5 minute read
Digital Signage Dos and Don’ts
By Shannon Meyerkort
Industry Reporter The demand for upto-date information is constant, and digital signage can play a big part in keeping parents, students, teachers and the broader community informed.
Digital signage can be used to share school achievements, warn of closures, promote upcoming events, or simply display the time and date, and it is regulated under three main areas: dwell time (how long each message appears for), luminance (how much light the sign gives off) and animation (moving images). Here are some tips to consider when purchasing or upgrading: DO consider the range of messages you will want to promote. Your set-up should be capable of displaying the messages you want, whether that involves text, images, video, or a range of the above. DO consider location – will your sign sit at the corner of a busy intersection that will be viewed by thousands of people or stationed outside the school building just seen by staff and students? Consider weather exposure and check if there are local council regulations concerning signage and possible distractions to drivers.
DON’T disregard your older, existing signage if you are tempted to dispose of it as some companies may be able to retrofit new digital screens into existing frames—check with your chosen supplier first to get advice tailored to your school’s situation. DON’T forget to ensure the materials used are suitable for the space. Are your signs going to be weather and vandalproof? How easy is it to replace broken elements? Communicate with your chosen supplier to ensure you purchase the right product for your school’s budget, capacity, and needs.
Images courtesy of WiPath Communications
Industry Viewpoint: Why do schools choose digital outdoor signage?
WiPath Communications’ Managing Director and digital signage expert, Craig Meldrum told us schools install electronic outdoor signs for three reasons: “First, as informational tools to provide information to both their school community and often to the wider community. Example usages include: to update parents on upcoming events, promote special events, recognise achievements, and tell the wider community what is going on at the school. Another important example is to provide essential information with immediate updates that can be changed remotely during emergencies. “Second, they are often used to promote the school. Many schools are in a competitive environment competing for students and an electronic LED sign makes the school more visible to the local community, and signals to the community that the school has embraced technology, which allows its virtues and special character to become more widely known. “Third, the electronic signage often forms part of the overall branding of the school being part of the primary school identification signage and able to promote values, mottos, etc.” On the flipside, “The biggest mistake schools can make is to think that a sign is just another commodity. Unlike many capital purchases, a properly acquired LED sign should last many years longer than most of the technology equipment that a school invests in.” Therefore, he said, schools should consider the following when choosing an outdoor LED sign: “What is the purpose for the sign? This will inform most of the other technical aspects for the sign including location, size, resolution, etc. What a school should not do is try and compare the technical specifications when choosing a sign. The basic technical specifications that are generally put forward in a proposal or quote can look identical between two signs that are vastly different in quality. “Finally, schools should purchase an LED sign from a company with longevity that can guarantee stock holdings for parts specific to their actual sign for at least 10 years. This is because LED signs have many parts that cannot be replaced 10 years down the line and without replacement parts, schools will need to pay for a total replacement when the sign fails.”
Providing cover for learning and play
Covered Outdoor Learning Areas (COLAs) are a hot topic are the moment and many schools are looking for outdoor and extended learning solutions. They provide a permanent solution improving student fl ow, enhancing health and wellbeing, and increase the usability of spaces and are fast becoming a must have for school environments.
When Broadgreen Intermediate School was looking for a cost eff ective, durable and att ractive solution to give shade and rain protection over a large deck, they found it in Archgola™. The Archgola’s™ Ampelite Corrugated web glass clear roofi ng provides light to the classrooms while fi ltering out direct sunlight and stopping the glare – Nelson is, aft er all, the sunniest place in New Zealand! Spanning almost 50sqm, the Archgola™ provides students with a covered area to enhance their learning space and enjoy protection from both rain and sun. For schools interested in planning a shade and shelter solution, it is recommended to talk with other schools and sports clubs about the shelter options they have chosen and how the area is working for them. For inspiration the Archgola website has several examples of completed projects. See www.archgola.co.nz/schools
Archgola™ has an unbeatable reputation for off ering a quality all-inclusive package. Full-service off er includes arranging council consents, certifi ed engineered designs to installing a cost eff ective, long lasting and high quality solution for shade and shelter.
Contact us to arrange for an on-site consultation to discuss your ideas and from there measurements can be taken to begin the design and quotation process.
More information
To contact your local Archgola Licensee, please get in touch via our website www.archgola.co.nz/ contact or phone 0508 272 446.
Outdoor canopy specialists for shade and shelter
Archgola™ has an unbeatable reputation for offering a quality all-inclusive package. Full-service offer includes arranging council consents, certified engineered designs to installing a cost effective, long lasting and high-quality solution for shade and shelter.
We are experienced in school installations and can meet the specific requirements of the Ministry of Education design standards for shade structures. • All-weather canopies provide year-round protection for learning and play. • Covered walkways, sandpits, decking and playgrounds. • Choice of trafficable roofing tints, with 99.9% UV protection. • Outdoor curtains to enclose the space. • Owned by Kiwis, built by Kiwis, with locally sourced materials.
