Tag Archives: Challenges

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Embattled Suffolk University president challenges trustees

Embattled Suffolk University president challenges trustees
“I will not stand by while this board fabricates reasons to justify my termination — with a relentlessly public campaign, no less. To do so is unfair to me, but as importantly, extremely detrimental to Suffolk University ,” McKenna wrote in a letter …
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Suffolk chairman defends board against president's complaints
The Suffolk University board chairman issued a memo to trustees last week defending the board against recent accusations by university president Margaret McKenna, including her charge that trustees have ignored an order to update board bylaws, …
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May the (admissions) force be with you, MIT applicants
Once the “Decision Droid” has the admissions letter on board, it explores the MIT campus before being launched from a cannon that comes out of the tip of the Great Dome. The video then goes black, and the words “These are the droids you're looking for” …
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Digital Outside Signage ? Winter Challenges

Out-of-doors digital advertising is very widespread but just think has your recent deployment been thought out? Was it employed in the warmer months? If so there is a chance that the technology will have no winter defense built into the project.

When projects are born and planned for the urgent deployment, a common issue arises and this is one element is sometimes overlooked. This issue does not come to light until later when the advertising solutions has been installed for some time and customers start complaining that the LCD monitors are not operational; this is not through any physical attack, just through Mother Nature.

The main common challenge is when a project is being deployed to a tight deadline and the customer does not understanding the notion of a “lead time” expecting it on site tomorrow.  It only needs one component and the lack of this item could potentially cause a challenge because it has been disregarded or omitted because of the lead time.

One part that cannot be forgotten is an out-of-doors LCD enclosure, otherwise the monitor will fail in the first winter, and with the extra costs of the replacement display this will undoubtedly make this specific project loss-making.

Engineers have been known to disregard an outdoor dynamic marketing cabinet as too much, but the reason of these defending enclosures is to make sure the advertising hardware is in a micro climate, so no matter what the outside conditions are the hardware inside is kept in the most suitable and controlled order. This is done with a mix of air conditioning units, heaters and thermo management system permitting the engineer to set the accurate internal temperature so when the heat inside rises owing to the high external temperature the cooling unit is switched and the air inside is cooled down below the preset, the opposite happens in winter when the temperature drops fast over night, this rapid drop can affect the display dramatically if not sheltered, this is why heaters are deployed to outside LCD housings, as they work to lift the interior temperature to above the preset temperature protecting the machine from frost and sub zero temperatures.

The heaters also stop condensation building up inside the casing as this will cause the machine to sweat, this too can have negative effects on the inside hardware.

The author owns the leading manufacturer of LCD enclosure, these units are supplied throughout the world to integrators of outdoor digital signage. An LCD enclosure offers all the protection needed for outdoor use.

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Challenges of Digital Signage Outdoors

Digital signage has begun to infiltrate our daily lives. Digital out of the home advertising and digital signage can be found in many locations, almost everywhere we go.

A growing number of companies are making greater use of digital signage outdoors, where it may potentially be viewed by hundreds more potential customers than were it fixed inside.

Though it is not overly complex technology there are several challenges that have to be addressed when considering using an outdoor digital signage system as part of an advertising or information campaign.

The weather is possibly the biggest challenge to be faced when mounting digital signage. Although some areas may have fairly predictable weather patterns, most do not. Potentially the delicate and expensive LCD or plasma monitor that displays the advertisements will be subjected to both extreme heat and freezing cold, both of which can seriously damage the function of the equipment.

One solution to this problem is to invest in a digital signage enclosure, a sealed unit that encases the monitor and has the capability to cool and heat the delicate digital signage system, as well as keep it safely sealed away from moisture.

These tough, secure LCD enclosures also help address another of the largest concerns that face those who choose to use digital signage outdoors. Vandalism is a fact of life. This is nothing new to the 21st century; vandals have been making mischief forever. By sealing the digital signage system in a good enclosure, the equipment is safe from damage, and even from graffiti, which is on the rise again in many cites. All a would be graffiti artist can affect is the enclosure, not the machinery within.

Placement of the outdoor signage system is another consideration. To be most effective equipment should really be placed within easy eye level of the average adult consumer. If it is a larger display, such as those seen in New Yorks Times Square, those are often catchy enough to be viewed from any height or angle however.

As the equipment and technology needed to make great use of digital signage to promote a business or service decreases in cost, it is certain that we can expect to see many more such signs popping up everywhere, advertising all manner of goods and services, or perhaps just providing the everyday information we need, such as news and the weather (accompanied by advertisements of course)

Dave is an expert in the field of digital signage, he also is the owner of Europe’s leading manufacturer of LCD enclosures, having supplied many top tier digital signage companies with outdoor signage enclosure as well as waterproof and vandal proof TV enclosures.