Digital Signage; Hire or Buy?

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Digital signage hire – interested?

When it comes to investing in advertising hardware, which is a more cost effective option for digital signage; hire or buy?

  • Let’s look at some scenarios, options for both digital signage hire and buying digital signage.
  • How permanent/temporary is the display going to be?
  • How accessible is the location?
  • Is it for a dedicated campaign or a shared advertising billboard?
  • How much would a system cost and will there be a RoI?
  • Is there any tax relief with regard to buying or hiring digital signage?

Why digital signage hire is increasing.

Hiring digital signage suits many applications like music venues, pop-up locations; shops and restaurants where a permanent screen is just not an option. Hiring the hardware is just simply ‘plug & play’. As long as there is an electrical socket, then the media screen will have power. The content can be loaded via a USB or connected to a media player – depending on the model. The size of the screen does not necessarily affect the decision to buy or hire as many digital signage hire businesses provide all the necessary lifting and fitting by specialist engineers (for an extra cost which should be factored in for both digital signage hire or outright purchase). Is the advertising campaign to be broadcast indoors or outdoors? Both can be catered for in hiring as well as buying.

digital signage hire

If the screen is to be used by a number of advertisers, i.e. at a shopping mall, then it would be more economical and cost effective to buy the digital signage, rent out time segments to other advertisers and have a supplementary income.

One plus point to consider with regard to hiring, specifically, is the hardware is likely to be replaced, as per the contract, to upgrade to a newer model, more regularly than purchasing outright. Whilst a year’s guarantee against a defective screen; parts and labour is the norm, additional insurance should be seriously considered against vandalism and accidental damage – some accidents are unforeseen, like a heavy object falling onto it. Insurance is a must for either option, but the likelihood of a replacement screen is quicker through a rental agreement. Bearing in mind the option of digital signage outright purchase, there is the possibility of tax relief for investing in new technology, which may not be the option with hiring the kit – check with an accountant for up to date regulations. On the plus side of hiring digital signage means there is no commitment other than the nominal length of time of the contract arrangement yet on the other side, the success following the hiring, may lead to buying digital signage, as longer term projects tend to have more effect.

If a trade show or temporary event requires electronic promotional material, then digital signage hire is the answer, but if an indefinite time scale is planned, then the solution is to buy digital signage; weigh-up the options and ask your supplier for advice and practicality.

Hope this article was of interest and given you some insight into why to use digital signage hire rather than buying.

Why use an outdoor projector enclosure?

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Outdoor projector enclosure and why use them.

One of the main reasons people use an outdoor projector enclosure, aka an outdoor projector protection housing unit, is to extend the life of a display projector, when situated outside. Taking into account a number of factors which affect the life span of a regular projector (i.e. not an expensive rugged model), will ensure the very best for using it for entertainment or DOOH – digital out of home advertising. These projectors can cost a significant amount of investment, so why not protect it from the elements and damage?

Many factors to impede on the deployment of a projector range from:

  • The weather – no matter which US state, or indeed where in the world the projector is, it needs protecting.
  • Damage – accidental or through vandalism.
  • Foreign bodies – insects and dust particles invade any aperture, consequently rendering the screen useless.
  • Heat and direct sunlight can affect the viewing screens’ performance.

Not just extremes of weather can affect the workings of a digital screens – for example the lowest temperatures of Alaska to the highest temperatures of Arizona, but every temperature in between can cause havoc. Components expand causing parts to melt or misaligned – therefore a loss in connectivity, but a thermostatically controlled cooler and/or heater will control the fluctuating temperatures and keep the unit in an ambient atmosphere. By fitting a weatherproof projector housing will also ensure the hardware is properly protected whilst in a wet state like Washington, which is reputed to be one of the wettest states, yet prime for outdoor advertising!

Is an outdoor projector enclosure the best option?

projector enclosure

Outdoor projector protection is crucial for any successful advertising campaign; outside venue, i.e. music or sports, retail mall; advertising promotions on the outsides of building and even casino or theater publicity. Where we were once used to seeing static poster billboards, electronic signs came along, but technology has progressed even further to state of the art projector usage. This reduces the need for a visual display screen, which lessens the risk of damage, as only one piece of hardware is required – projector and media player encased securely in an outdoor projector protection case.

An outdoor projector enclosure is specially designed to withstand a significant degree of damage and vandalism, which will always be an issue. From the fully welded construction of the metal casing, to the selected viewing window; one chosen to suit its environment, like a sun-bright area. There is a perfect balance of ventilation/cooling/heating, again as the location requires and it if fully secured against breaking into, due to the exceptional security locks. Vandals or thieves are discouraged from breaking into the unit in order to steal the hardware, as the window is smash-proof and the locks are high security specialist locks.

So weighing this article up, in conclusion it is both sensible and practical to use an outdoor projector enclosure to secure against the weather, damage, liquid and dust ingress, whilst providing a valuable tool for DOOH advertising.