Introduction
Choosing your digital signage software is not an easy exercise for professionals. The commercial offer is abundant, with many companies offering turnkey digital solutions, each more attractive than the last. But how can you make the right choice without really knowing these solutions?
Several essential questions arise: is a POC sufficient to attest to the reliability of the software? Will you be in control of your digital signage via a clear and intuitive interface, or will you have to pay for an additional service? And who takes care of your screens when they break down?
These are all questions that you will probably not have all the answers to before signing the contract. Unless there is transparency. This is what we are going to offer you today, by highlighting five digital signage software for your business, with a particular focus on Cenareo.
Methodology
Before combing through each digital signage software, here are some background elements. We selected five key criteria to assess each platform:
- Ease of handling (interface, templates, no-code)
- Features (advanced programming, integrations, widgets)
- Deployment and architecture (SaaS/on-premise/hybrid)
- Support and maintenance
- Pricing (freemium model, licenses, subscription)
The following information comes from specialized sites (CapTERRA, Appvizer), and from the official pages of the publishers. So no speculations. The idea is to draw up an objective portrait of each solution, highlighting the opportunities of each.
Cenareo, the French reference solution for large-scale screen parks
Presentation
Founded in 2012 by four engineers who graduated from ENSEEIHT in Toulouse, Cenareo has established itself as a major player in digital signage in France and abroad. The solution offers a SaaS platform for managing screen fleets focused on the contextualization of content and local collaboration (“glocal” approach).
With more than 20,000 connected screens managed in more than 30 countries and more than 500 customers, Cenareo supports companies in all sectors: retail, DOOH (Digital Out Of Home), internal communication, health, health, education, education, catering and tourism. Among its prestigious customers are AXA France, Boulanger, Etam, Undiz, Undiz, Triumph, Leroy Merlin, E.Leclerc, Engie, EDF, Volvo Car France, SNCF, Etam, France, France, Volvo Car France, SNCF, Etam, Undiz, Undiz, Undiz, Triumph, Leroy Merlin, E.Leclerc, Engie, EDF, Volvo Car France, France, Volvo Car France, SNCF, Saint Gobain
The benefits of Cenareo
An ergonomic and intuitive platform
The Cenareo management platform is distinguished by its remarkable ergonomics, promoting rapid internal adoption, especially for local field teams. The collaborative interface allows multi-user management with hierarchical rights and validation workflow. Each user, after personalized support, quickly becomes autonomous to manage a fleet of screens, regardless of their size.
Predefined and customizable templates
Cenareo offers predefined templates that can be adapted to the graphic guidelines of each company, facilitating the rapid creation of content without special graphic skills. The platform also allows you to create and customize online videos directly from the content creation tool.
Glocalization at the heart of the strategy
Cenareo's “glocal” approach makes it possible to manage national campaigns centrally while offering the possibility of local adaptations at each point of sale. This controlled decentralization promotes the autonomy of local teams while maintaining global coherence, which is essential for multi-site businesses.
Intelligent and contextual programming
Cenareo's intelligent algorithms broadcast content according to customizable criteria (hours, days, delivery rate) or external parameters such as weather, stock status, audience criteria or top sales. This automatic contextualization considerably reinforces the impact and relevance of messages among audiences.
Multiple integrations and connectivity
Cenareo integrates perfectly with numerous technologies:
- Digital Workplace: Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Google Workspace, Facebook Workplace, Slack
- Business tools: Dashboard, data flow, stock status
- Standard feeds: weather, traffic, social networks (Instagram, Facebook), RSS feeds, ephemeris
- Open API for custom integrations
The Cenareo Flex solution, dedicated to internal communication, transforms all screens (PCs, smartphones, tablets, display screens) into powerful communication channels, guaranteeing the digital inclusion of all employees, regardless of their workplace.
Extensive compatibility and reliable technology
Cenareo works with any type of screen, including Samsung screens (Tizen range), Sharp/NEC and Philips screens with embedded solutions. The autonomous, compact and lightweight player, based on Raspberry Pi, guarantees continuous streaming and avoids black screens thanks to the local storage of content. Once connected via HDMI and connected to the network (Ethernet or WiFi), it can be instantly controlled remotely.
Dedicated support and support
Cenareo is positioned as a digital transformation partner, offering personalized support through dedicated Customer Success Managers. Technical support with a supervision center ensures maximum responsiveness. The proactive alert system automatically reports breakdowns. In the event of a major incident not resolved remotely, Cenareo replaces players free of charge as part of the subscription.
Performance indicators and management
The platform offers performance indicators to monitor the attractiveness of media, the freshness of content and the level of contextualization of campaigns. These tools make it possible to continuously optimize the impact of communication.
Recognition and quality
- User rating: 9.5 out of 10 (verified reviews)
- Ease of use: 4.8 out of 5
- Customer service: 4.8 out of 5
- Value for money: 4.8 out of 5
- EcoVadis silver medal for its CSR commitment
Cenareo pricing
Cenareo works in SaaS mode with an annual subscription whose price varies according to the size of the screen fleet. The subscription includes:
- Access to the SaaS platform on all devices
- Automatic updates
- Technical support with supervision center
- Player replacement guarantee in the event of a major incident
- Full cost transparency
Cenareo offers a free two-week trial to allow businesses to test the platform and assess its suitability with their needs.
Screensoft
Presentation
Screensoft is a historic French player, created more than 20 years ago, specialized in digital communication sector by sector. Their hosted solution (SaaS) covers many screen formats (totems, LED walls, windows).
Benefits
- Sectoral expertise : packaged versions for health, catering, distribution, etc., with dedicated business interfaces
- Turnkey installation : support from installation to maintenance, hardware and network support
- Scalable roadmap : regular updates based on customer feedback and standards (4K, HDR, SSSP)
Disadvantages
- Less modern interface : a design that is beginning to show its limits in the face of more recent solutions
- Limited flexibility : fewer possibilities for fine customization than on more open platforms, especially for the management of external events (sensors, API)
- Technical support : sometimes high response times and variable SLA models depending on the sector
Xibo
Presentation
Xibo is an open source solution under the GNU license, renowned for its robustness and multi-platform support (Windows, Android, Linux).
Benefits
- Free and open source : no license, cost limited to hardware and hosting (on-premise or cloud)
- Fine programming : advanced calendar, conditional rules (weather, presence), RSS feed support and live video
- Active community : forums, extensions, translations and regular updates
Disadvantages
- Learning curve : more technical handling, often requires an IT team for deployment
- No integrated sales support (excluding paid options via third parties)
- Interface sometimes considered austere by non-technical users
NoviSign
Presentation
NoviSign is an American SaaS platform, very present on the French market thanks to its partnerships and its multilingual interface. It offers interactive widgets and audience reports.
Benefits
- Drag & drop interface : simplicity to create scrollers, timers, live streams, slideshows
- Business widgets : KPI monitoring, digital menus, social media integration
- Real-time monitoring : alerts on screen failures, broadcast statistics and engagement
Disadvantages
- Limited free version : imposed watermark and very limited number of screens
- A la carte costs : each module (messaging, API, statistics) can generate an additional cost
- External accommodation : dependence on American data centers, sometimes a problem for sensitive data
PLAY by Deepidoo
Presentation
PLAY by Deepidoo is a 100% web-based sensory marketing platform (dynamic signage, music, room fragrances), embedded on all types of professional screens (Samsung SSSP/Tizen, LG WebOS, Iiyama, etc.) without an external player. For customers who do not have an adapted screen park, a player version is possible.
Benefits
- Native SSSP/Tizen and WebOS integration : no additional box, a simple Internet connection for each screen
- Full sensory marketing : simultaneous control of displays, background music and olfactory marketing from a single interface
- Open API : connection to IS (stock, traffic, events) for real-time contextualization
- Multilingual and multi-site : hierarchy of rights, distribution segmented by store, region, country
- Integral after-sales service : human and responsive technical and customer support
Disadvantage
- Global sensory offer : for purely display purposes, some functionalities remain underused
Conclusion: why choose Cenareo?
In this competitive landscape, Cenareo is distinguished by several major assets that make it the reference solution for companies in France and abroad:
1. Recognized expertise and a solid customer base
With more than 20,000 screens managed in more than 30 countries and more than 500 reference customers (AXA France, Boulanger, SNCF, Etam, Engie, etc.), Cenareo has proven itself among the largest French and international companies.
2. An ergonomic and efficient platform
Rated 9.5 out of 10 by its users, the Cenareo platform combines ease of use and functional power. Its intuitive interface allows for rapid adoption, even for non-technical teams, while its intelligent algorithms automate the contextualization of content.
3. A comprehensive multi-channel approach
Beyond simple screen management, Cenareo offers a 360° vision of communication with its Cenareo Flex solution, which integrates with collaborative tools (Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Slack, etc.) to guarantee the digital inclusion of all employees.
4. Excellent support and support
With dedicated Customer Success Managers, a supervision center, a proactive alert system and the free replacement of faulty equipment, Cenareo ensures total peace of mind for its customers.
5. Reliable and scalable technology
The standalone player based on Raspberry Pi guarantees continuous streaming without a black screen, while the extensive compatibility with all types of screens (Samsung Tizen, Sharp/NEC, Philips) and multiple integrations ensure maximum flexibility.
6. A recognized CSR commitment
The EcoVadis silver medal testifies to Cenareo's commitment to corporate social responsibility, an increasingly important criterion for organizations.
7. A free trial with no commitment
With its free two-week trial, Cenareo allows companies to test the solution in real conditions before making a commitment.
Whether you are a retail brand looking to boost the customer experience, an industrial company wishing to optimize its internal communication, or an advertising agency managing a DOOH network, Cenareo offers a complete, reliable and scalable solution, supported by a team of passionate experts and quality support.
To find out how Cenareo can transform your screen communication, contact our experts or request your free trial today.
