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    What is digital signage? – A complete guide

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    Over the years, out-of-home (OOH) campaigns have evolved from printed signage or billboards to getting more digital—DOOH. Digital signage has grown in popularity among businesses, and it’s not just limited to primary use cases like QSR chains and retail stores. Time to explore digital signage meaning and how, with a UEM solution, it can be configured and provisioned remotely.

    With the right UEM solution, businesses can configure, update, and monitor these displays remotely and at scale.

    Let’s see what digital signage really means—and how it works behind the scenes.

    What is digital signage?

    Many times you see electronic displays that showcase content such as information, messages, videos, or presentations. These electronic displays are Digital signage. The content is pushed to the device over the air using unified endpoint management (UEM) solutions. With a UEM, businesses can centrally manage, update, and monitor digital signage in real-time. These displays vary based on technology, purpose, and interaction level.

    Types of digital signage

    Digital signage solutions can range from LCD, plasma, and advanced LED variants like OLED, AMOLED, and QLED.

    Based on functionality, different types of digital signage can be:

    • Interactive – Touchscreen displays for surveys, customer feedback, or self-service kiosks.
    • Dynamic – Real-time content updates for promotions, announcements, or news feeds.
    • Automated – Scheduled content delivery without manual intervention.

    Common digital signage devices include:

    • Kiosk-mode consoles for self-service interactions.
    • Wayfinding standees to guide visitors.
    • Standalone TVs and mounted tablets for advertisements and information displays.

    What is digital signage software & how does it work?

    Digital signage software is the core of managing and delivering content to digital displays. Businesses can create, schedule, and update multimedia content like images, videos, and text across multiple screens remotely. Digital signage supports various file formats (PNG, JPEG, GIF, MP4) and enables live streaming, automated loops, and interactive content integration.

    Digital signage solutions work through a combination of hardware (screens, media players) and software (content management systems). Businesses can use it for advertising, information displays, or interactive kiosks in retail, corporate, and public spaces. Features like landscape mode, timed ads, and third-party integrations enhance engagement.

    Since these displays often run unattended, UEM solutions help IT teams monitor screens, sync files, and troubleshoot issues remotely, ensuring seamless operation.

    What are the benefits of digital signage?

    Businesses leverage digital signage systems to enhance communication, engagement, and operational efficiency. Key advantages of digital signage include:

    • Grab attention with dynamic visuals: Display eye-catching content that pulls viewers in and keeps them engaged.
    • Push real-time updates instantly: Modify promotions, schedules, or alerts on the fly, no delays, no manual work.
    • Cut costs and scale effortlessly: Eliminate printing expenses and manage content across locations from a central dashboard.
    • Deliver a smarter customer experience: Use interactive screens to guide, inform, or entertain users based on their preferences.
    • Reinforce your brand identity: Showcase your messaging in bold, consistent visuals that leave a lasting impression.
    • Automate routine communications: Free up staff time by scheduling and automating information delivery.

    Now that we’ve seen the advantages, let’s look at the applications of digital signage across various industries.

    Examples of digital signage

    The requirements of digital signage are distinct in various environments, serving diverse purposes and industries.

    1. Retail stores

    Digital displays are commonly used in retail stores to showcase promotions, advertisements, and product information. These displays can be strategically placed throughout the store to attract customers and drive sales.

    2. Corporate offices

    Corporate digital signage examples are used to showcase internal communication, company news, announcements, and upcoming events. They can also be used in reception areas to welcome visitors and provide directional information.

    3. Transportation hubs

    Airports, train stations, and bus terminals are common places to use digital signage devices for passenger information, displaying flight schedules, departure times, and wayfinding instructions.

    4. Restaurants and fast-food chains

    Digital menu boards are usual in restaurants for easy updates to menu items, prices, and promotions. They can also enhance customer experience by showcasing mouthwatering food visuals. 

    5. Healthcare facilities

    Hospitals and clinics use digital signage for patient communication, displaying appointment reminders and health tips. They can also be used as digital directories for locating specific departments or offices.

    6. Educational institutions

    Schools, colleges, and universities utilize digital signage for campus communication, displaying announcements, event schedules, and emergency alerts. Digital signage can also improve classroom learning through interactive displays and multimedia AI presentations.

    Learn More: How to Setup Digital Signage Software for Business

    Leveraging UEM to transform digital signage

    UEM-managed digital signage enables seamless content management, security, and monitoring, making branding campaigns more efficient. 

    Here’s how UEM improves digital signage operations:

    Remote content management

    Pushing content securely to unattended devices is effortless with a UEM solution. IT admins can remotely update, schedule, and manage content across multiple displays via a content management system. This eliminates the need for on-site visits and ensures real-time updates and consistency across locations.

    Location tracking & security

    As digital signage operates on unattended devices, tracking their location is important. UEM enables real-time GPS tracking and geofencing, providing full visibility of all the managed devices. Additionally, kiosk mode ensures devices remain locked to their intended purpose, preventing unauthorized use.

    Remote troubleshooting

    When digital signage devices face technical issues, reaching them physically is often impractical. UEM allows IT admins to remotely cast screens, sync files, and troubleshoot issues via a centralized dashboard. This minimizes downtime and ensures uninterrupted display performance.

    Advanced security measures

    UEM strengthens digital signage security with robust policies, including firewalls, VPNs, data encryption, and strong passcodes. These measures safeguard devices from cyber threats, unauthorized access, and data leaks.

    Continuous monitoring & compliance

    With UEM analytics, IT teams can track device health, monitor data and battery usage, and detect security breaches. Compliance reports highlight violations, ensuring businesses maintain security and operational efficiency at all times.

    Task automation for efficiency

    UEM streamlines IT workflows by automating routine tasks such as content updates, OS patches, app deployments, and scheduled reboots. This reduces manual intervention and keeps digital signage running smoothly.

    Scalefusion UEM: The smart choice for digital signage

    Keeping digital signage running smoothly is more than just about great content. It’s about having complete control without the sweat. Scalefusion UEM simplifies digital signage management with remote content updates, real-time monitoring, security enforcement, and automated workflows from a single dashboard. Whether it’s for advertising, information display, or branding, Scalefusion ensures uninterrupted performance while reducing IT overhead.

    With powerful kiosk management, location tracking, and remote troubleshooting, Scalefusion UEM is the ideal solution for businesses looking to maximize the impact of their digital signage. 

    Ready to take control of your signage network? Contact our experts and schedule a demo.

    Sign up for a 14-day free trial now.

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    FAQs

    1. What does digital signage mean for your business?

    Digital signage helps businesses improve brand visibility, engage customers, and streamline internal communication. It delivers targeted messages, promotions, and updates that can boost sales and enhance employee engagement. With remote content control and dynamic visuals, digital signage creates immersive brand experiences that keep businesses relevant and competitive.

    2. What is digital signage content?

    Digital signage content includes images, videos, text, animations, or interactive elements displayed on digital screens. A digital signage content management system (CMS) allows users to design, schedule, and manage this content. It helps organize playlists, push updates across screens, and maintain visual consistency across locations.

    3. How do you create content for digital signage?

    Start by choosing digital signage software that fits your needs. Define the purpose of your content and tailor it to your audience. Design clear, visually appealing graphics with strong branding and messaging. Tools like background changers can help create more dynamic and on-brand visuals. Use a CMS to schedule and deploy your content across screens.

    4. What is digital signage hardware?

    Digital signage hardware includes the physical components like displays, media players, mounts, and networking devices that power a signage system. Choosing the right hardware and installing it correctly ensures smooth content delivery, better screen performance, and long-term reliability.

    Suryanshi Pateriya
    Suryanshi Pateriya
    Suryanshi Pateriya is a content writer passionate about simplifying complex concepts into accessible insights. She enjoys writing on a variety of topics and can often be found reading short stories.

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