Digital Signage Server
A digital signage player is the device that stores and plays back media to one or multiple connected displays. Players typically come in one of three forms; dedicated hardware appliances, proprietary cards, or software based systems. We believe this offers our clients the most flexibility in content playback, ability to integrate with external systems and the advantages of open standards for servicing and replacing hardware.
Once connected to the display monitor, the client only needs an Internet connection for updating or you choose to have a live RSS feed as part of your presentation.
The client is programmed and initiated from your own PC, be it a laptop or desktop computer in your home or office. One PC – we'll call it the "server" – can operate as many digital signage clients as you need at once, be it one or more than a thousand. No dedicated server needed – install the software on your laptop or personal desktop. The first step is to install our Windows®-based Task Manager software onto whatever PC you will use to control your digital signage from; this can be a personal laptop or a desktop PC accessed by your executive or marketing teams within the office.
Once the SmartAVI Task Manager software has been installed onto your PC, you're ready to begin compiling the content/files that you will use to create your presentation.
What is Digital Signage Hardware?
A digital signage player is the device that stores and plays back media to one or multiple connected displays. Players typically come in one of three forms; dedicated hardware appliances, proprietary cards, or software based systems. We believe this offers our clients the most flexibility in content playback, ability to integrate with external systems and the advantages of open standards for servicing and replacing hardware.
What is Digital Signage Software?
Digital signage software is a medium that allows you to deliver content of any type to any number of end points efficiently and effectively. Because the platform is digital you can target messaging to regions, stores or even to individual signs based on schedules and event triggers. Learn more!
How does it work?
- Create Media Files.
The first thing you need to do is create your media files. With the power of digital signage software, you can use any of your existing graphic software like Photoshop, Flash and PowerPoint. You can also use any video format. You can even use web pages. - Import your file.
Importing files to SignagePro is easy. Simply browse for files on your computer and import it into the signage software. You can import as many files as you like. - Create a Schedule.
Once you've imported your media files, select which files you would like to use for your presentation. This is where you set length, the order in which to display the files and the time and date. You can set the schedule to play hours, days, weeks or months in advance. You can make schedules as simple or as complex as you like.
What else should I know?
You might be wondering what kinds of media files digital signage software can play. That depends largely on how the individual players’ software has been written. In the case of Smart-AVI’s players, our digital signage software has been specifically programmed to support common media files that users are already familiar with. These files include QuickTime, AVI, MPEG or WMV, for example. Image formats supported include JPEG, GIF, BMP and PNG. Other digital file formats such as Flash, PowerPoint, HTML and MP3 are also supported in Smart-AVI’s digital signage, making it very simple for our customers to incorporate files they work with every day into their presentations.
Applications
ELEVATORS
The perfect "captive audience", people riding in elevators respond very well to digital signage in place, whether it be a restaurant menu, show schedule or general information.
RETAIL KIOSKS
Retail locations within shopping centers are no longer contained within four walls of leased space. Now, boutique kiosks, carts or booths line the walkways of every mall. These locations sell everything from sunglasses to teeth whitening services, and they need to grab the attention of people as they walk by.
AUTOS/TAXIS
With the ability to change content or rotate images now in place, taxis can provide advertisement space for local companies, resort ads, or any other advertising.
PLANES
Whether passengers are on a short commuter flight or a lengthy international trip, airline operators are finding digital signage technologies to be exactly what they respond to. Airlines can advertise in-fight services, menus, drink selections, or even interactive maps of where their current GPS position is at any given time.
TRAINS
As more commuters take to the rails these days, digital signage is the perfect means to convey route information, host advertising for local companies/businesses and communicate with riders about various fares, passes and schedule changes in real-time.