Digital strategy has been a mainstay of local authority plans for a long time now. We believe that good Audio Visual should always be at the heart of this strategy. In this series of blog posts, we’ll look at some different aspects of AV, and what part they play in helping local authorities to meet their digital goals. This week: Digital Signage.
What is digital signage?
Put simply, digital signage is screens.
Any screen, of any size, displaying any information.
How can local authorities use it?
Digital signage systems can display static or dynamic information. They can be standalone or set up on a network to allow an operator to manage the information from a central location. A clerk in the comms room can therefore decide what to display on screens across the whole estate. One person can therefore manage the whole signage suite.
Screens can display any information. We’ve seen lots of ideas, including:
- Displays of staff bulletins and performance stats in staff-only areas
- Live Council webcasts shown in public galleries, overflow rooms and reception
- Ticketing system displays alongside “how-to” information and “what’s on” guides in the Customer First centre
- Menus and television streams shown in the public cafe
How can digital signage help with broader digital goals?
Digital strategy isn’t about using technology for technology’s sake. Of course, tech has to have a broader benefit, too. Moving information away from flyers and dogged-eared posters doesn’t just improve building aesthetics.
Reducing costs:
- Investing in digital signage can lead to a massive saving on consumables such as paper, printers and ink.
- The ease and efficiency with which systems are operated also saves on staff time.
When viewed in this context, the life-cycle costs of digital signage systems can be offset against the physical and human resource costs of paper-based systems.
Generating revenue:
- Digital signage can also help councils to drive revenue generation by promoting ticket sales for Council-run events, or by selling advertising space to third parties.
- As part of a modern AV suite, digital signage can be an additional attraction for councils wishing to rent out their spaces to fee-paying customers.
Going green:
- Most screens on the market have excellent energy consumption, so they’re inexpensive and ecological to run.
- Using signage in place of printed resource also cuts down paper waste and use of toxic printer inks.
Providing better information:
- By moving away from printed materials, local authorities can improve information flow and version control.
- If data is provided from one central place and distributed to the network, the council can ensure accurate and timely information reaches the right audiences. This leads to a better customer experience.