Almo Pro AV
Almo Pro AV

Beyond the Static Screen: Unleashing the Power of Interactive Digital Signage

by | Jun 2, 2025 | Business Development, Digital Signage, Retail, Uncategorized

Remember the days of static images on unchanging displays? They served their purpose, but in today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world, they tend to fade into the background. This is where interactive digital signage – a dynamic and engaging way to connect with your audience – can mean the difference between “background noise” and true engagement. Interactivity transforms passive viewers into active participants.

But what exactly makes interactive digital signage so beneficial and how does BrightSign make it easy? Let’s explore:

interactive displayAmplified Engagement and Memorability:

Imagine walking past a screen that responds to your presence, allowing you to tap, swipe, and explore.  This is how we engage day to day with our phones, and it’s become the standard when it used to seem like science fiction (think Minority Report). By actively involving users, you capture their attention in a way static displays simply can’t. This heightened engagement leads to better information retention and a more memorable experience with your brand or message. Think about browsing a digital product catalog on a touchscreen versus glancing at a printed flyer – which are you more likely to remember?

Richer Data Collection and Insights:

Interactive displays offer a goldmine of data. You can track what content users are most interested in, which buttons they tap, and even gather valuable demographic information (anonymously, of course!). This data provides invaluable insights into audience behavior, allowing you to refine your content, optimize your messaging, and make more informed business decisions. Imagine understanding which products in your digital showroom are getting the most attention – that’s powerful information!

personalized experiencePersonalized and Relevant Experiences:

Static signage delivers the same message to everyone. Interactive signage, however, can be tailored to individual needs and preferences. Through touchscreens, QR code scanning, buttons, connected apps, or even motion sensors, you can offer personalized content, targeted promotions, and customized information. This level of relevance makes the experience more valuable and increases the likelihood of conversion or desired action. Think about a digital wayfinding system that adapts based on your selected language or a retail display that suggests products based on your previous interactions.

interactive kiosksStreamlined Information Delivery and Self-Service:

Interactive kiosks can empower users to find the information they need quickly and efficiently, reducing reliance on staff. From wayfinding in a complex building to accessing product details in a store or checking in for an appointment, interactive signage provides convenient self-service options. Most people are used to shopping online, so extending that experience to a retail location where they can lay hands on the product is the next evolution. This not only improves the user experience but also frees up your team to focus on more complex tasks.

Enhanced Marketing and Sales Opportunities:

Interactive digital signage opens up exciting new avenues for marketing and sales. Imagine a digital storefront that allows customers to browse products, view detailed specifications, watch videos, and even make purchases directly from the screen. Interactive displays can also be used to run engaging contests, collect leads, and deliver targeted advertising based on user interactions.

How BrightSign helps move interactivity forward:

BrightSign’s free software, BrightAuthor:Connected offers a drag and drop approach to “programming” interactive content, opening the door to those that may not have the technical capabilities to create content using HTML and Javascript.  These tools offer the ability to create interactive content for use with touchscreens, control systems, fire alarms, buttons, motion sensors, keyboard, card readers, GPS sensors, etc. without the need for programming knowledge.  In the video below, I create an interactive presentation with touch, UDP and button control, including a playback counter, all in around 2 minutes.

The Future is Interactive:

Interactive digital signage is more than just a trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how we communicate and engage with audiences in physical spaces. By moving beyond static displays and embracing the power of interaction, businesses and organizations can create more engaging, informative, and ultimately more effective experiences.

To learn more about interactive signage and how BrightSign can help, contact me at [email protected], or visit our website AlmoProAV.com for additional information.

If you enjoyed this blog, check out Todd’s earlier blog “Monetizing Digital Signage.” and watch his “Getting Started with BrightSign | Digital Signage Management 1st Steps” tutorial on YouTube.

Todd Heberlein
About the Author

Todd Heberlein | CTS, DMC-D-4K, DSCE

Senior BDM – Technical Lead

Supported Manufacturers: Absen and Brightsign

5 Reasons to Use dvLED Technology for Your Next Video Wall

by | Jul 23, 2024 | DVLED, Uncategorized, Video Walls

If you happened to go to InfoComm this year, you were witness to the dvLED revolution. You couldn’t throw a stone without hitting a dvLED display – although I’m not sure why you’d be throwing stones at a technology exhibition. Direct view LED is fast becoming the technology of choice for video walls in our industry, as it offers a range of advantages over traditional LCD displays.

Here’s a detailed exploration of some the benefits that dvLED provides:

Seamless

Absen NX Series dvLED modulesOne of the most obvious benefits of dvLED video walls is their ability to create seamless images. Unlike LCD panels, which often have noticeable bezels that can disrupt the visual flow, dvLED panels can be tiled together without any seams, providing a more immersive viewing experience. This is not only important for retail applications but can be especially beneficial in the conference room where large video conferencing displays can bring a sense of togetherness for those not in the same room. For those of you that have been part of a video conference where the crosshairs of an LCD video appear on the participant’s face can appreciate the benefit of a seamless image.

Superior Brightness and Color Accuracy

DvLED video walls are known for their exceptional brightness and color accuracy. This makes them ideal for environments with high ambient light, where LCD screens might appear washed out. The vibrant colors and high contrast ratios of dvLEDs ensure that images are vivid and engaging. At InfoComm, most of the dvLED displays had their brightness turned down so as to not blind those visiting their booth. As for me, I spent my day visiting many of the booths and getting a “neon tan”.

Flexibility in Design

Absen NX Series dvLED video wall curvedThe modular nature of dvLED panels allows for more creative and custom-designed video walls. They can be built to any height or width and can even be configured into unique shapes, including curved or mosaic patterns. This flexibility is something that LCD video walls, with their set aspect ratios cannot match. While LCD display manufacturers fight for market share by introducing 21:9, 32:9 or even 58:9, dvLED allows the designer to choose the aspect ratio that fits not only the content, but the size of the room.

Longevity

DvLEDs offer a longer lifespan compared to LCD panels, often reaching 100,000 hours of use. Also, since they are made for 24/7 use, they are suitable for continuous operation in demanding environments without the risk of burn-in or image retention issues that can affect LCD displays. And because of their modular design, if you do have a failure, it can be a simple process to replace the failed item with one of the included spares.

Energy Efficiency

Contrary to popular belief, LED technology is generally more energy-efficient than LCD, which relies on backlighting. This efficiency translates into lower power consumption and reduced operational costs over the lifespan of the video wall. Also, because of the emissive technology, the brightness can typically be set at a much lower setting than a comparable LCD display.

BONUS – Better Refresh Rates:

DvLED video walls provide for higher refresh rates that that of most, if not all LCD displays. This means that the content remains clear and consistent even with fast moving action or flashing lights, whereas LCD panels might show pixelation or artifacts.

Conclusion

As you can see, dvLED video walls offer compelling advantages over traditional LCD video walls, ranging from seamless imagery to energy efficiency and longevity. These benefits make dvLED an increasingly popular choice for businesses and organizations looking to create impactful and long-lasting displays. For those considering an investment in video wall technology, dvLED presents a forward-thinking solution that can meet a wide range of display needs. For further information on dvLED technology, please contact me, or your Exertis Almo account manager to set up a call to discuss.

If you enjoyed this blog, check out Todd’s earlier blog “Monetizing Digital Signage.”

Todd Heberlein
About the Author

Todd Heberlein | CTS, DMC-D-4K, DSCE

Senior BDM – Technical Lead

Supported Manufacturers: Absen and Brightsign

Monetizing Digital Signage

by | Apr 18, 2024 | Digital Signage, Uncategorized

As digital signage continues to grow, many Pro AV integrators have made a conscious decision to avoid it.   The main reason I’ve been told when discussing the topic is the perception that digital signage is not profitable.   After spending time reviewing various integration partners’ digital signage strategy, I agree that the return on investment in time and resources just isn’t there.  The problem isn’t necessarily about a lack of revenue available, but rather the digital signage strategy that they’ve employed.

The simple truth is that many pro AV integration firms do not have a true signage strategy.  Almost all offer signage products.  Great products to boot.  Many even have a good understanding of how the signage products function.  What they lack is a strategy on how to deploy a successful, and yes, profitable full signage solution for their clients.  I believe this to be for one of three reasons.  The first, and probably most influential, is their sales team is not compensated for selling, what many would contend is a more difficult sale – a solution with ongoing costs.  Another reason that ties into the first, is the misconception that end users won’t see the value associated with an ongoing expense.  Lastly, the integrator believes they lack the resources needed to successfully complete such a project.

So, why should you care?  After all, coming up with a signage strategy may take some effort, and just because I’m paid to care probably isn’t a good enough reason for you.

Ok, glad you asked.  Here are the down-and-dirty bullet points to why you should care.  I’ve also provided a few recent “case studies” at the end that highlight the value of a solution.

  • Recurring Revenue
  • Higher margin
  • Consistent contact with clients
  • Reduce or eliminate competition

Grandview Research indicates the global digital signage market size was valued at USD 24.86 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0% from 2023 to 2030.

The simple truth is, if you can’t offer your clients a solution, they may find someone else who can.

Now, this probably is not convincing enough, so let me show you how a few simple steps will allow you to build this business.

There are a few requirements in developing a digital signage strategy, which do take a little effort in the beginning, but little to no financial commitment from the integrator.  These include the following steps.

Step 1 –  Develop Partnerships

This is the most important part of the process and may require assistance from a third party – like your favorite Pro AV distributor.

The most common partnership is with a digital signage content management provider.  These companies specialize in providing the software and services necessary to provide a complete solution.  Below are some key factors you should consider when finding a signage solution.

  • Client base
  • Features needed
  • Player options
  • Security Needs
  • Additional Services
  • Channel Friendly
  • Expertise required

Your client base is used to determine which integrations or services they would typically need.  Verticals typically require similar integrations, so knowing which verticals you wish to service helps thin out the options.

Next, you’ll need to find the correct provider.  Many digital signage providers specialize in one or two verticals, which typically coincide with similar verticals that Pro AV integration firms will focus on.  One of our CMS partners, offers the integrations commonly requested by higher education (CAP) as well as corporate (Power BI) – both verticals are highly sought after by many of our integration partners.

Once identified, develop partnership(s) with these digital signage provider(s) that offer the products and services your client needs, as well as provide services that enhance your company’s offerings.   You may only need one well-rounded partner to fit all your needs.

Many of the CMS partners we work with can take most projects from needs analysis, all the way through to completion, and even after sale training.

Step 2 – Signage Evangelist

Assign someone (or ask for a volunteer) the role of Signage Evangelist.  This person does not need to have any specific experience but should serve as the main contact so that requests are funneled through a single contact to make sure requests are properly directed.  These are then directed to the partnership from Step 1.

Step 3 – Operations

Assign internal operational assignments for subscription processing to make sure recurring revenue is accounted for and collected.

Step 4 – Compensation

Establish a pay structure that rewards sales of recurring revenue products to help drive interest in signage projects.

Now that I’ve covered the steps to developing a strategy, below are a few recent case studies that highlight how having a signage solution adds value to both your clients, as well as your bottom line.

Case 1

A 6-display video wall for a Fortune 50 corporation. The initial sale was for 6 media players behind a video wall.  Excluding the displays, mounts, etc., the total signage revenue was about $2100.

After deployment, it was apparent that the end user was having a difficult time managing the content for the video wall and keeping content relevant. After some discussions, it was determined that the project needed a signage solution provider.  A channel-friendly CMS was brought into the mix, who was able to conduct a needs analysis, provide a virtual demo a temporary license, and lastly a proof of concept.

After 6 months, the end user liked the solution so well that they rolled it out to several displays located throughout their building.  Then even later into additional buildings.  This accounted for another $150K+ in business, including over $6K in services at over 50% margin, and an annual recurring license of $32K.  The license was sold at 20% margin, which the integrator will collect annually.

Case 2

A local school purchased a single display as an information board for the school’s sports activities, to be managed by one of the coaches.  The original integrator deployed a digital media player behind a display but didn’t offer training or additional services to get it up and running.

After a year, a new integrator came in to provide a touch display for a classroom and asked about the blank screen.  He was then allowed to loop in a signage partner to perform a needs analysis via Zoom.  The signage partner was able to overcome any concerns the school had, who purchased a single license a few weeks later.

That solution is now district-wide on over 60 displays.

Conclusion

It’s my belief that signage will continue to grow within the Pro AV space, and that annual recurring contracts will become the norm.  My goal is to help clients navigate that change while adding value to their business.  If I can help your business in any way, please feel free to contact me, or your Exertis Almo account manager.

Todd Heberlein
About the Author

Todd Heberlein | CTS, DMC-D-4K, DSCE

Senior BDM – Technical Lead

Supported Manufacturers: LG dvLED and Brightsign

Why I Made My Kids Play Sports

by | Dec 7, 2023 | Uncategorized

Why I Made My Kids Play Sports

When my friends and I were kids, there really wasn’t a question of IF you were going to play sports, but rather which sports your parents would allow you to play.  Every kid in my neighborhood was involved in some sort of team sport, ranging from baseball to volleyball. As we reached high school age, there were a few of my friends that moved away from playing sports and into other interests, like video games or frequently, afterschool jobs.  A few of us were fortunate enough to parley our passion for sports into college scholarships, where lessons were learned as kids were refined and solidified.

I recently sat down with these friends, had a few adult beverages, and tried to fix the problems of the world as we often do after some liquid wisdom.  As we relived some of our glory days in high school, one topic of conversation was how different our activities were from the kids of today.  I’m sure every generation has similar concerns about the upcoming youth, but one thing that came to mind for many of us was how many kids today miss out on the many life lessons we learned by playing sports.  In a day when you can simply “rage quit” a video game, life lessons are very different.

I’m not going to pretend that team sports are the only way to learn certain life skills, or that every person that plays sports learns these lessons. I simply recognize that some skills I developed were because of my experience playing sports, and many that I lean on in my profession today.  I also believe that sports offer exposure to attributes that many employers desire in their employees.

Because of this, as well as the social aspects, I spent a lot of time influencing (aka forcing) my sons to join the local sports team when they were of age.  I knew that at the end of a lot of hard work was important life lessons, as well as some fun and possible lifelong friendships. Now they are old enough to have professional lives of their own, and I believe have benefitted from their experience by developing some of the life skills below.

Teamwork

Teamwork is an easy concept; however, I’ve found that the importance of TEAM is often overlooked.  In many sports, teamwork is everything, however there are some where one great player can make a winning team.  On the football field, it takes all 11 players.  I learned that lesson firsthand against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, as they used the triple option, and my team’s lack of teamwork to roll to a 55-27 victory. You learn very quickly to rely on others to do their job, and how important it is for them to be able to rely on you.  Without that reliance, people try to do multiple jobs and end up failing at both.  The same thing goes for business.  If you can rely on the team around you, you are able to focus on your job so that nothing slips through the cracks, and nobody is duplicating efforts.

CommunicationCommunication

This goes hand in hand with teamwork.  If the defense on a pick and roll in basketball allows one person to go free, the culprit is almost always miscommunication.  Business communication is just as important.  Learning how to communicate in an effective, and efficient way, while maintaining good team chemistry is a constant learning process.  Admittedly, I can get focused on efficiency, and forget the team chemistry portion of it, so it’s a skill that I continue to develop.

Leadership

Most people on a team don’t get to lead.  This doesn’t mean you can’t learn the skills if you’re not the actual leader.  One friend recounted how he learned more about leadership in one season of college football than in many years prior or since.  During a year of adversity, including injuries to their starting and backup QB, most football coaches would be incredibly frustrated, which would trickle down to the team.  However, my friend’s coach happened to be an ex-NFL QB, and knew the meaning of adversity.  He remained calm and looked for solutions instead of blame.  Where others might have crumbled, he remained steadfast. He galvanized the team, and they closed the season with 3 wins, and came within one extra point of making a bowl game that year.  He still dislikes kickers.

Mental Toughness / Perseverance

This one is easy to understand for anyone that has played a sport and lost.  I have to say, this might be easier to learn in individual sports, like tennis, wrestling, or swimming.  Being able to pick yourself up, push through, and try again the next time develops the mental toughness to succeed and anything you put your mind to.  The importance of this in business, or even getting a job is obvious.  To me, this is one of the greatest skills I’ve learned over the years.

Resilience

One friend was lucky enough to pitch in the college World Series.  This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, but also came with a ton of pressure.  In the first inning, he was already in trouble.  He was struggling with his command and walked the first batter of the inning.  The next batter got on base with a bloop single into right field, and he now had runners on first and third with no outs.  Instead of panicking, he leaned into his years of training and experience and was able to use the pressure situation to focus his efforts.  With a strikeout, and a double play, he escaped the inning with no runs scored.  He went on to throw a shutout for the innings he pitched.  He now uses the resilience he learned in sports to run a successful software company and gives credit to the many lessons he learned playing baseball.

Goal setting

Playing sports typically consists of setting multiple goals, even if you don’t realize it.  Whether it’s the goal to win a championship, make the playoffs, or just get that first base hit, most kids that play sports have set goals without even realizing it.  Successful athletes are those that set goals, and then work to achieve those goals through practice and effort.  Successful entrepreneurs, salespeople, even students can benefit from this skill.

There are many other life skills that sports can develop, and I’m sure many of you have stories of your own about how your experience playing a kid’s game helped you in your professional life.  I’d love to hear some of the stories, and hopefully we can sit around and share some over your beverage of choice at the next E4 show.

Angie Greene

About the Author

Todd Heberlein | CTS, DSCE

Sr. Business Development Manager – Technical Lead 

 

The Multi-Use Video Wall

by | Aug 3, 2023 | Digital Signage, Video Walls

There was a time in the not so recent past, when the technology, design, and installation of video walls was financially out of reach of the average business. Not only was it a large financial investment, but there was typically a major time investment by the user to learn how to properly operate the system.

Some of you may have had an experience in the past (or possibly even recently) where you walked into a conference room containing a 2 x 2 video wall, a control panel on the table, and cables seemingly growing from somewhere within. The space that was meant to be a showpiece, ended up being a source of much frustration, as non-technical users struggled to share their presentations, or even turn on the displays. Meetings would start late as the presenter attempted to find the correct cable and press the correct series of buttons. Forget about using it to watch the big game during some after-work bonding.

As technology has improved, and costs have come down, video walls are no longer reserved for the uber rich corporations, pro sports team, or mega churches. Instead, they’ve become almost ubiquitous, appearing at your local fitness center, airport, house of worship, or even in the entrance of a tanning salon.

More than ever, video walls need to be easy to understand, and easy to manage. Because many of the smaller companies investing in a video wall have limited space, these video walls must also be multi-purpose. Instead of being set aside specifically for quarterly board member presentations, they are now used for an impromptu employee meeting, a hybrid sales meeting, employee entertainment, or showing off your latest project to a prospective client.

Since the popularity has continued to grow, more integrators are being asked to design and install large video wall systems. Previously, the integrator would need to be very familiar with ISF guidelines for calibration, and walls would need to be re-calibrated every few months. Now, such advancements like auto calibration, or pre-calibrated dvLED bundles, the barrier to entry is much smaller.

Let’s take a look at some current technology we can utilize to create an easy to use, easy to manage, video wall with multiple functions.

Display technology

Video walls are no longer limited to a number of ultra-thin bezel displays arranged in a matrix, with an expensive, multiple input processor behind it. Because of the decrease in pixel size, as well as cost, a fine pixel pitch dvLED display in either 16:9, 21:9, or 32:9 aspect ratio would offer an affordable, long lasting, and easy to manage solution. Popular display manufacturers like LG have “all in one” packages that include the mount, cabinets, controller, dvLED modules and even sound. The installation has been simplified, and the modules come pre calibrated so they look great out of the box.

dvLED video wall

There are a number of benefits of using a dvLED display including no bezels, 100,000 half-life, and a controller with multiple inputs. The best thing, many models can be controlled with the same remote control that you use on the 55” display in your breakroom.

The next step is to determine the Main Use of this display, and what additional technology is necessary.

Main Usage: Presentation

A presentation is the type of application typically found in a boardroom. A manufacturer whose name has become synonymous with wireless presentations is Barco. Since the introduction of the Barco Clickshare, wireless presentations have become the norm, and many manufactures have followed suit, chasing the Clickshare success.

The Barco product allows users to walk into any Clickshare enabled space, and quickly and wirelessly present content from any device, including a cell phone or tablet. For more details, I suggest contacting your Exertis Almo rep, or one of our Barco BDMs.

But what about when the room isn’t being used for presentations? With the Clickshare device, you have additional flexibility, including digital signage. With a few quick steps, you can use the Clickshare to display digital signage presentation when not in wireless presentation mode. Keep people informed, inspired, and impressed (borrowed that from Barco).

digital signage

Now, adding some entertainment to the mix is a simple as sharing content from your personal device via the wireless system, or using a Barco model with HDMI inputs to add in your cable or satellite (you could also use a secondary input on the video wall).

Main Usage: Digital Signage

There are quite a few video walls installed whose only purpose will continue to be digital signage. These tend to be located in public spaces such as airports, stadiums, or Times Square. For less public applications, there may be times when the owners of these large displays would like to utilize them for other purposes, like a sales meetings, or entertainment. Digital signage software companies, like Enplug, understood the need and took action. Using a BrightSign player, which is built for digital signage, and the Enplug CMS, the owner not only gets a reliable, easy to manage digital media player, but they add in the flexibility to show live TV (using an HDMI input on the XT1145), share content from a mobile device (streaming through the Enplug software), or even control the various other AV products in the room via RS232.

Main usage: UC (Zoom Room / Teams Room)

Teams or Zoom rooms continue to gain popularity as the workforce continues to be divided between on-site and at home employees. These rooms allow for collaboration between people in various locations. Previously these rooms were used exclusively for these applications, which obviously limits their usefulness. Zoom and Microsoft recognized the value of adding additional flexibility and have added digital signage functionality to their platform.

Unfortunately, for live TV, or other entertainment features, the user would need to utilize the additional inputs, or smart features of their display.

There are many other uses for video walls, and odd aspect ratios, or mosaic type walls still require expertise. However, I hope that I’ve provided some insight on how current technology has made creating a flexible, easy to manage, and easy to operate video wall a project that any AV integrator can tackle. If you wish to learn more about video walls, digital signage, or other technology that Exertis Almo partners with, please visit the Exertis Almo website, and navigate to the page on our many BDMs. Let us work with you on finding the right technology for your next project.

Todd Heberlein
About the Author

Todd Heberlein | CTS, DMC-D-4K, DSCE

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Digital Signage Services, Technical (National), BrightSign

Pin It on Pinterest