Green is big business and represents a new way to do business, it has a two fold effect and helps improve the bottom line whilst helping the environment. Now digital signage kiosks and enclosures are going green.

There is a movement in the kiosk and enclosure manufacturing industry for greener products, these units will be manufactured from renewal materials and will not damage the environment as previous units did. Coupling this with cutting edge dynamic signage is a winning solution.

There are three key steps to follow: ??

* Adhering to RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
* Using recyclable material
* Reducing power usage

In July 2006 a policy was implemented in Europe for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), this policy was soon accepted within the businesses throughout Europe and into Asia.

This new policy was seen as a problem by some manufacturers, as it limits the amount of lead and mercury in a particular product as well as specifying which type of flame retardants to use.

The policy was one reason a company decided to buy back any kiosks or enclosures they were replacing and recycle them, by sending the old kiosks or enclosures to a specialised company that melted the steel and plastics then re-processed the product so it could be used again.

This is the way forward, with greener digital signage kiosks everyone wins including the planet!

Content strategies and discussions will dominate the launch of new networks and the re-thinking of older networks. Content began to rise to the top of the agenda in 2009 and now in 2010 it takes a front and centre seat.

No matter what shape or size the display is, content is the fundamental element which ultimately leads to the very success, or failure, of a digital signage deployment. Some of the greatest success stories for brands in 2009 have been achieved by creating content that is relevant to the experience and activities that the consumers are engaged with at the time of interaction.

Keith Kelsen, author of “Unleashing the Power of Digital Signage” and CEO of the 5th Screen, says:

“Any team that is operating a digital signage network or is planning a network has a unique opportunity to bring excellence to this emerging industry and set some precedents. We can see this already in the work of some networks that have focused on research with innovative approaches using content as the source and cause for relevant messaging that is useful, helpful and provides a positive experience for the viewer.

“Content for DOOH will stand alone during its creative production, but content will have more continuity in 2010 with the other four screens (cinema, TV, PC and mobile) to echo its message across the digital landscape of screens. As for every screen that is put into this new landscape, it will be the experience that the consumers will take away, and what better way to impact that experience than with great content.”

Sir Alan will be proud. Yasmina Siadatan has sealed her first digital signage deal since winning The Apprentice last summer, landing herself a six-figure role in the Knight’s renowned company.

Yasmina closed the five-year deal with Great Ormond Street, the U.K.’s leading center for treating sick children, which will see Sir Alan Sugar’s firm install touch-screens throughout the London-based hospital in high-traffic areas such as waiting rooms, corridors, coffee shops and restaurants.

“Our digital signage screens are allowing hospitals and doctor’s surgeries across the country to communicate with patients and keep them informed on a range of important health issues,” said Yasmina.

The Apprentice returns to our screens for series 6 in June 2010.

Digital media in the restaurant world is not a new phenomenon.

Displayed across many bars, restaurants and pubs are wide screen televisions, which often broadcast news stations, music channels or big matches and games.

As more and more restaurants adopt the new digital trend, many are finding new and exciting ways to get the best out of digital signage to enhance their business and increase sales.

In fact many restaurant owners have experienced how powerful digital signage can be. Not only has it driven customer sales out the window, it can also improve the restaurant and make it better for everyone to work in.

Inform customers of specials

Digital signage can display a range of promotions and deals that your restaurant has to offer.

The digital signage boards can allow restaurant owners the opportunity to display more promotions and deals through a rotation system with a minimal amount of effort.

Branding

All good restaurants understand that the use of branding inside the restaurant is just as important as the food.

Displaying visual images of your food is a great way to promote the food rather than just simple descriptions in the menu.  Images of happy families and smiling faces can also trigger a better and more influential and happy atmosphere into your restaurant.

Self-service ordering and tableside media

Allowing customers to take control of their own environment, can leave customers feeling relaxed and not rushed when coming to your restaurant.

Installing a user-friendly self service kiosk, which gives the customer control and convenience when ordering their food can help the efficiency in how your restaurant is run.

Entertainment and ‘wait warping’

Customers who are entertained while they are waiting for their food generally don’t notice the wait.

Using interactive signage gives them something to do, making your customers feel happy and satisfied with their visit to your restaurant.

For more information and what you can get out of digital signage in your restaurant, visit www.protouch.co.uk

A trip to the doctor is something most of us prefer to avoid, using poor excuses to get out of making a visit to the surgery.

Many of us have built up fears from our early years whether it be sitting in the dreary waiting room, to sounding like a hypochondriac to our doctor about our flu symptoms or stomach bug that has been going on for weeks.

With many people getting on with their daily lives without visiting their doctor, many illnesses and viruses which can easily be cured are going unnoticed as people hide away from the visiting the dreaded doctors surgery.

With this in mind, many hospitals, doctors surgeries and nursing homes are looking into new and improved ways to make their environment more people friendly and useful to patients whatever their trip is for.

And many are finding that technology is the way forward.

Technology in the medical world undoubtedly proves a massive hit with patients walking into a treatment centre looking to find help and advice. Patients are much more comforted in seeing that their doctor or consultant is equipped with the latest and greatest medical technology, showing that they are keeping up with the times.

And the same goes for digital signage in the medical world too. The move to use digital signage in the surgery or waiting room can enable doctors and staff at the surgery to keep patients up to date with information and maintain a strong communication throughout.

On top of this, digital signage is proven to be flexible, visually dynamic and engaging, allowing administrators to update, amend and delete content at a moments notice.

Digital signage has also enabled hospitals and surgeries to inform, educate and entertain their patients under a variety of different circumstances.

It can be used to give information to confused patients struggling to understand about their medical problems, as doctors jargon can often be difficult to understand if you aren’t in the medical profession yourself. Digital signage can eliminate this problem by displaying an array of information on repeat, which customers can read and soak-in while waiting for their appointment to begin.

It can also soothe the nerves of a young girl about to go in for an operation to have her tonsils taken out, displaying animations and text to keep her entertained, rather than a three month old magazine which is often left tattered and unappealing to patients at the hospital.

Surgeries and hospitals can also take that technology leap a step further by installing touch screen technology, which can be used to sign patients upon arrival of their appointment, or as a point of information providing patients with medical advice about health matters which affect them.

To make sure that your surgery is in top technological form, visit Protouch for more information about digital signage and how it can help you!

Advertising your products and services can often be a challenging task in today’s digital world.

Trying to catch your customers attention, as well as compete with your rivals can be a difficult, especially when you have exhausted all mediums to promote your products.

In today’s digital world, digital signage is the new way to advertise your products to attract your audiences attention.

With so much flexibility and versatility, digital signage can offer you and your business an array of features of services to sell your products. And to prove just how good it is, we have compiled five reasons as to why digital signage is the way forward for 2009.

Attract

Digital Signage uses video and motion, alongside vibrant, colourful designs and sound to promote your products. Using digital signage in store can bring your products to life and allow customers to see all the features available of your products in store.

Influence

Digital signage can influence a customers decision making process when purchasing goods or services in your store. With digital signage you can display compelling demonstrations, lifestyle selling, entertainment and more depth than paper promotions and static displays which can often bore customers and make them lose interest.

Uplift

It has been proven that digital sales can increase sales by upto 30 per cent. They can increase product tie-ins, cross-selling and other multi-product promotions, ensuring that your customer views and knows all products you sell in-store.

Comply

Digital signage work on their own to ensure they are delivering the correct message at the right time. Digital signage does not need continuous management or on-site personnel, and ensure that all locations are sending out the message across your store.

Deliver

Digital signage machines can ensure that they display updated or edited advertisements and promotions to thousands of screens automatically and virtually instantly.

Target

Digital signage can be adapted and edited to target specific audiences, featuring scheduled promotions, either on a per-device, per-store, or per-region basis.

Train

Digital signage can help train staff in store about products and services in store. Staff will be able to have a better  understanding of  the products in store, through ongoing exposure or access to additional information.

For more information about digital signage and how you can advertise your products or services visit www.protouch.co.uk