Tag Archives: Digital

Posted on by

Digital Signage Advice: Content May Be King, But Who’s Doing The Coronation? Part III

Content is king, so the saying goes. And while “it’s good to be the king,” as funnyman Mel Brooks famously observed in “History of the World Part I,” achieving that status can be complicated and treacherous.

In the kingdom of digital signage, things aren’t much different. Creating fresh, compelling content worthy of regal status, is no simple task. Large businesses often turn to outside creative agencies or full-time in-house creative resources to build the graphics, text, video and effects that capture viewer interest and hold attention.

Small businesses, too, recognize the benefits of digital signage but often lack the time, money and personnel to create fresh content on an ongoing basis. Fortunately, with a little planning and creativity, it’s possible to sidestep these impediments and create a fresh stream of digital signage content on an ongoing basis.

In a preceding column on this topic, I laid out in detail five tactics businesses can employ to reduce the expense of content creation, including: the use of templates; relying on digital signage software with automatic data import capability; leveraging existing creative resources; integrating RSS feeds into digital signs; and taking advantage of cable or off-air TV reception. Here, I explain five more powerful tactics that can be of help in reducing the strain of creating fresh digital signage content.

Tactic 6: Consider offering internships to graphics arts students from local community colleges and universities. Both paid and non-paid internships are a staple of the college experience, and local colleges and universities offering graphics arts programs are filled with students looking for a chance to let their talent shine. Often, institutions will have requirements for companies offering internships to ensure their students are properly supervised and receive a quality experience. But for a small business with a marketing manager who’s able to invest the time to direct a student, offering an internship to a graphics arts student to create fresh digital signage content can be a winner.

Tactic 7: Select digital signage software carefully. How difficult is it to use? Does the software use a timeline or Web browser-type interface? Companies with limited time to devote to digital signage content creation should carefully evaluate how easy content creation software is to use. Additionally, remember digital signage software tasks often fall into a handful of major categories, including: content creation, scheduling and management. Sometimes there’s an overlap among these categories. Be sure to consider the learning curve and ease of use for each.

Tactic 8: Leverage existing maps, architectural drawings and other non-promotional information. The good news for small and large businesses alike is they’re probably sitting on a mountain of existing material that can be repurposed for use as digital signage content. Often these resources will need to be reworked to fulfill a specific requirement for digital signage use -something most business people don’t have the time or talent to do. However, a graphics arts intern should be able to make quick work of repurposing these sorts of resources as digital signage content.

Tactic 9: Subscribe to a data services for news tickers, sports scores, weather conditions, stock data and more. Cable news channels aren’t the only media entities that can crawl text across their screens. Businesses employing digital signage also have access to these resources. Best of all, unlike cable news channels that seek to offer a broad range of news headlines, businesses can subscribe to feeds that more narrowly match their areas of endeavor. Doing so will make the digital signage content relevant and elevate the stature of the business in the minds of those viewing the signs.

Tactic 10: Add video from a Webcam or weather camera. Many digital signage controllers make it easy to integrate video from a live video camera. Imagine the possibility of a retailer at a ski resort using this capability on its digital sign to show the length of lift lines or views from a mountaintop lodge. Or, those responsible for signage at an airport might wish to integrate video from a camera mounted atop the control tower to display takeoffs and landings. Like integrating off-air or cable TV, Webcams and weather cameras offer a regular source of fresh content without having to devote personnel to the task -aside from setting up the camera in the first place.

Using some or all of these tactics can reduce the burden creating fresh digital signage content places on a business. After all, businesses deciding to add digital signage are doing so to advance their success, not to create a distraction that can become an impediment to success. Any approach that can keep content fresh without taxing limited personnel and financial resources will prove in the long run to be an important element of succeeding with digital signage.

David Little is a digital signage enthusiast with 20 years of experience helping professionals use technology to effectively communicate their unique marketing messages. For further digital signage insight from Keywest Technology, visit our website for many helpful tips and examples.
Posted on by

Amp-Up Sales with a Digital Restaurant Menu

When anyone thinks of a digital restaurant menu, most people envision the catalogue screen of a restaurant chain that sells burgers, pizzas or fried chicken. It is true that most quick supply and fast food restaurants prefer such a display, but there is actually a scientific reason for the same. This move is very well thought out and one that is meant to support the service parameters of a quick service eatery.

Studies have shown that in food chains where the expectation is to feed a high volume of customers in a shorter amount of time, customers themselves prefer selecting the items they need from digital menu boards for restaurants and other fast service outlets. This is also beneficial for the eatery in question for very simple reasons –

1. People come into such an eatery to grab a quick bite. Studies have shown that the average consumer looking for easy cooking options prefers going to chain outlets, small delis, coffee shops and the likes. Consumers tend to expect personal service and attention in fine dining outlets as opposed to ones that offer quick bites.

2. The menu is set therefore there is no question about what is available, what isn’t available, what can be ordered and what cannot be ordered, how it will be prepared etc. The expectations of the menu are very clear, right from the start.

3. Most consumers have pre-conceived notions about their food preferences in a quick bites eateries and digital restaurant menu, and therefore, dedicating a larger part of the workforce towards personalized service will only take away from the financial turnover of the business.

These are the top three reasons as to why a virtual catalogue of the menu is a lot more preferable for this particular kind of business venture. It is extremely easy to grab the attention of the customers who visit your outlet with a dynamic, interactive menu. Not only that, you can use this product to highlight any schemes or offers that your outlet might be running. While the virtual display might not be able to convey all the terms and conditions of service or of the offer in question, it is quite okay to use such a signage for grabbing eyeballs. The main motive is to get the visitors interested and engaged in your products. For this very reason, virtual catalogues are vital in converting digital menu boards for restaurants into customers.

This kind of signage works well even if you are not a dedicated eatery or deli. A hypermarket with a special section for food tasting and purchasing can also make use of such sign boards. This reduces the overall cost that you company incurs as you will not have to dedicate any manpower to the task.

At OpenService, we ensure that your menu board is unique, catchy and visually appealing to all your customers. We take into account all details of your business, including your products and the status of your competitors so that with our signage, you can move a step ahead of them in the game.

Deb Smith is the author of this article. For more information about digital restaurant menu and digital menu boards for restaurants please visit the website.
Posted on by

How to Choose the Right Digital Signage Software for Your Business

The world has gone digital in the past few years and the advertising marketing sector has been revolutionized. The digital signage software has become the most important means of advertising, especially in the retail markets. The advertiser has the option to deliver the real time content to the shoppers which allow them to directly communicate the usability of their products to the end users which undoubtedly enhance their sale.

Although the digital signage has become part and partial in the advertising sectors, the advertiser should always choose the right digital signage content company so that it can realize advertise business goal and thus help them in creating greater impact on the shoppers. Therefore, it very important to do a thorough research before choosing any signage content creator. In the below paragraphs we will discuss how to choose the right advertiser for your brand:

Always look out for the digital signage software that can support various content and images formats such as WMV, MPEG, EXCEL, PPT, XVID and others. Make sure that the list of the supporting formats is not limited. More over it should have the ability to support live data feed.

Make sure that the software provided by the digital signage content company gives high quality display. We need to ensure that the message of our advertisement is clear and effective; grabbing customers’ attention the main motto of the advertisement and this is possible only if we provide our message in clearer and precise way.

Make sure the application for the interactive digital signage is user friendly; it should not require any technical knowledge or amount of hassle to operate nor should it require a tech savvy programmer to operate. The software should not take large amount of time in installation and utilization. It should be very easy to use rather a drag and drop system will be very handy and useful.

Make sure that the software has the ability to modify the content or image of our display from anywhere and any point of time without visiting the physical location of the advertisement board. It is important to have remote network access of the display signage, this helps in sending communication command from the console without any hassle.

Lastly, and most importantly it is advisable to take help of experienced digital signage network manager who can precisely help you and let you know what kind of software you should buy, what types of content and images should be used and most importantly the area where the display signage should be place. Hope this post will help you in identifying the best digital signage for your business and brands.

The author specializes in, Digital signage software, relationship and offers many valuable tips. But if you want to know more about
Posted on by

Drive-Thru Menu Boards: Digital or Traditional?

When choosing a menu board for a new drive-through, or replacing a board in an old one, the biggest decision you make may be choosing between a digital and a traditional menu board. With that in mind, here are a few things to think about as you consider this investment.

First of all, you want to think about functionality. Which type of menu board is going to give you what you need? If you’re thinking about cycling through different menus throughout the day, week, or month (for example, a separate menu with breakfast items for morning customers, or a different special every day), digital signage makes that dramatically easier. Alternately, if you don’t anticipate changing your menu more than a few times a year, you might prefer a traditional menu board.

Another factor is cost. Though digital signage tends to show a good return on investment if used to its full potential, it’s still going to be more expensive than a traditional menu board up front. Digital signage also requires you to designate employees in charge of upkeep, which can increase costs as well.

Reliability is also significant. While digital signage technology has improved dramatically lately, even just in the past few years, the particular challenges of maintaining digital signage outdoors mean that digital signage simply requires more upkeep than traditional signage. A traditional menu board in your drive-through isn’t going to need tech support like a digital sign might!

Ultimately, if you want to change your menu board layout regularly and have the resources to pay for a digital menu board and keep it in good working condition, that investment can really pay off. However, traditional menu boards are a tried and true medium, and whether you’re on a budget, looking for a static display, or just a traditionalist, traditional menu boards can be a valuable and reliable addition to your drive-through.

Origin Display Group has a several years of experience in implementing Digital signage in so many businesses under our belt, we have learned to handle almost all situations with fluidity & professionalism. We at Origin Display Group as a supplier of Digital Signage, understands that how important it is for your business, and how it can help you to achieve more profit. To learn more about products & services, visit www.origindigitalsignage.com & www.originmenuboards.com or call 888-235-2579 today
Posted on by

6 Benefits Of Digital Signage For Your Business

Digital Signage is a type of electronic display that is used to advertise and build awareness of new products. The images are displayed via LED, LCD monitors and may be projected as well.

This type of signage is usually found in hotels, retail and fast food outlets, airports and train stations, among other places. The content that is seen on the monitors is uploaded and controlled by computer using specialized software.

As an advertising medium, Digital Signage works so well because it strikes the perfect balance between subtly and “in your face”.

When compared to traditional print advertising and billboards, digital signage carries a number of benefits, which include:

Reduced costs

While the initial outlay for the sign may be a lot more than what a print ad would cost the money that will be saved on printing costs further down the line.

Web connectivity

Digital monitors can be connected to the web, which allows news feeds, Twitter feeds, currency updates, weather updates and more to be incorporated into the display. Blog post and video content from video sites such as YouTube and eHow may be included in the display as well. For example, in a doctor’s office a monitor could display general health facts and tips and feature real-time news RSS feed and weather updates.

Attracts attention

The advantage is that it grabs attention in a more subtle way – Whereas traditional advertising methods such as television, print and radio capture attention in a more direct manner. The high definition displays combined with vivid colors and the ability to include elements such as news feeds and online video allows advertisers to break through the noise (associated with traditional advertising) and connect with customers.

Content is easily updatable

In addition to cost savings one of the great advantages behind digital signage design is the ability to update content at the click of a finger (or rather a mouse button). For example, a restaurant could utilize a series of digital menu boards that display different menu’s as the day progresses – i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Influence purchases decisions

When you take into account that most decisions are made in store, a digital display that uses a combination of high quality images and video can have a powerful influence on buying decisions.

Platform to showcase work

If you run an architectural firm for example, you could set up slide show to allow prospective clients to view some of your completed projects. People tend to trust peer recommendation over advertising and displaying projects you’ve worked on for others will promote your brand and reinforce trust in your services.

James Martin has written many articles and blogs about the product that improves the communication in your organization and how the products are reliable and friendly. He recommends Aurora Digital Signage as it can change the way you promote your business.
Posted on by

Maximizing QSR Profits through Digital Signage

Digital Menu Boards, thanks to the ever-improving technology behind the Light Emitting Diode (LED), are continually getting sturdier, easier to read, and more energy efficient. They have become a mainstay in the drive to increase revenues and profits in the QSR industry, and due to extensive market research, some truisms about their best usage are becoming accepted facts for the largest national chains as well as for mum and pop establishments.

Reads Like a Book

Digital displays that are taller rather than wider, or vertically oriented, are easier for customers to read and understand than are horizontally aligned digital sign boards, which are wider than they are tall. This is because are more like the books, documents and smartphone screens that most of us encounter on a daily basis, which leads to quicker, more stress-free menu decisions. Because we want the ordering process to proceed as expeditiously as possible, this is an important determination.
Studies have also determined that the centre of the Drive-Through Menu Board and the right side command the greatest share of the customer’s attention. The temptation to put too much information on a Drive-Through Menu Board must be resisted because it will confuse a customer at the worst possible time – when a stress-free decision needs to be quickly made. Multi-panel menu boards are also a possibility, but they should be limited to two panels, as customers tend to get confused with three or more panels. Extra information can also be included on a Drive-Thru Pre-Sell Board, or Yard Sign, that the customer sees before the actual menu board is encountered.

Day Parting and Upselling

Modern LED-based Digital Signage Displays have other advantages, too. First and foremost is the ability to change your message at the touch of a button, simultaneously updating POS information. Day-parting, or changing your menu and prices for breakfast, lunch and dinner are effortless. Upselling efforts can be automatically made with no human effort, as the digital display system can easily be set up to offer additional mealtime suggestions to the customers based on what they’ve already ordered.

An important consideration is the ambient lighting situation in your display area, and your Digital Signage Provider has the experience needed to guide you in this and in similar issues.

Origin Display Group | originmenuboards.com | origindigitalsignage.com | 888-235-2579

Origin Display Group has several years of experience in implementing Digital signage in so many businesses under our belt, we have learned to handle almost all situations with fluidity & professionalism. We at Origin Display Group as a supplier of Digital Signage understands that how important it is for your business, and how it can help you to achieve more profit. To learn more about products & services, visit Origin Digital Signage & Origin Menu Boards or call 888-235-2579 today.