Most businesses, from industrial and manufacturing groups to marketing firms mostly utilize PCs. While the Mac certainly dominates most artistic/graphic design companies, mainstream America invests in PCs and the Windows® platform. Plus, when purchasing computer equipment to power digital signage hardware, PC components are hands-down, much less expensive than Mac. With these two points in mind, SmartAVI has focused its software development toward PCs, creating simple-to-use Windows®-based programs that clients already identify with because of their inherent knowledge and familiarity with other PC programs. SmartAVI’s digital signage software operates on the “point-and-click” method that most Windows®-based programs use.

Using the software that comes with all SmartAVI digital signage products, clients can import media to the server (the machine that is being used to program the digital signage hardware), schedule when and how that content is played, and can then monitor its performance either locally or remotely via the Internet. In developing the SmartAVI digital signage software that powers our products, we specifically wanted to keep the importing and support of common media files very simple and user-friendly. As easily as clicking on the files you want added to your digital signage production, our software can read and support everyday file types that are already familiar: JPEG, GIF, QuickTime, AVI, HTML, PowerPoint, Flash and RSS, to name a few.

Our software does not require an additional “file conversion” step, nor is it rigid in the types of files it supports. Since its inception, SmartAVI’s desire has been to appeal to the general public by way of innovative, powerful, cost-effective and simple to use digital signage products. We have stayed faithful to that vision and not only continuously revise our software based on customer feedback and satisfaction – we also offer friendly technical support to our clients that might need a little extra assistance when learning how to create their digital signage presentations using SmartAVI’s scheduling software.

Digital signage is excellent for informing and educating, building brands, improving customer experience and driving sales.

While initially purchasing digital signage players (basically, computers with powerful processors and a small amount of hard disc space that you load your content onto) and the monitors on which the digital images are to be displayed may be more of an investment than a cardboard sign, the versatility and economic sense of digital signage far outweighs continuing to spend money on signage that may only be used once for a sale or special event; after that, into the trash bin your signs – and money – goes.

Media files – videos, high-definition images, music – replace drab printed material that most consumers simply gloss over as they pass by. When was the last time you stopped and stared at a sign in the middle of a store because it was so cool? It doesn’t happen. When was the last time you stopped in the middle of the store to watch a product demonstration or video clip on an overhead flat screen? How about a new game for the PlayStation® or the newest demo of The Beatles™: Rock Band™? It happens every time you walk through a store, doesn’t it?

You can create your message with full-motion video, graphics, Flash, web pages, PowerPoint presentations and live data. Digital signage also gives you the ability to control how, when and where your message will be displayed. Because most digital signage networks are IP based, you can control your displays from anywhere in the world. One of the greatest strengths of digital signage is its ability to target your message to specific audiences either by demographics, time of day, geography or store zone. This gives you the opportunity to communicate to audiences at exactly the time and place of your choice. Learn more!