Technological advances are moving communication into a digital space. Digital directory boards, for instance, are being preferred by many commercial property owners as a smarter, and more efficient and sophisticated way to manage their tenant lists.
An OTX (Online Testing Exchange) study reveals that people prefer digital signage to traditional signage systems as it catches their attention, and is deemed more interesting and entertaining. Another study from InfoTrends study confirms digital displays not only increase visitor traffic by a third, but also boost the average spend by 30 per cent.
From a commercial perspective, those consumer preferences and business incentives are driving digital signage uptake by 40 per cent per year, with annual growth expected to continue at 8.94 per cent through 2020. However, before selecting a digital directory board, it is important to understand how the digital format works to enable a seamless upgrade for the directory.
Just Digital Signage has compiled a tech checklist for digital directory boards to avoid the typical roadblocks and ensure the right buy.
For instance, it’s important to use commercial LCD panels, and not televisions for the display screen. The cost factor may lead to a consumer TV being picked over a commercial LCD panel, but regular television units are not designed to operate for extended business hours, resulting in a shortened product lifecycle for the screen.
Orientation is another factor that necessitates the use of an LCD panel instead of a television. Most digital directory boards are installed with the screen rotated into a portrait orientation to allow the tenants to be listed down the screen. Televisions cannot be operated in this configuration as it could lead to overheating issues reducing the operating life of the panel TV, and likely voiding the warranty.
The screen can be mounted using a powder-coated metal enclosure with a toughened glass front panel to give the directory board maximum holding power and a slick finish.
Digital directory boards allow the tenant list to be updated using a USB memory stick. However, this can be a tedious process as it involves making manual changes. The smarter and more cost-effective way to change content is via a Cloud-based software solution that uses the internet to simplify the process. This ongoing system can be set up via DigitalDirectoryBoards.com.
