Modern Digital Information Boards – How to use it?

In this article, you will read quite everything you need to know about digital information boards. You will learn about:

  • Advantages
  • Disadvantages
  • How do they work
  • Best practices for content creation
  • Strategies for deploying

What are Digital Information Boards?

Digital information boards are a generic term for a special kind of electronic displays that are used to display information in a variety of locations. These displays can be found in schools, hospitals, airports, malls, and other public spaces, as well as in businesses and offices.

Weather forecast on a Public Display
Weather forecast on a Public Display

Some concrete applications for digital information boards are:

What Benefits have Digital Information Boards?

Digital information boards offer numerous benefits over traditional static signage. For one, they are much more flexible and updated quickly, without the need to print and install new signs.

Let's get into some details:

Flexibility and Versability

Updates work easily and quickly, without the need to print and install new signs. This makes it possible to display real-time information, such as flight or bus schedules, news updates, and weather forecasts.

The variety of content options, including text, images, and video, makes them a powerful tool. To promote products and services as well as provide important information to the public.

Visual Appeal

Monitors display high-quality graphics and video. Compared to traditional signage, they are more visually appealing. Thus, ensure higher attention.

Interactivity

Another side effect benefit is that they can be interactive, allowing users to interact with the display through touch or gesture. This makes the information more engaging, which will simplify it for users to find what they need. But in the most use cases, the screens are used to display information only.

Interactive Info-Terminal on airport
Interactive information board at the airport

Ease of control

Distributed screens are typically controlled by a central computer or server. Which can be programmed to display a variety of content at different times of day or in response to different events. They are also linked to other systems, such as social media or weather forecasts, to provide real-time updates and information.

Cost Effectiveness

In the long run, digital information boards are more cost-effective than traditional signage. They do not require the ongoing cost of printing and installing new signs.

Eco-friendliness

Digital signage are also more eco-friendly than traditional signage on , as they do not require the use of paper or other materials. There is also a field called Green Signage, which engaged with opportunities to be more sustainable.

What Disadvantages have Digital Information Boards?

While digital screens offer many benefits, there are also some disadvantages to consider. Some main disadvantages include higher entry costs, maintenance, dependency on electricity, vulnerability to hacking and environmental concerns.

Higher Entry Cost

Digital technologies are expensive to purchase and install than traditional signage. Especially if they include interactive features or high-quality displays. This setup cost can scare customers at the first glance.

Maintenance and Electricity Required

The devices require ongoing maintenance and repairs, as they are electronic devices that are prone to issues such as hardware failure or software bugs. This can be costly and time-consuming.

Furthermore, they require a power source to function. Which can be an issue in the event of a power outage.

Old information board in Canada
Old school information boards do not need electricity

Vulnerability to Hacking

Computers are vulnerable to hacking and other cybersecurity threats, which can result in the display of inappropriate or malicious content.

You had to learn about best practices for maintaining and troubleshooting digital information boards, including how to update the software, how to troubleshoot common problems, and how to keep the hardware in good working condition.

Environmental and Ethical Concerns

Some people may have concerns about the environmental impact of electronic displays, as they consume electricity and may contain hazardous materials that need to be disposed of properly. Technology may also not appeal to everyone, as some people may prefer traditional signage or may not be comfortable using electronic displays.

Digital information boards can also raise legal and ethical issues, such as privacy, copyright, and accessibility. You need to know about these issues and how to ensure that your use of boards is compliant with relevant laws and guidelines in the respective countries.

Digital Totem with the words obey
Not everyone is excited about the new digital world

Overall, it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages when deciding whether to use them in a particular setting. In the article about Digital Signage Security you can learn about security measures and the article about electronic paper shows you a possibility to operate screens with a self-sufficient power supply.

How do they work?

There are several types of advertising monitors, including LCD's, LED's, and OLED displays. These displays work by using a series of pixels, or small light-emitting diodes, to create an image.

To create, organize and display content on a digital information board, you will use digital signage software. The creation and organizing part is taken regular by a web-based CMS which creates the playlists indexes. The digital signage player on a computer or other device downloads the index and the media.

The boards have mostly a built-in processor and memory that stores the content and displays it on the screen.

Most displays are controlled remotely, allowing the content to be updated or changed remotely as needed. Especially when you require a large number. They can also be programmed to display different content at different times of day or in response to certain triggers, such as the weather or the time of day.

Old LED with running texts
Old LED information with running text

7 Best Practices for Content Creation

To create effective content for a digital information board, it is important to consider factors such as the target audience, the purpose of the content, and the amount of time viewers will have to absorb the information. It is crucial to know about principles of design, such as layout, typography, and color theory, and techniques for creating engaging and effective content.

  1. Keep it simple and clear: Use clear and concise language, and avoid using too much text. Use bullet points and headings to break up the content and make it easy to read.
  2. High-quality images: Use visually appealing and high-resolution images to grab the attention of viewers and help convey your message.
  3. Apply color and font carefully: Apply color and font choices to enhance the visual appeal of your content and make it easier to read. Avoid using too many colors or fonts, as this can be distracting.
  4. Update the content regularly: Keep the content on your digital information board fresh and up-to-date by regularly updating it. This helps to keep the information relevant and engaging for viewers.
  5. Test the content: Before publishing your content, test it out to make sure it looks good and is easy to read on the digital information board. This can help ensure that your content is effective and meets the needs of your audience.
  6. Use appropriate fonts: Use fonts that are easy to read and appropriate for the intended audience. For example, you may want to use a sans-serif font for display boards that will be viewed from a distance, as these fonts are easier to read at a distance.
  7. Consider the location: Consider the location of the digital information board and the intended audience when creating content. This can help you tailor your content to the specific needs and interests of your audience.

If you search for inspiration, have a look at this article about Digital Signage Content. It will show you many ideas on how creating your perfect content strategy.

Strategies for Deploying

Digital information boards can be used in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, airports, and retail stores. What are the strategies for choosing the right hardware, software, and content for a specific deployment?

Determine the Purpose first

Before deploying a digital information board, it is important to determine the purpose of the board and how it will be used. This can help you decide the proper type of board and ensure that it is placed in an appropriate location.

Choose the Right Location

Consider the intended audience and the type of content that will be displayed when selecting a location for the digital information board. Make sure the board is visible and easily accessible to the intended audience.

Digital Flight schedule on Airport

Develop a Content Strategy

Create a plan for the content that will be displayed on the digital information board. This can include creating a schedule for updates and determining who will be responsible for creating and managing the content.

Test and Preparing of Success Measurement

Before deploying the digital information board, test it to ensure that it is working properly and that the content is displayed correctly. This help to identify any issues that need to be addressed before the board is put into use.

A daily concern for management and marketing specialists is the measurement of the success. To be able to create a meaningful analysis, certain key performance indicators, the so-called KPIs, are required.

Train Employees and Device Monitoring

If employees will be responsible for managing the digital information board, make sure they are trained on how to use the software and update the content.

Regularly monitor the digital information board to ensure that it is functioning properly, and the content is up-to-date. Make any necessary repairs or updates as needed to keep the board in good working order.

Conclusion

Overall, digital information boards are a versatile and effective way to communicate with the public and promote products and services. They offer many benefits over traditional signage, and are becoming increasingly common in a variety of settings. However, it requires extensive planning for successful realization.


Gravatar Nikolaos Sagiadinos
Author: Niko Sagiadinos
Developer & Co-Founder SmilControl – Digital Signage
Visit me on: LinkedIn or GitHub

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