• Digital Signage Software

Of all the marketing solutions, digital signage holds a prime place of importance because it can attract footfalls immediately to your shop. A well-written and eye-catching digital signage board can bring in customers who might never have heard of your brand before. Statistics show that digital signage can capture the attention of a significant majority of people passing through the streets.Yes, digital signage boards are essential to advertising, but what you write on it matters more than anything else. Therefore digital signage software has a critical role to play. We shall go through the features of what a digital display should consist of before discussing some of the best digital signage software free solutions available today.

What is digital signage software?When you look at any digital signboard, you notice a combination of static and interactive digital displays. The digital signage software solution manages these displays and helps to create, schedule, monitor, store, and display advertisements on projectors, televisions, and other digital display advertising devices.

Digital signage systemsToday, convenient all-in-one digital signage systems are available, but they include three distinct components. These components are integral to every digital signage solution.

Content ManagementA content management system is the backbone of a digital signage system. Digital advertising solutions offer CMS to enable users to upload video content and original images or even modify the templates provided to deliver the results they seek.

Digital Signage PlayerThe digital signage player is the device that connects to your TV or digital signage screen. It looks similar to the Amazon Fire TV Stick. This device enables the content stored in the cloud, network server, or a hard drive to display on the screen. Digital DisplayIn simple words, the digital display device is the one that is visible to the world outside. Usually, you have flat-screen televisions of varying sizes depending on the needs and budget of the business.

Nowadays, you get touchscreen interactive digital screens to make it more attractive to the customer.We shall now look at the points to ask when selecting the right digital signage software for your advertising needs. Nature of content – The quality of content will depend on your requirements. Do you want static images with subtitles or a full-fledged video along with dialogues? Depending on your requirements, you have to ensure that your digital signage system supports it. Touchscreen display – Going for a touchscreen display entails that your digital signage software should support interactive content. This requirement can change all three components of your digital signage system.

Cloud-Based system – Though there are many computer network-based signage systems around, the cloud-based ones are becoming popular. One can control, edit, and update content from remote locations when you opt for cloud-based signage systems.Let us look at some digital signage software solutions before proceeding to discuss them in detail.Digital Signage SoftwareCloud-Based and On-PremiseMac, Windows, Linux PlatformsFree/PaidYodeckYesYesPaidTruDigital SignageYesYesPaidNoviSignYesYesPaidArreyaYesYesPaidThe TV SignYesYesPaidEnplugYesYesPaidUPshowYesYesPaidCommandcenterHDYesYesPaidSkykitYesYesPaidUCViewYesYesPaid1.Yodeck is a cloud-based digital signage software open source that caters to the small and medium-sized businesses.

It enables businesses to create content and monitor them through the web. This software is compatible with the prominent OS like Mac, Windows, and Linux. Users can upload PDF files, images, videos, and even Excel files to display screens. Some of the primary features include content scheduling, SSL security, media library, layout management, digital signage, digital menu boards, and media RSS. This software solution can integrate with 3rd party applications like Google Calendar, Xero, Instagram, and Twitter, among others. The pricing of the product depends on the number of screens you want the display to have. This solution provides online support through email, documentation, phone, and online help desk.

2.TruDigital Signage is an ideal software solution to help with digital communication. Users can upload files, documents, video content, and images to the Cloud from where they can add them to the display screen. As it is a cloud-based solution, it enables users to manage their content from a centralized dashboard.

This software solution allows users to send content to groups and individual locations with a facility to download various reports. TruDigital Signage monitors ads and other content to help users identify the content that the audience prefers to have. Users can also make changes accordingly. Other notable features of this software solution include photo-editing, search functionalities, file import/export options, and so on from a single dashboard. This software targets all kinds of business organizations, including financial services, healthcare, retail, Government business, automotive, and education. Furthermore, it is compatible with the prominent OS like Windows, Mac, and Linux. 3.NoviSign is the ideal software solution for businesses that manage advertisements through interactive kiosk devices across multiple locations.

Some of the critical features of this digital signage software are secure browsing, virtual keyboard, digital signature, and onsite printing. Usually, small to midsize businesses opt for NoviSign. It allows the users to manage content according to the requirements of the advertising campaigns. The software comes with a player application to enable business entities to install it on remote hardware devices. It is also possible to download content from a centralized database. Generating reports on machine health and user activities is possible. Another exciting feature of NoviSign is that it comes with an IoT module to let the system respond to various events through sensors.

This software comes with a monthly subscription offer that is extendable. It is compatible with Mac, Linux, and Windows. 4.Arreya is a cloud-based and customizable digital signage software solution that caters to businesses of all sizes. Users can create, manage, monitor, and deploy their content across the web. The best aspect of this software solution is that it comes with a built-in free-form editor. WYSIWYG allows users to customize and design content using pre-defined templates. Some of its exciting features include, drop and drag facility, lockdown kiosk mode, integration widgets, ability to store photos/videos, and remote access.

The scheduling module allows businesses to build multiple presentations and set different display hours, even weeks in advance. Monitoring the device through smartphones is also possible. As it allows integration with Google, YouTube, and Twitter, it is possible to broadcast live events to digital displays. Monthly pricing options are available. Support for this software is available through email, phone, documentation, and video tutorials. 5.The TV Sign is a cloud-based digital signage software that can be managed from anywhere.

Users can display their advertisements on television screens. Hence, this digital signage software is popular among hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, schools, universities, employee break rooms, retail stores, and even waiting rooms at stations and airport lounges. Some of the salient features include drag and drop editing technology that allows users to create, manage, and schedule multiple displays simultaneously. This device can be plugged into any TV having an HDMI port. It provides options for deleting digital content or even sharing of content with team members across different departments. Proof-of-play reports, player hardware, and connectivity dashboard are other notable features of this software solution. Multiple signage widgets are available.

They include RSS feeds, live streams, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, among others.Some of the solutions listed out have digital signage software free trial options that enable users to test the software before finalizing it. These software solutions are open-source solutions that will allow users to customize them according to their requirements.

The times have changed over the years. Businesses have to be proactive in their advertising campaigns to be ahead of their peers in the race. The right digital signage software solution can play a vital role in these aspects. It can lift up the fortunes of the business and take it to high levels. As mentioned earlier, digital signage advertisement can attract visitors out of nowhere.

Therefore, investing in a proper digital signage software solution is imperative for any business.

DigitalSignage.com, the first open digital signage software platform that transforms any display into a two-way communication screen, allowing any developer or business to create and integrate fully customizable apps to run ontheir own network of public displays without cost or commitment. We provides sample apps such as Digg, Social and Web Apps that anyone can fork on Github and modify to accommodate for their own business logic and needs. OurAPI includes Player resource access, offline caching framework and can be developed using any JavaScript library you like including jQuery, Backbone and Angular.What sets DigitalSignage.com apart, and what none of our competitors offer, is that we intentionally built an open platform. Other digital signage options try to build functionality for every use case.

We provide the tools tocustomize and build for individual business needs. By operating as an open platform, DigitalSignage.com can focus less on app development and more on creating an awesome platform for others to build on.We provide an open SDK so that developers only have to think about the app's functionality — not about delivering and updating it for multiple devices. Best of all, a developer can host their own App anywhere online and allowaccess to the Signage App both while developing as well as when releasing their final product, simply by pointing a link to a web hosted json configuration file.Independent developers can create apps with the potential to gain exposure on public displays through thousands of screens across the world.

You can even integrate existing apps into real-time customer engagement tools andpromote services, without the hassle of handling all the complexities related to the set-up and configuration process.Also, with our 100% open source StudioLite, developers can create a fully customizable Signage Studio simply by modifying our code base. StudioLite is based on our software development kit called Pepper.js and all projects arehosted on Github.Our open source Digital Signage platform is truly a game changer, it’s all free, easy to use and delivers on the type of business logic your organization requires. StudioLiteis an HTML5 / JavaScript project available under the GPL V3 open license. It is 100% open source and can be forked directly on GitHub. Enterprise StudioDashboardEnterprise StudioDashboard is an HTML5 / JavaScript project available under the GPL V3 open license. It is 100% open source and can be forked directly on GitHub.

Developers are welcome to create a fully customizedStudioDashboard.With the amazing Enterprise Dashboard you get central management of your entire digital signage network including user control, live server status, network health reports, application management, user privileges control, livelogs, user activity, screen geo maps and much more.Source: PublicDocs:License: GPL V3Technologies: HTML5 / Angular / TypeScript / redux / rxjsSupport. HTML StudioPro and SignagePlayer developmentWith the Digital Signage software development kit, anyone can develop a fully custom Digital Signage component for both the SignagePlayer as well as for StudioPro (Windows / Mac / Android).Best of all, the entire software development kit is built on top of JavaScript, HTML and CSS; the world`s most popular development platform. What this means for you is that you can easily hire an experienced and inexpensive webdeveloper to produce a solution that`s right for your business logic.And, because we provide all of the tutorials for our SDK, you can simply point your developer at our help guides so they can produce, test and deliver a solution to fulfill your specific requirements; in a matter of days!

MsGetStarted account creation wizardis an open source HTML5 / JavaScript project which allows enterprise members to modify and brand the entire account creation process for their sub-accountsEnterprise / Resellers can have full control on how new users open and manage accounts on their own web site. The 'GetStarted' wizard allows any JavaScript developer to change Studio, Template and Player selections duringaccount creation as well as completely modify the open account process. Studio Selection (Lite / Pro). Player Installer (HTML5, executables, direct download, AIR and Flash). Create account process (branded to your enterprise account). Change user password.

Change business name. Forgot password. User authentication. Bootstrap Progressive layoutSource: PublicLicense: GPL V3Technologies: HTML5 / Bootstrap / Backbone.js / WebPackSupport. HTML Component: DiggThe component enables to load up the latest Digg.com posts. Powered by bootstrap and using responsive design, the digg posts will be repositioned to automatically occupy the full width of the scene or screen division assigned.Choose scroll speed and background color through the StudioPro properties page.

Also, the component (through the embedded HTML wrapper or Node web kit wrapper) takes advantage of local caching so it can continue and workoffline with no interruption to your audience. Anyone can modify this Digital Signage component that consists of both a SignagePlayer HTML / CSS / Javascript module as well as StudioPro properties page HTML / CSS / Javascriptmodule, for the free SignagePlayer from PublicLicense: GPL V3Technologies: HTML5 / jQuery / Bootstrap / Backbone. HTML Component: BrowserThe component enables to load up web pages inside the embedded HTML module or external Node web kit application (windows only). Choose between a list of web page URLs to cycle through and set a refresh timer in seconds. Anyonecan modify this Digital Signage component that consists of both a SignagePlayer HTML / CSS / Javascript module as well as StudioPro properties page HTML / CSS / Javascript module, for the free SignagePlayer fromPublicLicense: GPL V3Technologies: HTML5 / jQuery / Bootstrap / Backbone. MediaArduino - Internet of Things (IoT)Arduino Yun is an amazing prototyping platform that allows anyone to build a custom solution for Internet of things (IoT).

Digital Signage Software

This means that you can control lights, turn on oven toasters, get real time weather info, remotecontrol servos, automate anything, without needing a degree in electrical engineering.One of the great benefits of using Arduino, is its seamless integration with our free Digital Signage service as you will be able to send and receive events / triggers from Arduino and create a custom IOT solution that's fullyintegarted with digital signage and your business.Source: PublicLicense: GPL V3Technologies: www.arduino.cc. Remote valuesWith DigitalSignage.com and RemoteValues, you can easily integrate customer line queuing manager, a custom play score board, telemarketing progress board, or any other type of Digital Signage screen with custom labels. The realpower comes from your own scripting logic. In other words, you can develop your business logic that's right for your company and feed the values into any label on the public digital signage screen. In this example we provide aworking server to act as customer line counter; but this is just one example of many that could be incorporated.Source: PublicLicense: GPL V3Technologies: JavaScript and node.js. FasterQ - customer line managmentFasterQ integrates customer line management with Digital Signage through StudioLite. It includes a management employee portal as well as a customer interface, so customers can both join a virtual queue as well as be notifiedvia email and SMS on their current position inline.

FasterQ is an open source project and includes several modules including: 1. It is integrated into StudioLite, 2. It includes a SignagePlayer HTML component for customerposition display within the Digital Signage screen 3. A mobile iOS and Android App. Be sure to visit the links below for all 3 projects which together expose the entire FasterQ as a 100% open source JavaScript project.Source: PublicLicense: GPL V3Technologies: JavaScript and HTML5. SignagePlayeris an AS3 based Digital Signage Player that is the work horse behind the MediaSignage platform. It delivers first class Digital Signage presentationsacross operating systems including Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Mac OSX and the Web.The SignagePlayer full source code is available on GitHub on the git hub repository.The SignagePlayer full source code is available on GitHub on the git hub repository.The SignagePlayer license conforms to GPL V3 modified, therefore entitles the forking of the entire project and developing a custom SignagePlayer including, but not limited to, branding and compiling to specific nativeplatforms (i.e.: Android, iOS etc).

The SignagePlayer modified GPL V3 license restricts the usage of the open source code, as it only allows the code base to be deployed in a project that its purpose is to connect the finalcompiled SignagePlayer to the public mediaCLOUD, private mediaSERVER or a mediaHYBRID. Thus, ensuring that the intention of the developed source code, is to produce a product that will ultimately connect into any of theMediaSignage server environments.Source: PublicLicense: GPL V3 modifiedTechnologies: ActionScript 3 / Stage3D GPU / HTML5Docs: N/ASupport.

MediaSERVER+The mediaSERVER+ can be purchased as a private mediaSERVER or leased. The mediaSERVER+ is an identical product as the standard mediaSERVER versions, with one important difference, the Microsoft C# source code is exposed andentirely editable; compared to non-plus versions where the code is obfuscated. The mediaSERVER+ adds transparency which is often required by Government agencies and large Companies, and provide the confidence leveladministrators often need in order to adopt 3rd party server solutions. The mediaSERVER+ is an identical product as the standard mediaSERVER versions, with one important difference, the Microsoft C# source code is exposed andentirely editable; compared to non-plus versions where the code is obfuscated. The mediaSERVER+ adds transparency which is often required by Government agencies and large Companies, and provide the confidence leveladministrators often need in order to adopt 3rd party server solutions.The mediaSERVER+ (private and hybrid) are available under a private license agreement which must be notarized by the buyer and submitted for approval to MediaSignage. Be sure to MediaSignage representatives for pricing and availability on mediaSERVER+ products.Source: Available on purchaseLicense: PrivateTechnologies: C# / PostgreSQL databaseDocs: N/ASupport.