How to Add Digital Signage to Your Campus

In recent years, the adoption of digital signage has accelerated and is now recognized by organizations as a vital and necessary component supporting its overall communication strategy. Digital signage is a network of customizable digital displays that are controlled electronically using a computer to change your content remotely for the most targeted messaging possible. Effective digital signage is not haphazard and requires a well thought-out plan.


#1 Determine the functionality you desire

Digital signage provides different functions for various types of organizations.
Healthcare Facilities: High-tech way to share relevant healthcare and location information as well as learning opportunities
Educational Facilities: Extend learning environments, improved, controlled medium to deliver schedules, news, emergency messages and other relevant information
Government Agencies: Provide live and on-demand Web based access to meetings and events. Disperse useful information to people waiting in line in government offices
Corporations: Provide customers with targeted marketing and promotions at point of purchase locations to drive sales and associates with extended learning opportunities

#2 Determine the extent of coverage

For small campuses requiring only one or two end-point monitors, the player server can cost-effectively be located at the display. However, for multi-building and campus organizations looking to consistently manage content, the information needs to be delivered over a privately owned broadband fiber network. Government, education, healthcare and corporate systems are rapidly constructing their own broadband networks to make digital signage possible. Due to cost, these networks are usually shared.

#3 Determine how to manage the content

Digital signage content should support your business strategy. Therefore, determining content ahead of time ensures the medium adds value. Answer these important questions to devise a content strategy:
• What kind of content should we use and where is it going to come from?
• How much content do we need and how long should the average content loop be?
• How much cost will incur in order to keep our program fresh, current loop be?

Content can be created and published in-house. Cisco's Digital Media Manager media management application makes this process flow more easily. With one program, content owners can upload, catalogue, edit and publish digital media for live or on-demand playback.