Hotels typically lag behind other industries in terms of technology spending. Capital investment is directed toward adding better amenities or renovating the property in efforts to remain competitive or drive occupancy and ADR. Tech spending is on the rise, however, and one emerging area is digital signage.
A digital signage network generally consists of large flat panel LCD or plasma displays that are driven by networked media players, which are customized, application-specific pcs. They can be updated remotely over standard internet protocols and have robust scheduling software which allows hotels a unique new way of reaching out to their guests at the point of contact. The content they deliver is only limited to the creative ability of the designer. As a new communications medium, a digital signage network can be utilized to playback relevant information to the guests (weather, airline info, news, etc.), branding messages, promotional messages, or even third party advertising which can provide a new revenue source for the hotel.
Digital signage can also replace outdated electronic reader board systems and improve employee productivity. For many hotels,...