Doug Bannister, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Omnivex Corporation, writing for Digital Signage Today, has outlined some of the most popular data sources to integrate into digital signage.
Dynamic digital signage that integrates data from a variety of sources creates both a personalised and engaging experience for your audience. Digital screens with real-time data like news, weather, traffic, wait times and KPIs, puts information at your audience’s fingertips. It alleviates stress and enables them to make smart decisions.
Popular data sources to integrate into digital signage include:
News and weather feeds
News and weather are two of the most common data sources to integrate with your digital signage. Customise your news and weather content to reflect the geographic location and type of information you want to share on your digital screens. There are a variety of paid and free sources. Often there is a delay with the information, so consider that along with your other requirements before selecting the feeds you will use. Popular news feeds include Reuters, CNN, New York Times, and ESPN for sports news. For weather, there are many options, including Screenfeed, AccuWeather and National Weather Service. Consider your requirements before selecting the source you integrate into your digital signage.
YouTube
Leverage videos on your organisation’s YouTube channel as a content source for digital signage. Videos are significantly more engaging than static content for your audience and attract attention and interest. Embed videos as part of a screen layout or share full screen.
Social media
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are popular social media networks and excellent content sources for digital signage. However, filtering for inappropriate content/posts is essential even when integrating social media feeds. Sharing social media content on your digital signage provides trust and transparency, increases interaction, improves employee engagement and increases followers.
Financial/stock market feeds
Integrate stock updates from NASDAQ, NYSE, TSX and other exchanges worldwide into your digital signage layouts. Highlight individual stocks, top 100, top movers, and more. Customise stock updates by your digital signage’s country/region location. Colourful graphs, moving tickers and up/down arrows are guaranteed to grab attention.
Traffic
Traffic is a primary concern for employees and visitors to your office and facilities. Keep them apprised of traffic, delays, and commute times by integrating feeds from sources like Google Maps, local transportation authorities and news stations. Sharing real-time traffic information helps alleviate stress and enables employees and visitors to optimise their commute.
Internal systems
Leverage information from your internal software systems such as CRM, ERP, POS, Inventory and more to incorporate into your digital signage. Consolidate data from various internal systems into a KPI dashboard screen, and customise data shown by department and location. Additionally, data from your internal systems can trigger what appears on the screens. For example, by integrating your inventory system with your digital menu boards, you can ensure you are only showing items available to order.
Calendars and schedules
Integrate Google and Office365 calendars into your digital signage. Show availability of both individuals and resources such as meeting rooms. Screens outside of meeting rooms can show current and upcoming bookings and visually identify when in use or when available.
IoT devices
Information is a critical element in creating a personalised experience, and the more information you have, the better the experience you can create. Using IoT devices, including cameras, sensors, RFID tags and more, you can now collect more information and deliver it intelligently on digital signage screens. It enables you to provide contextual messaging that improves visitors’ experience in public venues such as airports, sports arenas, and conference spaces. For example, sensors in spaces such as airports can automate changes to wayfinding screens and reroute travelers around closed or busy areas. In addition, data from local devices can be used to determine the content shown on an individual digital screen.
This article appears in Digital Signage Today.
