Digital signage: glossary

An innovative and flexible communication solution, digital signage relies on a technical jargon that is difficult for uninitiated entrepreneurs to understand. Cenareo offers you a glossary of digital signage terms, with an alphabetical list of the most important ones to know.

Ad exposure reach

Ad Exposure Reach is a performance indicator that designates the number of people located in the exposure zone, and able to listen to and watch the content, for a given duration. This information can be obtained, for example, using sensors at the entrance and exit of a store, if the screen is visible from the entire store, or eye tracking solutions for a more detailed analysis.

Digital signage

Digital signage allows you to create, plan and broadcast multimedia content (videos, images, text, interactive multimedia content, etc.) remotely and in real time on one or more screens. To deploy a digital signage communication solution, you need dedicated software, a screen and a player that transmits content to the screen. The term "digital signage" is sometimes used.

Synonym: digital signage

API (application programming interface)

An API is a software interface that "connects" two pieces of software, enabling them to exchange data and functionalities. For example, an API can connect your digital signage solution to a weather service to broadcast the weather report, or customize the broadcasting of announcements according to temperature or sunshine. Synonym: API connector

Application

An application is a piece of firmware that integrates with the digital signage administration interface to provide one or more functionalities (RSS feed retrieval, content management solution, connection to a database or other software, etc.).

Interactive terminal

Installed in points of sale or public places, interactive kiosks provide on-demand access to information. Information can be retrieved via a touch screen or, more rarely, a keyboard. For example, an interactive kiosk in an airport can display the times of upcoming flights. Synonyms: touchscreen kiosk, digital kiosk, multimedia kiosk, etc.

Loop

The term "loop" refers to a cycle of content displayed on the screen, the duration of which is defined in advance. For example, a loop might contain a welcome message, five commercials and practical information about a special opening on a public holiday. The term "loop" is sometimes used.

Synonym: loop

Contrast

Screen contrast measures the difference in brightness between the darkest (black) and lightest (white) dots. High contrast contributes to better legibility.

CMS (Content Management System)

An acronym for Content Management System, CMS refers to the content management software used to create and manage the content displayed on different screens. The term CMS is also used in digital marketing, to designate solutions that make it easy to create and manage content published online (WordPress, Joomla, Prestashop, etc.). The French term is "logiciel de gestion de contenu".

Synonym: Content Management Software

Face detection

A camera films the people present in the display area of a screen. A facial detection algorithm determines the gender and age of the available audience. As a result, the screen can dynamically display content more suited to demographic criteria: for example, children, adults or seniors, or male or female content.

Continuous broadcasting

A digital signage system with continuous broadcasting allows continuous broadcasting, even in the event of a network outage or failure. In this situation, a caching system is used to broadcast the last loop(s) to avoid a black screen or signal loss message.

Real-time broadcasting

Real-time broadcasting enables content to be modified directly on screens in real time. Information can be entered manually, or based on information communicated automatically via APIs.

Digital signage

See digital signage.

DOOH (Digital Out-of-Home)

DOOH refers to advertising that is broadcast in public spaces using a variety of digital media: screens, projectors, interactive kiosks, totems and so on. The multimedia content is most often broadcast using a computer or a special device called a player.

Eye Tracking

The most powerful terminals can be equipped with a special camera that tracks the eye movements of nearby viewers. Some eye tracking solutions may also incorporate facial detection technology to assess the age and gender of the person watching the video. More rarely, the French term "oculométrie" may be used.

Key performance indicator

A key performance indicator (KPI) is a statistic used to measure the achievement of an objective. ROI, an acronym for Return On Investment, is certainly the key performance indicator most commonly used to measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. In digital signage, the ROO (Return On Objectives) indicator is used to measure the achievement of objectives associated with content distribution (working on brand image, creating engagement, providing important information, etc.). The term KPI, an acronym for Key Performance Indicator, is often used.

KPI (Key Performance Indicator)

See Key Performance Indicator

LED (display)

LED technology makes it possible to produce screens with image quality, excellent resolution, impeccable contrast and sharpness, and long life. LED displays are emissive, generating their own light, and can be used in bright or dark places, day or night.

Content Management Software

See CMS

Loop

See Loop

Digital signage player

The player refers to the equipment that connects the screens to the content management software (CMS). A digital signage player can take many forms, such as a USB key or a router. Most often, the player works with a wireless connection, such as Wifi. But it can also incorporate a wired connection, such as RJ45. The English term "player" is often used. Synonyms: Player, Media Player

Image wall

A video wall is an assembly of several screens used to display a large image. Edge-to-edge, the measurement between two screens that make up the video wall, is a key element for immersion: a small edge-to-edge offers a better experience and optimal immersion.

Player

See digital signage player

Retail

The term retail refers to the activity of retailing. All stores and businesses that sell products to consumers, from small local stores to large-scale distribution, are designated by this term.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

The acronym SaaS refers to a business model in which software is installed on remote servers, and accessible to registered users. SaaS software can be either free or fee-based. In the latter case, the user pays a subscription fee to use the software, and can benefit from it for as long as it is active. Many digital signage software packages are available as SaaS, as this operating model offers many advantages: easy installation and configuration, maximum accessibility, regular maintenance and updates, optimal data security, compliance with RGPD legislation, etc.

UI Design

User Interface Design is the field of expertise that consists in creating a user-friendly interface that every user can immediately relate to. For example, a UI Designer will define the different information access pages of an interactive terminal, choosing the location of buttons and their labels.

Interactive showcase

The window of a store or public reception area can incorporate digital technology that enables interaction with passers-by: touch screen, facial recognition, hologram, etc.).

Exhibition area

The exposure zone is the area around the screen where the content is visible or audible. The exposure zone depends on the location, orientation and size of the screen.