Way-finding digitals ignage

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Effective Way-finding Digital Signage.

When is a picture worth a thousand words? When it’s an effective way-finding digital signage screen.

Identifying colors and shapes has long been a way of learning and symbols have a universal understanding for safety and emergency procedures; utilising this approach means everyone is included. But it is surprising to look at the statistics and find very few public places actually have any kind of way-finding – electronic or static poster.

way-finding digital signage

In the first instance, planning an electronic way-finding navigation route can overcome physic and logistical problems for visitors. Getting from A to B isn’t always a direct route. Many people use a cognitive or photographic memory recollection to process the information, this is where colors and shapes come in. Being aware of our environment helps us to prepare the route efficiently. One step beyond traditional style of poster way-finding is to use a digital signage screen; a further step is to install a touch-screen digital sign.

How to plan the way-finding digital signage board:

  • A floor plan or map, featuring key points and easily recognised features, is a good starting point
  • Add outside spaces and external doorways
  • Emergency exits and evacuation points
  • Toilets and rest rooms, restaurants and ATM’s are aways useful
  • Color code areas or zones
  • Consider using the virtual way-finding mirrored onto the actual floor – follow the colored lines
  • Don’t assume a speed in which people will travel; it is variable according to ability and other factors.
  • Consider repeat and regular routes – and short cuts

Being aware of your location and how it relates to where you are currently has a significant outcome for the end result. Getting ‘lost’ in a maze of corridors and T junctions, with closed doors is not only frustrating, but also frightening. And if you are a member of staff, don’t just assume every one (new staff and visitors) knows where they are going. The ability to program the software to run the interactive way-finding digital signage, is unique but elementary to install (for an in-house computer department or external company).

Make a note of how many other buildings and public places use way-finding digital signage screens….Leisure facilities, medical centres, educational campuses and shopping malls…to name but a few.

Being able to give up to date information makes the wayfinding very useful: there may be building work in a particular area, or a hospital ward is closed, so this can be highlighted in ‘real time’. No waiting for a printed alteration, post-it notes over the affected area, or marker pen scribble! Keeping it simple is the key – too much information is hard to retain and process. Also have additional electronic boards in key areas, like additional waiting rooms, foyers and main departments. It can also be a platform for broadcasting local and national news, the weather report and advertisements, which can bring in additional revenue.

A good way-finding screen gives the establishment a positive opinion and if your business relies on positive feed-back then this is for you; at the end of the route people can interact with the screen, leaving a glowing review. Reducing stress, like at an airport, or dentist is essential for reassuring clients and patients into a sense of security and calm, able to face the next stage of their journey.

Using effective way-finding digital signage can pay off.

How Digital Signage Can Be Eco Friendly

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Green Digital Signage – is there such a thing?

Harnessing the sun’s power can have many benefits for digital signage;

  • It is a cost effective way of powering the screen
  • Suitable for inaccessible locations where power supply may be difficult to access.
  • Tax benefits for installing innovative technology
  • Reliable battery life for electrical appliances

Eco friendly digital signage.

Avoidable electricity bills are possible with solar energy cells, where the converted power is used directly to feed the digital poster. Solar cells come in a variety of applications; individual cells – dedicated to just the single screen or as part of network of other electrically powered appliances. It would be an ideal opportunity to network several digital kiosks or screens together. The technology is out there now, just waiting to be harnessed.

digital signage

Investment in this cutting edge solar technology is for front of innovation and a subject close to many of us who care about the environment, yet need electricity on a daily basis. A little ‘give and take’ will make for a happier environment. One way solar cell energy is captured is by converting ultraviolet and near infra-red light into a usable power supply. The film which both covers the digital signage screen and captures the light rays is transparent, so it does not interfere with a view of the image displayed on the screen.

Even though batteries and display screens are improving and evolving, technology is available for even mobile devices – not just fixed devices, like floor standing kiosks. This energy-producing crystal clear finish for screens, has been developed by scientists and engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is pilot technology at present, but it won’t be long before we see it in common place.

There are many unusual locations where digital signage, electronic posters and tiled video screens could be utilized, but overcoming installation issues is a big factor to the planning. Many screens can be accessed remotely, so there isn’t an issue of getting an engineer to site to upload content and it means break downs are kept to a minimum, and so with providing power via solar energy, one unnecessary problem is solved. Water and electrics don’t mix – actually it can be a potential death hazard, so the alternative; particularly when the digital signage is in a wet location, ie. near a waterfall in a shopping mall, the safer option is solar power. It also means the screen can be ‘selling’ at any hour of the day or night, especially if it is in an area open 24/7. Think of the electricity bill savings!

This is the way forward; it is cost effective, kind to the environment, simple to use, comes complete with the electronic digital screen and has no working parts (eg. buttons), as it is a sealed unit, reducing damage and interruption. 200 watt solar powered, patented technology, provides a totally wireless solution that can be set up just about anywhere.

Solar powered cells suit many DOOH digital screen applications, for example bus shelters, tourist buses whilst on the move, city centre screens and road side electric billboards and even if the sun isn’t out all of the daylight hours, enough power is generated to trickle power the screens. Even the moonlight can add power to the energy saving cells, via photovoltaic solar cells. The sun or lunar power is harnessed in battery packs to be released as and when needed.

Hope this article that briefly touched on eco friendly digital signage was usefull.

What are Anti ligature Non-Loop TV Enclosures?

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Anti ligature Non-Loop TV Enclosures

Many hospitals are deploying anti ligature non-looping TV enclosures to project the hardware installed and at the same time provide protection for the staff members and patients.

Why use anti ligature Non-Loop TV Enclosures?

These protective housings are designed to prevent unauthorized access to the television, so these are ideal for use in behavioural as well as psychiatric units. If someone accesses the hardware, they can use the mounting bracket at the rear of the TV to loop material around and hurt themselves and in some instances have caused death.

In North America recently a head nurse was attacked with a broken TV screen and had her neck slashed, resulting in the staff member having extensive time off work, being unable to return to work the nurse had to make a claim against the medical center which cost them in excess of $500K.

Using anti ligature non-loop TV Enclosures prevent access and stop these challenges occurring, enabling the patients to recover in a safe and secure environment, yet the nursing staff are also working in a safe environment.

anti ligature non-loop tv enclosures

What makes anti ligature Non-Loop TV Enclosures?

The idea behind anti ligature non-loop TV enclosures is that material cannot be looped around to form a ligature in which a patient can harm themselves. The only design approved with the US Federal Mental Health Department is one from ProEnc, the simple reason is their product has undergone extensive testing with mental health department and passed on all points.

Yet the competition think that by putting slopping tops onto the enclosures transforms them into anti ligature non-loop TV Enclosures – how wrong they are! These are as dangerous as using a square unit, they provide no protection.

One such competitor offers a plastic solution, that is so badly manufactured it takes around 45 minutes for a skilled engineer to put it together and then the plastic side panels and front are all scratch (in transit). Any slight impact and the housing falls apart, take a look at the video below.

The best anti ligature non-loop TV enclosures from out tests.

We found that the ProEnc anti ligature non loop TV enclosures were the most robust, well made, solid unit. With high security locks and a sophisticated cooling system that others seem to lack. They have a syphon system should anyone pour fluid into the housing through the air flow system without affecting the electronics inside.

Anti ligature Non-Loop TV Enclosures can save lives, are you prepared to put a price on someone’s life?