Automating Display Content with Data Feeds: The Smart Way to Power Digital Signage
In the era of real time communication, it is not a luxury any more to automate the content in digital signage with data feeds but a necessity. Companies are seizing the opportunity with data feeds such that even in retail stores and corporate lobbies, one will find businesses incorporating it as a way of keeping their display changes relevant and topical.
This blog will look at what is meant by data feeds, and the reasons why they are important to digital signage as well as how the data feeds can be automated so that you do not have to lift a finger to make the contents of the digital signage to be run.
What Are Feeds Of Data?
Data feeds- these are sets of dynamic information that automatically refresh your information according to outside sources of information such as:
- Weather updates
- News headlines
- Ticker tapes on the stock market
- Social media feeds
- Excel or Google Sheets data
- JSON/XML APIs
- Internal business dashboard
You do this by hooking up these data feeds to your digital signage CMS so that you can guarantee your displays are showing the most up-to-date information-hands off.
What is the point of Automated Content Data Feeds?
That is why even more businesses switch to automated signage:
Real-Time Relevance
Understand what customers need and update customers with latest and real-time content, be it product supply, live scores, emergency alerts.
Less Hand Craftwork
There is no necessity to log in and update slides manually. Information comes to your screens through data feeds 24/7.
Enhanced Engagement
Interactive elements such as countdown clock, weather update module or Instagram wall maximize attention and interaction with the screen.
Scalable Communication
Automation will give you brand consistency and accuracy even when you have 5 or 500 screens.
| Industry | Data Feed Use Case |
|---|---|
| Retail | Product pricing, stock availability, sales |
| Corporate | KPI dashboards, employee recognition feeds |
| Education | Exam schedules, notices, live announcements |
| Hospitality | Event schedules, check-in details, menus |
| Transportation | Arrival/departure boards, delays |
Case Study: Automating Digital Menu Board
Consider a QSR that actually utilizes Google sheets to regulate their daily specials.
Connection to their signage CMS: By connecting their spreadsheet to their signage CMS:
- When the sheet is edited the prices are automatically updated
- The lost items simply vanish by being out of stock
- Owing to the fact that it happens in real time, menu boards display changes in all the screens simultaneously
Design work, zero. No re-upload. 100 per cent live.
Tips on Security & Data Accuracy
- Feed sources should always use the HTTPS link
- Confirm the feed structure (particularly that of JSON/XML)
- Configure back-up content in the event of the data feed failure
- Keep track of the monitors to see whether there is any broken link or obsolete feeds
Patterns heading into the Future of Automated Signage
The display of data will not be a mere presentation of information as AI and IoT develop. They will start to think about what users want to see- customizing the screens according to time, place or customer profiles.
Final Thoughts
There are yet more benefits to using data feeds to automate your digital signage content: It is both convenient and a clever way to ensure relevancy, to save time and, of course, to impress your audience.
If you are putting stock prices in the bank or putting up daily menu boards in a cafe, data feeds will keep your content up and running.
Prepared to make transformation to automation?
Pick your CMS of preference and set up your first live data pipeline now!