Digital Signage… what we have learned

1. Digital Signage… what we have learned Jennifer Lichty and Mark Venhuizen South Dakota State University Saturday, November 3, 2012

2. Objectives • Give you a step by step analysis of the planning that should happen departmentally and possibly at the campus level prior to purchasing a sign system.  • Suggest questions to ask the vendors • Define content prior to the purchase • Pre-planning with IT, campus expansion possibilities and challenges, and catch 22’s.

3. Questions to Ponder • Many Vendors, all unique, different interfaces, great concept but before pulling the trigger need to identify the following. • How is the vendors signage's structured? • Web based/housed remotely • Content stored locally • One player distributed from a central hub • Or PC’s at each monitor location via university network resources.

4. Questions to Ponder • Many Vendors, all unique, different interfaces, great concept but before pulling the trigger need to identify the following. • Content- what is it and who does it? • Still ads, schedules, RSS, animations, videos, audio? Do you have the resources? • Does their product interface with your scheduling program?

5. Questions to Ponder • Many Vendors, all unique, different interfaces, great concept but before pulling the trigger need to identify the following. • Content- what is it and who does it? • Who creates, adds, and removes content? Policy? • If the signage is looked at as a revenue stream do are you setup to produce the ads in house • Big investment, how do you make sure your getting a return on your efforts/expense.

6. Questions to Ponder • Many Vendors, all unique, different interfaces, great concept but before pulling the trigger need to identify the following. • Expansion-will your facility be growing? • Hardware - May be cheaper to build expansion/additional sign capabilities into your initial plan. • Interface with EMS or your campus scheduling program.

7. Questions to Ponder • Many Vendors, all unique, different interfaces, great concept but before pulling the trigger need to identify the following. • Expansion-will your facility be growing? • How will your system interface with other campus signs, will you manage the university sign area or just yours

8. Questions to Ponder • Is your vendor currently working with other departments on campus? • What deals have they already cut, if any? • Does your signage proposal fall under IT control? • May happen if one of the functions of the signage is EMS (Emergency Messaging System).

9. Questions to Ponder • What included with the vendor portion of the install? • Support?

10. Content / Visual Considerations

11. Content • What’s going to be on the signs. There’s a ton of “we could’s” but need to have a solid idea of what’s going to be displayed and who & how will the vision of the project be executed. • Our ad work flow example

12. Our Content

13. Our Content

14. Content • Still ads, schedules, RSS, animations, videos, audio? Do you have the resources both people and expertise? • Will the same content be on every display simultaneous? • Who creates, adds, and removes content? Policy?

15. Partner with IT • Think big picture-may already be a signage plan for your campus. • How do you secure the servers, add content • How will your system interface with other campus signs, will you manage the university sign area or just yours • What wiring and ports will need to be added at your sign locations? Network access? Cable pulls? Head end location. Power drops. Ask a lot of questions.

16. Questions?