More and more manufacturers are using LCD enclosures on dirty, dusty plant floors. With digital signage, management can communicate vital information efficiently to employees with a few clicks of a button.

Deploying an LCD in a warehouse or factory environment involves extensive planning. The same dangers that harm a computer or printer system will also exist for an LCD. Dust, humidity, liquids and temperature fluctuations can wreak havoc on a standard display. Manufacturers recognize the need for an enclosure to house a large commercial monitor, and enclosures are available in various shapes and sizes.

LCD Enclosure for Manufacturing Environments

1. Safety

Workplace safety is a top priority at any company, especially in manufacturing. Many companies are turning to digital signage as a fast and effective way to reach their employees. Digital signage is an easily managed tool to improve safety procedures. Michelle Hopkins, in the article, “10 Simple Steps to Improve Workplace Safety,” expresses the importance of signs, “… Signs are a cheap and effective way to quickly communicate important information. They’re usually simple and rely on pictures to detail hazards and proper procedures. These tools are good reminders and warnings for even the most experienced worker.” Digital signage can replace the old-fashioned bulletin board ‘signs’ in the lunchroom or on poles in the factory, saving paper and time. Human resources can now focus on more important issues!

2. Critical Processes

Digital signage can help manufacturers display critical production line information. The notion of “set it and forget it” programming is especially beneficial to plant managers. Utilizing digital signage on a manufacturing floor can help reduce response time for production quality issues. In the blog, ‘9 Scenarios of Common Assembly Line Issues,’ Dan McKiernan emphasizes the importance of having real time information for workers and managers, “Whether you need ongoing information, periodic status updates or data to observe a recent line change, it is imperative to have a tool to continually monitor and analyze your assembly line. [Digital signage] provides you with real-time, continuous and standardized task level data to provide analysis for every station in your assembly process. With a good understanding of your assembly line, you can easily identify problems and make accurate decisions to meet the changing demands of your assembly line.”

3. Performance

To keep employees motivated and attitudes positive, digital signage can also be utilized to display workplace goals and performance statistics. Keeping employees informed of key metrics, quality control or inventory levels can help drive enthusiasm. A simple daily ‘to-do list’ or real-time statistics on a digital screen will do wonders. According to the article, ‘Why Leaders Need To Embrace Employee Motivation‘ motivation is key, “Employees whose managers involve them in goal setting are 3.6 times more likely than other employees to be engaged… [Furthermore], Gallup estimates the cost of poor management and lost productivity from employees in the U.S. who are not engaged or actively disengaged to be between $960 billion and $1.2 trillion per year.”

Now more than ever, visual communication is a powerful tool to engage, educate and even inspire employees. Loud machinery and large open spaces with high ceilings can make real-time company communication (via a loudspeaker) a real challenge on the plant floor. Regardless if your goal is to improve performance, increase safety or empower your workforce, be sure to choose the right LCD enclosure that will keep your message running 24/7.

HAVE QUESTIONS?  LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN ‘ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT’ AT 1-800-423-9911 -or- EMAIL: INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM

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THE GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA SYNOPSIS:
According to WikiTravel, “Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for the infant English colony of Virginia. Bermuda is a self-governing British overseas territory in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Caribbean, off the coast of North America east of North Carolina. It is one of the last remains of the once vast British colonial empire in North America.” Bermuda is made up of 138 islands/islets, which contain one city (Hamilton), one town (St. George), and two villages (Flatts, Somerset).

HOW DID BERMUDA FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
Knowing they were going to need an enclosure expert that specializes in outdoor digital signage, Bermuda consulted with an audio/video integrator in the United States to help make their vision a reality. After reviewing the large product line of outdoor enclosures, the integrator reached out to ViewStation by ITSENCLOSURES, on behalf of Bermuda, to provide a skilled consultation in protecting electronics inside of a digital signage enclosure that would shield against the various challenges mapped out by the country.

PROJECT:
The Government of Bermuda sought a way to provide more self-service information to tourists and travelers visiting the island, especially those using public transportation. They wanted to offer an electronic solution to assist in visitor information, directions, and to help promote local businesses – who would, in turn, use the digital signage to advertise and market themselves.

CHALLENGES:
When Bermuda made the decision to install large-format displays in the bus terminal area, they knew that they needed to be protected in an outdoor digital signage enclosure. Various obstacles existed, including the summer weather with extreme hot temperatures, corrosive & salty air (due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean), and high humidity. In addition, the proposed enclosure solution would need to securely and safely mount to the existing bus shelter. Bermuda recognized that they had some significant obstacles to tackle and the most obvious was the cost of a prospective solution under capital budget restraints.

SOLUTION:
After discussing the complications set forth by Bermuda, ITSENCLOSURES stepped in and assessed the environment, including the heat, corrosive air, and humidity. After review of stock products, ITSENCLOSURES made a recommendation to deploy ViewStation LCD enclosures. The enclosure is constructed out of marine-grade aluminum with a clear coat/powder coat finish to protect against the salt air. Separate external mounting brackets, constructed out of stainless steel, support the weight of the enclosure and electronics installed inside of the cabinet. All exterior hardware featured non-corrosive elements that are suitable for exposure to a marine environment. The LCD enclosure features fan cooling and provides a NEMA 3R/IP53 protection rating for a semi-outdoor environment. Overall, the enclosure design was dictated by the requirement to use a specific make and model of a 42″ high-bright display.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
ITSENCLOSURES assisted Bermuda with installing the enclosures with specified mounting devices to the bus terminal structure. Within months of the original contact, the ‘Hamilton Bus Terminal’ installed 14 new LCD enclosures assisting visitors and promoting local vendors. The Government of Bermuda commented, “We can’t thank ITSENCLOSURES enough, for working with us and making our vision a reality. Now, the Hamilton Bus Terminal is reflective of the strides Bermuda has been taking to become a world class vacation destination.”

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:

• Outdoor Digital Signage

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know how we can best assist you! Contact an ‘ITSENCLOSURES expert’ at 1-800-423-9911 -OR- send us an email: info@itsenclosures.com

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KENNYWOOD PARK SYNOPSIS:
With a mix of classic and modern rides, Kennywood Park, located in West Mifflin – a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – is a theme park known for its thrill-seeking roller coasters (The Racer, Jack Rabbit, Thunderbolt, Phantom’s Revenge, The Steel Curtain). According to the Kennywood website , the park has been around for over a century, “Founded in 1898 as a small trolley park near Pittsburgh, Kennywood was begun by the Monongahela Street Railway Company, which was controlled by Andrew Mellon… Kennywood is one of the oldest and most beloved amusement parks in America.” Kennywood was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

HOW DID KENNYWOOD FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
After reviewing enclosure competitors, Kennywood located ITSENCLOSURES during an online Google search and realized the close proximity between the two companies, so an in-person meeting would be easy to achieve.

PROJECT:
Kennywood Park sought a digital signage solution, which could withstand humid Summer days and maintain the LCDs and media players within appropriate operating temperatures. Kennywood desired to install environmentally sealed enclosures at popular rides and attractions, so that visitors – standing in line – were entertained while they waited to enter the ride. In addition, Kennywood required a simpler solution for areas where LCDs could be installed under a roof – well protected from rain and sun, but provide basic vandal resistant protection. The IT team at Kennywood Park turned to ITSENCLOSURES to learn more about ViewStation Universal LCD enclosures, which are ideal for outdoor environments.

CHALLENGES:
The main challenge would be to protect LCDs from warm, humid Pennsylvania weather, as well as rain and hail. The monitors are placed in storage during fall and winter months. A secondary challenge was to protect the monitors from vandalism and theft. The park wished to install the enclosures on tall poles or walls to keep customers from touching or damaging them and for a larger viewing range for riders in line.

SOLUTION:
Kennywood installed several 42” and 50” ViewStation Universal LCD enclosures throughout the theme park. The ViewStation Universal enclosures utilize an internal fan system to keep the electronics – housed inside of the enclosure – running at optimum temperatures. The enclosures feature anti-reflective glass windows and tamper resistant locks. For areas not exposed to harsh weather, Kennywood installed CoverStation LCD protective covers, which provide basic protection to the front of the LCD. The CoverStations were installed in well-protected areas that are not exposed to any direct weather. In general, CoverStations work in conjunction with standard LCD mounting brackets and clip onto the four corners of the display.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
The robust digital signage is installed near the historic Thunderbolt roller coaster and in other parts of the park, like the popular roller coaster: Phantom’s Revenge, the haunted house: Ghostwood Estate, and the indoor roller coaster: Exterminator. To help reduce the perceived wait times for popular rides, the LCD monitors display valuable information about the park, fun facts, and popular music videos.

“Kennywood was looking to find the best solution for our outdoor digital signage protection needs. We looked at many different options but found the best solution right in our backyard. The ViewStation products have exceeded our expectations, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with ITSENCLOSURES in the future.” Joel Brennan – Kennywood Park, Electric, Audio, Video & Effects

Kennywood’s sister park, Idlewild, located in Ligonier, PA, also purchased a number of ViewStation Universal enclosures to install at popular rides and concession stands. According to their website, Idlewild has been named the “Best Kids’ Park” by Amusement Today and “Best Park for Families” by the National Amusement Park Historical Association.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:

• Universal LCD Enclosures
• LCD Protective Covers
• ViewStation Products

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know how we can best assist you!
Contact an ‘ITSENCLOSURES expert’ at 1-800-423-9911 -OR- email: info@itsenclosures.com

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VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS SYNOPSIS:
According to the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) website, “VRE provides commuter rail service from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City, and downtown Washington, D.C., along the I-66 and I-95 corridors. Services began in 1992, operating 16 trains from 16 stations and carried, on average, 5,800 passengers daily. Now, VRE operates 30 trains from 18 stations and carry, on average, 20,000 passengers daily.”

HOW DID THE VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
Virginia Railway Express contracted International Display Systems (Sterling, Virginia) for an outdoor digital signage project to upgrade a total of 18 train stations. In the past, International Display Systems had worked with ITSENCLOSURES on previous outdoor enclosure projects and knew that ITS was the right company to design and fabricate weather-proof enclosures.

PROJECT:
In the Fall of 2007, Virginia Railway Express desired to upgrade existing, out-of-date LED scrolling signs to dynamic outdoor digital signage. The signs would be used for train schedules (up-to-date on-time or delay communications) and any pertinent passenger announcements.

CHALLENGES:
With Virginia temperatures ranging from below zero to nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit, VRE recognized the need for outdoor LCD enclosures that would protect against weather extremes, environmental conditions, and potential vandalism. The train stations contained various sizes and forms of beams and poles, so a variety of enclosure mounts would need to be utilized for the project. Thermal management would also be essential throughout the planning stage, so that the screens would not freeze in the winter and/or power down during the sweltering summer months.

SOLUTION:
ITSENCLOSURES installed numerous ViewStation single and double-sided outdoor digital signage (powder coated black) that housed 40″ monitors. The key-lockable outdoor digital signage were mounted to beams on the ceiling with drop pipes and most of the mounts required a suspension assembly or arm support to install an air conditioner. Each outdoor digital signage solution incorporated a 1,400 BTU outdoor air conditioner with a built-in 450-watt heater. VRE worked with ITSENCLOSURES to upgrade all of their stations with eye-catching and state-of-the-art ViewStation LCD enclosures.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
“The ViewStation by ITSENCLOSURES’ enclosures [were] the perfect product in support of the new International Display Systems (IDS) Variable Message Sign System installed for the Virginia Railway Express. ITSENCLOSURES delivered both a high quality/value environmental enclosure with excellent design and integration support services. IDS and the VRE are very pleased with the end product.” Robert Keelor – Vice President, International Display Systems

In 2011, VRE placed another order for two, double-sided 42” outdoor digital signage Viewstation Arrays.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:

• Outdoor Digital Signage 

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know how we can best assist you! Contact an ‘ITSENCLOSURES expert’ at 1-800-423-9911 -OR- email: info@itsenclosures.com

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