The Beginning of Digital Signage (NarrowCasting)

Moving along from my last post I've decided to share a little history lesson, some believe that Digital Signage is a merger of the Audio Visual Industry and Computer networking but Digital Signage was already in the mind of Joseph Carl Robnett Licklide from the 1960's.


Digital Signage in its early stages was known as narrowcasting, a term coined by Joseph in a 1967 report, he envisioned a multiplicity of television networks aimed at serving the needs of smaller, specialized audiences. 'Here,' stated Licklider, 'I should like to coin the term "narrowcasting," using it to emphasize the rejection or dissolution of the constraints imposed by commitment to a monolithic mass-appeal, broadcast approach.' (excerpt from wiki) I can only imagine his ideal desire was to see one day a radio station specifically for taxi drivers and all public transport workers, corporate television stations exclusive to your company disseminating information on meetings and company events. Joseph though not a contributor to the inernet via inventions had seen the need for interconnected computers over a wide area network. Joseph was a contributor of ideas, he foresaw graphical user interfaces, digital libraries, e-commerce, online banking, and cloud computing... though back then he simply considered it software that would exist on a network and migrate wherever it was needed.
Mr Licklide also had put his money where his mind was funding early efforts in time-sharing and application development, Project MAC at MIT (mainframe computer designed to share up to 30 simultaneous users, each sitting at a separate typewriter terminal).

He is truly a father of Digital Signage.

Technician or Engineer ???

I've been busy for the last couple of weeks so I have alot of points to talk about, namely seeing that Digital Signage didn't exist as an occupation choice when I was going to school
how can one tell the difference between a Digital Signage Technician and a Digital Signage Engineer ?
Is there really a difference between the two at all ?

To be honest I believe my employer went to an expo, heard the title... figured it sounded fancy so they decided to grace me with an upgrade from Digital Signage Technician, to Network Manager, to Digital Signage Engineer whether that was all an upgrade or not is the point of this blog enrty.

So I did some soul searching, I have an understanding of What a Digital Signage Engineer is or atleast the responsibilities I believe were applicable with the position but lets see what research yields.





Technician :- Wiki describes a technician basically as someone that works in a technology field and is proficient with relative skills and techniques , with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles (they seemed to like the word RELATIVE). To sum it up Technicians do the work in the field they have the experience but not ALL the theoretical information, they know what they need to know. strangely enough a comparison was made between an acoustic engineer having more knowledge of acoustics than an acoustics technician but the technician is more proficient in operating the equipment.

Engineer: To sum up wiki again engineers use scientific knowledge and ingenuity to solve technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, safety and cost.

SO which one are you ...?

 

In my opinion as a Digital Signage Engineer it is my duty to ascertain the clients needs and devise (engineer) a solution to meet that need, after creating the solution I will then pass it on to the technician who will make my designs that I have created on paper into reality.
Now we all know who the installer is so I didn't have to talk about that individual in this entry but as the industry grows I realise that there will be more demand for digital signage engineers individuals that have vast theoretical knowledge on all aspects as it pertains to creating a digital solution to meet clients needs. With several options becoming available for content management software, commercial pc's and screens the main difference between solutions from two digital signage vendors will be in the design, the creativity, the interaction with the consumer... and ofcourse the WOW factor.
please share your thoughts on the roles of digital signage engineers in this growing industry.

Where is the Outdoor Electronic Sign Technician ?

Who doesn't Love a Nice Large L.E.D Outdoor Electronic Sign ?
I mean it has crossed your mind at some point
at trade shows
on road promotions
when in Vegas
at that big concert

Large L.E.D signs work, ESPECIALLY outdoors, they stand out and enforce brands, they lure your gaze and make an impact.

So you have decided to get one for your business, you have already found a space and you believe it would work wonders.. you can afford it so just like you've done with your other electronic equipment you call up a vendor make an order, wait for its arrival and anticipate your WOW factor.
The crates arrive with your sign and you receive instructions on the voltage it uses and how to put it together...?

It then hits you, clearly something is missing from the package this doesn't look at all like what you saw at the concert/in Vegas etc..

You then have to pay more for them to send technicians to come and put your sign together and show you how to update it with content.

Your sign runs for a couple of months and due to some unforseen issue you notice a section of the sign isn't showing ... hmm you dont really recall what the technicians did when they visited so you have to call them again.

Thats right folks when your getting an Outdoor L.E.D sign my suggestion is to have a technical team there request a team be sent from the supplier to assist with the install and train your technicians you HAVE to ask because contrary to popular opinion, technicians are not shipped in the crates with the Sign.. you either have to request a team from your supplier to run regular maintenace, contact a specialist in your area, or have your suppliers train a technical member of your staff.
For those wondering for the physical maintenance of the sign I recommend someone with knowledge in electronics who will repair the power supplies when they eventually give out (changing capcitors and fuses etc..) and an electrician that can read electrical diagrams VERY important.