< Previous20 Kiosk and Digital Signage O ne aspect of digital signage always seems to spark debate and discussion within corporations: who are the primary users of digital signage systems – IT or marketing? This stems from the nature of digital signage, which displays content to an audience in physical spaces using various hardware. These hardware devices require installation involving physical elements, networked configurations, anti-theft security measures, protection against cyberattacks, and ongoing maintenance – all aspects that typically fall under the domain of IT teams and are outside the scope of marketing. Designing with tech teams in mind Moreover, many digital signage platforms are designed primarily with technical teams in mind, rather than focusing on those responsible for content management. Consequently, the system tends to revolve around technology rather than content. Consequently, it’s often the IT team that ends up handling content publishing and programming for digital signage systems. Following this logic, one could argue that marketing and communication departments should also send content from other content management systems (CMS) for web or social media to the IT department for publication. However, IT directors often push back, emphasising that content management falls outside their purview. Therefore, heads of marketing and communication departments must acknowledge their ultimate responsibility for these platforms and recognise that just as they publish content on webpages, they can do the same on displays visible in physical locations. A burden for everyone and a benefit for no one As digital signage systems evolve, and offer increasingly sophisticated tools – such as audience analysis by gender, age and viewing Germán Talón, chief product officer at nsign.tv – www.nsign.tv Whose job is digital signage content?Kiosk and Digital Signage 21 time – relying solely on the IT department for content management becomes burdensome for all involved and provides little benefit. Therefore, it’s more strategic for marketing officers or teams responsible for web publishing, e-commerce, loyalty apps, or social media to also manage content publication in physical locations. This approach streamlines content publication, reduces reliance on other departments, and ensures more coherent communication across all channels. Digital signage enables seamless publication of the same content across various channels, from advertising networks and social media to banners on webpages and displays in physical stores, accompanying customers throughout their entire journey. A publishing tool like any other Digital signage systems should be treated like any other tool for publishing online content, supporting similar audiovisual formats, resolutions, and measurement of effectiveness. Therefore, the IT department should focus on maintaining the infrastructure while marketing and communication departments concentrate on content creation, campaign publication, and effectiveness analysis. While the boundary between responsibilities is clearer, digital signage manufacturers mustn’t overlook the challenge of developing robust, agile and reliable solutions from both IT and marketing perspectives. Solutions should cater to the diverse range of digital signage system users, ensuring a seamless and effective user experience for all involved. Digital signage systems should be treated like any other tool for publishing online content22 Kiosk and Digital Signage How point of sale and display solutions can reduce retail theft in 2024 efficiency Daryl Bedford, sales director, Harrison –www.harrisonproducts.com The impacts of theft on the retail industry B usinesses face an ongoing challenge: theft. Despite many retailers implementing additional security measures such as extra guards, security barriers, and employee body cams, the issue of stolen goods continues to plague the industry. Alcohol, beauty products, and baby formula are the most common stolen goods, and this is likely to persist in the coming months. To overcome this issue, retailers must adopt point of sale (POS) and display solutions to help combat loss. The issue of retail theft has been intensified by the impact of the cost of living crisis, with the Office for National Statistics releasing new data late in 2023 stating that theft had increased by 25% since 2022. While the issue of theft remains complex, stats like this underscore the importance for retailers to take proactive measures to protect their assets. By investing in innovative shrinkage- reduction, businesses can mitigate the impact of theft while maintaining a secure and welcoming shopping environment. Suppliers and their solutions While the burden of theft often falls on retailers and the police, retail suppliers have a significant role to play when it comes to preventing theft. One way that suppliers can help retailers protect themselves is by developing cutting-edge point-of-sale and product display solutions. It’s important to note that every retail shop is different, therefore each has their own stock loss prevention plans due to the type of products being sold as well as the branding and imaging of each retailer differing. This means it is just as important to find the right designer and producers of displays who can take a tailored approach to theft prevention solutions.Point-of-sale and display solutions There are a number of solutions to cut retail theft, limiting product accessibility and making theft attempts more difficult. For example, retractable lanyards and anti-theft security tethers offer a straightforward yet highly effective solution for displaying products of all value while minimising the risk of theft or accidental displacement. Available in a variety of strengths, the security tethers are attached to a split ring to allow consumers to hold a product within a limited distance, while providing maximum durability and security. Anti-sweep hooks are another solution and are designed to prevent people from sweeping secure products with a strong and secure hold, enabling retailers to showcase products and merchandise in a way that’s both visually appealing and organised whilst deterring theft. Embracing a range of anti-theft solutions POS and display solutions are just one of many ways retailers can help prevent theft. It is necessary to have a combined approach that makes it a lot more difficult for shoplifters to steal. Introducing intelligent analytics is one way as it can detect unusual behaviour, prompting real-time alerts. Other ways include extra security guards, facial recognition systems, and signage displaying the consequences of theft. There’s no silver bullet when dealing with theft. The right strategy includes a range of ideas that plug the vulnerability of different aspects of a shop. By combining them all, retailers are able to develop a system that makes it harder for shoplifters to steal. What is even more important is making sure that retailers choose the right suppliers. While in theory a solution might work, it needs the right team behind it to innovate, develop it and ensure it works correctly. Demystifying demand Given the surge in theft, there is now a dramatic increase in requests for anti-theft and loss prevention solutions from retailers. It is clear that the industry is facing a real challenge and suppliers and retailers should now prioritise research and development to react to this problem effectively and efficiently. 24 Kiosk and Digital Signage T he manufacturing sector grapples with several significant obstacles, including worrying employee turnover rates, communication issues, and diminished employee engagement levels. Recent data reveals that the average turnover rate in the manufacturing industry reaches an alarming 31% annually. Moreover, a mere 39% of frontline employees believe their employers value their input, and only 25% of workers in the manufacturing sector report high levels of engagement. This figure is notably below the general average, where over a third of employees feel highly engaged. Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing productivity within the sector, according to digital signage company ScreenCloud. The organisation has emphasised the undeniable advantages of fostering a highly engaged workforce. Studies indicate that employees who feel acknowledged at their workplace are 63% less likely to look for new job opportunities within the next 3-6 months. However, a significant gap exists in empowering employees to make decisions; only 24% of companies grant this autonomy to their frontline staff. Organisations that boast a highly engaged workforce face an 87% lower risk of employee turnover. Additionally, 60% of workers in the manufacturing sector feel that their employers could enhance their focus on fostering a strong company culture and improving top- down communication. Although effectively communicating with sizable employee groups presents its challenges, the advantages of tackling these issues are evident. An impressive 92% of employers report improvements in work quality and productivity when frontline employees are provided with more insights derived from data. In fact, a significant factor contributing to the challenge of employee engagement in the manufacturing sector is the disconnect between employers and their workers. Eight- Enhancing employee engagement: a critical strategy for improving manufacturing efficiency Mark McDermott, CEO, ScreenCloud – screencloud.comKiosk and Digital Signage 25 out-of-ten workers in deskless industries feel that their in-office counterparts receive more opportunities, largely due to better access to workplace communication tools and digital information. This disparity underscores a crucial insight: for workers to truly engage with their employer, they must feel reached out to and valued. Investment in their inclusion and communication is essential to bridge this gap and foster a more connected, engaged workforce. Mark McDermott, CEO & co-founder of ScreenCloud, says, “Creating a culture that recognises great work and individual contributions helps manufacturers to retain talent and improve overall efficiency. “While many areas can contribute to creating this culture, harnessing the power of digital signage can be an incredibly effective tool to utilise – and one which is often overlooked. With the right digital signage strategy, employee engagement can be increased through better recognition of great work. In addition, it can aid with enhancing safety compliance, meaning manufacturers can significantly increase productivity while prioritising the well-being of their workforce.” In addition to improved turnover rates, businesses with highly engaged employees also experience a 70% reduction in safety incidents. The manufacturing sector is notably impacted by a higher rate of workplace injuries and fatalities relative to its workforce size. Specifically, manufacturing is responsible for 5% of all workplace injuries and 8% of all fatalities in the US. In the UK, the manufacturing sector sees 54,000 workers suffer non-fatal injuries each year. A significant factor contributing to these statistics is the insufficient communication of workplace hazards. In the United States, inadequate hazard communication is identified as the second leading cause of safety incidents at work, with nearly 2,500 citations issued for poor hazard communication in 2022 alone. A significant 86% of employers recognise that superior technology empowers employees to make more decisions independently. Digital signage serves as a versatile tool for disseminating emergency alerts, offering training advice, sending reminder notifications for safety gear, and sharing real-time data and analytics about the workplace. Employing digital displays to enhance adherence to safety protocols enables manufacturing companies to keep their workforce well-informed about operational procedures, thereby reducing the likelihood of regulatory non-compliance. In certain cases, the adoption of digital signage has led to a notable 20% decrease in compensation claims. “While digital signage isn’t the silver bullet for solving the manufacturing productivity puzzle,” adds McDermott, “it is a simple and strategic implementation that can have a huge impact on some of the key challenges that impact productivity within the sector.”www.kdseurope.com | sales@kdseurope.com | editor@kdseurope.com KDS Magazine is the leading technical journal for manufacturers, integrators and deployers of self service terminals and digital signage. Published on a bi-monthly basis, KDS features news, articles and features from industry-leading bodies, and the very latest information on innovative technology. Past issues can be found on our website: www.kdseurope.com, along with news, features and information on events throughout the year. Transforming school communication with digital signage Self-service kiosks in an evolving cashless society Five ways your elevator can boost the employee experience Also in this issue: Modular panel PCs: empowering flexibility and performance Three screens on a motorbike – a mobile advertising platform for the city Back to the future – making museums more interactive with tech Also in this issue: Using digital signage to create a playable neighbourhood CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY Enhancing the visitor experience with digital mapping technology POS and display solutions to reduce retail theft Also in this issue: Whose job is digital signage content? CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT TECHNOLOGYNext >