Choosing the Best CMS for Your Digital Interactive Signage: Top Features to Consider
Managing digital signage across a property can be more complex than expected, especially when you want to keep your content fresh and engaging. A content management system (CMS) is essential, but which type and features are best suited for your building’s needs?
In this article, we will help you assess what features your CMS should have based on the complexity of your digital interactive signage and explain who benefits the most from these features.
Essential Features for a CMS in Digital Signage
Ability to Frequently Update
A CMS makes content scheduling for digital signage easy. If your building’s signage requires frequent updates—such as event schedules, announcements, or tenant information—a CMS can simplify the process. With a user-friendly interface, even those with minimal technical skills can make changes quickly, reducing downtime and keeping content up to date.
Centralized Management Across Multiple Displays
For building managers overseeing multiple digital signage displays, a CMS allows for centralized control. This is particularly beneficial for large properties or campuses where coordinating consistent messaging is crucial. With a CMS, you can manage all screens from one platform, streamlining updates and maintaining uniformity across your property.
Automation, Scheduling, and Usage Statistics
A key advantage of a CMS is the ability to automate content updates. Whether it’s daily announcements, promotional material, or holiday-specific messaging, a CMS allows you to schedule content changes in advance. This automation not only saves time but also ensures that your digital signage is always displaying timely information without constant manual input.
What Type of CMS Do You Need?
Simple Playlist Systems
If your digital signage setup is relatively straightforward, such as a simple playlist of images or videos, a basic CMS with essential scheduling and content management features may suffice. These systems are cost-effective and easy to use, making them ideal for small to medium-sized properties that don’t require complex interactive elements.
Example: A small boutique store showcasing rotating seasonal promotions on a single screen could use a simple playlist CMS. The system would allow the store to schedule different content throughout the day, such as morning coffee promotions and afternoon clothing sales.
Complex Systems
For digital signage systems that are more complex than a simple playlist, extra CMS features are required. This system should support features like multi-zone content management, dynamic content scheduling, and the ability to manage multiple playlists across different displays. These systems are suited for large properties or businesses where diverse, yet non-interactive content needs to be displayed consistently and efficiently.
Example: A large hotel with multiple screens throughout the lobby, restaurant, and conference areas would benefit from a complex CMS that offers real-time content updates. Each screen might display unique content—event schedules in the lobby, menu specials in the restaurant, and meeting room bookings in the conference area—all managed from a central system.
Interactive Deployments
For signage systems that include touchscreens or other interactive elements, you’ll need a CMS that can handle real-time content changes and complex user interactions. This type of CMS should support dynamic content management, trigger-based actions, and analytics to track user engagement. Such systems are typically used in environments like shopping malls, museums, or corporate lobbies where user interaction is a key part of the experience.
Example: An interactive museum exhibit that allows visitors to select different videos or information displays would require a more advanced, interactive CMS. This system would not only manage the content but also track and respond to user inputs in real time, offering an engaging experience for visitors.
Need a CMS? Let youRhere Simplify Your Digital Signage Management
At youRhere, we offer bespoke solutions that include CMS integration for seamless content management. Whether you’re managing a single display or a network of digital signs, our team can help you find the right Interactive digital signage software to keep your content fresh and captivating.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can enhance your building’s digital signage experience.