Healthcare Digital Signage 2010 What You Need To Know
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Transcript of Healthcare Digital Signage 2010 What You Need To Know
800.800.1090 vericom.net21yearsexclusivelyservinghealthcare
Thefollowingwillguideyouinwhattolookforandaskvendorswhenplanning,budgeting,andimplementingdigitalsignageatyourhospitalorhealthcarefacility.Withtheoverabundanceofinformationaboutdigitalsignageavailableonthewebtoday,thisguideisspecificallytailoredtoaddressdigitalsignageasitpertainsuniquelytothehealthcareindustry.
What You Need to Know
Consider before you buy…
Planning, Budgeting, and Implementing
Healthcare digital signage 2010
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INTRODUCTIONandGETTINGSTARTED…………………………....3
ON-SITESURVEY…………….………………………………………...4
HARDWAREandSOFTWARE
High-definitionmonitors…………………………………….5
Mediaplayers………………………………………………....7
Software………………………………………............................7
INSTALLATIONandPROJECTMANAGEMENT
Installationhardware……………………………………...…8
Installation……………………………………………………9
Projectmanagement………………………………………..10
CONTENTSTRATEGYandPLANNING.....................................................….10
TRAINING……………………………………………………………15
SERVICEandSUPPORT……………………………………………....15
EQUIPMENTWARRANTIES…………………………………………..16
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Table of Contents
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INTRODUCTION
Healthcare digital signagehasrapidlybecomeanintegralpartofthepatientandconsumer,employee,andphysicianexperienceinhospitalsandotherhealthcarefacilitiesacrossthecountry.Itisavitalcomponentofinternalcommunications,directlyimpactingpatientsafety,staffperformance,thetotalpatientexperience,andmore.
Ifusedoptimally,digitalsignagecommunicationscanimpactbehavior.Thisrequiresasustainablecontentplanthatincludescurrentandrelevantmessages.Digitalsignagecontentshouldtargeteachhealthcareaudienceuniquelyanddelivermessagesthatmakesenseforwherepeoplearewaiting,working,eating,andcongregating.Messagescantargetnursingstations,pharmacies,outpatientwaitingareas,andoff-campustownhallmeetingsites,tonameafew.Contentshouldbeinformative,plentiful,fresh,dynamic,andengaging.Onlywhenyoucombinetheseelementsandpresenttheminvisuallycaptivatingdisplayscanyouensureasuccessfuldigitalsignageplatform.
Inaddition,digitalsignagehasthepowertoelevateyourbrandandsignificantlydifferentiateyoufromyourcompetitors,alteringtheperceptionofthequalityofcareyouprovide.Yourbrandcomesfromtheinside—fromyourculture,leadership,vision,progress,services,andemployees.Therightdigitalsignagevendorwillunderstandthenuancesandimportanceofbrandinginhealthcareinordertoprovideyouwithasystemthatsupportsandintegratesyourbrandseamlesslyintoyourinternalcommunicationsefforts.
GETTING STARTED…
Whenplanningandbudgetingfordigitalsignageatyourhealthcarefacility,youwillneedtoconsideronetimestart-upcostsandmonthly/annualfees.One-timecostscanoftenbefinanced,ifdesired.Notallvendorsincludealltheseelementsandthirdpartysourcesmayneedtobeutilized.
Costs to consider:
•On-sitesurvey(somevendorscreditwithpurchase)
•High-definitionmonitors(one-timefee)
•Mediaplayers(one-timefee)
•Mountingbrackets,cables,andotherinstallationhardware(one-timefees)
•Powerdrops,internetaccess,andinternalwiring(typicallyyourresponsibility)
•Installationandprojectmanagement
•Mediaplayersoftware(initialpurchase/licenseandongoingfees)
•Contentmanagementsoftware(initialpurchase/licenseandongoingfees)
•Otherhardware(isaserverrequiredtohostthesoftware?)
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•Technicalsupportandmaintenance(annualfees,notallvendorsincludethisaspartoftheirservice)
•Specialdesignservices(toincorporateyouruniquebrandingelements)•Contentcreation,management,andprogramming(whowill“own”it?)
•Training
•Ongoingsupportandwarranties
Eachoftheseareaswillbeindividuallyaddressedthroughoutthisdocument.
ON-SITE SURVEY
Itisinyourbestinteresttoworkwithavendorwhoiswillingtowalkyourhallwayswithyou,versusonewhowillonlydoasurveyoverthephone.Thisiswhereworkingwithacompanywhounderstandshealthcareandthechallengespresentedbythephysicallayoutsofhealthcarefacilitieswillbetoyouradvantage.
Theon-sitesurveywilltakeintoaccountyourcommunicationsobjectivesbasedonyouruniqueaudiences.Whoaretheseaudiences?Wherearetheywaiting,congregating,working,etc.?Whataretheyaredoinginthepresenceofeachmonitor?Aneffectivesurveywillrequireassistancefrommarketing,IT,andfacilitiesandwillassessthefollowing:
•Identificationofappropriatemonitorlocationsdependingonviewingaudiences
•Appropriatemonitorsizeforeachlocation
•Propermountsandallotherhardwarerequired
•Locationofmediaplayersanddistancetocorrespondingmonitors
•Targetaudiences,audiencesize,andtrafficpatternsateachlocation
•Desiredcontenttoplayonthemonitors(audio,video,staticmessages,animations,scrollfeeds,etc.)
•Communicationsgoalsandobjectivesforeachaudienceateachlocation
Theon-sitesurveygivesyourvendoralltheinformationnecessarytoprovideadetailedpricequotationaswellasinstallation,setup,andprogrammingrecommendations.Forplanningpurposes,figure1-3hoursofsurveytimeperbuilding.
Avendorwhoperformsthistypeofsurveywillunderstandandknowthelayoutofyourfacilityandwillbeabletomakerecommendationsandguideyouwithanynecessarychangesshouldyoudecidetoaddnewmonitorsorplayers,changethelocationofmonitors,orremovemonitors.
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Price range:Anon-sitesurveyisusuallychargedatanhourlyrate,soplanforapproximately$150-$175/hourplusanytravel-relatedexpenses.
Questions to ask about the on-site survey:
1.Doyouprovideanon-sitesurveyaspartofyourservice?
2.Whatdoestheon-sitesurveyentail,andwhatwillyoubelookingforduringthesurvey?
3.Haveyoueversurveyedhealthcarefacilitiesbefore?Doyoulookforelevatorandsurgerywalls,waterandoxygenlines,andotherimportantfactorsthatwillaffectthedrillingofwallsandinstallation?
4.Doyourequireafacilitiesrepresentativetobepresentduringthesurvey?
5.WhatwillIendupwithasaresultoftheon-sitesurvey?(Youshouldreceiveadetailedwrittenreportforallpossiblelocationsandthecomponentsneededforeachlocation’sinstallation.Photosofeachlocationshouldbeincludedtoassistyouinmakingfinallocationdecisionsandassistwiththeinstallationprocess.Thisinformationwillbenecessaryinorderforyourvendortoprovideadetailedandaccuratepricequoteforyourentireproject.)
HARDWARE and SOFTWARE
High-definition (HD) monitors
Monitorsdisplayyourdigitalsignagemessages.Therearemanydecisionstomakeandyouwillneedtoconsidertypeandsizeaccordingtoeachphysicallocation.Whataretheadvantages/disadvantagesofplasmaversusLCD,720por1080p?Itisimportanttoassesstheviewinghabitsofeachaudiencewhenconsideringlocation.Willthetextbelargeenoughona32”monitorifmostpeopleviewitfrom15feetawayorwoulda42”monitorbemoreappropriate?Thisinformationcanbeobtainedviaanon-sitesurveybyanexperiencedvendor,somakesureyourvendoriswillingtowalkyourfacilitywithyoutofiteachlocationwithanappropriatemonitor.Anon-sitesurveywillalsoexamineyourfacility’sexistinginfrastructuretodetermineifitisevenfeasibleformonitorstobeinstalledinyourdesiredlocations.Ifyoualreadyhavemonitors,theon-sitesurveycanevaluateiftheywouldbesuitableforuse.
Which monitors are the best?
Monitorscanbe“tubeTVs,”plasma,orLCDscreens.Inalmostallcases,youwillwanttopurchasehigh-definitionLCDmonitors.Here’swhy:
•LCDtechnologyrequireslesspowertorun(lesspowerconsumption)andhasalifespanapproximately2timesthatofplasma.
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•High-definitionmonitorsareclearerandeasiertoreadandview.Thishelpstomoreeffectivelyengageyouraudiences.
•TubeTVsarenotabletoproducehigh-definitionqualitypictureandLCDsrivalthepricesoftubes.
•Plasmatechnologyhasamajorissuewithburn-in,permanentlydisfiguringthescreen.
•Phosphorsinplasmascreensloseluminosityovertime,resultinginagradualdeclineofabsoluteimagebrightness.
•LCDmonitorsweighlessthanplasmaandtubemonitors.
•LCDmonitorpricesarecompetitivelypriced.
•LCDmonitorsareavailableinlargersizes,including65”orabove.
Note: Be aware that continual technological advances and price decreases may soon make other technologies, such as LED monitors, viable alternatives.
Commercial versus consumer models: Whendecidingonwhichtypeofmonitorstouse,makecertainyouONLYusecommercialgrademonitors.Thesemonitorsaresimilarinpricetoconsumermodels,buttheyaredesignedfor24/7useandtypicallycomewithmulti-yearon-sitewarranties.
Speakers:Somemonitormodelscomewithpre-attachedspeakerswhileothersareequippedwithdetachedspeakersthatwillrequireinstallationandmustbepurchasedseparately.Ifyouareconsideringaudioforyourdigitalsignageplatform,takeintoaccountthetypeofcontentbeingplayed,thelocation,ambientnoise,andcompetingaudiosourceslikeoverheadmusic,announcements,andbroadcastTV.Also,consideremployeeswhomaybeworkinginagivenarea.Iftheaudioisa20-minuteloop,theywillhearthesamething24timesinan8-hourshift.
Price range:Pricevariesconsiderablyformonitorsanddependsonsize,brand,andresolution.AsofJanuary2010,monitorpricescanrangefrom$700toover$7,000fora32”to65”high-definitionLCDcommercialgrademonitor.
Questions to ask about monitors:
1.Doyouusecommercialorconsumermodels?
2.Areyourmonitorshigh-definitionandwidescreen?
3.Whatbrandsdoyouuse?(Somebrandsarebettersuitedfordigitalsignagethanothers.)
4.Isthereawarrantyincluded,orofferedseparately,andwhatkindisit?
5.Arespeakersincludedordotheyneedtobeadded,ifdesired?
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Media players
Amediaplayerisadevicethatdeliverscontenttoeachmonitor.Thiscontentcanconsistofgraphics,images,animations,liveorrecordedvideo,and/ortext.Thenumberofplayersrequiredisdeterminedbythemonitorlocationsandthetypeofcontentdeliveredtoeachmonitor,aswellasthevendor’stechnology.Differentcontentprogramswillneeddifferentplayers.
Forexample,amonitorinthephysician’sloungeplayingcontentdirectedexclusivelytowardphysicianswouldnotbeabletoshareaplayerwiththemonitorlocatedinanearbypatientwaitingarea.Itispossibleforoneplayertosupportmultiplemonitorlocations,forexample,ifthoselocationsarephysicallyproximaltoeachotherandplayidenticalcontent.Withclosedcircuittelevision(CCTV),onlyoneplayerwouldberequiredtostreamidenticalcontenttoallmonitorsinpatientrooms.Theactualconfigurationcanonlybedeterminedbyanon-sitesurvey.Thetechnologyusedbysomevendorsrequiresoneplayerpermonitor,forexample,inthecaseofvendorswhoseplayerisintegratedwiththemonitor.Thistypeoftechnologytypicallyinvolvesincreasedup-frontequipmentcostsbecauseoftheone-to-oneconnection.
Software
Mediaplayersoftwaremaybepricedseparatelyfromtheplayerhardware.Thereissoftwarethatispartofthemediaplayer,andthereiscontentmanagementsoftwarethatcontrolstheplayers.Contentmanagementsoftwareistypicallyeitherweb-basedorloadedandmaintainedonyourserver.Importantthingstoconsiderwithsoftwarearethesystemrequirements,whowillmaintainit,andhowyouwillreceivesoftwareupdates.Makesureanypricequotesyoureceiveincludetechnicalsupportforyoursystem.
Price range: Whenresearchingmediaplayerpricing,pleasemakesureyouknowthedifferencebetweentheplayerandtheplayer“system.”Besuretoaskwhethertheplayersystemincludesthesoftwarelicensenecessarytoruntheprogramanddeliverthecontenttomonitors.Playerhardwarecanrangefrom$1,200to$3,200andaplayer“system”includinglicensingandplayersupportcanraisethisone-timefee.Manycompanieschargeanannualormonthlyusageorsubscriptionfeeforsoftware,whichwillbeseparatefromone-timehardwareandsoftwarecosts.
Questions to ask about media players, systems, and software:
1.Isthepricequotedjustfortheplayerhardwarealone,orisitfortheplayersystem,includingallsoftwarelicensingandtechnicalsupport?
2.Doestheplayersystemincludeaccesstoanyexistinghealthcarecontentorcontentlibrary?Whataretheannualfeesforcontentandwhatdothesefeesinclude?
3.Doyouhavetheproperlicensingtolegallydisplayalloftheformatssupportedbyyourplayer?
4.Howmanymonitorscanrunoffasingleplayer?Arethereanylimitationswithregardtodistancebetweenamonitorandplayer?
5.Doestheplayersystemdeliverhigh-definitioncontentandatwhatresolution?
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6.Istheplayercapableofplayingavarietyofcontenttypes,includingrecordedandlivestreamingvideo,graphicmessages,andanimations?
7.CanIuploadmyowncontentthatIcreate?
8.Isthesoftwareweb-basedordoesitrequireustomaintainitonadditionalequipment?
INSTALLATION and PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Installation hardware
Monitormountsholdadigitalsignagemonitorsecurelyonawall.Thereisawiderangeinthepriceofmounts,asthemountsizeandtypearedependentonthemonitorsizeandlocation.Inthemajorityofcases,itwillbemost“space-effective”tomountamonitortothewallorceiling,versustakingupvaluablespacewithafreestandingdigitaldisplay.Amountforawallcanbeflatorhavetilt/swingingoptions.Incertainlocations,itisnecessarytouseaceilingpolemountoraswing-armmount.Asitesurveywouldbeabletohelpdeterminethis.
Pleasebeawareofotheritemsyoumayrequirethatshouldalsobeincludedinyourpricequote.Thesecanincludeplayermountsandmonitormounts,cables/wiring,videodistributionequipment(transmitters,receivers,andsplitters),andphysicalsecuritylocks.Thedistancesfromamonitortotheplayercanaffectthecostofthisequipment.Onlyanon-sitesurveycandeterminehowmanyofeachisrequiredsoyoucanobtainanaccuratepricequote.
Price range:Dependingonthemonitorsize,wallmountsalonecanrangefromlessthan$200to$1,000ormore.Besuretobudgetanaveragecostof$600to$800forinstallationequipmentforeachmonitor.Thiscostshouldbeenoughtocover:mount,cabling,videodistributionhardware(splitters,transmitters,andreceivers)andmiscellaneoushardwaresuchaslocks.
Questions to ask about installation hardware:
1.Whatotherhardwareisrequiredtorunthissystem?
2.Whathardwareismyfacilityresponsibleforprovidingversusthevendor’sresponsibility?
3.HowdoIdeterminewhattypeofwallmountsIneed?
4.Areyouabletoinstallmonitorsonbrickorcementwalls?
5.Doesthecostofinstallationincreasethefurtherawayamediaplayerisfromamonitor?
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Installation
Properdigitalsignageinstallationrequiresathoroughon-sitesurvey.(Haveweemphasizedtheimportanceofathoroughon-sitesurveyenough?!)Onlyanon-sitesurveycanaccuratelyestimateinstallationtime.Aroughapproximationwouldbebetween2-3hourspermonitor,and3-4hoursperplayerincludingcabling,playerinstallation,testing,projectmanagement,andmaterialstracking.Ifthereareanyspecialrequestssuchasputtingmonitorsinelevators,theon-sitesurveywilldeterminehowmuchmoretimethesespecialoruniqueinstallationscouldtake,alongwithanyspecialequipmentrequirements.
Ifyourvendordoesnotperformtheinstallations,andusesathirdparty,youwillwanttofindouthowcloselyyourvendormonitorstheirinstallationsandtowhomyouwillneedtogoifthereareanyproblems.Notealsothatyourvendorwillmostlikelyrequireassistancefromyourfacilityservicesdepartmentinsurveying,planning,andperformingtheactualinstallation.Yourvendorwillnotwanttoputanyholesinyourwallswithoutobtainingyourpermissionfirst.Typically,yourfacilitiesorITdepartmentwillberesponsibleforprovidingelectricaloutlets,internetaccess,andanyrequiredinternalwiring(e.g.Cat5).
Price range:Planforinstallationfeesrangingfrom$130to$250perpersonperhour.
Questions to ask about installation:
1.Doesyourcompanyperformtheinstallationsordoyouuse3rdpartyinstallers?Ifso,willIneedtohaveanycontactwiththis3rdpartyorwillyouhandleallofmyquestionsandproblemsdirectly?
2.WillyoumanagetheprojectordoIneedto?
3.Howmuchtimeisrequiredofmyfacilityservicesdepartmentinassistingwithinstallations?
4.Whatworkareweresponsibleforandexpectedtohavecompletedbeforeyouarrivetoinstallequipment?
5.Doyourinstallerslookforwaterandoxygenlinesbeforedrilling?Dotheyunderstandtheuniquenessofhealthcarefacilitieswherearoommayshareawallwithanotherroomwithspecialrequirementssuchasanoperatingroom?
6.Doyourinstallersknowaboutinfectioncontrolanddustcontrolstandards?(Note:Youshouldnothavetoteachyourvendor/installersabouttheimportanceofunderstandingthesetypesofhealthcarecompliance!)
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Project management
Healthcaredigitalsignageisaverylargeundertaking,anditisimportantyouworkwithavendorwhoisvestedinyoursuccessandwhoalsounderstandstheopportunitiesalongthewaywherethisprojectcanfail.Therightplanning,organization,andpartnershipbetweenyourfacilityandvendorwillofferyouthebestchanceofmeetingandexceedingyourgoals.Makesureyourvendorhastherightservicemodelandprojectmanagementcapabilitiestomeetyourcommunicationsobjectivesandgrowandsustainaneffectivedigitalsignageplatformwithyouforlife.
CONTENT STRATEGY and PLANNING
Beforeyoumoveforwardwithpurchasingsystemhardwareandsoftware,youneedtothinkaboutcontent.Whoisgoingtobeviewingyourcontent,where,andwhen?Whoisgoingtocreateyourcontentorwhereareyougoingtogetit?Whoisgoingtoplanforandmaintainthequantity,variety,quality,andintegrityofallofyourcontentforyouruniqueaudiences?Whoisgoingtoscheduleyourcontent?Bewareofvendorswhopriceasystemwithoutincludingdigitalsignage-specificcontentdevelopmentormanagementcosts.Thesevendorsassumeyouwillcreate,fulfill,anddeliveryourowncontentwithoutanyassistance.
Donotplanonsavingmoneybydeliveringexistingcontentonly—suchasvideos,PowerPointpresentations,andothercontentyoumayhaveonhandthatwasdevelopedformediaotherthandigitalsignage.Justhavingasupplyofcontentdoesnotensureitisofthequalityandformatneededforlargehigh-definition,digitalwide-screenviewing.ExcessiveuseofPowerPoint“looking,”non-HDcontentisnotgoingtopromoteyourbrandinapositivelightorcommunicateeffectivelywithyouraudiences.Digitalsignageisaveryvisiblemediumandruns24/7.Ifthecontentisnotupdatedregularly,itwillbeignoredorbecomeannoying,andyouwillgetcomplaints.Youwantcontentthatisvisuallyengagingenoughtoattractattention.Somevendorswilloffercontentlibrariesanddesignservices,otherswillnot.
Pay careful attention!:
1.Thereisalotofreadilyavailablecontentthatdoesnottransferortranslatewellintoproperviewingonlarge,high-definitionmonitors.Contentdesignedforyourwebsiteorletter-sizePDFdocumentswillmostlikelyhavetoomuchcopyandwillnotbeappropriatelysizedfordigitalsignage.
2.Videosvaryinlengthandqualityanddonotalwaysdelivermessagesthatareappropriatetoyouraudienceswheretheyarewaiting.Also,audiomaynotbedesirableformanymonitorlocations.
3.ManyPowerPointandWordpresentationscontaintoomuchtextfordigitalsignageviewing.Also,thesefileformatsdonotlookgoodbecausetheresolutionisnothighenoughfortheselargemonitors.Itisbesttousethesetypesofsoftwareprogramsforquickcommunicationupdates,notbrandingefforts.
4.Becarefulofvendorswhosaythey“candowhateveryouwant,”or“weserveanyindustry.”Healthcareiscomplicatedandunlikeotherindustries.TheERstaffandtelemetrynursescouldbesegmentedintotwodifferentcontentaudiences,aswellasthepatientsinyourimagingcenterandcardiacwaitingroom.Youneedavendorwithsolidhealthcareexperiencewhounderstandsthatthesearealluniqueaudiences,eachwiththeirowncommunicationschallengesthatneedtobeaddressedinorderforyourcontenttohaveimpactandmakeadifference.
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5.Digitalsignagecontentneedstobeplanned,managed,delivered,revised,andupdatedroutinelyformultipleaudiences,allwithvaryingcommunicationsneeds.Itisimperativetolookforavendorwhooffersyoucontentoptionsthatinclude: 1)Arelevantandexpansivecontentlibrarythatiseasytoaccessandincludesreadilyavailable updatedcontentandclinicallyaccuratehealthcaremessages.
2)Messagesthatenableyoutoaddyourowncall-to-actiontaglines.
3)Customcontentyourvendorcancreateforyou,assumingtheyhavethedesignexpertise.
4)Contentyoucreateinternallywithyourdesignteamanduploaddirectlyintoyoursystem.
5)Abilityforyoutoquicklycreatemessagesyourselfonline,usingavarietyofcustompre-designed backgroundsthatincludeyouruniquebranding,availableforyoutouseatanytime.
6)Abilitytouploadpre-recordedvideoandstreamlivevideotoallmonitors(especiallyvaluablein connectingandcommunicatingwithoff-campusaudiences).
6.Lookforavendorwhoprovidesadependableserviceoffresh,animated,anddynamiccontenttomeetyourneeds.
The importance of unique, audience-centered content that is current, visually captivating, relevant to your audiences, and sustainable, cannot be stressed enough. Digital signage is a living, breathing system that needs to be continually fed, and in healthcare that means a “healthy” dose of the right kind of healthcare content.
Itisalsopossiblethatyouwantyourdigitalsignagecontenttocrossoverintoothermediumssuchasyourclosedcircuittelevision(CCTV)systeminpatientrooms.Thismaybeanimportantapplicationforyourinternalcommunications,andyou’llwanttodiscussthiscapabilitywithyourvendor.
To be effective, your digital signage product should be able to do the following:
1.Provideacall-to-action–Effectivecontentdrawsindividualstoyourmonitorsandgivesphonenumbersandwebsiteaddresses,providingviewerswithanopportunitytorespondandtakeaction.Italsoallowsyoutogaugetheeffectivenessofyourcontentbytrackingresults,suchasappointmentsmade,attendanceatscreeningevents,andmore.
2.Appealtoeachperson’ssenses,values,andemotions–Effectivecontentcanconvertcurrentpatientsintoloyalpatientsandvisitorsintofuturepatients,whileensuringemployeesrefertheirfriendsandfamily.
3.Targetyouruniqueaudiences–Effectivecontentisaudience-centeredandrelevanttothem.
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4.Engageaudienceswheretheywait,work,eat,congregate,teach,etc.andunderstandtheirviewingtendencies–Deliveringtherightcontentattherighttimedependsonyouraudience’slocationwithinthehospital.Otherwise,youraudiencewillnotbeintherightframeofmindtoabsorbtheinformation.Contentneedstobecommunicatedrelativetoyouraudience’ssituation,whetherthey’reeatinginthecafeteria,waitingtoundergoascreening,orwaitingfortheresultsofalovedone’ssurgery.Understandingviewingtendenciesallowshealthcaremarketerstodeterminemessageduration,textandimagesize,looplengths,etc.Thiscanbediscussedup-frontduringtheon-sitesurvey.
5.Strengthenyourbrandimage–Isyourcontentanddisplayauniqueidentifierforyourhospital?Doesitdifferentiatethevariousfacilitiesinyourhealthsystem?Forexample,youmightwantyourchildren’shospitaltohaveadifferentlookandfeelthanthemainhospital.Yourvendorshouldbeabletoprovidedifferent“skins”andbackgroundsforyourmonitorstosupportyourdifferentfacilitiesandwaitingareas,ifdesired.
6.Provideuniquecontentviewingareasoneachmonitor–Youshouldhavetheoptionofchoosingdifferentcontentareasforeachmonitor.Thismayincludeamainwindoworchannelforviewinglargeimages,animations,andvideo;asidebarlocationforimportanttextsuchasphonenumbersandwebsiteaddresssoviewerscanrespondtomessagesandtakeactionimmediately,andascrollareathatincludesscrollingormovingcontentwhereviewerscanreceivereal-timeinformation.Theseadditionalcontentareaswillimpactyourabilitytoeffectivelycommunicatewithyourdiverseaudiencesanddeliverreal-timeoremergencysituationupdates.Youshouldalsolookforavendorwhowillnotlockyouintoanycontentwindowselection“forlife,”butwhowillofferyoutheopportunitytochangethesewindowsorcontentareasshouldyouraudiencesorcommunicationsneedschange.
7.Softwareshouldenableyoutoplancontentinadvancebeforemonitorsareinstalled,sowhenhardwareinstallationisfinishedyourcontenthasalreadybeencreatedandscheduledandyouarereadytogolive.Nooneshouldeverbeviewingablankmonitor.
Additionally…
Your digital signage healthcare content should:
1.Relievepatientanxietywith“whattoexpect”messages.
2.Encouragepatientstouseyourotherservices.
3.Ensurepeoplevisitingpatientsalsocomebacktouseyourservices.
4.Establishyourfacilityasahealthresource,notjustaplacepeoplegotowhenill.
5.Inspireemployeestorefertheirfriendsandfamily.
6.Supportphysicianeffortsatpatienteducation.
7.Providepatienteducationtohelpmaintainastateof“surveyreadiness”forJointCommissionvisits.
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8.Addresscommonlyaskedquestionsandimprovecustomerservicetoreducequestionsaskedofstaffandkeepthemfreetodotheirjobs.
9.Encouragereferralsandeventregistration.
10.Letpeopleknowtheyareimportant,theirtimeisvalued,andtheirhealthcareconcernsarelegitimate.
11.Recognizeoutstandingemployeesandintroducenewphysicians.
12.Effectivelycommunicatewithphysiciansandstaffaboutupcomingevents,CMEs,qualitymetrics,etc.
13.Improvepatientsafety.
14.Conditionbehaviorwitheffectivecalls-to-action.
15.Improveandelevateinternalcommunicationwithstaff.
16.Beflexibleandcreative–thepossibilitiesareendless!
Tips for optimal content and design layouts:
•Makethemostimportantpointthemostprominent–Considerwhereyouwanttheviewer’seyestogotofirst.
•Keepyourimageconsistentwithyourbrand–andtherestofthemarketinginyourhospital.
•Usecolor,contrast,andfont/imagesizewell–tocatchtheviewer’sattentionandmakeyourmessagestandoutandeasytoread.
•Understandhowmotionaffectstheviewer–Isyourdisplaytoobusy?Istheretoomuchmovementornoneatall?Whereistheviewergoingtolookfirst?Doesthemovementdistractfromwhatyouarereallytryingtoconvey?
•Delivercontentyouwantyouraudiencestosee,feel,experience,andlearnabout–Don’toverdoit.Deliveryourmessage,giveyouraudienceachancetorespond,andmoveon.Ifthepointisimportant,makeitagainatanothertime.Reinforcementisgood,redundancyisnot.
•Remembertokeepitsimple!–It’snotalwayseasytodoso,especiallyinhealthcare,butrememberthepointisnotjusttodeliveramessage,buttodeliveritinsuchawaythattheviewerunderstandsthemessageandisprovidedwiththeopportunitytorespondtoit.
Templates
Templateshelpwithbrandingdifferenttypesofdigitalsignagecommunicationstoyouruniqueaudiences.Forexample,aCMEtemplatethatiseasilyrecognizabletophysiciansontheirwaytogetcoffeeinthedoctor’sloungecangivethemtheinformationtheyneedinashortamountoftime.And,iftheyseethistemplateeverymonth,theywillcometodependonitasavaluablesourceofreadilyavailableinformation.
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File formats
Bewareofacompanythatsaysyoucanuseanyfileformat,likeaPowerPointpresentation,forexample.Manyformatsarenotoptimaloreveneffectiveforlarge-screenhigh-definitionviewingandmayevendenigratethevalueandappearanceofyourcommunications.JustbecauseasystemallowsyoutodisplayPowerPointdoesnotmeaneverythingyouseeinthepresentationwilllookgood,translatewell,andappearintherightsizeandclarityonceitisuponalarge,high-definitionmonitor.Limitedfileformatsmaybeinyourbestinterestforthedigitalsignagemedium.
Contentcreationandcontentmanagementfeeswillvarydrasticallyfromonecompanytothenext,soyoushouldmakealistofwhat’sincludedandwhat’snottohelpyoumakeyourdecision.Ideally,youwantasystemthatenablesyoutocreateyourowncontent,providesready-madehealthcontentallowingyoutotargeteachofyourhealthcareaudiences,andalsooffersacombinationofthetwo.Somevendorscanalsosupplycompletelycustomizedcontent.Yourdigitalsignagevendorshouldbeabletoprovideavarietyofstaticimagescreens,aswellasscreenswithmovement(includingvideo,animation,orboth).Somecompaniesalsoprovidemodulesforweather,traffic,andotherapplications.Itisuptoyoutodeterminethevalueofofferingthistypeofcontentanditspotentialimpactonyouraudiencesversusanyassociatedadditionalcosts.
Price range:Thecostofbuyingcustomcontentvariesgreatlydependingonquantity,quality,andvendor.Aself-servicecontentmanagementsystemwithgraphicsandtechnicalsupportmayhavehighannualfees.Somevendorsincludeacontentlibraryasapartoftheirannualfees,somevendorsofferoutsideadvertisingagencies,andsomevendorsoffergraphicsservicesinternally.Animatedcontentcancostatleast$2,500to$5,000peranimationorupto$250/hourforcreatingcustomcontent.Youwillneedtodoaside-by-sidecomparisontoseewhateachvendorisofferingfortheprice.Agencieswillcharge$300ormoreperstaticdigitalsignagemessage.
Questions to ask about content:
1.Whatdothecontentmanagementfeesinclude?
2.OnceIcreatemycontent,whatarethedatastoragefees,andwhydoIneedtoaccountforthesecosts?
3.Doyouprovidealibraryofready-madecontentofinteresttomytargetedhealthcareaudiences?
4.Whatfileformatswillnottranslatewellforviewingonlargedigitalmonitors?Whichonestranslateoptimally?
5.Doyouprovideahealthcarecontentlibrary?
6.Whatisthecosttohaveyouoryouroutsidepartycreatecontent?
14
Ver2.10
800.800.1090 vericom.net21yearsexclusivelyservinghealthcare
15
Yourcontentmanagementsoftwareshouldbeabletoconsistentlydelivercontenttoyourmediaplayersystemwhenyouwantandneedit.Thissoftwareshouldallowyoutocreateplaylistsforeachmonitorandenableyouto:
1.Scheduleyourowntimelinesforplayingcontent.
2.Addandremovemessagesatyourdiscretion.
3.Makechangestoamessageandthenscheduletherevisedmessageforplayonceagain.
4.Accessaweb-basedsystemremotely.Alocallyhostedsystemmaynotallowyoutoupdateand/orutilizeexistingornewcontentfrommultiplelocations,suchasfromhomeorwhiletraveling.Youwillneedtotakeintoaccountthelimitationsofalocalsystem.
TRAINING
Allvendorsshouldprovidetrainingandsupportinhowtousetheirsystem.Thesecostswillvarysignificantlydependingonthetypeofsystemprovided,thenumberofpeopletobetrained,wherethetrainingistobeperformed,etc.
Questions to ask regarding training:
1.Whattypeoftrainingdoyouprovide?
2.Howlongwillthetrainingtakeandhowmanypeoplecanyouaccommodate?
3.Whereisthetrainingperformed?Doyouhaveweb-basedtraining?Doyouprovideon-site,hands-ontraining?
4.Arethereadditionaltrainingfeesiftherearechangesinpersonnelornewpeoplearebroughtinovertimewhoarenewtothesystem?Whatarethosefees?
SERVICE and SUPPORT
Whathappensifsomethinggoeswrong,technicallyorotherwise?Doesyourvendorprovide24/7support?Whatifyourprogramjustisn’tgettingthecommunicationsjobdone–istheresomeoneyoucancallforguidanceandsupport?Whathappensifyouwanttoincludeanotherlocationinyoursignageplanandaddanewmonitor?Willyouhaveonecontactpersonwhohandlesyouraccount?Doesyourvendorknowyouraccount,orareyoujustanothernumber?Undertakingaprojectofthisnaturerequirestechnicalsupportandassistance,24/7monitoring,remoteservicemaintenance,andsoftwareupdates.Somevendorsofferongoing,dailysupporttodealwithanysoftwareissues,bestpractices,messageideasandimplementationofcampaigns,andphasedexpansionofyoursystem.
Ver2.10
800.800.1090 vericom.net21yearsexclusivelyservinghealthcare
Undoubtedly,youwillhavequestionsandneedsupportasyouusedigitalsignage.Evenifyouareusingasystemwhereyouareincontrolofyourcontentanditsdesignanddistribution,youneedtoknowthatyourvendorunderstandsyourchallenges,yourobjectives,andyouraudiences,andisthereforyou!
Questions to ask regarding service and support:
1.Whattypeofmonitoringandtechnicalsupportareprovided?Isyoursupport24/7?Howmuchdoesitcost?
2.Whattypeofcustomersupportisprovidedforsoftwarequestionsorguidancewithyourcontentandcampaigns?Howmuchdoesthiscost?
3.Whatresourcesdoyouprovideregardingbestpracticesfordigitalsignage,specificallyinhealthcare,tooptimizeoursystem?
EQUIPMENT WARRANTIES
Warranties and service contracts
Today,thereare3-yearon-sitewarrantiesformanycommercialmonitors,soitmaynotbenecessarytoobtainextendedwarranties.Pleaseaskyourvendoraboutthespecificwarrantiesprovidedandwhattheycover.Aservicewarrantyusuallydependsontheinitialpurchasepriceofthemonitor.
Questions to ask regarding warranties:
1.Whatexactlydoesmywarrantycover?
2.Howlongisthewarrantycoverage?
3.Whatistheprocessforreplacingamonitororgettingonefixedifsomethingshouldgowrong?
4.Isthereawarrantyonthemediaplayer?Whattypeandforhowlong?Whatistheprocessforrepairing/replacingaplayerifsomethinggoeswrong?
For questions about digital signage for healthcare providers, and for information about ChannelCare digital signage, exclusively for healthcareplease call Vericom at 800-800-1090 or visit us at www.vericom.net.
16
Ver2.10