What Is Digital Signage? The Complete Guide
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Digital signage – in brief
Digital signage refers to digital screens that display content and are managed centrally – from the menu board in a café to the shop-window display in retail to the info wall in a company reception. Instead of printed posters that someone has to swap out, you play images, videos and live content digitally and update them in seconds – even across many locations.
How does digital signage work?
Every digital signage system is made up of three building blocks that work together: the screen, the player and the CMS. You create content in the CMS, schedule when it plays, and the content is pushed to the players and onto the screens – automatically and remotely.
1. The screen
This is the visible display. For continuous operation, professional displays pay off: brighter, more durable and built for 16/7 or 24/7 use – unlike a regular TV. Available in portrait and landscape, from Full HD to 4K.
2. The player
The player is the compute module that runs the content. It can be built into the screen (system-on-chip) or plugged in as a small external device. An affordable way to retrofit existing monitors is the Amazon Signage Stick – plug in, pair, done.
3. The CMS
The content management system is the heart of the solution. Here you design content by drag and drop, build playlists, schedule times and manage all your screens centrally from the browser. A good digital signage CMS keeps playing offline if the internet drops, and scales from one to hundreds of screens.
What is digital signage used for?
- Hospitality: digital menus and offers you can change with a click.
- Retail: shop-window displays, promotional and checkout screens.
- Doctors’ offices & pharmacies: information and entertainment in the waiting area.
- Companies: reception, internal communications, KPI dashboards.
- Education: notices, timetables and wayfinding in schools and universities.
- Hotels: lobby, meeting rooms and floor displays.
The advantages over print
Digital content is instantly up to date, controllable remotely and can be scheduled to the minute. Moving images grab more attention than a static poster, and over time you save on printing and logistics – with no paper waste. One screen, endless visuals.
What does it cost to get started?
Costs come in three parts: the screen (one-off), the player (one-off or built into the display) and the CMS licence (monthly per screen). If you use existing monitors, you save on the screen and get started affordably with a stick. For the full overview of displays, players and software, see lumafy.
Up and running in a few steps
- Define the location and goal (what should the screen achieve?).
- Choose the right screen – or retrofit an existing monitor.
- Set up the player and CMS.
- Create and schedule your first content.
- Pair – and go live.
Digital signage from a single source
It’s easiest when screen, player and software fit together and come from one provider. That’s exactly what lumafy stands for: displays, CMS and the Amazon Signage Stick from a single source – with support in your language.