As digital signage experts, we’re always looking ahead. We want to know all about the next big trend and the latest technological innovations. We also want to understand what these will mean for our customers and how they can help them grow their business.
With that in mind, we wanted to share some insight into what we see coming down the line. As part of this, we will consider both new digital signage technologies and new uses of existing technologies. We also explore how businesses best embrace these developments to deliver unique, creative, and engaging customer experiences.
Let’s start with a few important numbers…
We believe the story of the digital signage market is best told by a couple of key statistics. Specifically, we think the following numbers are particularly illuminating:
1. Improving the customer experience is a key priority for a large number (45.9% according to one survey) of businesses.
2. Some forecasts suggest that, by 2026, the global digital signage market will be worth US$27.8b – and the Asia Pacific region will lead this growth. Also, over this time, demand for digital signage software will outperform demand for hardware.
When read in combination, these two points show just how valuable digital signage has become for modern businesses. They also suggest a desire for more advanced and engaging digital signage solutions. With that in mind, here’s what we expect to see over the next few years.
Increased Use of Interactive Digital Signage
Not all that long ago, digital signage was largely about promotion. Displays usually featured static content and the ability to engage with, and respond to, the viewer was limited. However, we’ve come a long way in a relatively short space of time.
Now, your content needs to be vibrant and dynamic just to catch your customer’s eye. You also need to have some level of interactivity if you really want to draw them in. It’s no longer enough just to have a digital wall – you need to use the technology in a fun and engaging way.
Importantly, as the last two years have made most people more hygiene conscious, interactivity now also needs to be touchless. Traditionally, digital screen interactivity has meant pressing buttons or swiping to find information or engage with content. Now it needs to be more about voice recognition, movement sensors, facial recognition, and NFC and RFID integrations.
Thankfully, developing interactive digital signage has also been a key focus for manufacturers and many new technologies are now available. Take one of our favourite media players, Brightsign, for example. Having established themselves as a true global market leader, Brightsign now offers a range of more advanced features.
This means that, with the right Brightsign media player your displays can now have real-time player control and frame-accurate synchronisation. And, when you pair this with their comprehensive digital signage management software, you can easily deploy content across your whole Brightsign network.
Increased Integration With Social Media
Love it or hate it, social media is here to stay. And, after providing an important means of connection throughout the pandemic, it has expanded its role within our daily lives. This is something many businesses are keen to acknowledge and tap into.
For some, this will mean digital wall displays with clear social media appeal. For others, it will be about promoting user generated content and bringing social feeds into the in-store environment. And for a few, it will mean completely restructuring their operations to offer a truly immersive, connected customer experience.
Many businesses have also started to think about how they can extend their in-store experience into the social space. For example, some fashion retailers encourage customers to post photos of them trying on pieces, then complete the purchase later, online. This has the added benefit of passively leveraging the customer as a brand advocate within their own social media network.
AI and Machine Learning
Over the last few years, there have been many conversations about how AI could be used in interactive digital signage. Now, we’re starting to see some of these ideas being implemented, with several new screens featuring enhanced AI capabilities. And we expect this will play a major role in shaping how we use digital screens moving forward.
One of the most basic applications of AI is helping with data collection. Digital screens with AI capabilities will be better suited to capturing important information and developing a clearer customer profile. This can then be used to personalise the customer experience through tailored displays and targeted offers and promotions.
Building AI into interactive digital signage will also make it more responsive to real world events. This could mean automating the updating of content to reflect everything from the time of day to the local weather. Or you could integrate your digital signage and inventory management systems to automate updating of promotions based on stock levels.
Want to discuss this further?
If you’d like more information on the latest developments in digital signage, give Amped Digital a call. We’re experts in developing tailored digital signage solutions and can help you design a system that suits your business and budget. We also supply a wide range of interactive digital screen technologies from some of the biggest names in the industry.
