Commercial-Grade Digital Signage: Worth the Investment

The proven impact of digital signage in engaging customers and boosting brand awareness is undeniable. However, as third-party software becomes increasingly compatible with consumer-grade digital signage devices, it’s essential to reevaluate the advantages of utilizing commercial-grade digital signage hardware for a superior outcome.

As a consumer, the amount of knowledge and entertainment at the tip of our fingers has never been more incredible than it is today.

The Google Play store and the App Store play a pivotal role in this. These marketplaces have created an entire economy around downloading the latest version of angry birds to solar system apps to describe the night sky. For the mass distribution of apps, nothing could be better.

However, these industry titans are not built to manage business-critical applications at scale.

Suppose your business relied on an application or website running on a securely locked device and monitored for performance, like an order kiosk.

In that case, you should consider using remote device management software built for that exact purpose.

Let’s explore the benefits of running your application or website using remote device management software paired with hardware that is built for commercial use.

Consumer Vs. Commercial: The False Economy

In order to run your application’s public URL, you will need a media player or commercial digital display with System on a Chip (SoC) Technology.

Many may have something already, like a low-cost consumer-grande Amazon Firestick or Chromecast solution in place, but these present issues because these devices are not designed for 24/7 use, which can lead to hardware and software failure.

Consumer-grade devices and software lack the features necessary for commercial-grade digital signage, such as remote device management, hardware support, and fulfillment.

In terms of pricing, you might be tempted to go with consumer-grade devices and software due to their lower price point. However, this can be a false economy.

Consumer-grade devices and software may be cheaper, but they are not built to last. They may need to be replaced sooner, which can lead to additional costs in the long run. On the other hand, commercial-grade hardware is designed for 24/7 use and comes with a warranty, which means it is built to last and will save you money in the long run.

To help better understand, let’s say you run a landscaping company. You service 20-30 lawns every day during the summertime.

When choosing a lawn mower for your company, would you choose a $250 lawn mower from the local hardware store, or would you get a contractor-grade mower with a wide cutting radius that will last years? It’s critical when looking at a revenue-generating tool to think about the cost per time used, rather than the initial upfront cost.

Take Control!

MDM (Mobile Device Management) is software used to manage and monitor multiple mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. With MDM software, administrators can remotely manage and monitor digital signage hardware, update firmware, and push content to mobile devices.

They can also control device settings, such as screen brightness, and lock down devices to prevent unauthorized access.

MDM software can be especially useful in larger deployments of digital signage, where many devices need to be managed and monitored from a central location.

By using MDM, administrators can reduce the time and effort required to manage and maintain their digital signage hardware, while also improving security and ensuring content is displayed properly.

Remote Device Management (RDM) is a specialized protocol in the digital display industry, that facilitates the remote monitoring and management of networked devices. This protocol enables the communication between digital display hardware — such as screens, projectors, and media players — and a central control system, allowing remote management and oversight.

RDM bears similarities to Mobile Device Management (MDM), yet it is particularly designed for the unique needs of digital display devices. Leveraging RDM, administrators can remotely oversee device status, manage settings, and conduct firmware and software updates.

This empowers them with increased efficiency and control over a network of digital display devices, minimizing the necessity for on-site maintenance and troubleshooting.

Skykit Control provides remote device management to ensure your network is healthy and running smoothly.

This includes monitoring the devices and software, updating the firmware, and troubleshooting any issues. With this kind of support, you can rest assured that you will be taken care of, rather than spending valuable time and resources on problem-solving your digital signage network.

Another advantage for enterprise large-scale customers using Control and our hardware is we can white-label our devices and software. This means you can have your own branding on the hardware and software, which can help to increase brand awareness and improve customer engagement.

By having your own branding on the hardware and software, you can also differentiate yourself from your competitors and stand out in a crowded market.

Utilizing Control’s software and hardware makes for a streamlined experience guaranteed to be perfectly integrated and ready to go with less troubleshooting.  When it does come time for a complicated issue, know that Skykit Hardware support is another benefit of using Control with our hardware.

If any issues arise, Skykit Hardware support can help to troubleshoot and resolve any issues quickly and efficiently. This means you can have peace of mind knowing that your digital signage network is in good hands.

Scale Device Deployment With Ease

Fulfillment is yet another advantage of using Control with our hardware. With the option to order hundreds of devices at one time, you can ensure you have the hardware and training you need to support your digital signage network. This means you can scale your network quickly and easily without having to worry about the logistics of ordering and shipping the devices.

Finally, Control and our hardware offer wifi or network pre-configuration. This means you can easily set up your devices and software without having to worry about the technical details of configuring your network. This saves time and resources and makes it easier to get your digital signage network up and running quickly.

A logical decision

Using consumer-grade devices and software for digital signage may be tempting due to their lower price point, but in the long run, they can be more costly and less effective. By using Control and our hardware, you can have peace of mind knowing that your digital signage network is supported by experts and you have the hardware and software you need to support your network.

With features such as remote device management, hardware support, fulfillment, and wifi or network pre-configuration, Control plus Skykit hardware offer a complete digital signage solution built to last and will save you money in the long run.