Digital Signage Spot Blog: Retail Digital Signage

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Retail Digital Signage

September 24, 2012

Retailers opt for mobile POS solutions

Today retailers are updating their in-store technology to keep up with the new, technology-savvy customer. Merchants in particular have found that they need to have real-time POS capabilities to meet the demand for immediate consumer gratification. Scala is helping retailers meet these challenges with our Digital Signage solutions.

As the influence of mobile grows to represent nearly a fifth of total store sales by 2016, a new emphasis is being placed upon customer engagement in-store. The main goal for those implementing mobile POS is to create a better, faster and more enjoyable customer experience. In Japan, Ben and Jerry’s has used Scala digital menu boards to provide a new, attractive way to connect with customers and create memorable experiences. At 4food, known as the “social media burger joint,” Scala has provided customers with an interactive social board featuring twitter and foursquare check-ins to promote more customer activity and reviews in-store. With Scala, stores like these can keep up with the growing challenges of the evolving digital marketplace.

Read more at Retail Touchpoints: http://news.hoodbe.com/articles/share/20823/

September 24, 2012 in Digital Signage Industry , Retail Digital Signage | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

September 10, 2012

Three Quick Questions on Advanced Analytics: Influencing Customers at Point of Decision

Retailers and quick service restaurants (QSR) are looking to use Big Data to create new business opportunities and increase sales. Advanced analytics allows companies to tap complex data resources to create more effective digital communications programs. Digital Signage Spot spoke with Scala’s Dave Palermo to hear how advanced analytics and digital signage are working together.

Can you share with us a quick overview on what is advanced analytics?

New analytics tools, such as neural networks, can identify non-linear patterns in data – seeing what is not obvious or even intuitive – to find relationships between data points to give users the competitive edge they are seeking. The technology no longer requires a Ph.D. in statistics to understand and use. It has become a business-oriented tool that is easy to manage through a web browser.

For retailers and QSRs, advanced analytics can transform volumes of data into actionable intelligence. It is driving the next wave in digital signage – helping companies develop a better understanding of the customer and gain insights into customer buying patterns.

How do advanced analytics and digital signage work together?

Working together, advanced analytics and digital signage create a new sales dynamic where retailers and QSRs sculpt a targeted and persuasive consumer experience that influences purchasing decisions.

Advanced analytics allows you to dig deep into both internal data, such as customer purchase history, and external factors, including weather and economic conditions, to understand consumer preference and anticipate demand. The system applies what it learns to your strategy which basically has one of two goals – either maximize, such as increase unit sales, or minimize, such as decrease product spoilage.

From there, you have a data-driven digital communications program where digital signage generates and automatically displays the right message at the right location at the right time. It’s all about personalization, allowing you to command a customer’s attention and sway behavior at the point of decision in the purchasing process.

What should retailers and quick service restaurants look for in digital signage software to take full advantage of advanced analytics?

The software needs to allow you to bring to life a rich content strategy. One, where you can employ single or multiple frames on a display and enables vibrant, creative content. It needs to support granular scheduling – down to individual store locations in a network and by day-parts within locations.

Digital signage software also needs to integrate easily with point-of-sale system data. This enables you to measure how your advanced analytics program is working towards desired business goals. It also provides the feedback needed for continuous improvement in the analytics program.

Lastly, be sure your software integrates with other marketing channel content and data. Digital communications needs to fit within overall marketing programs, including advertising, coupon, interactive and in-store campaigns. Having everything working in concert is essential to achieving the outcomes you want at the point of decision.

September 10, 2012 in Digital Signage Industry , Retail Digital Signage , Scala | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

September 05, 2012

Scala Software Bundled in New Digital Signage Evaluation Kit 2012 from Intel, Kontron and Microsoft

We are pleased to announce Scala Software is bundled in new DSEK -12!

Scala Software takes full advantage of superior computing performance enhanced media and graphics capabilities of new Digital Signage Evaluation Kit 2012 (DSEK-12) from Intel, Kontron and Microsoft.

Scala software drives content creation, management and distribution in digital signage networks. Scala has certified the DSEK-12 as a Scala player, ensuring optimal performance for display manufacturers, systems integrators, software developers and digital signage users. Scala software fully leverages the latest, 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors in the DSEK-12 to produce and display visually stunning, broadcast-quality content in implementations ranging from a small number of screens to thousands of displays in a global network.

Click here to find out more and how to get your Digital Signage Evaluation Kit 2012: http://bit.ly/TXseFU

September 5, 2012 in Digital Signage Industry , Retail Digital Signage , Scala | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

August 10, 2012

Weekly Spot - August 10

This week’s media stories include Retail TouchPoints’ takeaways from their recently concluded webinar on mobile POS and TechDecisions’ tips on setting up digital signage teams. Hope you enjoy reading these stories along with a great visual on some digital displays surrounding the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Mobile POS Tipping Point

Retail TouchPoints discusses key points reviewed in their recent webinar on leveraging mobile POS.

Putting the Digital Signage Team Together

Setting up a team for digital signage initiatives can be difficult. This article examines the key players every digital signage team should have.

Lightning Bolt Strikes Ocean Screens

This post shows some dynamic digital signage surrounding the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Have a great weekend!

Stacey Schwind, Marketing Manager US, Scala

August 10, 2012 in Digital Signage Industry , Digital Signage Tips , Retail Digital Signage , Scala | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 03, 2012

Weekly Spot - August 3

This week’s Scala media stories include tips for retailers by our expert Marcy Patzer on getting started with digital signage and a profile on an LED digital signage installation at Naples airport. Hope you enjoy reading these stories along with an article on mobile checkouts.

Five Tips for Introducing Digital Signage to Your Retail Business

Scala’s retail expert Marcy Patzer provides five tips to retailers for effectively integrating digital signage.

Scala Runs LED Video Walls for 5.7m People at Naples Airport

This article discusses the Scala-powered LED digital signage installed at Naples, Italy airport.

Mobile Checkouts Will Be Game-Changer for Retailers

Mobile Marketer discusses how mobile checkouts in retail stores can make the shopping experience for consumers seamless and a lot simpler.

August 3, 2012 in Digital Signage Industry , Digital Signage Tips , Retail Digital Signage , Scala | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

July 20, 2012

Weekly Spot - July 20

This week’s media stories include commentary by our retail expert Marcy Patzer and our marketing expert Dave Palermo. Hope you enjoy reading these articles along with our blog post on Digital Signage Japan!

Five Ways Retailers Can Get More From Digital Signage

Our retail expert Marcy Patzer discusses five tips for retailers to help them make the most out of their digital signage investment.

Three Ways Digital Signage Can Boost Marketing

Our VP of Global Marketing Dave Palermo discusses ways digital signage can boost marketing.

Scala Has Strong Presence at Digital Signage Japan

Read all about how Scala made its presence felt at the recently concluded Digital Signage Japan 2012.

Stacey Schwind, Marketing Manager US, Scala Inc.

July 20, 2012 in Digital Signage Industry , Digital Signage Tips , Retail Digital Signage , Scala | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

July 13, 2012

Weekly Spot - July 13

This week’s stories include a study on millennials about their buying behavior and another one on how RFID technology is changing retail. Hope you enjoy reading these stories along with the article on Ben & Jerry’s digital signage installation.

Young Shoppers Want Integration of Online, Store Experience

A recent study found that millennials rely equally on brick-and-mortar stores and technology to access information on a product they are planning to buy.

How RFID Technology is Revolutionizing the Consumer Shopping Experience

A thought leadership article on how RFID technology is transforming the retail shopping environment by enhancing the shopper’s experience.

Scala Powers Ben & Jerry’s Digital Signage in Tokyo

Following up on our recent announcement, Hospitality TechDecisions published a story about the Scala-powered digital signage installation at Ben & Jerry’s Japan.

Have a great weekend!

Stacey Schwind, Marketing Manager US, Scala

July 13, 2012 in Digital Signage Industry , Retail Digital Signage , Scala | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

July 06, 2012

Weekly Spot - July 6

This week’s story review includes a blog post highlighting IMS Research’s latest study on the digital signage market. Hope you enjoy reading about the study along with blog posts on digital menu boards and kiosks.

The World Market for Digital Signage – 2012 Edition

IMS Research released a new report that estimates the market size for hardware supporting digital signage, such as media players, PCs, displays and LED Video arrays, was nearly $5.5 billion during 2011.

Three Ways Digital Menu Boards Can Boost QSR Business

Our Senior Director Damon Crowhurst provides tips on how digital menu boards can help quick service restaurants enhance their business.

Kiosks Boost Bank Productivity

This article discusses how banks are using touchscreen kiosks for basic account servicing, which releases bank employees for sales and higher-level customer service.

Have a great weekend!

Stacey Schwind, Marketing Manager US, Scala

July 6, 2012 in Digital Signage Industry , Retail Digital Signage , Scala | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

July 02, 2012

Three Ways Digital Menu Boards Can Boost QSR Business

In an effort to better inform and engage with customers, many quick service restaurants (QSR) are replacing their printed menu boards with high-resolution digital menu boards. In the typical QSR, customers are in a hurry – but still want a high-quality experience. Using digital menu boards can help restaurants satisfy customer desires and also boost business.

Here are three ways digital menu boards can help QSRs:

Better Informed Decisions: Printed menus are static and can be dull, and hinder a customer’s decision making. Digital menu boards provide a richer experience with vibrant, animated displays that are more eye-catching. Digital menu boards are like unlimited canvases which allow the customer to see all menu items and make a more informed purchase decision, enhancing their experience at the restaurant.

Enhance Customer Experience: More customers today are place an emphasis on knowing the nutritional information of the food they order. With unlimited screen “real estate,” digital menu boards provide nutritional information to help customers with their purchase decisions. These digital menu boards also enable the restaurants to look cutting edge to their customers, enhancing the overall encounter.

Singular Brand Experience: Consistent content across mobile, kiosk and digital menu board platforms can provide the customer with a singular brand experience. User interfaces across all these platforms can be made to look the same so the customers feel a familiarity on any medium. This integration enables uniform messaging across several customer touch-points and the brand more easily keeps current with menu and other content changes.

A great example of delivering a singular experience is Scala customer 4food, a New York City-based restaurant, which has a very creative way of integrating social media feeds and streaming video into their digital signage.

Damon Crowhurst, Senior Director, Scala Inc.

July 2, 2012 in Digital Signage Industry , Digital Signage Tips , Food and Drink , Retail Digital Signage , Scala | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

June 27, 2012

Ask a Scala Expert: June 27

This Week’s Focus: Quick Service Restaurants

How can quick service restaurants new to digital signage get started?

Start with the basics and do them well. Restaurants should talk to experienced specialists from the field before implementing a digital menu board solution. You should integrate your digital signage with a restaurant’s ambience to provide a seamless customer experience. In addition to selecting a stable and robust software platform that supports multiple screens, you should opt for durable hardware that can withstand high temperature conditions typical to quick service restaurant environment. Lastly, tailor your digital menu board content strategy to address different dayparts to connect your displays with customer buying patterns.

- Damon Crowhurst, Senior Director, Scala Inc.

To have your digital signage questions addressed by a Scala expert, please send them to questions@scala.com.