Every business must get ready for the future of digital signage if it is to succeed in the modern market. This article predicts digital signage trends based on data from this year and the overall development of specific technologies. Artificial intelligence, data analysis, personalization and interactivity will likely continue to dominate the digital signage industry.
1. Technology will be smarter
Time means money in the business world, and people don’t like to wait. This calls for the need for more speed in data processing, and such increase requires high-end equipment. The digital signage industry will facilitate improvement by incorporating smarter mobile devices, applications, sensors and cameras. The trend also suggests that slow and mundane operations will be eliminated. Advanced algorithms that are now in use understand processes better, leading to better performance. Smarter technology is vital in improving other operations as well, such as personalization to make sure the customers are satisfied with the service your business offers.
Additionally, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being trained to make decisions, and in the digital signage industry it is likely to make decisions on what screens will display while performing their function. AI will decide whether specific content is suitable to be displayed to customers based on data analysis. It will also determine the goals of the consumer in front of the screen. For instance, if a customer is shopping for notebooks, they will see the best notebook deals, instead of mobile phones at a discount.
2. Data analysis will be a priority
Today, data analysis is relevant in digital signage marketing strategy, especially with the rise in online activity and businesses trying to attract traffic. In the future, data analysis will become even more critical with the introduction of advanced features like audio and facial recognition or pre-set targeted ads. Without insight on which content provokes action from your audience, your business is blind in the digital marketing world. Data analysis will help reach optimal use of digital displays.
Digital signage displays can be linked to WiFi with a fast connection to track customer behavior online, including their interests, activities and even heat maps of their movement. This data then undergoes analysis to understand better how businesses can engage them. By using analytical information, it will be much easier to influence customers.
3. The rise of personalization
It is already evident today that technology can recognize and predict people’s patterns based on their previous activity. Personalization means that the businesses utilize personal information that you provide to your devices or open source. This data includes preferences, lifestyle, age, dimensions, job position and taste, which reflect on your personality. This data goes through a process of recognition through computers and software, to draw patterns and increase the accuracy of personalization.
For instance, if you walk into a restaurant, the digital sign could show you a targeted menu based on your taste, diet or health condition. This technology is almost like a personal assistant, which can give advice and tips based on the situation.
4. Increase of interactivity and self-service
Interactivity and self-service have both gained popularity in the digital signage market, and are likely to become a standard expectation in the future. Because digital displays have a range of information, self-service will hit new heights, which means there won’t be a need for staff members to offer help with product information. Digital displays can substitute the human factor when it comes to customer relations.
Tech enthusiastic companies have already ventured into self-service cash registers, which don’t need a staff member. Amazon Go has also introduced its technology where stores don’t need any checkouts or lines. They use smart displays to help in shopping, so if you need toothpaste, for example, the display shows you the best ones.
5. Cloud-based storage and deployment
Until recently, digital signage content and data was updated using a memory card or USB drive and uploaded to the monitor or the media player. This process meant that marketers had to manage each user interface design at a time making the it hectic, especially for the more prominent companies with multiple locations.
With cloud-based digital signage software, designers and business owners can update all their displays simultaneously from a single location through the use of open-source software. Deployment of cloud-based technology has increased scalability in business and is the backbone of artificial intelligence as it can store more volume and variety of data, at a faster velocity.
Final thoughts
Interestingly, most of these predictions are already becoming a reality as we head towards the end of the year. The trend also shows that the digital signage market is here to stay and will expand. Turning to digital signage is one of the wisest investments a business can make, as it will undoubtedly reap the benefits.