Digital Signs
As the World converges in Las Vegas, US this March for the world’s largest Digital Signage Expo (DSE), both the private as well as public sectors in Tanzania have a lot to learn and gain.
Digital signage and interactive technology networks are the future of advertisement, information portals and even communication solutions for the health sector as well as teaching aids in the education sector.
According to Envision Inteligence, a market analysis firm, “…the Middle East and Africa are expected to have tremendous opportunities for digital sings especially in commercial and infrastructural sectors.”
Research suggests that only 10% of people remember what they hear, and 20% remember what they read, but 80% remember what they see and do.
This fact offers all sectors of the economy a great avenue to get their messages out to the public and ensure the message is remembered. Digital signage solutions are the modern day answers to interactive advertisement and information displays.
The digital signage market is expected to grow upward to $21.92 Billion USD by 2020, with a CAGR of 8.04% during a five-year period; from 2015 to 2020 – Research and Markets. “Global Digital Signage Market – Forecasts and Trends (2016 – 2021).”
Currently, it is the US that holds the lion share of the digital signage market and “…is expected to continue dominating the market until 2020.”
There are numerous areas to use digital signage including shopping malls, schools, libraries, office buildings, medical facilities, airports, train and bus stations, banks and other public venues.
Digital signs are also very useful in giving emergency alert warnings because they can reach the commuting population.
What Is Digital Signage
Signage is the design or use of signs and symbols to communicate a message to a specific group. Digital signage is a sub-segment of signage that uses technologies such as LCD, LED and projections to display content digital images, videos and streaming media.
The display maybe connected to a computer so that the images or information on the screen can be updated in real time by means of an Internet or other network connection.
Data transmission and storage are streamlined by compression to minimize file size. The system can use multiple screens if an extra-large display is desired these are known as Video Walls.
There are many advantages of digital signs versus traditional signs and they are environmentally friendly.
Digital signs can be updated, they are animated and can have sound and visual content as well.
Digital signs can also be interactive by use of tablets and kiosks or information points. Tablets can be used to allow customers to check menus in restaurants for example. Kiosks or information points can be used out doors or in malls and government venues.
They allow a person to search for information by scrolling over the touch screens and selecting options. This way, the kiosks and tablets allow conveying of information as well as placement of advertisements.
