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CareNetTV.com, Inc. Network Digital Signage Project Planning

So, you are evaluating digital signage...

The evaluation phase is often overlooked and under-appreciated resulting in deployments that are ineffective, costly and underutilized. By using CNtv as a partner in this early stage you can lower costs, make more efficient use of resources, take less time and enjoy a more effective solution that closely aligns with your objectives. Furthermore, we can provide the valuable service to fit any budget.

CNtv’s technology and content skills, coupled with industry experience, provide the perfect blend of resources to optimize this process and improve the success of your implementation. We are digital signage practitioners who understand every aspect of a successful solution.

Consultation and Design

You know you need “Digital Signage” and you’ve read up on all the components like software and hardware. But how do you make sense of it all? If you are an IT person, you understand all the components but what is the Content Strategy? If you are in communications, you may know what you want to say, but how does it get to the screen?

CNtv has been designing and building effective digital signage solutions for hospitals for years. You can benefit from our knowledge when you leverage our expertise in creating the right solution for you. We know what each of your “camps” are looking for, how to communicate with them and how to pull everyone together towards a successful cohesive project.

CNtv will work closely with you to understand all the digital signage objectives, priorities and communication goals so that CNtv can design and implement a system that meets or exceeds expectations. CNtv’s objective is to gain and document an in-depth understanding of communication goals, audiences, physical location, IT systems, content creation requirements, 3rd party resources, reporting guidelines, and operational practices. At the conclusion of the Consultation and Design, CNtv will provide a document detailing the findings and results.

Project Management

A digital signage project involves every part of your business. IT, marketing/communications, management, engineering are all stakeholders. We know that your overall satisfaction with the project is contingent on effective management. This is why CNtv has devised a project management process tailored specifically for this industry.

Our proven approach is to coordinate the proper technical and content resources to guide and assist with the implementation of your solution. Our process provides you with a clear project timeline that begins with a “kick-off” meeting to engage all stake holders and continues through installation, training and operations.

Consultation Design
Project Management
Content
Hardware / Software

System Configuration
Network Operations / Remote Assistance
Installation
Training

EVALUATION

Needs Analysis (Content, Workflow, Network)
Discovery (Site Survey, Existing Assets, Connectivity)
Specification (Hardware, A/V Distribution)

IMPLEMENTATION

Programming (Applications, ScalaScripting)
Content (Style Development, Design, Creation, Initial Library)
Procurement (Hardware, A/V Distribution)
Testing

OPERATION

Support (Level 1-3, Remote Assistance)
Network Operations (Content Creation & Scheduling, Network Monitoring)
Measurement

EVALUATION

Begin Evaluation

Discovery
- Define Goals
- Define Success
Define Key Team Members
- Client
- Third Party
Client Education
- DS Elements
Discuss Digital Signage Models / Options
- Pros / Cons

IT & IS
Department

Hardware
System Requirements
Preferred Manufacturer (if applicable)
Maintenance / Support Policy

Software
On Premise Vs. SaaS
Feature Comparison
Vendor Comparison
Hardware Requirements
Maintenance / Support Policy
Network
Configuration
Bandwidth Capabilities
Connectivity / Transmission
A/V Distribution
Support Policy (Help Desk)

Content
Legacy Data
POS / Database
Bandwidth (HD Video vs. XML)

Hardware
System Requirements
Preferred Manufacturer (if applicable)
Maintenance / Support Policy

Software
On Premise Vs. SaaS
Feature Comparison
Vendor Comparison
Hardware Requirements
Maintenance / Support Policy

Network
Configuration
Bandwidth Capabilities
Connectivity / Transmission
A/V Distribution
Support Policy (Help Desk)

Content
Legacy Data
POS / Database
Bandwidth (HD Video vs. XML)

Marketing
Department

Content Strategy
Define Audience(s)
Consider Environment(s)
Establish Expectations
Types (Business Models)
Document Existing Policies
Evaluate Support
Catalogue Existing Assets

Content Creation
Internal Capabilities
External Options
Qualify Existing Assets5
Format Options Pros & Cons
Define Parameters
Define Approval Process

Content Management
Define / Evaluate Workflow
Define Approval Process
External Option
Trafficking / Scheduling
Help Desk
Training

Facilities
Department

Components
Display Size / Placement
Power Requirements
Mounting Requirements
A/V Distrubution Review

Installation
Internal / External Resources
Document Restrictions
Define Standard Installation
Consider Support

Environment
Indoor / Outdoor
Issue Review
Evaluate Effect on Components
Establish PM Protocol

Results:
Comprehensive and Documented

Cost Analysis
- (Initial / Ongoing)
- (Internal / External)
Component Review
- Specifications
Content Review
- Guidelines
- Best Practices
Workflow Analysis
- Guidelines
- Best Practices
Planning
- Pilot Strategy
- Rollout Strategy

Evaluation Philosophy

The goal of evaluation is organizational learning
It should be a collaborative process that is useful
Each client (and therefore evaluation) is unique

IMPLEMENTATION

Begin Implementation

Approved Scope of Work
Established Expectations

IT & IS
Department

Components
Procure
Configure
Sample / Test

Network
Configure
Test Bandwidth
Test Connectivity
Test Transmission

Content
Application Development
Scala Scripting

Marketing Department

POS / Database Integration
Dynamic Content Integration

Content Design
Style Development
Layout Design
Zone Placement
Mockup / Storyboard
Revisions
Design Approval

Content Creation
Initial Library
Template Creation

Content Management
Test
Training
Trafficking / Scheduling

Facilities Department

Components
Shipping / Warehousing
Staging

Installation
Site Survey
Component Installation
Testing / Validation

Results:
Comprehensive and Documented

"Assembled" System
Content Starting "Day 1"
Decreased Issues
Streamlined Implementation
Project Cohesion

OPERATION

Why consider outsourcing the operation of your digital signage network? Operating a digital signage system is not your core business. Digital signage practitioners who employ proven “best practices” can lower your operating costs, improve content effectiveness and optimize workflow efficiencies.

Not only are we solutions providers, but we are also practitioners with experience operating digital signage networks. Here are some of the ways we can help operate your network.

Lower Operational Costs

CNtv Extended Service program includes, among others, simple items like setting display devices to power down during off hours (extending the life and lowering the maintenance and replacement costs), preventive maintenance schedules and software updates (instrumental in preventing CPU hang-ups and component overheating), to more complex items like network health monitoring and media player re-boot applications.

Furthermore, we can lower the “soft” costs that operating a digital signage network will demand of your staff. We know that your staff is busy and not likely to have the proper skills or time necessary to effectively manage the content on your network. In contrast, CNtv's staff of trained professionals creates and manages content on digital signage systems every day. We deploy proven practices that streamline production and management processes saving you money due to lost and frustrated man hours.

Improve Content Effectiveness

CNtv knows how to make your communications more effective by optimizing message/playlist lengths and order, use of appropriate and relevant graphics, deploying best practices for optimizing text content, size, style and contrast as well as proper use of animation. The result is a more effective communications that utilizes your investment to its fullest potential.

Efficient Workflow

Often times, digital signage systems are underutilized due to the lack of an efficient workflow process for getting information on the network in a timely and directed fashion. CNtv specializes in deploying efficient content management workflow processes that features seamless integration, continuous engagement of content stakeholders with streamlined approval procedures and quick content delivery via customized content templates. The result is a highly efficient process that feeds content to your audience in a timely manner maximizing your investment in this communication medium.

Managed Services

Network Operations
Component Lifecycle
Content Creation / Scheduling
Maintenance / Repair
Hosting

Optimization

Quantify Effectiveness
Review Communication Strategy and Technology
Refine to Meet New Objectives

Pilot tests offer effective means of evaluating digital signage software platforms, components, workflow processes and “message” effectiveness. Hammond offers several unique Pilot Program options designed to reduce your initial investment cost while providing a more complete experience with no obligation flexibility.