Digital Signage

What is digital signage? – The Definition

What are the different types of digital signage?

2: Digital Signage Software: Must-Have Features

What is digital signage? – The Definition

What is a digital signage system?

What is digital signage?

Digital signage refers to LED, LCD, or OLED screens that are controlled by specialized software and dynamically display different kinds of content, such as text, graphics, videos, interactive features, and live broadcasts.

These screens are common in outdoor public spaces, serving as striking billboards in well-known locations like Times Square or Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. They have a variety of uses indoors, improving consumer interactions and dialogue in shops, restaurants, cafes, workplaces, medical facilities, transit hubs, and places of worship.

The operational effectiveness of digital signage is one of its main benefits. Electronic displays, in contrast to traditional signage, do not require printing, allowing for quick content updates. This functionality streamlines the operations of managing and playing back information while guaranteeing audiences receive pertinent and timely communication.

The conference room number appears on an acrylic door sign on the left. In addition to the room number, an electronic digital door signage on the right shows the agenda, length of the present meeting, future schedules, date and time, and other dynamic information that may be updated as needed.

Software that simplifies maintenance is used to handle the majority of contemporary signs networks. These software programs frequently come with an extensive toolkit for media design. This implies that users will only need one platform to generate, publish, and oversee all on-screen messaging.

Take complete control of your screens. Try Digisigns.

What is a digital signage system?

A digital signage system is more than just a collection of screens; it encompasses a comprehensive technology infrastructure that enables seamless content delivery and management. This holistic approach to communication is why we often refer to it as a ‘digital signage system.’

At its core, a digital signage system comprises three essential components:

The hardware
The software or Content Management System (CMS)
The content

A. Digital signage hardware

This includes the physical displays such as LED, LCD, or OLED screens, as well as any necessary peripherals like media players, network devices, and mounting hardware. These components are carefully selected to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and scalability based on the specific requirements of the deployment environment. From large video walls in bustling transportation hubs to smaller displays in corporate lobbies, the hardware forms the foundation of the digital signage network, providing the canvas on which captivating content is presented.

The digital signage hardware comprises:

Display screen: Similar to a TV, this screen presents information and can be a signage media player. Commercial-grade screens offer durability and superior display quality.

Signage player: This device connects to the screen and plays content, pulling it from a centralized management system. It supports various formats like videos, images, and HTML.

Mounting hardware: Brackets and cables securely install screens on walls or suspend them from ceilings. They ensure proper alignment and stability for optimal visibility.

B. Software or Content Management System (CMS):

The software component is the backbone of the system, facilitating the creation, scheduling, distribution, and management of multimedia content across the network of displays. A robust CMS enables users to easily design engaging content using intuitive tools and templates, schedule playback times to coincide with peak audience traffic, and monitor the performance of their digital signage network in real-time. With features such as remote management and automated content updates, the CMS empowers administrators to efficiently control every aspect of their digital signage deployment, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for viewers.

The brains of the system are the software programs, which process and present data on screens with ease. These are some of its salient characteristics:

1. Information management system (CMS): An intuitive interface gives consumers easy control over displayed information. Scheduled content appearance, remote screen administration, compatibility with several media formats (JPG, MP4, GIF, HTML, HTTPS), integration tools, personalized layout design, and content optimization for multiple devices are some of the key features.

Image: The Digisigns dashboard as it appears on the user’s laptop

2. Cloud-based management: Benefits of cloud adoption include scalability, easy content distribution across regions, and simpler server infrastructure maintenance. Anywhere in the world can access the dashboard or CMS with cloud-hosted digital signage software.

C. Digital signage content

High-quality, relevant content is vital for capturing audience attention and effectively communicating messages. This can include a variety of media types such as images, videos, text, animations, and live data feeds. Whether it’s promoting new products in retail environments, providing way finding information in transportation terminals, or delivering real-time news updates in corporate settings, compelling content is the key to driving engagement and delivering impact messaging.

Together, these components work in tandem to create immersive and engaging experiences for viewers in various settings, from retail stores and corporate offices to transportation hubs and public spaces. By leveraging the latest advancements in hardware technology, powerful software platforms, and captivating content, digital signage systems have become indispensable tools for organizations looking to communicate effectively with their target audiences in the digital age.

How does a digital signage system work?

In a digital signage system, the journey from user input to content display follows a straightforward process:

User Actions:

Login: Users access the CMS dashboard by logging in.
Pairing: They establish a link between the CMS and display screens to facilitate smooth content management.
Uploading Content: Users use local storage or specialized apps for certain information while uploading material. Software for signage frequently offers templates and design tools to make content generation simple.
Layout design: Users organize content in a layout that makes sense for the size of the screen.
Publishing: After choosing a screen, users post the content to be seen.

System Functions

Instruction receiving: The user sends commands to the central server, which can be found on-site or in the cloud.
Content retrieval: The content is downloaded from the server by the digital signage player.
Content rendering: Following that, the content is accurately shown on the screen by the player's software.

What are the different types of digital signage?

There are various types of digital signage, each offering a diverse range of content possibilities. Whether it’s a pre-designed advertising video or a live news broadcast, electronic signs can display an array of content, including images, social media posts, text messages, YouTube videos, website information, live traffic updates, sales dashboards, and RSS feeds. Modern digital display management platforms like Digisigns provide content apps that enable the integration of live and programmed content, such as live news, real-time weather updates, accurate clock time, and live countdowns, onto any screen.