Digital Signage
What is Digital Signage?
Digital Signage replaces traditional signs with electronic signs such as LCD or plasma panels. It allows targeted programming in public areas. Content can range from information, entertainment, point-of-purchase advertising, cable TV, or a combination thereof. It’s considered “green” because it prevents one-time use signs from being thrown away. Content can be scheduled and quickly updated.
Digital Signage at Vanderbilt
Digital Signage at Vanderbilt is a self-service product offering. We’ve outlined the steps necessary to get digital signage. If you have difficulty, contact your Service Delivery Manager or Partner Support.
Note: While Vanderbilt customers can choose vendors on their own, NEC and Boetel are both well-known vendors to Vanderbilt ITS and have worked with ITS on past digital signage installations.
Additionally, customers must go through NEC to use the ITS dedicated digital signage server.
Before ordering Digital Signage at Vanderbilt, you’ll typically need three estimates:
Hardware and Software from NEC — This includes the digital signage and the computer and software needed to run it. To initiate this estimate, fill out and submit the NEC Digital Signage Estimate form .
Sign(s) Installation Estimate — Click to request an estimate by email. Provide the intended location of the signs (building, room, and other relevant information), the number and size of the signs, and the type of surface to which the sign(s) will be mounted.
Electrical Outlet Estimate from Vanderbilt Plant Operations — Unless you have an existing electrical outlet in the area where the sign(s) will be mounted, you’ll likely need an electrical outlet installed. Click Request for Estimate Form and complete it, providing the requested information, including location (building, room, and other relevant information). Plant Operations will determine the availability of power at the intended location(s).
Once you have estimates and the costs have been approved for your department, contact NEC and order your sign(s) to get an estimate of delivery date. The time from ordering to delivery is approximately six weeks. Once you have that, schedule a time close to that date for Boetel and Plant Operations to complete their work. Always schedule Boetel after the sign delivery date so their workers do not arrive and find no sign(s) to install.
NEC has partnered with Scala, a pioneer in digital signage, to make available InfoChannel, the most widely-deployed digital signage software platform in the world. For more information, see the links below:
NEC information about InfoChannel
Scala information about InfoChannel
If you want digital signage content development training, NEC offers training by Scala instructors. Prices (subject to change without notice) are below:
Advanced Graphic Design (two days) |
$1,200 |
|
Advanced Programming (two days) |
$1,200 |
|
Technical Partner Certification (two days) |
$1,200 |
|
On-site Training |
Call for quote |
Click to request training.
“You could call it a sign of the times—eye-catching multimedia displays that integrate, schedule and manage video, stills, TV and cable feeds, sound and data.”
--NEC website
Digital signage is replacing printed signs. It’s a growing market, mushrooming 50 percent every year. And it’s a green product.
Recently the media research company Arbitron conducted a survey at a shopping mall to gauge people’s response to digital signage. It revealed that people have a significantly higher recall of ads seen on digital signage than of the same ads seen on television. The study also found*:
- People remember them. Half of the consumers spontaneously mentioned the video screens when asked about recent changes made to the mall.
- People prefer them. Four out of 10 shoppers preferred visiting a mall with video screens.
- People recall seeing advertised products. Nearly half of all shoppers could name, without prompting, at least one brand they saw advertised on the video screens that day.
- People remember product ads better than they do television commercials. More consumers recalled seeing products (diet soda and a jewelry retailer) on digital signage in the mall than during a television show they had just watched.
*From NEC website
