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Think about the last time you needed to make a quick decision—maybe choosing between products in a store or wandering the halls of a hospital looking for a specific department. Access to detailed product descriptions or a wayfinding directory would have made decision-making much faster in both cases.
We're used to having information at our fingertips thanks to our smartphones. Today, it’s possible to have that same level of convenience and immediate access to information within physical spaces with the help of digital information boards. They bridge the gap between our digital habits and the real world by providing current and relevant information needed to make decisions on the spot.
Introduction to Digital Information Boards
Digital information boards, also known as digital bulletin boards are display screens that businesses use to communicate to their audience through different multimedia such as video, animations, images, and interactive elements.
The rapid adoption of this technology across industries is attributed to the ease of content management and the reduction of printing costs associated with traditional bulletin boards. Once you have your digital information boards in place, sharing updates, scheduling your content for display at specific times, and measuring the effectiveness of your campaigns becomes easier than ever, thanks to a content management system.
68% of consumers claim that the digital information boards within a business would make them more likely to buy advertised products. Engaged audiences are usually receptive to the information you’re conveying—merge that with personalization strategies and these boards become a sales magnet for your business.
Types of Digital Information Boards
Digital information boards can be used in different settings for different purposes. Let’s look at the most popular types:
Indoor Digital Information Boards
As the name suggests, indoor digital information boards are meant to streamline different operations in an indoor environment. Either for wayfinding and directional information, sharing company announcements and updates in a corporate environment, or advertising and promoting products in retail.
The technology behind indoor boards is usually LED and LCD screens, but you can also use tablets. In retail, 40%-80% of purchases are spontaneous, which signifies the importance of digital bulletin boards in driving impulsive purchases.
Outdoor Digital Information Boards
Outdoor digital information boards are large-format electronic displays designed specifically for outdoor environments. They are built to withstand harsh elements such as rain, snow, wind, direct sunlight, and extreme temperatures. This includes waterproof casings, temperature regulation systems, and anti-glare screens.
The screens use super-bright LEDs to ensure readability even in full sunlight. These boards are effective for advertising and promoting products to a wide audience. From a consumer perspective, the need for outdoor digital information boards has been driven by the increasing demand for real-time information and engaging experiences while on the go. Whether that is traffic updates, weather alerts, or community announcements.
Interactive Digital Information Boards
The level of autonomy you provide to consumers today contributes to whether or not they gravitate toward your brand. Modern consumers expect to have control over their experiences and interactive digital information boards offer this independence.
With a touchscreen interface, users are able to self-check out, explore products, and find their desired destination without asking for help.
The younger generation, especially Gen Z, has grown accustomed to interactive technologies and expects a higher level of engagement.
Tracking content popularity and gathering feedback for improving your strategy is another added advantage of interactive digital information boards. They provide you with accessibility options and data collection capabilities to gain insight into your campaign performance.
Components of Digital Information Boards
Digital information boards rely on a combination of physical hardware and specialized software to function effectively. Let's delve into each area:
Hardware
- Display Screens: These are the display medium and can vary from standard LCD or LED screens to larger outdoor-ready displays.
- Media Players: These are compact computers that power the content displayed on the screen. They process the information, manage content playback, and often handle interactivity.
- Networking Equipment: Depending on the setup, network switches, routers, or wireless access points may be needed to connect the digital information board to the internet or a local network.
- Input Devices (Optional): For interactive boards, components like touchscreens, cameras (for gesture recognition), and microphones (for voice control) may be required.
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Software
- Content Management System (CMS): This is the central hub for designing, uploading, and organizing the content to be displayed. Good CMS platforms are user-friendly and offer a variety of templates and media options.
- Scheduling Tools: Many CMS platforms include features for scheduling when specific content will be displayed.
- Analytics & Reporting: Some systems collect data about viewer engagement, content popularity, and system health, providing valuable insights.
Benefits of Digital Information Boards
- Dynamic & Engaging: With a digital signage content management system, you can easily update content and use multimedia elements to capture attention and boost information retention.
- Centralized Control: No matter where you are, you have total control over what displays on your information boards across all locations.
- Targeted Messaging: You can tailor messages based on location, time of day, or audience demographics for more impactful communication. This targeting is possible through features in the content management system, audience recognition software, and integration with various sensors.
- Improved Accessibility: Interactive features, large text, and alternative language options can make information accessible to a wider audience.
Applications of Digital Information Boards
Corporate Environment: They streamline internal communication by displaying company news, recognizing employee achievements, providing safety reminders, assisting with wayfinding, and presenting real-time data on dashboards.
Educational Institutions: use them to effectively share campus announcements and class schedules, offer easy-to-follow wayfinding for visitors and students, showcase student work, and even create interactive learning experiences.
Healthcare Facilities: These boards can be used to display educational content, such as information about diseases, treatment options, preventive care measures, and healthy lifestyle tips, to encourage health awareness among patients and visitors.
Retail Stores: Retailers today are using bullet boards to provide an omnichannel experience to their customers. Either through the use of beacon technology to provide hyper-targeted messaging or using a social wall to display user-generated content or customer reviews.
Transportation Hubs: Transportation hubs see significant improvement by reducing passenger stress with live arrival and departure schedules, offering guidance with wayfinding, and displaying travel advisories.
Public Spaces: Public spaces use digital information boards to keep the community informed with updates and public service announcements, help people navigate with interactive maps and wayfinding, provide event information, broadcast emergency alerts when needed, and even offer cultural or historical information about the area.
Considerations When Choosing Digital Information Boards
Screen Size
If you're planning to use your digital information board in a large space such as a corporate lobby or auditorium, go for a display that's 65" or larger to ensure everyone can see it clearly. For medium-sized spaces like classrooms or retail stores, a 43" to 55" display offers a good balance between visibility and cost. Smaller spaces, such as waiting rooms or hallways, can effectively use 32" to 40" displays for conveying essential information at a glance.
Resolution
The resolution you need depends on the type of content you'll be displaying. If you mainly plan on using text and simple images, a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution will do the job just fine. However, if you want to showcase detailed videos or high-quality product images, you'll want to consider 4K (3840 x 2160) or even 8K (7680 x 4320) resolution for stunning image clarity.
Connectivity Options
If you have multiple boards across different locations, an Ethernet connection offers the most stable and secure network connection. For a standalone board, Wi-Fi connectivity provides flexibility in where you can place it. If you want the ability to easily update content directly from your phone or tablet, make sure the board supports HDMI or USB connections.
Durability
For outdoor installations, you need a display designed to withstand the elements. Look for weatherproof enclosures, high brightness for sunlight readability, and vandal-resistant features. Indoor environments are more forgiving, but in high-traffic areas, a tempered glass screen provides added protection.
Software
You want user-friendly software that makes creating and managing your content a breeze. Choose a content management system (CMS) with an intuitive interface so even those without technical expertise can easily update displays. Also, assess whether you need additional features such as audience recognition software or the ability to integrate the digital information board with your existing business systems.
Budget
Establish a realistic budget that covers not only the hardware but also the software, installation, content creation, and any ongoing maintenance costs. Prioritize the features that are most important to you, and be prepared to adjust your expectations to stay within your budget.
Installation and Maintenance of Digital Information Boards
The installation process for digital information boards can vary depending on the size, type, and location. It might involve mounting displays, running power, and network cables, and configuring the software. For a successful implementation and long-term use, consider professional installation services.
To keep your digital information board running smoothly, regular maintenance is essential. This includes cleaning the screen, verifying power and network connections, updating software, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise. Some content management systems (CMS) platforms offer remote diagnostics and troubleshooting tools to streamline this process.
Conclusion
As a consumer yourself, lack of enough information has often stood in the way of good decision-making. However, that is not the case with digital information boards. No matter the industry, these boards can convey real-time information that provides a smoother, more satisfying experience for your customers and employees.
Throughout this article, you've probably noticed the emphasis on a content management system (CMS). That's because your CMS is the heart of your digital information strategy. It's what controls, updates, and schedules what appears on your screens. With the right CMS, managing your content becomes effortless. And you don’t have to look any further than Look Content Manager. Our platform is intuitive and packed with features to maximize your success with digital information boards. You can try out all the features without limitation with a 14-day trial period. Sign up today, it’s free!
