Outdoor digital signage has become a common sight over the past decade, but what can it do for businesses? Today, we will be discussing different types of outdoor digital signs and how they can benefit different organizations, as well as consumers. 

Why is outdoor digital signage important?

Outdoor digital signage is important because it can increase the visibility of a company, brand, product, service or event. It is generally placed in a public area with plenty of space, creating an excellent opportunity for more awareness in a visually impactful way to many users at once.  Most often, outdoor digital signage is larger than indoor signage and intended to be viewed from a greater distance away. In fact, digital billboards are one common example of outdoor digital signage that has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds over the past decade. 

digital signage examples.

Although outdoor and indoor digital signage have many things in common, one major factor that should be considered when placing digital signs outdoors is that they need to be weatherproof and, for the most part, built for durability as the signs can be left unattended for months or even years, depending on the use and location. 

8 Examples of Outdoor Digital Signage

Outdoor Mall Digital Directories

Outdoor malls and lifestyle centers use digital directories -- a type of digital signage that is oftentimes interactive as well -- to list all of the stores, restaurants and services in their facility. These digital directories are great for first time visitors as they allow guests to easily find what they’re looking for and where they need to go, saving time. Because they tend to be placed close to entrances and in other high-traffic areas, they help to ensure that visitors are never lost, have a comfortable experience, making them more likely to return in the future.  

Bus Stop Digital Signage

Bus stop digital signage is used to display bus schedules, local area information, maps, and advertisements. This type of outdoor signage is useful as it helps passengers, especially those who are visiting the area for the first time, ensure they are on the right bus and know at which stop they will need to disembark. Since these displays are quite large, they tend to be eye catching, giving businesses an effective platform to market their products, brands and services. 

Digital Billboards

Fast replacing traditional billboards, digital billboards provide the same function but with much more utility and flexibility. Like a traditional billboard, they display an advertisement with the added benefit of the capacity to automatically rotate through a timed display of multiple different advertisements. This greatly increases the amount of ad space available on a billboard, and allows for more customization for the organization purchasing that space. For instance, they may choose to only display ads during morning rush hour. With more cars on the road during that time, the company that owns the billboard is then able to charge more for ads shown during that time slot. Digital billboards also offer additional utility as they can be used to display emergency information, such as road conditions, accidents, or weather warnings. 

Public Transit Stations

Digital signage is used to to assist passengers with their travel at train stations, airports, and subways stations. They are often used to display train schedules and provide updates on any delays along this path. They also notify passengers on when to board or disembark from the train, ensuring their safety during this process. Finally, like most digital signage, they can be used to display advertisements from companies large and small to help promote various services and products.

Theme parks 

Theme parks utilize digital signage for wayfinding, to display information, and communicate important updates, including emergency information. Many theme parks have digital signage displays to help guests navigate through the park and locate a ride or attraction. Beyond wayfinding, they also provide awareness of other park services, whether it be a restaurant, a kiosk, or a guest services station. Overall, digital signage provides a useful tool for theme parks to assist their guests without requiring additional staff. 

Stadiums and outdoor event centers 

Stadiums and outdoor event centers utilize digital signage to provide complete or close-up coverage of their sport or event, such as a concert. Similar to a television display, many of these stadium and event centers utilize these digital screens to provide additional views, ensuring that the audience can alway see what’s happening, regardless of their seating position. These displays are also used to provide live updates and promote upcoming events for the location. Lastly, like all digital signage, they are also used for the promotion of brands, products or services as well. 

Restaurants

COVID-19 has caused restaurants to become incredibly creative in order to stay profitable. Many have incorporated outdoor digital signage to help enable contactless ordering and pickup. These kiosks can allow guests to check in for a reservation, request a seat or order food. In addition, these kiosks are able to display the full menu, giving guests more time to make their selection. 

Retail

Retailers utilize digital signage displays to showcase their products and brands, as well as special sales and promotions. Since these displays are so large and attractive, they can be an  excellent resource that is flexible enough to be updated frequently as promotions or products change.

As you can see, outdoor digital signage can provide wayfinding solutions, increase brand awareness and provide important information to the public. Durable and reliable, they are an  excellent resource for many organizations, from transportation hubs to theme parks and everything in between. 

A visitor management system is a system designed to help manage the flow of visitors. Modern visitor management is usually carried out via digital means, using software and interactive kiosks, but they can be as simple as a pen and paper log.

The primary purpose of a visitor management system depends heavily on the needs of the organization deploying it.  For example, large corporations require advanced visitor management systems that offer greater functionality, such as kiosks with integrated printers for visitor badges, virtual concierge software, and building access management. Smaller organizations, such as elementary schools, may only need a simple counter-mounted tablet to allow parents and guardians to check students in and out of the building securely.

Why are visitor management systems important?

At their simplest, visitor management systems are important as they allow businesses to keep track of who is in the building at any given time. Paper logs do this buy requiring visitors to sign in when they arrive and sign out when they depart. Advanced visitor management kiosks go beyond the basics with software that can capture visitor photos and print them directly onto temporary badges, and add access controls so that the badges must be scanned in order for visitors to enter certain areas of a building or campus. For organizations with greater security needs, these extra layers of protection are crucial as it helps keep both employees and intellectual property safe. 

Beyond security, these systems also help organizations like museums understand their own facility management needs better. For example, knowing which areas of the building generate the most interest from visitors can help them better identify potential staffing needs in high-traffic exhibit halls, or learn which types of displays are most popular so that they can create similar content in the future. 

visitor management.

Common Visitor Management Tools

As mentioned previously, visitor management systems range from very simple to incredibly complex, but as long as everyone follows the system, almost anything can work. 

Features and Benefits of a Digital Visitor Management System 

Here are a few of the features and benefits that make up an effective visitor management system:

Easy Sign-In

Whether it is via pen or paper or computer system, visitors should be able to quickly and easily input their information and be on their way without much hassle. Essentially, anyone should be able to use the system without training or prior knowledge. 

Visitor Logs

The key component of any visitor management system is the ability to keep an accurate record of who has entered the building or premises. Visitor logs should be kept and saved for set periods of time in order to keep staff informed regarding who has or hasn’t left the premises. 

Electronic Notifications

Visitor management systems can be equipped with the ability to send electronic notifications via email or text. These notifications may be intended for any number of purposes: informing security or receptionists that a new visitor has arrived, alerting employees that they have a guest, or to communicate emergency information to anyone on the premises, including fires, security threats, or severe weather information. 

Legal Documents & Policies

Companies that handle sensitive data or intellectual property often require additional security measures to be put in place so that certain classes of visitors are under a binding legal agreement during their visit, such as a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Visitor management systems can seamlessly integrate the signing of these documents during the check-in process, simplifying the process and creating a digital record of the agreement for both parties. 

Badge Creation and Printing

Visitor badge generation and printing can be another useful feature of visitor management systems. Badges provide a clear way for staff to identify visitors, and can be as simple as a name tag, or more complex, including a visitor photo, e-signature, and scannable building access codes to limit movement or allow access to areas that may house sensitive information. 

Fingerprints and Other Biometrics

Companies with greater-than-average security needs can integrate their visitor management kiosk system with features that create even more layers of protection, like biometrics. Fingerprint scanners and retina scanners are two types of biometrics that are commonly integrated into these kiosks for added security.

Ease of Software Integration

It's important to know that the visitor management system selected will properly integrate with other systems, including security systems, databases/record-keeping software, and operating systems to avoid problems post-installation. 

COVID-19 Facilities Management

The COVID-19 pandemic has made visitor management more important than ever when it comes to keeping visitors and staff safe. Visitor management systems can be integrated with touchless temperature scanning and monitoring software and hardware in order to track or limit access to those displaying or reporting COVID-19 symptoms. 

How do digital visitor management systems work? 

  1. Visitor signs in: A visitor provides all the requested information, such as name, email, photo, and/or phone number. 
  2. Notification: Companies can opt to have an email or text notification sent informing them that a new visitor has arrived.
  3. Staff member greets the visitor: If security measures are in place to limit building access, a staff member would then greet the visitor and ensure they find their way to the meeting place at which they are expected.
  4. Visitor signs out: Prior to departing the visitor logs onto the system again to check out of the building.

visitor management.

What are the benefits of digital visitor management?

The primary benefit of a digital visitor management system is to alleviate the need to manually register and track visitors. The system should simplify the process for both visitors and staff. 

For businesses:

For visitors: 

How to Choose the Best Visitor Management Solution

Choosing the right solution can seem complicated, but it can be simplified when you know exactly what you need your visitor management system to do, and then balance that with any necessary budget constraints. Below are some things to consider before purchasing a system:

 

Digital visitor management systems are commonplace in many successful businesses today, and with their benefits, it’s not hard to see why. They provide a streamlined means of tracking new visitors and employees and above all, keep them safe while on your organization's premises. 

REDYREF Interactive, an industry leader in self-service kiosk design and manufacturing, has released its latest software suite: enGAGE.Touch. This platform is built on the foundation of REDYREF's digital directory software module, which can be used alone or integrated with advanced digital wayfinding and visitor management modules for more complex needs.

Riverdale, NJ (PRWEB) July 11, 2017 REDYREF Interactive has launched a new and innovative wayfinding software suite: enGAGE.Touch. The core of this system is the cutting-edge digital building directory module, which can be seamlessly integrated with additional software modules and semi-custom enclosures for environments that require more complex solutions.

Innovative, Modular, Intuitive Electronic Building Directory Systems

REDYREF’s enGAGE.Touch digital building directories go further than just helping visitors to quickly locate companies, departments or personnel, says Will Pymm, Vice President and Managing Partner. “The new enGAGE.Touch Mobile Handover feature makes it easy for guests to transfer maps and directions from the directory right to their smartphone. Integration with Google Maps means wayfinding information is always accurate and up-to-date, not just within the facility, but also for those requiring assistance with the surrounding area. It’s truly an all-in-one solution.”

Digital Directories Developed with Flexibility in Mind

enGAGE.Touch electronic directory systems may be customized to meet a wide range of business needs, including support for multiple floor and campus maps. User experience is enhanced by allowing interactive directory search by multiple criteria, including employee, company, department, floor or room name/number. Updates are simplified by allowing editing permissions to be granted to multiple users, including office tenants.

An Electronic Directory for Every Environment

With multiple opportunities for customization, enGAGE.Touch digital directory software is the premier choice for multiple deployment environments. From electronic lobby directories to educational campus signage, the easy-to-use, interactive directory interface enhances visitor satisfaction by reducing the stress of wayfinding, and tenant satisfaction by allowing anyone with access to manage their own data, reducing and often eliminating common data entry issues. Visitors and tenants alike benefit when critical building and campus updates and information are communicated digitally and able to be updated as needed.

Integrated Software and Kiosk Enclosure Solutions, Simplified

enGAGE.Touch electronic building directory software was developed to be integrated with any of REDYREF's kiosk enclosures, all of which are designed and manufactured in-house. From custom, built-to-order digital building directories, to modular self-service kiosks from the semi-custom enGAGE line, REDYREF's kiosk enclosures can be tailored to the exact use case and environment. When combined with the new enGAGE.Touch software suite, guests are able to navigate a single office building or a large multi-facility campus using detailed floor and campus maps, ensuring they are able to reach their intended destinations on-time and without unnecessary stress or frustration.

 

About REDYREF

Established more than 100 years ago, REDYREF Interactive is a vertically-integrated manufacturer and developer of electronic building directories, digital wayfinding solutions and self-service kiosks.

 

RedyRef has completed the installation of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)’s first interactive wayfinding kiosk in Manatee County, Florida. The installation features the new enGAGE H-Series, a 42” modular touchscreen kiosk that was designed to help travelers find any location within the airport’s footprint.  This includes airport gates, restaurants, restrooms, baggage claim and any other services airport visitors may need.

 

 Digital Wayfinding Kiosk

 

The Sarasota project presented some unique challenges for our design team. One of the primary requirements of the solution was to ensure users did not have to search via keyword or click through multiple screens in order to find the needed information.

REDYREF's team of developers rose to the occasion, designing a deceptively simple user interface capable of effectively housing and organizing many layers of complex information. This one-screen solution features a navigation menu on the left, and a map of the airport on the right, which allows users to simply select an area on the menu with a single touch, and immediately see the chosen area highlighted on the map along with their current airport location.

The kiosk is also easy to maintain by airport employees. Said REDYREF Managing Partner, Will Pymm, “Besides offering travelers an enhanced customer experience, Sarasota’s new wayfinding kiosk was designed to be easily updated or refreshed either via smartphone or computer.  We believe this kind of functionality is essential to the success of a kiosk in a busy, at times even chaotic environment, like that found in an international airport.”

Besides its intuitive UI, the new Sarasota airport kiosk is also one of the first live deployments of the REDYREF enGAGE H-Series kiosk. This modular, freestanding enclosure combines sleek, powder-coated steel construction with an extensive range of available options including an expansive array of other hardware components and integrations. Although the H-Series comes standard with a 42″ LCD monitor, it may be built with other display sizes when required.


Considering wayfinding kiosks or digital directories for your company?

Contact REDYREF today at (800) 628-3603 today or request a quote online and we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure that your interactive kiosk, wayfinding or digital visitor management program meets every one of your business’ unique needs and goals.

Touch or Non-Touch Directories: Which is the best choice for your business? This is the question we’ve been addressing for the last three weeks, and which we’ll conclude today.

To briefly recap the previous weeks’ discussions: We define a non-touch digital directory as either a static screen that always displays the same information, such as office numbers and locations, or a screen that rotates through a set series of different informational “slides”. These are also known at times as a form of digital signage. Digital touchscreen directories, on the other hand, offer different levels of interactivity, depending on the complexity of the kiosk software, from one- or two-button operation, to full touchscreen capabilities, much like a tablet. Considering the impact of the “three Ss” before making a decision is a big part of ensuring you get the right fit for your business’s needs. We’ve so far covered "Situation and Setting," which means we’ve arrived at the final S: Surroundings.

matrix digital building directory

How Do "Surroundings" Impact the Decision to Choose a Touch or Non-Touch Directory?

The term “surroundings” refers to the immediate placement of the directory within its environment. It answers the question, “Where does the directory installation make the most sense?” This decision greatly impacts whether or not a touchscreen is necessary. For instance, if a digital building directory is for an office space with 15 tenants, and all can comfortably be displayed on the screen at once, along with their location, a simple, static, non-touch wall mount directory may serve those purposes completely adequately. However, if the facility is larger, or tenants require greater functionality, such as a digital receptionist option, then advanced software will be necessary and a touch screen with high levels of interactivity will now be required, and installation of the directory as a freestanding kiosk is likely the more accessible choice.

Even those property management companies who staff their lobbies with receptionists often find that automating part of the front desk experience with options like visitor check and wayfinding software can be extremely useful, especially during the busiest times of day. A desk-mount interactive directory, located at the reception desk, is often the best choice in this case. Visitors may then get many of their wayfinding needs met digitally, but still have access to a staff member if they require additional assistance.

What about an apartment building? Smaller facilities can easily make do with a simple wall-mount static digital interface, but a high rise in Midtown Manhattan has completely different requirements. With 100 or more tenants, they would at the very least need limited, one- or two-button touchscreen capabilities so that visitors are able to scroll through a list of tenants. Digital receptionist software would allow visitors to be granted access to the lobby once “buzzed in.” And because it would need to be touch-accessible to all visitors, installing the directory as a floor-mounted enclosure would likely make more sense than mounting it on the wall.

While the decision to invest in a touch or non-touch digital directory may not be simple, careful planning and a thorough grasp of your own “three Ss” can go a long way toward helping you to make the right choice for your business. We invite you to submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today and REDYREF will be there every step of the way in creating the best possible digital directory for your company’s unique needs and goals.

Touch or Non-Touch Directories: Which is the best choice for your business? This is the question we’ve been addressing for the last two weeks, bringing us to today’s blog and our third installment in the series. To briefly recap the previous weeks’ discussions: We define a non-touch digital directory as either a static screen that always displays the same information, such as office numbers and locations, or a screen that rotates through a set series of different informational “slides”. Digital touchscreen directories, on the other hand, offer different levels of interactivity, depending on the complexity of the software, from one- or two-button operation, to full touchscreen capabilities, much like a tablet. Considering the impact of the “three Ss” before making a decision is a big part of ensuring you get the the right fit for your business’ needs. Since we covered Situation last week, today we’ll talk through how our second S, “Setting,” may impact the decision to purchase one type of directory over another.

The term “setting” refers to the environment in which the building directory be used. Will it be placed in an apartment lobby, on a medical campus with multiple buildings and hundreds of floors or in a mixed-use live/work development? These are just a few examples, but each poses a unique set of challenges for end users that a digital directory would potentially be used to solve.

Let’s say the plan is for a digital building directory for a 40-floor apartment building in New York City. First, because it’s unlikely that multiple people will be using the directory at once, making a touchscreen that is less than 26” is a good choice. But how interactive, that’s the question. If this will just be used to find tenants within the building, then a basic “page through” type of functionality is fine. However, higher-end wayfinding options can also be integrated, such as the ability to offer customized maps and information about the surrounding area, or to show the weather, news or building announcements, too.

For the mixed-use development, although a simple one- or two-button directory could be deployed, it’s probably not the best choice. There are often multiple buildings, that includes residences, stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. This is an excellent opportunity to do a lot more than just give users basic location information. Instead, choosing a full touchscreen directory that can showcase grand openings and sales, allow patrons to purchase tickets to movies, search for specific stores via an on-screen keyboard, make dinner reservations and even route users most efficiently over multiple stops can be a much better use of interactive wayfinding and directory technology.

Finally, the large hospital campus has its own set of considerations for building an appropriate digital directory. As more individuals are likely to be in wheelchairs or have differing levels of physical abilities, ADA compliance will be necessary. These directories must also offer a completely frustration-free experience, as patients are often upset, anxious or short on time, depending on the reasons for their hospital visit, and this is especially true for patients, who are the hospitals customers.  The last thing a hospital system needs is what amounts to a poor customer experience on what may already be a difficult day for them. While basic, non-touch digital directories may be fine if they are to be deployed on each floor to assist in finding the correct office or individual room, interactive, touchscreen wayfinding can be one of the most powerful ways to help patients feel more calm and in control while in what is often a stressful environment.

Join us next week for the conclusion of our series on how to choose between touchscreen and non-touch directories. In the meantime, if your business ready to invest in digital wayfinding technology, we invite you to submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today to find out how RedyRef can help you give your customers a best-in-class user experience.

Last week, we started a conversation around touch vs. non-touch directories, both static and interactive, and the basic capabilities of what each can do. Today, we’ll expand on that topic, by beginning our examination of the “three Ss” — setting, situation and surroundings — that affect why one type of digital directory may be a better choice than another.

To quickly recap: A non-touch digital directory can be one of two things: either a static screen that always displays the same information, such as office numbers and locations, or a screen that rotates through a set series of different informational “slides”. Digital touchscreen directories, offer different levels of interactivity, depending on the complexity of the software, from one- or two-button operation, to full touchscreen capabilities, much like a tablet. Considering the impact of the “three Ss” before making a decision is a big part of ensuring the right fit for your business’ needs.
Let’s start with “Situation”: For what purpose(s) will the directory be used? For instance, if an airport wants to display digital flight information, they are going to need a very large display that’s easy to read by multiple people at a distance, which can be expensive. But that screen becomes a much bigger investment if it also needs to be a touch-capable. Since most airports only need to display a rotating, constantly-updating list of flight data, there’s no need for the additional expense of purchasing a screen that can be made interactive.
On the other hand, if a large medical campus needs to direct patients, visitors and vendors around several different buildings, spread over a square mile or more, it’s likely that they will need more than just a simple display screen. Instead, a better choice would be smaller, full-touchscreen kiosks offering personalized wayfinding solutions that create a more comprehensive and relevant experience for end-users.
Finally, between the two above-mentioned solutions, there is another category of deployment, one that is considered “touch,” or “interactive,” but not as complex (or as costly) as a directory that is completely interactive. These are often configured for simple operation, giving users the ability to “page through” different screens, and return to “home.” An example of this would be some of the embedded screens in the headrests of many commercial airplanes. They are interactive in a limited way with software and hardware than reflects that specific use case. Passengers can “page through” and select from a list of movies or TV shows at the bottom of the screen, but the entire screen isn’t touch enabled. This is changing of course, especially as these technologies become more common and prices fall — a fully immersive flight entertainment experience is certainly already on its way.
Join us next week when we continue our discussion around touch vs. non-touch directories. In the meantime, if your business ready to invest in digital wayfinding technology, we invite you to submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today to find out how RedyRef can help you give your customers a best-in-class user experience.

In terms of choices, digital building directories offer such an embarrassment of riches anymore that it can be hard to know where to start. Digital static? Digital non-touch, non-static? Interactive touchscreen? Wall mount, desk mount or floor mount? What about screen size? Refresh rate? Software? It’s no wonder we have so many clients interested in making the switch from old-style strip or paper directories who come to us frustrated from just trying to wrap their heads around the available options, not even counting other innovations such as 3-D mapping, interactive wayfinding and mobile integrations.

Therefore, we thought it might be a good time to get back to the basics, in order to give those considering investing in digital directories a jumping-off point from which they can begin their exploration. Let’s start with the differences and benefits of touch vs non-touch directories, and how they are best deployed in different environments.

First, it’s important to understand the terms touch and non-touch for what they actually are and do. A non-touch digital directory can be one of two things: either a static screen that always displays the same information, such as office numbers and locations, or a screen that rotates through a set series of different informational “slides”. The entire screen can change, or just sections of the screen, but in both cases, both are considered to be non-touch digital directories.

On the other side, we have digital touchscreen directories, which offer different levels of interactivity, depending on the complexity of the software. Some simply allow for one- or two-button operation, giving users the ability to “page through” different screens, and return to “home.” Others function more like a tablet, with full-screen touch capabilities, offering a more fully interactive and even immersive user experience.

While it may at first glance seem that interactive touchscreens would be the most practical choice, offering more opportunities for customization, it is the environment in which the directory will be deployed that should be of primary concern and have the most influence on whether a touch or non-touch display is chosen. Next week, we’ll address the reasons why the three Ss — setting, situation and surroundings — are so important when considering what kind of directory to purchase, and take a look at a few use cases to better illustrate why and when touch or non-touch digital directories may be most appropriate.

Is your business ready for what’s next in interactive wayfinding? As an end-to-end manufacturer of vertically integrated self-service kiosk solutions, we invite you to submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today to find out how RedyRef can help you give your customers a best-in-class, digital wayfinding experience.

The hospitality industry has long relied on very specific service aspects in order to ensure guest satisfaction. From amenities (pools, spas and dining, for example), to the warm and efficient assistance of staff members, to the use of high-end bedding and toiletries in guest rooms, successful hotel chains and independent establishments have learned to keep visitors happy and willing to come back.

For the most part, technology has taken a backseat to personal assistance in hospitality-driven environments. With the exception of very high-end hotels that have integrated “smart rooms” into their offerings (remote-controlled blinds, lighting and entertainment systems), most have focused their attention on updating rooms and increasing the number and quality of services or amenities offered over all else. However, a sea-change is at hand; travelers want not just personal service, but convenience as well. Business travelers in particular are concerned with efficiency and convenience, and this key demographic (41% of hotel bookings) is both important to please and exceptionally loyal when satisfied by their experience. Less concerned with cost, they are willing to pay to get what they want, and therefore generate more profitable stays.

How are hotels creating the opportunity for more convenience without losing the level of personalization travelers have come to expect? Interactive digital signage is one avenue. Some early adopters, such as Courtyard by Marriott, began integrating large “smart screens” into their lobbies almost a decade ago in order to communicate information directly with their customers, from restaurant specials to weather reports to meeting room locations. One of the key value propositions of digital signage is how easily it can be adapted to target specific consumer bases; one set of messaging can be displayed during the week for business customers, and then changed out on the weekend for information that is more relevant to those traveling for leisure.

The next generation of digital hotel signage is now at market, and rather than offering only static images and a carousel of rotating screens, it is interactive and self-service, with a range of available use options. Offering everything from personalized directions and movie listings to the ability to make reservations at area dining establishments, these interactive displays essentially serve as a type of e-Concierge for those guests who value convenience over personal attention.

In addition to signage, some hotels, such as the Aria in Las Vegas, have taken digital technology a step further and introduced in-room tablets. These allow guests to browse lists of available amenities and restaurant menus, order room service and even schedule appointments for massages or book conference rooms directly from the tablet, as well as control in-room technology from a built-in app.

As an industry leader in digital signage hardware and software, RedyRef knows that these technologies are set to continue to grow rapidly within the hospitality industry, and beyond. Follow us as we continue to explore their futures in additional settings over the coming weeks. Already know that you want to take the plunge into high-tech wayfinding kiosks and digital signage? RedyRef’s experts are available to assist organizations of all sizes; just give us a call at (800) 628-3603 ext 525 or submit a request for proposal online and our team will be with you every step of the way.

The popularity of digital directories and touchscreen wayfinding kiosks has been growing steadily over the last five years. With expected revenue from these types of deployments to be in the billions over the coming decade, it’s clear that the market is expected to increase exponentially. Our last blog covered how healthcare environments are incorporating interactive wayfinding solutions into their buildings and campuses to provide a better experience for patients, resulting in increased satisfaction with their care. Today, we’ll cover how colleges and universities are utilizing similar technologies to do the same for students.

BGSU Wayfinding Kiosk by REDYREF

Digital Wayfinding for College Campuses

Imagine you’re 18 again, on your own for the first time and just starting college. You’ve chosen a state school -- one with more than 35,000 students. Those many-thousand students gather on campus daily in tens, if not hundreds, of buildings, including libraries, dormitories, student athletic centers and classrooms. You’ll need to navigate all of this, often with no more than 10 minutes between classes. With many college campuses spanning enough acreage to hold an entire small city, taking the intimidation factor out of the equation by giving students a digital map -- one that can even be taken “on the go” -- can go a long way toward easing new student anxiety. It also allows visitors and vendors to more easily maneuver through what often appears to be a confusing and ever-changing labyrinth.

Once students enter a building, they are faced with another set of hurdles -- floors and entire wings of classrooms, lecture halls, performance areas, studios and labs. Some that may even move from week to week to accommodate different situations. Digital building directories simplify life by allowing updates to be easily made remotely via a central system and “pushed out” to the affected directories as needed. So if Biology 101 in room B-202 has been moved to a lab in B-303, everyone can get where they need to be on time without scurrying around like mice in a maze.

Digital Directories and Wayfinding for Simplified Campus Communications

On-campus kiosks present additional interesting opportunities for educational institutions. While they are clearly a useful way to integrate digital wayfinding into college campuses, as demonstrated above, they are also an excellent communication tool for schools that desire to present information to many individuals at once. For instance, one of the most common kiosk deployments is in student centers/“unions.” With the huge number of people -- students as well as faculty, staff and visitors -- passing through each day, interactive kiosks (and digital signage as well) are a convenient way to “talk” to a large population, all at the same time. Additionally, interactive kiosks can be utilized to complete self-service transactions by scanning student IDs, including loading virtual cash, paying for purchases ranging from textbooks to lattes, or to sign up for classes or other activities.

What other industries are successfully deploying digital wayfinding and building directories? We invite you to follow REDYREF as we continue to explore the future of these technologies over the coming weeks. Already know that you want to take the plunge into high-tech interactive kiosks? REDYREF's experts are available to assist organizations of all sizes; just give us a call at (800) 628-3603 ext 525 or submit a request for proposal online and our team will be with you every step of the way.

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