IT service providers are often asked to solve problems beyond computers: Wi-Fi, networking, conference rooms, connected devices and screens. Digital signage sits inside the overlap of IT and AV.
A modern signage system combines displays, media players, networks, cloud software, user accounts and remote administration. Those are technologies an IT provider already understands.
Why Digital Signage Makes Sense for IT Companies
A deployment has a display, media player or embedded platform, network connectivity, cloud software, users, permissions, configuration and troubleshooting. The content may be marketing or operations, but the infrastructure is still technology.
For installation planning, see the guide for AV integrators.
Customers May Already Be Asking for It
Questions such as 'Can you put our announcements on these TVs?', 'Can we manage these screens from one computer?' and 'Can marketing control these displays?' are digital signage use cases. An IT provider can turn occasional requests into a repeatable service.
Start With the Customers You Already Support
Look at retail, restaurants, medical offices, corporate offices, manufacturers, fitness centers, schools, property managers, hotels, auto dealerships, entertainment venues and multi-location businesses. Look for static TVs, manual updates, printed posters and decentralized communications.
Turn a Technical Request Into a Repeatable Service
Instead of connecting three lobby TVs to three PCs, provide a centralized signage platform. Standardize the solution around display, media player, network configuration, software, installation, training and support.
Digital Signage Creates Several Revenue Opportunities
Revenue can come from hardware, installation, network services, software, setup and configuration, training, technical support and ongoing management.
Project Revenue and Recurring Revenue Can Work Together
An IT provider can charge an initial fee for hardware, installation, network configuration, setup and training, then an ongoing fee for software, support, remote administration and content assistance.
A Practical IT Service Provider Example
An IT company supporting a healthcare group with eight offices can centralize eight waiting-room screens, provide media players, configure the network, establish user access and train the customer. The software and support relationship continues after deployment.
Multi-Location Customers Can Expand the Opportunity
Centralized management lets customers publish organization-wide content, target selected screens and give users different access. If the customer grows, the signage network grows with it.
Digital Signage Can Lead to Other IT Work
A deployment may reveal weak Wi-Fi, missing network drops, old displays, broader AV needs or new-location network requirements.
Who Should Manage the Content?
Use customer-managed content, partner-managed content or limited IT-managed content. IT companies do not need to become creative agencies.
You Do Not Need to Build the Software
Operating a commercial platform requires cloud hosting, user management, screen management, scheduling, playback, device compatibility, security, updates and support. IT providers can choose an established platform and build services around it.
Hardware Flexibility Can Make Projects Easier to Sell
Zoney supports Android, Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi, WebOS, Tizen, Apple TV and Amazon Digital Signage Stick. Confirm the actual hardware models and versions with Zoney before deployment.
User Permissions Become Important Quickly
Corporate marketing, regional managers, location managers and the IT provider may all need different access. A commercial platform should support different levels of user access.
Security Should Be Part of the Deployment
Access controls, account management, network configuration and device administration should be part of the deployment plan.
How to Package Digital Signage as an IT Service
Offer Digital Signage Deployment, Digital Signage + Support and Managed Digital Signage. Keep the first offering simple and repeatable.
What to Look for in a Digital Signage Platform
Evaluate multiple customer deployments, separation, permissions, remote administration, customer content access, hardware support, reuse of compatible equipment, multi-location growth, partner billing and technical support.
Where Zoney Fits for IT Service Providers
Zoney Enterprise Solutions provides the software layer IT companies can incorporate into customer solutions, with granular user controls, security tokens, flexible hardware, dynamic monthly billing and AWS-hosted cloud infrastructure.
Find the Next Revenue Stream Inside Existing Accounts
Businesses have screens, changing information, users, multiple locations and technology that needs support. Digital signage brings those needs together in a service IT companies are well positioned to provide.