WHAT IS DIGITAL SIGNAGE?
To leverage the power of digital signage software, you must understand entirely what it entails. At REACH Media Network, we believe that digital signage encapsulates the hardware, software, and media content that produces enticing digital signage displays. Each aspect serves a crucial role within the digital signage network. In order to understand how digital signage can revolutionize your signage network, it is important to understand what a digital signage content management system requires out of your business.
At REACH Media Network, a digital signage system encapsulates the hardware, software, and content that comes together to produce engaging announcements through a digital screen. Digital displays come in many forms. They can include:
- LCD or OLED TV screens
- Web pages
- Interactive Displays
- Conference room displays
- And more!
Before we dive even deeper, let’s break down each segment of the digital signage pillars.
Hardware involves what products you use to stream and display content to your audience. This includes both the screens and the media players. To achieve the best results, REACH Media Network recommends having an accessible viewing distance and angle for each display. For example, using SMART Boards viewing guide, full HD displays should be placed at least 7ft away from the audience at an angle of about 178 degrees to ensure viewers from all angles can get a clear view of your content. These distances and viewing angles can vary depending on the size and resolution of the display to plan to employ, but viewing this guide will give you guidance on what you should be aiming for. Media players are mini PCs or streaming devices that connect to your CMS and stream the content to each display. This can come in the form of more traditional media players, to simpler options such as Amazon Fire Sticks. As a reseller and Bright Alliance Premier Partner, REACH Media Network often recommends BrightSign players to its clients. BrightSign players are known as some of the most powerful and reliable on the market, making them an excellent option for any business. Realistically, unless you are placing screens in a waiting area, lobby, or breakroom, you will only have a few seconds to make an impression as people walk by. These guidelines ensure your screens provide the most accessible, comfortable viewing experience that encourages engagement. If you are ready to dive into the world of signage but are looking for a more affordable option. REACH Media Network recommends our proprietary DS3 player. This player is the epitome of “plug-and-play.” It is an affordable, enterprise-grade player that comes preinstalled with REACH Media Network’s software.
The next major pillar is software. These software platforms are usually cloud-based, meaning all your data and content are saved to a “cloud network.” This allows you to publish content remotely from any location so long as you have an internet connection. Cloud technology also guarantees the safety of your created assets, preventing them from being lost or locked to certain hardware. Thankfully, if you are reading this page, you are already at the right place. REACH Media Network offers a flexible digital signage software platform that can scale from local businesses to enterprise-grade networks. With hundreds of integrations and applications available, you can tailor your experience to fit your business needs. Additionally, our creative team will tailor your business aesthetic to your displays. In other words, you can maintain a consistent look across a large network of business displays. Once you join the REACH Media Network family, you will also gain access to 24/7 support services and a large library of informative signage articles that will help you get the most out of you new signage platform.
Finally, there’s content. Ultimately, this is mostly up to you, but that does not mean you are entirely alone. As mentioned above, REACH Media Network offers 24/7 support, meaning there’s always someone willing to help. However, we also offer free creative design services. This means our creative team will work with you to achieve a look that aligns with your branding standards while still making full use of the flexibility that signage provides. Any other changes you request will also be quickly responded to from our account management and creative teams.
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.
CASE STUDIES THAT EXEMPLIFY THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF DIGITAL SIGNAGE
It is one thing to talk about all the benefits digital signage can offer, but it is a whole other to showcase the benefits honestly. REACH Media Network serves over 5,000 clients and over 30,000 displays. While a lot of this can be attributed to its reliable hardware and easy-to-use software platform, REACH Media Network prides itself most on its customer service. However, we will not speak for ourselves here. Instead, we will highlight a few of our clients across various industries that have transformed their approach to communication through digital signage.
The first is Westborough Public Schools. They have integrated digital signage into nearly every aspect of their digital communication effort in a way that benefits both students and staff. For example, the school district can draw more attention to clubs and external programs by tailoring content per the display’s location. For example, athletic content can be hosted in the athletic wing, drawing in potential athletes, while the library can advertise guest speakers to draw in a bigger crowd than they would otherwise. From an internal education standpoint, the district leverages REACH Media Network’s weather and radar tools to host “Weather Mondays” to teach elementary students about weather trends and why certain phenomena occur.
From an enterprise retail perspective, there is no better example than Stewarts’ Shops. As a regional convenience store, the retail chain originally used magnetic strips and physical displays to advertise its audience on ice-cream flavors and seasonal changes. Using digital signage, headquarters can cut down on cost and time by sending flavor changes and prices from a central location. Additionally, individual shops can update their flavors while HQ manages the prices, resulting in a more streamlined workflow. Across 400 stores and 350 licenses, Stewarts’ Shops has completely evolved its communication network.
Lastly, we must also highlight one of REACH Media Network’s biggest partners: Snap Install. Snap Install aids us in offering full turnkey digital signage solutions and ensures a smooth installation process. Initially, Snap Install will evaluate on-site qualifications and possibilities to determine the best strategic locations for a business’s displays and ensure everything matches local codes and regulations. If an issue cannot be solved remotely by a REACH Media Network representative, they can contact Snap Install to do an on-site evaluation.
HOW DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES CAN UTILIZE DIGITAL SIGNAGE
Now that we’ve analyzed some real-life examples of the transformative nature of digital signage, let’s break down how digital signage can benefit a variety of industries. One of the greatest strengths of digital signage is the flexibility it offers to different businesses and their communication strategies. By highlighting some standard use cases, you will have a better understanding of how to apply digital signage solutions to your own company. To see other client examples, check out our template page or read useful tips on our resource page.
CORPORATE
Corporate offices often use digital signage for internal communications. This can result in a variety of different displays. For example, breakrooms can showcase employee spotlights, news headlines, and HD videos that keep employees entertained and refreshed for the rest of the work day. Hallways and sales floors can implement PowerBI integrations and other corporate metrics to keep your team motivated and on task. This information can also be used to adapt sales strategies in case certain metrics are not being met. Conference rooms can also leverage digital signage by hosting room scheduling software or live-streaming with offsite staff or partners. Therefore, digital signage in the corporate space helps build team culture and encourages productivity.
EDUCATION
Education is one of the largest sectors that utilize digital signage for day-to-day use. Higher education institutions, such as colleges and universities, often use digital signage for wayfinding purposes. Using interactive screens for wayfinding helps students and visitors navigate large campuses, which cuts down on frustration. Digital announcements can draw students’ attention to recreational clubs and programs, which can increase engagement on campus.
On the K-12 side of education, some digital displays are used for educational purposes, such as the “Weather Mondays” example highlighted previously. Schools can also link their social media to their displays, giving students a quick snapshot of news involving the school. Internal displays can alert bus drivers to weather conditions and traffic routes to ensure the safe transportation of students. Student achievements, upcoming events, and deadlines can all be converted to digital announcements to keep students informed on important information.
GOVERNMENT
One of the biggest use cases for government digital signage is wayfinding. Digital directories can guide visitors around Senate offices and other buildings to find their legislators or specific departments. Events or important public meetings can be advertised through digital displays, which can result in a bigger crowd and more community engagement. Small history pieces and background info can educate the community on the historical contexts of the building they are in and what issues its leaders are focused on.
GYMS/FITNESS CENTERS
Gyms and fitness centers use digital signage to promote group fitness classes, clubs, sports, and personal training programs for their members to take advantage of. Through signage, you can also implement QR codes that redirect members to registration pages. This can inspire immediate action and encourage people to sign up for events the moment they are advertised.
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
Healthcare facilities and hospitals can streamline certain processes. As mentioned in education, large campuses can leverage wayfinding tools to navigate patients and visitors across large campuses. However, interactive digital signage displays can also help visitors sign in and fill out registration forms at kiosks. This can help reduce wait times and, in turn, take some work off the hands of front-desk workers and HR reps. Additionally, lobby signage can keep visitors entertained and reduce perceived wait times. Facilities with cafes or other food entities can even use digital menu boards to advertise new menu items and prices.
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality facilities such as hotels can leverage digital signage in many ways. Similar to healthcare facilities, interactive kiosks can help guests sign in and receive room numbers. Wayfinding displays can guide visitors around a facility and direct them to room numbers. Traditional digital signage displays can advertise tourism-friendly events and recommend local restaurants and businesses. These widgets can even be used for advertising purposes with local partners, drawing in a new revenue source for the facility.
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.
MANUFACTURING
Digital signage can streamline many manufacturing processes. Similar to our corporate example, digital signage can showcase production metrics and KPIs in a concise, easily understandable manner. Traffic routes can showcase the most optimal delivery items for drivers. Signs can also showcase schedules, letting employees know who is on shift during specific weeks or days. Safety reminders and training can also be played through signage on a loop, keeping employees informed on recent expectations and safety procedures. Overall, this contributes to a safer, more efficient manufacturing workplace.
RETAIL
Retail can use digital signage to update prices, menu items, and other promotional materials in real time. With higher attention and recall rates, digital signage is an effective tool for retail clients to draw bigger audiences and inspire immediate action. Additionally, digital signage has been proven to reduce perceived wait times, which improves the overall customer experience. Of course, digital signage can also be leveraged to tailor content based on location. A central headquarters can publish individual assets and content pieces to each facility based on location, controlling the communication narrative.
PARKS & RECREATION
Similar to government, parks and recreation displays focus on highlighting community events and public servants. Events can be advertised months in advance through stream schedules, giving the public plenty of advanced notice and potentially drawing in a bigger audience. Similar to YMCAs, parks & rec entities can advertise community clubs and programs to encourage greater engagement. Overall, digital signage can be used in parks & rec communities to bring communities closer together and disseminate important information relevant to the area.
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS
Religious institutions can also leverage digital signage technology to bring parishes closer together and streamline certain processes. Hymns and other songs can have their lyrics scroll in a full-screen format through digital displays. Donors can be acknowledged through signage to let everyone know who funds the facility. Community events and fundraising drives can be advertised through digital signage to draw more eyes to a certain event.
TRANSPORTATION
Digital signage in the transportation sector can leverage modern technologies to make the process smooth and simple. Using GPS and radar technology, transportation entities can use digital signage to showcase optimal routes for drivers. Additionally, simple-to-use weather apps can alert drivers to potentially hazardous conditions when driving. On the user side, digital displays can be used to show projected travel and arrival times.
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.
