Integrating Business Messaging Tools with Digital Signage

Integrating Business Messaging Tools with Digital Signage

Business messaging tools like Google Sheets, Google Chat, and Alertus power corporate communication globally. They provide an easy way for teams to stay connected, share information, and collaborate on projects from anywhere. These powerful business messaging tools are often used in conjunction with digital signage, allowing businesses to provide staff with up-to-date information quickly and efficiently.

Immediate Communication

Interactive digital signage software integrates with business messaging tools to create immediate communication. Users set up digital signage with buttons, also called touch points, either triggered by a touchscreen or a mouse and keyboard. These buttons trigger messages to be sent to the appropriate person or team. For instance, there may be a button for IT support, facilities, or security, and each of these buttons would then trigger a Google Chat message to be sent to the appropriate department. 

Learn more about using touch points for interactive digital signage.

Automated Announcements 

Digital signage is often used to automate announcements. By scheduling a presentation within digital signage editors, users set up automatic messages to display at predetermined times throughout the day. For instance, a presentation is scheduled for 10 am every Monday to display a Slack channel that communicates sales metrics. This allows businesses to ensure that important information is sent out on a regular basis. This could be used to remind staff of upcoming meetings, deadlines for projects, or any other pertinent information. 

Streamlined Collaboration

Integrating business messaging tools with digital signage streamlines collaboration. Teams are able to quickly and easily communicate about tasks or projects. For example, a project manager may post information on digital signage regarding a deliverable and then use integrations from internal messaging systems to coordinate resources or answer questions from team members. Integrating both solutions together makes it easier for teams to collaborate in a single place, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Adaptive Content

Digital signage software is capable of integrating with external data sources to create adaptive content as well. This means that the content displayed can be tailored to a specific audience or event. For example, if an event is being hosted, digital signage can be used to send out automatic Slack messages with information about the event and  how to attend. This allows users to easily access all relevant information without having to search for it in multiple sources.

Alerting Integrations 

Since businesses have a responsibility to keep employees and stakeholders safe, they often use altering software. Alerting software providers like Alertus integrate with digital signage software in addition to integrating with business messaging tools like Slack, Teams, and Google Chat. As a result, businesses deploy emergency messaging to digital signage and business messaging tools simultaneously. This integration is especially important for business with remote employees. Tools like alerting software, digital signage, and business messaging tools have significantly improved businesses ability to communicate during dangerous situations.

Learn more about Alertus and business messaging. 

Increasing Visibility in Communication 

By configuring business messaging tools to work with digital signage, businesses ensure staff stay up-to-date on important information consistently. This ensures efficient communication within the organization, ultimately leading to improved morale, productivity, and overall success. 

 

AOPEN Ace Mini Review

AOPEN Ace Mini Review

The AOpen Ace Mini is the latest offering in AOpen’s line of commercial grade media players. AOpen is a division of Acer, and a reliable hardware provider. The way the Ace Mini deviates from the previous Chrome offerings, is that it supports multiple operating systems, and is certified by Google to work with ChromeOS Flex. ChromeOS Flex brings all of the great benefits of ChromeOS and Chrome Enterprise Management to almost any device.

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The AOpen Ace Mini is a great entry level media player that is perfect for single screen signage or simple interactive kiosks. Like the previous commercial grade devices from AOpen, the Ace Mini comes with a fanless enclosure that’s easy to mount for kiosks and enclosures.

The reliable, fanless AOpen Ace Mini paired with ChromeOS Flex and Google Chrome Enterprise management is the perfect combination for reliable digital signage installations that are easy to manage and will last.

 

CPU GPU testing on AOpen Ace Mini

 

We vigorously test all new products before recommending them to clients. The AOpen Ace Mini is no exception. Each time we test a device, we leave the device running for multiple weeks, 24/7, and perform multiple stress tests. Testing includes benchmarks that max out the GPU and CPU on the device to ensure clients won’t receive devices that die right out of the box.

The second battery of tests includes testing in real scenarios, using the same displays and touch screens that we recommend to our clients. This includes testing responsiveness on top of basic compatibility tests. These tests are performed to ensure that clients get the performance and reliability they need out of every device we recommend.

 

Interactive testing on AOpen Ace Mini

 

The form factor of the AOpen Ace Mini makes it a good choice for an installation with limited space. Arreya always recommends fanless devices because the reality is, nobody is going to clean the fans once the device is installed. The fanless design and the reliability of this device is perfect for kiosks or any situation where device access is difficult.

The AOpen Ace Mini is a perfect addition to AOpen’s line of commercial grade devices. The features and capabilities of the device fill the needs of our clients on multiple levels. Even though it is an entry level device, the Ace Mini is capable, and it meets Arreya’s strict requirements for client recommendation.

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Specs:

  • Dimensions: 4.9 x 1.38 x 4.33 inch
  • Intel® Celeron® Dual Core Processor with Intel® UHD Graphics
  • MTBF 50,000 hrs
  • Warranty: 3 Years

Improving Customer Experiences with Digital Signage

Improving Customer Experiences with Digital Signage

Everytime someone interacts with your business, you want them to have the best experience possible. You want to leave them feeling relieved and thankful that they chose to work with you. That’s why the customer experience needs to be as convenient and stress free as possible. There are simple tactics for improving customer experiences with digital signage.

The COVID 19 pandemic accelerated the need and desire to work or make purchases from home. Businesses have had to adapt to make themselves present digitally.  Digital signage has played a huge role in improving customer experiences. Making it more enjoyable to engage with a business whether in person, from home, or anywhere with an internet connection. 

Make Waiting Less Painful

wait time queue digital displayWe all have to wait in lines, and some of us can tolerate it better than others. As a business owner, whenever you have the opportunity to reduce wait time for your customers, you try your best to seize that opportunity. Digital signage can ease waiting. 

One great way to reduce wait times is to get customers the information they need without having to find someone to ask. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) pages are a great way to achieve this goal. You simply compile a list of common questions and answer them on your site. You can use digital signage software to display these answers along with directions, or any other information that might speed things up for you and your customers. Another way you can save time is by displaying current inventory with your signs. This gives customers the ability to see what’s available without having to physically check throughout the store. 

For many businesses, wait times are unavoidable, at least to some extent. While business owners and staff have already done everything they can to make processes as efficient as possible, customers will still need to be patient and wait their turns. Why not give them something interesting to look at while they wait? You can add YouTube videos to your displays, news, weather, and live feeds to your social media. The signs can be used to update customers on upcoming sales or events as well. This is an opportunity with a captive audience, so if possible, display something that can strengthen brand reputation. You can show testimonials, past projects, or just some information about your staff to make things more personal and relatable for the customer. 

Increase Customer Engagement

interactive digital kioskInteractive digital signs are an awesome way for customers to interact with businesses, and there are so many different ways to use them. Customers can use touchscreens to navigate through a timeline or a slideshow about company history and values. This is a great method to tell customers your story. It allows them to connect with your brand on a much deeper level. You can display Twitter feeds and customers can see what they tweet using your hashtag,  and you can allow them to post reviews from their phone right to your signs in real time.

Digital signage software can also be used to place orders, or hold a customer’s place in line. They can tap the screen to check in, and see an estimated amount of time remaining before it’s their turn. All of these are great options for building value with your customers. These tools are great for managing customer expectations, and they give customers increased control over their experiences. 

Intuitive Wayfinding

digital signage kiosk wayfinding arreyaBeing lost is the worst, and many customers will prefer not to find someone to ask where to go. Businesses are using digital signage software to solve this problem, saving customers time, but also saving their employees from constantly directing traffic. Signs can be used to display maps and hours of operation, and when using touchscreen displays, customers can tap on the map to see where they need to go. They can navigate through the maps provided to different buildings or floors, and the maps can be updated as needed. Updates can be pushed out instantaneously, and it’s easy to make the changes. CLICK HERE for more information on how digital signage can be used for wayfinding.

Keeping Everyone Safe

alerts digital signage arreyaIt’s so critical for businesses to have a plan in place to keep everyone safe, especially in the event of an emergency. Of course every business is required to have fire alarms and illuminated exit signs, but some of them have complicated buildings that can be hard to navigate.

Digital signage software can eliminate confusion with clear displays on how to get out of the building, or where to go if there is impending dangerous weather or a security breach. The signs can be used to display weather forecasts and breaking news as well, so if something dangerous happens nearby, everyone can be made aware as soon as possible. 

Rebirth of QR Codes

qr code digital signage software

There is a time and place for business cards and brochures, but a lot of customers end up throwing them away as soon as they walk out the door, even if the information is pertinent. Using QR codes allows businesses to share exactly what they want with customers without adding another business card to their overfilled wallets.

Many restaurants have adopted the usage of QR codes instead of paper menus because of the COVID 19 pandemic. This was done to reduce the spread of germs primarily, but it also made things a lot more convenient. Customers simply scan the QR code and get the menu, url, image, video, or whatever content they need right on their phone, no paper needed. Updates are made to menus or other content as needed with no additional cost or waste.  LEARN MORE about the impact QR codes are having on commerce globally.

A Vital Part of Business

It’s vital that businesses focus on what their customers are experiencing and what pain points exist. If possible, we want to remove or mitigate those pain points. Digital signage software can save time and headaches, like displaying live inventory, showing customer’s their place in line, and providing them with QR codes so they can get information they need on their own devices.

Digital signage can be used to build brand awareness and entertain customers while they wait. These are all great tools for businesses that want to increase engagement and make the customer experience more enjoyable, convenient, and interactive.