Tag Archives: Signage

Posted on by

Signera introduces its new Signera Solo Stick

Signera introduces its new Signera Solo Stick. The stick provides a full computer in a compact size. The Solo will also allow customers to utilize Signera’s existing easy-to-use interface in a single module application. The stick is built on Intel’s tried-and-true hardware. Although small factor, the stick has shown to be a contender to larger systems in agility and ability. The Solo Stick also provides a complete solid-state application, meaning no moving parts, meaning low risk of failure even after

Signera's New Solo Stick

Signera’s New Solo Stick

years in the field. Also since the Solo Stick can run on USB power, it can be installed virtually anywhere or behind anything. Signera took it a step further by removing Windows from the stick and loading a proprietary customized version of Ubuntu Linux to provide a more stable and efficient environment. And since the Stick is 100% managed from the cloud, there is no hard or confusing setup (and no, you don’t need to learn Linux). If you have Wired internet, you literally do no setup on the stick. If you have Wireless, you’ll simply hook a keyboard/mouse to the stick and click the “Setup Wireless” option when the stick boots up.

Signera has already sold out their first run of these sticks. They seem to be flying off the shelves. Signera contacted us to let us know their next stock has just arrived, so they have close to 100 more ready to go. We were able to get our hands on a production version and the stick took everything we threw at it, even video! I think this will change where digital signage is installed, and where it can be used. Opening the door to applications unheard of in the digital signage space until now.

A major digital signage hardware provider [name withheld] announced their version of a Stick Digital Signage Player at the Intel booth at the Digital Signage Expo 2016 (DSE 2016) show this year. But it looks like Signera has beat everyone, including them, to market. Since [name withheld] is the leading provider of hardware to digital signage companies, it’ll be interesting to see how this affects the industry. Signera is the leader to market with a new technology yet again. Signera was also the leader to market back in 2007 when they released their multiple-module SaaS system. The first digital signage software to offer multiple zones or modules on a single-screen powered by a single player.

Signera can offer a free one-on-one demonstration of their system and can answer any questions about the Solo Stick (or their other products) when filling out this form.

Full Disclosure: Signera is one of Digital Signage Report’s advertisers, and provided us with a demo Solo Stick to review for this article.

Posted on by

Wi-Fi 1080p Digital Signage Player

Wi-Fi 1080p Digital Signage Player

Wi-Fi 1080p Digital Signage Player

  • includes velcro behind display
  • Ideal for digital menu boards, lobby welcome signs, resort and hotel information boards
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with 5 dB antenna
  • 1080p video playback
  • 8 GB flash memory

includes velcro behind display. Ideal for digital menu boards, lobby welcome signs, resort and hotel information boards. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with 5 dB antenna. 1080p video playback. 8 GB flash memory. Micro SD card slot (up to 32 GB). Smooth ticker message speed. Real time weather reports. Up to date news. Mount or attach to a surface with velcro behind display. Heat dissipation enclosure. Commercial grade solid state fanless design. Pocket size player. HDMI 1.4 connector designed similar to a me

List Price: $ 442.32

Price:

Posted on by

Digital Signage: Software, Networks, Advertising, and Displays: A Primer for Understanding the Business (NAB Executive Technology Briefings)

Digital Signage: Software, Networks, Advertising, and Displays: A Primer for Understanding the Business (NAB Executive Technology Briefings)

Digital Signage: Software, Networks, Advertising, and Displays: A Primer for Understanding the Business (NAB Executive Technology Briefings)

Digital Signage gives you macro and micro views of the burgeoning digital signage industry. Whether you are looking for new opportunities or to expand your business, with this book you will be able to clearly understand and accurately analyze the developments, trends and projections. As part of the NAB Executive Technology Briefing series, this book features the future impact of the technology across many different industries and platforms. Explanations of hardware such as displays, servers, an

Price:

Posted on by

Digital Signage Networks and Higher Learning

Why are digital signage networks popping up on campuses across North America? Because they are one of the few media still being heeded by people 18 to 24 years of age.

While digital signage networks are novel enough to generate “oohs” and “aahs” among audiences of all ages, it is the university and college-aged crowd that is the most responsive. Conversant with technology from a very young age, they are highly receptive to messaging delivered via digital signs. And with the potential for interactivity, digital signage networks of the future hold even more promise as the ideal medium to engage students.

Why Digital Signs Have Such Strong Appeal

Retailers have discovered the value of digital signage networks for directing very specific advertising to a narrowly defined target audience. Hence the term “narrowcasting” which refers to messaging that reaches a particular audience in a particular place, as opposed to broadcasting which reaches a broad, widely-dispersed audience through traditional media like radio and TV.

Other sectors have begun using digital signage for more than advertising. Airports use it to provide information to passengers, banks use it to occupy waiting customers and hotels and conference centers use it to help visitors find their way.

All of these uses have met with positive response from their audiences. But the response at campuses has been even greater. As a recent guide from Digital Signage Today points out, digital signage networks are the “perfect marriage of ideal audience and ideal technology”. Today’s students welcome new technology and are keen to be the first adapters of new gadgets and gizmos. Knowing this, many university administrators have turned to digital signage networks to communicate with this iPod-wearing, Facebook-using, cellphone-and-Blackberry-addicted generation.

On-Campus Uses of Digital Signage Networks

How are digital signs being used in colleges and universities (and even some high schools)? Administrators use the signs to post important announcements and emergency information. Various departments use digital signs in their buildings to communicate messaging relevant to their students. Student councils, sports teams and clubs post information about upcoming events.

Digital signs have become virtual bulletin boards, placed at strategic locations -like libraries, student centers, bookstores and cafeterias – where they can reach the most students. Using RSS feeds, schools can provide up-to-the-minute, current and relevant information to their students much more quickly and efficiently than they could with the corkboards and paper messages of old.

Some universities sell advertising space on their digital signs to generate revenue. Knowing their media-savvy audience, most incorporate marketing and promotional material in small doses and are sure to display it alongside informational messaging so students do not come to view the signs as just another advertising platform.

The Future

What’s next for on-campus digital signage networks? Interactivity using wireless technologies like Bluetooth or SMS. In its guide on education and digital signage, Digital Signage Today discusses East Carolina University which is set to allow students to vote or respond to polls posted on digital signs using their cell phones. This is just one application of interactivity, but the potential for more is there.

Is this function useful? Maybe. Necessary? Probably not. Cool? Definitely. And it is this last trait that will keep students interested and engaged in digital signage networks while they are on campus and after they leave to join the workforce.

For more information on digital signage, contact a narrowcasting expert at http://www.ek3.com/digital-merchandising-products/digital-signage.htm
Posted on by

Signagelive and Samsung Smart Signage Digital Menu Boards at @NRAShow 2013

Raffi Vartian COO of Signagelive explains how the future of digital menu boards is SMART. Smart Signage Displays from Samsung powered by Signagelive eliminate the need for a player and the purchase and running costs associated.

Just connect to the Smart Signage Display to the Internet, login to Signagelive’s cloud-based platform from any device and your ready to update products, prices and offers.
Video Rating: / 5

Posted on by

Digital Signage Content: Integrating Social Media Can Garner Attention and Build Interest

Here is a remarkable statistic published online by USA Today’s Technology Live website in October 2010. As of that date, there were 6.8 billion people in the world, 1.96 billion Internet users and 517 million Facebook users.

As Byron Acohido, author of the piece noted: “Put another way: about 7 percent of the world’s humans are on Facebook.” Just over a year later, Facebook notes on its statistics page that there are now 800 million active users of the social media network.

How many of those Facebook users carrying smartphones will visit somewhere that relies on a digital sign? One can only imagine the number for a particular venue. But consider this: Facebook’s statistics page says there are 350 million users who actively interact with Facebook via their smartphones. So it’s a pretty safe bet that the closer the demographics of the audience for a digital sign match those of typical mobile Facebook users, the more likely there’s a vast opportunity to be realized.

The likely proximity of a smartphone to a digital sign creates an important opportunity for anyone communicating via a digital sign who possesses a bit of an imagination and a willingness to experiment. Consider a noisy environment, such as a popular bar, dance club or even certain restaurants. Could designating on-screen real estate of a digital sign to a special Facebook page, give a business owner a way to help patrons connect with one another on screen and in so doing cut through the noise, attract the attention of customers and promote goods or services in other zones on the sign?

Leveraging social media in this way could be as simple as giving patrons a virtual bulletin board on which to post vetted observations and pictures or as complex as giving them a way to play bar games, like trivia, with one another. Imagination, budget and creativity would seem to be the only limitations.

The good news for small businesses looking to take advantage of this opportunity is many are already quite familiar and fluent with Facebook. According to the quarterly Merchant Confidence Index released in February 2011 by MerchantCircle, 70 percent of local merchants are using Facebook for marketing -up from 50 percent the preceding year. In fact, MerchantCircle, among largest social network of local business owners in the United States with more than 1.6 million members, found Facebook has passed Google as the most widely used marketing method for local merchants.

In addition to its wide use by local merchants, the rapid growth Facebook saw over the past year saw among merchants is positive. It appears to indicate local merchants have proven themselves to be quite willing to explore the potential of this social network. Thus taking the next step to integrate a Facebook page as digital signage content doesn’t seem to be too far of a stretch for merchants with a knack for the platform.

It’s also important to note that Facebook isn’t the only social media platform that can be leveraged for digital signage content. Twitter, too, easily fits into the same mold as a convenient way to let patrons publicly interact with one another on a digital sign via their smartphones. Like Facebook, Twitter also is familiar to local merchants. The Merchant Confidence Index found about 40 percent currently use the platform, which is up from 32 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009.

As business owners, outside creative agencies and internal graphics departments consider what digital signage content to present to the public, they would do well to remember that adding engaging, attention-grabbing element to their digital sign may be no further away than a Facebook page or Twitter account.

David Little is a charter member of the Digital Screenmedia Association with 20 years of experience helping professionals use technology to effectively communicate. For further digital signage insight from Keywest Technology, visit our website for many helpful tips and examples. For more in-depth research from Keywest Technology, download our free digital signage white papers and case studies.
Posted on by

Kinetic Active at Digital Signage Expo 2015 (DSE)

Las Vegas, Nevada. Home of the Digital Signage Expo 2015.

It’s the world’s largest and longest running trade show, exclusively dedicated to showcasing innovative digital communications and interactive technology solutions. Launched in 2004, DSE was the first event dedicated to the digital signage market and has been a significant contributor to the growth of this fast-paced industry.

With the world of Out of Home media being gripped by the rise of digital, in both large and place-based formats, the DSE was a great place to see emerging technologies and learn about how marketers are taking advantage. Every kind of screen was on show, as well as more niche forms of signage such as holographic displays, transparent LEDs and some rather interesting configurations.

Aside from the impressive and engaging possibilities of multi-touch displays, allowing up to 10 fingers at one time, or the mesmerizing effect of transparent hi definition digital glass, there were also some really cool demonstrations of interactive 3D projections that had me captivated for quite some time. This car over here has projections at all angles, and I can apply color effects to the different parts on the top or the sides.

What you may not notice is that those are not digital screens behind or on the floor, but in fact individual mini-projectors, each beaming their part of the background onto the canvas making up the full display.

Important for our business is this company, Screenfeed. They are most comprehensive one-stop curator of live data-feeds that I’ve seen and an excellent facilitator for digital place-based campaigns – which are made ever richer and more relevant with live updating content. They have all the weather, stocks and news as you would expect, but also infotainment, sports, local events and an amazing variety of health and illness related content. Here he is demonstrating the latest cold and flu, the arthritis index, and even local air quality feeds.

For the retail space, get a load of this. This is a Harlequin Smart Shelf. Each product has a mini digital screen beneath which can be used for special offers or just to attract attention. But each product also has a motion sensor which detects when a product is lifted off the shelf. The digital screen beneath it flips over to some more detailed information about the product, like a book synopsis or nutritional information in the case of a confectionary item.

The shelf is equipped with a camera sensor that tracks all manner of the customer’s positioning in front of the shelf, whether they walked past or stood for a while examining the products.

As you would expect, there is a comprehensive dashboard showing all of the customer activity during the day. Realtime stats tally up which products are being picked up and who is nearby. Then as if that wasn’t enough, check out this really neat heat-map showing which product are most popular and were picked up the most during the day. This gives insight like never before into precise consumer behavior and how they are interacting with your products.

Check out the interactive clothing mirror. Stand in front of it, wave your arms to select colors. Try on different outfits, and even turn from side to side to see how they might look on you. I would imagine this is good for the clothing retail space, but you could get creative at a special event and make people look like superheroes.

The rest of the vast Expo floor boasted a wide variety of digital screen suppliers, each boasting an ever-increasing pixel resolution, and some or other improvement on the year before.

However, as marketers and advertisers, we’ve come to expect that screens will always improve in quality, that touch will become more responsive and that prices will eventually fall down. So what does all this really mean for us, and do we even need to care about the advances in digital signage?

The answer is very much a resounding YES. Ever since the first digital sign appeared, the media-buying world was only ever concerned with where it was placed, who owned it and how much it costed for the duration of a campaign.

LED boards are now flexible, and can be built to any size. It is now possible to place large format, immersive and interactive digital experiences in some of the world’s highest traffic and most populated places – but do so in the same manner as we would traditionally for a special build or experiential event.

What’s great about this is that we can spend more time dreaming up amazing experiences to interrupt, surprise and delight consumers on the go, and less worrying about whether the ideas are even possible in our market.

Thanks to the rapidly evolving world of digital signage, the sky … is the limit.
Video Rating: / 5