How does the cost compare with other emergency notification mediums?
The initial cost of implementing digital signage for education can be hefty. There may be multiple vendors involved, e.g software providers, display vendors, cabling etc. and each of these vendors introduces risk factors that can mar the implementation.
However, the ROI and ROO defeats the cost.
Digital signage is versatile and can be used in various capacities. For example, it can be used for emergency messaging, as a digital menu board in the cafeteria, and it can also be repurposed to a digital building directory.
It can also be used to drive additional revenue by promoting merchandise in the bookstore, or promote events to drive ticket sales. The system can pay for itself within a very short time.
What are some other uses of digital signage in schools/campuses?
Digital signage can be easily repurposed to display information other than emergency alerts.
It is being used in cafeterias to broadcast nutritional information and menus which in turn promotes healthy food choices among students. Crisp imagery and vivid videos call attention to healthy entrées, thus encouraging students to be more conscious of what they’re eating. With the lack of classroom time available to teach kids about eating healthy and staying active, k-12 digital signage offers an effective alternative. These digital displays can also be used to direct traffic during lunch, so the lines move faster and students have more time to eat.
Digital signage in schools is also being used to share important school announcements, highlight student and staff achievements as well as showcase donor contributions. Automated event listings are also being displayed on digital di
splays to increase attendance to school events.
Schools have started to use digital signage to offer navigational assistance. Building directories and wayfinding displays, both non-touch and touch-screen, are being increasingly deployed to help students, staff, faculty and visitors orient themselves with the campus.
The technology is also being used inside classrooms to facilitate collaborative learning. It is being used as an instructional tool, allowing educators to broadcast educational programming, enhance class presentations, share remote lectures and participate in virtual fieldtrips.
What one technical tip can you offer campuses about the deployments of emergency notification screens?
Digital signage acquisition should be campus-wide, and not at the departmental level. This centralization approach ensures communications are consistent and reach the entire campus—not certain departments only. It’ll also be easier for IT or A/V staff to maintain the digital signage network. Because of the size of such a deployment, this centralized approach enables schools to leverage their buying power.
Mvix is a market leader in technology and products for high-definition digital signage systems, video-wall appliances, interactive digital kiosk systems, IP-video broadcasting and content management systems.
