Digital Signage Articles

A week after – the world is still having ISE after-shakes, delegates are recovering from bad weather in Amsterdam and we are fine-tuning our preparation for the next event. And the next one is Digital Signage Expo 2010, Las Vegas.

We will be doing many different things over there. Among others – guiding the Digital Signage Expert Tour. Surprised? Can you imagine the show without DSET? Not any longer…

The Tour is sponsored by Digital Signage Association, and there are still couple of places left… Hurry up, since they are being snatched as we speak. Register for the Digital Signage Expert tour, or schedule a meeting with our Experts here.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2010/02/dse-2010-digital-signage-world-moving.html

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This is a story about event’s backstage…
Normally, event booths are all shiny and sparkling on the outside – with all the furniture…

and technology presented…

But, when we take a peek of the booths while they were “under construction”…

and compare “before”

and “after” pictures…

We understand that miracles are possible! Just like in any fairytale…

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2010/02/ise-2010-pictures-for-archive.html

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The DSET was organized under the OVAB Europe’ umbrella, and was, as invidis reports, such a success, that many interested parties didn’t participate in the tour – since it was fully booked!

Thanks to Oliver and Florian from invidis, and to Emmanuel Canizares, who was guiding the tours – for all those that missed it – DSET’s ISE guidebook can be found here.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2010/02/ises-digital-signage-expert-tour-to.html

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Minicom Digital Signage is recruiting: we are looking for a capable Senior Sales Manager for the German speaking countries (DACH). Please contact Ronni Guggenheim for further details: ronni.guggenheim@minicom.com.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2010/02/we-are-looking-for-senior-sales-manager.html

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A big THANK YOU to Adrian and his DailyDOOH team for the best coffee at ISE. It saved my life during the show and kept me going. Not to mention that the sweet smile of the Caffista made sugar superfluous.

Lots of traffic in the blogger lounge. It was an excellent combination having both the DailyDOOH blogger lounge, OVAB and the ISE Digital Signage Showcase in the same complex. It attracted all together very distinct, highly focused DS traffic.

No doubts we will look for ways to repeat and further improve this winning presence next year!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2010/02/best-coffee-at-ise-was-clearly-at.html

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Both the educational tracks at ISE have attracted tremendous attention and traffic. We will report more later.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2010/02/ovab-ds-expert-tour-ise-ds-showcase.html

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One day before the official begin of ISE, Amsterdam was a host to the DOOH Conference, in organization of OVAB Europe & invidis. Excellent introductory material, with outstanding line-up of speakers… read more about it at Digital Signage Expert…

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2010/02/ise-2010-dooh-conference-twitter.html

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Many things are happening on this year’s ISE. Three main adjectives are crossing my mind, while thinking about this event – educational, high-level and fun.

Educational because of the “excellent on-floor education opportunity: OVAB DS EXPERT TOURS.” OVAB Europe is organizing the successful DS Expert tours, taking groups alongside the food chain of a signage application through the show floor. Register here to participate for free:
http://ovab.eu/integrated-systems-2010-%E2%80%93-ovab-europe-expert-tours/

High-Level because of the DS Showcase (Hall 10/10M118), which will show the DS ecosystem with participants such as Intel, Harris, NEC, Minicom Digital Signage, EyeClick, Bell Micro and Alioscopy. You can register for meetings under this link:
http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/events/ise10.cfm

Fun because of the Bloggers Lounge, where free wi-fi, coffee, tea & water are offered.

Sure, it won’t go unattended from our side. We’ll have a full coverage of the main highlights, and even a LIVE twitter from the most interesting spots. So, stay tuned and be informed!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2010/01/ise-2010-educational-high-level-fun.html

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Our business is all about impact and creativity. The idea is to keep it is as simple as can be but with impact included. This little posting is just to give a tip. Just keep your eyes open and see what is happening around you. Creativity always is nearby.
Have a look at a couple of examples and remember, this is how you should work with your screens also. Look for the magic. It is not so difficult, just trust your imagination.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2010/01/inspiration-is-always-nearby.html

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Most of the time the best thing to do with your content for digital signage is to broadcast it without audio. People can’t hear it very well and for shop employees it really is annoying. They will switch the audio off going mad hearing the same melody every 5 minutes. But sometimes we do recommend to use audio. Just use it for the clips that need extra attention. No audio for mood etc but use audio for commercials, for example. Just to wake people up passing the screen.

A good example, I think, where they would have done a good job is using audio for the giant screen at Victoria Railway station, London. It is a giant hall with a giant screen and I tried to have a look at the people in the hall. And guess what, nearly nobody was looking at the screen. Expensive commercials came along. Nobody noticed them, as far as I could see. Think it is a good idea to pause the programming with some really cool content and then show the commercials (with audio).

Watch a little clip of the screen and also look at the clip below where you can see no one was watching. It is a pity for such a great location.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/12/do-use-audio-when-needed.html

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Just a short posting this week. Visited London last Wedsnesday, actually rather cold because of the wet snow slamming into my face horizontally. But somehow it always happens when I am in this city, I must see Piccadilly circus. I always want to experience the mother of all out of home (digital) signage; the giant screens. This time I made a little clip of it just to share it with you.

Beneath it I found a banking office. Just before security asked me to stop filming with my HTC I shot this little clip. That’a a nice way of using content!

And this guy, don’t know how he felt that day. Also rather cold I presume.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/12/picadilly-circus-talking-about-impact.html

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We all think and know we are doing a good job in our industry. We all think we know how to fill those screens in the most proper and revenue gaining way. But sometimes we cope with the difficulty of telling the message unless we all know less is more. Therefore I want to give you all a good tip; if you can’t find the right solution for you instore tv add, just think about it as if you produce an add for a digital signage screen. Because there you have to follow the golden rule less is more.

Beneath a couple of brilliant examples of traditional, non digital, signage to make something clear to the audience. Examples of professional agencies but also of non-professionals. Again, it is all about creativity.

The white line says: ‘Durex wishes you a great evening.’

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-we-can-learn-from-traditional.html

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Another institution that always includes digital signage in their events are United Nations. At their latest conference, taking place from December 7th to 18th in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the theme that occupies the attention of wide international public – Climate Change – UN chose Bella Center to be the congress center which will host the event.

As every other big event in UN organization, this one is having many simultaneous sessions/panels, on different subjects under the umbrella of the general theme. And these sessions are taking place in different conference rooms at Bella Center.

We can agree or not that this conference will be a significant step for the future of the Earth and mankind, but we can definitely agree that UN know how to give a modern, contemporary look to their events. Thumbs up for the organizer!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/12/climate-change-copenhagen-and-digital.html

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The latest noted trend on the Zurich clubbing scene is introduction of new media into the customizable, usually limited club space.

If we take Moods, the first address for jazz events in Zurich, as one of the examples for the trend, we can notice that the new well placed displays, just between the bar and adaptable podium and stage are gaining huge attention of the audience. They are running the ads of sponsors and information about the program of the night or announcement for the future planned events.

But, two new displays in this avant-garde place is not the only novelty. Projector with the screen is being placed right on the stage, which allows the organizer to switch from e.g. displaying movies to full music stage within couple minutes (see two pictures above).

It is really good to see how the club owners respond to the latest trends, and the way their business feeling leads them to give their clubs this up-to-date look and feel with digital signage (pictures origin: Goran Potkonjak).

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/12/digital-signage-and-zurich-clubbing.html

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It is an often heard phenomenon these days to integrate UGC into the content programming of DS screens. I know, technical aspects aren’t an obstacle anymore. And I also know, some target groups are more than ready for it. But it still makes me shiver to open your bandwidth for everyone who wants to upload their own mobile-phone-shot-clips or pictures. What about viruses, what about abusive content and how to control it, and most important what about your advertisers who bought expensive airtime during the same loop of content? Do they like to be exposed to possible abusive content next to theirs?

I know, there are more possibilities. Let people edit their own clips or impressions at home on their own laptop. After an editor censored it the content always can be broadcasted in a safe way. But this is expensive and a time raising effort.

But what are the benefits of UGC? During a concert, a soccer game or on a large screens as just have been placed in London UGC may work. It even might be fun. But, always involve your advertisers if you decide to do it.
In my opinion UGC gives you, as a network owner, more headache than profit. I am not convinced at all. And please let’s be careful. At last companies are learning and accepting to book more money for content. So why should we take a risk to integrate UGC if the benefits are not clear at the moment. Perhaps I am wrong. Would be nice if someone could convince me…

Okay, one last note; I wrote about it before, lately a UGC concept was given birth at bus.top. Think this kind of UGC could make sense. But then again, I hope they can control the guys who wants to upload abusive content.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/12/user-generated-content-in-digital.html

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Yes, we are talking about the draw for football World Cup, that will for the first time take place on the African continent. The ceremony was held yesterday, in Cape Town, and we were once again impressed by the way that FIFA uses contemporary technology at their high-profile events.

This time, on the 4.600 square meters stage, they managed to install huge screens, which showed live the draw results, run different content (artist videos, Nelson Mandela’s speech etc)

It wasn’t only the stage that was digitilized for the occasion. The hall was as well…

…just like a space in front of the Cape Town congress centre, where all the fans without VIP tickets had a chance to take a look of the draw festival live (the pictures are taken from fifa.com).

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/12/fifa-cape-town-and-digital-signage-all.html

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Yet another example of not even analog, but non-digital stage. At Friday night, here in Switzerland, just before the snow, we had a pleasure of listening to one of the Royalties – Julian Marley.

Music was great, atmosphere as well, but the stage was so disappointing. It was completely display-free zone. The only sign/scenography was the big designed drape with the name of the artist, his band, and their latest published CD.Is it the way to go in 21. century? 

The space, KiFF in Aarau, where the event took place was definitely prepared for digitalizing. See some of the examples of previous events at the same place (pictures taken from kiff.ch).

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/digital-signage-at-entertainment-venues_30.html

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Sometimes digital signage in a store, hotel or restaurant is better to avoid. Sometimes it doesn’t boost the atmosphere but just tears it down. So, less is more is always the best, in terms of filling your screens with content but also in your choice whether you should place screens or you shouldn’t.

The biggest mistake people make in our business is stepping into digital signage because they are afraid to miss the trend. That is the most foolish decision one can make. Our first question to a potential new customer always is ‘why?’. Why do you need a digital signage system or screen? What are your objectives with it? If they can’t answer this question properly we try to help them. If we keep on failing answering the question we always advice them not to place screens. It will save them a lot of money and it will save us a lot of headaches.

Here two examples of restaurants where they didn’t place screens because the atmosphere doesn’t need it. Upper picture is a beach restaurant in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Lower is a great Italian restaurant in Hamburg, Germany. Excellent choice (for not placing the screens!)

And here a screen placed in a window. I pass this screen regularly. The light changes a lot, and the reflection makes the visibility of the screen more or less very poor. I think this really is a waste of money. I am sure in this case no one ever really dared to ask themselves ‘WHY?’.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/12/sometimes-no-screens-at-all-is-best.html

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This week has been definitely a digital signage week in the business scenery of India. The Expert Tour event, hosted by Emarson IT Solutions, caused a lot of media noise. Depending on the source, prognosed is up to 400% industry growth until the end of the 2010.

In the article published in magazine DNA India, one can find out what the industry leaders in India plan in the next period and which vertical markets will bring their business back from nosedive in last year and even promise this amazing growth in the next year.

Another good resource of information for Indian digital signage market is the article published in Indiantelevision portal. All the  pundits gave their opinion on the main topics of the industry. My attention draw the statement that “at present, DS is more of a visual than an audio-visual medium” such as television.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/digital-signage-market-in-india-media.html

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Together with our local rep office at Emarson, we decided that now is the time to contribute to the revival of the industry. It’s about time to leave the year behind us and start looking forward. The goal was to call for a networking and education event, allowing the DS community to come together, exchange views, start up new cooperations. We decided to run it under the so far very successful “Digital Signage Expert Tour” (DSET). The DSET is clearly committed not to sell, not to market and not to give centerstage to products, but rather educate and train, with a view on the full supply chain and eco-system of digital signage.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/subcontinent-wakes-up.html

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As we said couple days ago – the Tour’s next stop was in India. And, according to the pictures, many people managed to “light the candles on the knowledge” that was shared that evening.

Next to the event’s review from yesterday, we can also share the tweets from Ronni Guggenheim, which can outline the agenda of the event. Enjoy the reading!

· at "Expert Tour" event in Bangalore organized by Emarson, Scala, LG and Minicom Digital Signage.Education & networking, no sales&marketing!

· digital signage in india: still in honeymoon phase. many non-networked displays.

· presentation by Scala at "Expert Tour India". Scala working soon on digital photo frames

· over 80 persons attending Digital Signage "Expert Tour" in Bangalore!

· Scala setting up Indian office in Bangalore. 35 projects so far.

· next presentation: Satheesh, President of Tag Media, India’s first DooH network reaching 20′000′000 consumers every day!

· Tag media: honeymoon is over! Call DooH InstoreTV. Compare it to sales of TV advertising…

· Tag Media: seeking close cooperation with main players such as 3M, Minicom Digital Signage, Samsung, etc. to create total solution

· Tag Media: 2010 will be THE year for DooH in India!Major challenge in India: connectivity to location. 3G will change a lot.

· Tag Media: metrics and standards projects by OVAB very important!

· wow, what an event (Expert Tour in Bangalore, India)! >100participants networking till late night.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/digital-signage-expert-tour-in-india.html

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Content creation for digital signage is all about impact. Actually, content for Out of home advertising as a whole, also not digital, is all about impact. For me the best adds always are when creatives managed to bring the message with the product itself as the main character. I just want to share this with you to emphasis the importance of less is more. See below two examples of advertising where the product is 100% king and the add speaks for itself. The upper add is a wallpaper in Montreal I passed last year. It makes clear the crocq shoes are fun and fresh.

This add below we broadcasted in Holland in 100’s of consumer electronic shops. The only thing I think could be improved is that it would have been better to show the Nespresso logo all the time. But the add itself says it all.

At last a funny picture I found online. Talking about impact!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/out-of-home-commercial-signage-let.html

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On November 1st, we broke the 1000 days until the Olympic games in London. For this occasion, a “giant electronic information band at the top of the iconic BT Tower in London. The 360 degree LED array was switched on for the first time this evening (31st October) with a pyrotechnic display and a message to celebrate 1000 days to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games”.

Above is the video of the fireworks on that day, with the LED in front plan.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/on-road-to-london-2012-360-degree-led.html

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From the picturesque town called Hilversum, in Netherlands, our digital signage agent sent us info about this installation.

It is in fact digital signage installation, but not very dynamic. Or better to say – not dynamic at all. The digital board is showing one picture at the time, and the pictures change in regular rhythm. Their content – a bit of theater program, a bit of sponsors’ commercials. Does it look good and cool? Not really…

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/digital-billboard-in-hilversum-hotel.html

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“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles on it” is a quote without clear origin. The resources on internet ascribe it to both Margaret Fuller and Winston Churchill. But, whoever the author is, message remains the same.

The event with this motto will be taking place in Bangalore, India, on next Monday, November 23rd. It aims to “provide an enlightening session on all the components of Digital Signage & its applications, thus enabling a brighter future for Digital Signage in the country.” So, our recommendation is – give it a go, have a look & feel of digital signage components and be hosted in Indian way!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/if-you-have-knowledge-let-others-light.html

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Good news, I think! Seems our industry is slowly climbing up out of the depth of the credit crunch. How I know? Many positive sounds around me. Positive about new investments after divesting loss generating company-sections, new companies arising, the global media adapting articles about our industry and it seems companies are helping each other by offering affordable services. And I also feel it in my own company. Suddenly new quotes for content delivery are coming in.

That’s the way to do it. Stay positive! In China 2010 is the year of the tiger. Sounds appealing for our industry.

Hope content strategics will also keep on thinking and developing. Look at the picture above. Someone thought it a good idea to combine nine screens into one and place them above a terrace. I don’t know what to think about it. Is it nice because it looks good and in a way warmly? Or is it a total waste of money placing such an expensive solution and stick to the fire? I am afraid the last phrase wins in my mind. Anyway, perhaps this is also a positive wave in our industry. At least someone dared to do it!

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/happy-new-year-2010-year-of-tiger.html

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Jenny Holzer is the American conceptual artist. Ms Holzer is the first female artist with solo exhibition at Biennale di Venezia. As it is nicely written in Wikipedia:

The main focus of her work is the use of words and ideas in public space. Originally utilizing street posters, LED signs became her most visible medium…

Below are some of her art pieces made over last 30 years.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/digital-signage-art-are-compatible-see.html

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No, we are not talking about the green digital signage – we are talking today about the American band Green Day and their nice, transformable and digitalized stage.

The event took place on last Sunday, November 8th, at Zurich’s Hallenstadion (see the digital signage installation in Hallenstadion in one of our previous posts).

The concert is unfortunately not going to be remembered by good music heard on it, but the stage looked pretty interesting. The LED screens, which were changing the colours and some simple effects – one could have said that there are at least dozen scenographies involved.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/digital-signage-at-entertainment-venues_10.html

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Fun video about the wall that was made out of synchronized iPods, just got the link from our digital signage marketing agent. The synchronization, as shown, is either fixed (all 20 iPods are running the same content at the same time, simultaneously), or start with it in the regular, short intervals, one after the other. Anyway, pictures always say much more than words – so, take a look at the video.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/synchronized-ipod-wall.html

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It really is a vicious circle; good content helping our industry to grow. The blog at Rise display in a way underlines this (I couldn’t resist support the posting and react) and made my posting here at Miniblog be aiming at this subject again.

Don’t waste your expensive network and screens with rubbish shown on it. Our entire industry is facing hard times. The last fact of this is ASG in UK who didn’t make it. And we all know why. Advertising sales isn’t yet the moneymaker we all hoped for. It will come, but then we all HAVE to be smart! Don’t put all your money in hard- and software. Book a small amount for content, content development and content strategy. Your first two questions starting a network always should be WHY do I want screens and WHAT will be the objective of them. These questions only can be answered with content, not with hard- and software. Those will be additional and may never be the leading part in your quest for the WHY and WHAT questions!

So, if you can’t answer the WHY and WHAT questions properly, please be wise and don’t raise a digital signage network or even one or two screens. Apparently, you don’t need it then. Believe me, it is true! People in these time to often just place a couple of screens just because they think they must be part of this ‘ratrace’ called digital signage.

Networks, showing content with a professional look & feel will attract sponsors on screen faster. And let’s be honest, look for yourself in your own environment; the good-looking networks in your neighborhood contain advertising. Networks with poor content mostly don’t. Most of the time ‘good-looking networks’ in our business mean people at least did think about how to use their screens. So please, spread the word and let’s help each other towards a more profitable business and also have a serious look at your own screens.

Nothing to do with our industry but look below for a fun example of fun signage at a truck (not digital and not commercial). You’re looking at the backdoors of it.

Article Source: http://minicom.blogspot.com/2009/11/key-for-raising-advertising-sales-is.html

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