Top 11 Digital Signage Questions Regularly Asked

Are you considering upgrading to a digital signage solution? Perhaps you need to broadcast real-time messages to your employees? Maybe you’re hoping to push promotions in your retail store? Digital signage can transform how you connect with your customers and employees. Certainly, you have heard the many benefits of digital signage, but still have questions about management, installation, and basic facts.

This article will answer the eleven digital signage questions people regularly ask when considering taking the plunge with this exciting technology.

Q1: What are the hardware requirements of a digital signage network?

Digital signage is flexible! 

Whether you’re a facilities manager for corporate offices or you want to catch the eyes of passing trade from your station kiosk, there’s a hardware setup that suits your business needs and your budget. Effectively, you can scale the hardware to suit your requirements – whether you want a digital menu board or a video wall. 

A standard digital signage installation requires: 

• A digital screen
• A media player
• Digital signage software
• Content

Q2: What type of digital screen do I need?

The exciting thing about digital display technology is that it comes in a wide range of shapes, aspect ratios, and sizes. You’re not stuck with the traditional TV screen. Most importantly, there’s a configuration to fit practically any public space. 

You might want:

• A Flight Information Display System for real-time passenger updates.
• A digital building directory, helping visitors navigate their way around your facility.
• A digital welcome board located in your lobby, perfect for wayfinding or even customer check-in.
• A breakroom screen, keeping employees updated in a fun and engaging way.
• A digital menu board, enhancing the customer experience with video, audio, scrolling images, and animated text, reducing perceived waiting times by 35%.
• Advertising space, maximizing income by renting out prime location space to local businesses.

Consider the desired viewing distance, first and foremost. All modern digital screens are capable of delivering high-definition video, audio, and practically any digital content you can imagine. 

You might want a small screen facing out into the street to attract passing trade, or you might want a video wall installation that keeps people in-store. 

Q3: What’s the difference between the display and the media player? 

The media player is the hard drive of the system. It allows you to download content that is then cached and controlled from a standard PC, laptop, or even a smart device such as a phone or tablet. 

The media player connects to your digital display with an HDMI lead and stores and runs your content. 

Q4: How do I control the content on my digital display?

It’s simple to add content to your media player via a content management system (CMS) (aka digital signage software). 

CMS provides access to an editable content catalog that helps you create eye-catching content in a flash. It’s literally a case of dragging, dropping, and customizing your content. Above all, it gives you a professional-looking display every time.

For example, transform your menu boards with video clips or push in-store promotions. Organize your workflow on factory floors or in offices with high-quality content that you’re always in control of. 

CMS is often cloud-based, which means that you can access and control it through a standard web browser. As a result, this gives you real-time control over your display content, ensuring that your signs move as quickly as your business. 

Q5: How do I create digital signage content?

The success of your digital signs depends heavily on great creative content. This is where we find people particularly lack confidence. 

As we mentioned earlier, your digital signage software operates like a CMS that controls your content. You access the CMS through a simple web portal that allows you to design and line up your content. 

Luckily, you don’t need an ounce of technical know-how. That is to say, the content portal operates on a super-simple drag-n-drop basis. You can choose how to divide your screens, download images from the server, and create professional-looking content in no time. 

Your content is as straightforward or as complex as you’d dare make it. You can rely on our vast library of customizable templates or create your own to reflect your particular brand. Incorporate stock animations and video content to make your creative content as eye-catching as possible. Furthermore, keep your digital signage fresh, engaging, and informative.

Q6: What are the benefits of digital signage for my business? 

Digital signs outperform traditional static signs, posters, and flyers in almost every way. In fact, 80% of brands that install digital signage into their business premises report an increase of up to 33% in sales.

Consider this: the average person’s attention span is between 2.8 and 8 seconds. Secondly, 90% of the information we retain is delivered visually. Hold attention for longer periods with exceptional video and scrolling content. As a result, you’re more likely to penetrate the viewer’s memory.

Research demonstrates that people retain 65% of information if it has been delivered visually. However, digital signs beat this, with an outstanding recall rate of 83% – almost double the recall rate of traditional advertising. That same research identified that digital displays capture 400% more views than static displays. 

So, whether you intend to use your digital signs to market your wares or communicate with staff, digital displays are proven to optimize your audience’s engagement for improved sales and employee interaction. 

Q7: Where can digital signage be installed?

There are a few limits on where you could install your digital signage, but there are some questions you should consider before deciding on the installation location. 

Think about:

• Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor digital signage differs from outdoor digital signage and knowing where your signage will be is for maintaining and efficiency.
• Footfall – choose a space with high traffic to maximize the opportunities for people to see your screens
• Power – is there access to electricity nearby (or will you need to extend your electrical network?). The closer you are to existing power, the cheaper the overall installation.
• Ambient lighting – it’s possible to install a display network inside or outside, but consider the level of natural daylight. A screen directly facing sunlight will require high brightness output to be seen (and, therefore, higher running costs). Think about how the sun travels through the day – are there periods of the day where the sun could blank your screen out altogether?
• Audio as well as video? – some digital signs are capable of delivering 4K video and high-definition sound. Do you need audio (or will it annoy your neighbouring businesses?)
• Screen footprint – digital screens are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The bigger the installation, the higher the initial costs. 

Q8: How is digital signage installed?

Smaller installations may be suitable for self-assembly, whereas we recommend professional installation for larger projects. Have further questions? Follow up with a digital signage sales associate to learn the installation process as it varies for each company.

Q9: What if something goes wrong with my digital signs?

Once your digital signage installation is up and running, you’ll find the system relatively maintenance-free. Any digital signage supplier worth their salt will provide excellent post-sales service. If you run into problems, they should be able to resolve your issues with a little troubleshooting over the phone. 

We’re proud of how we provide ongoing support to our customers at Mvix. And if it’s something we can’t fix remotely, you can open a ticket on our website, and we’ll get back to you super-quick.

Q.10: What type of training do you offer?

When your digital signage solution is installed, engineers will guide you through the software and the technical requirements for the system. You’ll find a library of self-help tutorials on our website, as well as opportunities to speak with our team to answer questions whenever you have them. 

If you’re familiar with basic web pages, you’re going to be familiar with our easy-use content portal. Additionally, we’re always happy to help along the way. 

Q.11: Can I order my digital signage online?

While some companies have digital signage available for purchase online, we recommend booking a demo first. This ensures you are making the right decision about your digital signage and see exactly what you’re purchasing. Sales Associates offer bespoke advice to help you understand the needs of your particular project.

Are you considering digital signage?

It’s much more straightforward than you think to purchase and maintain your digital signage. If you’re looking for an enterprise-grade digital signage system that includes installation and no contracts, click here.