Friday, 13 February 2015

Managing Content for Digital Signage



Digital signage is the newest method of advertisement to both small and big sections of viewers, such as, schools, banks, hotels and malls. It is a highly useful medium to share and display vital information in different formats across a wide range of audience. 

Moreover, Digital Signage technology cuts down the cost of advertising, because print media is no longer in use, i.e., businesses no longer need to get brochures and pamphlets printed. This is in turn reduces the labor to a significant level. No wonder, today the Digital Signage technology is taking the world by storm. 

Different contents displayed on a single screen

The conventional advertising methods were based on one or two types of content formats, such as pamphlets and brochures, and these did not result in reaching out to a diverse populace. However, now businesses and brands can have multiple content formats, and all of these formats can be displayed on a single screen only. 

This means that anything from texts to videos can be shown on one output medium, i.e., monitors and screens. So now you can print brochures or catalogues and email them as well to the target audience in your network. 

Various content formats to choose from

To capture the attention of your target audience, you can use different content formats, such as, text, image, video or flash animation. Thus, you are no longer restricted to printed pages (print media) alone; you can connect with a larger audience through a video or a documentary on your company’s image and products. 

Digital Signage network shares the live feeds on social network sites, such as, Twitter, FaceBook and YouTube. And this means that you always have latest and colossal amounts of relevant data to share with your audience on the globe. 

Hassle free and easy Technology

One of the best features of Digital Signage network is that it can be updated with the help of a button. No more do you have to pin pages to the notice boards. Whatever new information is available you can just update the system and that will be instantly showcased. 

This makes the process of data updation really quick and easy. You will no longer have to go through the huge and expensive process of adding workflow processes that includes editing, printing and distributing. 

These factors have made the Digital Signage network highly efficient and really easy to use as a medium of advertising. Through one principle computer you can control the information on the screens or the monitors.

Three Vital Aspects of Digital Signage Technology



Digital signage technology has made information flow process much faster. It has enhanced the way information flows and gets delivered to the public. This technology works on three parts, namely software, hardware and content. All of these aspects are vital to run a successful Digital Signage network

These 3 aspects together build the digital signage network. 

Software:

The software of the network is important because it controls the data flow. It needs to be latest and powerful, so that the system does not lag or hang if the data flow is excessive.  For the machine to operate smoothly on the network, businesses should choose a compatible OS with the network. Usually, the Microsoft operating system is the best and the newer versions are better. However, users can also opt for Linux based OS, as well. 

These operating systems must be web based as that will help you to quickly and efficiently transfer data straight from the web onto your network. Make sure there is a scope for customization for the display and sound of the network. This will help you to display only fresh and new data. Focus on the cost and maintenance of the software. Inquire in advance the cost and time-frame needed to upgrade/change the software, lest you will be in a rude shock.  

Hardware:

When it comes to hardware, you will need to decide on the size of the displays you want on the network. You can choose from different sized screens, monitors or electronic billboards. Your selection will depend on what kind of information you wish to share and display on the digital signage network.

Further, ensure that the use of cable wires is less and alternative modes of connectivity such as Wi-Fi and USB are used to connect the hardware and display information. Remember, less wires will help you maintain the network in a better way and will cut down the maintenance costs of the hardware. 

Content: 

Content is the King! 

The content is the most important aspect of the digital signage network so make sure you have a collection of good and meaningful content to showcase. The content can include both print and digital media to educate and entertain users/potential customers. 

Use any inbuilt content editor to manage the content and display it the way you wish to on your network. Using pre-crafted templates will help you to display information in a highly efficient way and also reduce the cumbersome job of designing a template. Instead of designing new templates, concentrate on writing and displaying concrete information relevant to your target audience.
To run a successful digital signage technology network, you must keep in mind these 3 vital facts.

Monday, 12 January 2015

How Restaurants and food chains can utilize digital menu boards?



Digital signage, a cloud based solution is leading display technology that is surpassing all other display formats in the market. In hospitality industry especially, QSR’s are using this technology at it’s best in the form of digital menu boards. 

Digital Menu board is extended software of digital signage that overcomes the hurdles of many conventional menu board display formats such as flex board, pamphlets, laminated menu boards or chalkboards.  

1.       Show off your tasty dishes

They say the best formula for successful restaurant is its aroma that attracts customers to try your outlet. The little known fact is impressive presentation of food items also brings the urge for viewer to try your dish. Digital menu board is web based software solution that supports various file formats such as images, text, flash animation, videos etc. HD images of well garnished dishes or a commercial video is an excellent way to allure customer.

2.       New recipes every day or changing prices - Keep it Moving

Menuboards are subject to dayparting in restaurant industry as menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner is different and it varies every day. This is the reason digital menu boards prove to be much more effective than any other formats. Also once you print your menu card it becomes costly affair to change the details every time the prices changes or you add any new dishes. Digital signage software practically digitizes your menu card and the task is easy enough as you can create or edit the layout of menu card easily. Just one publish button and changes are activated through one click


3.       Don’t just show Menu items…there is room for more!

Digital signage software allows you to divide your screen into multiple regions so you can show the current offers in format of scrolling ticker. While your menu card items can be displayed in one portion, images or videos can be played in other.
Digital Menuboard effectively merge the benefits of having a digital menuboard and digital signage. Another way to look at digital menu board is as a revenue stream especially in QSR’s. One region on digital signage screen can easily show promotional content for the brands associated with a restaurants hence revenue through ad space selling is added advantage.

Friday, 2 January 2015

Availing Benefits from LED Video Wall



Why you develop advertising / promotional campaigns? Isn't it to garner attention and recognition from your target audience? Along with content the medium plays major role in terms of reach and delivering the right message. In today’s world when everything is going digital, LED video wall brings out the best in advertising. 

Here's how to get the best results. 

 Use High Contrast and Brightness

Advertising been known for using bright colors and visual techniques because that’s what attracts the viewers in short span of attention. LCD video walls are LED backlit displays which affects its abilities to provide high contrast, bright and clear picture. LED video wall is made up of true color technology hence it provides high contrast, brightness and high resolutions; as a result the output is vivid, bright and catchy. 

Choose Suitable Shape and Size 

When you want to create out of the box display with long lasting impact LED video wall in innovative shapes or unusual sizes work the best.  LED Videowalls are seamless i.e. bezel free as a result any shaped or sized LED wall will look like one seamless display. You can hook a large audience as your content becomes interesting and is seen clearly from long distances too. Make your content presentation memorable with HD images, flash animations, and live feed from sites like twitter or videos. Scale this mantra of perfect content on right LED display to any form or size for greater flexibility and use, such as, oval, pyramid, cylinder and cementric shaped LED display.

For example, you can embed interactive LED display solution into custom furniture or large architectural structures.

Software Back-up

Further, XM software designed for LED display is user friendly & can bring the variety of integration in terms of content to be displayed.

Simple Display Setup

Processors of video walls supply a consistent format of signal output. This eliminates the need of saving adjustments of unique inputs such as phase, position, or size for varied signal types related to each display. Management of input multiple formats across common format of output simplifies integration. After all, you need to configure the display for single refresh rate and resolution. Display driving at native resolution maintains best quality of images avoiding unnecessary or inefficient scaling within a display.
Since, LED display solution can present large amounts of information and makes it readily available to the target audience; it is rapidly gaining popularity in educational institutions, hospitals, exhibitions, banks and commercial buildings.