Introduction
Paper posters fade, take time to print and cannot be changed in time for a promotion. Digital signage solves exactly that – screens that show dynamic content and are managed centrally.
This introduction explains what digital signage is, which device types exist, and how the IWILL iKiosk and iWall ranges are changing retail, hotels and public spaces.
What exactly is digital signage?
A screen, or network of screens, showing adverts, menus, information or wayfinding – driven by software rather than someone with a USB stick. Content can be scheduled by the hour, changed remotely and, on touch models, respond to interaction.
Why not a normal TV?: consumer televisions are not designed for continuous operation, have no built-in media system and cannot be managed centrally. Professional displays are built for 24/7 duty.
The main device types
Totem kiosk
A floor-standing screen such as the iKiosk-5501 (55″) that draws attention in lobbies, shopping centres and airports, often with touch for interactivity.
Wall display
Wall-mounted, such as the iWall-4301 – ideal for menus in food outlets, with split-screen for several content zones.
Interactive board
A large touch screen such as the iSmart-7501 (75″ 4K) for presentations, training and meeting rooms, with dual Android/Windows options.
Where digital signage pays off
Retail and shopping centres
Real-time promotions, seasonal campaigns without printing, impulse sales at the till.
Restaurants and cafés
Digital menus that switch between breakfast, lunch and dinner at the click of a button.
Hotels and airports
Wayfinding, event information and branding in front-of-house spaces.
Education and offices
Interactive boards for training, announcements and internal communication.
Example: a restaurant chain replaces printed menus
A chain of eight quick-service restaurants printed its menus on paper. Every price or product change meant new artwork, printing, delivery to every site and manual replacement – slow, expensive and often inconsistent between sites.
With iWall-4301 displays above the tills, the menu is managed centrally. Split-screen shows the main menu, the offer of the day and a product video at the same time. At 11:00 the screens switch from breakfast to lunch automatically – with no one touching them.
Seconds
to change a price across all eight sites
No print costs
for menu changes
3 zones
of content on one screen
How content reaches the screen
The heart of every signage system is a CMS (content management system) – software where you upload images, video and menus, schedule them by the hour and send them to selected screens. Popular options such as Xibo and Yodeck work well with IWILL’s Android displays.
For multi-site networks you usually add a separate edge media player that caches content locally, so the display keeps running even if the internet drops. See also our complete digital signage guide for restaurants and retail.
Conclusion
Digital signage is more flexible, cheaper in the long run and far more engaging than static posters. With the iKiosk, iWall and iSmart ranges, IWILL covers everything from a compact window display to a 75″ interactive board.
Kiosks and signage displays for UK projects
The iKiosk, iWall and iSmart ranges are supplied to UK projects on enquiry. Tell us the locations, screen sizes and content you have in mind, and we will recommend the formats and a player for each site.