Digital signage for a business that's up to date

In this era of instant gratification, the ability to promote your brand to a mass audience at the mere click of a mouse is a clear advantage. And it's not just the big corporations that are cashing in on the digital advertising revolution - corner shops are reaping the rewards too.

"Businesses need to get information out to their customers as quickly as possible," explains Ian Langlands from Screentech. "With print media, that's always been difficult, but with digital signage you can easily distribute individually tailored advertisements to multiple stores in an instant."

What is digital signage?

According to Ian, there are two general types of digital signage: LED and LCD. LED (light-emitting diode) signage is typically used in window displays or outdoors and ranges in size from big public screens at stadiums to message screens in the windows of small shops. 

LCD screens are ideal when you want to display rich, full-colour images or video. However, they are only suitable indoors, because sunlight obscures the image.

How do electronic signs work?

Both LED and LCD signs require a connection to a computer network - all you need to do is plug your desktop or laptop into the unit and, using special software, upload your message, video or graphic.

More sophisticated LCD screens often have their own modem and IP address, meaning head office can send different advertisements to different screens around the country at the touch of a button. 

The benefits of digital signage 

According to Ian, more and more businesses, large and small, are turning to electronic advertising and signage because it's:

• Instant: Once the infrastructure for digital signage is in place, creating and displaying new images in time for special promotions is a cinch. "With digital signage, all you need to do is upload a file and it's done," says Ian.

• Cost effective: While the initial outlay for digital signage infrastructure may seem costly, Ian says you'll make that money back over time in reduced labour and printing costs.

• Flexible: Digital signage enables you to schedule advertising right down to the minute. "For example, if you own a takeaway shop, you can promote a different special during lunch and dinner," says Ian.

• Visually interesting: Let's face it - static posters are so last century! With a simple LCD set-up, you create movement and energy in your shop.

The future of advertising

It's quite likely that in the future all display advertising will be digital, so to get a head start and see how it can work for your business, talk to a digital signage expert today.