QSR Signage Solutions – 101.

The time is not far when QSR signage solutions will be the biggest word when talking about Quick Serve Restaurants. Very soon, Digital signage will take a permanent place in restaurants as well as the space for Quick Serve Restaurants. It is not only the cost-saving opportunities to up-sell that are driving the so called Mom’s & Pop’s stores to become large national chains, but they are the easiest ways to upgrade the traditional menu boards. QSR signage solutions also come with the combined benefits with federal as well as local legislation about the nutritional information required.

Uses of QSR Signage Solutions.

Menus which are being digital are very simple to design & start using. Here are some of the important benefits, which come hand in hand with the use of these QSR advertising solutions:

• You can now schedule for different days & preload your electronic menu so that the prices, menu selections and any specials for the day will keep updating and change automatically leaving you the headache of keep working on it on a daily basis.
• You can now design your menu very creatively using one or many screens.

• It can be said that QSR signage solutions have completely replaced the traditional menu board by electronic menu board where you will get better display through the LCD screens.

QSR Signage Solutions-Easy To Operate.

• You can keep updating your electronic menu every now and then either on site or even remotely via Internet.
• A very important use of the electronic menu can be made when you want to announce an emergency situation to the customers and the staff.
• You can also show safety videos to your staff & do some training on it.

QSR Signage Solutions- Benefits

The most important benefit of using QSR advertising is that these types of electronic menu boards are very effective in increasing the product awareness, and it becomes very easy to increase the sales of the business, making QSR advertising methods highly effective.

In restaurants, digital posters do make an impact wherein the customers are all ready and have things finalized in their mind as to what they would like to buy even before they reach the payment counter actually. These LCD enclosures are very easy to maintain and definitely promote many items at the same time thus it also saves you on a lot of marketing cost that you would have otherwise wasted. A very small amount of money needs to be invested by any company in order to get these QSR advertising solutions in place.

We manufacture a range of protective outdoor digital signage enclosures as well as supplying QSR signage solutions.

LCD enclosures for outdoor protection.

LCD enclosures make the outdoor TV system affordable for everyone. In fact, a LCD enclosure is steadily replacing the traditional TV devices. It is because of the several benefits an LCD enclosure offers.

What are the advantages of using LCD enclosures for your outdoor TV system?
There are countless benefits that cannot be discussed in a short post. Let us see some of the major benefits that you can get while using an LCD enclosure for your outdoor TV system.

Major benefits of LCD enclosures for Outdoor TV systems.

Better quality picture: Your outdoor TV can give better quality picture when coming in an LCD enclosure.

Be in style: These electronics are lighter and flatter, which will help you to advertise in style. Digital signage is the latest trend of indoor and outdoor advertising. They are mostly used in different areas such as patio areas, restaurants, cafes, snack bars, and gyms. By outdoor digital signage enclosures you can display your items in a smart and appealing way. Moreover, the digital signage enclosure will help the customers know more about your offerings without stepping in your restaurants.

Secured and safe: A LCD enclosure is also safe to use for outdoor TV system. As they come in durable housing like steel they can prevent the harsh effects of weather changes. Moreover, you should also protect your outdoor TV systems from vandalism and other risk factors. And LCD enclosures are protective and ensure a safe and secured outdoor TV system.

How LCD enclosures will prove cost-effective solutions for your outdoor TV systems

LCD enclosures are mostly made of steel and hence they offer complete security to your outdoor TV systems. Any outdoor recreational devices needs complete protection and an outdoor LCD enclosure offers higher level security to your TV. This not only helps you to have a secured TV system for your outdoor entertainment but also aids you to save money. Standard TV systems are vulnerable to various risk factors including vandalism and weather impacts. And each time your TV system is affected you need to spend money to buy and arrange for a whole new set. But with these steel cabinets you do not have to spend extra money as they are safe and weather proofed. Moreover, these cabinets allow you mounting them on wall and ceilings. They can also be used through floor stands. Hence they cannot be removed.

It can be said that LCD enclosures are the latest additions to the digital signage industry that make entertainment a matter of ease and affordability.

We produce a range of outdoor LCD enclosures.

An outdoor digital poster.

An outdoor digital poster is used to provide digital advertising solutions in outdoor locations that are subjected to poor weather conditions, such as in Europe. Learn how outdoor digital posters can be updated.

Why use an outdoor digital poster?

Sample of outdoor digital poster solutions

Many companies want to advertise outside their company offices, but wonder how to do this at a cost effective price whilst at the same time providing a professional looking solution that does not detract from the company image.

These outdoor digital poster units are weatherproof so they can work perfectly in rain, snow and even in bright sun light.

The outdoor digital poster units are commercial grade screens with a built in media player and the content is stored on a memory card. The media player can support most formats of computer files such as SWF, AVI, MPEG3, MP3 and even PowerPoint themes. These can all be used to promote a company, product or service to passing prospects.

Sizes of outdoor digital poster solutions.

These units are available in two options, the first is a wall mounted solution and the other is a floor standing unit. Firstly the wall mounted outdoor digital posters can be mounted directly to buildings or mounted to ceiling mounts and come in sizes 32”, 36”, 40”, 46” and 55” with the screens in a landscape position. Secondly, the floor standing units can be mounted to the floor and these have the screen in 40”, 46”, 55” and 65” with the screens in a portrait position.

Updating the content on the outdoor digital poster.

The content is updated by using a flash drive and when the pen drive is removed the outdoor digital poster reboots itself, so the new content is updated and running. Alternatively, the memory card can be swapped out with a new card with the new content on, so it can be used in the future.

Alternatives to an outdoor digital poster.

An alternative is to use a commercial grade screen, a media player and an LCD enclosure, the LCD enclosure protects either the digital poster or LCD screen in any weather, this can also be used as a stepping stone to start a digital signage solution.

We manufacture a range of LCD enclosures as well as supplying outdoor digital poster solutions.

Outdoor LCD enclosures – 101

Outdoor LCD enclosures are being used by organizers of the London Olympics as well as local businesses to promote their products and services.

Who can use outdoor LCD enclosures?

People may think that this type of outdoor digital signage is beyond their pocket –too expensive. But yet, almost all businesses can afford to deploy this type of digital advertising solution as it is very affordable and can in some instances provide an addition income stream.

Restaurants are using outdoor LCD enclosures to promote their menu to potential customers in the street; the screen of the LCD display can be split into several zones, with the main zone featuring the restaurants most profitable meals whilst the other menu items are featured in a slightly smaller zone on the display.

Pubs can promote their “traditional ales” to attract the customers, whilst hotels can advertise in high foot fall areas such as train, tube and bus stations.

Once the outdoor LCD enclosures are installed and the display and media player is fitted, the buzz in local area will be high and this is when the establishment can charge for space on their outdoor LCD enclosure system. The normal prices vary from US$250 to US$350 per month for a 4 minute advert, normally the advertiser will provide their own ad in the required format (either PowerPoint theme, JPG or video) then the owner just adds the content to the media player and schedules the ad to play. On average the media players can store up to 200 ads, so imagine the income for 2 months if you charged US$250 to 50 businesses, this would equate to US$12,500 per month profit! US$25,000 for doing very little!!

Construction of outdoor LCD enclosures.

Due to the unkind weather in England, the outdoor LCD enclosures have to be rain proof, snow proof and the screen has to be seen on sunny days. All these weather conditions can occur during August, so the enclosure has to be made from steel, then powder coated in an external grade coating to prevent and corrosion, then the unit is locked with high security locks – bear in mind that you will be investing in around $2500 of hardware that if not properly secured will be stolen! There are outdoor LCD enclosures that are fitted with cam locks these are simple to open with a screwdriver, so look for units that are fitted with high security locks.

The inside of the outdoor LCD enclosures has to have an internal mounting frame for the screens to mount to, then both heating and cooling systems are controlled with thermostats so they only draw electric when they need either heating or cooling.

We supply a range of QSR menu boards as well as manufacturing a range of outdoor LCD enclosures.

Fast food digital signs for indoor and outdoor use.

Fast food digital signs can be used to promote popular and profitable menu items, increasing profits and providing a more efficient advertising solution resulting in increased customer satisfaction.

Fast food digital signs – using a screen and media player.

Typical fast food digital signs

For indoor fast food digital signs, a regular screen can be used and mounted in landscape position above the checkout, so that customers when queuing can see what is on the menu. The content is stored on a media player that can be mounted to the back of the mounting frame and connected to the screen via audio visual cables. To update the content this can be done using a USB drive (for manual updates) or a network media player (for remote updates).

Fast food digital signs – using a digital menu board.

Using a digital menu board to provide fast food digital signs is very easy, as the digital menu board has a built in media player and can be mounted as the above solution, but these can be mounted in both portrait and landscape position as the entire content can be rotated using the remote control.

These digital menu boards have been deployed in Quick Serve Restaurants throughout the world to promote the meal deals and to educate customers of the dietary content of the meal.

Screen sizes of fast food digital signs.

Fast food digital signs are available in various sizes from 26” 32”, 40”, 46” and 55”, the larger the screen the better as these display larger, clearer images of the food and a more detailed description.

Digital menu boards or regular TV and media player?

Fast food digital signs are available in different solutions, the most affordable is to use a regular screen as indicated above, but this has several drawbacks. The first drawback is that the screen can only display the menu in a landscape position, were as a QSR digital menu can display the menu in both portrait and landscape.
A regular screen cannot have the screen split into zones to display video, RSS feeds and images, but the QSR menu board can.
Depending on your fast food digital signs application will depend on how you progress, but if you need assistance with your project do not hesitate in contact us.

We manufacture a range of LCD enclosures as well as supplying fast food digital signs.

Digital signage for public information.

Digital signage for public information has taken great steps to embrace the evolving and cut-throat market of the advertising world. Whilst the digital screens may be predominantly for public information, advertising companies can’t help filling in a little time and space on these magic screens. Digital signage has become a work of art, which attracts thousands of pairs of eyes – each ‘pair’ a potential customer for a product or service.

Hardware used digital signage for public information.

Digital signage for public information

Digital signage for public information, in the main, is to give facts, figures and other relevant data relating to the event it is supporting. In 2012, many LCD digital signs will be utilized during the Olympics in London, UK. Much changing information can be displayed and updated in ‘real’ time giving the edge to current affairs. Times, venues, participants and of course, the Gold Medal winners of races can all be publicized at the touch of a button. Being able to have constantly updated information is the difference between this modern technology and the more traditional static billboard.

Digital signage for public information – terrorist alerts.

In these times of terrorist threats, digital signage for public information really is essential in saving lives as it gives instant safety information, escape routes and emergency strategies to cope with an imminent or potential attack, or even following the aftermath of an attack where time is critical. All cities and major public events must have these policies in place, but being able to directly address members of the public will have a significant effect for their well being. Whilst not to alarm the public, it is reassuring to know an interactive plan is in place to cope with such a situation.

Digital signage for public information is suitable for just about anywhere. It can be positioned at eye level, high on a wall – using a wall bracket, hung from the ceiling or even positioned in the floor – particularly in a trendy shop, theater or music venue. Not only can the latest film or band be promoted, but emergency fire escape routes, first aid points and meeting points highlighted. Other data which is useful on digital signage for public information may feature: weather conditions – particularly adverse circumstances like a hurricane warning, opening times, prices, local traffic congestion and exhibits/presentations which all enhance the visitors’ experience.

We manufacture a range of outdoor LCD enclosures that are used to protect digital signage for public information.

Outdoor digital signage system options.

An outdoor digital signage system can vary so much but there are always common components such as a screen, media player and an outdoor digital signage enclosure, so let us look what is out on the market.

Outdoor digital signage system for general advertising use.

Example of an outdoor digital signage system

General advertising use can vary from in the car parks of shopping malls to the high street, but if the solution does not have a Return On Investment – what is the point of the project?

Entry level outdoor digital signage system.

So let us look at one of the most basic outdoor digital signage system solutions, this employs a commercial grade screen, connected to a USB media player that is in a protective, outdoor LCD enclosure.

Now the advantages of this type of outdoor digital signage system is that the initial cost is lower than other options and in this application the complete outdoor advertising system can be relocated with little if any difficulty.

The disadvantages are that the content has to be updated manually; this is time consuming and can be expensive and difficult to manage.

Mid level outdoor digital signage system.

Here we can use the same commercial grade screen and protective LCD enclosure, but instead of the USB media player you can use a network enabled media player. Now here the advantages are that the content can be controlled remotely and even set to update in the early hour of the morning, one media player the LCD-Enclosure enables the content to be updated in advance for 1 month and can be delivered by either a hard wired network or a wireless network.

The disadvantages can be the cost, but if remote updates are essential could be the answer at an affordable price.

Both the above solution housings are fitted with heating and cooling systems to ensure the digital signage hardware is in the best possible environment.

High end outdoor digital signage system.

These are also referred to as outdoor digital signage kiosks; this type of outdoor digital signage system has the screen, media player and protective housing in an all in one solution. The housings due to the size are heated and cooled with air conditioning units and can be left in extremely high risk areas.

The advantages are vast, from them engaging with consumers through the touch screen technology in the kiosk to promoting QR quotes and displaying videos, these kiosk systems have one drawback and that is they are the most expensive of outdoor digital signage systems, but the results they produce are un-matched.

We manufacture a range of LCD enclosures that protect outdoor digital signage system solutions.

Monitor enclosures.

Monitor enclosures are being deployed in manufacturing plants to protect LCD monitors in production areas; a monitor enclosure provides the essential protection needed.

Monitor enclosures and the raw material.

The material the monitor enclosures are made from depends on the location and application, for general manufacturing use a mild steel powder coated unit is perfect, but a food environment needs stainless steel monitor enclosures in food grade (316) stainless steel due to the high Chromium content that resists corrosion when subjected to regular contact with water and mild bleach cleaning agents.
It would a futile effort to install a mild steel monitor enclosure in a wash down area as these will rust within a few days, as the construction of mild steel does not include any corrosive components such as Chromium.

Dust proof monitor enclosures.

In general manufacturing plants, there is plenty of dust present in the air and when the dust gets into the motherboard of computers, printers and monitors over a short time it builds up and caused the hardware to fail. Now dust proof monitor enclosures are fitted with an internal thermostatic cooling unit that comes with a filter unit that filters out air borne particles of dust preventing them entering the enclosure and protecting the hardware inside.

The dust filter is removable and can be washed to remove the contaminants and can be used again, but this has to be done as part of a regular maintenance plan.

Stainless steel monitor enclosures.

Typical monitor enclosures

Should you be installing a monitor in a location such as a marina, a 304 stainless steel grade monitor enclosure would be perfect as this grade of stainless steel is resilient to salt that is present at the marina.
As mentioned earlier, 316 grade stainless steel is used in food processing, make sure the grade of stainless steel is right for your application.

What’s inside monitor enclosures.

As essential requirements these protective casings need to have an internal mounting frame as well as some location for the thin client or media player to be stored. Some mounting frames allow the players and computers to mount to the internal monitor mounts inside the enclosure.
The viewing window is available in toughened glass or polycarbonate, polycarbonate such as the brand Lexan is used in food processing locations, to prevent any food contamination with glass should the window become broken.

Sizes of monitor enclosures.

These units come in sizes from 17” up to and including a massive 70”, so no matter what the application are there is a monitor enclosure for your application.

ICS manufacture a range of LCD enclosures as well as a range of monitor enclosures.

Digital signage in government offices.

Utilizing digital signage in Government offices is quickly replacing more traditional forms of communicating information, messages and advertisements to staff and the public who visit such establishments as town halls, libraries and courts. This also has its place within prohibited and restricted areas like military bases, behind the scenes of medical facilities and prisons.

Deploying digital signage in government offices.

One way of displaying digital signage in government offices is to install plasma or LCD screens on wall mounted frames, on ceiling hung brackets or in floor standing kiosks. All programmed with software via the media player – possibly wireless too – depending on the network and applicable software. The software enables the information to be shown in real-time, so any changes made to the data as and where necessary.

Where digital signage in government offices is displayed for public viewing, it can be used to illustrate infomercials, departmental information and way-finding routes around the organization to particular departments. Often the floor standing kiosks have a touch screen facility, allowing personal requirements to be carried out.

Pre-programmed software of digital signage in government offices enables calendars, appointments, future events, changes in the law/working practices or health and safety issues, all to be updated with minimal disruption. It may also display public service announcements and emergency exit routes for visitors within the buildings. Another advantage of digital signage in government offices is the opportunity to broadcast either live or pre-recorded session of the town hall meetings or hearings.

Graphics and videos are very important in demonstrating things like: how public money is being spent, current statistics and the demographics of the area. Color and cleverly designed graphics enhance the digital signage in government offices, giving an interesting, eye catching and visual experience to the spectator.

Digital signage in government offices is quickly becoming a recognized piece of office furniture – it is both acceptable and adaptable for the 22nd century and will assist the government offices the ability to communicate with staff and the general public from one central electronic notice board, these can either be digital posters or networked digital screens.

We manufacture a range of LCD enclosures including our portrait flat panel enclosure that are used to protect digital signage in government offices.

Portrait flat panel enclosure units.

Digital signage is spilling over into everyday manufacturing plants, using a portrait flat panel enclosure can reduce the installation and deployment costs as well as maintenance.

When to utilize a portrait flat panel enclosure.

No matter what the companies manufactures, everyone is looking to have the edge on their competitors, this is why digital signage is in demand, as it enables the smaller company to compete on a level playing field alongside large corporations.

We all know in a factory or manufacturing plant floor space is at a premium, with processing and manufacturing machinery this is why floor standing digital posters have not been too successful, due to the harsh environment with dust and fluid present. Now imagine if you had a solution that would provide the needed protection from the dust and fluid that would normally harm other hardware – this is were the portrait flat panel enclosure comes in.

They can be used in reception areas of the plant, in training areas and on the shop floor, without any harm coming to the electronics inside. This is due to the cooling system being fitted with a filter that filters out air borne debris, preventing them entering the protective casing.

How to use a portrait flat panel enclosure units.

These portrait flat panel enclosure units can be bolted directly to beams and girders on the production line, or even mounted to ceiling mounts if they are required to be suspended off the production line.

The cooling system is then set inside the unit and the hardware fitted to the relevant mounting brackets and then the portrait flat panel enclosure is secured, this prevents unauthorized access as well as harmful dust and fluid entering the unit.

Were to use portrait flat panel enclosure units in a factory?

In a factory many digital signage solution is being used as a giant electronic noticeboard, now using an portrait flat panel enclosure these can be used in any location on the production line even places that are washed down with high pressure water jets. They can be used for displaying the canteen menu, expected visitors to site, current production figures and how well the company is doing.

We manufacture a range of outdoor digital signage enclosures as well as our own portrait flat panel enclosure.