How Cloud-based Digital Signage Is Changing Retail For The Better?
We live in an era of a digital world, and with that, digital media has taken the world by storm. With an increase in competition among businesses, capturing users' attention has become challenging.
So, using the correct digital media to strengthen the customer experience is crucial. Here cloud-based digital signage has become businesses’ savior. These are the most reliable and attention-grabbing digital signage systems. Cloud-based digital signage systems offer numerous advantages over traditional methods of marketing. It has become the first choice of many businesses, regardless the size. These are digital signage systems hosted on a remote server and accessed via the internet. And are installed on-premises and require a dedicated server and IT support.
Cloud-based digital signage can enhance outreach and promote consumer retention. It gives 24/7 access to your marketing plan, and the digital improvements help you get an edge over your competition.
Let us see what the stats have to say:
- By 2031, the global digital signage market can reach $63.3 billion at a CAGR of 6.3%.
- 80% of brands are using digital signage systems to increase their sales.
- Digital signage has improved queue management and lowered waiting times by more than 35%.
- 53% of digital signage users can increase their spending in the next two years.
- Digital signage systems capture 400% more views than static displays.
- Not solely businesses but colleges are using digital signage displays on campus.
- 80% of customers choose to enter stores after seeing promotions on digital signage which has increased customer satisfaction.
Cloud digital signage systems have become one of the biggest trends in the market. It is a cloud-based solution with huge advantages, such as scalability, usability, adaptability, and the capacity to interface with other hardware and software. The way businesses are choosing a cloud-based solution, it looks like it will continue to grow as a trend.
So, if you want to empower and grow your business, cloud-server digital signage is the perfect solution for you.
What are the main features of cloud-based digital signage?
Here are a few features of cloud-based digital signage that businesses must know:
- Remote management: One of the most suitable advantages that cloud-based digital signage offers is that it is easily manageable. It gives the flexibility to update content remotely, which means businesses can update or make changes in their digital signage displays from anywhere, at any time, and without accessing the screen physically. It is useful for companies that are located at multiple locations, as they can edit the display easily. Businesses can set up automation using remote management to ensure that all updates and content are updated on time. Moreover, remote management has made it easy for businesses to monitor their digital signage performance and accuracy. Also, they can troubleshoot the issues and fix them remotely.
- Real-time updates: Another crucial feature of the digital signage system is that it is easy for businesses to make real-time updates on the display. It helps them communicate important information quickly. The data includes weather closers, special promotions, emergency alerts, and more.
- Multi-user accessed: Cloud-based digital signage solutions hosted enable many users to view to screen. Not that, these systems give multi-user access which means many users can control the material shown on the screen. This feature has made it easier for organizations to collaborate and divide tasks. For example, a few teams may be in charge of content development while other teams may be in charge of content upkeep. Furthermore, it allows companies to offer special rights to each other and can limit the number of people who can modify the information.
- Integration with another system: One another feature of the cloud-based digital-signage system is that it can combine with other types of software such as customer relationship management, social media, and analytics platforms. Integration features allow companies to display data from the other system on their system. This helps in making the experience more dynamic and tailored for customers and staff.
Reasons why retailers must choose cloud-based digital signage solutions
Now let us discuss the need for cloud-based digital signage solutions for a retailer.
- Cost-Effective: A cloud-based digital-signage systems are quite economical. Since businesses do not require any additional devices other than hardware, making it is quite cost-effective. The other updates such as software maintenance and other technical operations are handled and managed by SaaS providers such as jiWebTech. Also, cloud-based digital-signage providers offer their software licenses on a ‘pay-as-you-use’ subscription model. Also, this gives you flexibility for example, you can cancel the subscription anytime you want and you do not have to pay any amount, making it very cost-effective for businesses of all sizes.
- Data Security: Data theft is one of the major concerns these days. No one wants that data to be compromised. Some people think that using digital-signage systems on the cloud can risk their data. But this is not the case with cloud-based digital signage; however, there are some strong critics and arguments against these systems. Businesses must know that cloud infrastructure is a highly secure platform for both actual data and its backups from any kind of malware. During data transfer or transit, the data gets converted into encrypted form. Not that, the service providers are also bound by security standards that are higher than private IT security standards.
- No risk of damage: This is one of the best advantages of using cloud-based technology. There is no data loss or damage to your data if any physical damage occurs. Many unforeseen events can occur in daily life, including fire, floods, and malfunctioning hardware or machinery. On the other hand, data stored in the cloud is less prone to lose and damage. Data recovery is remarkably easy as vendors follow storage redundancy, even if the data is lost. It means that they replicate the data and store it in some physical data centers that are geographically distributed. So that if one server is damaged, the other can be used.
- Scalability: A cloud-based digital-signage system has a large storage capacity that in turn offers the flexibility to use unlimited storage space. This functionality makes it easy for digital-signage systems to scale up or down at any time, depending on the business requirements. Traditionally, to scale an on-premise IT infrastructure, businesses need to purchase the physical space, and more hardware, and hire a workforce. But with cloud-based business, you do not have to invest unnecessarily.
- Customer Support: Cloud-based digital-signage system providers offer efficient support and teams to handle all customer queries. So that customers do not have to worry about any technical assistance. Service providers play a huge role in training your staff regarding system installation, usage, and more. Furthermore, vendors take care of your digital signage software if it runs into errors and requires troubleshooting.
- No irrelevant responsibilities: It is not crucial for the companies to be in digital signage businesses to use them. Businesses from various industry verticals like retail, corporate, healthcare, transportation, etc use cloud-based digital signage systems. So, it is necessary to set up an infrastructure dedicated to digital signage. Also, customers do not have to worry about maintenance. One of the main reasons to use cloud-based digital signage software is that it takes away unnecessary and irrelevant responsibilities. This helps businesses to focus on core competencies.
- Global access: Traditionally, on-premise solutions were used to restrict the accessibility of the software within the company’s premises or data center. But, cloud-based digital signage software can be accessed remotely, and businesses have the freedom to sit anywhere in the world and manage their screens anytime. The only needed thing in this process is an internet connection and a set of access keys such as ID, passwords, etc. In today’s world, if we see, most businesses are operating remotely and are offering work from home, and in such cases cloud-based digital signage help businesses in their working operations.
- Automatic Software Update: By using a cloud-based digital-signage solution businesses do not have to invest in updates and maintenance, as it automatically updates the system. Moreover, most updates are free of cost and are updated to the latest version, whenever required. Also, the service providers are professionals who keep testing the software and try to give a great user experience perfectly seamless.
- Scope of Collaboration: Cloud-based digital signage solutions enhanced the chances of better collaboration. And, better collaboration helps in storing or transferring files across various devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, and more. Additionally, with the advancement in the technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, etc. it is necessary to opt for services that are easy to collaborate and form a network. And cloud-based digital signage solutions are one of the best examples of that.
Types of Cloud-based digital signage platforms
Cloud-based digital signage platforms offer a wide range of options to all businesses. Each platform comes with its advantage that can be beneficial depending on the needs of your business. Let us take a look at a few types of digital signage platforms.
- Android Media Players: In cloud-based digital signage platforms, Android Media Players are one of the most popular types of endpoint devices. These devices are connected to the internet to allow users to manage their content remotely by using android operating systems. They offer features such as remote management, scheduling, and analytics. These features make them ideal cost-effective solutions and can be used by a large range of businesses.
- Content Management Systems (CMS): Content Management Systems (CMS) is the core of cloud-based digital-signage platforms as they allow users to create and manage content from anywhere any time in the world. Users can upload images, videos, audio files, and more using CMS systems. This feature has made it easy and possible for businesses to display up-to-date content without worrying about any hardware maintenance or installation costs.
- Networked Displays and Monitors: Networked Displays and Monitors offer an all-inclusive solution for managing digital signage solution from anywhere at any time. All displays are connected and monitored through a secure network connection over the internet or private LAN/WANs. Businesses can easily manage and control what is displayed on each device from a single location.
To Conclude:
Cloud-based digital signage systems offer businesses a wide range of benefits over premises-based systems. These systems offer the flexibility of customization as per the needs of a business cost-effectively as they do not require any additional hardware or software. Also, businesses can save a lot of money by avoiding purchasing media players, servers, licenses, etc. Moreover, the subscription-based option has made cloud-based digital signage systems more affordable, and businesses can drop or continue the subscription whenever they want.
So, it is necessary to know your business goals and objectives, so that system that the chosen cloud system meets all of your business needs.
Even though there are a lot of cloud-based digital signage platforms available on the market, it is crucial to choose the one that fits the business goal. Moreover, using automation tools can help you manage and streamline cloud-based digital signage systems easily.
Are you looking for a secure and reliable solution to manage your digital signage? Look no further than jiWebTech. Many businesses around the globe are using our digital signage systems, and are helping them to grow their brand’s visibility and sales. We offer the perfect combination of flexibility and scalability that meets your needs using innovative technology. Contact us today to learn more about how jiWebTech can help you manage your business with a cloud-based digital signage solution.