Interactive Digital Signage
Why isn’t this display a touch screen?
Posted on Wed, October 21, 2009
I attended a trade show in San Francisco a few weeks back at a Marriott. Upon entering I saw a handful of digital displays in free standing enclosures that looked very inviting showing the events for the week. While checking in (no more than 2 minutes) I observed at least 5 people walk up and try to touch them - and nothing happened. You could see the frustration on their face as they wanted more information from the display and they didn’t want to wait for the whole list to cycle through.
With the advancements of personal devices such as iPhones our expectations have evolved to expect all displays to be touch screens and when they aren’t we are disappointed. Even my flat screen TV at home is full of fingerprints because my 6 year old expects everything to work like an ipod. When he sees a show he wants on the guide he walks up and touches the screen.
If you are considering digital signage consider going the next step and making your signage an interactive experience. It may be a little more expensive but instead of telling a story you are now creating a two-way conversation with your viewer.
Sales Rep verses Touch Screen - who wins?
Posted on Fri, October 23, 2009
While attending a small conference for universities I noticed the LCD touch screen was the more inviting options for attendees in comparison to speaking with a sales person. During a 4 hour stint in the booth I collected 8 business cards and had some nice conversations, but during the lunch break I stepped away for 30 minutes and observed our unmanned booth from a distance. During that 30 minute stretch I noticed at least 10 people that had been walking around stop and play with the technology. The display was inviting and fun to play with allowing users to look through pictures of digital signage installs, experiment with way-finding, and view celebrity profiles on our mock donor wall. With a sales person in the booth attendees were apprehensive about using the touch screen because that means they would have to answer questions, but when no sales person was present it made the booth a completely different experience. Lesson learned - send more technology and less sales people to tradeshows and make sure the content is designed to capture contact details for people that want to learn more and let it run all day including after hours - who knows what type of person may come by and engage with the technology.
Day 1
Touchscreen 10
Salesperson 8
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.
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.
Shouldn’t all Directories be Interactive?
Posted on Tue, November 17, 2009
I noticed this directory recently in the Atlanta airport. Great display, nice enclosure, sharp content BUT it wasn’t interactive. Over a 10 minute span I watched at least a dozen people try to touch it to get more information. Think of all of the missed opportunities to communicate with viewers looking for more information.
The greatest part about interactive content is you get hard data at the end of each day, week, or month. Instead of guessing if people are viewing or using your digital signage - you know because you can track what they touched. You can take this data and look for trends to help improve your content design and how you communicate with the audience.
Free advice: If you are going to put up a directory make it interactive because your audience expects it.
Interactive Way-finding
Posted on Fri, December 4, 2009
People expect highly engaging and meaningful interactions with technology. Customers demand not only ease of use but also an enjoyable experience. Creating this experience for users requires the ability to anticipate a consumer’s wants and to allow them to interact with the information intuitively.
As you look at implementing interactive digital signage remember to look beyond the hardware to ensure you get a complete package consisting of the right software with good creative designers that can humanize your message and build the best possible user experience.
Rise Creative Services Example: Benefits of Interactive Digital Signage
Posted on Fri, December 11, 2009
Interactive signage offers numerous opportunities for companies to improve their connection with visitors and customers, and to streamline their ability to provide helpful information. With hand-held devices leading the way, consumers will become more facile with touch-screen technology, and start to expect it in every environment.
Following are three ways that companies can benefit from interactive digital signage:
Interactive Wayfinding. Companies with large buildings or campuses can be difficult for visitors to navigate, leaving company receptionists and security guards to spend a majority of their day directing traffic. A touch-enabled digital sign can improve visitors’ experience, while freeing personnel to focus on other tasks.
Interactive Conciergee. While every visitor benefits from the “personal touch,” it’s challenging to provide services around the clock. A touch-screen display can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help your visitors find what they want, when they want it, with the simple swipe of a finger.
Interactive Donor Walls. Many hospitals and universities rely on generous donors and patrons for funds; corporations like to recognize employee achievement—interactive signage is a unique way to show appreciation.
If you would like to read more please read the article Three Ways Interactive Will Change Digital Signage
Rise Creative Services Example: Interactive Donor Wall
Posted on Sat, December 26, 2009
Is your donor wall getting the response you desire? Is it encouraging people to stop and interact with it?
There are a number of great donor wall companies that can build amazing walls of etched glass, hardwoods, and brushed metal but the challenge is that wall doesn’t create a 2 way conversation with the visitor. If you are considering new ways to recognize your donors consider adding a touch enabled display to create an interactive experience for your visitors.
Interactive Donor Walls
Posted on Mon, February 15, 2010
Hospitals, universities, and non profit organizations are combining traditional donor recognition with new touch enabled LCD screens. The traditional donor recognition uses static elements like glass, wood, and metal to elegantly highlight contributors while interactive digital signage lets the organization tell a story as to why they gave and where the money went.
With each new donor it is important to show how much their generosity means. If you would like to learn more about interactive donor walls, we encourage you to visit the following links:
* PDF Brochure
* Video Example
