Digital Signage usage is unlimited. If you have a product , service or an organization that needs to attract customers a digital network can be an invaluable communication tool to get noticed. Businesses that have been early adopters of digital signage such as pharmacies, banks, health clinics, hospitals, insurance companies , grocery chains and service organizations such as Tim Horton’s and McDonald’s to name a few have all benefited financially using this new communication medium.
Digital signage has three distinct applications.
- Window Channel-Large screens are mounted inside large windows to attract customers into the organizations facility or office.
- Stand Channel- This is the mainstream screen usually 42″-46″ which carries the organizations regular content and offer.
- Gondola Channel- This is the placement of a small screen at the end or in a product shelf that carries all the needed information on a product or service that is particular to that self. eg. Sunscreen. The application verticals listed below give a brief explanation on how digital signage can be applied in these sectors.
- Ensuring staff and students are up-to-date with latest information: e.g. schools can spend a lot of time printing class timetables, only to encounter confusion when classes printed in timetables are cancelled or rescheduled. While e-mail can be helpful, dynamic message boards, updated in real-time, help reach students who aren’t near a computer.
- Fully customized branding to reflect the school's image, particularly across a large site, enabling a school to stand out from other schools in an increasingly competitive environment where differentiation is critical. Accurate and consistent presentation of graphical and editorial elements (official logos, graphic standards and color schemes, for example) to both internal and external audiences can be easily managed using a digital signage system.
- Emergency Overrides: the speed with which a digital signage network can disseminate information throughout a large school building can be literally a lifesaver should a serious emergency arise. Fire evacuations are just one example, when instructions must be conveyed quickly, clearly and with authority.
- Community Development: Traditional bulletin boards and printed posters cannot keep up. With a digital signage system, information can be communicated instantly across an entire site, replacing existing noticeboards with dynamic, eye catching screens. Flat screens in a public environment are still a novelty, particularly in an educational environment, and by their use alone audience attention is captured. A digital signage network instantly informs students of speakers, sporting events, student achievements, class timetables, photos of school plays and out of school activities.
- Restaurant / Canteen Menus: Whether the students are standing in line or sitting down to eat, digital signage is a great way to catch attention and for example post daily specials in addition to the standard menu. It is also used to promote the Government's campaign to encourage healthy eating.
- Communication: For example where a school magazine was once the sole communication method, with digital signage, students and staff can create their own school TV.
- Event Promotion: Particularly relevant for large campuses, by installing digital signage with large LCD or LED screens around a site, upcoming concerts, sporting events etc can be publicized. Screens can be mounted anywhere students frequent: dining halls, dorm lobbies, student unions, and gyms, and are far more eye-catching than posters taped on walls.
- Education: Screens communicate concepts to students more clearly than blackboards and older, projector-based solutions.
- Cost savings: Static posters and banners are expensive to print and renew on a regular basis to keep the content relevant. With digital signage no printed material is necessary, so both time and cost savings can be made, and the environmental impact is minimized.
- Advertising: More relevant to some countries than others, and certainly more relevant for higher education, students are a key advertising demographic. Digital signage can be an invaluable tool for establishments to generate revenue just by allowing advertisers to deliver content on your screens. Paid content can be easily integrated with your own, on digital signage in student hubs, bookstores, and on-campus restaurants, as well as stadiums and gyms.
- Informs your employees
- Informs your patients and visitors
- Can generate extra revenue
- Decreases perceived wait time
- Saves on costs
- Helps reduce your environmental impact
- Reinforces your brand image
- A window to the operating room
- Health news
- Health communication and education
- Doctors Schedule
- Announcing new doctors and services
- Medic alerts
- Showcasing new treatments
- Wayfinding
- Specialized medical services
- Administration information and staff
- Communicate quickly and simply in a digital format from a central point
- Display your message on 1 or 10,000 screens
- Broadcast information in one or several locations
- Suitable for local, national or international use
- Communicate professionally and invitingly in your own house style
- Suitable for all types of content: data, video and audio
- Clear planning and communication
- Integrates easily into your existing network
- Saves time and money: information is broadcast automatically
Education
What is the benefit to an educational institution:
The video and IT literate generation has come of age, and this is particularly relevant to education; going digital is a necessary transition for today's schools and universities. Students are accustomed to interacting with technology on a day to day basis with the majority of children having grown up with computer games, camera phones, music videos and You Tube. Video and images are increasingly their medium of choice for communication, so incorporating this into their school experience will help to engage them in the classroom, and improve their productivity.
The way information is consumed has and is continuing to change for example News 24 not News at 10.
The newsletter email is no longer as effective: 75% are deleted without being opened according to many managers we have spoken to. More is communicated on the fly in spare moments rather than at planned times through such mediums as, Facebook, twitter and iphones. Following this trend, digital signage is also becoming ubiquitous. Educational establishments can choose to adopt it and use it effectively to improve and enhance their students' learning experiences. Those that are less innovative are likely to get left behind and will have less to offer the individuals they teach.
Why do schools and universities need digital signage?
The simple answer is, that we are all bombarded with information; Schools and Universities in today’s global economy need to compete. Just as the blackboard had to give way to the interactive whiteboard as technology developed, now the noticeboard must be replaced by more contemporary technologies if schools are to be seen as stimulating modern places that are fun and exciting to work and learn in. To compete with iPods, Twitter, text messages and the barrage of other messages hitting teenagers every minute, schools and universities need to use vibrant technology to reach students. This is where digital signage comes in.
EXAMPLE:
A reception area is the first port of call for potential and current parents of students, as well as other visitors to the school. The type of information that needs to be shown to these stakeholders might included photos from activities such as sports day, school plays, school trips, artwork done by pupils and key date/events.
The Education 'industry' is increasingly introducing technology within the education environment at all levels. With digital signage the means of presenting information is extremely versatile and can include video, Flash animation, moving text, alternating images, RSS feeds and live TV. The same message can be introduced at multiple screen locations, perhaps in different buildings and campuses, counties or even countries, from a remote central point. In addition information can be easily disseminated in several languages in today's multi ethnic schools and colleges this can be invaluable.
Some examples of how Digital Signage can be used in schools and universities include:
Healthcare
Medical clinics appreciate that while patients are waiting for their appointments, important health-related tips and information are keeping them entertained, informed and as the day moves on the wait times even get longer. The engaging appeal of digital messaging lessens perceived wait times, reducing stress and annoyance. Health Clinics and hospitals are prime users of digital signage. The development of Health Networks is increasingly becoming a mainstream application for regional health authorities for many reasons: Some of these are:
Retail
Retailers of all types and sizes are already taking advantage of the benefits of digital signage maximizing the digital signage platform through in-store media networks providing customers targeted advertising, touch-screen initiatives, product information programming at the "point-of-consumer," providing visually and audibly-enhanced information when consumers are paying attention and ready to buy. Creative, pleasant, non-obtrusive digital solutions can be used to drastically enhance the store experience for the customer. The most obvious examples of this can be found in grocery stores. At the checkout line there are ads placed by management either marketing products, providing information, or general ads where the store receives a commission.
Transportation
Transportation centers such as commuter train stations, subways, airports, rail lines, buses and others provide a way to provide the captive audience targeted information and advertisements as consumers are on their daily commute, traveling for vacation, etc. These transportation centers are already taking advantage of interactive kiosks for tickets, directions and reservations, flight information systems, on-board broadcasts and local area tourist information systems complete the traveler's experience. Digital signage systems can either replace many of these systems enhancing features or be a complimentary information guide to go along with the infrastructure in place.
Hospitality
Service oriented businesses such as Hotels, Casinos, Resorts, Cruise Ships, Night Clubs, Bars, VIP Club Rooms and others use close-circuited solutions to broadcast helpful, targeted messages to members and guests. Interactive kiosks strategically placed throughout each venue offer services such as directions and reservations, resort amenities and convention and meeting schedules. All of which enhance the member/guest experience and make their stay more pleasant and enjoyable.
Financial
Banks, Stock Tickers. One of the fastest-growing outlets for digital signage resides within the financial world as bank products and service programs can be demonstrated visually via digital screens, interactive kiosk technology in-store broadcast networks. Financial institutions can further brand themselves as trusted sources of information as consumers navigate their way through making the challenging decisions associated with money management. One useful application is to use Digital signs to display daily currency rates.
Public Spaces
Recreation and Community Centres, Stadiums, Arenas, Museums, Aquariums, Zoos, Monuments and other self-guided or tour-led facilities can enhance the visitor experience through outdoor and indoor digital signage networks offering in-depth, sensory-driven information about artistic displays, historical documents, artifacts, animal and marine life, plus interactive technology offering maps, directions and facility information such as restroom and food service locations.
Supermarkets
Grocery Stores, Pharmacies. Grocers of all size and scope utilize digital signage technology to better serve shoppers through screens which can promote weekly, daily or hourly price specials through in-store screen networks, while selling national brand advertising space to manufacturers, promoting buyer-brand awareness and improving the overall shopping experience. Interactive technologies located in zones like the deli and bakery counter, produce section and pharmacy provide informative information key to the consumer.
Gas Stations
Interactive screens enhance customer experience at the pump and in-store offering brand advertising, discounts, special features such as snacks, soft drinks and coffee bars. Outdoor signs can be used to change fluctuating gas prices quickly and efficiently from remote locations.
Entertainment
Sports Arenas, Movie Theatres, Amusement Parks. Arenas use digital signage platforms throughout their venues to broadcast game scores and highlights wrapped with powerful advertising messaging. Theaters utilize networks to show movie trailers, show times, food and beverage specials and enhanced product advertising.
Internal Communication
In large or in multi-branch facilities, digital signage is a dynamic communication tool. You control the content. Highlight important dates and events, celebrate successes and milestones, or deliver safety-and related messages.
Wayfinding
Large buildings, offices, hospitals and shopping malls can be navigation nightmares for visitors. Digital signage can be an effective tool and build customer loyalty!
Revenue Generator
Digital display signage is becoming a serious player in the new media sector. Advertisers recognize the impact dynamic, moving messages can have on a captive audience and are shifting advertising dollars to this cost-effective medium. With CMN Digital Signage Solutions, ad lengths and rotations can be entirely flexible. We'll help develop a rate card that will make it a win-win for you and for the advertiser. There is usually a revenue sharing program with the network owner to offset the cost of the network.
