Elevator Digital Signage in Commercial Buildings: How and Why Use It

Today, technology enhances commercial building environments in several ways. Digital signage, for example, offers a way to display pertinent information in modern buildings, making things like navigation much simpler. Elevator digital signage takes advantage of display screens attached to the interior or exterior of an elevator, providing a modern tool for communication and engagement in just such a fashion.

Why Use Digital Signage in Elevators?

There are several reasons to consider investing in an elevator digital signage system.

High Visibility

The first is higher visibility. When patrons and clients alike enter an elevator, if you have an eye-catching digital display, they are more likely to remain engaged for the duration of their brief elevator ride.

Most people look for something to do during that brief moment when there is little else available to them. Elevator digital signage can capture the attention of a very captive audience during their brief elevator rides and provide them with key information.

Efficient Communication

The second is more efficient communication. That key information from digital signage in elevators can deliver important messages to visitors and tenants alike.

For example:

A condominium building that would otherwise need to invest a lot of time and money putting up notices on display boards in lobbies and in main corridors can instead invest in an elevator digital signage system where notices can be automatically pushed in real-time, including:

• Moving notices so patrons know the elevators will be padded and in use for moving furniture
• Location and time information for Board of Director meetings
• New regulations for patrons
• Guest details for things like swimming pool use 
• Security contact information 

By the same token, a commercial building can capitalize on better communication with similar digital elevator signage. For example:

A commercial property can provide real-time updates on security notices, hours of operation for the property manager, new tenant information, and details pertaining to wayfinding. 

Monetization Opportunities

The third are monetization opportunities. By installing an elevator digital signage system building managers and owners create opportunities for generating revenue through advertising space on that elevator screen.

For example:

A local mall with several elevators can increase revenue by leasing out advertising space on the elevator digital signage, paid for by different patrons in the mall.

A new apartment complex in a downtown area with leased spaces on the first floor and apartments on the top three floors can use resident elevator display screens as a way to generate revenue through advertising by the companies that lease the spaces on the first floor such as a local coffee shop, restaurant, and yoga studio.

Enhancing Building Prestige

The final benefit is the enhanced building prestige. Modern digital elevator signage improves the perceived value and prestige of a commercial building by doing away with paper signs or other freestanding posters that can detract from the professionalism of an organization. These get replaced with sleek, professional looking digital signage.

How to Implement an Elevator Digital Signage System

As a building manager or owner, how can you go about implementing an elevator digital signage system?

Planning and Strategy

The first step is assessing the needs of your building and determining the goals of your digital signage system. 

• Are you looking to improve communication?
• Is your main goal to modernize the building with professional-looking displays instead of paper displays?
• Do you want monetization opportunities through ad revenue?

Your goal might be to incorporate several of these in different areas of the building or at different times of the day.

Choosing the Right Hardware

The next step, based on your plan, is to choose the right hardware. The hardware you use is primarily based on the types of displays you want. 

For example, if you have a condominium building and you want information in the lobby, right next to the elevators, you might choose freestanding displays that are in front of the elevator doors but you might also want flat screen displays that are incorporated into the inside of the elevators.

Choosing the Right Software Solution

From there, you'll need to choose the right software solution. The software you choose plays a big role in things like:

• Photos and videos you can use
• Templates for creating content
• Cloud storage
• Customer service
• Control features

For example, some software might enable remote control abilities where you are capable of controlling the information displayed in each of your elevators remotely so you don't have to physically be on the premises. Other software might allow things like content scheduling where you can schedule the content to change depending on the hour of the day or the day of the week.

Having the right type of plan and strategy for your overall content goes a long way toward determining which features and capabilities you want when choosing software.

Content Creation and Management

You'll want to consider content creation and management. As mentioned, some software systems might provide things like templates that you can use to generate the content you want on display in your elevator digital signage.

However, you'll also want software and content management services that you can rely on for updates, technical issues, and more.

Integration with Existing Systems

Consider integration with existing systems like your security system or a cloud storage system.

Installation and Setup

Finally, it's time for the installation and setup which can be managed by third-party companies or internally. This decision is heavily based on the strategy you have developed and how you plan to use your elevator digital signage system.

Conclusion

There are several key benefits and reasons for using elevator digital signage in commercial buildings, such as monetization opportunities, efficient communication, and the opportunity to enhance your building's prestige. Building managers and owners should consider implementing digital signage as a means to enhance communication, engagement, and building value. The future of digital signage in commercial properties has great potential to transform tenant interactions, increasing the overall visibility and efficacy of communication efforts.

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