When digital signage integrates data from a variety of sources, it creates a dynamic, personalized and engaging experience for your audience. Information such as breaking news, weather updates, traffic wait times and Key Performance Indicators makes your audience feel like they have information at their fingertips. It eases stress levels and allows viewers to make more informed decisions.
Let us now discuss in detail some of the most popular data sources that you can integrate to make your digital signage more dynamic.
News and weather feeds
News and weather updates are two of the most common real-time data sources that you can integrate into your digital signage. You can customize the news and weather streaming in relation to the geographic location of your outlet and the type of information you want to share on the LED display. There are several free and paid sources on the internet from which businesses can stream real-time information. It is also important to keep in mind certain requirements and also that there could be a delay with the information that is streamed. It is best to opt for popular news feeds such as CNN, BBC, New York Times and ESPN. For weather information, Screenfeed and AccuWeather are recommended channels. Before you select which source you want to integrate into your digital signage, make sure you consider your requirements first.
YouTube
Videos have a higher engagement level that static content when it comes to any visual displays. For digital signage, videos work much better in terms of attracting audience attention and interest. If your organization has a YouTube channel, you can stream content directly from that for your digital signage. These videos can be incorporated as part of a screen layout or on the full LED screen.
Social media
Popular social media networks such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are ideal sources of content for digital signage. Organizations must keep in mind that whatever content is streamed from social media, it must be filtered for inappropriate content before integrating the feeds into digital signage. When viewers see social media content being shared on digital signage, there is a high level of trust and transparency, which in turn increases interaction, increases followers, and improves employee engagement.
Financial/stock market feeds
Integrating stock updates from global exchanges such as NYSE and NASDAQ into your digital signage is also a good idea. Colorful graphs, up/down arrows and moving tickers will definitely grab attention. Make sure you highlight individual stocks, top 100 stocks, and top movers – which is what viewers will be on the lookout for. Customizing stock updates based on the location of your digital signage will be more engaging.
Traffic
For employees and visitors to your office, traffic is often a primary concern. Keep them informed with regard to delays and commute times to nearby destinations by integrating digital signage content with feeds from Google Maps and other local transportation authorities. Once again, sharing real-time traffic information helps release stress and allows visitors and employees to make sure minimum commuting times are adapted to.
Internal systems
Make use of information from internal software systems such as POS, CRM, Inventory and ERP to incorporate into your digital signage. Data from a number of internal systems can be consolidated into one KPI dashboard screen to produce customized data based on department and location. For example, a restaurant integrates its inventory system to their digital menu boards to make sure they are only advertising items that are available for ordering.
Calendars and schedules
By integrating Google and Office365 calendars into LED signage displays, you can show availability of individual employees as well as other resources such as meeting rooms. Screens can be placed outside meeting rooms to show current and upcoming bookings or inform others that the meeting room is currently either in use or available.
IoT devices
The more information you provide, the better experience you can create for your customers because information is a critical element in offering personalized experiences. Cameras, sensors and RFID tags are some IoT devices that can collect information and intelligently deliver it on electronic displays. With the available information, the display will automatically contextualize the message shown to visitors in public places such as sports arenas, airports and conference rooms. For example, in an airport, sensors can automatically change wayfinding screens to redirect travelers to avoid areas that are closed or busy.
Emergency notification systems
Literally every organization must provide a solution to notify employees, customers and visitors in the event of a fire, health or safety hazard. Audio alarms have long been the standard used for emergency situations but with indoor and outdoor digital signage, a new and effective solution for real-time alerts to reach people when and where they need it is absolutely possible! The existing audio alarms can be combined with critical event management solutions and LED screens for organizations to improve their disaster management and safety strategies.
