NOTE: Download
the PDF version of this article to see a sample
digital ad campaign.
The Power of Digital Displays
Traditionally, menu board and display graphics are
created by design groups and display manufacturers,
then shipped to different locations.The process can
involve significant time and cost, while also requiring
a high degree of coordination between the central
office, outside vendors and local stores. Working
with IDS Menus, companies now have the ability to
deliver multimedia-based advertising via broadband
networks to digital menu boards and displays. This
new technology allows for fully updatable content
and an increased ability to display relevant, dynamic
information. Listed below are some of the key ways
in which our digital displays can help your business.
Digital display solutions from
IDS Menus can help you...
• Increase revenue with dynamic, animated advertising
• Advertise daily or weekly promotions in individual
stores
• Target and update campaigns by time and location
• Measure sales lift and respond instantly
• Update local and global content from a centralized
location
• Save on printing and shipping costs
• Enhance decor and reinforce your brand
• Provide relevant news to customers and employees
• Inspire employees with the company mission
and vision
• Build company morale by announcing birthdays,
awards, etc.
Turnkey Approach
There are many variables to consider when purchasing
a digital display system, including the look of the
displays, monitor specifications, and which software
package to use for handling multimedia content. Furthermore,
innovative design and a reliable means to distribute
content are absolutely essential. It is no wonder
then that many companies are looking for complete,
turnkey digital display providers; it can be difficult
to coordinate designers and manufacturers in traditional
display scenarios, let alone within a networked multimedia
workflow. With our background in design, printing
and display manufacturing, IDS Menus is well-equipped
to handle the most challenging digital display projects.And
as a certified SCALA® partner,we offer state-of-the-art
content management and network solutions.
IDS Menus
Provides...
Digital Menu Board & Display Solutions –
IDS Menus creates custom digital displays with seamlessly
integrated flat panel monitors and hardware. Our designs
include stainless steel digital menu boards,
contour-cut digital signage and digital floor stands.
Digital Content Design – IDS Menus
provides a unique array of design services and print
products to the food and movie theatre industries.
As experienced users of SCALA® InfoChannel software,we
have the ability to create dynamic, high-end multimedia
presentations. In addition,we provide multimedia support
and training to graphic design departments looking
to author their own multimedia content.
Content Management Solutions –
With SCALA® InfoChannel software solutions,we
provide both centralized and regional control of content.
It can be scheduled and deployed on a variety of networks
(LAN, dialup, FTP) and can be scaled to handle unlimited
displays.
Core Concepts & Terms
• Campaigns and Promos – IDS Menus organizes
digital display content into campaigns and promos.
Promos are multimedia sequences focused around a given
theme or product; campaigns are a series of promos
targeted to a specific demographic, location and/or
time of day.
• Content Design – Combining text,graphics,
sound and video into broadcast quality promos and
campaigns.
• Content Management – Managing digital
campaigns and promos; updating content within a given
template; scheduling playback times.
• Scheduling – Assigning the exact date
and time at which campaigns will play in stores.
• Distribution – Sending multimedia campaigns
to individual display computers from a centralized
location.
• Playback – Viewing campaign content
on digital menu boards, drive-thrus, floor stands
and other displays.
SCALA® Info Channel Software
Modules
• Designer – Software used to create and
schedule multimedia sequences. Files are sent from
Designer to Net Manager, which resides on a central
server.
• Net Manager – Server software used to
distribute content to local Players.
• Player – A personal computer with specialized
software that drives your digital menu board.
Summary – The Larger Picture
The marketing landscape is changing very quickly;
networked, digital solutions are replacing traditional
marketing methods in many industries. Sending more
– and more powerful – messages to consumers
via these new technologies is becoming increasingly
practical and cost-effective. And the ability to quickly
distribute and measure the effectiveness of those
messages is even more valuable.
Digital menu boards and displays are
a perfect example of this trend.They allow multiple,
dynamic promotions to be displayed in place of single,
static images.More importantly, digital content can
be updated quickly and easily in response to marketing
data and the changing needs of your business. It appears
likely therefore, that digital menu boards will become
a key component of many companies’
marketing campaigns in the near future.
IDS Menus understands this trend. We
offer a comprehensive, turnkey approach to digital
menu boards;we do not wish to sell hardware, software
or content solutions without comprehending our clients’
needs and developing the best strategies to meet those
needs.We see ourselves as innovators, consultants,
and indeed, experts – providers of a groundbreaking
service that transforms traditional displays into
dynamic, revenue-generating systems.
