Regardless of size or industry, businesses across the globe deploy multiple digital communication solutions in their companies. This can (and does) become confusing for the IT Department and, more importantly, the end user.
Hundreds of companies sell generic Content Management Software (CMS), and a hundred others provide software for specific applications such as menu boards, school announcements, and weather.
With so many vendors, it’s natural to wonder how to approach this all-important decision.
Most software vendors handle the basics, but if you have an extensive network or require a specialized application, you are better off with a vendor with broad industry experience.
It’s important to study if the CMS can handle the additional features you wish to add and integrate with other software solutions.
An ideal CMS is easy to learn, deploy, manage, and service and meets all digital communication needs.
If due diligence is done, it can eliminate the need to change a CMS midstream. The match between the CMS and the intended application should be seamless and long-lasting. The bottom line is you need to trust the company that provides what you need in a single centralized and robust platform that is feature-rich, easy to use, and upgradable for future growth.
Let’s look at the considerations when choosing the right CMS platform.
Think of the CMS as the operating system on your computer. It has various features, each designed to perform specific tasks. These features are the engine that drives your digital communication network.
Digital signage needs a computer or media player to push content to a display, often a TV. But these are not required when using System on Chip (SoC) Displays. Learn more about SoC displays here.
Content scheduling is handled by the computer or media player using a CMS. Some platforms provide flexibility in having multiple people interact with the system. The most effective CMS providers are cloud-based, so content storage is secure and can be managed remotely.
There are two methods by which users can create content. Most CMS platforms allow users to work with standard has integrated content types and import them into the signage software. The second method for content creation tools that will enable the user to create content inside the platform.
Most digital signage systems generally include the display and mount, media player or SoC, and CMS. The CMS is the engine where content is imported, managed, distributed, and in the case of advanced CMS platforms like the L Squared Hub, reports on where the data/content is, where it is going, and who will have access to it.
There are two types of CMS purchasing models.
The first is self-hosted on-premises, sometimes abbreviated as “on-prem”. This option is more expensive from the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) perspective. The end user must provide the hardware, pay for maintenance, purchase the software upfront, and host it within their corporate network environment.
The second and more cost- and performance-effective option is Software-as-a-Service or provider-hosted, abbreviated as “SaaS”. This operates on a subscription model. The end-user has little to no out-of-pocket expense in setting up the software. Instead, they pay a subscription fee to the software provider based on the number of displays or for a period, such as monthly or annually. The software provider then hosts the server software and offers its use as a service.
One of the most critical choices is which CMS vendor to partner with. Software selection is much simpler when dealing with a small network of just a few screens. Choose the software that meets your immediate needs and has a user interface that appeals to you.
However, larger rollouts require more careful consideration. The first consideration for any project, especially large-scale ones with multiple screens, is the magnitude of the feature set and robustness of the CMS. Does it meet your current and, more importantly, future needs?
L Squared checks all the boxes, especially when it comes to future-proofing your software and lowering the total cost of ownership.
Today, end users adopt multiple CMS platforms to address different use cases and departments within their organization. We mentioned generic CMS and those focusing on a specific application — the difference being the features.
L Squared takes both concepts and “melds” them into a single CMS with sufficient flexibility for all areas. L Squared can consolidate platforms, reduce the learning curve, ease the workload, streamline operations, and lower your TCO.
Learn more about how L Squared can help your organization here.