H&R Block needed a digital signage strategy.

The company wasn’t happy with how their digital screen rollout had gone. They went back to basics, worked out where they wanted to be and sought a partner to help them get there.

That partner was us. We collaborated on their digital screen strategy and helped develop an implementation plan. One  that would allow them to customise communication and drive client growth.

Arvind Vesudevan, H&R Block’s National Director, spoke about that process.

Content Strategy

“It started with the kind of screens that we wanted. That they had the right luminosity to be seen through the front windows.  We also moved to datmedia’s Laqorr CMS. It enabled us to have both video and audio playing at the same time when required. So having the right technology was important.

“The second part was then how it was able to be managed from an admin and marketing content perspective. We had to have a simple way to upload videos so we could start creating tailored content.”

H&R Block digital screen
“We want to continue to innovate and be on top of this, not waiting for things to pass us by”

–ARVIND VASUDEVAN, National Director

Implementation

The project was handed to Jamie Scicluna, National Program Manager. He began implementing the digital screen network into H&R Block offices.

“With 400 locations nationally, consistency is the most important thing.  We want customers to have the same experience whichever location they walk into.

datmedia came to us with an experienced team. Their robust and user friendly technology and a thorough implementation plan has removed headaches and helped take our digital signage to the next level.  Their service commitment has been second to none. Frankly, it’s the biggest positive to our relationship. “

We’re problem solvers at datmedia. Our focus is helping people realise their ambition, communicate with their customers, leverage the potential of digital signage.

Want to know more? Check out the Digital Screen Strategy Case Study where you can watch the full video case study.

If you’re ready to evolve your digital signage strategy like H&R Block, get in touch today. Let’s talk about your future.

We’re problem solvers at datmedia.

One of our clients, Heritage Bank, had a problem. When interest rates change, it’s imperative that all content- printed or digital – that shows an interest rate has to be up to date. If not, the consequences can be serious.

Automating rate change updates

When rates change, two things happen: new artwork has to be created then those files must be scheduled across a network of screens. The more changes there are, the more room there is for error.

In recent months, interest rates have seen a lot of movement. Finding a reliable, automated solution that reduced human error and increased compliance was essential.

Integrating datmedia’s Auto Update Tool with Laqorr digital signage software now means the right data always reaches customers at the right time – and with minimal human interaction.

auto updates heritage bank case study

Automated Process

datmedia’s Auto Update Tool draws information it requires directly from the ‘source of truth’ via an API. It takes that data – in this case interest rates – to generate and schedule new digital signage files whenever it recognises a change has occurred.

This eliminates human interaction and reduces the risk of publishing old or erroneous information. Failsafe protocols ensures old files are removed so that Heritage Bank’s digital signage network is always up to date, always compliant and always meets regulatory obligations.

More than that, it helps the bank deliver the best customer experience. Don’t take our word for it, watch the short video below and, when you’ve more time, the full length video here.

“Automating the process removed the element of human error and significantly reduced overall risk to the bank”

–MEGAN TUMMON, Senior Manager, Customer Marketing and Brand

laqorr content management system

Significantly, the Auto Update Tool is not limited to interest rate changes. Any source of data can be mapped to any digital design – from trading hours to spot sales. Imagine how easily you can communicate to your customers, creating data-driven artwork on demand. Image what that can do you for your business!

If you’re ready to evolve your digital signage experience like Heritage Bank, get in touch today. Let’s talk about your future.

There are so many myths about digital signage that installing a new system can be daunting. But really, there’s no reason to be intimidated.

Yes, there are a number of questions: what sort of screen should I buy, how big should it be, how is it connected, and what will it all cost? To help clear the air, let’s challenge the misconceptions that surround digital signage.

Some people still believe it’s too expensive (it’s not, the return on investment has been proven time and time again). Or that it’s too complicated. Again, it’s not. Single sites can easily run digital signage from a USB. Multi-site use cases require a content management system and there are many good value packages on the market. Laqorr is a great example of an easy-to-use CMS designed for business small or large.

But let’s take a look at three of the biggest myths about digital signage, and bust them.

think digital signage
Digital Signage is expensive

It’s really not, especially when you factor in the ongoing costs of conventional signage. For a start, you’ll no longer pay for printing and shipping, nor the added cost of distribution. You also eliminate the cost of compliance (the waste when signage isn’t hung on time in the right location). If no one can see your messaging, what’s the point of doing it in the first place? Once your screen, or network of screens, is in place, digital signage eliminates that ongoing expenditure.

The return on investment (ROI) is always improving because the cost of hardware is always decreasing. A high-performance HD display and media player using turn-key software is cheaper than it’s ever been. Increase revenue and recoup your outlay quickly by targeting customers when it matters most, at the point of purchase.

A consumer-grade screen will be OK

It might be, depending on how you use it. They’re certainly cheaper than their commercial-grade cousins. However they’re not designed for use sixteen hours a day, seven days a week and doing so could void any warranty. A typical consumer warranty is one year (void if used in a commercial environment). A commercial grade screens can be warranted for up to six years.

Commercial screens also have many useful features their consumer cousins don’t. More significantly, you have a much greater range of ‘nit’ (brightness) ratings on a commercial screen. This is particularly important if the screen is exposed to direct sunlight. Your content will be almost invisible on an outdoors-facing consumer screen. It’s next to useless when facing the sun. However your message will cut through on a hi-brite commercial screen, plus they’re fully warrantied. Consider the old maxim of “buy cheap, buy twice”.

laqorr content management system
Managing content is too complicated

If you know how to create a Powerpoint presentation, or are used to building an iTunes playlist, then you’re good to go. That’s all a Content Management System is – digital signage software that allows you to load media files then play them in the order. There are many on the market and they all do the same thing (although the better the CMS, the more creative you can get with your playlists).

Good digital signage software like Laqorr takes the stress out of managing your media. With a few clicks, your content appears in the right place, at the right time on any number of displays, from one to one thousand. If you’ve only got a couple of screens you might not even need a CMS; loading content on a USB could be all you need. There is a range of solutions available at different price points proving yet again that digital signage isn’t expensive.

Thanks to advances in technology, today’s digital signage is brighter, more energy efficient and more cost-effective than ever before. Consequently the smallest business can now use it to drive higher revenues with up to the minute messaging. ROI is both real and meaningful.

Free Demo Device

Now that you’re closer to making that first step toward unleashing the power of digital signage, it’s time to try it out. Ask about a free demo device that you can trial  onsite at your leisure. You may even bust a few myths about digital signage yourself.

Once you’ve decided to invest in a digital signage network, you’ll need to make a number of decisions about how you’ll run it. Good digital signage software is the key. Even a little bit of research can be overwhelming at first. However you’ll soon start to make sense of the project once you ask yourself these basic questions:

  • What are my objectives
  • How will I measure success?
  • Where are my displays, and how many are there?
  • Who will be responsible to run the software?
  • Do they have resources available? Is this budgeted?
  • What does the content look like, and how will it be produced?

The key to success is about research, planning and assigning responsibility. Once you know how everyone will engage with the digital signage network, what you want from digital signage software (or content management system – CMS) will become evident.

Good digital signage software like Laqorr * is the glue that holds a network together. Some are sold on an enterprise basis — meant to be installed and managed by a larger customer’s IT team. However, the majority of CMS are cloud-based platforms, with multiple end users accessing the system.

What does a good CMS need to do?

1). It needs to work at scale. Whether you’re updating content on 1 or 100 displays, you need a CMS that makes that process easy. You don’t want to have to update each display separately, you need to be able to issue one command that sends every screen new content at once.

2). It needs to play still images and video. There’s nothing as captivating as the moving image to sell your brand or inform customers. Yet there are times when a still image is more appropriate, or legally required. Therefore your CMS must be able to play both, and play them seamlessly.

3). Don’t stop there. While images and video are the bread and butter of digital signage, it’s just as important to be able to bring up html files, websites and run apps on your network. You need good digital signage software that can do all that while also being able to assign different elements to different areas of the screen.

4). It needs to be web-based technology.  No one wants to have to visit the office at 10pm because a player in the network is not running the correct video. However, few of us mind logging in to make a simple adjustment. It takes seconds, not hours.

5). Most importantly, it needs to be secure. It is critical that your CMS does not compromise the data security of your company. You need complete confidence that no one can hack your CMS and burrow further into your organisation’s IT network, nor compromise your digital signage network itself.

neverware
Choose the right platform

This can be perplexing, but there are a few main factors to help you get started.

Budget

Most cloud-based systems charge by the device, per month. On-premise systems usually have one-time costs which can work better if the system is funded as a capital cost (not an ongoing operating expense).

Operating style

Cloud-based systems leave the IT demands to the software as a service (SaaS) provider. Most end users now are opting for SaaS — outsourcing the system (and sometimes even operating tasks like scheduling and monitoring) to a service provider.

Content

Ultimately, the biggest influencer on CMS selection is what will be on the screen. For example, a platform designed for finance services may not suit the needs for retail marketing. A CMS that is incredibly robust and powerful might be over-engineered for the task at hand (and that brings you back to budget).

Where to start?

Laqorr * is good digital signage software. It does all this and more.

Download our cheat-sheet to see how easy it is to load content, build a playlist and run media content on a national (or international) network of displays.

If you’d like to learn more about how Laqorr is the perfect fit for a digital signage network, try a free demo device at your own site, on your own time.

Get in touch with one of our subject matter experts today.

*Many people ask. Laqorr is pronounced La-Core

Outdoor digital signs look great and can attract a lot of eyeballs; after all, that’s what they’re there for. But before you plunge in and take digital signage outdoors, there are a couple of things you should consider.

The Benefits

Outdoor digital signage is a powerful communications tool that engages audiences (potential customers) and saves on operational costs (like printing and compliance).

It can be visually exciting in places where you can’t normally focus your customer’s attention. Add video or social media content as well as real-time scheduling, and you have the opportunity for truly meaningful interaction. 

The Purpose

Deciding what you want from your outdoor screen will help you decide what type of screen is right for you. Ask yourself what sort of content will you be running, how complex will it be, and do you want customers to engage with that content directly?

LCD are great for dynamic brand messaging with fine, detailed artwork. There are limitations about size, scale and brightness. LED screens can be significantly brighter and more flexible (do you need to wrap your display around the side of a building? No problem). Touch screens offer the ability for customers to interact directly with your content (which is ideal for way-finding, for instance).

The Challenges

Location is the most obvious challenge. You’ll need placement that meets the following requirements:

  • VISIBILITY – can customers see the screen, are they able to engage with its content?
  • BRIGHTNESS – is it bright enough for them to read in even brighter, direct sunlight?
  • WEATHER – an IP rated enclosure increases safety by managing rain, snow, dust, heat and bugs.
  • TAMPER PROOF – accidents happen. Your display will require strong housing to mitigate damage or vandalism

You must also consider power and data – can you get these services to your ideal location, safely and efficiently?

What’s next?

In short, taking digital signage outdoors significantly increases your ability to reach customers in new and exciting ways. It allows you to expand your network and take your marketing into new territory.

If you’re ready to talk to someone about your plans, ask us about a free demo device and give digital signage a go on site.

The need to reduce security risks is something everyone’s talking about today. That’s why we recommend using Chromeboxes as a media player for digital signage. Let me tell you why.

When I sat down at my desk and turned on my computer (a Chromebox) this morning, there was a little alert advising that an update was available and to restart to apply the update.

In a Windows or Mac world that could potentially render your device useless for an hour or so while the updates are downloaded, installed and applied. However, on a Chromebox (or any Chrome device including Chromebooks) a reboot never takes longer than 10 seconds until the machine is fully operational. I’m serious. 10 seconds.

So I rebooted and got to work. Then I thought to myself, remember back when you had to worry about antivirus software and the relentless job of keeping it up-to-date. That’s all obsolete now. The Chrome Operating System has such sophisticated security features built-in, that worrying about devices becoming compromised is now a thing of the past.

When I am speaking to prospective new clients that have a need for digital signage, a common concern often arises. How to reduce security risks. One of the big fears is that someone will hijack their screens and display competitors’ content (or worse).

One horror story happened in 2019 when hackers uploaded a pornographic video to a high profile screen in central Auckland. Some passers-by were shocked, others stopped to watch as the video ran for approximately two hours. With all the hard work that Marketing and Branding teams do to build trust, this is not the type of content any business would like playing on their screens.

chromebook
Boost IT Resources

Another concern organisations often have is that a network of digital signage devices will add to the IT Team’s workload. Yet using Chrome Enterprise one IT Team reduced device setup time from three hours to 25 minutes. They said: “Chrome Enterprise adds extra security features that protect employees and our platform while offering easy support tools for our IT team”.

That’s an endorsement!

Using devices that increase security, reduce workloads and mitigate risk should really be part of the new normal for organisations. Here are five features that reduce security risks for Chrome devices and the Chrome operating system:

Sandboxing

Chrome OS keeps different software on Chrome devices separate with sandboxing. So even if one part somehow gets infected, the rest is designed to stay safe.

Verified boot

Every time a Chrome device starts up, it goes through Verified Boot — a rigorous and seamless security check-up in the background that prevents malware.

Security chip

Protect your data. Every Chromebox and Chromebook includes a built-in security chip to encrypt the most sensitive data and keep it away from prying eyes.

Built-in virus protection

Built-in virus protection defends Chrome devices from malware automatically. You can focus on what you need to do, instead of installing third-party security software.

Powerwash

In the rare event that something does go wrong, a fresh start is just a click away. Chrome devices can easily be reset (even remotely) to restore factory settings and get rid of malware in the process.

it security
Free Demo Device

So in a year when cybersecurity has never been more important, It’s nice to know that there are simple technology choices that can help reduce security risks, and increase productivity.

If you or someone you know are considering digital signage, but have security and IT concerns, you should try a Chrome device demo. We can hook it up for free and it could end up saving your organisation hundreds of IT hours and unnecessary security headaches.

While recovering from shoulder surgery, my physiotherapist said, “You’re not out of the woods yet, but you are definitely in a clearing.” The same could be said about the retail sector which is just about done with pandemic induced turmoil but faces more financial storm clouds on the horizon. Today however, we find ourselves in a clearing.

2020 created retail space vacancies which enabled retailers to negotiate shorter, more flexible leases with more affordable rental contracts. This led to retailers to diversify their footprint, experiment with new formats and open new stores

Another thing it prompted was a digital shift in consumer behaviour which expedited digital transformation plans for many organisations. As the retail sector evolves to meet ever-changing consumer expectations, value-adding digital signage solutions have become essential when opening new stores.

storm cloud
Digital Signage For Retail

Purpose-built digital signage, LED and touch screens enhance customer experience. They improve employee engagement. They are perfect digital touch-points that add value to new stores. With multiple internal stakeholders involved in the planning process, there are numerous reasons to include in-store digital in the new store budget.

When digital signage has been part of the architectural design and installed by professionals, it is much more than a marketing tool. It improves aesthetics, enhances customer experience and validates brands as digital natives. All of this benefits your bottom line, especially when financial storm clouds are gathering.

Businesses who had already embraced digital transformation found they were ready for the last financial shock. Now that we are in a ‘clearing’, use it and innovate for the future. As C.S. Lewis famously wrote, “Progress means not just changing, but changing for the better.”

Free Demo Device

datmedia specialises in helping businesses transform with innovative digital solutions. We’re dedicated to enabling positive change through technology. Ask about a free demo device and see for yourself how digital signage will help your business.

Financial upheaval, pandemics and digital transformation have all helped turn the world upside down. In an increasingly chaotic world, the need to be ready has never been more important. It’s tricky to plan for the unknown, so plan towards what you do know.

One thing that all retailers and banks agree upon is that change is no longer something to work towards. It’s something that needs to be worked on – constantly. The ongoing push for digital transformation has been urging organisations to upgrade and overhaul technology stacks toward service-based models.

The renewed focus on people is driving digital transformation more than ever before. Customer’s digital media consumption habits have changed radically and the typical path-to-purchase looks very different to before. Actually, there is no longer such thing as a typical path-to-purchase 🤔

Store As A Medium

Bridging the gap

The pandemic has forced a necessary focus on online and virtual customer engagement. But as restrictions eased, bridging the gap between online and shared physical spaces means renewed vigour in delivering an optimal customer experience.

Dynamic, contextually relevant content on digital screens is the perfect way to help connect the dots and help guide customers to their destination.

For some quick wins you will need:

  • A strategy to make it easy to personalise and localise content right down to individual screens and experiences.
  • A cloud-based dashboard to make light work of controlling content and devices across a diverse network of screens.
  • To find an affordable and scalable solution that makes things easier for all your teams.
lunch is on us contact datmedia

Conclusion

With all of the changes to the way business is conducted, we are also focussed on virtual customer engagement. Check out our personalised discover meetings that discuss how technology and the right cloud-native services can supercharge business.

Lunch is on us! We’ll send you (and any relevant stakeholders) an Uber Eats voucher and a video call link, then I’ll rope in the necessary subject matter experts to help resolve your in-store digital pain points.

The need to be ready for what’s next is crucial for businesses and datmedia is here to help. 

If you’re still using a USB for digital signage, it’s time to free up your time and move into the cloud.

We used to have a client who drove across Sydney once a week with a pocket full of USB sticks. He’d visit one of his company’s offices, insert a drive in their digital signage screen then drive on to the next location and do the same. That’s how he updated his network. Actually, this was before he became our client. We made sure he didn’t need to do that anymore.

Yet if you’re doing a similar thing, there are a number of reasons why it’s time to retire your fleet of USB sticks (apart from the considerable inconvenience and parking hassles). Here are three of them.

Security

Most IT teams are wary of staff using a USB for digital signage and with good reason. The opportunity for malware to infect systems is incredibly high, and it’s nearly always done without the user of the USB having any idea of the pain they’ve inflicted.

Efficiency

Our client wasted an entire day using a USB for digital signage to update his network. The same outcome takes minutes using a cloud-based content management system like Laqorr. He did it because it was the only way he could be confident the right content was on the right screen (something Laqorr now does for him simply and efficiently from the cloud).

Compliance

Which brings us to compliance. He could have posted the USBs but, assuming they arrived on time, could he be confident that staff would update the screens correctly? We’re all busy people and what was his priority might not be theirs. He couldn’t afford to take the risk of running old, outdated or possibly illegal content.

The fleet of USBs for digital signage had run its course. He moved into the cloud.

There are plenty of reasons why so many businesses now work in the cloud. Getting rid of USB sticks and managing content online is one of them.

Cloud devices are the most affordable they have ever been. Failure rates are much lower than ever before and if you are currently refurbishing or renovating, it makes perfect sense to include cloud-based tech in your budget.

If you’ve had enough of USBs digital signage and are ready to move into the cloud, give us a call. Ask about a free demo device and try it out in your own time. We’ll talk about what’s best for your business and help you achieve an outcome that adds real value.

Sometimes going forward means you need to go back to basics. Here’s a quick reminder about which digital signage solution is best for you, and how it can propel your business in the right direction (forwards).

Omnichannel is a catch-phrase that’s regaining traction. Successful businesses are those that can pull the online experience into the offline world of physical retail. 

Retailers who bring their online strategy into the store are winners because they appeal directly to people who have become comfortable shopping online.

Now they can do it for real.

Planning goes a long way. So does having the confidence to use all the tools at your disposal. Those that have digital signage have an advantage because they already have a mechanism to boost the profile of their product or business. They have a mechanism to fortify the omnichannel experience for their customers.

It’s a wonderfully flexible tool. It can let you share information in real time – whether that’s a promotion for customers or information for staff. Digital signage is a powerful technology that, harnessed properly, can help business owners weather the most turbulent economic storms.

digital signage

Attract Customers

The best digital signage solution attracts customers to your business. Humans are hard wired to notice visual information, and we notice it more quickly when it’s dynamic. 

It’s said that the brain processes an image 60,000 times faster than text. With video content on digital signage, you have a winning advantage over your competitor who is relying on static, printed communication. You can also draw a direct link to your online content and once you gain a customer’s attention the hard work has been done. They’ll be more responsive to your offer, and that leads to sales.

Whether you’re using a video wall or an LED display – you can use digital signage to shape how customers feel about your premises and add value to your brand. It lets you do whatever you want, whenever you want to – promote products, price points, concepts and values. Use it to help make people feel good about your business.

Digital signage is also cost effective. The same piece of artwork can run on any number of screens in any number of stores while eliminating expensive print runs, distribution costs and compliance issues. 

With good digital signage software like Laqorr, you can control your marketing strategies or corporate communications with ease. It helps reduce the financial burden on your business. It also reduces customer confusion which might arise through misaligned campaigns. That’s real power.

datmedia new world

Solutions

If you want to do more than just survive, make sure you have the right digital signage solution at your disposal. Used wisely, it will help your business stay ahead of the competition, weather any storm and add real value to your brand. 

In short, there’s no business on the planet that won’t benefit from aligning online and offline through digital signage and the suite of cloud-based technologies we can introduce you to.

Get in touch and let us help you with your strategy to cut costs, reduce waste and beat your targets. If you want to read more articles, please do.

*Source: shopify.com.au