If you have done some research on digital signage, you may have found it difficult to get an estimation of the total cost. Some vendors offer everything from content production to administration, hardware, and software while others only provide the software. In other words, the question is quite complex. With that said, we will try to give you an idea of what price ranges to expect when investing in digital signage.
Graphic design / content creation
Graphic design and content creation is a very variable price element. If you produce content in-house, the costs to factor in would be the time spent creating the content and the tools used such as PowerPoint, Photoshop, or others. If you have outsourced content creation to a creative agency or a freelancer, the cost can vary substantially based on scope and service provider.
At Databeat, we know that content is an important aspect of digital signage which is why we offer a wide array of free PowerPoint templates that our users can download and customize with their branding, colors, and images. Should you need tailor-made templates for your business, with vivid images and animations, this can be offered at an additional cost. In other words, it is entirely up to you how much you want to spend on creating content.
Software for publishing content (CMS)
Software that allows you to publish content is often referred to as a CMS (Content Management System). This too can vary greatly in price. At Databeat, we believe in offering a trial version for free, so that users can get a chance to familiarize themselves with the software before making a purchase decision. The answer to this question is, in other words, that it does not have to cost a penny. It is only when you want to publish the content on a display that you need a license. This can cost as little as USD 12 per month per display.
Media players
To show content, your display needs an external or an internal media player. Most modern digital displays have internal media players by default. This means there are no additional costs for media players. However, if you want to transform a regular consumer TV into a digital signage display screen or if you have an older digital display, then you will need an external media player to show content on the display.
Read more about OMNIplay 3 here.
Digital signage display
To show content you will of course need a digital signage display. If you already have a professional display with an internal media player, you are all set. The price of digital signage displays varies. Some models are more affordable while others can be quite pricy, so it is important to identify your needs before investing in new displays. Will, the screen be used inside a facility, outside, next to a window, etc.? These are questions that will affect what digital signage display you should invest in. Contact us and we will guide you in the right direction.
Another thing to consider is how long the displays should be turned on. Some displays can be on 24/7, while more affordable displays are intended to be on for approximately 16 hours per day.
The level of brightness of the display is also a factor when it comes to price. The more affordable displays often have around 350 nits brightness, while the market standard is 500 nits. Some displays offer up to 4000 nits. These displays are designed to be placed in areas such as windows or outside where a higher level of brightness is needed.
Conclusion
Many factors must be considered when investing in digital signage, but ultimately, digital signage does not have to cost more than USD 12 per month. That is probably less than you currently pay for a Netflix subscription. Digital signage displays vary in price, but even these have become more affordable in recent years. This means that digital signage is now available to businesses of all sizes, regardless of whether you own a small store or work in a large corporation.
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