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Hospitality

How Digital Signs for Restaurants Can Help Drive Business

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As the first-century Roman gourmand, Apicius, claimed, “We eat first with our eyes.” The moment a server sets a dish before us, we assess it, judging its aesthetic, the aroma and if it’s cooked as requested. 

With restaurants using digital signage to showcase their best dishes, display their menus and more, signage has quickly become a new kind of amuse-bouche for restaurant-goers. 

The benefits of digital signs for restaurants work both ways, too. Research shows that 82% of restauranteers who use digital signage report increased sales, but how you use digital signage will keep your diners satisfied and hungry for more.

The benefits of having digital signage in restaurants

For decades, sports bars and cafes alike have used TVs to show sports games, local news, music videos and anything else their patrons wanted to stay in the know about.  Digital signs for restaurants evolved naturally from this, replacing static paper displays with an engaging and interactive alternative.

Digital signage in restaurants allows paperless customer communication

Your menu options and prices never remain the same. Some restaurant owners continue to order customized paper signage whenever they want to inform their customers of a new deal or special. Not only is this tedious and impractical, but also expensive — starting with outsourcing to a printing company for a continuous flow of ads, updated menus and more! 

Besides, restaurant digital signage is far more engaging and appealing than paper ads. In fact, research tells us that “digital signage captures 400% more views than static displays”. It allows restaurants to communicate and engage with their customers in real-time, whether through upselling or sharing their social media feeds–creating endless opportunities for engagement and patron loyalty.

Digital menu signs for restaurants can be used to promote new menu items and deals

The best digital signage for restaurants can display menu specials and items as they change, more often than possible (or financially feasible) with print. By combining live-action video that shows the juiciness of a steak with audio functions — as it sizzles during preparation — digital signage allows you to appeal to all of your patrons’ senses. 

Plus, you’re giving your visitors a glimpse of what their palettes are in for and how your cuisine stands apart from the competition. Even more, unlike paper ads, you can use digital signs in restaurants to co-display more than one special or campaign with fixed panels and multi-panel displays. It ensures that essential announcements always remain on-screen while rotating other patron must-knows as you see fit.

Customers stay longer when given entertainment on digital signage in restaurants

When your customers visit, they’re not just looking for a bite to eat — they’re looking for a dining experience. Part of that experience means creating an atmosphere that relaxes, inspires, and keeps them there longer. And the longer they’re in your establishment, the more likely they are to continue ordering food and drink.

With consumers on the hunt for “eatertainment dining” opportunities, digital signs for restaurants are meeting their demand. All types of restaurants–casual to fine dining–can leverage it to boost their patrons’ dwell time.

You can use digital signage to offer a selection of restaurant and bar entertainment channels, including hyperlocal and live stream content. Or, if your ambiance is a bit more on the quieter, romantic side, digital signage can help you narrow down the music you should play in your restaurant. You can easily customize your patrons’ eatertainment experience with the right digital signage solution.

Driving business with digital signs for restaurants

UPshow’s digital signage for restaurants is the leading on-premise marketing cloud that can transform your establishment’s screens into powerful digital dining experiences that will drive business in innovative ways.

Hosting trivia nights 

Alcohol service is a significant selling point for restaurants–making up at least 25% of their revenue. Owners and managers are always looking for ways to keep their patrons ordering more rounds and retaining their loyalty.

One of the best ways to do this is to host a trivia night with UPshow’s restaurant digital signage. While there are countless ways to host a trivia night, you can use digital signage to:

  •  Customize your trivia questions (food and drink related, general knowledge, etc.).
  • Keep access to the rules and trivia questions in your patrons’ hands or create mobile team sign-ins via UPshow’s QR-code technology.
  • Tabulate and keep track of each team or patron’s score.
  • Advertise and market your trivia event, so your patrons can plan for the next event.
  • Co-display trivia night drinks specials on your screens.
  • Encourage the teams to post their favorite pictures from trivia night to your restaurant’s social media feeds.

Planning a beer & wine tasting

We all know how beer and wine can elevate the taste of our cuisine. Some restaurant-goers, however, aren’t confident in selecting the right beverage for their dish. You can use digital signage to enhance your next in-person beer and wine-tasting event by:

  • Showing wine tutorials about aeration, proper glass choice, and other dos and don’ts.
  • Displaying your restaurant’s complete beer and wine menu.
  • Offering food-and-wine pairing tips.
  • Displaying aromatics and flavor notes for participants to keep in mind after each tester.
  • Encouraging flight-tasting feedback.
  • Giving your patron access to your beer and wine storefront so that they can continue sampling at home.

Feedback is everything

If you want to know what your customers really want, you need to ask them and track their engagement. You can use UPshow’s digital signage solution to solicit feedback from your patrons. Incentivizing their participation with a complimentary cocktail or appetizer will sweeten the deal for them and you–a quid pro quo for their thoughts and insights.

What you do with that feedback is a different story. Combined with UPshow’s detailed analytics module for digital signs in restaurants, you can study and evaluate what your customers tell you alongside what their engagement shows you. With these insights, you can optimize your on-screen content to increase engagement and scale your ROI.

Get more out of your screens with the best restaurant digital signage software out there - UPshow

Creating a memorable dining experience takes more than just dishing up delicious cuisine or offering a world-class wine selection. UPshow’s digital signage for restaurants will cater to your patrons’ eclectic tastes and keep them coming back for more.

Schedule your free custom demo of UPshow today, and discover how you can keep your customers hungry for their next dining experience.

General

Analyzing the Best Digital Signage Service Providers: Which one is the best for you?

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With their growing presence in public spaces, more and more businesses are turning their attention to the solutions that digital signage software has to offer. Not only can these tools help businesses remain competitive, but they also provide a cost-effective way to communicate with customers, employees and potential customers.

When looking for the best digital signage software companies to partner with, it’s important to consider factors such as your budget, the type of content you need to display and the level of customization you need. With that in mind, here are some of the best digital signage companies operating in the market, and how they stack up against each other. 

Features shared by the top digital signage companies

Just as no two businesses are exactly alike, no two digital signage solutions companies are either. Digital signage adds value to your business, allowing you to entertain, communicate and engage with your customers. But there are must-have features a digital signage company should offer that you don’t want to ignore.

Easy content creation

Depending on the season (or even the night), your digital signage display systems should keep up with your latest promotions and specials. To keep your patrons aware of any changes at a moment’s notice, you’ll want a digital signage company that offers easy-to-use content creation tools.

UPshow’s cloud-based digital signage software solution comes with in-app Canva integration to fit that bill. Pre-loaded with hundreds of templates relevant to industries across the board, you can build customized marketing campaigns, interactive menu boards, and so much more.

You’ll also have access to the following to make your content as appealing and engaging as possible: 

Advanced entertainment options 

Whether you are catering to a range of audiences, or if you have a specific demographic, your display software should help you meet your entertainment needs. UPshow’s robust selection of over 500 entertainment channels appeals to a diverse audience. Even more, business owners have used digital signage to:

  • Host entertainment and event-based experiences, like Grammy night or the upcoming baseball game. 
  • Use entertainment to create immersive experiences with sound and video. 
  • Create a family-friendly atmosphere with TV and movies. 

Insights and analytics that don’t fall flat

Any business owner knows that the customer is always (well, mostly) right. You’re accustomed to regular feedback on your services, products and customer experiences. With enough feedback — good or bad — you can begin to make adjustments.

When you start narrowing your decision for a digital signage company, you must closely examine the insights and analytics it offers. You’ll need to visualize and later measure and analyze patron engagement and performance, so you can optimize your on-screen content and deliver what they really want to see.

Picking the best digital signage software companies for your business

Of all the top digital signage software companies, only one will be a fit for your business. While Screencloud and Specterio each have unique features, UPshow’s digital signage solution will check all your boxes.

Screencloud

Screencloud is a digital signage company that offers cloud-based software for businesses small and large. But after assessing Screencloud vs. UPshow alongside independent and verified customer reviews, there are pros and cons worth noting.

Pros of Screencloud

  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Wide-ranging app integration
  • Content scheduling capabilities

Cons of Screencloud

  • It fails to offer analytics or insights, so measuring engagement, performance and more is impossible.
  • A high price point, especially for small to medium businesses.
  • Limited customizability when it comes to content creation and more.
  • Lags behind in “smart” and intuitive functionalities.
  • Lacks synchronized playback on a screen-by-screen (or device-by-device) level.
  • No free plan, just a 14-day trial offer.
  • Hardware player units cost $200/player–but are free with an Enterprise plan.

Mood Media

In addition to its digital signage software, “Harmony,” Mood Media is primarily a music streaming enterprise and a “cross-media” solution. In short, Mood Media keeps its proverbial hand in several other non-digital signage pots by offering on-hold messaging, in-store music and more.

After a side-by-side comparison of Mood Media and UPshow, Mood Media’s features and capabilities may leave you wanting more out of this digital signage solution.

Pros of Mood Media

  • Mobile-friendly
  • User-friendly interface
  • 24/7 live support

Cons of Mood Media

Spectrio

Formerly known as “Enplug Display OS,” Spectrio is a cloud-based digital signage solution featuring offline play and multiple display format features. Upon a closer evaluation of Spectrio vs. UPshow, the pros and cons speak for themselves.

Pros of Spectrio

  • Best suited for small businesses in most industries.
  • Free content templates and layouts are available.
  • SaaS supported and 4K resolution support.

Cons of Spectrio

  • Advanced content scheduling is only possible with an Enterprise plan.
  • The pricing structure isn’t transparent or visible on its website.
  • Customers report the Dynamic App Playlist is challenging to understand.

Get the most out of your screens with the best digital signage software company - UPshow

Your patrons’ experience starts when they step onto your premises. You can elevate their time with you from entry to exit by selecting a digital signage solution company that offers the tools and features you need to make that happen.

UPshow’s digital signage solution is the cherry on top of any business plan to create an immersive experience that stands out. 

Schedule your free demo of UPshow and see for yourself how you can make your patrons’ next visit worthy of five stars from their very first step through the door.

General

Environmental Trends in Business in 2024

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In a world where climate change is becoming an increasingly urgent issue, businesses and consumers are adopting more sustainable practices. 

In this article, we’ll explore consumer and environmental trends in business that are taking shape in 2024 as the world adjusts to a new reality of increased sustainability efforts. We'll look at how companies are responding to these challenges with renewable energy sources, eco-friendly trends in marketing and sales initiatives and other strategies for reducing their carbon footprint. 

1. A turn to renewable energy sources

What is a recent trend relating to sustainability worldwide nowadays? As global warming continues to worsen, businesses are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable. Solar, wind, geothermal power all feature heavily in current environmental trends in business as companies look for ways of reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.

2. Appealing to sustainable purchasing habits

The market of environmentally conscious consumers is growing. Millennials especially show a growing interest in brands that “embrace purpose and sustainability”, according to reporting by the Harvard Business Review. The same reporting also revealed that although a majority (63%) of consumers expressed interest in sustainable trends when it comes to purchases, only 26% followed through. 

Appealing to interest and encouraging follow-through simultaneously can help businesses gain traction for their sustainability initiatives. The above statistics are the cause behind environmental trends in marketing that revolve around providing incentives for responsible consumption or environmentally conscious purchases. These strategies can be supported with aggressive marketing and social awareness campaigns. 

3. Taking on waste reduction initiatives 

From sustainability trends in zero-waste lifestyles to tax initiatives for recycling material, businesses are looking for ways to cut back on their carbon footprints with a more mindful approach to waste management. 

Methane emissions-the byproduct of waste-significantly accelerates the production of greenhouse gasses, in fact, it is 80x more aggressive than carbon dioxide emissions. Businesses are actively making switches to waste-conscious business practices, including reducing food waste through composting, switching to biodegradable materials and cutting back on single-use plastics. 

4. Sustainability reporting and compliance 

While EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting is mandated by governing bodies for some businesses, regular reporting and compliance can serve businesses well. These agencies consider how a business’s day to day functions coincide with best practices for environmental conservation initiatives.  In fact, businesses can often use reporting to demonstrate a commitment to transparency and their efforts toward environmentally conscious business practices. 

Sharing these findings in the form of easily digestible graphs or videos is an easy way to share your messaging with consumers in an impactful way. 

5. Joining the ‘circular economy’ environmental trends in business

The circular economy is a new concept that is gaining traction as businesses, governments and individuals alike seek to reduce the amount of waste produced and create a sustainable future. The circular economy trend seeks to keep products, components and materials in use for as long as possible and extract the maximum value from them while in use. This is achieved by shifting from the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose” to a circular model of “design, use, reuse, recover.”

The concept of a circular economy is based on three principles: design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems. It seeks to reduce waste through the reuse, repair and sharing of products, as well as through the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. In turn, this helps to reduce the use of finite resources and minimizes the impact that production and consumption have on the environment.

By prolonging the lifespan of products, the circular economy reduces the need for manufacturing new products, which in turn reduces the use of resources and energy. It also encourages businesses to design products with reuse and recycling in mind, which helps to create a more sustainable system.

The circular economy is an important concept for a sustainable future, as it helps to reduce waste and conserve resources. As businesses and individuals have started becoming more aware of the need for a circular economy, environmental trends in business focusing on this concept are set to become more widely adopted in the years to come.

6. Local responsibility and social sustainability trends in business 

Green initiatives often take the shape of grassroots initiatives. Starting local is becoming increasingly popular, with many businesses finding ways to contribute to their local environments in more ways than one. 

For example, many businesses are participating in efforts to conserve local biodiversity, building greenspaces and building partnerships with local vendors and suppliers for more sustainable procurement practices. 

7. Swapping paper for more sustainable ESG technology

Going paperless is a growing environmental business trend. It’s not only a sustainable practice, but the switch from print to paperless can also save businesses money annually

Moving from print doesn’t equate to abandoning marketing efforts or information sharing. In fact, switching to digital strategies can make that content that much more accessible for the audiences you are trying to reach. Digital signage can take the place of large print content, commanding attention and making it easier to take advantage of space with automated content rotation and making content accessible on handhelds through scannable QR codes. 

How to become a more eco-friendly business

Turning a new leaf and moving towards more sustainable practices can be simpler than it seems. Here are some of our recommendations for creating business practices that keep up with emerging environmental trends. 

Create a plan of action for adopting each environmental trend in business

As is true for any business initiative, starting with a strong idea of how you can put new sustainable trends into practice can help smooth the transition. Spend some time collaborating across your team to coordinate efforts. 

The first step is to create benchmarks. You can use the ESG benchmarks of businesses in similar industries, or create your own. Some goals you might hope to work towards could include: 

  • Reducing waste production.
  • Increasing the use of reusable products. 
  • Partnering with local vendors and suppliers to reduce carbon emissions and create more environmentally conscious purchasing practices. 
  • Eliminate paper-based information sharing when possible. 

The goals you create should be measurable and specific, especially if you hope to report these goals and use your progress as a way to publicly commit to green efforts. Failure to do so can lead to the appearance of greenwashing, which can have the opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve. 

New technology can help you achieve ESG goals

Swapping out outdated tools and techniques for greener, modern solutions is an easy way to take a step in the right direction. 

Some businesses may see it in this year’s forecast to make the switch to more environmentally sustainable energy resources, outfitting their businesses with solar panels to reduce the use of nonrenewable energy. Though this solution may not be in the cards for everyone, other tools can help cut back in similar ways. Motion-activated lights, for example, can help reduce energy use even if the switch to solar is not possible. 

Energy isn’t the only way businesses can show a commitment to greener practices. The switch to paperless can help cut back on waste, too. Digital signage is an easy way for bars, restaurants, gyms and healthcare facilities to start making the switch. All it requires are some in-house screens and a stable connection to the internet. 

Here’s how your screens can help you meet your goals for going paperless:

  • Reduce printed advertising, fliers and posters by using customizable display templates. Not only are they simple to create, but they can offer more insight into how effective your campaign is with robust user analytics
  • Turn printed interest forms and feedback surveys into contactless digital forms. Then, share your new, sustainable deliverables on our screens with a scannable QR code. Not only is this a more eco-friendly alternative to lost papers, but it is also an effective way to ensure that customers can access information on the go, from their own devices. 
  • Share and publicize your sustainability initiatives! Getting your patrons and guests on board with your sustainability efforts is not only an effective strategy for building trust in your business's efforts to be environmentally conscious, but it can help you see more from your sustainability efforts, too. 

Make sustainability more than just an environmental trend in business with UPshow

While business trends may fizzle and fade, sustainability and environmental consciousness are here to stay. The symptoms of climate change are on the rise and it is everyone’s duty to make changes where they are due. 

Even if it feels like it’s a small step, moving in the right direction can help your business help the planet, something consumers are increasingly paying attention to. From paperless marketing to celebrating your latest environmentally friendly partnership with local businesses, UPshow can help you showcase your commitment to a greener planet.

General

Pair Your 4k Digital Signage with the Right Signage Software

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Stroll through any business today, and you’ll see 4k digital signage everywhere. Some advertise the latest designer perfume, while others showcase the newest menu special.

It’s no surprise that these tools are so popular, as research tells us 80% of businesses that use digital signage experience a 33% increase in sales revenue.

With the right 4K digital signage software, your business can experience a similar drive in sales. This guide can help you find the right digital signage software for your 4k digital displays.

Important considerations for outfitting your 4K digital signage player

Not every digital signage solution is suitable for every business. But when we strip away the bells and whistles that some solutions offer, in its place should be a digital signage tool that’s easy to use.

Why it pays to be picky about your 4K digital signage TV software

Unlike on-premise, self-hosted digital signage software that require costly backend servers, a media player and an in-house or nearby IT team to set up and manage it all, UPshow’s 4k digital signage software is easy to set up and use on your own.

How you get started will depend on the type of TV or digital screen you want to transform. If you have a smart TV with Bluetooth connectivity and wireless internet, starting with UPshow is as simple as plugging in your screen and connecting it to the provided hardware.

Absent a smart TV, UPshow will send you media player hardware that will connect to your screen via an HDMI cable. It’s a short, plug-and-play process, but if needed, support teams are available to help with the process end-to-end.

Content creation & management

With your screens ready, your 4K digital signage software should come with intuitive content creation and management capabilities. Unlike on-premise, server-based digital signage solutions that require complicated upload processes or connecting multiple media players to your screens, digital signage software makes this simple.

The best 4k digital signage software comes with in-app content management, allowing you to create, manage, publish and later analyze your content from anywhere.

Analytics at your fingertips

Digital signage is about more than design aesthetics and catchy one-liners. The signage software you need should give you access to deep insights and analytics to study dwell time, click-throughs and other engagement metrics. 

A top 4k digital signage solution should offer most, if not all, of these capabilities:

  • Set & track customer engagement metrics in an analytics platform.
  • A site-wide or screen-by-screen detailed view of how your content campaigns perform.
  • Export and share performance data and analytics reports with your team and other stakeholders.

Robust features and entertainment options

A pillar of customer engagement is entertainment. Research shows entertainment has a significant influence over consumer-engagement behavior. You’ll want to choose a 4K digital signage software outfitted with diverse entertainment options and features sure to appeal to your customer base.

How do you know which entertainment options to look for? Knowing your customer demographic inside and out and how they like to be entertained should be significant in steering your purchase decision. This is especially important for businesses with family-friendly business models, specific niches or those who use entertainment as a way to drive revenue (like sports bars). 

UPshow understands that entertainment and engagement are inseparable, and the proof is in its features and entertainment options:

Why it pays to be picky about your 4K digital signage TV software

You don’t want to commit your screens to just any digital signage solution. Being selective about finding the right features for your business will save you time and money in the long run.

Simplified content creation

Creating dazzling advertising content may not be in your wheelhouse unless you’re in graphic design or a similar industry. This is just one more reason to partner with a 4k digital signage software that will simplify the content-creation process as much as possible.

UPshow’s in-app Canva integration comes with industry-specific design templates and access to royalty-free photos, music, videos, and other content enhancers, making content creation simple without sacrificing quality.

Managed services are also available around the clock to help you with your content planning, content strategy, analytics management and more.

Advanced content scheduling features 

Finding a digital signage solution that allows you to create and schedule your content in advance is a non-negotiable in today’s busy work environment.

With UPshow’s content playlist feature, you can control what content appears at any given location on a screen-by-screen basis. This feature allows you to switch your playlists on and off as necessary so you can easily adjust for promotional or temporary marketing initiatives.

No matter how often you change your playlists or on-screen content, UPshow also gives you the option to make use of fixed panel and multipanel displays, where you can keep essential announcements on-screen as your other content rolls along.

See a return on your investment 

While your digital content needs to engage and “work” for your customers, it must also work for you (and your ROI).

With granular data and real-time analytics, you can see which content most engages your target audience and which doesn’t. With this information, you can scrap, revamp or optimize your content as necessary–which is a time and money saver across the board.

Get more out of your indoor 4K digital signage with UPshow

Your 4k digital signage comes with superior resolution, allowing you to showcase sharp, stunning displays that entertain and engage your customers. To pair your screens with a digital signage solution that’s anything short of the best on the market would be undercutting the potential of your displays.

UPshow’s digital signage software can help maximize the viewing potential of your 4k screens by allowing you to create and display the type of crème de la crème content that converts.

Sign up for a free custom demo today, and see how UPshow can enhance your digital signage so you can give your customers a robust content experience.

Education

The Best Digital Signage Software for Schools Have These 3 Features

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Gen Z students are our “Digital Generation,” and school administrators and educators are paying attention to their unique needs. Gen Z has lived in a world where the Internet and digital technologies have always existed. Research tells us they embody technology, influencing how they “communicate, consume information and learn.”  

To meet all students' learning needs and demands—especially Millennials, Gen Z and Generation Alpha—the best digital signage solutions for schools are delivered in new and innovative ways across campuses worldwide. As you shop around for digital signage software for education that checks all of your boxes, there are three features you’ll want to keep at the top of your list.

How digital signage solutions for schools can transform your screens

While print fliers, sign-up sheets, and forms will always be available, the best digital signage software solutions are changing the game and the way students, teachers and parents are accessing information across the country. 

Digital signage software is a content-management tool that allows schools, businesses or organizations to display need-to-know information to a target audience across digital screens. 

Digital signage software in your classrooms and across campus can:

  • Keep students informed of critical announcements and emergencies as they unfold.
  • Display maps and other logistics for campus visitors and new students.
  • Advertise club and sports meetings, practices and events to fortify school spirit.
  • Showcase campus news.
  • Broadcast the academic calendar to include spring-break dates, reading days and exam schedules.

What to look for in your digital signage software for education

Effortless installation and setup

Unlike hard-wired digital signage with its bulky and expensive hardware and maintenance, cloud-based digital signage software has simplified content creation and management, and you can do it from anywhere. The first feature to look for in the best digital signage solution is no-sweat installation and setup.

In general, a top digital signage software will power your TVs or other digital screens so you can display content via a media player. You’ll then use the software’s content management system (CMS) to create, manage and disseminate your content remotely on a screen-by-screen basis.

Intuitive district-wide content management

Remote content management makes it simple to control and change digital displays from anywhere, even if administration buildings are off campus. Some digital signage software for education, like UPshow, even makes it possible to assign role-based account profiles so that different departments and faculty members can contribute as needed. 

This way, you can hand the keys, so to speak, to any faculty member or administrator located anywhere, so they can create and display content anytime they want.

UPshow’s digital signage solution is the leading on-premise performance marketing cloud for university campuses and businesses worldwide. Content management is intuitive and will save you time all school year by:

  • Allowing your faculty and administration to create and schedule content playlists anytime.
  • Plan short-term or long-term content campaigns and pause or resume them anytime.
  • Update your content on a location-by-location and even a screen-by-screen basis.

Content creation that is simple and secure 

Your screens can do more than just signpost, they are also meant to engage your school’s community! These tools should communicate your school’s spirit and values, showcasing your commitment to spirit, pride and open communication. 

With UPshow’s in-app Canva integration, any account holder can create content simply and securely. With the help of education-themed design templates or our in-house managed services team, you can use your screens across campus to:

  • Create student, organization, and event spotlights to raise awareness and show your investment in the student community.
  • Display a contact directory, complete with emergency numbers and more.
  • Let students know what’s on the menu for lunch this week.
  • Post interactive, campus-specific trivia.
  • Remind students, faculty, and staff of early releases or school closures.

Nice-to-have features of digital signage solutions for schools

Don’t opt for digital signage solutions for schools that skate by on the bare minimum. The best digital signage solutions always shoot for extra credit by going above and beyond with these features.

QR code campaigns for easy interaction

Students, staff and parents are always on the move. When they are, they likely have a phone in their hand. UPshow’s top digital signage software allows you to create QR-code campaigns to display on your screens so that you can interact and engage with your school’s community, even when they are on the go.

You can use QR-code technology to share:

  • Forms (financial aid, health services, etc.)
  • Campus maps 
  • Academic Calendars
  • Exam schedules
  • Link to the student portal

The possibilities are endless, and likely far more effective than mass mail that gets buried in student inboxes. 

Advanced scheduling and analytics make planning the year a breeze

If there is one thing educators know all too well, it’s that with access to the correct data and insights, they can observe what’s working and what isn’t and then make necessary shifts for improvement.

UPshow’s school digital signage solution gives you a seat at the front of the class when it comes to monitoring your insights and analytics. In the platform, you can visualize how your content is performing at any location, screen-by-screen.

These performance and engagement metrics are also available to download, so you can analyze them and later optimize your content if necessary. This makes it easy to share engagement metrics with different department heads or faculty members.

UPshow's digital signage solutions for schools can get you more out of your school’s displays

Building strong district-wide communication strategies may feel impossible. With so many students to reach and so much to share, information overload and mass mail can often feel overwhelming. Luckily, your screens can help share everything that is need-to-know in a more consumable way. 

Put your school’s most important information front and center in your hallways, auditoriums, libraries and more with UPshow. Sign up for your custom demo with UPshow, and discover how digital signage software can help you connect with today’s students.

General

Turn Your TV Into Digital Signage with the Right Signage Software

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From restaurants to healthcare facilities, digital signage is everywhere. Research shows that the global digital signage market is on the rise. As for its growth potential? A climb to a $27.8 billion valuation by 2026 is expected. 

Businesses across every industry are continuing to discover that printed banners and ads no longer cut it. They’re impractical and ongoing use is expensive — not to mention environmentally unfriendly. Besides, they fail to meet the ever-changing need to keep customers in the loop about important announcements and product or service offerings.

Leaping from traditional printed signage to a digital signage solution doesn’t need to be complicated or break the bank. You can turn your TVs into dynamic and engaging digital displays easily with the right digital signage software powering your screens.

What is digital signage, and how does it work?

Digital signage defined

Digital signage is a display technology and communication channel shown on different display monitors and used by businesses to connect, engage and create an experience for their customers via on-screen multimedia (i.e., webpages, videos, audio and more).

Some of the ways businesses use digital signage include:

  • Engaging business customers, students or patients with diverse content
  • Disseminating educational resources
  • Marketing and advertising purposes
  • Maintaining continuous communication
  • Soliciting customer feedback to inform business initiatives

How digital signage works

If you’re eyeing the TV screens in your business and wondering if they can accommodate digital signage, much less how digital signage works, you’ll want to start with the basics.

To turn your TVs into digital signage, in addition to an Internet connection and any necessary hardware, you’ll need digital signage software that creates value and provides:

How to turn a TV into digital signage

Start with the right software 

The last thing you need is for your TV transformation process to be complicated or create more work (or a headache) for you and your team. The right digital signage software solution will always give back to your business. 

Focus on investing in digital signage software that offers the following capabilities and features:

  • Tools to help you assess and manage promotional and marketing materials and campaigns
  • Easy-to-use intuitive content creation capabilities
  • Ability to create content ahead of time with playlists that you can schedule to release any time you want
  • Remote screen monitoring
  • Real-time analytics to measure performance and engagement
  • Around-the-clock support

Set up your power source 

When setting up hardware and a power source for digital signage, it's important to make sure that the hardware is properly installed and that the power source is reliable. First, you will need to determine whether your hardware works with your signage software. Once you've figured out your hardware requirements, the next step is to install the hardware. This includes mounting the display, connecting all necessary cables, and setting up any necessary software. 

Next, you need to choose the right power source for the digital signage system. This includes selecting the right voltage and amperage, as well as choosing the right type of power supply. It is important to make sure that the power source is reliable and can handle the load of the digital signage system. You also need to make sure that the power source is protected from any potential power surges. 

Once the hardware and power source have been installed and set up, it's time to set up your digital signage software. This includes setting up the display resolutions, brightness, and other settings. You also need to install the necessary software for the digital signage system. Finally, you need to ensure that the system is connected to a wireless network with a reliable connection. 

Monitor your performance 

Digital signage can play a significant role in your marketing strategy. Once you get the ball rolling with content creation and displays, you’ll want to monitor how they perform so you can optimize over time. 

For instance, if you advertise your clinic’s latest product offering or a discount on a future service, the digital signage software you choose should offer on-screen analytics to follow customer engagement, interaction time and more.

Choosing the right smart digital signage system for your screen

Now that you know how to turn your TV into digital signage, you’ve opened your business to a world of possibilities. 

Easy content creation 

There’s no need to continue ordering batches of printed wall displays to meet your marketing demands. Not only should content creation be convenient and on-demand, but it should also be easy to navigate. With UPshow’s in-platform Canva integration, your business can design content any time you need it, in-house. 

UPshow can tackle your content needs by giving you access to the following:

  • Templates specific to your industry (or a blank canvas) to expedite the content-creation process.
  • Videos, music and royalty-free photos to optimize your content and appeal to your customers' wants and needs.
  • A QR-code technology campaign creator to help you build customized marketing campaigns and more.

Advanced entertainment options

 UPshow will turn your TVs and screens into an entertainment epicenter. The type of entertainment you display will depend on your customers' interests. UPshow’s advanced entertainment options have a little something for everyone, including:

  • More than 500 entertainment channels
  • Hyperlocal sports channels
  • Curated channel packs, from kid-friendly entertainment to hospitality-oriented, along with healthcare and more
  • Premium audio via curated music stations

Robust insights and analytics 

Access to key insights and analytics is necessary to reach and ultimately engage your customer base effectively for the long haul. You’ll see what they’re clicking and opening and how much time they’re spending or engaging with (including what they’re clicking out of or otherwise ignoring). 

As a result, you can step back, analyze and re-strategize to publish the content they want and pave the way to driving better business outcomes for your company.

With UPshow’s digital signage analytics, you’ll benefit from the following:

  • Attributing value to each of your campaigns and determining your ROI for your company, corporation-wide or at the franchise level.
  • Tracking customer or employee engagement by adding tracking code to your content.
  • Recording engagement from all of the QR scans you create on the platform.
  • Gaining a clear understanding of how your customers interact with your content front of house and your employees back of the house.
  • Viewing geo-specific performance to assess how your campaigns fare at different locations.
  • Adding a JavaScript snippet to your critical landing pages and web destinations to gather and transfer conversion data to UPshow’s platform.
  • Filter, sort and download your data into a CSV file for in-depth analysis and easy sharing

UPshow can make all of your TVs stand out 

The last thing you want is to use your TVs for nothing more than playing a random talk show or, worse yet, taking up space and collecting dust. Instead, consider your digital screens an opportunity to deepen and maintain a long-lasting connection with your customers.

With UPshow’s on-premise performance marketing cloud, you can turn your TV into digital signage and so much more. Sign up for a free demo of UPshow today, and learn how to take a meaningful digital experience for your customers and transform it into a revenue-generating initiative for your business.

General

How to Choose Cloud-Based Digital Signage Software

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Before the global debut of digital signage in the early 1990s, industries across the board relied on old-fashioned, printed advertising methods before moving on to analog displays, with information stored on VHS and later DVDs.

Fast forward to the modern day, and electronic displays across every industry are powered by traditional on-premise or cloud-based digital signage software. Together, they make up a global signage market expected to climb to almost $36.9 billion by 2028

Cloud-based digital signage software has changed how businesses and healthcare facilities engage customers and patients. But you may not know that cloud-based digital signage software can give your business far more than just on-premise signage capabilities.

Why opt for cloud-based digital signage?

Before cloud-based digital signage solutions entered the market, businesses were limited to traditional on-premise digital signage systems. They had to store their data on a server they either had to build or purchase, which is a significant up-front investment. They leaned on local or otherwise in-house IT support, too.

Unlike on-premise digital signage systems, a cloud-based digital signage system gives you access to the software via a remote server from anywhere you have an internet connection. Some of the other advantages of a cloud-based digital signage system include the following:

  • No need to be tech-savvy or maintain an IT infrastructure.
  • You won’t need to budget for a local or in-house IT team, therefore saving you money. 
  • You (or your IT team) aren’t limited to location because of a content management system (CMS). If you want to create new content, access existing content, troubleshoot a problem and more, your company can access the system from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Faster installation and heightened security.
  • It’s easier to manage multiple displays and screens from centralized controls.
  • It’s easy to scale up when it comes to storage space with little to no downtime.
  • In the event of an outage, your data will automatically back up on the cloud, eliminating the need for a secondary cloud server digital signage.

What to look for in cloud-based digital signage software?

Depending on your industry, you’ll have different must-haves and nice-to-haves on your checklist for a cloud-based digital signage solution. But if you want a seamless transition into the cloud-based digital signage world, there are three must-haves that should top your list.

Effortless content creation

Chances are you’re not a graphic designer or artist by trade. Instead, if you run a busy restaurant or healthcare facility, you need a cloud-based digital signage software solution that will help you create content effortlessly.

We recommend  partnering with a cloud-based digital signage solution that will allow you to:

  • Build omnichannel marketing campaigns.
  • Display a diverse range of multimedia content (e.g., videos, tutorials, music, customized displays, interactive games, and more).
  • Create content with industry-specific design templates to save you time.
  • Enjoy access to free and easy-to-use design tools to outfit you with a diverse range of design tools (e.g., Canva, Snappa, Adobe Spark, etc.).
  • Customize your content screen by screen.
  • Consult with an in-house managed services team to design just the right digital displays and give you the best industry insights.

Advanced scheduling options

Your top priority is running your business as smoothly and efficiently as possible. You likely don’t have time to create new content daily or even weekly for cloud-based digital signage. 

Choose a cloud-based digital signage software with advanced scheduling options that allow you to: 

  • Choose from a variety of preprogrammed playlists so you don’t need to start from scratch.
  • Create content campaigns and playlists anytime and from anywhere.
  • Deliver tailored, engaging and hyperlocal content in advance with the ability to change it at any time to meet your brand’s needs.

Meaningful analytics and insights

Your customers want you to engage with them in a way that meets their needs. You’ll want to choose a cloud-based digital signage software that lifts the curtain behind the scenes, providing you with insights and analytics about what your audience is engaging with and what they aren’t.

On-demand analytics will enable you to optimize your content displays and drive engagement. Choose a cloud-based digital signage software solution that can:

  • Track customer engagement.
  • Give you a 360-degree view of your marketing attribution.
  • Allow you to measure ROI at every location.
  • Provide you with easy data export capabilities.

UPshow's cloud-based digital signage solutions have everything you need for displays

UPshow CONNECT is the premier on-premise cloud-based digital signage software solution that ticks every box on your list of must-haves and nice-to-haves, no matter your industry.

Create robust displays with entertainment options

With UPshow, you’ll be able to use in-app Canva integration to create customized, engaging and revenue-driving digital displays. 

Say you want to highlight a limited-time discount, but you also want to display a cooking tutorial by your chef. You can also show more than one type of media content at a time with our fixed-panel and multi-panel displays

Are you looking to create more of a calming waiting room or dining area experience? UPshow Connect has a diverse selection of entertainment channels (500+), including hyperlocal and live stream content — an entertainment palette that will mirror your diverse customer base.

Premium audio brings displays to life

Cloud-based digital signage should be anything but a passive experience for your customers or patients. Suppose you run a dental practice, for instance. In that case, you may want to create an anxiety-reducing atmosphere with the right music while also informing your patients of the latest dental payment plan options you offer.

UPshow Premium Audio's 50+ channels of streamable, ad-free and fully licensed content will help take the edge off your patients’ pre-exam jitters.

Make the most of your screens with UPshow

Aside from technical and content-creation capabilities, cloud-based digital signage software has leveled up how businesses interact with their customers. Gone are the days of tacking up a poster for a new entree du jour or displaying an aesthetically-dated digital sign. 

Customers and patients expect a rewarding experience when they do business with you. If they can’t get that from your business, you risk them trying out your competitor.

Try a risk-free demo of UPshow and let our cloud-based digital signage software power your establishment’s screens with more than just signage. We’ll empower your customers with an experience every time they step foot in your door.

Education

Make Screen Time Productive with Your School's Digital Signage

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As digital technologies evolve, our educational systems should take advantage of them to make learning more accessible for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background or learning capabilities. 

According to research centered on access to digital learning opportunities, these technologies in educational settings have the potential to shrink the learning gap and create a more inclusive learning environment for all students. School digital signage, in particular, is doing its part to lead the charge toward closing that gap.

The benefits of using digital signage solutions for schools

Spend five minutes on any school campus, and you’ll see students toting around cellphones, tablets, laptops or some form of wearable technology. This way, students get the information they need when they need it. Make school digital signage a natural extension of what they’re already accustomed to (and benefit from).

School digital signage enhances student engagement

Student engagement refers to the level of interest, enthusiasm, involvement and passion students show during the learning process. One of the top drivers behind student engagement is getting them motivated in the first place. 

What does that entail, exactly? Research reveals that a student’s sense of “relatedness” is a pillar component that facilitates their motivation in an educational setting. Meaning students are more motivated when they feel they belong and can connect to their learning environment.

Motivating students with school digital signage will help them achieve this necessary level of belonging and connection so they perform at their best. You can use digital solutions to build an engaging digital classroom that will:

  • Give students access to interactive learning tools, dynamic videos and more to engage them (and meet diverse learning needs).
  • Provide access to assignment instructions and more, saving time and resources by avoiding printing costs.
  • Integrate with external learning resources that appeal to students, such as YouTube, Udemy, and more.

Education digital signage can promote and celebrate achievement

Recognition and praise for student progress, achievement and behavior are positive reinforcements that will motivate students to engage and reach for new heights. Studies show that public recognition and praise for good performance serve as a model and motivator for other students. When digital signage solutions for education populate a school setting, students will enjoy a front-row seat to that recognition for themselves and their classmates — creating a stronger sense of community for all of them. 

Educators can use digital signage for schools to praise students in many ways, including:

  • Recognition for honor roll and other high-achieving students
  • Praise for students who have improved the most over the semester or school year.
  • Acknowledgment of kindness, good sportsmanship and other community-minded behavior.
  • Showcase student artwork and projects.

Digital signage systems for schools are unique channels of communication

To motivate and engage students, you’ll need to give them access to the information and resources necessary to succeed. By placing digital signage for schools, you can create effective channels for communication— keeping the latest information and resources visible at centralized points.

School digital signage can foster improved student-to-student and student-to-faculty communication by:

  • Keeping students aware of their daily, weekly and yearly schedule.
  • Broadcasting important announcements about after-school clubs, lunch offerings, fundraisers, etc.
  • Displaying surveys to encourage feedback from students.
  • Showcasing your Facebook, Instagram, or other social media feeds to ignite school spirit and encourage students to rally together as a community.

Transform screens with easy-to-use digital signage software for education

Many, if not most, of your classrooms, libraries and social gathering points already have TVs or other digital screens. With school budgets tight for many districts, getting the most use out of your existing resources is critical.

UPshow is the leading on-premise digital display software that can transform the screens at your school into learning tools that will motivate your students and boost their engagement. That transformation is seamless, and creating educational content is as easy as ABC.

Effortless content creation 

Every student has a unique learning style. Some are visual learners, while others may be kinesthetic or even neurodiverse. Accommodating their diverse learning styles with engaging content can be easier said than done.

Add to that; educators are busy from the time the morning bell rings until well after dismissal. UPshow makes content creation effortless, never adding to their workload. 

Instead, our education-themed templates and in-app Canva integration will allow you to effortlessly create content and easily accommodate your students’ diverse learning styles by:

  • Using videos, music, royalty-free photos and more to make your displays engaging.
  • Keeping students aware of local, national or global news with over 500 entertainment channels including hyperlocal content.
  • Scheduling content with playlists, easing your teachers’ everyday workload.
  • Engaging with students outside of school using the QR Code campaign creator to create surveys and polls or remind them to use their student portal.
  • Creating unique content on a per-screen, per-school basis across your school district.
  • Taking advantage of insights and analytics to monitor and analyze student engagement so teachers and admin can optimize digital content whenever necessary.

Create forms, polls, surveys and more

Attempting to get student feedback on any issue via old-school methods (i.e., pen and paper) is time and cost-prohibitive. With UPshow digital signage software for education, you can use QR-code technology to direct students to fill out a form or survey from their personal or mobile devices long after the final bell rings.

Or, you can remind the student body to complete a poll or assignment by displaying a notice via a fixed panel or multipanel display that won’t disrupt the lesson plan or other content you need them to see simultaneously.    

Get more out of your school’s screens with UPshow digital signage solutions for education

The future of every industry, without exception, falls on the shoulders of upcoming generations. With international news and cutting-edge research available at our fingertips, giving students access to what they need to succeed will allow them to innovate and compete globally.

At UPshow, our innovative education engagement platform can enrich your students’ learning experience all school year, leaving no student behind.Schedule your risk-free demo today to see how digital school signage can light the path toward better engagement, inspiring your students to blaze trails for years to come.

Education

Getting Schooled in K-12 Digital Signage: What You Need to Know

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K-12 school administrators across the U.S. each have a hierarchical checklist for creating an affordable yet meaningful and engaging learning experience for their student body. 

From sign-posting and information sharing to emergency notification, K- 12 digital signage can improve real-time communication between teachers, staff and students. Here are the Cliff Notes on what K-12 digital signage can do for your school.

What is K-12 digital signage and how can it be used in schools?

K-12 digital signage is an interactive display technology that can show multimedia to K-12 students across several screens and locations. Today’s K-12 students are often referred to as “digital natives, and they aren’t as familiar with learning off of a chalkboard or with keeping up with endless reams of handouts as the generations before them.

K-12 digital signage solutions are a natural extension of how students want to learn — by engaging with videos, tutorials and countless other informational media to improve their understanding of any subject they’re studying. Its uses are widespread.

Use K-12 digital signage to share important information with students, staff, and parents

Consider the web of people in your school who need to be in the know about any number of things every school day. For instance, students require access to their schedules and requirements for their assignments. 

Likewise, teachers need access to interactive resources to make information sharing more engaging and to create a more inclusive learning environment. As for parents, they’ll want to know about school closings, after-school events and fundraisers. The cafeteria needs ways to keep students in the know about daily menus and important allergy information. And of course, everyone on campus must know what to do in an emergency. 

The best K-12 digital signage allows you to improve interpersonal communication with everyone by sharing important information and updating it in a split second.

Generate school spirit and a sense of community through K-12 digital signage

Does your school have a mascot? Do students sport their school colors on game days? Research shows that students with a strong sense of school spirit are happier, exhibit higher levels of engagement and perform better academically.

Rallying students and getting them in the school spirit doesn’t need to be complicated. K-12 digital signage makes it even easier. You can build a stronger community in your school with digital signage by:

  • Displaying upcoming game days and after-school events in advance to build excitement.
  • Awarding high-achieving and most-improved students with a digital spotlight.
  • Keeping students informed about school-wide spirit events and other on-campus activities.

Make mobile wayfinding available with K-12 digital signage

Nothing can be more nerve-wracking for a new student than not knowing where their classroom is or, even worse, walking into class late. They should feel oriented as quickly as possible. Likewise, adults and visitors in the building should be able to find rooms and locations without wandering through halls. This not only keeps students and staff safe but minimizes the need for hallway roaming. 

You can display school maps with K-12 digital signage or even use QR-code technology to put maps and classroom information in the palm of your students’ and visitors’ hands. Students can scan them and keep the logistics on their mobile devices accessible anytime.

Supplement learning spaces with digital content

Our K-12 teachers and librarians need far more resources than a 300-page textbook to engage their students. 

K-12 digital signage enables your teachers to build more interactive learning environments with access to the latest news and resources available with just a click of a button.

Teachers can use digital signage solutions to:

  • Show relevant videos, tutorials or gaming features to engage students.
  • Display assignment guidelines so students know what to do and when to do it.
  • Encourage collective input and group discussion with interactive writing prompts or math equations.
  • Praise student or group performance and create teachable moments by showcasing exemplary student work.
  • Play national and international newsreels to encourage students to understand their roles as global citizens.

Outfitting your school with indoor K-12 digital signage

With COVID-initiated federal aid due to sunset in 2024, research indicates that school-district leaders anticipate a “financial cliff.” School budgets are once again on the chopping block. Fortunately, you can outfit your schools with UPshow’s indoor digital signage solution by using the TVs and LCD screens you already have around campus—keeping your district’s budget on track.

Different K-12 digital signage options

If you’ve already started doing your homework to find the best digital signage solution for your school, you may have found that many options are available. The two main options are on-premise K-12 digital signage and cloud-based K-12 digital signage. 

On-premise K-12 digital signage

  • Hardware and software are located on-site.
  • Content is stored in an on-premise server you build or outsource. A server comes at a substantial up-front cost.
  • Requires an on-premise IT team for installation, infrastructure maintenance and more.

Cloud-based K-12 digital signage

  • On-site servers are unnecessary, which makes cloud-based more affordable, especially in upfront costs and maintenance. 
  • Handle the Content Management System (CMS) and storage on the Internet via cloud-based technology.
  • Scalable and easily accessible from any location, with implementation that is simple enough for anyone to do.

UPshow’s easy-to-use digital signage solution is an affordable, on-premise performance marketing cloud that can power your school’s digital screens—giving your students an engaging experience in the classroom and across your campus.

Creating K-12 digital signage content that captivates

Because UPshow uses cloud-based technology, you can give your curriculum support staff, teachers and anyone else the keys to easy content creation. UPshow’s Canva integration doesn’t add to anyone’s neverending to-do lists either. With education-focused templates, supplementing daily lessons or disseminating school-wide announcements has never been easier.

Scheduling and tracking the performance of your content 

Teachers and school administrators are skilled planners, often mapping out their lesson plans, initiatives and to-do lists semester by semester or for the school year. Similarly, several schools in your district will all have unique needs. That’s where UPshow’s playlists can serve as a teacher’s aide or administrative assistant, allowing you to plan and control when content runs and which screens it should show up on.

Some content will engage the student body more than others. With UPshow’s insights and analytics, you’ll get a front-row seat with access to performance and engagement metrics you can download and analyze to optimize what you display at any time during the school year.

Transform the way you communicate with K-12 digital signage software

Teachers and school administrators shoulder significant responsibilities in keeping students safe, informed, engaged and prepared for the future. UPshow’s K-12 digital signage software can alleviate some of that pressure. Try a risk-free demo today, and witness how UPshow’s best-in-class digital signage solution can help your students reach their greatest potential.

General

UPshow vs. Atmosphere: Which One Is Right For You?

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So, you’re looking for a digital signage vendor. You’ve narrowed down your options but are debating whether UPshow or Atmosphere will be the ideal platform (and partner) for your business.

We’ll cut to the chase with this TL;DR:

UPshow is the top digital signage company powering screens for businesses. We offer robust entertainment options and, most importantly, features that enable you to better market your business and grow revenue. We transform businesses’ on-premise screens into revenue-generating tools by curating exceptional customer experiences. With our technology, organizations get their own private TV networks they can fully control and customize. Plus, our ad-free approach means your customers won't see anything on your screens that you don't want them to.

Atmosphere is a digital signage provider primarily focused on entertainment. They describe themselves as “the world’s largest streaming TV platform for businesses.” While their Atmosphere TV product is free, that doesn’t mean it comes without a price. As an ad-based platform, their service is free so long as you run their third-party ads on your screens. Your valuable on-screen real estate is used for advertising other people’s businesses and offers instead of your own. Beyond entertainment content options, screen customization is limited and Atmosphere’s platform doesn’t facilitate customer engagement.

Want more details? You’re our kind of reader. We’ve outlined essential points of comparison between UPshow and Atmosphere so that you can make the most informed decision for your business.

No Ads, Ever

Your TV screens should be used to market your business, not anyone else’s, which is why our platform is 100% ad-free. Why risk having a competitor’s ad play on your screens? Yes, we’ve heard this has happened to customers of other digital signage providers (yikes!). With UPshow, you choose what you promote, when you promote it and for how long, giving you peace of mind.

With all of our packages, you have complete control over the content you select via your own private network. At no extra cost, you get access to our best platform features such as campaigns with UPshow Connect, interactive content like branded trivia and custom content creation for compelling on-screen displays.

Customizability Comes Standard

We believe your screens should always look and feel like they belong to your brand; that’s why we don’t upcharge to create custom displays that your patrons will recognize. You likely have areas in your business for specific activities and different customers that visit each area. For example, in a restaurant, barstools might be occupied by sports fans and people looking to relax after a hard day of work, while booths are filled with families out for dinner. As a business owner, you want to be able to curate the right experience for each on-premise area. UPshow allows you to do that with customization at the individual screen level. You can either create your own content or fully customize pieces from our robust library of templates as well as choose the programming that makes the most sense.

However, customization with Atmosphere’s platform is not possible: every screen has to run the same content. This means if you have multiple screens in your business that require different content (which most do), you would be out of luck. 

Knowing your customers and tailoring your on-premise experience to their needs is critical to ensuring satisfaction, generating more repeat visits and maintaining your business’s profitability.

More Than Entertainment

As mentioned earlier in this post, Atmosphere is a platform primarily focused on entertainment. They offer a wide selection of entertainment options that appeal mainly to small and medium-sized businesses, especially those in the hospitality industry. However, they do not provide curated channel packages, nor do they enable interactive entertainment like trivia.

UPshow has more than 500 entertainment channels, including hyperlocal sports, live entertainment, breaking news and viral videos. We also provide channel packs made specifically for businesses in the hospitality, healthcare, fitness and automotive industries at no additional cost. 

Interactive content is another unique way to captivate and entertain your customers. For example, trivia could be an excellent option for healthcare clinics or hospitals to inform patients and distract them in the waiting room area as they wait to be seen by their doctor. Trivia is entirely customizable to each of your locations and your brand, like all our other on-screen content.

Holistic Measurement

Campaign tracking comes standard with our packages at UPshow. We understand how important data is to demonstrating ROI. After all, why would you invest in a technology that can’t prove the value it’s driving for your business? 

Our easy-to-understand in-platform analytics help you gauge which campaigns are the most successful at driving customer engagement and revenue for your business. Insights gleaned from the data are what will help refine your marketing and further improve revenue as time goes on. 

For example, if you own a multi-location fitness business and want your members to download your new app, you can create a campaign with app downloads as the goal. You can track metrics like the total number of app downloads your on-premise promotions drove or specifically which locations received the highest number of app download scans via the campaign QR code.

Atmosphere doesn’t enable marketing campaigns nor QR code technology. As a result, there is no verifiable way to identify the ROI from their platform.

Dedicated Support Team

At UPshow, we partner with you to curate the ideal on-premise experience for your customers. We want to understand the nuances of your business and use our technology to support your growth.

Our team provides thorough training on how to create on-screen promotions and offers strategic guidance on the best ways to maximize campaign success and analyze results for future optimizations. We aren’t just there for you during the onboarding period – we’re always there for you with our 24/7 online help center and email or text support. 

UPshow provides a dedicated team to support you every step of the way from implementation to execution and even complete white-glove service with our Managed Services option. 

As with the other features we’ve covered in this post, Atmosphere falls short in this category due to its limited customer support options. We all know that technology is imperfect. Things come up, sometimes at the most inconvenient times, and help is needed. You should select a partner you can trust and rely on during those situations. 

That just about covers it! We hope you feel more informed and confident in deciding between UPshow and Atmosphere. If you want a reliable and strategic partner that will help you enhance your on-premise customer experience and grow your business’s revenue, we would love to show you our platform in action with a custom demo.

Get a Demo

Healthcare

Keeping Your Youngest Patients, and Their Parents, Happy in Pediatric Waiting Rooms

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Your youngest patients likely don’t enjoy waiting in a pediatric waiting room, much less anywhere else. Ten minutes can feel like an eternity in an unfamiliar place, where they aren’t surrounded by their books, toys and other comforts. 

This lack of familiarity can leave them on the verge of a potential meltdown. As for their parent or guardian? They’re on the edge of their waiting room seat, willing away that possibility.

Outfitting your pediatric waiting room with entertaining, home-like comforts that will engage them can keep their meltdowns at bay — and prevent them from spreading faster than the flu. 

Pediatric waiting rooms and positive distractions 

In waiting rooms, it’s not uncommon to see teary eyes and to hear unpleasant cries that come from worries about what is waiting for them during this visit, even if they love their doctors. 

To help reduce their anxiety and acclimate young patients to your waiting room, you’ll want to create positive distractions. 

Positive distractions are popular tools used by clinicians to reduce anxiety in patients of all ages. It involves helping patients manage stressors by introducing positive sensory experiences that are associated with positive emotions.

For adults, this might look like a serene water feature or calming music. For little ones, the approach might be totally different. 

For example, even your youngest patients are likely to come to their doctor's visit with a screen of their own. QR codes make it possible to offer games that children can play on their own devices, with parent permission, of course.

Spreading joy without spreading germs 

Loading your pediatric waiting room with plushy animals or teether-inviting books may spread joy, but not serving as an epicenter for germ-spreading. With kids running around or laying about with runny noses and croupy coughs, it’s important to be mindful of the distractions offered in your waiting room. 

if you’re going to offer toys, it’s best to use non-porous, easy-to-sanitize options.

An even better option is to think about how to leverage your TV and tablet screens to entertain and engage your diverse 0 to 17-year-old demographic. 

Lean into communal entertainment by using a patient engagement system to keep them content while waiting (and at ease before they head into their appointment).

Since not all TV programs are suitable for all ages (or welcome by all parents), it’s best to offer edutainment options that can appeal to everyone, such as:

  • A designated game center, complete with QR-code-enabled children’s trivia games that they can play from their personal devices or a pediatric waiting room tablet.
  • Channels children of all ages are sure to love featuring furry friends, cartoons, and so many other exciting (and distracting) things to keep little ones entertained.
  • Play kid-friendly medical videos that will appeal to them and their parents (e.g., funny facts about why we sneeze or the curious history of the toothbrush, etc.)
  • Offer a playlist of kid tunes or relaxing music to create a more tranquil atmosphere.
  • Play rotating nature scapes or exciting digital aquariums to entertain your youngest patients with simple sensory distractions.

Keep parents informed

Those 15 minutes in your waiting room may be one of the few opportunities your patients’ parents have to sit, much less breathe. Take advantage of this opportunity to engage their parents, who are the decision-makers over their children’s health outcomes.

Keep it simple (yet informative) by using your waiting room screens or other digital displays to:

  • Share kid-oriented health and wellness tips (e.g., how long to brush their teeth or wash their hands). 
  • From measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chickenpox), COVID and more, keeping track of vaccinations can be overwhelming. Keep updated requirements and recommendations per age group in plain view.
  • Share reminders for school booster shots and immunization form completion.
  • Display QR-code technology during the spring break and summer vacation for foreign-travel vaccination mandates per country.

How your pediatric waiting room screens can be used to keep patients happy and healthy

You can use your existing television screens to provide diverse and entertaining content that will appeal to all ages.

Kids have eclectic tastes, sometimes from one minute to the next. UPshow offers over 500 channels of entertainment for them to choose from while they wait. The more choices they have, the more likely they’ll land on a program that will help them feel just a little bit better.

For your teen patients or others who prefer entertainment that doesn’t require a lot of concentration, UPshow’s 50 commercial-free music stations may be just what the doctor ordered.

With UPshow’s Playlists, you can schedule hyper-targeted content that changes throughout the day, so that you can keep toddlers pacified with cartoons in the morning, and older children happy with “big kid shows” as they filter in after school.

While any given program plays, UPshow’s fixed panel and multipanel displays allow you to display important announcements or draw their attention to new wellness products, so incoming patients won’t miss them.

Your reception staff will be glad that managing the waiting room TV isn’t one more thing on their to-do list. 

Make your pediatric waiting room feel a little more like home with UPshow 

When kids aren’t feeling well, they want what brings them the most comfort — to be in their room with all their toys and watching their favorite TV shows. If they can’t be there, your pediatric waiting room can serve as an inviting home away from home.

UPshow’s patient engagement system has all your peds patients in mind, from youngest to oldest, and they’re parents, too! Our entertainment and learning engagement options can help them feel more at ease while waiting. We welcome you to try our risk-free demo today!

Healthcare

Developing Innovative Strategies to Enhance Patient Engagement in Healthcare

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In its National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports, “Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday health information that is routinely available in our health care facilities, retail outlets, media and communities.”

The fallout on patient engagement is evident. With low health literacy skills, patients are less likely to assume a proactive role in their healthcare, which can lead to unnecessary treatments and hospitalizations, resulting in health outcomes that are less than ideal.

Now, more than ever, clinical practices must reevaluate their patient engagement strategies in healthcare to empower patients and improve health literacy across the board.

Why healthcare providers need to prioritize patient engagement 

A patient is the single most important stakeholder when it comes to their healthcare. The onus is on them to lead a healthy lifestyle, follow their treatment plans and commit to follow-up wellness visits and preventative care.

Healthcare providers are partners in that journey. This partnership starts with prioritizing patient engagement in clinical practices.

Keep information accessible 

Making relevant medical information inaccessible to your patients isn’t just about a lack of transparency or withholding treatment options. Inaccessibility in patient care can also come from other barriers to access, like a lack of understanding. Accessibility prioritizes presenting medical information in an innovative way so patients can understand it and make informed decisions. 

Further, accessibility is also the availability of a trusted medical professional to provide clarification and field questions a patient may have. Patient engagement suffers when patients don’t understand information or can’t seek answers to their questions.

Mitigate risk and improve patient outcomes

Gone are the days of “doctor-knows-best” and other paternalistic healthcare models. Today, patients and their healthcare teams are collaborative partners from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and post-care wellness. 

Healthcare providers can create an active partnership to improve patient outcomes and health literacy by:

  • Offering accessible communication channels in their clinic and during off hours, such as via a patient after-hours chat, email address or a patient-to-patient social media community where they can follow up or seek clarification from their peers.
  • Fielding questions from their patients without rushing them.

Healthcare providers can also prioritize patient engagement and, at the same time, sharpen their patients’ health literacy skills by focusing on innovative ways to improve patient education through patient-care technology.

Effective patient education involves providing resources your patients can understand. Instead of offering them a pamphlet or packet chock-full of medical jargon they likely won’t comprehend, consider giving them access to an educational video or podcast.

Reduce patient anxiety 

Patient anxiety can serve as a barrier to achieving desirable health outcomes and improving patient health literacy. Healthcare providers interact (directly and indirectly) with their patients across several touchpoints, starting with their waiting rooms.

To reduce patient anxiety, health clinics and hospitals can leverage patient engagement strategies in unique ways across each of those touchpoints by:

  • Creating a welcoming waiting room with entertainment options, educational materials and more.
  • Ensuring patients have access to their medical records via a patient portal.
  • Keeping patients abreast of any changes in any in-clinic services or providers and any other important announcements.

Patient engagement strategies that are sure to impress

Patients can’t engage in medical decisions if they don’t have the health literacy skills to understand their condition or what they need to do to achieve the health outcomes they want.

Healthcare providers can rope cutting-edge patient engagement strategies into their clinician-patient partnerships to outfit patients with the tools and resources they need to become the healthiest versions of themselves.

Create channels for patient communication 

How easy is it for patients at your clinic to communicate with your practice or their healthcare team? How many of those methods are accessible and convenient for everyone?

Recent research proposes that using multiple communication channels (and the ability to integrate them via an omnichannel approach to patient-provider communication) “implies a flexibility for personalization,” which can boost patient engagement and the quality of care and health outcomes.

UPshow Health is the leading on-premise marketing cloud, enabling healthcare facilities to transform their screens into educational and engaging displays, affording them innovative communication channels to reach their patients in new and exciting ways:

  • By using QR-code technology to solicit pre and post-treatment feedback to improve the patient experience.
  • Directing their patients’ attention to the facility’s social media accounts.
  • Keeping them updated on government guidance involving COVID and more.
  • Linking them to their patient portal and more — all from their cellphones or personal devices.
  • Encouraging patient-led educational communities and Q&A forums for common issues will empower patients and sustain ongoing patient-to-patient and patient-to-provider dialogue.

Command attention with informational displays

Patients don’t need to be face-to-face with their healthcare team to learn more about their health and wellness or engage in their healthcare journey. 

You can use UPshow Health on all of your screens — those in the waiting room, triage, treatment areas and short and long-term patient-care rooms to:

  • Create a customized, educational content playlist loaded with videos, tutorials, at-home remedies and more.
  • Display interactive content, such as medical trivia, to entertain and educate your patients while they wait.
  • Provide access to mobile-friendly landing pages for your clinic, patient portal and more to sustain patient engagement from the convenience of their devices long after closing.
  • Fixed panels and multipanel displays will allow your facility to promote health and wellness products, announcements and more.
  • Introduce the newest members of your team to familiarize patients with them.

Elevate your patient care displays with UPshow

Empowering patients to engage in their health and wellness and improving their health literacy doesn’t need to be a complicated undertaking. You can use your existing TV screens and other digital displays to supply them with the educational information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.

UPshow’s digital signage solutions will equip your healthcare team and their patients with patient engagement strategies that will simplify provider-patient communication, reduce patient anxiety and aid in helping patients reach the best possible health outcomes. Sign up today for a risk-free demo and join ongoing efforts to help patient health literacy turn a corner in a positive direction.

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