How do you install your digital signage system?

18/4/2019

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Les effort pour la mise en place d'un affichage dynamque

This article is the second in a series concerning the choice of the network architecture of its digital signage system, if you do not fully understand the concept of digital signage, or are not familiar with the various existing architectures, start with this article: Digital signage: Be well prepared.

→ If you missed the first article, check out: Getting ready #1: The equipment

Any digital signage project starts with installing the system itself. Indeed, a display system requires physical equipment (players and/or servers), possibly network equipment and Software (management, creation, maintenance...). The type of architecture chosen depends on the complexity of installation, the duration and the efforts to set up the system.

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Case of models housed and hybrid

In these architectures, it is necessary to equip each screen with a display player before starting to broadcast its contents. The need for additional network equipment is rare (at the player level) since the client institution generally implements the necessary infrastructure to connect the players to the local network (i.e. ethernet sockets near the display players). One or more servers must also be installed on the network (usually in a server room) and communicate with players.

If the installing players for dynamic screen can be quick and easy (depending on the provider chosen), The server one is much more complex, especially as it is generally accompanied by a heavy configuration, of the server itself, and on the other hand of the network that hosts it (router, firewall...).

The service provider cannot intervene remotely, and this configuration often requires collaboration between the supplier (who travels on site) and technical teams who have the knowledge of the internal network and the necessary authorizations. Si server installation is relatively rare (one server can support several players), That of the players can be frequent, especially when the park evolves regularly (it is necessary to equip each screen with a new player).

Finally, the software that allows the system to function must be installed on the workstations used by the communicators, who alone will be able to use them. Since the installation of proprietary software is rarely trouble-free, installation efforts can be significant. This procedure is relatively rare., unless you regularly reinstall the software on new workstations (for new communicators).

Model case SaaS

In this architecture, it is also necessary to equip each screen with a display player before starting to use the solution. The complexity of this installation obviously depends on the players chosen. (regardless of the model chosen). La However, player configuration is often minimal. since the service provider can intervene remotely to carry out the configuration himself, when necessary. Some infrastructures require the addition of additional connectivity hardware.

It can be equipment for connecting to a local network or directly to the Internet, via an ethernet network, Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G... However, there is no server to install or configure, and the software, often accessible on the Internet via a website, does not require installation. Their configuration is often done by the service provider, remotely, and the customer can very quickly start using the platform and communicate on their screens.

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How will your screen fleet evolve?

Thus, the installation of a system On-premise (or hybrid) requires much more time and effort than a model SaaS before being functional. However, since these efforts are concentrated during installation, they only appear once. Depending on the company's strategy and its propensity to increase its screen fleet, only the installation of players can be regular. It will then be necessary to choose a service provider that offers players. which are quick and easy to install and configure.
Moreover, regardless of the system model, additional time may be required if the company has to manually configure or allow inbound and outbound connections of each of the players or servers (configuration of routers, firewalls...). This step is therefore also necessary each time a new player is added to a screen. However, it is only necessary if the display system relies on the company's local network and is not isolated on a dedicated local network, or a 3G network.
The architecture of a SaaS solution is therefore often faster to implement, less expensive and requires less effort than an on-premise or hybrid solution.