The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the way we live and work significantly, presenting us with many challenges. No aspect of our life hasn’t gone through some change. Work, education at all levels, healthcare facilities, and entertainment amenities have had to find a way to adapt to the “new normal.” Overcoming adaptation challenges has been necessary if all these components of our lives were to continue to function. Keeping the public safe and reducing health risks as much as possible has been the top priority. The quality that has emerged as critical for success is flexibility. That newfound agility that workplaces, classrooms, and all other public spaces have seen is vital since the constantly-changing global circumstances demand continuous adaptation. So, commercial building digital signage and wayfinding is one way to demonstrate that flexibility.
The importance of digital signage and wayfinding technology
The flexibility mentioned above is all the more essential for those responsible for maintaining technology in commercial buildings. Even though remote work and learning are still widespread and will continue to be like that for the unforeseeable future, there are still companies and even schools that have reopened at least partially. Digital signage and wayfinding are vital for the functioning of these places, now as the pandemic is still in its full swing, but their importance will remain intact after the pandemic as well. This technology is a means of managing communication while meeting safety requirements. It connects people, communicates necessary messages and changes, manages operational costs and resources, and foster productivity.
Improved safety
A digital wayfinding kiosk can have a built-in thermal screening solution that can instantly read employees’ and visitors’ temperature, right at the entrance. It will be the first line of defense against the spread of the current Covid-19 virus, but also any potential future viruses. Moreover, they can feature voice control, so touching is reduced to the minimum. Finally, all the features can be managed remotely by IT experts and facility managers.
Along with the thermal screening, digital signage, and wayfinding technology placed at the entrance can control the number of people present in the building. In addition, it can monitor and manage traffic around the building by presenting visitors and employees with a planned route they can take to get where they are going. They can access that route on their phones or displays installed around the building. Finally, this technology can have the capability to create detours based on information gathered from sensors to create a new route and ensure safe movement around the building.
Improved productivity
In a large commercial building with large numbers of employees, it can get challenging to find where a particular person is. A digital wayfinding solution will enable staff to approach a wayfinding kiosk and look up what they are interested in. Moreover, people will be able to find a particular room as well as check its availability.
Furthermore, visitors will be able to find all they need this way more easily without asking for direction. This will ultimately save time for the receptionists who spend a lot of time running around showing people where to go. More importantly, this technology will allow for more spatial distance and health risk mitigation.
Instant communication
Given that many companies have resorted to a hybrid way of functioning, with a part of the employees coming to the office and the other part working from their home office, the workforce has become dispersed. Therefore, connectivity is crucial. Digital signage technology can find its role here, too, since it can facilitate instant communication by integrating desktop and mobile systems with employees’ computers.
Limitless possibilities
When it comes to the implementation of digital signage and wayfinding, the possibilities are numerous. And it is something to keep in mind if a company is moving into a new building. Before they can relocate to the new offices, specific alterations may have to be made, and adding this fantastic element is definitely the right decision. It is important to choose the best option and install features that would be useful. Some of the ideas are the weather forecast, traffic updates, emergency alerts, in addition to, of course, the digital directory for the particular business.
Practical application of digital signage and wayfinding in business and government institutions
•Airports – passengers and staff rely on terminal information. This technology provides an excellent opportunity to enhance the travel experience by allowing people to quickly find their travel information, gate, and airport amenities. Local weather and other additional information could be handy, too.
•Retail – better-managed customer traffic is possible with distal signage and wayfinding solutions. Also, shops can better display their offer, provide product information, and present highlights. The system can not only enable better distancing and reduce contact, but improve shopping experience too, and thus, increase sales.
•Restaurants – Similarly to the retail segment, digital menus can allow more distancing and better efficiency. Also, touch-free voice command can further help manage the spread of the virus. Moreover, such menus can contain all information about the meals on offer regarding ingredients, nutritional values, etc. Finally, people can have an option to exclude certain ingredients they don’t like or are allergic to.
•Hotels – digital signage solutions contain all possible information that different maps and brochures used to provide, and more. They can have an option for booking various hotel amenities. Also, they can help users locate their room, etc.
Conclusion
The benefits of commercial building digital signage and wayfinding are prevalent. When it comes to the current pandemic, this technology can help maintain social distancing and manage the infection spread. Moreover, it can keep people updated by displaying new rules and advice. On the other hand, it can help businesses continue to grow and develop by maintaining connectivity among the dispersed staff.
Also, it can attract new customers as people will be drawn to interactive digital signage. It can help with customer retention as it can increase operational efficiency, thus reducing waiting time and minimizing customer complaints. Ultimately, it will all lead to increased revenues. Furthermore, there is a cost-effective side to digital signage and wayfinding, too. There will not be a need for printing posters and other promotional material. Instead, companies can focus on creating engaging materials. That will mean sending the right message to target audiences in real-time while saving money.
