Interactive Digital Signage
Software Explained

The advent of interactivity in digital signage

Back when digital signage software first hit the market, available displays were based on cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. They were bulky, heavy, and not inviting or visually appealing whatsoever. They were also unable to detect touch without applying a special and usually quite expensive touch film to the monitor surface. These were the early days of interactive applications. Back then, you would have encountered these monitors in interactive kiosks where they were used for in-store bridal registries or shopping mall directories. You would also encounter these kiosks in government offices and at bank ATMs.

From these early innovative applications, interactive digital signage was born. However, the underlying technology still had to advance a great deal in order to make the experience more meaningful for the users. For starters, there weren’t many good content-creation tools around and internet bandwidth was very low. Many kiosks still used dial-up modems to communicate with back-end systems, so they mostly performed very simple tasks like accessing simple information in a database or displaying simple graphics on a touch screen.

Back then, who would have ever conceived that thin, interactive, wall-mounted flat-panel displays and high-speed wireless internet would soon become the norm? It shows how far we have come in the past 20 years, and just how fast technology advances in general.

Technology is the big disruptor

Fast forward to 2021 where affordable, reliable, high-quality hardware is now readily available to the masses. Smaller, lighter, faster, and cheaper. Digital signage today, we now regularly touch screens or even surfaces like a window or tables, to interact with digital signage. We can also use voice and movement. This opens a world of new possibilities for interactive and smart digital signage, and we’re just scratching the surface.

Modern smartphones have added a new wrinkle. Now, you can interact with digital signage in ways we never imagined. For example, you can use an app on your phone to change what’s playing on-screen, or you can post social media messages in real time. Given the multitude of cost-effective interactive hardware options at our disposal today, we are now living in a time where the only thing stopping you from deploying interactive digital signage is your desire to do so.

Engage with your audience

In digital signage today, top companies around the world spend countless hours and days around boardroom tables trying to find new and innovative ways to get their customers to engage with their brands. Marketing and social media experts will tell you; engagement is everything. So, the question we want to help you answer is, how can one use digital signage software to accomplish this key goal of engaging with customers and visitors in an exciting and meaningful way? The answer of course is, well, there are many different ways! Here are a few examples to consider:

Smartphone Interactive CMS

Navori pioneered the advent of smartphone CMS. It is designed for non-desk employees. The objective is to enable employees to interact with the displayed content on the field to trigger content, take a photo, or post a message for immediate publication, or simply turn the screen on or off.

Data-driven interactivity

Data-driven interactivity refers to the use of data and automation to create interactive experiences. It involves using live data, sensor or computer vision to contextualize what is displayed on screen.

Live Data Feed

Digital signage may use Weather, demographics, behavior, or real-time data feeds like local weather to tailor and personalize the content displayed on the screens. This can include dynamically updating content based on variables like audience preferences, location, weather conditions, available product inventory, flight, bus or train departures or any current events. Example: Weather-Driven Promotions: Adjust displayed promotions based on current weather conditions, ensuring relevant offers are shown to capture customers’ attention.

Sensor input

Digital signage screens are connected to sensors. In Navori CMS, the user creates broadcasting scenarios or simply integrates live data into a template. The synchronization between the source and the screens is immediate, meaning that between an event and the triggering of a broadcast, less than half a second elapse. Navori offers an API Server and an API Player for Windows and Android if the user prefers local triggering. Example: Intelligent Queue Management: If queues become too long, the digital signage can trigger content guiding customers to alternative waiting or checkout areas, optimizing the flow and reducing wait times.

Computer vision data feed

Navori is the first software vendor to offer computer vision features in its digital signage software. The camera interprets the situation beyond the screen and transmits it in real-time as data. Navori CMS users create their triggering scenarios; it’s simple, no coding required, and accessible to all types of users. Example: Demographic-Based Content: Tailor content based on the demographics of nearby customers, delivering personalized messages that resonate with their specific interests and preferences.

Lift and learn Digital Signage

Lift and learn digital signage is a straightforward way to enhance your customers’ shopping experience by providing instant interactive value. The concept is simple: customers can pick up products on display, and when they do, the nearby screen will automatically show relevant information about that specific product. This self-serve, interactive experience not only helps customers make informed decisions but also adds a fun element to their shopping journey. To implement this type of interactive application effectively, it’s crucial to have a reliable digital signage platform. Here’s a short video demonstrating how someone easily created and tested a lift and learn scenario using digital signage software:

Touch screen

Using touch screens enhances interactivity and engagement by allowing users to directly interact with the content displayed. Touch screens enable intuitive navigation, enabling users to access information, browse products, or interact with interactive applications effortlessly. This hands-on approach creates a more immersive and memorable experience for viewers, leading to increased dwell time and improved brand engagement.

Self-service digital kiosks

Self-service kiosks are typically free-standing touchscreen displays that are mounted on some form of stand or base. Each touchscreen is running a digital signage software application that brings the interactive content onto the screen and allows the user to interact with it. Self-service or interactive kiosks are typically used in the following scenarios that any professional-grade digital signage software platform will allow for:

• Interactive product catalogs
• Interactive directions and wayfinders
• Room booking and reservations
• Enrollment in company promotions or mailing lists
• Browsing the company website

Each one of these interactive digital signage scenarios will provide your company with a way to interact and engage with your audience and provide value to them at the same time. Consider deploying one of them in your company head office or retail locations, for example, you might be surprised at how quickly you will get results.