Digital Signage
System Planning Corporation gets an attractive digital signage solution under a tight deadline
Posted on Thu, December 11, 2008
Of course we all try to avoid them, but sometimes, a Rise success story starts with a problem. We were pleased to hear, for example, how Rise Display software and hardware saved the day for the System Planning Corporation (SPC), who sought us out after their previous display system let them down right before a big Open House. SPC’s Rich Griffin, Network Administrator, tells the story:
“System Planning Corporation provides research and development, systems engineering, and technology support services to a wide variety of government and commercial clients. We had been using static signage to provide our conference customers with information on where to find the conference room locations for their meetings, but the building owner had become unhappy with our signs being placed all over the elevator lobbies.
So we were looking for a very modest digital sign alternative: dual elevator lobby monitors on three separate floors here at our corporate headquarters, as well as larger monitors in reception areas on the same three floors. As for content, our elevator lobby monitors would be used for corporate PR, new and existing employee spotlights, conferencing schedules for our internal users, as well as conference services we provide for external users, the occasional in-house produced video, and cable TV.
When we first discovered Rise Display, we were essentially trying to find an acceptable digital display solution for a failed implementation provided by a previous vendor. We had contracted with a local digital signage provider, but after all the paperwork had been signed, it was determined that their solution would be wholly inadequate for our purposes.
There was a great deal of urgency, because the fact that the previous vendor’s signage product was completely unacceptable forced us to scramble to find another vendor who could meet our now compressed deadline. Basically, we needed to have our digital signage up and running in time for our Open House – which included a walk-through by our CEO to show off our newly remodeled corporate headquarters – that was scheduled for June 18, 2008.
I did some quick research and determined that Rise’s internet-based solution would meet our needs and that Rise could implement it within a very tight deadline that we were working under. After trying the Rise Display Network demo before we decided to purchase it, I felt confident that it would be an easily manageable solution.
We liked that it’s internet-based. We felt the combination of the Rise-created templates with our own in-house content, as well as the web-based management approach, was the easiest solution for us.
So we had Rise do the full installation of all monitors and monitor mounts, including three 42-inch monitors we had purchased from another vendor. They got it all done in time for our Open House. Rise was able to provide us with an attractive web-based solution with low overhead under a very tight deadline.”
SPC’s managers and employees alike have been very pleased with the look of our Rise digital signage. The ability to integrate the subscription features, such as the weather, sports, news or stocks, has been a hit. And the overall look of our current templates is exactly what was envisioned when a digital signage solution was first proposed here at SPC.”
Digital displays turn market-watching into a shared experience at Canisius College
Posted on Wed, December 17, 2008
Getting information may be easier than ever in the Internet Age, but sharing that information still poses challenges that can’t be solved by the personal computer alone.
At Canisius College, a private college in Buffalo, NY, students in the Department of Economics and Finance learn the intricacies of global financial markets in part by managing a real-life investment fund. They analyze different business models and market opportunities, and discuss strategies for the fund as part of their business school curriculum. And they needed a way to view and analyze the market together, in a classroom setting.
“The Golden Griffin Fund (GGF) is a student-managed, real money equity investment fund,” explains GGF Director Mike Piemonte. “There are several institutional investors in the fund, which researches and invests in small and mid-cap domestic companies. What sets the fund apart is the work done by the students. They produce high quality investment research and graduate from the program with ‘real world’ skills in both analysis and presentation.”
Mr. Piemonte, who serves as the primary faculty advisor to the student-managers, says that the College went looking for digital displays because “we wanted to be able to see what was happening in the financial markets and what was happening with our portfolio companies.”
Specifically, Canisius business students needed to see that information collectively. “Prior to getting our displays, that information was difficult for a group to access. Information could be accessed on individual computers, but could not be viewed and discussed by a large group.”
To make the particulars and vicissitudes of the financial markets visible to everyone, Canisius invested in a new data board, a ticker display, and two 46” LCD displays, all supplied by Rise Display.
According to Mr. Piemonte, the displays were mounted in prominent locations within the College: “The data board, the ticker and one of the LCDs are located in the financial markets lab, which is used as a classroom for the GGF and is also an information resource to others in school outside the GGF program. The other LCD is located right outside the lab, mounted in a major thoroughfare hallway.”
Along with associated live data feeds, that particular combination of electronic LED and LCD displays “fit our needs,” says Mr. Piemonte. “Information is now available to the GGF class and to others in the college. It’s easier to talk about the goings on in the financial markets to a group of students.
“Everyone has been very happy with the appearance and function of the Rise displays. Rise provided us with a comprehensive solution at a reasonable price.”
The Juilliard School prefers Rise displays and software for their quality and ease of use
Posted on Wed, January 14, 2009
Business schools aren’t the only educational institutions that are turning to digital signage these days to help them get their messages out. For example, New York City’s famous Juilliard School, the country’s pre-eminent performing arts academy, recently updated their campus communication strategy by installing some large LCD screens in the central lobby of their main campus at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
A private performing liberal arts college, the Juilliard School has roughly 1,900 students in its College, Pre-College, Music Advancement, and Evening divisions.
According to Tunde Giwa, the school’s Chief Technology Officer, the decision to add digital signage to Julliard’s main lobby came about as part of their Juilliard/Lincoln Center Redevelopment Project, an ambitious undertaking begun in 2007 that involves some major renovations to more than 50,000 square feet of existing campus space, and adds an additional 39,200 square feet of new theatres, studios, classrooms, practice rooms and specialty spaces to the arts school’s expanding downtown premises.
“We wanted to add digital signage to our lobby as part of our redevelopment project,” Mr. Giwa explained. “We needed this to communicate to our internal and on-campus audiences about events, along with news and weather.”
After first trying a consultant’s recommendation, which called for a digital signage setup that Mr. Giwa characterized as “a very complex system”, the school sought out and contracted the services of the Rise Display corporation, mostly because they found Rise’s recommendations and software to be much easier to understand and use.
“This was our first foray into digital signage,” explained Mr. Giwa. “The system that a first consultant designed for us would have required a lot of people to have learnt a very complex software product, to allow us to design and schedule our digital signs. We did try to learn how to use it, but it was much too complicated.”
Simplicity then became one of the main requirements in their search for a better digital signage control system: “It had to be easy to use, and attractive.” Rise’s combination of high-end display hardware and web-based sign content management software – called Display Wire – fit the bill. In contrast to their confusion with the first consultant’s system, Mr. Giwa said, their experience with the Rise solution was much more rewarding. “Rise’s software was much easier to implement, and much easier to use. It’s a quality product.”
And the performing arts school’s new digital signs opened to rave reviews on campus. “In general everyone likes the Rise system,” continued Mr. Giwa. “Users comment on how easy it is to use, and members of the community seem to really like it. We’re very happy with it. Very satisfied.”
Auburn U. adds electronic signage to their new trading lab
Posted on Tue, February 17, 2009
The Auburn University College of Business is an AACSB-accredited business and accounting school in Auburn, Alabama that has been named among the Best Business Schools by The Princeton Review. The College recently converted one of their classrooms into a trading laboratory, a process which included the addition of several electronic displays to the room’s high-tech design.
Chris Dyba, the College’s Director of Advancement, explained the inception of the project and their decision to enlist the help of Rise Display. “I work in fundraising with the College of Business, and through a proposal for support, I worked closely with a donor who provided funds to renovate a classroom into a trading lab.
“We have used Rise Display for some LCD displays in the past, and Rise was very helpful in introducing us to other university trading labs to discover best practices. So when we were establishing a trading lab in our own College of Business, we knew that Rise displays would be a big part of it.”
Why did they settle on Rise for their display needs? “It was their range of products, technology, and solutions – all of the expertise that they’ve gained through working with a large number of other universities,” said Mr. Dyba. “They brought good ideas to the drawing board early in the planning stage.”
The signs that Rise added to their new trading lab, which include LCD, ticker and LED displays, have been a big hit. “We’re very happy with the result,” continued Mr. Dyba. “We are now thinking about where to add more displays.
“The Rise equipment – LCD Panels, Ticker, and LED Boards – all offer a huge ‘wow’ factor when alumni, parents, or prospective students come to the College. The Trading Lab is always a stop on our tours. It makes the point that we are serious about the business of teaching business.”
Rise displays convey Cornell University’s cutting edge status in investment management education
Posted on Fri, March 6, 2009
When it was time to update the ticker tapes and install a flat panel display in the trading room at Cornell University’s business school, school officials chose Rise Display to provide their display solution. Explains Lakshmi Bhojraj, Director of Cornell’s Parker Center for Investment Research, “As director of the Center, I oversee the trading room and its resources and am responsible for all vendor-partner relationships for the software in the room. The Johnson School’s educational program in investment management, which includes a $11 million student-run hedge fund, is cutting edge and we needed a display environment that would convey its dynamism. After considering our available options, it was clear to me that Rise was the right choice for this project.
“We chose Rise because their displays were eye-catching and Rise offered the best value for money. We wanted to convey the dynamic nature of the trading room and the business school’s cutting edge status in investment management education.”
The result? “We couldn’t be more pleased with the selection of Rise displays for the business school’s trading room and lobby,” said Ms. Bhojraj. “The displays have succeeded in conveying the Johnson School’s leading status in investment research education, and the high energy environment of the trading room.”
“We have also found Rise customer service representatives to be very responsive and helpful and always enjoy working with them.”
Mauer Eye Center’s 8 new displays boost their image and generate more sales
Posted on Wed, March 11, 2009
When the Mauer Eye Center moved into its new facilities in Waterloo, Iowa, they wanted their office environment to be both modern and informative. They soon concluded that the best way to achieve those dual goals would be through the addition of digital signage. As IT Manager Steve Bantz explained, “We wanted to add our own branding to the televisions in our new facility, to achieve the look of being on the cutting edge of technology. This would allow us to market effectively to our patients for the services and goods that we make available to them.”
As a business with a variety of services to offer, the Mauer Eye Center already knew exactly what they wished to broadcast, and to whom. “We wanted to be able to communicate directly with our patients, letting them know about specials we might be running on goods and services within our eye center and medical spa. We also wanted them to be able to learn more about brands we sell and the employees who sell them.”
Because their communication needs were so well defined, Mauer also wanted an easy way to control the content of all of their displays. That’s why they chose Rise Display to provide their signage and setup, said Mr. Bantz. “Rise was the only company I could find that offered complete digital signage solutions. I needed a template-based design that was easy to drop content into, through an intuitive interface. I wanted to be able to update often, but not have it be labor intensive. Basically, I needed something that was packaged and easy for me to manage.”
They hired Rise Display to install a total of eight displays, all controlled by their user-friendly Rise Display Network software. “We have a 65” LCD in the front entrance and several 42” displays in waiting rooms and retail end caps. The 65” is just an amazing sight as it is built into a shadow box and looks ultra tech.”
As for their new web-based control system, Mr. Bantz said “I now have content going everywhere, managed right from my desktop. Everything is clean and professional looking.”
Mr. Bantz was also impressed by the Rise solution’s ease of use. “Friends of mine in the IT field are amazed at how we are getting all of this to these televisions over CAT5e network cable. Having eight displays centrally managed by a Rise Engine is as easy as it gets. I send all content to the displays over a matrix switcher and VGA extenders. Nothing could be cooler or easier.”
Most importantly, said Mr. Bantz, the new displays are a big hit with both staff and customers. “The staff loves it. We’re very happy. It sure beats having plain old cable TV playing in our waiting rooms advertising other things for free. What do we get out of that? We wanted to advertise ourselves. Yes, we still show cable TV on a template within the Rise system, but now there’s a lot surrounding it to attract attention to our facility.”
“The customers also love the dynamic content,” he continued. “They can walk by a display and quickly catch an ad or a college basketball score.
“And patient recognition of brands and specials offered within our facility has increased. Given the increased volume of questions on our goods and services offered at the eye center and medical spa, we can say that it has generated more interest and purchasing by our patients and spa clients.
He said that adding the new electronic signs has also resulted in a boost in their company’s image. “People are seeing us as technologically ‘with it.’ We have had several people ask us how we did it, and we have referred them to Rise.”
Grace Point Church adds LCD displays to their communication strategy
Posted on Mon, April 20, 2009
“Without people, our ministries are not very effective. We can’t meet people’s needs if they don’t know what ministries we offer, or how they can be involved to help us meet the needs of others.”
That’s Steve Weir, Director of Technology Services for Grace Point Church in Newtown, Pennsylvania, explaining why he recently lead a drive to update and improve his Church’s methods of communicating with its members, which he views as a crucial ongoing function. “We wanted to further communicate the needs of our church to our attendees. We also wanted to further advertise the various ministries, and promote them, in hopes of getting more people involved here at Grace Point.”
His specific recommendation was to add digital signage to Grace Point Church’s communication strategy. “We had been relying on a weekly paper bulletin and PowerPoint announcement slides before each service. But not everyone is able to view those. This also meant that we were missing our mid-week visitors, and those who don’t receive a weekly bulletin.”
To ensure that Church messages and announcement are seen by everyone throughout the week, Grace Point hired Rise Display to install three new digital LCD signs. “We now have a new display in each of the entranceways to our church,” Mr. Weir explained, “and a third display on our Missions Wall. This third screen displays Missions-specific content, including missionary profiles and thought-provoking missions-related videos.”
The fact that they can include video and other rich content makes this new approach very useful to the Church and attractive to its congregation. “The more ways we can get information out to people, the better,” he said. “The displays are visually attractive and grab people’s attention as they walk past them. Information is getting out and we aren’t relying solely on the paper bulletin. ”
Mr. Weir said that reaction to the new media has been very favorable. “Thus far, our attendees have been rather impressed with the overall look of the displays. They do look great out in the lobby! The displays have really enhanced the aesthetic look and feel of both our lobby and our Missions area.
“The church staff have also been pleased with the new displays and the potential for ministry development and member participation. All of the feedback has been positive. Everyone loves the appearance of the displays, and appreciates the additional media through which they can now receive information.”
And demand is growing for additional uses for the signs. “I frequently receive requests to add more content to the displays. Our ministry leaders especially see the potential positive impact the displays can have for their respective ministries. They’re consistently asking to have their ministry featured on the various displays.”
To meet that demand, Mr. Weir uses Rise Display Network, the online digital sign content management software supplied by Rise Display that makes it easy for Church officials to change the messages on their own signs themselves. As he explained, “The website for uploading content is easy to use and very convenient.”
Overall, Mr. Weir says that his church is very pleased with the sign project’s outcome. “I have already recommended Rise to others as a premier digital signage solution. They seem to be at the forefront of the digital signage movement. With their impressive client list, I knew I could rely on Rise to deliver.”
Learn more about LCD Displays provided by Rise Display.
Rise digital signage software is a big hit at Dodge City Community College
Posted on Wed, May 13, 2009
Kansas’ Dodge City Community College has joined the growing list of schools that are adding electronic signage to their campus-wide communication strategy. Recently, the College installed two large LCD screens on campus to help them communicate college news to all students and staff. According to Rick Druse, Director of Marketing and Public Information, “We were looking for a way to display upcoming events on campus. At first we were looking at using a computer monitor and Powerpoint sitting in the window of our bookstore. But after some research, we found that Rise Display Wire offered what we were looking for plus a whole lot more.”
The Rise Display Wire that he’s referring to is a web-based method for controlling the appearance and content of digital displays. Subscribers log on to the Network from any computer via the Internet and have the ability to design, modify, schedule and monitor their signs from one central control panel.
Sign owners like Mr. Druse appreciate the simplicity and power of the Rise Display Wire software. “I’m the person that creates and controls the presentations on our new signs,” he said. “The Web based control of the signs has made it very easy to manage our signs.”
Among the many advantages of this approach are the system’s low start-up fees. “The cost of the service was competitive when compared with other display companies,” continues Mr. Druse. “The ease of the system and the amount of equipment we needed. We didn’t have to invest in another server just to run the displays.”
He says that Dodge City Community College has benefited greatly from their decision to add signs to their campus. “This is a great, cost-effective way to get our message to people. We now have two displays on campus and we are working on putting one in our local shopping mall.
“The display in the mall will be a great way to reach people that normally would not see a display on campus. The campus displays are a great way to communicate with students and staff about college events.
“I am very happy with our displays. Creating content and managing the system is very easy. I would recommend this system for any company that has a need for a digital display. It’s a great way to communicate to your target audience.”
Students at the Stillman School of Business learn in a real-world trading floor
Posted on Thu, May 28, 2009
The Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University is known for its keen location to Manhattan, which is only 14 miles away, and its reputation as one of the best business schools in the country as recognized by Businessweek. The AACSB-accredited business school was one of the first schools to adopt electronic displays as a tool for learning. Located in South Orange, New Jersey, the practical facility gives Seton Hall University’s business students access to all of the latest financial market data in a securities-trading floor environment.
Central to the delivery of that financial information are the lab’s LED ticker boards, wall-mounted flat-screen LCD displays, and multiple time-zone clocks. All of the electronic signage in the Center for Securities Trading and Analysis was provided by Rise Display.
Elven Riley, Executive in Residence, designed, built and operates the Trading Center. “I knew of Rise from my experience in the industry, having built and operated all of Citicorp’s trading floors in North America,” he explained. “We needed a market ticker, a multi-function display and the support required of a student lab, and Rise Display is a known provider of quality solutions and continued quality support.”
The Center for Securities Trading and Analysis first opened in February 2005, and over 600 Seton Hall students used it in its very first year of operation. “The intent of the Trading Center is to bridge the difference between academic scholarship and industry application, to improve the student educational experience,” said Mr. Riley. “We encourage our students to use all of the equipment in the lab as a learning event.”
Both students and faculty have been pleased with their decision to add Rise electronic displays to their trading lab. “Rise’s solution has been a perfect combination of functionality and excellent support,” he continued. “The Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University has successfully enriched the student learning experience through our Trading Center and the use of Rise solutions. In fact, we are evaluating expanding the management of several of our information displays by a Rise solution.”
Mr. Riley added that their experience in building and equipping their own lab has put Seton Hall in the role of advisor to other schools wishing to do the same. “There were very few universities with trading floors or labs when we began, and over the years we have continued to share our experience with other universities.”
Rise display brings digital signage to the Mississippi College School of Business
Posted on Tue, June 30, 2009
At Mississippi College, the School of Business is the largest school on campus. With over 6,000 graduates to date, the School offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of business disciplines, including marketing, accounting and business administration.
In 2007, the College opened its new J. L. Holloway Business & Technology Center, equipped with several electronic displays supplied by Rise Display. Why electronic signage? “Mississippi College School of Business wanted a state-of-the-art display that would provide up-to-date information on programs of study and upcoming events,” said Katrina Pace, Director of Development. “Electronic displays are an efficient way to keep the students informed about interview opportunities and featured speakers.”
According to Dr. Marcelo Eduardo, the Dean of the School of Business, Rise was their first choice to supply their signage. “The School of Business chose Rise Display because of the ease with which the equipment can be operated, and because of Rise’s good reputation in the electronic world.”
They purchased both LCD displays and LED Tickers, which they use to display a combination of College news and financial information. “The display system provides not only internal school news,” said Dr. Eduardo, “but also streams real-time market information, which allows students to keep abreast of the latest business news. Having the equipment accessible in the classroom also allows professors to reference current market information, and to incorporate real-time events into classroom lectures.
“The Rise display solution has allowed the School of Business to communicate information to numerous students and faculty by keying in a single message. Unlike flyers or brochures, the screens catch the eyes of students and faculty and bring important information to their attention.”
He said that the signs have been a big success. “Overall, we are pleased with the display solution. The screens have been very effective in communicating information, while also contributing to the high-tech atmosphere provided by the MC School of Business.”
Both Dr. Eduardo and Ms. Pace agree that the signage has brought a variety of benefits to the College. “Our goal in installing the new LCDs and LED tickers was to bring our School of Business facility in-line with our progressive academic mission,” said Dr. Eduardo. “In addition to the market information provided for our students and faculty, the look and feel of the equipment has been a useful recruiting tool when prospective students visit our campus.”
Rise digital signs helps educators capture student interest at Penn State Erie’s School of Busines
Posted on Wed, August 26, 2009
At Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, more than 4,600 students benefit from the resources and opportunities of a major research university provided in a welcoming student-centered college environment. Students can choose from thirty-four bachelor’s, six associate, and two graduate degree programs.
The Sam and Irene Black School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, which sets the global standard for schools of business. This accreditation applies to all business programs, including the MBA., which is listed in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools-2005” and in Princeton Review’s “Best Business Schools.”
Rise Display recently installed several electronic displays, including four LCD Displays, a world clock and an eight-color led ticker, at Penn State Erie’s new trading lab. According to Brian Boscaljon, Associate Professor, they built the lab to “create an educational environment for business students” and installed Rise signage to “display real time information, market environment and conditions.” He said they chose Rise because of their “experience dealing with schools.”
Dr. Boscaljon identified their target audience as “current and potential students and alumni and potential donors” and said that their new signs have resulted in “more engaged students”. Asked what benefit he liked most about the Rise display solution, he replied, “Relevant information to capture students interest and curiosity.”
OU’s new trading lab uses video wall with ultra thin bezels
Posted on Tue, October 20, 2009
Student’s at OU’s Price College of Business now have a state-of-the-art finance lab to simulate the workings of a real life trading floor on campus. To help create the atmosphere the finance faculty worked closely with Rise Display to incorporate a 8 color LED ticker along the back wall to show the latest market updates of the DOW 30 stocks with their corresponding company logo along with a couple of 46” LCD displays to show the latest news and market information. At the front of the room is a 2x2 LCD video wall using the latest technology from NEC Display Solutions with ultra thin bezels (only 7.3mm between each screen) to create the main focal point of the room.
Financial Management Association (FMA) in Reno, NV
Posted on Thu, October 22, 2009
The 2009 annual conference for the Financial Management Association is underway at the J.A. Nugget Casino in Tahoe-Reno, NV. If any faculty from your business school is attending please have them stop by booth 108 to say hello and take a look at our 8-color LED ticker display showing current market updates for the Dow 30 stocks. Attendees can also play with our 46” interactive LCD display showing the new interactive donor wall and way-finding system for universities.
Interactive Building Directory Content
Posted on Sun, October 25, 2009
In many of the new buildings being constructed today interactive digital signage is becoming a requirement. Instead of paying a person to sit behind a desk and direct traffic companies are using technology to efficiently allow visitors to search for the appropriate person and have it draw them a map to that department. When the display isn’t in use it provides a great source to share information such as the weather, headline news, or details about the property management firm or the “green” features of the building.
The graphic in this post illustrates an example of a design produced by our creative services team to show how live data can be integrated into the design to make the building directory interesting and engaging.
Outdoor Enclosures improve the Game Day Experience
Posted on Mon, October 26, 2009
Normally I wouldn’t consider a TV digital signage, but since we provided over 50 industrial grade outdoor enclosures by ITS to the Kansas City Chiefs for their stadium renovations I will make an exception. During Sunday’s rainy game at Arrowhead against the San Diego Charges there seemed to be more fans in the concourse watching the strategically placed LCD TVs then in the stands getting soaked. While the intention of the LCDs was to ensure you never miss a play while grabbing a hot dog at the concession stand, during inclement weather these displays (and enclosures) make the game day experience more enjoyable.
Digital Signage Example Gallery
Posted on Wed, October 28, 2009
One of the most common requests I hear from clients is for photos of installations. While they aren’t always easy to get, we push our installers and sales team hard to make sure they have cameras with them and get photos whenever possible to show digital signage in action.
We have been steadily improving our website over the past few months and we now have over 500 images of actual installations and content examples for visitors to browse through. If you have a moment visit our Examples section and send us feedback, or better yet if you are an existing Rise client and have a great picture you would allow us to share please email it to us at sales@risedisplay.com.
Digital Directory Display at Northeastern University
Posted on Thu, October 29, 2009
The new digital signage system at Northeastern University has multiple components from a 2x2 video wall, digital signage showing events, and digital directory displays. Historically printed signs or the white stick on letters were used for building directories, but as the cost of digital signage continues to drop and software advances why would any new building not go digital.
Think of the benefits:
1) unlimited flexibility to change the look and background
2) the ability to incorporate news and weather
3) if you reassign rooms no need to reprint
4) wow factor - impress visitors
5) for important events direct traffic
These are just a fraction of the reasons so if you are building a new building and you are thinking static, think again. And if you are thinking digital signage, go one step further and think interactive digital signage, because users are becoming more savvy and they are expecting your displays to be touch enabled.
The Right Creative Touch Can Make Great Digital Signage Content
Posted on Fri, October 30, 2009
If you give IT control of your digital signage you could end up with 3 square boxes on a plain background, but the integration to your local data from spreadsheets, databases, and websites will be amazing. If you give marketing control the design will be beautiful but you might be lacking integration from live data components. When you use creative design services from a digital signage provider you can get the best of both worlds by combining live data sources with a visually stunning design that can stop viewers in their tracks and keep them coming back time after time.
At Rise Display our creative designers to a truly amazing job, if you want a fresh look to your digital signage take a look through our library of designs in our examples library when you have a few minutes. At a minimum you can get some new ideas on how to make your displays more appealing.
Commercial Grade LCD - why?
Posted on Sat, October 31, 2009
Cheap prices on consumer grade LCD TVs have helped drive record growth in digital signage, it has also created headaches for digital signage integrators trying to provide the best solution for an application. Every week we run into a customer that just put the latest 1080P, HD LCD in his/her home at a ridiculously low price from Best Buy and they don’t understand the price difference.
A study from Pacific Media Associates found that less than 40% of the monitors in corporate boardrooms were commercial grade and that over half of the companies surveyed were just planning to purchase their next flat panel from Wal-mart or Best Buy. While a company can get away with putting a consumer grade product in a boardroom since they likely only use it a few hours a day, taking the same strategy can be a costly mistake with digital signage intended to run longer hours.
The main issue with consumer displays is they are designed to run 4 to 6 hours a day verses 16 to 24 for most digital signage applications. Commercial grade displays from leading manufacturers such as NEC Display Solutions are designed to dissipate heat and use higher grade components to act more reliably during the more intense usage. As a consumer grade display continues to run it gets hotter and hotter thus increasing the likelihood of failure.
When (not if) you encounter a failure, this is where the real difference between commercial and consumer grade comes to the surface. With a consumer grade product you typically get a 90 day warranty but in most cases if you read the fine print the warranty is void when you use the display in a commercial setting. A commercial grade product typically comes with a 3 year warranty and with some manufacturers that includes on-site service.
If you would like to learn more about the comparisons between commercial and consumer LCD products please visit the links below:
Pro AV Magazine
NEC White Paper
Content Design: Balancing Live Data with User Messaging
Posted on Wed, November 4, 2009
Incorporating live data such as financial market updates, sports scores, news headlines and local weather into your digital signage content is a great way to make your display a destination and keep your visitors entertained every time they pass by. Check out the enclosed graphic showing a creative design utilized by one of our university client to help them convey their message along with a nice mixture of real-time information to capture attention.
Many users question costs for licensed data because they can go grab similar information for free from Google or Yahoo. Why is that data free? Because those websites are trying to attract your traffic in pursuit of pay-for-click or advertising revenue. While those data services may be free to visitors someone is ultimately paying for the rights to display the information and if you read the website user terms many of them specifically say it is for personal use and not allowed for public display. Another concern with using “free” data from the web is that it could be unreliable or go away at any time. What is to prevent that website from changing their design and removing the data service you are using.
In summary using live data is a great way to make your display stand out, just make sure you use an authorized source so you don’t wake up to find a key element of your content is missing.
