Digital signage is a term used to describe the communication of dynamic information to an audience through an electronic medium, like an LCD or LED display unit.

According to the Digital Signage Association, the $1.1 billion industry has seen explosive growth in the last several years. The reason of course is the revolution in the LCD/Plasma technology. Screens are now so affordable that they can rival cost of printed signs over the course of time.

For indoor purposes, the most common form of display used is the liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Each display can be used as a single stand-alone sign or multiple displays can be connected in a network.

This versatility provides corporations and organizations the flexibility to offer a consistent message to an entire audience or vary certain aspects of their communications based on screen location and expected viewer demographics.

The ability to interface with computer networks provides the ability to communicate content and information in real-time to an audience.

Virtually any place that has a need to communicate with an audience has the potential to improve its worth with an upgrade to digital signage.

Transportation – Display schedules, arrival/departure information and Trip delays. Allow passengers to access directories, find hotels, get car rental information and make interactive reservation. Display branded and compelling advertising. Shorten perceived waiting time for passengers with News, Weather and Entertainment programming.

Financial – Keep clients informed on your full range of financial offerings. Display live rates and quotes for your loan, checking, savings and retirement accounts. Reduce perceived waiting time. Promote your products through multimedia advertising.

Retail (Retail Stores/Car Dealerships/Spas/Salons) – Gain people’s attention, promote sales and direct traffic. Influence buyer decisions at the point of purchase. Run advertisements and promotions. Educate customers about your products.

Education – Use digital signage in your student union, bookstore, cafeteria, and different classroom buildings to dynamically communicate with your students and staff. Display Building directories, Class schedules, Event Listings, Bookstore sales promotions and Cafeteria menus.

Hospitality (Hotels/Motels/Casinos/Bars/Restaurants) – Present Menu boards for onsite restaurants, cafes and bars. Promote entertainment venues and property amenities. Use it in everything from Slot ends, Table Games, Conference centers, Guest room TV channels, Elevators to any public space to enhance your guest experience. In an in-house setting use it to display employee anniversaries and birthdays, VIP guests, and updates to employee benefit information.

Healthcare (Hospitals/Doctors/Dental Clinics/Labs) – Communicate with visitors, patients, and staff. Display Ads and Health Messages. Entertain and Educate visitors and patients in waiting rooms. Showcase your top donors. Integrate your content with live health TV programming or Internet feeds. Provide interactive directories for staff and patients.

Corporate (Office environment)–Digital signage is an effective tool in the corporate environment. It can be used in settings such as lobbies to communicate with your customers. It can also be used to improve internal communication such as to track sales, display corporate news and messages, promote partners, announcements such as birthdays and happy hours and much more.

Religious (Churches, Temples, Synagogues and Mosques) – communication with your congregation. Display events, schedules, groups, and association information.

Typically, businesses that have measured before and after performance have found a 2.5% or greater increase in sales. For example,
» A small business generating $500,000 in sales per year could expect to increase sales by $12,500 annually
» With a 50% Cost of Goods Sold margin and a $2,000 product cost for one unit, the payback could be as little as 4 months

Apart from using it for your own advertising and communication needs, you can also Sell ad space on your display units to local businesses and create a new revenue source.