In most cases, electronics overheating will ruin chances for their survival and effectiveness.

In order to work properly, most commercial grade LCDs need to reside in an environment that is between 40° F – 104° F. Conversely, there are also LCDs available - in the ever-increasing marketplace - that are referred to as “In Plane Switching” (IPS) panels. IPS displays boast a much higher heat tolerance on the front of the screen, which allows for a less complex cooling scheme. However, when deploying LCDs outdoors, one must also take into consideration the other electronics that will be installed inside of the enclosure. What heat will they give off? In addition to the LCD, thermal management must be adequate enough for the media player, because it is the heart and soul of the entire electronic arrangement.

Ready to move forward with digital boards inside of the store and outside at the drive-thru?

A vibrant digital presence can garner a sales surge and make a quick service restaurant (QSR) stand out from the overcrowded ‘fast food’ pack. Making the decision to switch to digital menu boards is the first step, but it is simply not enough to sell more double cheeseburgers and banana smoothies. A strong, digital content strategy is absolutely crucial to the overall success of the project. The strategy should be well thought out and focused on the goals of the restaurant. It will take a savvy team of experts to create the content that will lead to an increase in sales. The return on investment (ROI) is critical and should be at the forefront of the planning stage. What needs to be analyzed, before the introduction of digital menu boards?

As Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) install digital menu boards across the country, one might say, ‘It is cheaper to install interior digital boards at our restaurants. We do not want to deal with sourcing special, brighter, LCDs and environmentally sealed enclosures.' This could be true, but it is also true that approximately 60-70% of QSR customers are buying their chicken sandwiches, fries, and medium Coke at the drive-thru.  If a restaurant only has digital menu boards on the inside, they are simply not influencing the majority of their customers (over two-thirds). With digital, the options are endless and with static, the options are limited - unless new menus are printed every time that the restaurant makes a change to their prices or food choices (wow, that is a lot of menus!).

Prior to installation, putting together a successful digital signage project is not a small or easy task!

A professional organization, with experience in digital signage installation, should be hired to make sure that everything is done properly. What may seem relatively easy for an in-house installation crew can quickly spiral out of control and create a big headache. These individuals may not have the proper experience to proficiently configure displays or install LCD enclosures solutions.

There are a number of companies that specialize in digital signage installations and they should be contacted before making any decisions. These companies cover everything from construction and cabling to physical installation and configuration of displays, media players and mounting solutions. 

When commuting around a metropolitan area, people often check the schedule board before taking the train or subway to get to work, sporting events, and Sunday brunch. Plus, if one needs to travel across the country for an important business meeting, it is essential to know if a flight is delayed. While having the train or flight schedule on a smart phone is always handy, it is also great to take a quick glance at an updated digital board to see what time the train is coming and going.  With vibrant digital boards, the schedule can be programmed to automatically update, because being punctual for a job or catching a flight is a priority.

Can a touchscreen be added to an outdoor LCD enclosure?

The simple answer is a resounding YES! 

Touchscreen interaction and capabilities go hand-in-hand with wayfinding applications. Many retail stores, restaurants, college campuses and transportation terminals are using touchscreen displays outdoors for their innovative digital signage projects. However, most traditional touchscreen displays do not have the ability to withstand various harsh outdoor environments (hot and freezing temperatures, along with rain, sun, snow, sleet, etc...). 

How important is a site survey when planning an outdoor digital menu board project?

Many digital menu board installations are retrofits for existing sites. Most stores or quick service restaurants will require prep work to install an outdoor digital menu board. A site survey is extremely important and will eliminate the guesswork when preparing for the upcoming project. There are a number of important items to consider during the site survey to ensure a smooth transition from static to digital menu boards.

How do temperatures affect an outdoor digital signage solution?

Temperature extremes play a major role in deciding what kind of outdoor digital signage your company may need. If the LCD or media player overheats, your equipment could malfunction or necessitate an expensive on-site repair. This could cost an excessive amount to fix. Obviously, weather and geographic location are extremely important when reviewing the many different outdoor digital signage solutions available in the marketplace, whether it be an outdoor digital menu board for your quick service restaurant, or an LCD enclosure displaying when the next train is arriving (see image above). Being able to regulate the temperature inside the LCD enclosure is vital.

Is your planned outdoor digital menu board installation modular and serviceable in the unlikely event of a failure of one of the components?

Will your menu board continue to work properly, even though someone is servicing the back of the sign? This is an important question to ask, when deciding from which company to purchase your new and innovative outdoor digital menu board. As you know, if you are down for even 30 minutes, it could mean substantial loss of revenue. Being able to access and quickly service your menu board - and continue to take orders - is essential for any quick service restaurant (QSR).

Change is good.  It keeps life fresh and exciting.

Change is also good when it comes to changing your outdoor messaging in your drive-thru menu.  Has your company considered Quick Service Restaurant digital menu board enclosures with drive-thru lanes in mind?  Being able to quickly and efficiently change your menu’s options, pricing, specials, calorie information, and more is an easy change to make with digital.  Outdoor digital menu boards provide your company with the most attractive and functional solution for all of your outdoor messaging.  It also gives your customers an all-new drive-thru experience, which makes your restaurant more appealing and hip.