Comparing Digital Signage Softwares

What to look for during a digital signage product comparison?

Looking at the components that make up digital signage, and knowing how the technology is used is the first step in this process. Your next question should be; which features are the most important for your needs? More specifically, what makes one CMS software stand out from the rest? These are all important questions to ponder during ytour digital signage product comparison.

To answer this, we must look at what makes professional-grade CMS software.

• Multi-platform standalone player support. This means you can deploy many types of hardware on the same CMS software. Multi-platform support can be extremely useful because you’re not “locked in” to a specific technology. For example, you can start your project on PCs and deploy the system on a chip screen later on. You get to pick the right hardware combination for each location.
• Web-based dashboard. Modern CRM solutions use HTML5 to deliver a professional user experience without having to install local software. These HTML5 dashboards provide all the functionality of a locally installed app once the end user is logged into the system. All that’s required is a URL, login name, and password to get access to the system from any location. The best CMS solutions also support multiple platforms such as PCs, tablets and smartphones. Having the ability to access and program content from anywhere is now a must, which is why it should be on your list.
• Native software vs interpreted software. It is estimated that 90% of digital signage software players are based on interpreted languages. Coding software using this method is less costly and less expensive, however, there are some major trade-offs. Interpreted software tends to be less secure, less reliable, and less efficient than the alternative. Native software requires a lot of resources and more capital investment but the results are well worth it. Native digital signage player software will perform measurably better than interpreted software. Content playback is smoother and more reliable on the target hardware platform. This should factor very highly in any comparison between software products.
• Ease of use and deployment. Look for software that is easy to use and doesn’t require any specific technical skills. Remember that a product’s UI can make, or break your next project. Software with an obscure and complex interface just ends up frustrating end-users. Training costs soar and user adoption eventually drops until the project fails, or the software is replaced. Avoid these pitfalls by selecting a CMS with a user-friendly front-end that people will actually use. When reviewing multiple solutions, always remember this rule… Training should take hours, not weeks.
• Look for software that scales well. Maybe you’re looking at a small deployment of only a few displays. For you, scalability isn’t a key deciding factor. However, consider your situation may evolve over time and your needs may change. If you pick a CMS that isn’t scalable, you may be forced to make some hard choices. Like switching products in mid-deployment or scaling back your project, or worse. Think of the investment in time and effort to become proficient with a CMS product. The learning curve and the hardware investment required to have a fully functional screen network. Take the time to look at every CMS software as if it was the last product you will buy.
• Look for “open” software that integrates easily. There are CMS products that are limited in what they can do, and how they can be integrated with other products. Think of situations where you may need to exchange data with other software or automate certain processes to save time. Professional-grade CMS software products are open to other software and technologies. These solutions offer  APIs, so you can extend their capabilities. Here are some examples of what an open system can do:
  • Trigger evacuation messages from an automated alarm system.
  • Integrate with audience detection systems to trigger content based on the audience’s age or sex.
  • Automate content uploads.
  • Generate automated playback reports.
  • Turn digital displays on or off based on a schedule.

There are all sorts of CMS software products on the market. You can evaluate them based on price or features. When conducting your digital signage product comparison, don’t just consider the cost of acquiring the software. Think of all the related costs. This may sound counter-intuitive but in the long run, you may find that buying cheap software can actually be a very expensive proposition. Look at what you need now, and plan for tomorrow. Consider the cost of hardware, installation, and training. Think how much you would spend to switch to another platform if you pick the wrong one.