Why 3D Mapping Cannot Be Considered Digital Signage

Can the 3D projection mapping be considered digital signage? Comments after the lip sync medley by Katy Perry at the Super Bowl were gushing with complements at how wonderful that digital signage was. This simply shows how people remain confused when it comes to digital signage and why 3D mapping projection cannot be considered as such.

Digital signage refers to the utilization of signs that are powered by digital technology. Plasma display panels, computer monitors, liquid crystal displays, and display kiosks are used for this kind of signage display.

You can see digital signage used outside and inside business establishments. In restaurants, for example, digital signage is mostly used in displaying the name of the establishment and in the menu display. The signage serves to attract customers’ attention and let them see what to expect if they decide to eat in that restaurant. Digital signage can be presented using power point to show each screen zone or page.

3d_mapping_projectionFor projection mapping, a video is needed to be made of whatever content you want to show. You need live presentations for this kind of medium. You need to have a façade to serve as background. Excellent sound track and lively movements are important to have an attractive video.

3D projection mapping is not commonly used for advertising because it is more difficult to create than a digital sign. Digital signage is created by making the appropriate content or text along with some graphics. You can display using images from a computer system or a software that is connected to the monitor while 3D projection mapping usually involves.

One difference between 3D projection mapping and digital signage is the dimension of space needed for the display. Digital signage can be displayed on spaces as big as television screens while for projection mapping, wider space is needed. Projection mapping is useful for live events and would need sound effects and lots of movement to be effective while digital signs can just display texts and graphics without the need for sound.

Another difference is how the display is distributed. For digital signage, the display comes from a central computer system or run by a software while projection mapping requires the use of video and a surface to be used. For example, in the Super Bowl event, Katy Perry appears to be performing on the ground. Videos where people seem to walk on walls of buildings or dance on rooftops use this technology. On the other hand, digital signs do not need surfaces and real people to make. Texts and graphics are used to reach target customers.

Digital signage can be replaced or changed as many times as necessary without spending too much while projection mapping displays cannot be easily changed because it will be costly to make several videos in order to change what is displayed every day.

Some businesses are opting for projection mapping in making their advertisement. However, it is costly and so, this is ideal for promoting big events such as the Super Bowl and other international competitions.

Reasons Why Digital Signage Effective in Crowd Control

In December 20, 2014, a huge crowd of demonstrators rallied inside a shopping mall in Minneapolis, St. Paul. They tried to draw the shoppers’ attention to their cause, which is the widening gap between police authorities and African-American citizens.

Police in full riot gear was deployed to the mall to disperse the crowd. In addition, a message to the demonstrators was flashed in the rotunda’s signage, which clearly states that the crowd is given the final warning to disperse; otherwise, the police will arrest them. Little by little, the number of demonstrators diminished as people start leaving the mall.

This situation has added to the many functions of digital signage. Aside from having been uses as a powerful tool in advertising and conveying messages to the public, it is now proven to be an effective means of breaking unruly crowd especially in public places where safety of people not involved in their cause is at stake.

Nowadays, mall operators and authorities have realized the impact of digital signage in keeping peace and order. There are several reasons why digital signage has such effect to huge crowds.

One reason is that it is highly visible. Unlike using a megaphone that might not be heard due to the noise created by the crowd, a message n a signage can be seen by everyone. The fact that the audience can read the message lends it authority, since written words are very powerful. It can be displayed steadily to make people understand its meaning. Announcements made through megaphones and public address systems are gone once the speaker stops talking.

Another reason is that lighted signage can easily attract people’s attention. Once something bright flashes, it is human instinct to turn towards the source of brightness to see it. As a result, individuals in a huge crowd are able to see the message and digest its meaning.

Written messages are clearer than spoken ones. Repeated announcements could be interpreted in several ways because how powerful its meaning is, is affected by the loudness of the sound, the tone of the voice, and the clarity of the message as spoken, which could reduce its impact and thus, signage can compel people to follow what is said in the message.

In addition, digital signage are placed in conspicuous places and are displayed in such a way that everyone can see it, including those who are far from the display. This increases its reach and ensures everyone seeing it.

Because of these effects of digital signage on controlling a huge crowd, it would be advantageous to have them in public places and in areas where a big number of people could easily gather and rally. Big flat screens can now be seen in such places to give public announcements and notices, warnings, and guidelines for public safety.

Local ordinances such as proper waste disposal, traffic rules, and other local laws must be displayed on digital signage to make everyone aware of them, including strangers who might be innocent about such government orders.
Because of its high visibility, wide reach, and authority, digital signage can be used in maintaining peace and order.

PearlQuest’s Touchscreen Building Directory System

Give your tenants a novel experience with PearlQuest’s Touchscreen Directory System. With this touchscreen directory, you can display the names of your tenants, the people who take charge of the building, details about the building, and building conveniences & amenities. These features make it easy for people looking for a space to rent and to tenants’ visitors who come to the place for the first time. The directory will guide persons new to the place where to find the services and amenities that they will need in the course of their stay in the building.

Custom Interface Development
The UI of the Building Directory

If you use PearlQuest’s Touch Screen Directory System, your tenants will be able to advertise themselves or businesses because the directory can be linked to personalized monitors that display the names of the tenants, their logos, and videos that give additional information. The internet connection enables it to provide more information regarding the tenants. In addition, it can display images of eating places, hotels, shopping centers, amusement parks, cinemas and theaters, and other points of interest nearby.

Customizable background and building logo upload facility, floor-wise auto sorting, search facility by name or floor number.

The occupants of your building will be pleased to have this touchscreen directory because of the latest convenience it can bring.

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The list and details can be updated using a remote management CMS. The directory system can easily and automatically update the list by integration with databases existing in the area

• Tenants will receive important information through seamless links to needed services and amenities.
Tenants can easily find leasing information and amenities that are connected to multi-media presentations and specific websites. This gives them the opportunity to virtually experience such amenities so that they can decide whether to visit them or not.

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Option of way-finding and maps that will guide tenants and visitors to the different areas of the building and other nearby places within the area. One thing that turns off potential tenants and visitors is the difficulty to navigate the area. The maps will ensure tenants and visitors that they will find and arrive at their destination quickly.

The system software can be expanded, which means that more information can be added to the data base. It has a feature that keeps track and takes control of all data added for the security of the tenants.

Full-function Building directory CMS (web-based)
Full-function Building directory CMS (web-based)
Full-function Building directory CMS (web-based)
Full-function Building directory CMS (web-based)

Using the latest technology to satisfy clients is a good marketing strategy. With PearlQuest’s Touchscreen Directory System, you will be able to provide incomparable service to your tenants, attract more clients, and keep them satisfied at all times.

Sure Ways to Keep Your Target Audience Engaged

Most websites measure their reach by relying on numbers such as the number of clicks and views that they get every day. The truth is you have hundreds of clicks and views but if these people do not stay long enough to read your content, make comments, ask  questions, and eventually buy products or services you sell, the views and clicks will not have any value and a few active and highly engaged users will be worth more than those thousands.

One of keeping your target audience engaged is by knowing them. Are your target customers young or old? Are they professionals, stay-at-home moms, sports enthusiasts, educators or people who like Do-It-Yourself projects? Once you know them, you would have an idea how to find them. If you want to use social media to reach your target audience, you can promote your business in the platform used by the people you want to tell about your products. If you are targeting young people, Facebook will be the best place for you but if you are directing your message to professionals or older people, LinkedIn will be easily connect you with them.

Another way of increasing engagement of your target audience is content. As often said in the web, content is king. But no matter how well-written your content is, it will never hold your visitor’s interest if it is irrelevant to them. If you are targeting stay-at-home moms, talk about how they can spend their time profitably or what tasks they can engage in so that they would not feel bored at home. If you want to attract sports-minded people, talk about sports and sports events and personalities.

Consistency and reliability are what a website needs to gain more visitors. Be consistent when publishing blogs and articles not only with your tone and stand but also with your schedule. One important thing in writing is to take a stand and stick by it. Readers will find it rewarding to follow your blog if you have consistent views. The same applies to your schedule. If you publish fresh blog every Monday and Friday, keep that schedule because your visitors know that there is something new to read on these days. Once they visit your site and see the same content, they might not return anymore in the following days.

Timing is also of great importance if you want to maximize your exposure in the web. Readers would usually look for information about relevant recent events related to your website. If your website focuses on Travel, you can feature the latest tourist destination in your country or region. Including articles that will guide travelers in finding restaurants, hotels, and amusement places will make your content richer and more useful to your target audience.

Involve your audience by asking for their comments and opinions or by placing a question and answer board for everyone. This will make your site interactive and your visitors will come back to ask questions, give answers, make comments and see other readers’ reactions.

By observing the hints mentioned, you will be able to build to reach your target audience and earn their loyalty.

3 Best Ways to Increase Customer Engagement

What is an engaged user? How customer engagement is defined depends on the kind of products or services being offered.  For example, a site that offers apps that need to be done would require customers to log in everyday and do something to be able to say that there is engagement. However, when the application is needed once a week or once a month, customers logging in once a week or once a month and stays to use the application can be considered engaged. Visitors logging in and doing nothing before logging out could not be considered as engagement.

It is easy to track visitors, returning visitors and the time they spend in your website but there is no way of determining the extent of a customer’s engagement. For example, Google+ boasts of more than 170,000,000 visitors each day but the truth is only handful of them get engaged while the rest just click the OK button on the link. This action cannot be considered part of customer engagement.

mobile-commerceMany websites offer free trial just to attract visitors. This technique is considered a good way to engage potential clients but what happens is that after they have used the application, they just leave and look for another product and use it for free for 30 days. The cycle continues and despite product quality, users do not get to that stage in which they decide to pay for the product to continue using it.

So, how can you increase customer engagement? Here are the three best ways to increase consumer engagement.

One is by making an excellent impression. As an old saying goes, first impression lasts and this is true with digital marketing. It will be worth it to offer something that will convince customers that doing business with you will be beneficial to them.  Giving free trial has proven ineffective since customers would usually find another site that offers free trial instead of paying for the product that you are selling to continue using it. It will be best for you to give them the best users’ experience during the trial period so that they will decide to buy your product. This can be done by giving them clear and concise information about your product – how it works, how to use it, and how they can benefit from using it. Give them your contact details and make sure that there is someone to answer their questions around the clock.

Second, have a welcome message for new customers. The welcome message will make customers feel your presence and It is one way to start conversation, which can help in engaging them and leading them to make the decision to purchase your products or services.

Third, introduce your product gradually. Bombarding your prospective customers with emails could have negative effect in your campaign. The best approach is to know your customers better and to anticipate their needs so that your emails will be timed perfectly. Once they receive information that can answer their need at the moment, they would be more ready to act on that need.

Keeping your customers engaged will be easy as long as you understand their need and you give solutions to their problems at the most appropriate time.

New Trends and Marketing Shifts for 2015

The question of what awaits marketers in 2015 has brought some issues to the core and several answers emerged such as the emergence of agencies owned by people of Hispanic origin, increase in information shared through the internet highway, the significant role of internal communication, the emergence of new technologies, and the rise of media as a tool in marketing.

•    Emergence of agencies owned by people of Hispanic origin

Based on latest data, Hispanics account for 17% of the total population of the US and this group has experienced 56% population growth in the last decade.  The group’s purchasing power is forecasted to reach $1 trillion by 2017. If businesses owned by Hispanics could attract customers outside their own demographic group, they will grow dramatically in the next few years.

•    Evolving role of media agencies
Media agencies play a vital role in today’s marketing. Media agencies are now evolving from an agency that is in charge of providing information into a body that has to face consumers as well. In fact, media agencies act as the middle man between technologies and the consumers. Aside from being creative, the media must be a math-minded agency since it would be handling myriad of data and new technologies in order that they can become a good partner of their costumers or clients.

•    Integration of digital teams and marketing groups
Until today, digital teams tend to be separated from the marketing group. However, as digital marketing dominates internet businesses, these two groups will merge, resulting to digital experts who possess marketing skills as well as familiarity with operating internet businesses.

•    Making strategic plan and adhering to it
Digital marketing has brought many changes in the way businesses are run and promoted and for them to succeed an excellent strategic plan is needed. The plan will help companies achieve their goals efficiently. Because of the rapid changes brought by digital marketing, decisions have to be made fast. For internet businesses to become profitable, planning in terms of content, exposure to social media, events and promotions, as well as the use of media agencies for more leverage must be done thoroughly and strategically. Careful planning and strict compliance to the plan will be highly beneficial.

•    Smooth internal communication flow

Nowadays, there must be constant communication between employees and sellers regarding the aims of the company, its vision, and mission. Everyone is expected to understand the company mission, vision, and goals, and manifest in their daily lives there daily work the company’s philosophy and culture. Through internal communication, everybody shares the same goals and works as one in order to realize them.

Indeed, 2015 could be a significant year for businessmen who try their hands on digital marketing. Changes are coming fast and one has to welcome them if he does not want to be left behind. The digital age is now at its peak and anyone who resists the reforms it brings will have a difficult time to survive in this fast paced and computer-dominated world.

Grab Customers’ Attention Before You Open Your Store

Are you opening a new store? If you are, start promoting your store and your product brand before you welcome your first customer. Start introducing your store to your potential customers right away. Instead of using the usually signage inviting everyone to your opening, use an interactive digital display that will give potential shoppers a virtual experience of how fun it would be to shop in your store.

With modern technology this is highly possible. While the usual practice is to post signs on an empty wall covering the space that will become your store, making a digital display of how the store would look like gives would-be customers the feel of how they would wander around the store inspecting products and choosing what they want to buy.

Here is how the fun begins. As customers go around a shopping area, they would see a wall behind which your store is taking shape.  You come face to face with several digital displays on the wall and you see a notice that says “Touch Me.” You touch it and images of the store that would soon emerge are shown. You can see the different products displayed on glass cases and the myriad of choices from which you can choose whatever you want to purchase.

This advertising strategy shows ingenuity and it keeps the customers excited about shopping at your store. This means that you have potential customers getting ready to enjoy shopping at your store once it opens.

Initiated by The Science Project, this unique way of announcing the opening of a new business has attracted entrepreneurs. You can now see digital displays asking potential customers to explore the store virtually before it opens and chances are they would try it just for fun and come out hooked on the idea of buying your products when the store is finished.

This type of advertising is done by professionals who are experts in the field of digital marketing. The display could be retained later on even when the store is already open to encourage customers visiting the store to try its online shop. The display then, would be advertising both the offline and online store.

Digital advertising could be costly but its benefits have been proven to be incomparable. You can just imagine how fast your business can grow considering that thousands of customers have undergone virtual shopping before it has actually opened.

Today, everything seems to go digital and the impact of digital marketing businesses has spelled a big difference between traditional marketing endeavors and modern marketing strategies. In this era where customers want to have information about a business before making purchases, digital applications will allow them not just to get information but to have virtual experience that would motivate them to visit your store.

Go with the trend and try these interactive and content-rich digital displays that make it possible for you to encourage potential customers to make your soon-to-open store popular among them before it has even opened its doors.