Business Info - issue 155

DIGITAL SIGNAGE 01732 759725 magazine 23 Mind the tech equity gap New report highlights the value of digital signage for deskless workers People increasingly talk about the need for equity between in-office and remote workers, particularly in the context of meetings culture, but what about the equity gap between office-based and deskless workers, who make up 80% of the workforce? ScreenCloud has just produced a new report with Google Chrome OS highlighting the role digital signage can play in narrowing the tech equity gap and increasing the engagement and productivity of deskless workers at a time of rising costs and labour shortages. In a survey of 1,200 workers and 1,200 decision-makers in manufacturing, logistics, transportation and supply chain businesses in the UK and US, 78% of frontline workers said they have fewer opportunities than office workers because they have less access to multiple workplace communication applications and digital information sources. The State of Digital Signage 2023-2024 report highlights the value of digital signage in bridging this gap, with three in five frontline workers stating that information shared on workplace screens helps them to become more engaged with their wider business (61%), more productive (59%) and more data literate (62%). Decision-makers were even more appreciative of the value of workplace screens, with more than four out of five highlighting their positive impact on health and safety compliance (87%), productivity (86%), accessibility (86%), employee morale (85%) and job satisfaction (83%). Nearly half (43%) said they experienced a significant uplift in employee motivation and performance as a result of workplace screens. Mark McDermott, CEO of ScreenCloud, says that while workplace screens aren’t a silver bullet for solving the productivity puzzle and increasing employee engagement, they can make a big contribution as part of an omnichannel approach. He said: “Our research shows that 78% of deskless workers do not have access to a company email address and 72% do not have access to a company intranet. Despite this, we often see organisations attempting to use these channels (and other platforms used to communicate with information workers) to connect with their frontline workforce. Everyone on the frontline deserves a more equitable technological experience, which digital signage can go some way to balancing.” He added: “Digital signage is scientifically proven to be the most effective method to engage employees by stimulating their visual cortex and, when combined with behavioural science insights around screen location, placement, length of message and so on, the outcomes are extremely powerful. Particularly for the deskless workforce, digital signage presents an opportunity to use the right channel, at the right time, with the right message, targeted towards the right person, instilling a sense of value and recognition.” https://try.screencloud.com/ state-of-digital-signage-report Pitch Perfect PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays, is entering the outdoor LED display market with the launch of the Philips Urban LED 6000 Series of 10,000 nit, Ultra High Bright ‘limitless’ displays. The manufacturer is including the new range in its line-up for FC Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou stadium redevelopment, which has a requirement for 1.2km of outdoor LED, including two concourse rings and three video scoreboards. PPDS is the official supplier of LED and digital signage displays for FC Barcelona and the Camp Nou renovation, scheduled for completion in 2026. Martijn van der Woude, VP Global Marketing and Business Development, said: “On and off the pitch, FC Barcelona does not settle for second best, and we are thrilled that our range of solutions, including the new Urban 6000 Series, is lined up to be part of what will become one of the greatest venues on the planet, bringing previously unimaginable matchday experiences to fans.” He added: “As the chant goes, ‘We’ve got a name that everyone knows’ and, together with the owner of that chant, Barça, we are bringing future vision to football.” PPDS also has official partnerships with Oracle Red Bull Racing and Harlequins RFC. The Ultra High Bright Philips Urban LED 6000 Series, for viewing distances of 10-30 metres, is available in a range of interchangeable 10mm pixel pitch panels, including 120(W) x 120(H), 120 x 90 and 90 x 90 variants. Customers can connect and combine an unlimited number of panels of different sizes, giving them total creative freedom and the ability to support almost any form factor. Specifications for the IP65rated displays include a high contrast ratio of 5000:1 (aided by the use of long shader masks); refresh rates of 7680hz; brightness of up to 10,000 nits, enabling content to be viewed in all lighting conditions, including direct sunlight; power consumption of 280 watts per square metre; and front and rear access for easy maintenance. Spherical Insights is forecasting the global outdoor LED display market to grow from $7.58 billion in 2022 to $29.87 billion by 2032 (source: Global Outdoor LED Display Market Report, May 2023). Mark McDermott

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