What is Smart Digital Signage Software

Ever wondered why modern cellphones are called smartphones? What changed between the earlier keypad mobile phones and the sleek calling devices we use today? A moment of retrospection will reveal that modern cellphones are more than just calling devices; they can now literally read our heartbeats and count our footsteps!

The concept of “smartness” extends beyond cell phones. Digital signage, those flat screens & billboards showing pre-arranged content, have also smartened up over the years.

Gone are the days when we had to transfer our favorite media files from a computer to a USB device, connect it to a screen, and continuously play the same content until someone reminded us that the holidays were over and it needed updating!

Enter smart digital signage. The coolest kid on the block! Look anywhere, and an intelligent screen greets you right back!

In this blog, we will delve into the definition of smart signage and explore some attributes of it. We will also learn how smart displays can be utilized and see a few mind boggling real-life examples.

What is smart signage

Smart digital signage systems are digital screens that operate using advanced digital signage software. These cloud-based systems allow businesses to automate, manage and streamline content on digital screens remotely. It enables real-time updates, interactivity, and AI-powered intelligence to enhance user experience.

A prime example of smart signage technology is interactive touchscreen kiosks found in airports, ATMs, and retail checkout areas. These displays improve customer experience by providing real-time information and personalized experience.

Smart solutions enable integrating the display systems with third-party applications, such as an organization’s internal dashboards or internal communication tools. These advanced functionalities are impossible in conventional digital signs like USB-driven signage.

Smart Signage vs. Intelligent Signage

The terms “smart” and “intelligent” are often used interchangeably, but in tech, being smart does not always equate to being intelligent.

They have distinct meanings in technology.

• Smart Digital Signage: Smart digital signage uses automation, remote accessibility, and integrations to optimize content management and audience engagement.

• Intelligent Digital Signage: Smart digital signage truly becomes intelligent when it autonomously uses AI and data analytics to predict and adapt to audience behavior dynamically, such as displaying personalized ads based on demographic data.

For example, an intelligent solution could be artificial intelligence (AI) digital signage for retail stores. This system reads customers’ demographics and moods, enabling it to display personalized product suggestions. Such a solution exemplifies both smartness and intelligence in digital signage.

On the other hand, if we consider an interactive digital menu board that allows restaurant-goers to self-order food, then that display is only smart signage, not intelligent.

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Essential Features of Smart Signage Technology

1. Content Automation

Automation is one of the most important benefits of smart digital signage systems. A smart signage software will allow you to schedule your media on a screen or group of screens. Your assigned content will be automatically published at the specified date and time. Not just one, or two, or three; users can create as many schedules as they want.

Besides content scheduling, these signage solutions offer users ready-to-use content applications to ensure dynamic media playback on screen. These apps can show an extensive range of real time content like:

• Weather updates

• Live traffic updates

• Fresh news headlines

• Moment-by-moment sports scores

• Or something as simple as the current time on a world clock.

2. Remote Accessibility

Remote management enables users to access their signage systems from any location, thanks to the power of the internet and the design of modern digital signage players.

Both external digital signage players and Smart TVs operated by System on a Chip (SoC) can connect to the internet, facilitating wireless and remote data transfer from the Content Management System (CMS) to the screen. This contrasts with USB players that require physical connections for sharing media files.

The presence of cloud-based smart signage platforms further enhances remote accessibility. While modern digital signage players impart remote access and download capabilities, a cloud signage software takes it further by allowing remote access to the digital signage command center or CMS, enabling seamless control and management from anywhere.

3. Integrations & Inter-device Communication

Smart solutions can communicate with other intelligent devices and third-party applications, e.g., Adobe Illustrator for iPad through API and other integrations.

This network-to-network communication enables the display software to retrieve and present data from private servers on the screen.

An excellent example is the implementation of smart electronic signage displays in office settings. The corporate digital signage TV software can be integrated with an organization’s internal applications like project management tools, CRMs, ERPs, etc., showcasing various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and business intelligence dashboards.

One real life example is Walmart integrating smart digital signs , interwoven with the store’s inventory and internal systems with real-time product info and deals to shoppers, suggesting alternatives when shelves run bare. For employees, these signs are data dashboards, displaying performance metrics and schedules, keeping everyone tuned in. It’s a win-win, orchestrated by clever digital signage that’s more than just pretty pictures.

4. Interactivity

Digital signage systems often incorporate interactivity, enabling a two-way communication channel between users and the digital screen. This interactive capability plays a crucial role in delivering personalized experiences to individuals.

Behind these interactive displays, numerous “smart” functionalities are at work, including computational power, sensory capabilities (such as touch recognition), and device automation (automated ON/OFF functionality). These combined features enhance user engagement and facilitate seamless interactions with the signage system.

5. Judgment and Intelligence

As highlighted earlier, intelligent displays represent a powerful subset of smart signage technology. Within this realm, there exists a vast array of possibilities to explore and tailor screens for a specific goal.

What sets these intelligent screens apart is their ability to perceive and interpret surroundings, filter sensory inputs, and autonomously make decisions on our behalf. This opens up new avenues for enhancing user experiences and delivering advanced functionalities that cater to our evolving needs.

Now that AI has entered the market, it can be used to gather data on user interactions. For example, integrating AI with signage systems can help recognize high foot traffic areas in a shopping mall and automatically adjust its content to target the specific demographic present, such as displaying toy ads during school holidays. This level of responsiveness and adaptability showcases a significant advantage over competitors whose systems may lack such sophisticated AI-driven decision-making capabilities.

6. Software & Device Security

A smart digital signage system is not easily susceptible to hacking, data theft, or sabotage. These smart software applications are guarded by high-standard security protocols like end-to-end encryption, https, authentication, and access controls.

Applications of Smart Digital Signage Systems

Smart systems are so flexible and adaptive that they find application in almost every domain and industry. Here are some common applications of these signage solutions:

1. Multi-touch video walls

2. Dynamic advertising displays

3. QR-enabled digital menu boards

4. Interactive kiosks

5. IoT projects

6. Digital window displays

7. Large-scale globe-spanning networks of digital signage

8. Smart outdoor digital billboards

9. Smart door signage

10. AI-screens for trigger-based content display

Few Real-life Examples of Smart Digital Signage

Smart signage has gained popularity across organizations of all sizes as a means to promote products and foster brand engagement. It is vastly employed for streamlining operations in areas like transportation ticketing and retail check-outs.

Let’s take a look at real-life examples yielding remarkable results for their owners.

1. Fanta Printergam Smart Signage, Australia

Fanta’s innovative out-of-home campaign asked passersby to click a photo of themselves with the signage in the background. Next, the campaign participants were asked to upload this photo on Instagram with the hashtag #FantaTastesLike. Once the photo is uploaded, the smart signage immediately prints the photo and it delivers it through the Fanta Printergram.

2. Smart Digital Signage at airport Automatic Baggage Drop, Singapore

Singapore’s Changi airport has revolutionized air transportation and air travel. The video below shows how the smart interactive displays generate the passenger’s boarding pass and securely processes the baggages at the connected baggage drop belt.

3. McDonald’s Smart Orchestra Digital Billboard, Portugal

McDonald’s has long established itself as the king of disruptive promotional campaigns. In 2018, the QSR chain came up with yet another fun campaign to promote its Maestro Burger. People could simply wave into the air mimicking an orchestra conductor, and the tasty Maestro burger on screen dances to the tune. Nothing beats a dancing burger, right?

Challenges in Implementing Smart Signage

Despite its advantages, smart digital signage implementation faces several challenges:

• High Initial Costs: Buying the digital screens, software licenses, and paying for installation can be expensive upfront. Although these costs can seem high at first, they usually pay off over time by boosting efficiency and reducing ongoing expenses.

• Technical Complexity: Connecting your new digital signage system with your existing tools and networks isn’t always easy. It often requires experts who understand both your current setup and the new technology to ensure everything works smoothly.

• Content Management: Keeping the displayed content up-to-date and engaging needs special tools and a clear plan. Without a good system to manage content, you might end up with outdated or irrelevant messages on your screens.

• Security Concerns: Since digital signage systems are connected to the internet, protecting them from hackers is very important. You need strong security measures to keep your data safe and to prevent unauthorized access.

• User Adoption: For the system to be effective, all employees and stakeholders must learn how to use it properly. If people don’t understand how to update or manage the content, the benefits of the digital signage system will not be fully realized.

• Integration Issues: Sometimes, connecting a new digital signage system with older or different types of equipment can be difficult. It can be tricky to make sure that all systems talk to each other without problems.

• Maintenance and Support: Digital signage systems require regular updates and occasional troubleshooting to keep running smoothly. This means you need reliable technical support to handle any issues that come up.

• Scalability: As your business grows, you may need to add more screens or expand the system. Scaling up the digital signage network can be challenging if the system isn’t designed to handle growth easily.

Future of Smart Digital Signage

The future of smart digital signage is driven by advancements in AI, IoT, and cloud computing:

• AI & Machine Learning: Smart digital signage uses AI to learn about your audience’s behavior. It automatically adjusts and personalizes content to match viewers’ interests, ensuring your message hits the mark every time.

• 5G Connectivity: With 5G, data transfers almost instantly. This means your digital displays can stream high-quality content in real time, keeping your information fresh and engaging without delays.

• Augmented Reality (AR): AR-enabled signage creates interactive, 3D experiences that invite viewers to engage with your brand. It brings your content to life, making your displays not just informative but truly immersive.

• Audio-Visual Technology: Smart digital signage now utilizes voice and gesture recognition (AV technology), allowing users to interact without touching the screen. This hands-free approach makes navigation simple and intuitive.

• Sustainability: Today’s digital signage is built with energy efficiency in mind. Using eco-friendly materials and smart technology, these displays help reduce energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint.

Call to Further Exploration

One of the greatest aspects of smart signage is that it doesn’t have to break the bank. Remote accessibility, content scheduling, and software integrations and customizations are standard features offered by leading digital signage brands. The cost of digital signage depends on the complexity of your business requirements.

If you’re considering implementing an innovative signage solution for your business, Pickcel is an acclaimed brand that offers a perfect blend of advanced features and reasonable pricing. Reach out to our sales team to request a free demo and see how we can meet your specific needs!

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