10 Questions To Ask When Buying Digital Signage Software

December 8, by guest author, Bryan Crotaz

Guest Post: Trey Hicks, Visix

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So, your organization is considering a digital signage system, and you’ve been tasked with gathering info. Where to start?

It’s a massive market and getting bigger all the time. Just typing in the term “digital signage” into Google results in 14 million results, and there are an awful lot of companies out there offering anything from subscription services to multi-million dollar deployments, and everything in between.

How are you supposed to make any headway?

To help you sort it out and focus on what you really need, here are 10 questions you should ask when shopping around for content management software:

1. Is it specifically designed for organizational communications?
A lot of what’s available out there is for specialty applications like retailers and airports. And while some of your audience might be visitors, your main focus is likely on internal communications.

Different kinds of organizations have different needs and workflows. A university is not the same as a hospital, and a manufacturing center is another thing altogether. A company with a single office will use digital signage differently than one that’s spread out across a campus, or in multiple cities or countries.

Make sure the software is specifically designed for organizational communications. It should offer enterprise features like Active Directory authentication, and administrators should be able to assign predefined user roles, or create custom roles to provide the right level of privileges for each user.

2. Is it a native application or web-based?
If you only need one person to run the whole system, then a native desktop application is fine. But if you want more people in your organization to participate in message creation, you’ll want software that’s web-based or hosted in the cloud. This lets anyone with verified credentials post, manage and schedule messages from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

3. Does it have user-friendly tools and templates?
Not everyone is a graphic designer, and no one has time to waste. You’ll want your software to have easy design and scheduling tools so people can publish beautiful messages quickly and easily. Some folks may have programs they prefer using, like PowerPoint, so you also want the software to be able to import common file types. The more user-friendly the interface is, the more people will get involved, and the more dynamic your whole system will be.

4. Does it allow for data integration?
A lot of what you’ll want to show on screens is already in another system you’re using, and you don’t want to double your workload by having to create separate messages. Make sure your software can easily import event schedules, weather, news, Excel, dashboards, social media, SharePoint, webpages and other data you already use.

5. Does it have an alert messaging mode?
No matter what type of organization you have, you’ll want to fold your digital signage system into your crisis communications plan. Severe weather alerts, safety notifications and other emergency messages should be able to override scheduled messages on all screens at once, or selected screens, at the push of a single button. And ask potential vendors if the software is CAP-compliant, so CAP triggers can automatically activate alerts.

6. Does it support interactivity?
You should definitely consider buying touchscreens either now or in the future, because it gives you a lot more screen real estate to work with, and audiences are beginning to expect it. We’re used to touching, zooming and swiping multiple screens to get info. Be sure your content management software lets you publish interactive designs for directories, wayfinding, donor boards and so on.

7. Can it deliver to smaller screens?
Your audience won’t always be right there at one of your displays, and you don’t want people to miss an important message (especially an alert), so your software should have the capability to push content to desktops, websites and BYOD devices, like tablets and smartphones. Remember that anything with a screen can be a digital sign, and your software should know that.

With competitive price and timely delivery, COSUN Digital Signage sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

8. Is it scalable and expandable?
Your software should work for a single screen or enterprise-wide messaging across the globe. You also want a system that can be easily expanded. Don’t get something with limited features and no scalability just because it’s cheap. Think about the long-run costs and where your system will go in the future. Make sure you can add media players and software users without hitting technical or licensing snags.

9. What are the purchasing options?
Do you need everything for your digital signage system, or do you already have the hardware? Talk to potential vendors about different options, like software-only, bundled solutions or cloud-based subscription services. The more options available to you, the more likely you are to find exactly the fit for your needs.

10. How well is it supported?
Does the vendor offer training? Ongoing, or one-time only? What about consulting and design services to help optimize your deployment? To successfully launch and maintain your system, you’re going to need some help. Be sure you understand how often the software is updated, and what kind of technical support you get with your purchase.

If you’re going to spend a chunk of money and time putting a digital signage system in place, make sure you know all your options, outline your needs in advance, and get the right software for the job.

The concept of wayfinding is as ancient as maps, landmarks, and directions. Wayfinding is the process of navigating from an origin to a destination. As architecture has become more intricate — with the tallest building in the world housing 163 floors — the need for wayfinding instructions has become critical. Time is of the essence, whether for employees, office guests, museum visitors, or hotel patrons. Everyone has their own agenda and needs to navigate spaces efficiently.
More recently, wayfinding serves more purposes than getting a traveler from point A to B. There’s so much wayfinding can say about a place, organization, or company beyond simple instructions on how to navigate a space. This article outlines how to get the most out of your digital wayfinding solutions.

The power of wayfinding

Every element of a building or space affects how users feel, react, and respond to the company or organization that runs it. If the front door is hard to find, visitors enter feeling annoyed. If the floor plans are hard to follow, they feel exasperated. If messages are unclear, they feel stressed.
Many businesses don’t foresee the true impact and importance of wayfinding and how it sets employees and guests up for a great day in the environment. 
Here are some examples of just how powerful wayfinding solutions can be:

Relieve stress

Some of the most stressful environments include airports, train stations, and healthcare facilities. Yet, every space has its own stressors. Visitors and employees don’t need wayfinding worries added to their days.
Having the right wayfinding signage and information can go a long way toward helping people navigate a space without added stress. With less stress, visitors can enjoy a space more thoroughly, employees can focus on being productive, and airport patrons will be less frantic. Not only will people want to return to the space, but they’ll be more amiable during their stay.

Support wellbeing

Sometimes, the concept of well-being is just as important as the actuality of it. When people see wayfinding resources, they feel cared for, and naturally, people gravitate to businesses that appear to care for their patrons or employees.
For example, some hospitals use digital signage displays to show an emergency room’s wait time, health alerts, current times, and other information. This transparency helps patients feel attended to and reassured, bolstering confidence in the onsite caregivers.

Company identity

While relieving stress and supporting well-being both boost a company’s reputation and image, the job isn’t done. Patrons, visitors, and employees will never forget how the space made them feel. The trick is, making sure they remember who made their experience so great.
The best wayfinding solutions offer customizable branding options. With a company’s logo on every screen, sign, and bit of information, users are more likely to link the company with their great experience.

Things to consider

When looking for a digital wayfinding solution, there are a few aspects to consider. Here are some questions to spark your decision-making:

• • What information will be displayed? Will the information be permanent or will it change? For example, health regulations, event details, or even QR codes are dynamic forms of information that can change regularly.
  • How will the information be displayed? Will the information be text? A map? Symbols? Pictures? 
  • Will the display be indoor or outdoor? Does the display need to be weatherproof? What temperatures will it experience? Does it need to be visible at night?
  • What’s the budget? When considering costs, it’s important to think beyond the initial purchase price. Consider installation costs, energy consumption, longevity, and more.
  • Are there installation limitations? Are there any building regulations to navigate? Materials that prohibit mounting, wiring, or cables?

Wayfinding with Visionect

There are a few key differences between Visionect displays and traditional LCD and LED solutions. Yet, let’s have a look at some of the similarities first.
The best part about digital displays is that they’re dynamic. The information can be changed fluidly, showing any maps, symbols, text, or pictures that’ll help with the wayfinding experience. As health regulations change, events happen, or flights come and go, the information on the digital displays can be updated in real-time over WiFi.
Next, there are a few differences that separate Visionect electronic-paper displays from the rest. Most importantly, they can run for long periods of time on battery power alone. Each low-power display can go months on a single charge or easily run off of solar power, making them virtually wireless. No cabling is required and the devices can be mounted on any material without drilling or any harm to the surface. Plus, while LCD and LEDs struggle in outdoor environments, e-paper displays have proven to work in more extreme conditions from -5°F to 150°F  (-20°C to 65°C).
The energy-efficient design also makes Visionect displays some of the most affordable options on the market. Visionect devices are constructed of reusable and recyclable materials, minimizing their impact on the environment. These materials also happen to be some of the most durable in the industry, adding to each device’s longevity.

Three industries that chose Visionect

While Visionect is quickly becoming a worldwide favorite wayfinding solution, there are three main industries that have capitalized on the power of our e-paper displays.
Airports
The Auckland airport public transport sector uses Visionect e-paper displays outdoors, improving efficiency for over 10 million passengers per year in New Zealand. These public information displays have been installed at the bus stops of the international terminal. They show real-time information including airport maps, bus tracking, marketing messages, and more.
Over in Amsterdam, the Schiphol airport uses Visionect signs for indoor digital signage. These displays are strategically placed exactly at the points where they’re needed to help visitors navigate the area.

“Visionect screens gave our clients the option to go sustainable, or go digital with little effort while impressing their visitors with an eye-catching, high-quality design.”

– Dennis Groeneveld, CEO of Future Forward

Hotels
A luxurious coastal hotel with a breathtaking view of the Alps uses Visionect displays to educate guests on the amenities the resort offers. The resort is comprised of six hotels. With such a large footprint, it’s no wonder guests were unsure of what to expect.
Visionect Place and Play devices can be placed anywhere from a reception desk to hallway walls, which is exactly what this resort did. Through a mobile app, guests can choose where they want to go, what events they prefer, and how large their party is. The system then guides them step by step, with 13-inch e-ink displays updating via Bluetooth to show custom information for each guest.
Education facilities
Educational facilities (schools, museums, and libraries) are some of the most creative, ingenuous environments around. They’ve used Visionect displays for everything from dynamic wall murals to information boards and wayfinding. One example is the National and University Library of Slovenia, which uses Visionect displays to inform visitors about their opening hours and to communicate entrance restrictions. 

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Digital Wayfinding Signage.

Dynamic, versatile, simple, and timeless