Installing digital signage is often a tricky task. It becomes more so when your project includes using a large number of screens and complex content delivery. Even elements like advanced solutions using Artificial Intelligence or AI, facial recognition, gesture recognition, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality when involved can make the installation job complex and tiresome.
Yet a significant number of companies give installation and post-implementation trainings a miss in their digital signage strategy. In the following sections of the blog post let us explore the process of digital signage installations and few topics related to it.
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1st step – Preparation and planning
This step involves spotting the location of screens and performing a thorough inspection of a site. You may also have to seek necessary permissions and approvals from the relevant authorities at this stage.
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2nd step – costing and budget details
A digital signage programme is a costly affair. So it is obvious that you have to prepare budget estimation and calculate the total cost of the project. The total cost is often calculated by adding up the cost of equipments required in digital signage along with service charges, recurring cost of maintenance and such other factors.
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3rd step – selecting the required hardware and software products
One chooses the required hardware and software products for any digital signage programme depending upon a number of factors. These factors include scalability and purpose of business.
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4th step – hardware and software installation
Hardware installation in digital signage programmes mostly includes mounting the displays and connecting the displays and media players to the sources of Internet and power. Software installation involves downloading the software on each display. Some of the best digital signage experts say It also involves pairing the displays to the CMS and configuring the CMS settings, etc.
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5th step – Training the staffs or personnel once the installation is over
This is a vital step to make digital signage makeover of a company a success. This step is all about educating the employees of the organisation about different important aspects related to digital signage. The aspects include proper handling of software, different safety precautions, troubleshooting procedure, diagnosing devices and much more.
Let us start with preparation and planning.
Before installation of digital signage it is important to do the necessary planning and preparation. You have to identify relevant factors like the following –
- Purpose of installation
- The target audience
- Location of screens and
- Choosing the most appropriate variety of digital signage
This planning and preparation phase can be lengthy and time consuming. Some of the elements in this planning phase include the following –
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Site inspection
Thoroughly surveying a site is important. In fact surveying the site becomes more crucial in case you are installing digital signage displays outdoors. A team of technical experts has to visit a site for site inspection. The team inspects relevant aspects like power supply, internet connectivity, adequate lighting, temperature and other factors. An example here will make things easier; suppose a digital signage display is put up in a high traffic zone. In that case the survey makes sure whether the digital signage will be visible to its target audience.
Depending on site inspection made by technical experts a number of crucial strategic decisions are made. For example, the size of display; a site inspection may bring out the fact that the size of display is large. In that case the targeted location must have adequate space to accommodate the larger display. Even aspects like structural support, acquisition of relevant permits and other factors are determined based on surveying the site before installing digital signage.
Securing necessary permits and approvals
In a large number of cases it is crucial to secure necessary approvals from relevant authorities before digital signage installation. To put up digital billboards or posters on streets that belong to the public it is important to get necessary permission from the local authority or the city council. To install digital signage in a shopping arcade or mall it is important to get approval from the arcade or mall management.
It is important to note that the time, procedure and complexity involved in acquiring permits for digital signage installation usually vary depending on several factors. These factors include the precise location, the exact type of display you want to install, the scale and time length of a project and such other factors.
The aspect of costing and budgeting
Installation of digital signage involves a cost. You should plan for these costs and even prepare a budget in advance. The cost of digital signage depends on a number of factors like –
- The hardware you choose
- Required software
- Installation procedure and
- Recurring maintenance
Businesses usually spread the cost over time. There are financing options like taking the hardware on lease or rent. This renting option proves helpful for organisations that have limited funds and cannot invest a lot of money at one go.
According to experts with years of experience in installing digital signage TV renting and leasing the hardware offers another significant benefit to businesses. It allows businesses to upgrade or modify their digital signage more frequently. Thus they easily stay updated on technology.
Selecting the appropriate hardware and software
While selecting the appropriate hardware and software for digital signage businesses often come across few common questions. Let Commercial Electrician try addressing those issues in the following section of the blog post.
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Is my existing hardware sufficient for digital signage?
Businesses usually have computer monitors, tablets and TV sets in excess that lie around in stores or office premises. Usually it is possible to make use of this existing hardware for digital signage. Almost any type of screen can be converted into digital signage provided you have a sufficient digital signage player and content management.
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What features are essential in digital signage software?
Varieties of digital signage software are available these days. These include analytics, schedulers and content management systems. There are also several software products that offer all these features combined. Pickcel is one such example.
While selecting a digital signage or content display system it is better to go for one that has a simple UI or User Interface. An expert with years of experience in Commercial digital screen installation says a suitable CMS should require zero programming knowledge of users to control digital screens. Commercial Electrician London, Electrical Contractors London has registered and experienced electricians, and you can call us to book online An Commercial emergency electrician in my area. You can also call us for information on the cost of some electrical work.
