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Posts Tagged ‘digital signage’

Create an Effective Digital Signage Strategy with ECS5

Posted on: February 20th, 2024

In our increasingly digitized world, digital signage is playing a much larger role when it comes to advertising and customer communications.  Digital signage can be found in many settings from retail stores, pharmacies and banks to hotels and academic buildings.

There are obvious advantages to incorporating digital signage into your messaging as you can create dynamic displays that feature high resolution images, animations, and videos.

If you are pursuing a digital strategy then you need to have a platform that allows you to implement the most appropriate blend of paper, digital and media, but also one that gives you the insurance policy that should you wish to implement something that is more economic or more advanced in technology, given the way that evolves then by implementing the ECS solution, you can introduce those new technologies at pace, in a blended way, when you wish. Versus the alternative of brittle development every time you want to move to new technology, which when implemented outside of ECS each of the ESL vendors has to be implemented separately.

The integration can be complex as it often needs to integrate with many different systems, for example it is normal to integrate with the merchandising product hierarchy, product information systems, stock systems and planogram in addition to the price and promotion systems.  Depending on the complexity of the solutions this can take from several months to up to two years to implement.  This exercise would need to be repeated with each ESL vendor that is implemented.  The project costs can range from hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions spent on IT system integrations, testing and project management.

ECS brings expertise in retail systems integrations and offers a solution to help businesses effectively design and manage their digital signage, which reduces the effort and time taken, often to just a few weeks. This significantly reduces implementation costs, and perhaps most importantly provides instant switch on of many additional ESL vendors and products, without further integration.

ECS5 Media Suite is a cloud-based retail management system that allows businesses to manage print and digital signage, shelf tags, planogram, and inventory from a single source.  Within ECS5, you can design dynamic digital signage and instantly send it to monitors, TV screens, and other digital displays.  You can also easily edit and update digital signage within ECS5 to ensure accurate and consistent communication of pricing, product information, and special promotions.

Why Choose ECS5 for Digital Signage and Displays?

ECS5 LogoBusinesses that want to add digital signage and displays to their customer communications strategies may look for a digital signage company to manage these displays.  However, if you already have a system for print signage, adding a new system for your digital signage will only create silos and make it more difficult to ensure accurate and consistent messaging across your print and digital media.  Simply adding digital signage capabilities is not as effective as incorporating it into your larger communications strategy.

When you work with a digital signage vendor, they may develop their own brittle solution that will operate separately from the systems you are already using for your print signage. You may also be stuck with their designs and capabilities.  This can make it difficult to ensure accuracy and consistency across your print and digital signage as navigating multiple systems to manage your signage increases the risk of inaccuracies and inefficiencies and takes more of your time.  There is also a high level of volatility with digital signage vendors as they may merge or change strategy with little to no warning. Technology is constantly evolving and therefore, you would want to nimbly be able to take advantage of improved resolution, color and economically reducing cost.

It simply does not have to be this way.  With ECS5, you can seamlessly manage your print and digital signage with this single, cloud-based solution.  ECS5 can be integrated into your current infrastructure, so you do not need to start from scratch or spend time and money incorporating new systems.  You can easily design and manage your digital signage and display yourself in the Media Manager with no need for a third-party vendor.  Your digital signage designs are stored within the system so you can conveniently update current designs and quickly change between multiple displays. ECS5 is also the only system available that manages print and digital signage which saves your business time and money and helps ensure accurate, consistent messaging.

The following are the main reasons to choose ECS5 for your business:

  • Manage print and digital signage from one source.
  • Design digital signage in the Media Manager without being bound by the limited capabilities of third-party vendors.
  • Avoid working with vendors in a volatile industry.
  • Avoid being locked into underperforming proprietary systems.
  • Streamline your customer communications strategy for accurate and consistent messaging across all mediums.

Retail Signage Solutions from ECS

Digital signage is highly effective because it is more dynamic and engaging than traditional print signage.  You can create digital displays with high resolution images and video content and even update or change your digital displays in an instant.  If you want to incorporate digital signage, do not get stuck with a vendor that manages your digital signage separately from your print signage.

ECS5 is a highly flexible software solution that allows you to efficiently manage your print and digital signage from a single dashboard.  We save you the trouble of using multiple systems by integrating all of your print and digital signage and displays for an efficient and cost-effective solution.  Our software solution eliminates the need for multiple software systems to handle your in-store displays. By seamlessly integrating all your devices, displays, and systems, we save you the hassle and provide a unified management experience.

Digital Signage: Do Not Go Down the Rabbit Hole of a Standalone Digital Signage Provider

Posted on: November 21st, 2022

Retail stores have always used a variety of print media to communicate with their customers about pricing, as well as sales and promotions.  Many businesses have a long-established process for designing, printing, and placing paper signage, changing them out when necessary.  In recent years, digital signage, displays and electronic shelf tags have become more widely used in retail stores.  Digital signage gives businesses the ability to use eye-catching images and even video content on digital displays and TV screens to convey their messaging.  This type of signage can also be changed more efficiently than paper signage and tags.

combine-digital-and-print-store-signage

Ensure effective, efficient communication to your customers by using ECS5 to blend your all of your print and digital signage into one system

Traditionally, retailers tend to become comfortable with their process for printed signs and look elsewhere for their digital sign solutions. However, having a company provide you with digital signage while you still manage your printed signage with a separate system creates a disconnect in your communication.  With this arrangement, there is bound to be inefficiencies and inconsistencies when it comes to crafting your communications and getting your messaging to your customers across the various media. Working separately with different systems for different media can be both confusing and inefficient, whereas using a holistic system that blends both print and digital, such as ECS5, helps to ensure effective and efficient communication with your customers.

Do not fall down the rabbit hole of having a standalone digital signage solution, and separating your digital and print communication.  Relying on just one digital signage vendor is less efficient and cost-effective and can cost your business time and money.  It is much more beneficial to have a single system in which you can integrate digital signage from multiple vendors and manage all of your communication, including paper, digital, and multimedia signage, from one place.

ECS Global provides a solution that integrates all forms of communication, including multimedia, digital, and print so they can be managed from one place.  ECS5 is a cloud-based retail management system that allows businesses to design and update multiple forms of in-store signage including printed signs and shelf tags as well as digital displays and electronic shelf tags.  This system greatly improves the efficiency and accuracy of your communications which can result in a better ROI.

Do Not Go Down the Rabbit Hole of a Digital Signage Provider

There are many digital signage types that retail stores can work with that provide different capabilities and technologies.  Working with only one digital signage vendor forces your company to rely on this vendor for all digital communications and use their systems for design and management.  This limits you to the capabilities provided by that one vendor and they may not make improvements or updates to their system for a few years, leaving you putting out the same digital signage and displays.  This will trap your business in a digital cul-de-sac with very limited options.

This is a rabbit hole you do not want to go down as creating more silos within your customer communications will further waste time and money and putting all of your investment into one digital signage provider will severely limit your options.  ECS Global is integrated as standard with the various technologies, allowing you to explore the capabilities of multiple vendors to diversify your messaging. You are able to do this efficiently with a solution like ECS5 that lets you manage everything from one place.

Managing all forms of communication with one solution will eliminate inefficiencies and ensure accurate and up to date communications.

Integrating Print and Digital Signage into One Solution

With ECS5, you can implement and manage digital signage from multiple digital signage vendors in one place.  ECS5 is fully integrated with all forms of digital signage which allows you to use a variety of technology available that is always improving instead of being stuck in a technology cul-de-sac.  You can also manage your paper and electronic signage using the same tools within ECS5 for an efficient, all in one solution.

ECS has been working with electronic and digital signage companies for more than 20 years.  The technologies for these vendors are efficiently integrated with the management tools within ECS5.  This integration helps digital signage companies enhance their own products by introducing solutions to improve productivity and efficiency while reducing costs by saving time.

The ability to drive electronic labels from ECS5 has also saved large retail stores a lot of time and money.  There is a complex logic that determines what labels should be printed in which location at which time and ECS has an understanding of this logic from our years of experience with clients in this industry.  This same logic that is used to drive paper signage within ECS5 is also used to drive electronic labels which minimizes configuration work.  Electronic and digital signage vendors cannot often recreate this logic efficiently which could end up costing your business time and money.

It is important for your business to address all forms of communication with one design tool that allows you to drive all forms of digital signage, multimedia, and paper (colorful point of sale) signage.  ECS5 allows you to manage all of your digital and print communications in one cloud-based solution.  With this system, you can design and update your digital signage and electronic shelf tags instantly within one dashboard and the integration of the system with your planogram and inventory ensures a high level of accuracy.  You can also manage and print paper signage and shelf tags and the integration of mobile devices and printers eliminates the need to go to the back office and allows employees to manage these tasks quickly and efficiently on the shop floor.

ECS5 allows you to do the following:

  • Create digital signage and displays with the Media Manager within ECS5 and instantly send them to TV screens and other displays.
  • Design and print paper signage and shelf tags that follow the integrated planogram to cut down on wasted materials.
  • Geo-target displays in specific locations for exclusive promotions.
  • Integrate digital signage and display technology and capabilities from multiple vendors.
  • Instantly update and implement digital signage and displays across multiple locations.
  • Integrate mobile devices to access ECS5 from anywhere and print shelf tags on the shop floor.

Print and Digital Signage Solutions with ECS5

If you want to incorporate digital signage into your customer communications, there is no sense in going down the rabbit hole of investing in a single digital signage vendor.  ECS5 allows you to bring all types of communication together under one cloud-based solution.

With ECS5, you can design, manage, and update your print and digital signage in one platform which improves accuracy and eliminates inefficiencies.  You can also easily make updates to your digital and print signage and with digital signage and displays, you can implement the changes in real time.  ECS5 allows you to get the most out of your signage and improve your ROI by ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

To learn more about ECS5, contact ECS Global.

The Digital Panacea – The Emperor Has No Clothes On

Posted on: November 11th, 2021

Digital Signage Best Practices, Mistakes, and Disadvantagesdigital signage disadvantages

A digital display or promotional screen that rarely changes its message is an enormous waste.

It might as well be paper.

Yet these are found everywhere — in hotels, pharmacies, school campuses, supermarkets, and department stores.

In some cases, these displays are left unmanaged, displaying errors, or even switched off.

In the constant push towards all things digital, marketers, promotion planners, and retail business owners have begun to work against themselves, driving up their costs of operation for no reason at all, and handcuffing themselves to technologies they cannot drive or manage.

Technology is assuredly a powerful solution for retail stores. Intelligent use of digital solutions such as smart digital signage or electronic shelf labels introduce an incredible amount of control, speed, and consistency to store promotions. These technologies have a positive promotional impact on customers, and lead to an extraordinary return on investment for business owners.

However, ECS Global Inc. provides these digital solutions knowing they are just a piece to the puzzle of store profitability.

While they can be a boon for store performance, technologies like digital signage, electronic signage, and electronic shelf tags can be misused and sink a store’s bottom line just as well.

Recall that over the last decade, IT providers also pushed for a complete digital evolution — to move everything to the “cloud.” Yet, business owners affected by recent ransomware attacks are now discovering their best practices should have still included those physical disks on dusty shelves.

In a similar vein, the over reliance and conversion of all signage and promotional strategies to digital displays is a result of the same lack of critical thinking, creating an expensive lesson for retail stores that fail to also leverage paper signage and labeling.

And so, when you enter a store that is all digital for no reason other than to be digital, it’s true that you may indeed be witnessing the emperor of innovation.

But this emperor has no clothes, and his coffers are empty.

Inefficient Uses of Digital Signage and Electronic Shelf Tags

electronic shelf labels example

It is critical to store success that a blend of technologies including paper, digital, mobile, and display, are used in optimal unison.

ECS Global Inc takes into consideration the most efficient placement and technology for any promotional purpose when implementing the ECS5 cloud solution.

For instance, a digital sign cannot be more efficient, less expensive and more impactful than paper where that paper sign is not highly promotional.

It is impossible when considering the cost of buying the display unit, implementing the unit, and supporting the unit – it just doesn’t add up.

A change from paper signage to digital signage can only be considered an upgrade if the business is driving varied content to that display unit on a regular basis for promotion dependent products.

Otherwise, a digital display that shows a static image for months on end is really nothing more than a very expensive paper sign.

Similarly, the idea of electronic shelf labels may sound like an attractive solution that can be thrown at any retail operation. However, if the price of the promoted goods is not volatile or affected by competitor pricing, these labels never needed to be electronic in the first place.

There is no point in promoting goods such as baked beans, stationary, vitamins, plasters, towels, soap and similar products as they are not highly promotional items.

Paper Has its Place

In these cases of static promotions, a paper sign should always be used, as it is significantly cheaper and, in many cases, even more impactful than a digital display.

A print solution can be highly efficient if you are only printing what is stocked in any store. That means a new sign is only produced when something appropriate changes, such as price, brand elements, or product descriptions.

With the right planogram tool, you can also print paper labels in an efficient store-walk order, minimizing the time the store associate takes to implement the changes by using mobile on-floor printers where operational benefits present themselves.

With a blended solution such as ECS5, you can have one design environment, one instance of content and a central control which is efficient and able to be executed at pace and react to things such as competition activity, market trends, emerging news, and more.

Ultimately, a highly impactful colorful point of sale will always be better than a strictly digital alternative.

Digital Signage and the Trap of a Technology Cul-de-sacdigital signage best practices and risks

A business that is over eager to jump into digital signage without considering an efficient implementation can find itself facing costly consequences.

This can be due to more than just a poor placement of display units.

Often times businesses do not take into account the system needed to manage and drive digital signage displays throughout their store.

For example, when a new promotion needs to be run for a line of products, these stores do not have the means to develop new media content that is both timely and attractive. These businesses must rely on an expensive vendor or studio to create new promotions that are often outdated by the time they arrive. These slow methods of media creation also make it impossible to respond to unexpected events, or actions by competitors.

Without the ability to design and publish new content themselves internally, such as through a blended communications solution like ECS5, these stores abandon the use of their digital displays or simply begin to use them like paper signs. This is an enormous cost waste.

The problem only continues to worsen, as stores that quickly roll out a decision to install digital signage displays may also find themselves handcuffed to their technology.

Media signage that cannot be centrally managed, for example, will require specific hardware from a single manufacturer to run properly.

Display units purchased to run a specific promotion may not be able to run the type of media content needed for future promotions. And further complicating things, other types of displays may not even be compatible with existing setups.

This is not only a significant cost, but it prevents the store from keeping up to date with technology and competitors, restricting them to a cul-de-sac of limited options.

Smart Signage Solutions with ECS5paper signage vs digital signage

Retail stores, pharmacies, department stores, and other facilities should ensure they have a blend of technologies – from high impact colorful point of sale, digital displays and multimedia, to intelligent uses of paper signage and labeling.

ECS Global Inc. provides a cloud solution in ECS5 that blends communication between efficient high-impact digital signage, paper based promotions, and labeling solutions.

With the ability to drive digital signage and electronic shelf tags from a central point and across all types of displays and from many manufacturers, businesses that use ECS5 can dynamically create and manage promotional content that accurately connects to product information, planogram designs, retail mobile devices, and point of sale terminals.

Don’t install expensive display units for the sake of being ahead of the curve. Leverage all aspects that drive operational efficiency and store profitability with a system that unifies communication between everything from label printing to impressive video walls and electronic displays.

Contact Us to Learn More About ECS5

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Contact ECS Global Inc. to learn more about ECS5

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