Digital signage solutions have revolutionized how businesses and institutions communicate with their audience. Electronic signs have become ubiquitous for information dissemination, branding, and advertising from city centers to corporate lobbies. However, the effectiveness of these displays hinges not just on the content they showcase but also on their design and infrastructure.
Planning a solid digital signage network requires understanding the scope of the project. From hardware and software considerations to maintenance, we'll look into how to plan a successful digital signage installation.
The design goal for a digital signage network is to fulfill a business's operational needs, such as timely content delivery, enhanced aesthetics, and brand promotion.
Design objective
In addition to the functional requirements, the signage solution designer should also consider the following general design concepts:
- Scalability: The design should be flexible enough to allow for easy expansion or reduction as needed.
- Availability: The network should be designed to ensure maximum uptime and minimize downtime.
- Uptime: The displays should be operational as much as possible.
- Cost: The total cost of ownership and return on investment should be considered.
- Maintainability: The network should be easy to maintain and manage.
- Content management: A robust and easy-to-use content management system should be included.
- Hardware and software selection: Reliable and suitable hardware and software should be chosen.
Besides these, there are a few advanced criteria that need to be considered. Read on to find out.
Software selection
An efficient network helps fulfill diverse business objectives and criteria, including:
- User-friendly interface: Choose intuitive and straightforward signage software to navigate.
- Compatibility: Ensure the software is compatible with various hardware components and file formats.
- Support & updates: Prioritize software providers that offer active support and regular updates.
Pro Tips
- Vendor reliability: Opt for vendors with a strong reputation for excellent support.
- Future-proofing: Think ahead! Consider future technological needs and advancements when making your initial software selection.
- Warranties & service agreements: Familiarize yourself with warranty duration and the specifics of service agreements.
- Security: Prioritize providers with certifications such as SOC2 or ISO 27001.
Network infrastructure
- Stability: Aim for a network that offers stability and reliability to minimize potential downtime.
- Security: Implement robust security measures to safeguard data transmission.
- Bandwidth: Ensure the network has sufficient bandwidth for seamless content delivery across all screens.
Media player selection
- Performance: The player device should have the necessary processing power and memory for uninterrupted content playback.
- Reliability: Choose players renowned for their durability and consistent performance.
- Compatibility: The player should be compatible with the selected software and screen technology.
Pro Tips
- Operating hours: Consider the operational hours of your signage network. Implement features like motion sensors to optimize power usage.
- Placement considerations: Choose the player based on its intended location. For instance, digital billboards need players that can withstand extreme weather and potential vandalization.
Display selection
- Visibility: Screens should be luminous and transparent, considering the intended viewing distance and ambient lighting.
- Durability: Opt for screens designed to endure their specific environments, such as outdoor settings or high-traffic areas.
- Energy efficiency: Be mindful of power consumption and lean towards energy-efficient screen models.
Cost of deploying signage network
Network costs vary due to its multifaceted applications, including elements like hardware, software, maintenance efforts, content creation and management. The hardware cost includes screens and players, with the latter influencing content processing. Software, pivotal to the system, can be cloud-based with a subscription model or on-premise with a one-time fee as offered by Pickcel.
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