Digital signage is a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. From retail stores showcasing new products to corporate offices displaying important announcements, digital signs can engage audiences and deliver timely information more effectively than static posters or bulletin boards. However, the initial digital signage hardware investment can often be a significant barrier to entry, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. This article explores how you can deploy digital signs without incurring additional hardware costs, leveraging the technology you already have on hand.
The typical digital signage setup
Traditionally, a digital signage setup consists of two main hardware components: a screen and a digital signage player. The screen, of course, is the visual component, while the digital signage player is the small computer that renders media content from digital signage management software and sends the media to the screen. This player is the brains of the operation, responsible for displaying everything from images and videos to web pages and dynamic data dashboards. While this setup is robust and reliable, it comes with its own set of challenges.
Downsides of using digital signage players
The most significant hurdle is the cost of the digital signage players themselves. For businesses looking to deploy multiple screens, the expense of purchasing a player for each display can quickly add up. Beyond the initial purchase price, there are also logistical considerations. These devices need to be ordered, shipped, and then physically installed and configured, all of which takes time and resources. For companies eager to get their first screens up and running, these upfront costs and logistical hurdles can be a major deterrent. Even larger organizations with ample budgets can find themselves entangled in lengthy approval and procurement processes, which can delay the launch of department-led digital signage initiatives.
Digital signage without digital signage players
Recognizing these challenges, Screenly now empowers teams to bypass the need for dedicated digital signage players and instead utilize their existing hardware. The first of these is Screenly Anywhere, a game-changer that enables you to display and schedule content on any device capable of displaying a modern web browser. This means you can transform the devices you already own—be it a tablet, a smart computer monitor, a smart TV, or even a spare laptop—into a fully functional digital sign. With Screenly Anywhere, you can harness the processing power of your existing hardware, eliminating the need to purchase, wait for, and set up a separate digital signage player. You can still perform all the essential digital signage tasks that small and medium-sized enterprises rely on, such as creating and organizing content into playlists and scheduling when that content is displayed.
Beyond Screenly Anywhere and native apps
In addition to Screenly Anywhere, we have also developed a range of native applications for various operating systems. These apps provide a more streamlined and integrated experience, allowing you to use your existing smart TVs and other devices as dedicated digital signage players. With native apps, you gain greater flexibility and control over the installation and management process. We currently offer a Screenly Samsung Tizen App, a Screenly Android App, and a Screenly ChromeOS App, with more on the way. These native applications offer a smoother and more reliable playback experience, as they are specifically designed and optimized for their respective platforms.
Limitations of using your own hardware
While Screenly Anywhere and our native apps provide a cost-effective and convenient way to deploy digital signs, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of not using a dedicated digital signage player. For instance, overall screen control can sometimes be a challenge. If a device unexpectedly shuts down or the application closes, it may require manual intervention to get the digital sign back up and running. There can also be hardware security considerations that are outside of Screenly’s direct control when using third-party hardware setups. Furthermore, diagnosing screen health remotely and troubleshooting technical issues can be more complex without the standardized hardware of a dedicated player. For these reasons, we still recommend a dedicated digital signage player for mission-critical deployments where uptime and security are of the utmost importance.
Launch your first screen today for free
The barrier to entry for digital signage has never been lower. With innovative solutions like Screenly Anywhere and our suite of native applications, you no longer need to invest in expensive, specialized hardware to get your first digital sign off the ground. You can leverage the devices you already own to create engaging and dynamic displays in just minutes.
Ready to see for yourself? Sign up for a free 14-day trial of Screenly today and get your first digital sign up and running with the hardware you already have.
