America has quite the love affair with quickly grabbing breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon drinks/snacks and fourth meal at the drive-thru.

In fact, it is estimated that 60-70% (some chains claim 85%) of all Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) business comes directly through the convenient drive-thru. That is over two-thirds of all quick service restaurant sales! According to QSR Magazine, “Visits to quick-service drive-thru’s were up 2 percent to 12.4 billion in 2014, according to research from The NPD Group, with drive thru representing a larger share of business than either carry-out or dine-in.” Precisely why QSRs should constantly be spending time and money improving the overall drive-thru experience. 

Do not overlook cooling! 

Many system integrators tend to load up computer enclosures with various electronics, but fail to consider the abundance of heat that is produced - by each unit - in a sealed enclosure.

Finding a good balance between maximizing production and increasing efficiencies with electrical equipment can often be a tough task. When configuring how much equipment can be housed inside an enclosure, taking the approach of “more is better” is not always the best idea. If not properly managed, increased loads of electrical apparatuses -- plus the amount of heat produced -- can have damaging effects on the reliability of equipment.

As technologies continue to advance, outdoor digital menu boards have turned out to be far less expensive to deploy and maintain over time.

They are more economical than ever before and quite attractive for Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) to commit to larger roll-outs in their drive-thrus. If QSRs are willing to make the leap (small or giant) to digital both indoors and out, the result could make for a more profitable bottom line.

Realizing a considerable profit is every company’s pricing strategy. With the use of static menu boards, the idea of quickly switching images or prices -- beyond promoting value meals and limited time offers -- is quite rare. Constantly printing new or revised menus, removing and replacing menu board sheets, changing various prices, and adding new decals is very time consuming and extremely expensive for any QSR. This is especially true for large United States chains with more than 10,000(!) stores, like Subway, McDonald’s, and Starbucks. The costs for devising the perfect pricing strategy will add up quickly with static signage. 

Industrial computer enclosures can come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and materials.

When beginning a thorough search for the perfect enclosure for a specific environment, it is paramount to consider what material the enclosure will be made of and how it will perform under various, unforgiving conditions. There are many design factors that arise when determining the type of enclosure material that is best for a project. It is also vital to analyze the enclosure’s NEMA rating, because it will determine if the enclosure can withstand several circumstances, such as dust, dirt, grease, oil, hose directed fluids and corrosive materials.

Outdoor digital menu boards have made tremendous technological advances since the first introduction to the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) market.

QSRs began expressing interest in digital menus for drive-thru lanes roughly 10 years ago, as they began the transition (across the board) from static to digital, both indoors… and out. The drive-thru is not something that should be ignored when implementing digital signage. According to Steve McDonnell from Demand Media, McDonald’s drive-thru accounts for 65% of all sales and he added, “QSR and Insula Research estimate that about 50 to 70 percent of fast food sales arrive courtesy of drive-thru windows.” In fact, a recent AYTM survey showed that only 6% of those polled would never use a drive-thru… only 6%. The drive-thru is very important to a QSR, which simply means that they should make it the best and most efficient experience for customers. Precisely why QSRs are starting to install outdoor digital menu boards. It is the future, plain and simple. 

As desktop 3D printers become commonplace, companies are realizing that simply purchasing the latest and greatest 3D printer is only half the battle.

Many factors during the 3D printing process must be met, in order to achieve the best product. 3D printers are an innovative and exciting product to use, but there are some drawbacks to using a 3D printer. Users of 3D printers complain about the fumes that the plastic emits, the heat that the printer generates, and the fact that it produces a loud noise when printing an object. 

Environmentally sealed industrial enclosures can help alleviate some issues that arise when using a 3D Printer.

“Workplace digital signage can be a highly effective communication channel for reinforcing key messages and influencing behavior.” Digital Signage Today

More and more companies are turning to eye-catching digital signage to easily and efficiently display essential messages to employees. The NanoLumens blog describes how digital displays are easier to use, when compared to other standard forms of communication, “With a large format digital display, there’s no need to bombard staff with emails across a room. Instead, put your group messaging up on a screen that everyone can see.”

From posting production figures to data feeds to HR memos to important safety information, there are many pieces of pertinent content that employees need to review on a daily basis. “With digital signage, sales information can easily be shared with the rest of the staff. Charts, graphs, and spreadsheets can easily be created on the computer and shared on communal screens to validate company-wide efforts and also, to encourage and motivate growth. Marketing teams can showcase current campaigns and promotions with co-workers who in turn get inspired and contribute their own ideas and thoughts. Creativity and inspiration can come from anywhere,” states Alyx Lofton from FriendMedia.

Industrial enclosures have come a long way over the last few decades.

In today’s crowded market, specifiers have numerous options when researching computer enclosures for a manufacturing environment. Size, weight, multiple peripherals, installation concerns, temperature ranges, and long-term, extended use are just some of the factors to consider. Although many elements affect the performance of a computer enclosure, selecting the correct enclosure material is crucial to extending the enclosure's life.

To a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR), there are numerous benefits to making the switch to digital menu boards inside and out.

Quickly making changes to the menu, featuring Limited Time Offers (LTOs), and swapping out the day part are some of the more obvious reasons QSRs are making the decision to ‘go digital.’ However, digital boards also offer the flexibility to display the FDA mandated menu labeling nutritional content (deadline is December 1^st, 2016).

Prior to installation, system designers working in corrosive or hazardous environments need to expertly analyze how to safely deploy electronics. 

Considerations for the manufacturing area’s classification and division for components such as LCDs, touch screens, HMI, computers and various other hardware is crucial. A system designer may be able to procure controllers and electronic equipment that are rated for a hazardous area and can be deployed, in such areas, out of the box. However, these systems are generally very expensive to repair or replace in the event of any type of failure. Alternative options for installing non-hazardous area electronics include using a purged computer enclosure.