How to choose a UEM solution that fits all your digital signage needs?

Well, hello there! I was just asking ChatGPT how people perceive bright colors. There was a lot of technical mumbo-jumbo about wavelengths and saturation. But, what stopped me short and got me thinking was how ChatGPT concluded the post. Bright colors tend to stand out and draw attention due to their intensity and vividness, creating a visually stimulating and memorable experience. Now I know it’s nothing new, but it threw me back to when I was just a kid and stood in the middle of Times Square, gawking at the bright and colorful displays. Truth be told, even today, when I am hustling across the bustling Times Square, those bright and colorful boards end up snagging my attention. As we walk through the busy streets adorned with larger-than-life digital billboards and mesmerizing displays, we can’t help but marvel at the captivating power of digital signage.

Choosing a UEM solution for digital signage: Laying the groundwork…

Just like the harmonious convergence of various digital displays in Times Square, selecting a UEM solution that supports the diverse ecosystem of your digital signage is vital. Why, you ask? Well, off the top of my head, you need to ensure compatibility with the operating systems and device types used in your fleet.

Behind every awe-inspiring display in Times Square lies meticulous management. And so, your chosen UEM solution should possess the power to manage your digital signage network effortlessly. Look for features like remote device provisioning, configuration management, content scheduling, and robust monitoring capabilities. Just as a Broadway production thrives on seamless management, your digital signage should dance to the rhythm of your chosen UEM solution. I know, this seems too much too soon. So, let’s take a step back and break it down one step at a time.

Before choosing a UEM solution for your digital signage, understand the digital signage setup…

When I say the digital signage setup, I mean the key components of digital signage. We must understand the key components of digital signage before we decide on a UEM solution to manage and secure them.

And so…

• Display screens: These can range from small individual screens to large video walls or outdoor billboards, depending on the application and environment.
• Media players: These devices are responsible for playing the content on digital screens. They can be built-in within the screens or external devices connected to them.
• Connectivity: Digital signages require a network connection to receive content updates, retrieve data, and sometimes interact with other systems.
• Content: This refers to the actual media displayed on the screens, such as images, videos, text, animations, live feeds, or interactive elements. The content can be customized to target specific audiences, times of day, or locations.

What are the benefits of digital signage?

Digital signages leverage digital displays, content management systems, and connectivity to deliver dynamic, targeted, and engaging content to audiences in various environments, offering numerous benefits that include:

Enhanced engagement

Dynamic and visually appealing content grabs attention and engages viewers more effectively than traditional static signage. Digital signage utilizes bright colors, motion graphics, and animations to capture people’s attention. The dynamic nature of the content displayed on digital signs stands out in crowded environments and helps to cut through the information overload that people experience in today’s fast-paced world.

Flexibility and scalability

Content can be easily changed, updated, or personalized in real-time, allowing businesses to adapt their messaging based on audience preferences or current events. Unlike traditional static signs, digital signage allows for the display of dynamic and interactive content. This flexibility makes digital signage more engaging and relevant to the target audience.

Targeted advertising

Digital signages enable precise targeting by displaying relevant content to specific demographics or in specific locations, maximizing the impact of advertising campaigns. With the ability to schedule and segment content, businesses can display relevant information based on factors such as time of day, demographics, or specific events. This customization helps to enhance the effectiveness of the messaging and increases the chances of capturing the viewers’ interest.

Improved customer experience

Digital signages provide useful information, way-finding assistance, and entertainment, enhancing the overall customer experience. Many digital signage systems offer interactive features, such as touchscreens or motion sensors, allowing users to engage with the displayed content. Interactive elements create a more immersive and memorable experience for viewers, increasing their engagement and potentially influencing their behavior.

Data and analytics

Digital signage can collect data on audience interaction, content performance, and customer behavior, enabling businesses to analyze and optimize their messaging strategies. Also, they can improve the overall effectiveness of their digital signage efforts.

Cost efficiency

Once installed, digital signage can eliminate the recurring costs associated with printing, shipping, and replacing static signage.

But, who employs digital signage?

A lot of people! Digital signage can be found in various settings, including:

• Retail stores: Digital signage in retail stores showcase product promotions, highlights new arrivals, and provides information about sales or discounts.
• Transportation hubs: Digital signages in airports, train stations, and bus terminals display real-time schedules, departure/arrival information, and advertisements.
• Corporate environments: Offices and businesses use digital signages for internal communication, employee engagement, meeting room schedules, and corporate branding.
• Hospitality industry: Hotels, restaurants, and bars use digital signages for menu boards, event schedules, promotional content, and wayfinding assistance.
• Educational institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities employ digital signages for campus announcements, event promotions, class schedules, and interactive displays.
• Healthcare facilities: Digital signages in hospitals and clinics provide patient information, directions, waiting room entertainment, and health-related content.
• Public spaces: Digital billboards, information kiosks, and interactive displays in public areas deliver advertisements, news, weather updates, and emergency alerts.

So, why do you need a UEM solution for digital signage?

UEM solutions help manage and secure digital signages by providing centralized control, monitoring, and security features. UEM solutions enable administrators to efficiently manage a fleet of digital signages from a single management console, ensuring consistent configurations, content updates, and security policies across all devices. Have a look at how UEM solutions typically handle the management and security aspects of digital signages.

Device provisioning and configuration

UEM solutions streamline the provisioning process by allowing administrators to remotely enroll and configure digital signages. They can define device settings, network configurations, and application installations, ensuring consistent setup across all devices.

Content management

UEM solutions often include content management capabilities, enabling administrators to create, schedule, and distribute content to digital signages. Consequently, this allows for centralized content creation, updates, and targeted distribution based on specific devices or groups of devices.

Remote monitoring and diagnostics

UEM solutions provide real-time monitoring and diagnostics for digital signages. Accordingly, administrators can remotely track the status of devices, identify performance issues, and troubleshoot problems to ensure smooth operation and minimize downtime.

Security policies and compliance

UEM solutions enforce security policies on digital signages to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and malware threats. Accordingly, they can enforce password policies, device encryption, secure network connectivity, and restrict access to unauthorized applications or websites.

Software updates

UEM solutions ensure that digital signages are up to date with the latest software patches and firmware updates. Accordingly, they automate the distribution of updates to all devices, ensuring they remain secure and function optimally.

Remote locking and wiping

In case of theft or loss, UEM solutions provide remote locking and wiping capabilities. Accordingly, administrators can remotely lock or wipe the data from a stolen or misplaced device, protecting sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.

Analytics and reporting

UEM solutions offer analytics and reporting features to gain insights into device performance, content engagement, and security incidents. Accordingly, administrators can monitor device usage, track content effectiveness, and generate compliance reports.

Okay, so how to choose the best UEM solution for digital signage?

How indeed! Choosing the best UEM solution for digital signage involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your specific requirements. Let’s look at some of the markers you need to check before zeroing in on your choice of UEM solution for your digital signage.

Device compatibility

Ensure that the UEM solution supports the operating system and device types used in your digital signages. Whether it’s Windows, Android, or other platforms, verify that the solution can effectively manage and secure the devices in your deployment.

Scalability and deployment flexibility

Consider the scalability of the UEM solution to accommodate your current and future digital signage fleet. It should support a large number of devices and provide flexibility in terms of deployment options, such as on-premises, cloud-based, or hybrid models.

Management capabilities

Evaluate the management features provided by the UEM solution. Look for functionalities such as remote device provisioning, configurations, content management, scheduling capabilities, remote monitoring, and diagnostics. Ensure that the solution can handle the specific management needs of your digital signage network effectively.

Security and compliance

Security is crucial for digital signages, especially when they display sensitive information or connect to corporate networks. Verify that the UEM solution offers robust security features, such as encryption, secure network connectivity, authentication, access controls, and the ability to enforce security policies. Additionally, ensure that the solution adheres to relevant industry compliance standards.

Content management and distribution

Consider the content management capabilities of the UEM solution. Basically, it should provide an intuitive interface for creating, scheduling, and distributing content to digital signages. Look for features like playlist management, media library, remote content updates, and targeted content distribution.

Remote monitoring and support

The UEM solution should offer comprehensive remote monitoring capabilities. And thus, allow administrators to monitor the status, performance, and health of digital signages. Look for features like real-time alerts, remote troubleshooting, and reporting capabilities to ensure efficient maintenance and support.

Integration and APIs

Consider the ability of the UEM solution to integrate with other systems or software you use in your organization. Additionally, it should provide APIs or support integration with content management systems, digital signage software, data analytics platforms, or other relevant tools to enable seamless workflows and data exchange.

Vendor reputation and support

Evaluate the reputation and track record of the UEM solution provider. Consider factors such as customer reviews, industry recognition, and the availability of technical support, training resources, and documentation.

Cost and licensing

Assess the pricing structure and licensing model of the UEM solution. Consider whether it aligns with your budget and whether it offers flexible pricing options based on the number of devices or features you require.

Future roadmap and innovation

Evaluate the vendor’s future roadmap and commitment to innovation. Moreover, consider whether they regularly release updates, add new features, and stay ahead of emerging trends in digital signage management.

While going through the catalogs of the available UEM solutions to manage and secure your digital signage check these boxes, and you should be good to go. Here’s to an easy and efficient choice of a UEM solution for digital signage!

Top 10 digital signage solutions for your business

Check out Hexnode as your choice UEM solution for all things digital signage…

Well, I couldn’t just leave you without giving you a peek at what an exemplary UEM solution for digital signage looks like. And so, here we are! Hexnode stands as a formidable choice for organizations seeking a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution to efficiently manage and secure their digital signages. But is this all talk and no show? Of course not! Here’s why…

Comprehensive digital signage management

Hexnode offers dedicated Digital Signage Management features that provide an intuitive interface to create, schedule, and distribute captivating content across digital signages. From creating playlists to remote content updates, Hexnode simplifies content management, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for viewers.

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Device compatibility and flexibility

Hexnode supports a wide range of platforms and device types, including Android, Windows, iOS, and tvOS. Accordingly, this ensures its compatibility with various digital signage hardware.

Remote management and monitoring

Hexnode empowers administrators with powerful remote management capabilities. They can remotely provision and configure digital signages, apply updates, troubleshoot issues, and monitor the status of devices in real-time. Moreover, this level of control and visibility ensures optimal performance and minimizes downtime.

Robust security measures

Hexnode prioritizes security, providing a range of features to safeguard digital signage. Administrators can enforce strict security policies such as secure network connectivity, password requirements, etc. Additionally, Hexnode offers remote locking and wiping capabilities, ensuring data protection in case of theft or loss.

Hexnode digital signage solution– A vital tool for visual marketing

Exceptional customer support

Hexnode prides itself on delivering exceptional customer support. Accordingly, the dedicated support team is readily available to assist with any queries, provide guidance, and ensure a smooth deployment and ongoing management experience. Hexnode also offers extensive documentation, training resources, and a vibrant user community.

Content management

Hexnode’s here to offer you the very best of content management for your digital signage fleet.

• Content distribution: Got thousands of screens to display content? Fret not! All you need is a device with a network connection, and you can push your content to those tens of hundreds of screens. The Hexnode portal allows you to directly access and manage your content.
• Advanced media player: Hexnode really does play well with others. It supports media formats like JPG, PNG, MP3, MKV, and MP4, thus ensuring maximum media compatibility.
• Media editor: Enhance your videos using the built-in editor to trim, mute, and incorporate personalized background music. You can also adjust the video playback speed and introduce captivating animations.
• Update with snap: Hexnode allows you to schedule the system updates for all your screens. So now, no more manually updating individual screens. One click, and all your updates will be scheduled. Talk about sleek efficiency!

Advanced capabilities

Hexnode offers amazing capabilities for your digital signage.

• Scale with ease: Hexnode’s scalability is one of its strongest selling points. And so, with Hexnode, rest assured that scalability will never slow you down in your business growth.
• Display settings: The Hexnode portal allows you to tweak your display settings, such as brightness and screen orientation, without breaking a sweat.
• Automated playlist: Yup, you read that right. All you have to do is specify a folder path. And then, like the good UEM solution that Hexnode is, it will create an automated playlist with all the media in that folder. And if you’ve specified a sub-folder, then yes, the media from that will also be included. Et voilà!
• Up in the clouds (cloud-based management): Hexnode provides administrators with a comprehensive, cloud-based management platform that can be accessed from any internet-enabled device.

Continuous innovation and future-proofing

Hexnode is committed to ongoing innovation and staying at the forefront of the UEM industry. Additionally, Hexnode regularly releases updates, adds new features, and responds to emerging trends and customer needs. This dedication to continuous improvement ensures that organizations partnering with Hexnode remain equipped with the latest tools and capabilities.

Hexnode really does offer the best of both worlds. Not only do you get an efficient digital signage solution but also a complete solution to centrally manage and secure all your endpoints. Still have doubts? Don’t worry! Check out Hexnode’s 14-day free trial.

Choosing a UEM solution for your digital signage: Wrapping up…

There really is no denying the fact that digital signage provides a versatile and impactful platform. It is a platform that juggles communication, advertising, and information dissemination in various industries and public spaces. We also know that by leveraging UEM solutions, organizations can efficiently manage and secure their digital signages. This will ensure consistent content delivery, adherence to security policies, and optimal performance throughout their lifecycle. But of course, the real puzzle is choosing a UEM solution for your digital signage needs. My suggestion to you? Pick up a pen and paper and write down what you need. Cross this with the different UEM solutions in the market and find your fit (while realizing Hexnode is the one😉)!

Good luck, then!