HOW DID TEU SERVICES FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
According to a TEU representative, “We were working with a restaurant in Kerrville, Texas to provide outdoor digital signage, and they were requesting an outdoor digital menu board. At the time, we did not have a supplier for this product.”

PROJECT:
In the Summer of 2018, TEU Services was in search of an all-weather, outdoor digital signage menu board to be installed at a restaurant in Texas (north of San Antonio). According to TEU, “This was a new [digital signage display] install for a new local restaurant/coffee shop called Monroe’s East End Grill. The building had been remodeled from a working cabinet shop that was in operation for over 30 years.”

The main function of the outdoor digital signage would be to display the menu for Monroe’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee selections. The restaurant desired signage which would permit them to easily make content changes, especially throughout the day as the menu changes for different dayparts.

CHALLENGES:
The proposed LCD enclosure solution needed to be operational 7 days a week from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. The outdoor digital signage would be deployed outdoors in the direct sun, therefore, the end user was also concerned about any glare from the sun and the monitor getting overheated and failing in the hot Texas sun, specifically during busy lunch traffic.

SOLUTION:
TEU Services reviewed two different solutions, the 3-screen outdoor menu board and the 2-screen outdoor menu board. In the end, TEU chose the 2-screen menu board, enabling the restaurant to use similar content indoors and outdoors.

TEU mounted the all-weather, outdoor digital signage in the drive-thru of Monroe’s East End Grill. The solution includes two 47-inch, 2000 nit high-bright LCD monitors (in landscape orientation), and a filtered fan system to circulate the internal air. A small speaker system, not part of the ViewStation solution, was mounted to the side of the enclosure for customers to order food and drinks.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Walter McBroom, from TEU Services, summed up the project, “The new owners did a beautiful job on the remodeling [by] trying to keep the old feel of the building. They even left the antique post and electrical wiring in place. Other than that, it was an easy install. Even before the installation was completed, we had a request from another restaurant across town for a quote to replace their exterior signage. Very nice product and I am sure we will do business again.”

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

The post TEU Services Outdoor Digital Signage appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.

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

The post How LCD Enclosures Can Enhance a Manufacturing Environment appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.

CENTRAL OHIO TRANSIT AUTHORITY (COTA) SYNOPSIS:
Since January 1971, COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) has been the official bus service for the city of Columbus, Ohio and surrounding areas. COTA is currently in the process of deploying CMAX, an all-new rapid transit service. CMAX is a limited-stop service and will connect passengers to major destinations in and around downtown Columbus. According to the official COTA website, the new service will improve service, improve mobility and reliability in congested areas, be less expensive for travelers, provide more travel options, and improve pedestrian access and safety.

HOW DID COTA FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
In the summer of 2014, COTA reached out to ITSENCLOSURES, whom they had worked with before on a different outdoor digital signage solution, to glean pricing on fabricating an all-weather, LCD enclosure for a bus stop shelter makeover across the city of Columbus, Ohio. The plan was in the initial stages, but it was anticipated that the overall project would take place over the course of a few years. COTA’s proposal included a prototype bus shelter at the company’s headquarters, located at 1333 Fields Avenue in Columbus, Ohio.

PROJECT:
COTA desired to install eye-catching outdoor digital signage at every CMAX bus stop and the project entailed a custom, environmental LCD enclosure to be housed in a large pylon, attached to a bus shelter. Considering the complexity of the project and having successfully worked with ITSENCLOSURES on previous transportation projects, COTA felt confident that the new CMAX signage strategy would become a reality with ITSENCLOSURES’ durable, heavy-duty products.

CHALLENGES:
Being in Columbus, Ohio, a city that experiences all four seasons of weather, COTA required various thermal management options as they were concerned about freezing, snowy winters, and humid, sunny summers. In addition, COTA required high bright, commercial-grade monitors, so that passengers could view the bus routes at all hours of the day. Another critical concern for COTA was the possibility of vandalism and destruction of the screens.

SOLUTION:
After weighing different options, COTA decided to install a custom, fan-cooled, outdoor digital signage that is recessed into a bus shelter. To study and review the enclosure in various weather conditions, COTA built a fully functioning CMAX shelter to prototype in the winter of 2016. COTA plans to install a combination of pylons, single and double sided, at each CMAX bus stop to display real-time information, including arrival and departure times. Each outdoor digital sign is equipped with a 47-inch, high bright LCD and a thermostatically controlled fan/heater system to protect the electronics in the extreme, central Ohio weather conditions. The enclosure houses a media player to ensure seamless content delivery.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
In all, COTA purchased 77 LCD enclosures designed for 47-inch monitors, which were installed throughout 2017 and into the Spring of 2018. The innovative outdoor digital signage will be housed in a total of 64 pylons throughout Columbus. COTA anticipates that the digital signage will help passengers find the correct bus route and arrive at their destination in a timely manner. CMAX bus stop shelters and busses will change the way that people travel in Columbus.

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

The post Central Ohio Transit Auth. – Outdoor Digital Signage appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.

Many customers exclaim, “I will just provide my own LCD monitor for my outdoor digital signage project.” But, will the monitor be an effective solution installed outdoors? When deploying outdoor digital signage, the LCD chosen really does matter! For many customers, it might be desirable to purchase the “best deal” or least expensive monitor on the market, whether online or at a big box store. The simple truth: consumer-grade monitors found at big box stores or on the web will most likely be too dark or fail if installing outdoors in the elements. A consumer-grade television will not perform in the same way as a commercial-grade or high bright LCD monitor. They are quite different.

If a company attempts to use a consumer-grade screen outdoors, several challenges exist.

4 LCD Challenges for Outdoor Digital Signage

(1.) Not Bright Enough for Outdoor Use

On average, most consumer-grade televisions are only rated at 150-300 nits of brightness (a nit is a measure of brightness and equal to 1 candela per square meter of light). This is great for a living room or bedroom, but outdoor installations are very unique and quite different. It is recommended that you choose a screen that is at least 2,000-2,500 nits to be visible in an outdoor environment. Consider what happens when you try to view your iPhone or Android smartphone outdoors on a sunny day. The screen appears black and you can barely make out the text or images. The exact same effect occurs when using a screen outdoors that is insufficiently bright.

(2.) Length of Warranty

Many popular brands of consumer LCD televisions only offer a 90-day to 1-year warranty and retailers may try to “upsell” you with an extended warranty, which might be for 2-5 years. However, the outdoor digital signage warranty will be ‘void’ if the monitor is not used properly, for example – leaving the monitor on for an extended period of time. According to the website, LCD TV Buying Guide, “The warranties do not cover damages resulting from misuse, natural disasters, or accidents. For these causes it may be best to find a store bought protection plan or extended warranty.” However, there are stipulations for extended warranties as well. Prior to installation, it is best to review what is not covered. Commercial-grade displays offer a standard 3-year warranty with the option to upgrade up to 5 years. This is an important detail when planning an outdoor signage project.

(3.) Prolonged Daily Usage and Solar Load 

Most outdoor digital signage applications dictate that the LCD needs to deliver a menu or powerful marketing message 18-24 hours a day! A consumer-grade television is only meant to be used approximately 5-6 hours a day. Prolonged daily use will result in premature failure. HDTVs purchased at a retail store are not built or designed to be powered on for extended periods of time. Plus, when the sun beats down on the screen, it will quickly show wear and lose clarity. The effects of solar gain can be dramatic, and overheating will cause isotropic effects (screen will turn black or dark).

(4.) Low Value Proposition

Many integrators and end users simply do not understand why they should purchase an LCD that can be 3-5 times the expense of what they can buy at a “big box store” or online. A significant amount of time and money is invested in making the transition to outdoor digital signage or menu boards. A direct sunlight environment presents many more challenges to overcome than a shaded area or outdoor canopy protected application, all of which can be resolved if you choose the correct LCD and enclosure solution. Skimping on an LCD or enclosure budget will be detrimental to the quality of the overall solution.

Always do your homework and choose the correct high bright LCD or LCD/enclosure combo solution which will keep your outdoor digital signage menu board running 24/7, 365 days a year! You need longevity and peace of mind that a solution is going to work for many, many years.

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

The post 4 Tips for Choosing the Best LCD for Outdoor Digital Signage appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.

COMPANY SYNOPSIS:
Who doesn’t love a creamy, delicious DQ Blizzard Treat? According to DairyQueen.com, the first Dairy Queen opened in Joliet, Illinois in 1940. Today, “International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ) develops, licenses and services a system of more than 6,800 locations in the United States, Canada and more than 25 other countries. The Dairy Queen system offers a variety of treats and products including burgers, chicken strips, artisan sandwiches and the famous DQ soft-serve.”

HOW DID DAIRY QUEEN FIND ITSENCLOSURES:
Judy Lynn-Craig, the President and Owner of Lynn Dairy Queens, Inc. and Dairy Queen of S.W. Pennsylvania (PA), Inc., and Joe Cooper, Creative Marketing Director for Lynn Dairy Queens, Inc., found the ITSENCLOSURES website while searching for outdoor digital menu boards on Google. The team was interested in outdoor digital marketing for DQ locations owned by Lynn Dairy Queens, Inc. Locations include Brownsville, Centerville, Connellsville, Uniontown, and Mount Pleasant. The ‘Lynn Dairy Queens’ collective has been in operation for over 65 years.

PROJECT:
Judy and Joe wished to install a pre-sell outdoor digital signage board at a drive-thru to test the impact to sales and product mix in comparison to a static pre-sell board, which the locations have had in place for many years.

“We are looking at possibly installing either a digital pre-sell board or a full outdoor digital signage solution. Five stores have breakfast, so it’s getting hard to fit everything on the boards without taking up the parking lot,” said Joe.  In addition, they also wanted the ability to change marketing messages and promotions on outdoor screens, especially the pre-sell board. The Mount Pleasant, PA location would be the first DQ restaurant in Southwestern PA with an all-weather, digital board. The main drive-thru menu board was also considered.

CHALLENGES:
Lynn Dairy Queens would have to remove the existing static signage and fresh heavy-duty bolts would need to be installed in the concrete. The customer also desired that the outdoor digital signage be bright enough to be seen in direct sunlight throughout the day. Furthermore, the installation of a one screen or two screen solution or both needed to be reviewed and discussed during the early stages.

SOLUTION:
After much consideration and a few in-person meet & greets to see what ITSENCLOSURES had to offer, Lynn Dairy Queens chose the VS-6 1×1 digital pre-sell board to replace their pre-existing static promotional sign. The robust solution includes a Samsung 55-inch (OH55F), 2,500 nit high-bright LCD monitor (in portrait orientation) encased in a mount/pole configuration with a rear all-weather enclosure for a media player and other necessary electronics. The signage encasement is marine grade aluminum with a polyester powder paint finish.

Promotions and LTOs (limited time offers) can be altered and updated throughout the day and/or scheduled for different dayparts. Joe created the digital content based off of promotional content provided by Dairy Queen.

Originally, the main menu was intended to be digital, but after further review, it was decided that the restaurant had far too many menu items to fit on two screens and the 2^nd phase of the project was put on the back burner.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Judy Lynn-Craig was impressed with the quality of the digital screen and was pleased with the installation, stating, “You were very cooperative in making this happen. We will continue to work with [the digital signage] to see how we can use it to boost our sales. Also, we will gather data and site photos to share with the team at American Dairy Queen, who is investigating a full outdoor digital signage solution to possibly offer to DQ restaurants across the U.S. system.”

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

The post Dairy Queen – Outdoor Digital Signage appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.

With a custom, built-to-last base, the sixth-generation digital signage is designed for a smooth and uncomplicated deployment. A customer would only need to run a 30-amp cord to the signage. The outdoor rated (IP56 certified) monitor offers protection against snow, rain, ice, and salty air. The VS-6 can be integrated into virtually any outdoor environment!

VS-6 Digital Signage Features:

• Ultra small footprint in drive-thru
• Low maintenance/Low energy consumption
• 55-inch, high bright outdoor LCD monitor
• Eye-catching visibility – in direct sunlight
• No Air Conditioner, No Fan Needed!
• No crane for installation
• Only need one 120V circuit
• Easily viewed with polarized sunglasses

“Our company has been installing digital signage across the United States, Canada, and even the Caribbean for over twelve years and our solutions continue to improve and advance,” said JT Spangler, President and Owner of ITSENCLOSURES, “Our latest generation is simply stunning! The 2,500-nit, high bright LCD monitor looks incredible outdoors in the sunshine. I can honestly say that it is impressive to view at any point in the day; morning, noon, and especially night.

The dynamic VS-6 digital signage has serviceability, behind the lockable rear door, for easy access to important assets, like the media player and surge protector. The monitor can easily be installed on the front of the heavy-duty mount.

ViewStation’s solution incorporates an outdoor monitor with a built-in, inaudible air moving system that allows functionality from -22° to 122° F, even in direct sunlight.

Mr. Spangler added, “Our new moto around the office is that ‘we bring videos to life’ outdoors. The goal is to continue to do so for many years to come. I still feel like digital signage is in its infancy.”

The 6th Generation digital signage is currently being tested on the outdoor ITSENCLOSURES test pad and will be ready for deployment across the country and around the world in the 2^nd quarter of 2019.

ViewStation by ITSENCLOSURES has over a decade of experience in successful QSR deployments and offers a wide variety of digital signage board solutions.

For more information, visit the ViewStation VS-6 Product Page

The post ITSENCLOSURES Introduces 55” Outdoor Digital Signage appeared first on ITSENCLOSURES.