From retail stores and shopping malls, to large venues, healthcare facilities and even your own doctor’s office, digital signage deployments are becoming part of our everyday environments.

But as these installations become commonplace, they pose an increasingly difficult challenge to the entities that employ them as well as to integrators: How do you achieve dramatic, attention-getting and engaging experiences when digital displays are starting to blend into the background from a consumer’s standpoint? How can a new display project get “visual priority” over the mainstream digital signage already in place?

The answer to both of these questions is clear: It is our responsibility to thoroughly understand the opportunity, the inherent considerations and challenges, and to consider display technologies that break the mold of traditional displays.

› Purpose: To communicate specific messaging to customers in the store, attract attention of the public from across the street, engage customers and patrons for an interactive experience.

› Environment: High ambient light, low-level lighting, viewing distance, traffic areas, display height.

› Content: Clearly, the most neglected component to any digital solution, we often hear that the kind of content the client intends to deploy is never identified during an installation.

› Implementation/Long Term Plans: To meet budget or construction requirements, would the client benefit from a staged installation plan or a long-term A/V plan with segmented implementation at various times in which budgets are planned in advance, etc?

It’s always important to help your client think, and act, outside the box. Some display technologies that break the mold include:

› Samsung UD22B, 22” Square Flat Panel LED LCD Display: Slim is in, and ultra-narrow bezels are the all the rage. Featuring 5.5mm seams and a 3.7mm top left edge bezel, this professional grade display with a square aspect ratio can fit the needs of applications where slim and lightweight are needed, but at a price point of LE D flat panel displays.

› Samsung SUR40 with Microsoft PixelSense: For clients who want the ultimate level of engagement, this is a solution like no other. This 40-inch interactive display features a totally different experience from the traditional touch technologies on the market today, and can actually “see.” It features more than 50 points of touch, which means several people can interact or collaborate simultaneously.

› Christie MicroTiles: For applications where the highest possible resolution is required, this solution offers a bezelless option with seams of less than 1mm. These rear projection cubes are 12 inches high by 16 inches wide and 10 inches deep and can be stacked like Lego blocks to construct various sizes and shapes with endless possibilities.

› NanoLumens (NanoSlim, NanoFlex, NanoFlex Wrap Series): Perfect for when bezels and seams just aren’t acceptable. These are good solutions for large venues or applications where viewing distances range from 15 to several hundred. These displays are slim, lightweight, brilliant and flexible and are available starting at a size of 112” diagonal and just 85 pounds.

The key to success when it comes to digital signage is to determine the right solution that exceeds your clients’ expectations while maximizing your profit margins by using display technologies that break the mold from the everyday panel.

About the author

Apryl Griswold

Apryl Griswold is business development manager for Almo Pro AV.

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