LED Sign Authority - Electronic Messages - LED Displays

How to Maintain Your LED Sign

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:47:00 +0000

For LED signs, exposed to rigorous environments, glaring sunlight or the curse of age, increasing the life expectancy has become a core question for owners. While LED signs enhance the popularity of your business and help get your message across to the audience, nobody wants to splurge a fortune on LED signs, only to have to replace them a few years down the road. Here are a few tips to maintain your LED sign to ensure trouble-free operation and add a few more years to its useful life:

KEEP IT CLEAN

Dirt tends to accumulate on LED signs, especially in arid, sandy climates making them dull and less effective. Wiping the signs regularly can eradicate the grime and restore their vitality. However, only a dry, lint free and soft cloth should be used for cleaning, as an abrasive material can cause lasting damage to the screen. Avoid using water, soap, window cleaner, cleaning fluids or wax but a screen cleaning solution can be purchased to remove greasy marks from the sign.

Remember to unplug the sign before cleaning it. When using a screen cleaning solution, it should always be sprayed over the cloth and never directly over the screen. Be gentle when wiping to protect the delicate screen and let it dry completely before plugging it back in.

PERFORM ROUTINE CHECKS

A disabled LED sign can greatly diminish the visibility of your business so it is prudent to spot minor issues beforehand. Make a habit of routinely checking the equipment your sign uses and look for any pitfalls, such as wear and tear, reduced performance, damage, and abnormal electricity consumption, amongst other things.

TURN IT OFF

Some businesses leave their outdoor or window signs switched on at all times, without affording a break. This keeps your business in the spotlight even when your doors are closed. However, unseen indoors signage can be turned off when your business closes, to reduce energy consumption and extends the life-span of the electrical components. The average lifespan of a LED sign is estimated to be about 100,000 hours, under appropriate conditions. However, during this time the the brightness of the sign will be reduced by 50%. Powering down your sign can help extend its useful life. Make a note on your opening and closing checklist, reminding employees to take care of the signs.

The images on color displays shouldn’t show pure white, or pure blue as high contrast settings cause a high current to flow. This will result in increased energy consumption and power supply temperature. Obviously, all these considerations can decrease the life of the LED display and it’s preferable you program to low contrast settings.

PROTECT IT

Be mindful of the height of installation of your LED sign, as too low a sign could make it easier for unauthorized people to tamper with it. Make sure your sign is at a perfect height, high enough to be out of reach, while low enough to be accessible to the audience.

If you have more questions about the maintenance of your LED Signs, call LED Sign Authority at 800-282-0950 for answers

How to Buy a LED Display

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 16:30:00 +0000

To boost sales and enhance the popularity of your business, installing a dynamic LED sign can be a great marketing medium in the digital age. However, given the investment required, it is not an easy decision. Selection of an LED sign should be driven by the nature of the organizational goals you are trying to achieve and the finances put aside for marketing. It’s indispensable to find a reputable retailer who can deliver an impeccable combination of image quality, durability, service and cost of ownership. An informed buyer is well equipped with the necessary questions to ask and concerns to mouth when purchasing an LED display. Here’s what you should know before making the big transaction:

LED Sign Authority

1) Survey Your Location

You may be in a quandary about the type of LED display you need. It is imperative to get a feel of your location and its advantages or challenges. Take a look at the signs in your neighborhood and decide how you want to stand out among existing competition. E.g. if monochrome displays are used by neighboring businesses, a full color display will set your business apart.

Also take stock of the best lanes and streets of traffic in the vicinity, obstacles in the sign’s line of sight, best height, distance of signage from the street and viewing distance. Research the laws for electronic signs in your area. What, if any, are the restrictions? Many towns have specific regulations about the type or size of outdoor signs businesses may erect. If local rules forbid you from putting up a sign, you need to apply for a variance.

2) Determine Your Budget

Your LED sign is your foremost advertising tool. Check your advertising budget and determine you expected return on investment. It is wise to establish the amount you are willing to spend or the maximum monthly payment if you are financing. Leasing options can generally be obtained without having to indicate a specific make or model of sign ahead of time. Also incorporate the cost of taxes, permits, installation and training for your LED in your marketing expenses.

3) Know the Brand

Many companies claim to have the lowest prices and best in-stock LED signs but may end up supplying inferior product with no support. It is relevant to run a background check on the company and determine how long has it been involved in the business of digital signage.

Another factor to consider is if the company manufactures its own signs or purchases cheap, imported ones and rebrands them as their own. You will often find faster turnaround, higher quality execution, and better pricing when working with a company specializing in LED signs for a commendable period. Always be open with your provider about the size, resolution and type of LED you have envisaged for your business.

4) Ease of Operation

Unless the owner is tech-savvy, operating the LED software for the first time can be daunting. The value of LED message centers lies in the flexibility of the medium and the ability to change messages quickly and frequently. So, it’s important that sign owners can easily create and update messages. Although the provider may claim their software is user-friendly, you won’t know till you use it yourself. Ask to take the software for a test run. Ask what’s included with the software, and take a look at the artwork they offer!

Criteria for Successful LED Sign Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 22:06:00 +0000

Effective marketing is indispensable if you want to up your business’s reputation and outdo competitors. Investing in top-notch eye-catching LED signage to promote your products and services is just the kind of exposure your company needs and is warmly taken by the public. The big question is: What does it take to make this work? How you choose to represent your business through electronic message boards could have long-term repercussions and goes far to defining it. Before you sprint to splurge hefty amounts on LED signs, here’s what you need to know to make the right decision:

1) Keep the Content Updated

There must always be fresh and updated content on your LED screen, otherwise passersby might get accustomed to it and stop looking. Even basic information, such as the temperature, the weather forecast for the next few days, the fact of the day, the name of the day, and the random quote of the day will amazingly enhance the stickiness of your LED screen.

2) Location

Always situate the LED sign at a strategic location so the audience won’t have to strain up or down or squint up to view it properly. The size and the viewing angle of the sign should be perfect to capture the attraction of the target market. Your best bet is to place the LED sign where people would have to see it, such as near a roadway, or above a doorway.

3) Quality Hardware

While the market is swarming with retailers, promising the highest quality and color displays of LED signs, only a few come up to the mark. Make sure you do ample research before you decide on the word of a retailer. Color, pitch, resolution, software and where it is manufactured should be considered. You might be tempted to purchase a cheaper LED sign and save money, but remember a top-notch LED sign is worth investing in for long term results.

4) Easy to Use Software

For non tech-savvy business owners, working with an LED display can be intimidating and it is thus imperative to look for a sign that comes with user-friendly software. A trustworthy LED sign provider ensures you comprehend the operating process of your digital display and provides assistance with your first few attempts at content creation and operation.

5) Keep it Simple

With the advancement in technology, there are a plethora of options to revamp your LED sign, including full motion video LED signs. However, the viewers have about 2 to 4 seconds to view your sign, while video LEDs take 15 seconds to get the message across. It is imprudent to install a video message when moving text displays are way more effective. For messages you want read by people who have only a few seconds to spare, stick to a red monochrome display as it catches the eye and is highly effective.

Red Monochrome LED Sign

6) Content is the King

Lousy and clichéd promotional messages can even ruin an immaculately sophisticated LED sign and deter the trust of prospective clients. It is imperative to fabricate impressive content to capture the attention of public and elucidate your message in a welcoming light. Use the sign's content library to upload well designed messages, or hire a professional help to craft the content for your sign.

Full Color vs. Monochrome LED Displays

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 19:19:00 +0000

Often when faced with the dilemma of choosing the most appropriate LED display for your business, common sense dictates a full color display trumps a monochrome LED in favor of attraction. However, there are many factors which are involved in the decision. You need to take in to consideration your budget, the message you are aspiring to get across to your prospective audience and the nature of your advertisement, before reaching to a conclusion. Afterall, McDonald's restaurants known for their high signage budgets, still finds value in Monochrome LED displays. The question of “what is a better investment?” is presented to many potential LED sign buyers that will have long-term consequences. Here are a few considerations to take in to account:

1) Budget

Monochrome LEDs are without a doubt, less luxurious and pricey than their full color counterparts. Outdoor Monochrome LED Signs employ a single color of LED to create text and/or graphics. The text can be tweaked to display in myriad options, like sparkle, flash, blink, and scroll, to create a message that will catch the eye of prospective customers as they approach your business.

For businesses that don’t have intimidating competition in the vicinity or are on a limited budget, monochrome LED would serve the purpose without breaking the bank. These can be changed to advertise current promotions or news, without the additional costs and at a fraction of the effort, normally associated with a traditional billboard installation.

2) Location

Look around your business to get a view of where you stand. In the placid world of manual copy boards and static signs, even a monochrome display would stand out and create quite an impact. However, if you are surrounded by high-resolution full color or video LED displays, they would overwhelm the monochrome LED of your business and make it seem rustic. The public is quite picky about where to divert their attention. If you want to deflect their attention back to you, creatively crafted content and a vibrant colored sign would give them the push to look your way.

3) Nature of Message

If the nature of your message is pure data delivery, without incorporating images, monochrome LEDs are a more prudent option. Locations like factory floors, outdoor way-finding areas, stock tickers, loading bays and security checkpoints are all great examples. However, when it comes to demanding the undivided attention of the public, full color signs are the way to go. Supporting graphics and colorful text add more meaning to the LED sign content. Using animated images and vibrant hues, a simple text advertisement is replaced with a fully branded call to action.

4) Nature of Business

There are situations where images enhance the meaning of your message, more than words ever could. E.g. a pizza place would fare better with an enticing image of a pizza slice, oozing melting cheese, than using only words for words to tempt the public. With the additional benefit of complex images via multiple color display options, in full color display, a more awe-inspiring and tantalizing message can be displayed. On the other hand, if you are in the insurance business, a mere picture can’t convince people to stop by and utilize your services, and in that case, a monochrome text display would serve the purpose better.

LED Signs for Schools

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:39:00 +0000

Schools need a means of instant communication with the students to operate efficiently, as they are a hotbed of activity, such as sports games, club announcements, plays, fund raisers, safety warnings, and a plethora of other events that need to be shared with the students and the parents within the community. Bid adieu to rustic blow away message boards, or flyers which are cost-intensive and might be lost, since schools are increasingly incorporating large LED display boards to increase the outreach and visibility of all important messages.

Here’s how LED signs enhance the effectiveness of communications in schools:

1. Cost-Effective LED signs

Old-fashioned marquee signs with changeable letters are not feasible anymore and are prone to theft and vandalism. Indoor or outdoor LED signs are not only attractive and easier to read, but also have a useful life of more than 10 years. As LED signs are brighter than LCD or plasma displays, while only using 10% of the energy as compared to incandescent bulbs, their animation and vibrancy attract attention and create awareness. Although the initial investment may come as a surprise, the return on investment makes up for it.

2. Display Important Announcements

LED signs enable schools to inform students, faculty, and the community about a variety of information: welcome and guide campus visitors, broadcast safety alerts, weather warnings and other safety instructions, announce any schedule changes and cancellations, promote student activities, school spirit and achievements, advertise the auditioning for extracurricular clubs, attract community members to get involved in school activities, issue public notification of school events, display motivational quotes to inspire students, flash the motto of the school to passersby and promote the school on an innovative level. An LED display is an easy and effective way to communicate with the school community.

3. Present Innovation

Your school may be splurging a fortune on top-notch technology within the classroom, but people driving by the walls of your school may never be aware of the happenings inside the premises. Therefore, investing in digital signage presents a tech-savvy front for your school. Show everyone what a great school you have and the technology you are using inside!

4. Ensure the Safety of Students

Any unprecedented occurrence can compromise the security of your school. A fire may break out spontaneously in the cafeteria, a suspicious stranger is suspected of lurking in the school premises, there is a threat of imminent violence or crime, or the school needs to evacuated due to a severe weather condition, a mass response LED sign can be used to broadcast safety announcement in a matter of seconds.

Humorous Appeal: Adding Amusing Messages to Your Sign

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 17:38:00 +0000

Adding humor is a great way to break through the clutter via effective signage, and there are solid reasons why. It is believed to be one of the most powerful tools in gaining attention, engaging consumers and aiding recalls.

Does humor work best for all?

No it doesn’t. As the same rule can’t be applied to all, so can’t humor.

Humor appeal is largely determined by what you are selling. What works best for others, may not work well for you. For example, a company campaigning for breast cancer awareness with a humorous appeal, may negatively influence the sentiments of the people struggling with cancer.

Creating an outstanding sign

Before leaping onto why it works, here are some of the most commonly used techniques by companies to sell their products.

Comparison: Technique with the involvement of putting two or more components together to develop a humorous appeal. Best to use when the focus is to provide solutions to an existing problem.

Personification: This technique works best when you try to achieve positivity by attributing human characteristics with things to attract youth.

Sarcasm: This technique involves usually promoting embarrassing situations, habits of a person etc to target the core audience. Making them seem funny and enjoyable is the objective.

Silliness: Simply put, silliness refers to a ridiculous situation, incident or occurrence. Making signs seem silly on purpose to make people laugh is an art of advertising. Highlighting the silliness in advertisements/signs, especially to market luxury or personal use products, is very popular tactic among marketing gurus.

Exaggeration: Exaggeration technique refers to the extension of any given situation in order to focus on one key element. ‘We sell the best’ slogans are made using this technique.

Adding humor to your signs: Benefits

Competitive Advantage Over Others: Adding humor to your signs makes it easily distinguishable from the clutter, with a greater impact. It provides you with the competitive advantage your product needs to sell more.

Source of Instant Entertainment: The most important advantage of humorous signs is that they attract instant attention. This is how it works. Humor triggers your memory to feel something. It enables you to laugh, giggle, or be amused, arousing a response, thus increasing the likelihood of the product to be remembered.

Aids Comprehension: Sometimes adverts are so overly decorated with messages that it becomes difficult to pick out what the product actually wants to deliver. This leads to failed advertising and ultimately a failed product. Humor on the other hand, is simpler to grasp and understand. Humorous signs may increase the likelihood of the consumer to buy your product as it creates a positive vibe and a more personal connection.

Conventional outdoor advertising is losing its spark in today’s world. In order to regain visibility of our business, it is important to come up with innovative ways that are easy to attract and encourages buying decisions of the consumers. Humorous advertising, if done correctly, can reap fruitful trophies for your business.

Research Study Reveals Digital Billboards are Attractive

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 19:10:00 +0000

Owing to the growing glamour of “digital billboards” around the United States and the world at large, the Outdoor Senior Research Architect- OAAA commissioned Diane Williams from Nielsen in 2015 to do an on location survey that would justify to media sellers or advertisers that digital billboards create a positive impact on consumers. Nielsen conducted exactly 1,256 online surveys with residents age 18 and over from five major cities in the US. The study outlined the straightforward benefits of using digital billboards to advertise businesses through benchmark research. The following were the findings of the research:

How Often Do Travelers Notice Digital Billboards?

Nielsen conducted the research in a busy market for a month where digital billboards are widely seen. The researchers mapped the signage in the test market and screened the survey respondents that noticed the billboards.

After the survey, three-quarters of the travelers reported that they recalled digital billboards that they saw in the past month and 6 in 10 respondents recalled seeing those digital billboards in the last week. This wasn’t all. Of the respondents who recalled the digital survey, 55% also also noticed the message displayed on the screen.

Can Viewers Recall Some Specific Ads On Digital Billboards?

According to the research, the answer is yes. For the benchmark study, Nielsen tested about 30 billboard campaigns, in which six brands with regular rotating ads on the billboards for each market were picked. The survey showed that 80%, 77%, and 89% of the local travelers of Atlanta, Phoenix, and Tampa respectively, noticed at least one of the six tested ads in the past months. The ads featured a sports television broadcast, a local casino, and a local lottery in their messages. Other markets were also targeted in the research.

In a nutshell, the findings revealed that the most of the respondents noticed particular messages as opposed to digital billboards that they saw in the last month.

Do Digital Billboards Engage Consumers?

Some of the subjects of the study showed results that weren’t even expected as much as they showed up, or more explicitly, ended up as “Breaking News”. Over 50% of the total respondents were asked about the effectiveness of digital billboards, and they responded with statements such as “cool way”, “good way to learn”, or “visually appealing”. Boom!

As far as consumer engagement is concerned, the study showed that about 36% of the people who noticed digital billboards in the past month either passed the information on to their acquaintances or recommended them after actually visiting the business, restaurant, or store that was advertised. It’s not only that people attended the event or visited the venue but they also followed the suggestion and made a purchase.

The study also showed that although digital billboards are an offline medium from the consumer’s point of view, they actually do prompt viewers to take online action, as around 16-18% of the digital billboard viewers in the last month actually visited the businesses’ websites. This shows that digital billboards are not only trending these days but also bring real-world benefits in the long run.

Tips to Keep Your LED Sign Updated

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 22:31:00 +0000

LED signage is a fun and cost-effective way of marketing a business enterprise today. If you as a business owner want to stay ahead of competitors, you must use the right promotion tools to market your business. LED signage will do just that in a very fun and effective way, boosting sales and helping you grow your consumer base.

However, the general perception towards LED signs is that they are a ‘one-time fix’ – this is far from the truth. They require constant involvement in terms of content, color adjustment, and the right graphics to position your brand just right and drive sales.

Following are some key areas that you need to work upon and tips to keep your LED sign updated to make the most of them.

Invest in the Best: Make sure that the hardware you are purchasing for your signage is of high-quality. Purchasing cheaper signage to save money will only become a pain later with all the additional repairs and maintenance to keep it operational. Good LED signs come with better power supplies, quality pitch, and have a relatively longer lifespan which will save you from the trouble later.

Regular Checkups: If you have decided to invest in dynamic signage options, ensure that sufficient care is being taken to keep it running optimally. Inactivity of an LED sign can be the death of your business. You cannot ignore repairs and maintenance if you are looking to grow your business in terms of market share. There are times when, due to some electrical or digital failures, the sign stops functioning. Conduct immediate repairs; non-operational signage may give the impression that your business is closed.

Creative Content: When it comes to boosting sales with a LED sign, this particular aspect is stressed time and again. Content is king – fresh, regularly updated, and interesting content goes a long way in engaging potential customers. Going for themes that can be frequently updated will be appreciated. Your local sports team won? Show support with your LED signs. A disaster struck? Signs that say we are with you will help you form a bond with your customers on an emotional level. Also, don’t forget to put an appropriate call to action in your LED signage to drive sales further.

The Right Color Codes: With every business today opting for digital technologies to advertise, you will need to employ appropriate color schemes to stand out. .From a great distance, people get to see high-contrast messages clearly, while messages with low-contrasting colors tend to blend together and are hard to read. What are contrasting colors? Think colors on the opposite side of the color wheel such as:

Blue on Yellow
Red on Blue

Or use a color with a neutral such as:

Yellow on Black
White on Blue

If you still want to use low contrast colors, outline the letters in white or black, however, the high contrast colors not only make for easy to read messages they attract attention. This is the key to get the most marketing power out of your color choices. Appealing content will be of no use if the consumers are unable to see it properly. Therefore, do your research well and put a lot of thought into choosing contrasting colors.

Wrapping up, LED signs are a great way to attract attention of passersby, so make sure you succeed in creating the right impression.

The Importance of Restaurant Signage

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 22:53:00 +0000

The main purpose of LED signage is achieving communication results with patrons that go far beyond non-digital efforts. Human brains are attracted to bright flashing lights and our eyes are automatically drawn to moving objects. Digital signs displaying full-of-motion videos and eye-grabbing graphics are dynamic, not static. They tap into something that is innately human to demand attention and hold it. Businesses cannot thrive if the prospective consumers are not aware of their products and services and the LED signage gives a modern and attractive solution to provide that indispensable information.

Like all businesses, restaurants were quick to catch on and incorporated the use of LED signage, both indoors and outdoors. Here’s how a restaurant benefits from installing LED signs:

1. Display Updated Menu
The restaurant business is one of much competition and people are constantly looking for sumptuous fare at the best prices. Your restaurant might have the best prime ribs, but unless you show the customers what you offer, chances are they wouldn’t find out. Restaurants are making excellent use of the LED display board, using their sharp, clear colors to display images of daily specials and to attract patrons inside. (Even for a non-famished food aficionado, it’s hard to resist mouthwatering pictures of succulent hamburgers or strawberry cheesecake).

At one glance, customers would be able to identify what they want and know the associated prices. The flexibility of the LED signs allows the content to be updated with simple software, instead of laboriously replacing the board. Restaurant owners can even set the screen to automatically display a breakfast menu in the morning and switch to a lunch menu in the afternoon, with no extra effort required.

2. Display Specials
Most restaurants boast a special menu available only for a specific period of time, within a deal or a day, such as “the Soup of the Day” or “Beer of the Day”. If your restaurant wants to flaunt a specific special, it can be promoted by a display on an indoor LED sign instead of plastering posters everywhere. Enticing food pictures can be incorporated within a tempting text to attract customers in to trying that fare. Using a visual commercial always works wonders in boosting sales. Besides, it would help the new customers order as they would be acquainted with the eateries specialty.

3. Cut Down on Wait Time
Customers hate to wait in line and long impertinent lines on a busy night, result in unhappy customers. There are two ways to use LED signs to manage the waiting lines. Firstly, an over-the-counter LED sign can count down the estimated waiting time and indicate to the customers how long they are expected to wait. Secondly, they could display entertaining information, such as news bulletin, weather or sports score, to divert the attention of the customers.

4. Boost Sales
Business owners that are willing to invest in an indoor LED sign for their bar or restaurant can expect to see an increase in sales. While effective use is most important, just the mere presence of an indoor LED screen will show the customers your bar or restaurant is savvy enough to be willing to use digital technologies as a means to advance the brand. Digital technologies are attractive to the modern audience and will serve to help your customers feel as if they have made the right choice by coming to your establishment.

How Poor Quality LED Signs Can Affect Your Bottom Line

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 17:11:00 +0000

When deciding to look for a new LED sign for your business, it is important to consider several aspects to ensure that you get the very best one. Ask yourself' “What is the best product? What will give you the best value for your money? What support does it come with? Does it come with a warranty?" When it comes to buying other things like, say, TVs or microwaves, you can easily check for reviews online and it makes the job of choosing that much easier. When it comes to LED signs though, it becomes much trickier since there are actually very few reviews.

What happens is that you will have to rely on your own research, your gut, and the information fed to you by an eager salesman. Many times, you will find offers for products that allow you to “buy direct” or “get the same sign at half the cost” and they are tempting, no doubt about that. But they are inferior products.

Inferior LED Signs

Most people would settle for poor-quality LED signs thinking that they could use the money saved on the purchase to buy a new one when the one they have breaks down in a year or two. But poor-quality LED signs do not wait one year or two to stop working. No, they break down continuously until they just finally die. Check out some of the costs associated with poor quality LED signs below

Service Costs

Digital signs are not like your mobile phones or cars where you bring them to the shop and they can fix them for you in a jiffy. These signs are high up in the ground and you will need a truck with a bucket to get to them and fix them. Average costs are listed as follows:

Charge for standard bucket truck with technician - $150/hour and usually takes 2 hrs.
Extended bucket or crane with technician - $250/hour and usually takes 2 hours.
Service for sign troubleshooting - $450-$750 and usually takes 2-3 hours.

There are others involved but as you can see, it gets very pricey and there goes all the money you saved on your poor-quality LED sign. Some of you might insist that you get your cheap signs from companies that do not charge for service, but what if they go out of business or are slow to respond? You will be left with a sign that does not work.

Other Costs Related to Poor-Quality LED Signs

If you are using your signs in your business and your signs go on the blink, you will essentially lose money because you are not drawing people into your business with your signs. Time is money in business, and when your sign is on the blink and you waste time getting it fixed, then you will be wasting money all the same. First impressions are everything in business and if you have a sign that is not working for periods on end, what impression does that give passer-bys about your company? Nothing good I can assure you. Keep in mind that cheap is not always best and spending a little bit more can help you save a lot of money and headaches.

How to Create Effective Content for Your LED Display

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 18:54:00 +0000

Content is King, or so says Bill Gates. How as a small business owner, can you make sure that your ads are getting enough attention amidst all the competition? What factors will affect the efficiency of your ads? Below are four of them.

1. Duration

How many seconds do you need to get your message across? That actually depends on your product or the location of your LED screen. If you’re targeting pedestrians and you’re addressing passersby in front of your store, chances are, you can display your ads a little longer. Keep it under 30 seconds. If your targeting drive by customers, the ads should be no more than 15 seconds to make sure that your ads can be seen from start to end while passing by. Longer ads are pointless because your target won't see the entire ad from start to finish.

2. Format

Can they clearly read your LED message board? If you want to make your ads effective, it’s great to determine what is the right size, and font style you should use in your ads. Always try to achieve balance and let people focus on the more important details down to the least important ones.

Make Letters Big! Letters should be easy to read, so make them big, at least 1/4 of the screen. Small text might look nice on your computer screen, but it won't when broadcast on the LED screen.
Do Not Apply Shades on Text. Fancy fonts might look nice on the monitor, but they won't on the LED screen. The reason for it is that, despite of its large size, the LED display has less pixels than you PC monitor.
Plain Text is Better. Use Sans-Serif fonts such as Verdana or Tahoma, as they appear much more crisp and readible. Serif fonts (ie. Courier, Times New Roman etc) look very nice on the PC monitor, but they have the serifs which add pointless "noise" to the text and make it look blurry. Recall point #2 above, that the LED screen has less pixels than you monitor. This noise will be amplified even more if your screen uses virtual pixels.
Use Contrasting Colors. Over 20 years ago Ms Karen E. Claus published a table, indicating the colormatch with the best contrast ratio. She did it for the classic static signage, but the principle is still valid today. According to her research, the best matches are the following: Black on Yellow, Black on White, Yellow on Black, White on Blue, Yellow on Blue, Green on White, Blue on Yellow and White on Green. Avoid color combinations such as Pink on Red.

3. Design

An ad with sloppy, cheap design will never have a chance against your competitors. With good design, your ads will sell themselves. You have invested a lot of money in this advertising tool. Don't put up up mediocre content and let it go to waste. Sit down and take some time to decide how you want your LED screen to look. There are many pre-made graphics that can be loaded or purchased at a reasonable fee or hire a graphic designer to create custom ads for a strong presence.

4. Content

Do you need text heavy ads or should you go for image driven content? If you’re in a business that relies on visual signals like the auto industry, real estate, or a travel agency, definitely go for large and vivid images. Otherwise, you can use short, witty tagline to represent your brand and your product. Displays with text only are highly effective too. Keep the content fresh, updated, and useful. Display public notices, weather reports or up coming events. Make your sign a community center piece, not just an advertising portal, otherwise people will get accustomed to the LED screen and will stop looking at the messages. Ideally you should upload new content every day. Yes, every day! Don’t forget to infuse fun in your content to keep it light and easy for your readers.

How to Link Digital Displays with Social Media

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 19:11:00 +0000

When you look back at other types of technology and compare them with technology used in social media and digital signs, the two are mere infants. However, as these two young technologies grow and develop together, they can bring about tremendous opportunities especially for businesses in the aspect of branding and customer engagement.

Digital signs, with their many strengths, will never quite be able to deliver large amounts of content to customers. This is to say that businesses cannot really count on them to deliver detailed information and they are not meant to. These signs are most effective when they contain limited word usage and content. On the other hand, you have customers going online to do research before they even endeavor to get in touch with the company – and this is where social media comes in.

The Numbers Tell the Story

A survey conducted by the Merchant Confidence Index last February 2011 showed that among 8,500 local and small businesses in the US, 70% utilize Facebook for their marketing activities. The same study showed that Facebook ranks higher than Google in terms of marketing method used by local business owners. Looking at it this way, it just makes sense that social media go hand in hand with electronic signs as a way for consumers to get their hands onto more detailed information regarding a business using different computing devices.

Smart Practices to Consider

Broaden your existing customer base – It is a good idea for businesses to include social media icons on their digital sign boards to build Twitter followers and Facebook fans. By broadening your follower base, you can establish more concrete relationships with your customers and strengthen loyalty. Once you get people to follow you on social media, you can inform them about sales, promos, and other events and offers without spending a dime.
Guide customers to additional info located in social media accounts – Digital signs are indeed limited in terms of the amount of detailed content they can deliver but social media is not. Using your accounts, you can link product spec sheets, photos, flyers for sales, and even coupon codes among other marketing information.
Play up your strength using the right social media platform – Take a good look at your business and it will be easy for you to see which social media channel will benefit you the best. If you own a car dealership or a catering company then your business is highly visual and you will do well to use social media sites like Instagram or even Pinterest. If you have sales and new promos frequently then Twitter will suit you best. For real conversations to build your brand, Facebook will be your best option.

Establishing a presence for your business in social media will not take long but you have to really work hard at it. You have to really pay attention to what you post and when you post - it is hard work but it really does pay off and helps you get more out of your digital signs.

What Size LED Text do I Need on my Display?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 17:46:00 +0000

Proper selection of letter height is critical to ensure a LED display is legible to its intended audience. To make sure you select the correct letter height, LED Sign Authority has included a useful visibility chart that shows an approximate letter size required to be legible at a designated distance from the sign.

Calculations based on an externally (or naturally) lit sign with all uppercase letters. Factors that may affect required letter size include: color scheme, font selection, traffic and weather conditions. Please refer to the complete study by the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Penn University and the United States Sign Council.

Is It Wise to Import LED Signs from China?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 20:31:00 +0000

If you take a look at all the products you use, chances are you will find that a majority of them are made in China. It has become so prevalent that there happens to be hundreds of “made in China” jokes told every minute. However, there is a good reason for this abundance of China-made goods and that is they offer cheap labor which translates to more profit for companies that get products from them.

Getting more bang out of your buck is a great business ethic but questions are raised on what you are actually getting when you go for China-made goods. Any serious American company that goes to China for their manufacturing needs will always want an on-site quality engineer in the factory because as the saying goes about China-made goods, “You get what you inspect and not what you expect.”. Just read the book ”Poorly made in China” by Paul Midler, to get a better understanding of how things can go wrong when doing business with China.

LED Signage from China

This is not to totally discredit the quality of China goods but it bears something about the subject. When you factor in the fact that quality is 50-50 and the fact that you need to pay for shipping, wait for the cargo, and pay taxes—well, it seems more trouble than it is worth, doesn't it? It is for this very reason why more and more companies are bringing their manufacturing back to the good ol' USA.

This should be a heads-up for businesses and other people in charge that are thinking of getting their LED signs from China. It might be tempting to save several hundred bucks on your LED sign and get it from Shenzhen but what if it arrives and it doesn't work as it should? Do you have to ship it all the way back to China? Can you get technical support without communications difficulties? Try getting support at 2 pm in the afternoon on a Friday when it is 4 am on a Saturday in Shenzhen. Ever play phone tag? Communication can be bad enough even when people are in the same time zone. If you do manage to contact someone will you be able to understand them through the language barrier? Compare that to buying your LED sign in the USA. If there is a problem you have someone you can speak to within hours not days to get your sign back up and running.

Things Can and Do Go Wrong

It is hard to talk about LED signs from China and not sound like a complete black propaganda instigator but the fact stands that when you order LED signs from them at deeply discounted prices, you get what you pay for. You will be surprised at how creative they can become in using old parts for “new” LED signs just to save dollars and cents from the total cost.

Lets talk design. In China the LED signs are designed to be mounted within in a waterproof surround on the side of a building. This is much different than in the US where signs are set out on a pole and expected to withstand the elements of rain, wind and snow. Signs for the US need to be designed to shed the water away from the the electronics with minimal holes to prevent water intrusion. Cabinet finishes are have to be durable and long lasting to preventing rust and deterioration. Using a sign not designed for the correct environment will lead to sign failure, as has been found by many distributors (and customers) of China products.

This is not to say that every LED sign they produce is bad but there can be issues, and most of the time, there are. Sure, there are excellent China-made components that are used on US-made LED signs and there is no denying that they are truly world-class but when these world class components are used in a wholly China-made LED sign that has poor design overall, you get yourself a bad deal.

To really drive the point home, one LED sign is not the same as another LED sign especially when comparing US-made and China-made LED signs. If you want quality, ease of use, and excellent support, choose US-made LED signage.

Go Green and Save Some Green with LED Signage

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 17:10:00 +0000

One of the major buzzwords of this age is “green” in the sense that everyone is thinking energy conservation and reducing their carbon footprint. New products are being developed to reduce energy consumption and costs. It really is a great movement that is bound to produce the best results for people and the environment in the long run. When it comes to going green, every little bit counts. Even the sign industry is going green.

Greening Your Signs

As the world veers closer and closer to an energy crises, a big concern for business owners is how they can save money by cutting down on energy consumption with the use of more efficient equipment. Experts are hard at work in coming up with newer and better technology that are more energy-efficient. LED diodes are one of the technologies that is having a major impact in reducing energy consumption.

Most people will agree that when it comes to any electric equipment they buy, it all goes down to how much power they consume at the end of the day. Any equipment that consumes massive amounts of power will hurt the business budget and add to overall operating costs—no frugal business owner wants this. When it comes to selecting a business sign and going Green, LEDs makes good sense for the ratio of power input to light output.

LED Lights and Reduced Power Usage

Modern day LED diodes are true winners because they consume a lot less energy as compared to incandescent light bulbs. This is why LED diodes are utilized in LED boards that are gaining widespread use across all industries. Normal signage solutions are known to consume up to 3x more power as compared to LED signs that are of a similar size. With the world going crazy for the “Go Green” slogan, it just makes economic sense why LED signs are quickly gaining a following and slowly but surely taking the place of traditional reader boards.

Using Digital LED Billboards

It is clear that LED displays cut down on power consumption and offer major savings to businesses that use them, but just how effective are they when viewed from a marketing perspective? It is a given that they are marvelous when it comes to displaying messages from the company but it is also important to note that in marketing, the medium is the message and using LED signs can send your customers the message that you took great pains to use power-saving options to deliver your business message to them.

Another thing that adds to the points in favor of LED signs is that they are sturdy and LED diodes take a good long while to die as opposed to more traditional bulbs used for signs. Granted, you may pay more for an LED sign at the very beginning but once you see how much money you save in your electric bill, and how your sales increase to the reliable advertising, you will see that the initial investment is well worth it. In fact, the return on investment for LED signs is very quick so you will emerge a winner in more ways than one with this green signage option.

How to Avoid a One Night Stand

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 21:51:00 +0000

A man and a woman who met online are having their first phone conversation. Here's how it goes:

Lady: "Hi, I'm getting married this summer. There are five other potential suitors coming out this week and I need to set time for you to come out so you can tell me why I should marry you."

Gentleman: "Wow, okay. I thought maybe we could just grab dinner...."

Lady: "Oh no. No time for that. I have to get this done. I just need you to come out because I'll be choosing a spouse by next week. This wedding has to happen this summer!"

Gentleman: "Being this is such a big decision, don't you think you should maybe learn a little about me before I come out?"

Lady: "Look, I really just want to set as many of these appointments as possible. I have Wed and Thursday open right now. Which is best for you?"

Does this seem absolutely insane to you? Maybe because it is! But this is exactly how many sign shoppers approach their LED Sign project.

So What's The Problem?

The problem is that whether you want it or not, you will have a significant relationship with your sign dealer, and it's not all that different from a marriage. You will live with this sign till death or relocation do you part, right?

The Sign Buyer who is only interested in getting quotes, without investing the time to become educated, is setting themselves up for a one night stand.

Tons Of Companies Are Up For A One-Night Stand

Don't get me wrong. There's no shortage of companies who are happy scribble down a number, slap the sign in, then disappear into the abyss....just like in the dating world. But is that what you really want? Many people don't realize that's exactly what they're attracting when they make these two fundamental mistakes.

The Two Biggest Mistakes of LED Sign Shoppers

Mistake #1: They Don't Take Time To Educate Themselves

Information is power. This is just as true with LED Signs as with anything else. Time and time again we've seen that the educated consumer is the happiest client on earth for the following reasons:

1. They are typically delighted with their sign and options

2. They plan more thoroughly

3. They invest every dollar of their project wisely

Mistake #2: They Make Decisions Based Solely On Price

Price is a huge factor, but basing your decision based on price alone is like walking down the isle with the most "attractive" person regardless of their character. So if price isn't everything, what else is there?

Ironically, its seems that the same qualities that make for a great spouse also make for a great sign dealer.

4 Qualities Of Great Sign Dealers...and Spouses

1. They Put You First

2. They Are Only Interested in A Long Term Relationship

3. They Work to Constantly Improve Themselves

4. They Keep No Secrets

This begs the question, how can you tell the good from the bad?...or more likely the differences between good, better, and best?

There are several ways. First, check references. Second, check the BBB and other public forums. Third, follow your gut...sometimes you get that feeling and personally, I've always done better to follow it.

So, you might be wondering, 'What is the right way to go about getting a quote?'. Great question, here's what we suggest:

5 Stages of Sign Courtship

Step One: Determine what sign is right for you

Step Two: Study the options and accessories

Step Three: Vet the sign dealer

Step Four: Request a quote

Step Five: Sure up the Numbers

Well, hopefully you've found this helpful. If you are considering installing a LED Sign this year, we wish you the best in finding the sign dealer equivalent of Mr. or Mrs. Right!

Please feel free to leave questions or comments below.

LED Displays and Their Economic Impact

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:03:00 +0000

Take a good look around and you can see that more and more businesses are turning to LED signs as their on-premise signage. It is enough to make you wonder what the point is and if these do indeed help communicate with potential customers better than traditional advertising methods to improved store performance.

It has to be said that some business generally like high-traffic locations. These are the kinds of businesses that make use of message boards as a way to inform potential customers about where they are and what they have to offer. Take for instance businesses like gas stations that use signs to indicate petrol prices and advertise promos and products. Car dealers also make use of supplemental signs as a way to tell the public about their services and offers. The reason they do so is that informing the public of such information is integral to the success of their business as it helps increase traffic and sales.

Electronic Message Boards and Their Benefits

It is plain to see then that the true value of a highly-visible or corner location rests on the ability of a business to make use of signs to draw in potential customers. This is where electronic message boards come into play – they can be controlled to make sure that the most relevant messages are displayed to the public at a moments notice. The best part is they can be customized to provide messages with information that is vital to the target market of the business any time of day.

Traditional reader boards used to come with plastic letters that had to be changed manually by employees every time they change the message on the board. They worked out well enough though the letters did have a tendency to fly off when the wind and rains came down too hard; they would also be frequent victims of vandals. Repairing the damages and changing the message was time consuming plus maintaining consistency across chain retailers could be very messy and extremely tough to maintain. It is plain to see why most business breathed a sigh of relief when the electronic message boards came into existence and gained widespread use in business.

Benefits for Business and Communities

Back in 2011, Freeborg, Moeller, and Drury came out with a report entitled “EMC and Digital Sign Issues.” In the report, they pointed out a wide range of community and business impacts that would come with the use of electronic message boards. For businesses specifically, the major benefits include a more pronounced ease in the changing of the messages which means that businesses are more efficient when it comes to respond to the needs of their prospective customers. It also enhanced the ability of businesses to add images to their messages which also help to increase sales.

When it came to communities, they listed even more benefits, such as the increase of tax revenues that are brought about by increased business sales. These signs also work to improve business viability and this means the signs can bring about a reduction in blight and vacancies in community areas. There have been some concerns about digital message boards and accidents on the road but so far, the fear is misplaced, according to 5 major studies conducted between 2007 and 2010.

Good Practices to Add Years to Your LED Display

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:25:00 +0000

Most experts will tell you that digital sign boards and other LED-based signs are as sturdy as anything and can stand up to a lot of wear and tear, especially since they are outside and exposed to nature’s mood swings. You know how it can be blistering hot one day and raining cats and dogs the next, complete with winds that could blow a house apart. Aside from nature’s weather follies, there are a number of other factors that could wreak havoc with the circuits and general well-being of your digital LED signs.

There really is no major different between a digital sign solution and other pieces of circuitry in that they all have parts and components that are susceptible to damage from lack of maintenance, accumulation of dirt and moisture, etc. If you look at it closely, there are really so many things that can affect the efficiency and well-being of your digital signs, but this does not mean that you should just sit back and let the damage happen. After all, it is not like you are completely powerless and there are some things you can learn that will help you take care of your sign boards. A little bit of know-how and some time and effort on your part can save you from a world of pain and prevent your digital signs from going on the blink.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Have a look at some basic care and maintenance tips below that you can apply to your LED signs. They really are quite simple and can save you from hundreds of dollars in repair fees as well as days or even weeks of aggravation.

Regular cleaning – A layer of dirt can do a number on your signs and not just because it can make the sign look ugly. Dirt can move inside inside the display and cause untold damage. To prevent this, ensure that you schedule a cleaning for your LED signs every couple of weeks. When you do this, most dust and dirt that can cause damage to your signs are cleaned away. When you clean your signs, make sure you clean from corner to corner and really get into all the little nooks and crannies. It is okay if you can't get all the dirt out but it helps to get as much of it off as you can.
Regular maintenance – There is no getting around the fact that every system demands maintenance from time to time. This is especially true for equipment that are made to stay outdoors. What you can do is schedule maintenance work every several months so that an expert can check for loose or damaged parts and make any replacements when necessary. Maintenance can also include repainting or just judging the state of the circuits and the LED diodes.

If you want your LED signs to stay in tiptop shape and if you want to avoid the aggravation that comes with repair fees and the lack of signage for your business, you owe it to yourself to spend a few moments caring for your investment by following the tips listed above.

Sign Codes and Traffic Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 22:15:00 +0000

It is common practice for city planners to use sign codes that are developed by other cities (and therefore do not have real bearing to their own cities) or they make use of extremely strict rules because they believe signs are “eyesores” and will cause injuries and accidents by distracted drivers.

This is really not the case especially when good signage is installed. After all, not all signs are created equal and some are just better than others. There are simply some signs that are built better and designed better so they still convey the right message but are easy on the eyes and never distracting. These signs were made with the city’s needs in mind and are made to direct and grab attention but never distract.

Static Signs of the Yester-year

For generation upon generation, signs have been static. They really only ever displayed one message and some of them would carry the same signs and messages for years. However, leaps and bounds made in technology used for information display in recent years have changed that and business owners and city planners can now opt for digital signs. These signs are particularly useful when used as on- and off-premise signs for businesses. These on-premise signs have the ability to display a wide variety of messages so they allow a business to really “talk” to old and potential customers alike.

These digital signs represent a massive shift and advancement in communication technology that have an impressive ability to deliver valuable marketing information to customers. After all, there is nothing quite like an attractive sign that you can use to convey to potential customers why they need to do business with you. You can use the signs to tell them about new deals and promos as well as advertise brand new products on display and for sale within the hour.

Traffic Concerns and LED Signage

There is no denying that such signs can bring a world of good to business but some groups have their concerns about such signs especially when it comes to traffic safety and business signs that change content in a regular basis. These groups state that drivers might get distracted seeing as they might feel the need to take their eyes off the road and read what new message these business signs have put up for them instead.

These safety concerns are usually addressed by way of local regulations concerning electronic LED sign boards; they might limit or prohibit the use of these on-premise signs. The fact of the matter is that these regulations mostly stem from the local level and there is no scientific research data or national based surveys and research that support the implementation of such regulations.

In fact, what these city planners and city managers fail to take into account is that their static signs might just be doing more harm than good. To put it plainly, signs do NOT distract drivers or cause accidents - it is small or hidden signs that are the real culprits for road accidents among other reasons.

For businesses that are having issues with sign codes in your respective cities, you may pay a visit to the United States Sign Council. They have lots of information that you can use to counter bad sign codes in your city.

LED Signs for Auto Dealerships

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 23:21:00 +0000

These days, marketing has evolved into something else, and as always, the Internet is to blame. With the rising popularity of the Internet for almost every entertainment need, the TV and the radio have lost their former marketing glory. TV commercials don’t get viewed as often as they used to because it’s more convenient to recorded television shows. The radio industry has suffered a similar fate with the popularity of subscription radio services and mobile devices. Newspapers have struggled to stay afloat, reducing publication frequency and weathering the decline of circulation. People prefer taking out their tablets and reading the news from the Internet.

What does this have to do with auto dealership? It means that traditional advertising won’t work as well as it used to, and that it’s important to look for alternatives. One effective alternative is using outdoor electronic display or LED sign advertising. In fact, LED sign advertising is more cost-effective than other forms of advertising. There’s no need to put in numbers and other geeky marketing data here, but LED sign advertising, like that which is offered by LED Sign Authority, has been proven to be cheaper per thousand impressions or CPM. This is the kind of advertisement people see without intending to. They’re probably just driving to work, and then they see your LED sign and say, “Oh, that’s a nice offer.”

The LED Sign Authority Displays we offer to auto dealerships ensure that you get to showcase your monthly, weekly, and even daily specials and also be able to highlight community activities that increase floor traffic. What makes LED Signs different from traditional advert media and campaigns is that things can be changed very quickly. There is no need to take weeks or even months to plan an ad campaign because digital messages that really speak to potential buyers can be loaded in mere minutes.

Auto dealers can further increase the return on investment of their LED signs by using them to market the high-margin services they offer. With the flexibility of these LED signs, dealers have the ability to display different and multiple messages within the day about offers that customers may be unaware of. It will be a significant opportunity to make customers know about service department specials, customer loyalty programs, special financing opportunities, rental cars, and specific vehicles.

Benefits of LED Sign Advertising

The benefits of LED signs go far beyond just increasing recognition and awareness in prospective buyers but go as far as saving you money. Since they are energy efficient, they also lower operating costs in comparison to obsolete bulb signs. Outdoor electronic displays eat up less electricity, which means you will enjoy significantly lower operating costs, thus yielding a better return on investment. High quality LED signs are cost-efficient and may even qualify you for rebates from your local power companies.

Purchasing an LED Sign

Not all outdoor electronic displays are of the same quality though. It’s important to do a lot of research about LED sign companies before choosing one. Some important details to know are what warranty they offer, how good their customer service is, how they work with repairs, what after sales services they provide, and of course, the price range of their products. Doing your homework is important if you don’t want to blow your marketing budget on an outdoor electronic display that doesn't do the job. An LED sign is indeed a powerful tool but it will only be as good as the services that come with it. Before you buy anything, make sure you have all your bases covered and that you have asked the right questions.

How Fire Departments Can Finance a LED Sign

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 03:35:00 +0000

FEMA offers the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) each year to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations including equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources. Fire department personnel who have questions about the AFG Program can reach the Program staff by telephone at 1-866-274-0960, or by e-mail at firegrants@dhs.gov. Go to their site to sign up for grant email alerts. http://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant-program-info/assistance-firefighters-grants-e-mail-alert-signup Also check with the US Forest Service, Rural Housing Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as private groups like the First Responder Institute for other grants available.

Maltese Cross LED Sign

Increase Campus Safety with LED Emergency Notification Displays

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 22:51:00 +0000

The April 2007 Virginia Tech shootings which claimed the lives of 33 people, including the gunman's, had a chilling effect on the higher education community, but also compelled many of the nation’s school districts to take another look at their K-12 security strategies and explore improvements to their emergency notification systems. Virginia Tech was faulted by the Department of Education for violating the Clery Act and not informing students and faculty that a shooting had occurred until two hours after the event. Following this tragedy, Virginia Tech installed over 330 LED signs campus wide in libraries, classrooms, dorms, hallways, and other common areas.with the ability to provide daily messages as well as mass notifications in an emergency

Your campus's safety and security can change in a second. You can respond quickly with mass notification LED displays to broadcast safety concerns, terrorism alerts, severe weather alerts, news, and any other emergency announcements within seconds. Systems are self-contained and fully operational regardless of Internet connectivity or cellular network availability. Displays can provide flashing, visible alerts as well as audible alerts to direct the attention of students, faculty and staff to the displayed messages. The visual mass notification reaches out to everyone within your campus. A fire erupts in the middle school cafeteria. A suspicious stranger is reported lurking on the grounds of the high school. Or in an extreme case, a crime suspect on school grounds puts everybody in the building in danger. When an emergency strikes, these systems allow officials to immediately notify everyone involved with real-time information and instructions on what they should do.

LED Signs Posted Campus Wide

Benefits of Mass Notification LED Displays

Rapid mass notification of campus population
Color coding of messages is possible
Capable of flashing urgent messages
Provides messaging when mobile coverage is unavailable
No need for users to register
No user cost
Centrally synchronized clocks
Operates even when the system is down

Message Types used in LED Mass Notification

Security Danger
Weather Alerts
Severe Storm Warnings
Tornado/Hurricane
Current Weather & Temperature
Shelter Locations
Facility Locations
Fire Alarm
Gas Leak
Class Cancellations
News & Events
Morale Boosting Messages
City, State, & National News
Department Announcements
There are no limitations to the types of messages and possible uses around your campus.

Emergency Messages

A LED mass notification system, which links a school technology infrastructure with a comprehensive emergency response strategy, can save lives. LED Sign Authority provides a complete line of indoor Mass Notification LED Displays.

Fiber Optic LED Sign Communication

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 18:24:00 +0000

Fiber Optics is a communication method using a fiber optic cable that utilizes light instead of electrical impulses to send information from the computer to the LED sign. A signal converter is required on the computer and also at the LED sign to change the signal to light and then back to an electrical pulse. This system is very robust for noise immunity, which means the speed can be very fast over long distances. In simple terms, a movie file can be transferred in under a minute versus 15 to 20 minutes using RS232. The Key difference between Fiber Optic and Ethernet is the distance is better with Fiber Optic.

When should I use it?

High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
Installation cost is not an issue.
Need access to the sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
Distance from the LED sign to the Computer or Network switch is less than 2.5 miles.
When communication reliability is mandatory and installation costs are not a factor

Benefits:

Long distance capability up to 2.5 miles between stations
Files load quickly to sign.
Ethernet networks are common
Immune to electromagnetic interference

Considerations:

Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.
Can be expensive to run and repair if damaged.

Wireless Ethernet LED Sign Communication

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 21:06:00 +0000

Ethernet/wireless is sometimes called WiFi or 802.11. It is Ethernet over an RF network and uses off the shelf RF equipment bought at the local computer stores (similar to the wireless used on your laptop). Typically there is data encryption or Key’s used to access the network to prevent Hackers accessing the network. In utilizing this type of network, initially there is some setup involved to get the LED sign talking with the master transmitting unit . The distance for the device is limited to 100 feet or less and the broadcast antenna must be located outside the building to be effective. The speed of the network is very good and is suitable for movie and picture files.

When should I use it?

High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
Need access to the LED sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
Direct wire cable methods can not be used due to High installation costs
Excessive RF interference is not present at the LED sign or the transmitter location. This can be caused by Cell phone towers, radio stations, TV stations, wireless handsets and numerous other wireless devices prevalent on the market today.

Benefits:

Direct wire cable is not required reducing installation cost.
Ethernet networks are common
Multiple signs can be controlled from single network
Files load quickly to sign.

Considerations:

Installer should be familiar with computer networks to link the network to the signs IP address.
Clear “Line of Site” (no buildings or metal walls between access points) required between transmitter and receiver.
Connectivity and performance and subject to interference by many factors such as: obstructions (such as: weather, uneven terrain, large metal structures, water towers, trees, vehicles, radio signals) in between the sign antenna and the transmitter, distance between the antennas, position of the antennas, etc. A site survey is strongly recommended before installation.
Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.

Ethernet TCP/IP LED Sign Communication

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 21:05:00 +0000

Ethernet is a wired communication method allowing an Ethernet communication card (installed in your computer) to communicate with the LED display over a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN). TCP/IP over Ethernet network is another term used for this. Ethernet is a very fast communication method. In simple terms, a movie file can be transferred to a LED sign in under a minute versus 15 to 20 minutes using RS232.

When should I use it?

Ethernet Network is already available (LAN or WAN).
High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
Need access to the LED sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
Distance from the LED sign to the Computer or Network switch is less than 300 feet.

Benefits:

Cable is inexpensive
Ethernet networks are common
Multiple signs can be controlled from single network
Files load quickly to sign.

Considerations:

Installer should be familiar with computer networks to link the network to the signs IP address.
Recommended for distances less that 300 feet
Will need to be able to run a CAT5 cable between the sign and network connection. The may be obstacles in the way such as sidewalks or parking lots.
Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.