WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING STARTED
If you’re new to the digital signage industry, you’re probably curious about what the process entails and overwhelmed with the options available to you. Partnering with a digital signage provider usually involves a multi-step process involving installing your displays, updating your software, and getting some content templates set up. Additionally, you and your team will probably have to undergo multiple training phases to ensure you and your team can get the most out of the software. While this all may sound overwhelming, with a team as experienced and coordinated as REACH Media Network, this process becomes a smooth, painless transition to the world of digital signage marketing. With this article, you will also have a head start in your understanding of the digital signage process. Before diving into the details of what your digital signage process will look like, we will go over a brief overview of the core tenets that make up a successful digital signage network. From there, we will explain each process of your digital signage journey from beginning to end. This should give you a greater understanding of what is involved in creating an effective signage organization and strategy.
Getting started, there are 3 things you should understand about digital signage platforms: software, hardware, and content. Each one of these factors plays an equally important role in maintaining your signage connection and delivering effective messaging. Let’s break them down one at a time.
Software consists of the content-management system that your digital signage provider allows you to create and publish content on. Commonly, these platforms are powered through cloud technology. This means that so long as you have an internet connection, you can log in and create, update, and publish content or other assets from any location. Having these items saved through a cloud platform ensures they will not be lost or deleted like local files. Additionally, if your computer breaks, your content will still be saved to your CMS. These platforms also often come with proprietary apps that allow you to perform certain functions in addition to allowing third-party integrations. In order to get the most out of your digital signage network, leveraging the functionality apps provide will expand your content potential.
Hardware encompasses two different pieces of hardware: screens and media players. Screens are the actual TVs or other displays that will showcase your digital signage content. Generally, it’s recommended to have a minimum HD display (1920p x 1080p resolution) of about 42 inches or higher placed 6-7m away at about 60 degrees maximum above eye level. This ensures a comfortable viewing distance that allows your screen to make an impact even if viewers are quickly walking by. In high foot traffic areas, you only have a few seconds to make an impression. Dim screens, blurry resolutions, or inaccessible viewing angles will ruin any chance for viewers to remain interested in your displays. Of course, REACH is also a hardware provider, so if you need some screens, we have some great recommendations in mind.
Media players, on the other hand, are mini PCs powered by PoE connections that stream content to your screens. Some players are more powerful than others, and some will not be able to perform the same functions as others. Doing the research before making a purchase is crucial to getting the most out of your signage. However, when you start the process, an install coordinator will help you scope out your project and recommend players based on your needs.
Finally, content is the tenet that will vary the most between each organization. The flexibility that signage platforms provide means each company has a lot of creative freedom to tailor their displays exactly how they need them. Unlike traditional displays or communication methods, digital signage allows you to leverage apps and third-party integrations to get more content or functionality out of your platform. These apps and integrations let you pull content from outside news sources, social media feeds, external calendars, or even webpages through iframes. This not only expands your content options but also can automate certain processes that will streamline your overall workflow. As a result, no two screens will look alike, even if two different organizations work within the same industry. If you have a certain app or service you would like to implement into your digital signage system, contact your account manager or install coordinator to begin scoping out the project.
Now that we have a baseline understanding of what makes up an effective digital signage network, we can begin diving deeper into each step along the digital signage journey. However, if you’d like to begin immediately, you can begin talking to an expert today! At REACH Media Network, we act as both a hardware and software provider. Our user-friendly, enterprise-grade software is compatible with hundreds of apps and integrations, allowing you to tailor content exactly to your business needs. Additionally, if you need a media player, our partnership with BrightSign will guarantee you receive some of the most reliable players on the market. Or, you can purchase REACH Media Network’s own DS3 media player that comes preinstalled with REACH’s software. If you’re ready to begin, click the button below to get started!
SEE DIGITAL SIGNAGE IN ACTION
Want to experience the power of digital signage firsthand? Request a free demo today and explore how REACH Media Network can enhance communication and engagement within your religious venue.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CASE STUDIES THAT EXEMPLIFY THE SUCCESSFUL SIGNAGE SETUPS
Before going deeper into the overall digital signage process, let’s take a look at some clients who have implemented successful signage networks to achieve a variety of outcomes.
The first is Steel Dynamics. Steel Dynamics is a domestic steel producer and metal recycler located in Ft Wayne, Indiana. Before partnering with REACH Media Network for its digital signage platform, the plant was using a previous signage platform that became too expensive for what they felt they were getting. They eventually gravitated to an in-house solution, but even with that in place, Steel Dynamics still felt they could get even more out of a signage solution. After learning about REACH Media Network and its cost-effective solution, Steel Dynamics would expand to 37 players at its Butler location, with additional signage at other locations and plans for future expansions. Since implementing digital signage into its communication strategy, Steel Dynamics has bolstered its workplace culture and assisted its traffic routes as well. By implementing digital signs within its breakrooms, the plant has been able to boost morale by highlighting employee anniversaries, welcoming new hires, showcasing fun facts, and overall putting out a positive message. This has boosted overall morale across the facility, encouraging employees to be excited and ready to work when they arrive. However, Steel Dynamics takes this one step further. Certain displays are dedicated to showcasing a “truckers’ queue” to let staff know who is on shift and which routes they are in charge of. This helps truckers run their routes and be on top of more information more efficiently. Hence, Steel Dynamics is a great example of a comprehensive signage solution that puts its staff first.
Next, we have Hallandale Beach. Located in the southeast region of the state of Florida, Hallandale Beach is a city that serves more than 30,000 residents. Serving as both a residential area as well as a popular tourist destination, Hallandale Beach required a communication method that allowed them to tailor their messaging based on each display’s location. Hosting plenty of community events, many of which can be dependent on weather, meant employees would have to travel to physical locations to update poster boards that inform residents of today’s events. Wanting to cut back on printing costs and needing a timelier solution, the city eventually partnered with REACH. Now, Hallandale Beach is able to update all its signs from one central location. This allows them to get out updates immediately, as the displays reflect these changes in real-time. They’ve also integrated other media, synchronizing their social media channels and calendar software to expand their capabilities. This has added a distinct brand personality to its signage and expanded overall digital reach. The city has even implemented some more advanced signage applications, such as live TV streaming that entertains viewers as they wait in lobbies or other common areas. As a result, Hallandale Beach can provide an entertaining experience at every point in a viewer’s visit, ensuring there is no downtime or room for getting frustrated. With proper implementation, they have also maintained brand consistency across all their displays, providing a holistic experience to their community regardless of where they find themselves. Through government digital signage, Hallandale Beach can serve its community and streamline its day-to-day activities.
Finally, Shelter Mutual Insurance is a great example of how a corporate entity can gradually grow its digital signage strategy. Originally, Shelter Mutual wanted a solution that would allow it to simply update menu options for its cafeteria. However, after seeing its effectiveness in person, the company started to expand. Using BrightSign for all of its player options, Shelter Mutual now utilizes a variety of content across its screens. Local news and social media integrations inform staff of important events, market trends, and user attitudes. Scrolling calendars catch the eye more than traditional bulletin boards, increasing staff engagement. Even streaming options, such as Live TV, provide needed breaks to employees without disrupting the rest of their content. Of course, menu boards are now entirely digital, allowing for real-time updates. This ensures all content Shelter Mutual publishes is fresh and accurate. Due to the effectiveness of digital signage, Shelter Mutual has expanded its digital footprint to 16 screens. As a result, Shelter Mutual Insurance is a great example of how you can gradually leverage digital signage to achieve different functions over time.
THE INSTALLATION PROCESS
When you begin your digital signage journey, the first step will be getting through the installation process. At this step, you will be assigned an installation coordinator. From here, they will help you set up your hardware displays, helping you choose the best locations within your facility for those displays. From here, they will help you configure your chosen media player with REACH Media Network’s content-management software. Once this is set up, the install coordinator will help ensure you have the proper apps and integrations set up that you need to immediately get started on publishing your content. Often, the install coordinator will also give you a brief training overview on how to use some of the basic apps & tools available through the software. You can decide to create assets and layouts on your own, but this early in the process, organizations will often leverage REACH’s free creative design services to nail the look of their layouts and use them as a template for future content moving forward. Once you have your basic layouts and design set up, and all players have been configured correctly with their media players, you will then move on from your install coordinator and be assigned an account manager. This will be your point-of-contact person for REACH support and projects moving forward.
SEE DIGITAL SIGNAGE IN ACTION
Want to experience the power of digital signage firsthand? Request a free demo today and explore how REACH Media Network can enhance communication and engagement within your religious venue.
TRAININGS AND BEGINNING LAYOUTS
With your newly appointed account manager, you will now begin finalizing your layout designs, apps, and strategy. The account manager will be responsible for in-depth training of the CMS that you and your team will be utilizing. While you may already have a basic understanding at this point, these trainings will go much further in-depth and can include more members of your team to inform them of their specific duties and roles within the platform. They will also be able to better coordinate what integrations you would like to see within your platform. Once this process generally wraps up, you will then be able to reach out to them for future trainings, support inquiries, and other integration scoping.
CONTENT CREATION
At this point, the responsibility now moves to well…you! Kind of. Once your hardware is set up and configured, initial layout designs have been finalized, and your team has been trained, it’s time to start creating and publishing content on your own! You should be pretty well trained at this point to begin creating assets and editing design features. Additionally, roles can be created to help users specifically focus on certain parts of your content creation. However, if you are not confident in your ability to create content on your own or you simply do not have the time, REACH is always here to help. As stated previously, we offer free creative design services to help clients achieve the look they want. Our team of professionals can create assets and designs that will match your branding guidelines. These services are available to all clients at no extra cost, so reach out today if you are interested!
CONCLUSION
Now you have a better understanding of what the process will be like when you decide to dive into digital signage. Of course, timelines will differ based on the scale of your project and what it requires. However, moving from an installation coordinator to an account manager to individual management is generally the same. This should give you greater confidence, not just with the process itself, but also the fact that you will not have to embark on this journey alone. If you’re ready to begin, fill out the form below to get started!
READY TO START YOUR DIGITAL JOURNEY?
Discover how digital signage can transform your religious community. Reach out to REACH Media Network today to learn more about our solutions, explore custom integrations, and see how we can help you connect with your congregation in meaningful ways.
