TV Screens have long been commonplace in transport hubs; even before the rise of the flat-screen televisions and the digital signage revolution, old cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs were often mounted on the ceiling of train stations and airports to relay timetable information and news of delays and/or cancellations.
Now with modern LCD screens their use has expanded with stations, due to the large volumes of people using the terminals, being prime sights for not just information screens but digital signage too.
Modern flat-screen TVs have of course caused this burgeoning use, as have the introduction of protective LCD enclosures, but one advantage modern software driven screens have over the former information screens, is the ability to have dual purpose devices.
While LCD screens can be deployed to provide crucial information and timetables, the content can also be mixed with advertisements and other content.
This is proving a real boon for the transport industry as they can not only inform their customers of crucial delays but also generate another revenue stream from advertisements; or, to ensure their customers are kept happy provide services such as news, weather and even entertainment.
And it is not just transport hubs that are using this dual purpose method of digital signage. Doctor’s surgeries and pharmacies are providing screens to their patients and customers that can provide useful information such as medical guidance, while also supplying advertisements – which can pay for the screens.
Some companies are providing such services to surgeries for free, installing the screens and providing software enabling digital signage without any overheads – a win-win for the surgeries, advertising companies and the service users.
And with LCD enclosures, this sort of dual purpose digital signage can be taken outside, enabling information and advertisements in outdoor environments and other hostile locations such as factories, ships and even ski resorts.
