Dynamic Digital Signage Is All About Spontaneity
By Judy Hoffman
It's shopping as usual. You walk by numerous signs and posters. One poster offers
the latest in men's wear. Good-looking ties, you think. Suddenly the ad transitions
into a visual of women's jewellery. Reminded of your upcoming anniversary and you
decide to head to the jewellery counter next. A sale!
While in line at the grocery checkout, the movement of animation on a display catches
your eye. You patiently watch as numerous products float in and out of the screen
as the Manager's Specials. Suddenly a text crawl announces a special on the very
item you are about to purchase. Can't miss this sale! You step out of line and dash
to purchase several more of that item. Another sale!
Another scenario. It's dusk. Strolling leisurely through the entertainment section
of town, you admire the tree-lined streets. As the streetlights begin to flicker,
you notice movement to your right. There on the window of your favourite restaurant
is live video with sound of the tonight's venue and their music sounds great! As
you wonder what admission costs are, it appears in a text crawl at the lower part
of the video. To the left of the video is a text-roll of the night's specials with
yummy-looking pictures of available offerings. You decide to enter. A spontaneous
sale!
Dynamic Digital Signage is all about spontaneity. Unlike static signage that stays
the same digital signage offers more information in an easily renewable, attention-grabbing
medium with ads that slowly transition into a new product or message every 15 to
20 seconds or displays that offer numerous messages with text crawls and rolls,
video clips, or live video.
Options
There are numerous options when it comes to digital signage with new features always
available. Much relies on needs and cost. Options that allow the typical "signage"
look offer savings over printing costs since the system will have years of valuable
use. Ads can be updated several times per day or week. Or images can constantly
change exhibiting endless advertising of products or offerings throughout the day.
A step up from this is true dynamic digital signage, which offers such features
as:
Multiple group support (from one to an unlimited number of zones) each with its
own info such as text, graphics, video, or live video feed and it is narrowcasting
in the truest sense. This option is truly dynamic in that it is linked to a company's
database to keep information up to date. Since information is changed remotely all
content in any of the groups is fresh and offers the ability to display current
weather, sports scores, election results, news headlines, PSA's, or missing child
announcements immediately.
Display Options
Display options are just as numerous and can range from the expected look of signage
to the unexpected. At this time, the preferred is a plasma display.
It has a thinner profile and can be used horizontally (like a television) or vertically
for a poster look. Plasmas can be mounted on walls, hung from ceilings, or freestanding.
Plasmas can also be built into store architecture to look less obtrusive.
Other display options are LCD's, ordinary television monitors, and colour LED's.
Stores, restaurants, hotels, can use their existing television monitors for display
and actually create an in-house information channel.
Projection is another display option with various ways to display besides screens.
Some of which are, transparent films for storefront windows, 3-D films, floors,
walls, and ceilings or just about anything with a specialised paint coating.
What to Look For In a Digital Signage Solutions Provider
A good visual media solutions provider should be able to offer a custom solution
to fit the individual needs of a client and ideally offering a complete one-stop
solution.
This would include, all needed hardware, software, training, displays, sound solutions
and content.
Those considering investing in digital signage may find that providers will have
varied backgrounds. Some may offer only digital signage, but most will have backgrounds
in advertising, traditional signage, video production, graphic arts or video and
broadcast equipment maintenance and sales.
Before teaming up with a provider you need to answer the following questions:
- Exactly what kind of digital signage do you have in mind? Simple images with a typical
signage look? Or do you want more, such as video, text crawls, etc.?
- Do you need something that is dynamic?
- What is the exact need at each display location? Do you need horizontal or vertical
displays?
- Something that suits the architecture? Do you have limited space?
- Will you have a need for live video feed?
- Will you need sound and would it need to be contained?
- Will the digital signage be displayed indoors? Outdoors?
- Are you prepared to provide your own content or would you need a content provider?
- Does the system you are interested in offer a variety of options that will enable
you to change the "look" of your signage in the future?
- What kind of customer service, training and support does the digital signage provider
offer and are they forthcoming with available solutions?
Finding answers to the above questions, allows companies to be competitive and jump
on the "spontaneity bandwagon" by making an informed decision.
Call N2 Communications to discuss your requirements