A new feature has risen to prominence in public spaces and buildings, that supplies visitors information whilst keeping with the rest of the office aesthetic.
Such a feature has arrived in the form of digital signage solutions which can show digital art and information for passers-by to appreciate
Once the decision has been made to install digital signage, the next stage is working out what will be displayed on these panels. However, the way in which the content is decided also depends on the sector it is being used in.
Dave Buchholz, Intel Unite Sales & Technical Enablement Director told UC Today that digital signage is very useful within typical businesses but also in other settings such as healthcare, as they provide extra utility to large screen wall monitors that may otherwise be idle, and replace the need for expensive art purchases and installation costs.
“Digital signage has become a key component to the modern workspace,” said Buchholz. “Organisations can use large-screen displays to show different static or dynamic content, including digital art. Digital art can be easily swapped out to create a new ambience based on customer feedback.”
That ambience is crucial in potentially stressful settings such as hospitals. In fact, research has shown that patients experience a reduction in stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and don’t need pain medication as much when they can see photos of nature on the walls. Similarly, the Cleveland Clinic found that over 60 percent of patients reported a reduction in stress in the presence of a contemporary art collection.
Best of both
Although research seems to indicate art installations can improve the mental health of patients, hospitals also need signage spaces to provide information. Digital signage can be installed in lobbies, waiting areas, waiting rooms, and exam rooms to provide general information such as the weather but also display waiting times and where to find each department.
Patients’ perceptions of the hospital they’re being treated in may be improved by art and, as Buchholz explains, if the right solution is being used, hospitals can easily switch between displaying art or information when the display is not being used for collaboration or consultation.
The software solution that underpins digital signage is crucial to how successful it is, especially in hospitals,” said Buchholz. “As doctors and nurses are busy tending to patients, they need a solution that is managed from a central location, is quick and simple to access and is available for their use when needed for consultation or collaboration.”
“The Intel Unite solution, for example, is managed by IT through the Intel Unite Admin Portal and each hub (and therefore display) or group of hubs can be uniquely configured depending on the need. But a caregiver can enter a room and instantly switch the display from art or signage to streaming content from their laptop or tablet.”
Different types of implementation
The Intel Unite solution for digital signage offers three methods of implementation:
- Live Background: The App Showcase application allows users to display a customer-developed webpage or website, or an HTML file
- Pin-only mode: Allows full-screen display of the hub desktop as, at its core, the Intel Unite solution hub is a Windows PC. Therefore, healthcare providers can open a browser to a YouTube classic art channel or the desktop can also display a static image from a local folder. The 6-digit access PIN is also shown in the top right corner, allowing for easy access to a collaboration tool
- System Broadcast: App Showcase also allows IT to craft and push out text messages, allowing an efficient way of broadcasting messages when the solution is deployed on-premise
