Into the cloud
Software also enables the seamless integration of digital signage content across multiple platforms. In this way, display technology can become part of a larger, collaborative support environment.
Cloud-based digital signage software, in particular, has allowed content to be created on personal computers (PCs) in remote locations and shared with corporate decision makers to improve and accelerate its deployment to networked screens. According to a recent analysis by design firm Gensler, collaboration in the workplace has decreased by 20 per cent over the last four years—but today, with real-time engagement and responsiveness, cloud-based software is making it easier to connect teams across multiple offices, platforms and time zones, with some even viewing content on mobile devices.
Media-rich content can highlight existing information in new and interesting ways.
These teams can produce and interact with multimedia content to inspire breakthrough concepts for their businesses’ projects. Multi-user collaboration tools make planning and decision making easy and flexible for everyone involved, as they can contribute to a single project using multiple devices, as guided from one secure and central location.
Further, by using the cloud, their clients can easily be introduced to a project well before its implementation begins. If clients can be drawn into the process earlier, they can help identify ‘disconnects’ and address any issues up front, rather than further along the project pipeline.
In addition to allowing digital displays to connect to existing business data, applications, workflows and processes, cloud technology also means content can be saved in one secure format for easy access by team members in the future. An employee in Canada, for example, can take over a project left off by a colleague in the U.S.
Building a centrepiece
Today’s advances in software technology continue to transform digital signage deployments into increasingly immersive experiences for the public, drawing passersby into media-rich content. To highlight information in new and interesting ways, it is always important to keep the ‘wow’ factor in mind, but by coupling esthetically pleasing content with interactive screens and with cutting-edge software, digital signage can become the centrepiece of any retail store, public space, corporate facility or educational institution.
Jonathan Priestley is the vice-president (VP) of marketing for MultiTaction, which develops interactive display systems. For more information, visit www.multitaction.com.
