Before the global debut of digital signage in the early 1990s, industries across the board relied on old-fashioned, printed advertising methods before moving on to analog displays, with information stored on VHS and later DVDs.
Fast forward to the modern day, and electronic displays across every industry are powered by traditional on-premise or cloud-based digital signage software. Together, they make up a global signage market expected to climb to almost $36.9 billion by 2028.
Cloud-based digital signage software has changed how businesses and healthcare facilities engage customers and patients. But you may not know that cloud-based digital signage software can give your business far more than just on-premise signage capabilities.
Why opt for a cloud-based digital signage system?
Before cloud-based digital signage solutions entered the market, businesses were limited to traditional on-premise digital signage systems. They had to store their data on a server they either had to build or purchase, which is a significant up-front investment. They leaned on local or otherwise in-house IT support, too.
Unlike on-premise digital signage systems, a cloud-based digital signage system gives you access to the software via a remote server from anywhere you have an internet connection. Some of the other advantages of a cloud-based digital signage system include the following:
- No need to be tech-savvy or maintain an IT infrastructure.
- You won’t need to budget for a local or in-house IT team, therefore saving you money.
- You (or your IT team) aren’t limited to location because of a content management system (CMS). If you want to create new content, access existing content, troubleshoot a problem and more, your company can access the system from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Faster installation and heightened security.
- It’s easier to manage multiple displays and screens from centralized controls.
- It’s easy to scale up when it comes to storage space with little to no downtime.
- In the event of an outage, your data will automatically back up on the cloud, eliminating the need for a secondary server.
What to look for in a cloud-based digital signage solution
Depending on your industry, you’ll have different must-haves and nice-to-haves on your checklist for a cloud-based digital signage solution. But if you want a seamless transition into the cloud-based digital signage world, there are three must-haves that should top your list.
Effortless content creation
Chances are you’re not a graphic designer or artist by trade. Instead, if you run a busy restaurant or healthcare facility, you need a cloud-based digital signage solution that will help you create content effortlessly.
We recommend partnering with a cloud-based digital signage solution that will allow you to:
- Build omnichannel marketing campaigns.
- Display a diverse range of multimedia content (e.g., videos, tutorials, music, customized displays, interactive games, and more).
- Create content with industry-specific design templates to save you time.
- Enjoy access to free and easy-to-use design tools to outfit you with a diverse range of design tools (e.g., Canva, Snappa, Adobe Spark, etc.).
- Customize your content screen by screen.
- Consult with an in-house managed services team to design just the right digital displays and give you the best industry insights.
Advanced scheduling options
Your top priority is running your business as smoothly and efficiently as possible. You likely don’t have time to create new content daily or even weekly.
Choose a cloud-based digital signage software with advanced scheduling options that allow you to:
- Choose from a variety of preprogrammed playlists so you don’t need to start from scratch.
- Create content campaigns and playlists anytime and from anywhere.
- Deliver tailored, engaging and hyperlocal content in advance with the ability to change it at any time to meet your brand’s needs.
Meaningful analytics and insights
Your customers want you to engage with them in a way that meets their needs. You’ll want to choose a cloud-based digital signage software that lifts the curtain behind the scenes, providing you with insights and analytics about what your audience is engaging with and what they aren’t.
On-demand analytics will enable you to optimize your content displays and drive engagement. Choose a cloud-based digital signage software solution that can:
- Track customer engagement.
- Give you a 360-degree view of your marketing attribution.
- Allow you to measure ROI at every location.
- Provide you with easy data export capabilities.
UPshow has everything you need for displays and more
UPshow CONNECT is the premier on-premise cloud-based digital signage software solution that ticks every box on your list of must-haves and nice-to-haves, no matter your industry.
Create robust displays with entertainment options
With UPshow, you’ll be able to use in-app Canva integration to create customized, engaging and revenue-driving digital displays.
Say you want to highlight a limited-time discount, but you also want to display a cooking tutorial by your chef. You can also show more than one type of media content at a time with our fixed-panel and multi-panel displays.
Are you looking to create more of a calming waiting room or dining area experience? UPshow Connect has a diverse selection of entertainment channels (500+), including hyperlocal and live stream content — an entertainment palette that will mirror your diverse customer base.
Premium audio brings displays to life
Digital signage should be anything but a passive experience for your customers or patients. Suppose you run a dental practice, for instance. In that case, you may want to create an anxiety-reducing atmosphere with the right music while also informing your patients of the latest dental payment plan options you offer.
UPshow Premium Audio's 50+ channels of streamable, ad-free and fully licensed content will help take the edge off your patients’ pre-exam jitters.
Make the most of your screens with UPshow
Aside from technical and content-creation capabilities, cloud-based digital signage software has leveled up how businesses interact with their customers. Gone are the days of tacking up a poster for a new entree du jour or displaying an aesthetically-dated digital sign.
Customers and patients expect a rewarding experience when they do business with you. If they can’t get that from your business, you risk them trying out your competitor.
Try a risk-free demo of UPshow and let our cloud-based digital signage software power your establishment’s screens with more than just signage. We’ll empower your customers with an experience every time they step foot in your door.
