CMS
2. Digital Signage Player: Once your content is uploaded to your CMS, they are sent across the cloud and received by your media player or players. These players are connected to flat screen TVs via the HDMI port. Vendors often package both media players and TVs with the CMS digital signage software.
3. Digital Screen: There are both commercial screens and regular flat screen TVs that you can purchase from any major retailer. There are many factors to consider when selecting your screen or screens. Keep in mind the price, quality, and durability when making your selection depending on where you will be installing them.

With the understanding of digital signage and how it all works, it will better allow you to make the right choices so as to keep costs low, hence keeping profit margins high.