we are on the cusp of the fourth industrial revolution where technology is advancing at a rate of 100% every 12-18 months. That kind of exponential growth has allowed digital signage technology to advance by leaps and bounds in
just a few short years.
The result is affordable technology that is revolutionizing how businesses communicate, engage and connect with consumers.
Digital signage has reached a critical point where it has become so pervasive in our lives that consumers’ expectations have shifted and the absence of digital solutions creates a noticeable void.
Businesses, across all industries, who don’t adopt and capitalize on digital signage technology face being left behind in a highly globalized and competitive market where consumers receive over 7,000 digital messages a day. In this post, you will learn exactly why there has never been a better time to invest in digital signage and leverage it to transform your business and bring it into the digital age.
In 2018, digital signage represents a billion dollar industry that is poised for impressive growth. The retail industry accounts for 40% of the overall digital signage market, which is projected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6-7% and total worth of $26.3 billion by 2022.[1] Now that the technology is affordable, flexible and versatile enough to keep pace with the human imagination, the implications for digital signage usage in the future are truly limitless
Digital signage and video walls are being used across all industries to provide target audiences with entertaining and informative content. With companies already capitalizing on this affordable technology and pushing the limits of digital displays to new heights, there has never been a better or more crucial time to invest in digital signage. Here are just a few examples of how different types of businesses are using this technology to improve customer engagement, stand out from the competition and increase revenue.
Nordstrom stores were able to increase jean sales and customer satisfaction with their denim kiosk. This interactive digital display uses 360-degree imagery and a series of carefully curated questions to learn about customer preferences and make recommendations based on body type and other factors. Shoppers can then go straight to the racks to grab their best options before heading to the fitting room. There is no need to try on countless pairs of jeans in the store or return purchases because they didn’t fit quite right.
Sephora is helping customers try out different makeup colors before they buy with a virtual makeover simulator. The screen acts as a mirror and allows the user to choose different eye shadows and other products, which will then instantly appear on their face. This digital display technology allows users to experiment with different colors without having to physically try out the products and end up walking out of the store with half their face covered in makeup.
Pizza Hut has revolutionized the ordering and dining experience with table tops that double as interactive displays. Customers can have a seat and customize design their own pizza by simply swiping through options that appear on the table screen. It just takes a few seconds to design a pizza and place the order.
While customers are used to seeing digital signage at fast food drive-thrus, this technology is also being used in creative ways in smaller, private venues. At Taps Social House & Kitchen in San Francisco, large screens display a live feed of the customer’s social media feeds. Photos, tweets and hashtags are instantly on the screen. This has been a great way to build a reputation and brand recognition through customer participation. Users are promoting the bar while also having fun seeing their social media posts on the big screen.
Universities and K-12 schools are using digital signage to better engage with students who are already considered digital natives. More than any other demographic, kids and young adults are used to seeing and interacting with digital displays, which means incorporating them into the school environment is a vital component of effective communication.
At the Marsing School District in Idaho, the administration was spearheading an effort to create a healthier environment and encourage students to make healthier choices, especially in the cafeteria. By incorporating digital menus, schools within the district where able to share nutritional information and promote healthier foods while also sharing additional health-oriented fun facts. These displays effectively changed the culture and offered up valuable information in an engaging and entertaining way that was able to reach students.
For colleges and universities, wayfinding digital displays are especially useful for students and visitors. At Coppin State University in Baltimore, the school displays are used to shared student created content, advertise events, important deadlines, etc. Lobbies are also equipped with interactive displays that show campus wide maps and building layouts, making it easier to find classrooms and professors’ offices.
Digital signage is a common sight in waiting rooms around the globe. In dental offices, displays can be used to advertise additional services, such as tooth whitening and veneers. Urgent care centers and emergency rooms are using displays to share wait times. This not only helps patients relax, it also allows employees to focus on other tasks without having to constantly answer questions. Digital signage also provides the perfect way to share health-based information with patients. Waiting room videos can discuss important topics such as the warning signs of a heart attack or how to get better sleep. This information is helpful and keep patients engaged while they wait for their appointment.
Smooth travels depend a lot on timing. Even the slightest delay can result in a missed plane or train and set in motion a whole series of inconvenient events. That is why providing up-to-date information and speedy check-ins are a top priority among businesses who provide transportation and cater to travelers.
Hotels are using digital signage in lobbies and high traffic areas to provide the latest Lyft and Uber rates and pick-up ETAs along with walking times to popular destinations, including train stations and bus stops. This allows visitors to choose the best route and mode of transportation. Automated check-in kiosks are also becoming more popular as guest look to avoid lines and get to their room as quickly as possible. Ultimately, these types of displays have the added benefit of freeing up time for employees so that they can focus on other areas of creating a better guest experience rather than getting caught up in administrative tasks.
As you might imagine, digital signage has become an essential tool in travel hubs. From airports to train and bus stations, displays are used to communicate arrival and departure times and warn of delays and cancellations. Digital signage has become vital to modern travel and will continue to play an important role in the future as more people venture further from home for business and pleasure.
Practically all digital signage serves the dual purpose of being informative and entertaining, but the entertainment industry itself is also using this technology to generate ROI. At amusement parks, where long lines at popular rides can be an inevitable part of the experience, digital displays are used to update guests on estimated wait times. At sports venues, videos walls can provide updates on games, advertise concession stand specials and post upcoming games – all on one display. Even movie theaters use displays in the lobby to show trailers, upcoming movies and upsell on popcorn and drinks. Digital displays provide the perfect opportunity for entertainment businesses to further engage customers and get them excited about the next show, game or event.
As mentioned above, digital signage has already arrived as the future of advertising and marketing. It is no longer an exception to the rule, but an expected norm. It success is due to its effectiveness. Consider these numbers:
Business are vying for attention in an unprecedented way because of an increasingly globalized market. Competition has never been more fierce and digital signage provides the ideal way to stand out, garner attention and encourage customers to act. Digital signage speaks directly to digital natives while also engaging with other demographics in a familiar and easy to use format the requires little to no effort on the part of the user. For these reasons, it is a highly effective tool whose time has arrived.
Looking to the future, digital signage will continue to increase in popularity while the current technology also becomes more advanced and versatile. Currently, video walls represent the largest growing segment of digital signage and this is a trend that will continue. Video walls will also be able to dedicate more space to screens and bezels grow smaller. Eventually, the boundaries between digital signage and video walls will virtually disappear as displays and their uses become more sophisticated.
From a hardware standpoint, displays will offer more interactive capabilities. This will open up new avenues for use that go well beyond projection and offer new ways to facilitate corporate communications. An increasingly globalized network of collaborators and colleagues will rely on the technology to share multimedia presentations and ideas even though participants may be thousands of miles apart. These efforts will be further bolstered by advanced software that is increasingly scalable. Perhaps best of all, as the technology behind digital displays continues to improve, prices will also continue to drop. Digital signage will provide a highly advanced, effective, flexible and affordable marketing and advertising solutions for years to come.
Just as email as changed the way we communicate and scanners and barcodes revolutionized the retail industry, digital signage has arrived and there is no going back. With exceptional growth, ROI and performance numbers, now is the time to invest in the right software and hardware for your business. While equipment prices will continue to drop, hesitating to adopt this technology will only widen the gap between you and your competitors who are already leveraging the power of this technology to win a bigger share of the market. If you are ready to bring your business into the technology age and become an industry leader with the help of digital signage, then contact datanet AV today to discover all the ways this technology can help you get noticed in a crowded market and meet your specific goals.
[1] https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/digital-signage-market-1102