I distinctly remember the time in my life before digital signage, where I was a transit commuter. Before apps were available to help you figure out whether or not you had missed a bus, there were paper schedules. Posted at all of the stops, protected by plastic panels (that often leaked, obscuring the route I was looking at) were the only way you’d be able to figure out when the next train would be by.
Fast forward to today, and not only has technology advanced, but our transit options have broadened. Here in Portland, we walk where we can, BikeTown when walking is a bit too far, Uber when we need to get to the Blazers game, commute on the train, hop on the streetcar when we’re tired of the rain (yes, even native Oregonians tired of the rain!) or, grab a car share if we’re really in a rush.
This all leads to the question, how do we manage all of these options for people and put them into one medium, where the information is easily accessed? Recently, we had the privilege of collaborating on a project for one of our healthcare clients with an incredible startup called TransitScreen. We deployed digital signage screens at bus circle locations and the idea was to give commuters their transit options all in one spot, and TransitScreen absolutely fit the bill.
Combined with our content management platform, patients and commuters were able to easily see what their transportation options were (cycling, walking, uber, metro) in the largest zone of our digital screen, while having access to local weather information and location appropriate information.
So, why is this important, and how does it apply to your organization? While Digital Signage is a powerful tool, the goals for its application must remain in line with those of your organization. In this case, our hospital was looking for a way to improve the patient experience as well as that of their employees and visitors.
Having easily accessible transit information available around the clock meant that even during off-hours, you’d easily be able to see what your options were without having to go back into the building to look for someone who might be able to help. Studies show that even small, incremental changes to patient-centered care shows drastically improved outcomes.
If you’ve been considering a digital signage installation for your organization, let’s talk!
