What is the next step with Digital Signage?

Companies are facing the biggest challenge they have ever faced – the digital signage industry is no exception. With most retailers around the world closing, airports and train stations barely carrying passengers, and limited availability of restaurants and other entertainment options, the key players in the digital signage industry are assessing the business impact. The question arises: How is digital signage developing in the face of the Corona pandemic?

We try to describe this development in three phases.

Now

In recent weeks, the world has come to a kind of standstill. During this time, the industry is experiencing delayed installations, turned off advertising channels and decreasing monthly revenues. Like the rest of the business world, digital signage companies are putting energy and resources into managing the crisis in the best possible way. Brands are launching large-scale DOOH campaigns to promote social distancing and content to raise awareness of sanitation is being played out by CMS service providers. From a business perspective, it is now time to renegotiate terms with both customers and suppliers.

Companies are facing the biggest challenge they have ever faced – the digital signage industry is no exception. With most retailers around the world closing, airports and train stations barely carrying passengers, and limited availability of restaurants and other entertainment options, the key players in the digital signage industry are assessing the business impact. The question arises: How is digital signage developing in the face of the Corona pandemic?

We try to describe this development in three phases.

Now

In recent weeks, the world has come to a kind of standstill. During this time, the industry is experiencing delayed installations, turned off advertising channels and decreasing monthly revenues. Like the rest of the business world, digital signage companies are putting energy and resources into managing the crisis in the best possible way. Brands are launching large-scale DOOH campaigns to promote social distancing and content to raise awareness of sanitation is being played out by CMS service providers. From a business perspective, it is now time to renegotiate terms with both customers and suppliers.

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Near future

A few weeks ago we saw the introduction of kiosk-like displays with integrated sensors, built for a world in crisis. These systems are equipped with temperature sensors and real-time distance measurement. Digital signage is proving to be the perfect tool for capturing indoor occupancy data – an important aspect of compliance with local government regulations and guidelines. In addition, mobile phones are becoming a kind of remote control for digital billboards. A technology that has been around for some time, but whose importance is only now being recognised. A smartphone can do more than just contactless payment.

After several months of shutdown, countries are preparing for a slow de-escalation of the situation and are gradually opening up shops. Nations that have been hit more severely by the crisis may have to wait longer before products can once again be sold over the physical counter. In some shops, this could lead to Black-Friday-like conditions with large rushes. How can this be managed? Arranged appointments in the store or improving the Buy and Collect Experience? It is clear that the security aspect will determine the buying experience.

What will be new?

Due to lower occupancy rates and the expected legal framework for use, digital signage screens will play a more comprehensive role than just displaying promotions and menus.

As already mentioned, mobile integration will play a greater role in shopping experience. Future reality will move from touch interactivity to voice, gestures and haptics. As technologies evolve, customers are likely to spend less time in the store, so the digital signage industry must seek to maximize the onsite shopping experience. IoT and data analysis will become more integrated, with masses of data to be analyzed coming from different sources. Not a new innovation in itself, but never before has this been implemented on a large scale.

Corporate communications is another potential area of high growth. While most companies are thinking about how to use their rooms in this new normality, digital signage is increasingly applied to display room occupancy or health indicators.

It is impossible to predict exactly how things will continue. However, in every crisis, new ideas, strengthened companies and innovative products emerge, which is why one can look optimistically into the future of the digital signage industry.

Near future

A few weeks ago we saw the introduction of kiosk-like displays with integrated sensors, built for a world in crisis. These systems are equipped with temperature sensors and real-time distance measurement. Digital signage is proving to be the perfect tool for capturing indoor occupancy data – an important aspect of compliance with local government regulations and guidelines. In addition, mobile phones are becoming a kind of remote control for digital billboards. A technology that has been around for some time, but whose importance is only now being recognised. A smartphone can do more than just contactless payment.

After several months of shutdown, countries are preparing for a slow de-escalation of the situation and are gradually opening up shops. Nations that have been hit more severely by the crisis may have to wait longer before products can once again be sold over the physical counter. In some shops, this could lead to Black-Friday-like conditions with large rushes. How can this be managed? Arranged appointments in the store or improving the Buy and Collect Experience? It is clear that the security aspect will determine the buying experience.

What will be new?

Due to lower occupancy rates and the expected legal framework for use, digital signage screens will play a more comprehensive role than just displaying promotions and menus.

As already mentioned, mobile integration will play a greater role in shopping experience. Future reality will move from touch interactivity to voice, gestures and haptics. As technologies evolve, customers are likely to spend less time in the store, so the digital signage industry must seek to maximize the onsite shopping experience. IoT and data analysis will become more integrated, with masses of data to be analyzed coming from different sources. Not a new innovation in itself, but never before has this been implemented on a large scale.

Corporate communications is another potential area of high growth. While most companies are thinking about how to use their rooms in this new normality, digital signage is increasingly applied to display room occupancy or health indicators.

It is impossible to predict exactly how things will continue. However, in every crisis, new ideas, strengthened companies and innovative products emerge, which is why one can look optimistically into the future of the digital signage industry.