Digital Signage is a technology that replaces traditional printing signs by dynamic signs with large screen liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma display panels (PDPs) as well as embedded computer systems.

1. Adputer Digital Signage Solution

   Neatware's Adputer Digital Signage Solution consists of Adputer Display, Adputer Player, Aputer Center, and Adputer Network. Adputer Players are connected to Adputer Center through a wireless router and broadband Internet. Adputer Center works for management of programs, contents and devices.

   

   Adputer Player

   Adputer Player can show videos stored in the local hard disk or streaming videos on Adputer Center through LAN or Internet.

   Adputer Center

   Adputer Center consists of servers for Digital Signage Management and Services. For example, there are Content Management Server, System Management Server, and Project Management Server.

   Adputer Network

   Adputer Network connects DS Display, Players and Center altogether through LAN or Internet. The Local Area Network (LAN) can be connected via wireless or Ethernet. Internet can be connected through Cable, DSL, or WiMax.

   Adputer Display

   To achieve the best ads effects a large screen is required for Digital Signage Display. Usually the screen size is over 30 inches that the price is affordable at current market. As the technology in advanced, larger size of LCD screens are become less expensive.

2. Why use Digital Signage?

   The Digital Signage System can deliver vivid motion pictures and crystal clean pictures to capature consumers' attention instantly. In addition, advertising can be upgraded, distributed, and expressed effectively through Digital Signage Network.

   
   

   This is a multi-zone Digital Signage showed by Ladybug Mixer V4. Four videos and photos are displayed on zones.

   Digital Signage is suitable for any companies with a physical office that can advertise their services and products on site. They can be

   • retail stores, grocery stores, shopping malls, and supermarkets
   • banks
   • resturants and bars
   • hotels, travel agences
   • tradeshows, museums, theaters, casinos, airports

   Cases of Digital Signage Applications:

   • McDonald's operator makes a splash with digital signage

     Operations manager Wayne Adamczyk who has managed McDonald's stores for more than 30 years, said he wanted to give the signs a Las Vegas feel, with lots of color and motion.

   • Sign of the times: digital signage industry by Laura Bogomolny
     
     Retailers should use Digital Signage as a strategic tool "to drive consumers into purchasing categories they weren't going to consider, like higher-margin private-label products." For example, Tim Hortons' use of 42-inch plasma screens to promote coffee-and-doughnut combos in the morning and lunch specials at noon.

3. Digital Signage Design

   Unlike TV or web ads, Digital Signage Ads can bring rich visual effects to viewers. For example, Digital Signage focuses more on visual effects instead of sound. A Digital Signage System may have one or multiple large screens, animation text called ticker, and multiple seamless zones. Furthermore, it may have remote wireless or internet access and control.

   The famous AIDA Formula in the advertising represents Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. Attention is the process of turning one's mind to a particular activity. Media illustration is to obtain interest of viewers. Desire fills a particular need. Action causes the viewer of ads to go ahead. Advertising elements in the Digital Signage are designed around the AIDA formula as well.

   
   

   Headline is to gain attention of viewers. It may include product or company name, command, question, superlative, and product advantages. Usually headline uses big font and animation texts.

   Illustration is to obtain interest of viewers. There are video, photograph, drawing, and sketch.

   Copy tries to change wants into needs. It creates desire to buy, look into, or pursue. It is the written part of the ads, explicit and implicit meanings of words.

   Signature leaves the information of who and where as well as product name, trademark, or company logo.

4. References

   How To Build a Whitebox Digital Sign System By Andy McDonough, TechBuilder How to use Ladybug Player XP as a Digital Signage Player in this article. The advantages of Ladybug Player XP is that it can play on any Windows PC in super fast.