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.

All-weather outdoor digital menu boards are the perfect means to engage customers and make ordering ‘fast food’ quicker and easier.

As Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) continue to implement vibrant and easy-to-read outdoor digital menu boards at stores across the country, many significant details must be considered before making the final decision to “go digital.” When researching a partner, QSRs should always inquire about three very important aspects, which may be called upon in the unlikely event of an outage: the warranty, the support system, and the Service Level Agreement (SLA).

Before deploying outdoor digital menu boards in a drive-thru, one should first ask themselves, “If the boards fail for any reason, what is the backup plan?”

 More and more Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) are turning to digital menu boards inside and out. However, in the unlikely event of failure of one of the components of a digital board, how can a QSR continue to service their customers in the drive thru? The goal of an outdoor digital menu system is to increase sales, easily update day part menus and pricing, save money on costly printing of large format menus, show that the restaurant is modern, and promote Limited Time Offers (LTOs). From media players to eye-catching/high bright LCDs to IT networks to enclosure systems, there are a number of moving electronic elements that make up the complete digital signage solution. Even the most reliable enclosure and electronics can experience unpredicted failures. Creating a backup plan for these events is extremely smart and important, because the store never wants to lose revenue (both at the drive-thru and inside).

Expensive equipment can overheat inside of a sealed pc enclosure, thus causing electronics to cease working or, at the very least, drastically slow down. Some type of cooling or heating (in frigid, cooler environments) is necessary to maintain a consistent, medium temperature during operating and non-operating hours. By keeping electronics operating at optimal temperatures, a company will save money and a lot of precious time!

Digital signage solutions are a natural fit for healthcare related industries that wish to improve communications within their communities or professional offices.

Digital signage can engage, communicate, direct, and, above all, educate patients. With new technological and innovative advances like all-in-one systems and integrated touch-screen displays, digital signage can be easily and securely added and supported throughout a care-facility. However, the overall protection of patients, visitors and employees is extremely vital. Many institutions source LCD enclosures for wayfinding, advertising, lobbies, hospital hallways, cafeterias, and waiting rooms. Dirty, germ-filled magazines in waiting rooms can be a thing of the past!