Introduction
The global digital signage market, valued at $24.86 billion in 2022, is expected to reach $40 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 8%. Studies show that digital signage, also known as dynamic signage, attracts 400% more views than static displays, demonstrating its crucial impact on audience attention.
Faced with these impressive figures, choosing the right digital signage solution is becoming a strategic challenge for businesses that want to maximize their communication and effectively engage their audiences. A poor choice can lead to a decrease in public engagement and significant revenue losses.
In this article, we analyze Cenareo, the leading French digital signage solution, and compare it to two other market players to help you make an informed choice adapted to your specific needs.
Cenareo, the leading French digital signage solution
Rating: 4.9/5 on CapTERRA
Founded in France in 2012 and based in Labège near Toulouse, Cenareo has established itself as a major player in the French and international digital signage market. With more than 20,000 screens managed in 32 countries for prestigious customers such as AXA France, Boulanger, Etam, Undiz, Triumph and Shell, Cenareo demonstrates the maturity achieved by French solutions in this field.
A complete and powerful platform
Cenareo offers an intuitive and scalable SaaS solution, specially designed for companies that want to manage fleets of screens of any size with remarkable ease of use. The platform allows brands to manage their campaigns as close as possible to their audiences with high added value functionalities.
Cenareo key features
Centralized and remote management
The Cenareo platform, accessible from any device, allows you to manage all of your screens from a single dashboard, regardless of their location. You can control screens spread across different cities, countries, or continents with the same ease. This centralized management saves time, avoids manual errors and ensures a homogeneous distribution on all screens.
Advanced multi-screen sync
Contrary to some preconceived ideas, Cenareo has advanced multi-screen synchronization features that allow you to broadcast on several screens in different ways according to your needs:
- Same content in sync : simultaneous distribution of the same content on all your screens
- Expanded content on a screen wall : a single piece of content divided and extended across multiple screens to create a spectacular effect
- Alternate or differentiated contents by screen : different contents that follow one another according to your needs
- Animated content from screen to screen : animations that flow from screen to screen for a dynamic effect
The interactive synchronization technology developed by Cenareo even makes it possible to instantly trigger synchronized content on a fleet of screens. A temperature sensor, a connected button, or a QR Code scan can trigger content delivery in seconds.
Intelligent programming and contextualization
Cenareo's intelligent algorithms distribute your content according to multiple contextualization criteria:
- Time settings and days of the week
- Real-time weather conditions
- Stock level of your products
- Specific audience criteria
- Top sales and commercial performances
This intelligent programming ensures that the right message is displayed on the right screen at the right time to maximize the impact of your communication.
Simplified content creation and management
Cenareo allows you to use all existing content formats, to retrieve online content from YouTube or your social networks, or to create your messages directly from the management platform with an integrated creation tool. The solution also offers a library of customizable templates to speed up content production.
Multiple native integrations
The platform can easily be connected to your existing tools:
- Digital Workplace : Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Facebook Workplace, Slack
- Social networks : Instagram, Facebook, Twitter to display your feeds in real time
- Standard data flows : weather, traffic, news, ephemeris
- Business software : dashboards, stock status, performance data
Campaigns relayed on the screens can be broadcast simultaneously on your internal tools for total digital inclusion.
Performance measurement and indicators
Cenareo offers detailed performance indicators to optimize your communication and give it more impact:
- Attractiveness of your media
- Fresh content
- Contextualization of campaigns
- Regular follow-up with your dedicated Customer Success Manager
Extensive hardware compatibility
The Cenareo solution is compatible with various types of hardware, offering maximum flexibility:
- System on Chip (SOC) : the Cenareo CMS is pre-installed on Samsung Tizen, Sharp/NEC and Philips screens
- External players : Cenareo player based on Raspberry Pi, plug and play and energy efficient (consumption 10 times lower than a conventional player)
- Android/iOS : Cenareo application available on stores
- Web browsers : possibility to use Chrome, Safari, etc.
The Cenareo player guarantees continuous streaming without a black screen, even without an internet connection, thanks to the local storage of content. The default campaign system ensures that content is always displayed.
Business sectors served by Cenareo
Retail
Cenareo makes it possible to boost the customer experience in stores, promote products, manage window displays and adapt messages according to traffic and weather. According to a Nielsen study cited by Cenareo, 80% of retailers using digital signage saw a 33% increase in sales compared to traditional printed posters.
Internal corporate communication
Offices use Cenareo for employee engagement, the dissemination of corporate information, the animation of break rooms and common areas. The solution facilitates communication between departments and between multiple sites.
DOOH (Digital Out Of Home)
Cenareo allows the management of advertising networks with advanced and programmatic contextualization, offering advertisers precise targeting and optimized campaigns.
Hotels and restaurants
Displaying daily menus, promoting services, customer information, special events, everything is centralized and easily editable in real time.
Industry
Communication of production objectives, safety instructions, real-time dashboards, performance indicators for field teams.
Health and education
Information and orientation of visitors, distribution of important announcements, notifications of events, emergency alerts in schools, universities and health institutions.
Personalized support and excellent technical support
Cenareo is positioned as a true partner in digital transformation, offering much more than a simple software solution:
Dedicated Customer Success Manager
Each client benefits from personalized support via a dedicated Customer Success Manager who ensures the regular monitoring of the project and optimizes the ROI of your investment.
24/7 technical support
A responsive support team is always available to answer your questions and resolve any technical issues quickly. The supervision center allows proactive monitoring of equipment.
Simplified installation
Cenareo's plug and play equipment allows for quick installation that you can do yourself. Once connected, the player can be instantly controlled remotely via the CMS.
Guarantee of continuity of service
In the event of a major failure that is not resolved remotely, Cenareo replaces players free of charge as part of the subscription. As Simon Caillot, Purchasing Director at Etam Groupe, testifies: “The processing time required to solve a technical problem has decreased drastically, from one week to one day.”
Cenareo pricing
Free trial : 2 weeks to test the platform Subscription plans : Pricing on quotation, adapted to the size of your screen fleet and your specific needs
Cenareo offers a subscription model in SaaS mode with transparent pricing, including updates, technical support and the replacement of faulty equipment.
User reviews about Cenareo
“The Cenareo solution allows me to manage all photos/video broadcasts on the screens of our dealer network from the headquarters, by always having up-to-date content, by adapting the content according to geographical areas and weather conditions. It is a very simple and quick to use tool that relieves our dealers of a task that has been neglected for too long. I particularly appreciate the support and follow-up of the technical support in the deployment and monitoring of the tool, as well as the ease of use.” - Julie, screen fleet manager
“We just started working with Cenareo in January 2019 and since then we equipped around 100 stores with 2 screens per site and I was amazed not to encounter any technical problem. It was a bit of Mac like installation. Simplicity of use both for display programming set up and screens selection.” - Verified user
“Easy to use, accessible to everyone. But at the same time powerful and able to respond to complex problems.” - Frantz
“30 minutes of training with Cenareo were enough for me to get started with the platform and start putting different content online.” - Retail user
Emity, a simple solution for small structures
Rating: 4.6/5 on Google Maps
Launched in 2015, Emity (formerly WePub) is a digital signage solution developed by a French company based in Hérault. The E-MANAGER, the name of the digital signage software developed by Emity, is designed for businesses looking for a simple and intuitive solution for managing their digital signage content.
Recommended business sectors for Emity
Businesses and SMEs
Emity's E-MANAGER is commonly used by small and medium-sized businesses to manage their internal communications. It allows the dissemination of practical information such as meeting updates, event reminders, or content related to corporate culture. However, message personalization is still quite limited compared to more advanced solutions like Cenareo.
Retail
In the retail sector, Emity's E-MANAGER offers a simple solution for promoting products, announcing sales and displaying attractive in-store messages. While this feature is useful, there are limitations in synchronized management across multiple screens or interactivity that reduce its impact for large distribution networks.
Catering
Restaurants and cafes use Emity to display daily menus, promotions, or special announcements on screens. This can be useful to attract the attention of customers, but the lack of advanced options such as multi-screen management or sophisticated animations can be a barrier for establishments that want to stand out.
Limits of the Emity solution
Lack of advanced multi-screen sync
Emity does not have smooth synchronization between multiple screens, which can be a problem for businesses that need to simultaneously manage multiple broadcast points or create screen walls.
Limited customization
While Emity offers widgets and tools to enrich content, personalization is limited. Businesses looking to integrate sector-specific applications or customize their user interface may find this platform inadequate.
Support for complex projects
The tools provided by Emity are suitable for small structures or simple projects. However, for complex configurations involving large-scale management or increased security requirements, this solution quickly shows its limitations.
Rigid planning
The campaign planning system offered by Emity lacks the flexibility for spontaneous or urgent updates, which can be a barrier for businesses with responsive communication needs.
User reviews about Emity
Feedback on Emity, especially from the E-MANAGER, reflects varied experiences. Some users praise the solution for its ability to meet their needs over several years, while others report technical problems (loading delays, black screens) and sometimes slow support that have affected the continuity of their display.
Crown Heights, a solution with specific functionalities
Rating: 5/5
Founded in 1990, Crown Heights is distinguished by a digital signage solution with certain specific functionalities, particularly its proprietary anti-black screen technology and its supervision center.
Recommended business sectors
- Retail for dynamic promotions
- Corporate offices for the distribution of internal communications
- Hotels, restaurants, cafes to display menus and events
- Schools and universities for educational ads and content
Main features
- Multi-screen and split-screen management
- Proprietary anti-black screen technology
- Business software integration
- Technical support with supervision center
- PCI DSS V3.2 Security Standards
Pricing
Starting at €39/month with personalized offers according to configurations.
Why choose Cenareo?
Faced with the various solutions available on the market, Cenareo stands out for several decisive advantages:
1. A professional and scalable solution
Unlike solutions limited to small structures, Cenareo is designed to support the growth of your business. Whether you manage 5 screens or 5,000 screens, the platform adapts to your needs with the same efficiency.
2. Advanced features that are really operational
Where some solutions have significant limitations (absence of multi-screen synchronization at Emity, limited basic functionalities), Cenareo offers a complete range of advanced functionalities that really work: multi-screen synchronization, intelligent programming, intelligent programming, contextualization, contextualization, native integrations, interactivity.
3. Support that makes a difference
Beyond technology, it is support that often determines the success of a digital signage project. With its dedicated Customer Success Manager, its 24/7 technical support and its proactive supervision center, Cenareo guarantees you total peace of mind.
4. Recognized French expertise
Based in Labège, Cenareo represents French excellence in the field of digital signage. Its technological partnerships with Samsung, Sharp/NEC, Philips and Microsoft demonstrate the recognition of its solution by the largest players in the market.
5. Measurable results
With integrated performance indicators and personalized support, Cenareo helps you measure and optimize the ROI of your investment in digital signage. Customer testimonials confirm a significant increase in sales, better internal communication and increased audience satisfaction.
6. Unparalleled technical reliability
The Cenareo player guarantees continuous broadcasting without a black screen thanks to the local storage of content and the default campaign system. This technical reliability, coupled with proactive supervision, ensures that your messages are always visible.
Conclusion: Cenareo, the choice of performance and serenity
Depending on the specific needs of your business, each solution has its advantages. Emity is aimed at users looking for a simple solution for basic projects, while Crown Heights offers some specific features such as its anti-black screen technology.
However, Cenareo is positioned as the reference solution for companies looking for efficient, scalable management supported by their communication on screens. With its intuitive interface designed for non-technical teams, its advanced multi-screen synchronization features, its intelligent contextual programming, its multiple native integrations and its personalized support, Cenareo represents the best choice to maximize the impact of your digital signage.
The solution combines the power needed to manage large-scale screen fleets with the ease of use that allows rapid adoption by your teams. Its responsive technical support, its supervision center and its guarantee of free replacement of faulty equipment ensure optimal continuity of service.
Whether you are a retail brand looking to boost the customer experience, a multi-site company wanting to unite its employees, an advertising agency managing DOOH campaigns, or an institution wishing to better inform its users, Cenareo offers the most complete and reliable solution on the French market.
With more than 20,000 screens managed in 32 countries and prestigious customers such as AXA France, Boulanger, Etam, Undiz, Triumph and Shell, Cenareo demonstrates every day its ability to support organizations in their digital transformation.
Try Cenareo free for 2 weeks and discover why so many companies trust the French reference solution in digital signage.
