Many Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) are making the exciting switch to digital menu boards - inside of their restaurants - to boost sales, create a buzz, promote specials/limited time offers, and reduce print costs. 

Choosing the perfect combination of a dynamic LCD and a strong content strategy are top concerns, but there are many other considerations that dictate the overall success of a digital menu board project.

In some environments, it may be advantageous to install a protective enclosure around the digital menu board system. 

Regular maintenance on enclosure thermal management will prevent costly breakdowns. It is necessary on even the most reliable computer enclosure system(s).

When deploying computer or printer enclosures in a factory or industrial setting, thermal management (air conditioners, filtered fan systems, heat exchangers, etc.) should be considered to extend the life of the electronics. However, it is not a simple install and forget solution. The thermal management must be checked and maintained often.

When deciding on the perfect outdoor LCD enclosure, a good bit of emphasis is put onto the outdoor environment.

Will the LCD be exposed to direct sunlight? What are the high and low temperatures? What electronics will be used inside of the enclosure? What type of thermal management is needed? These are all common questions an enclosure company will ask to make an appropriate recommendation. With that being said, preparing to install digital signage outdoors includes a number of risks and hazards. The installation should be well planned to prevent potential problems. Installing digital signage that is heavy and in an area it was not originally intended can pose a risk to the public.

When it comes to maintaining sanitary equipment in the food and beverage industry, operators need to be proactive about the overall cleanliness of their respective facility.

In the winter of 2011, President Obama signed into law the biggest overhaul of American food safety laws since the 1930’s. The Food and Safety Modernization Act directs the FDA to issue new regulations designed to shift the agency’s focus from responding to food safety problems to actually preventing them from ever happening. 

When deploying outdoor digital menu boards, it is essential to not only consider the technology, but also the overall menu strategy.

Well thought out digital content is critical to the success or failure of a project. Although the hardware is a key element in displaying a reliable message, it is the customer who defines the actual success of digital menu boards. After all, Quick Service Restaurants want to drive sales and profitability by going digital.

Looking to deploy outdoor digital signage for your company or client? 

When considering a digital signage solution, there are many items to consider, including screen size, enclosure material, and thermal management. However, one of the main topics of concern is the location of the digital sign. Like retail space, real estate, and restaurants, when installing digital signage, location is everything! Location, Location, Location. You simply cannot purchase and install digital signage without first considering the various factors that may hinder visibility and longevity. The sun plays a large role in whether the digital signage will be a success or failure. There are a few things that, when prepared and planned properly, will create the perfect environment for any outdoor digital deployment.

A good bit of thought goes into selecting the correct computer enclosure for a harsh manufacturing floor.

When looking for an enclosure that will withstand a wet, dirty, humid or wash down environment, have you considered how the cables will enter and exit the cabinet? Do not allow cable penetrations to be a weak link in the enclosure solution. If running conduit is not an option for cable entry, the next best solution is using a sealed gland that meets NEMA 12, NEMA 4, and NEMA 4X standards.

When visiting a college campus, large healthcare/hospital facility, or amusement park, using digital signage, in the form of wayfinding kiosks, to figure out your current location or destination is extremely important.

When planning a large outdoor wayfinding project, it is critical to keep the message simple. With the rise in outdoor digital signage, it may be tempting ‘to make a big splash’ by incorporating fancy technology or overloading the signage with flashy and stimulating content. However, including too many elements can be overwhelming to those who are just trying to find their way around an unfamiliar place. According to Irfan Khan’s blog, ‘7 Digital Signage Trends for 2016,’ digital offers a better experience for the end user, “Digital signs are inherently more attention-grabbing than a traditional static sign. Thanks to recent technologies, digital signs can be even more engaging to customers and viewers—in fact, they can be interactive, turning viewing them into a personal experience.”

When deploying computer enclosures in a hot, harsh environment, thermal management considerations should be at the top of the project list.

Thermal management is an important item to contemplate. Electronics always generate heat and that heat needs to be abated. An overheated enclosure can be detrimental to vital equipment. In many instances, filtered fan systems are the perfect way to cool the enclosure.

As you might imagine, many sizes of fans and filters are available on the market and should be carefully analyzed, including the air performance rating. In addition, some fans are designed to run continuously, while others can be efficiently combined with a thermostat to only turn on when needed. It is also important to take into account the location of the fan and/or fans on the pc or computer enclosure. Location could be the difference between cooling and just blowing hot and harmful air! 

Gasketing is used on computer enclosures to provide a leak-tight seal between the enclosure body and its doors and other accessories.