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Digital Signage Software

Whether you’re driving down the road or having a walk in a mall, digital signage can be everywhere around you.

Searching for the best digital signage software is like looking for a needle in a haystack. That’s where we come to the rescue!

In this article, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about digital signage software. Keep on reading if you want to know more about the options.

What Are the Components of Digital Signage?

Just before we head into the main topic, we need to define digital signage components. This can also help us while explaining some technical stuff.

It’s easy to tell that the components of the system vary according to the size and type of the system. While you’d be correct if you guessed that, most of these components can still be assorted under larger groups. These components are as follows:

Hardware 

Hardware is all the physical and tangible components in the system. This can items like mounts and screens, and other links you need to make.

Content

Content is your inventory of visual graphics, text, and audio used in the system. They’re usually chosen according to your goals and reasons behind implementing a digital signage system.

Software

Software is where you store all the instructions and directions to run the hardware. This includes the content system, the devices management, and programs you use to coordinate and run the screens. 

You can choose your software out of many different options. For example, you have cloud-based software, apps, and computer programs. But more on that later. 

Connectivity

They connect between the software and the hardware. You can make these connections in a lot of different ways. For example, you can use a regular hard-line or wireless setting.

What is Digital Signage software?

As you know digital signage software is the tool you need to store instructions and direct the hardware. It gives you the ability to manage the content and screens used in the digital signage system.

Digital signage is a huge industry with billions of dollars of revenue. So, you can easily expect that there are hundreds of software vendors competing to sell you their product.

If you’re new to the marketing industry, you might notice that all these software gives a similar vibe. The reason behind this is that most of this software is somewhat similar. 

Yet, with some knowledge, you can understand the tiny details between each of these different technologies. At that point, you’ll be able to tell the difference between one vendor and the other. That’s what you’re going to master today!

Digital signage software is usually sold as a service model. This means that you pay a monthly subscription for a minimal fee to enjoy the exclusive benefits of that software. 

Some software providers have constant costs. Yet, most vendors vary their subscription costs depending on the number of screens you have. 

What Are the Types of Digital Signage Software?

There are many options for digital signage software that you can go for. To help you make your decision, here’s an overview of each one of them.

Computer-Run software

Let’s start with the computer-run software. They’re commonly known as “on-premise” software. These systems allow you to run the software on your own computer using your hard disk and graphics card.

What Are the Advantages of This Option?

When you host your own digital signage system, you should expect that it’ll have a larger upfront cost. However, it usually comes at a much less ongoing cost than other types, at least from a monetary point of view.

With a computer-run software, everything is under your control! This includes the hardware, the connections, the content, and the software. 

The whole system is connected locally, so it’s unlikely for you to face any technical difficulties if you lose your internet connection. In fact, this is one of the biggest factors that drives many business owners to go for computer-run software.

However, Some computer-run software can offer extra features that require an internet connection. These features utilize some web-based solutions to allow for remote management.

These solutions make it possible for more than one person to create and manage content easily. This can be beneficial if you have a dedicated employee that manages all the digital signage in multiple locations.

Once you get this system up and running on your premises, it’s fairly easy to control every component of the system. These systems are usually more secure, as everything is built the way you want, and everything is run behind your internet firewall.

What Are the Disadvantages of This Option?

Since nothing is fully perfect, you should expect some issues if you opt for this software option. 

While it has fewer ongoing costs, you should be ready for some occasional cash outlays for technical support and maintenance. These small payments can be separate from the regular subscription fees.

In most cases, you have to be responsible for updating the system by yourself. This includes searching for and applying them. 

Fortunately, some service providers are now aware of that. A lot of them currently offer regular updates that you can find easily. 

How to Choose a Good Computer-Run Option?

If you’re settled on a local system, it’s important to make sure that the service providers update their service regularly. They should also offer decent customer support services.

You should also make sure that they offer the web-based features so you can control your business remotely. 

Cloud-Based software

Unlike the software where you host them from your premise, these ones are usually hosted elsewhere. 

What Are the Advantages of This Option?

With cloud-based software, you don’t need to have an on-site server. As a result, the upfront costs in this option are often much lower than local ones.

This takes a lot of responsibilities off your shoulders. For example, the hosting company becomes responsible for maintenance and software updates.

This means that you don’t need to pay extra cash for local IT support technicians. Additionally, it guarantees that your software is always updated and runs the most recent version. 

What Are the Disadvantages of This Option?

It’s easy to figure out the main disadvantage of this system. You need to have a constant and reliable internet connection to enjoy the features of the system. In some service providers, you may also need an on-site media player.

Yet, you shouldn’t be worried. Most cloud-based service providers cache the content. This means that your content will still run smoothly even if your internet connection is interrupted.

Despite paying much less initially, cloud hosting usually has a higher subscription fee. In the long run, you might end up paying more than if you’d gone with a computer-run system.

But, In cloud-based systems, you should expect that the host to do most of the work, which is a decent trade-off for busy business owners. That’s why many users don’t see this point as a disadvantage of cloud-based systems.

As of security, you should know that your content isn’t confined within your local firewall. However, some cloud-based software can offer an excellent level of security. This prevents any form of hacking or unauthorized access to your digital signage screen.

In fact, some services offer professional security and infrastructure than can be more secure than your local system.

How to Choose a Good Cloud-Based Option?

As you can see, cloud-based offers an easier system at reasonable expenses. To choose a good service, you have to make sure that they got over the drawbacks of this option.

For example, you should look for a service provider that offers top-notch security. Additionally, they should have constant updates and quick technical support. But, these updates should be too frequent, as it might cost you more down-time.

Ideally, they should offer a solid caching system to prevent any possible hiccups if the internet service is down.

Mobile Apps

With the advancement of mobile technology, a lot of hosting companies now offer extra mobile apps to control your system.

These mobile apps can be a stand-alone app, which is usually free. However, they count on running ads as their source of monetization. This can be extremely unprofessional, especially if they run these ads on the digital signage screen.

What Are the Advantages of This Option?

These options can be extremely beneficial as a budget-friendly option. However, you should always go with an app service that costs a small subscription fee to avoid the ads.

It’s also a great way to quickly update your digital signage on the go. You don’t have to anywhere specific to use the app.

What Are the Disadvantages of This Option?

As you can see, nothing is really “free of charge”, and you don’t want someone to show their ads on your digital signage system.

Another problem is that these systems are still in their infancy stage. So, they usually have fewer features than other options. This isn’t the best investment you can do. 

How to Choose a Good Cloud-Based Option?

If it’s not a bonus feature in a cloud-based system, it’s usually a less secure option. Choosing a good app depends on its method of monetization. Additionally, you need to make sure that it offers a solid and reliable system that won’t disappoint you or your customers.

What Can a Good Digital Signage Software Do for You?

There are a lot of benefits and advantages you get from applying a digital signage system in your business.

However, you might wonder about the benefits you can get from digital signage software. But, most software and solutions providers focus on supplying you with the benefits of the system itself.

To give you a better image of the benefits of digital signage software, let’s have a quick look at what this software can do.

Create Playlists

Digital signage software allows you to create custom ads. These ads can be arranged into playlists for content organization.

An organized playlist can ensure that you display your content in the order you want. This can make your digital signage more appealing to customers. You can also use them to display your content more professionally.

It also shows your customers that care about showing them the best service, and they appreciate that. This can help you build a loyal client base as well!

Quick Updates

If your business is subjected to regular changes in the prices of their services, this problem can be a thing from the past!

With the right digital signage software, you can easily update all your screens with the latest offers and promotions at once. And it’ll be with a push of a button.

Schedule Content

In addition to creating ads and displaying them, you can also use digital signage software to store your content. You can schedule this content to show up at specific times.

This can be extremely useful in case of scheduled sales and promotions. You can set the screens to display these announcements at any specific time.

Remotely Control the Content Displayed on Screens

The best thing about digital signage software is that it can be controlled via different devices. For example, you can control cloud-based software from anywhere in the world.

This eliminates the need for your presence constantly to update and manage the digital signage network.

Monitor the Display Systems

Digital signage software allows you to monitor and observe what’s running on each screen in your business. This can be useful if you want to regularly make sure that they’re running in sync with each other.

Some excellent digital signage software comes with diagnostic features. These features allow you to detect any playback issues that can happen with the network of screens. They can also guide you to the solutions or suggest simple fixes.

Manage Display Screens into Groups

What if you have different departments in your business and you want to display different content on each group of screens? That’s one of the digital signage software’s main features!

Most digital signage software, including open source software, gives you the ability to run different content on each screen separately. This can be great if you have a mix of static and interactive digital displays.

Final Words

As you can see, there's no right or wrong answer to this question. To choose the best digital signage software, you have to think of your own preferences and requirements.

So there you have it. With this complete guide about software options, you can easily choose your ideal pick based on the pros and cons of each one of those systems.