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Touch the Future: A Guide to Interactive Monitors and Digital Signage

In this era of digital transformation, where technology permeates every aspect of professional life, audiovisual systems have evolved from being mere conveniences to becoming the cornerstone of the modern digital workplace. Imagine an office, educational space, or retail environment without monitors, screens, or video conferencing systems – it’s almost unthinkable today.

As you explore this topic, it’s worth asking: Why is proptech so important in the workplace?

• To enable seamless global collaboration by connecting experts from across the world.
• To create the workplace of the future, providing an innovative environment that inspires.
• To unlock your team’s potential through more effective communication.

Digital Signage Systems

Let’s look at a typical morning in a modern office equipped with a Digital Signage system. Anna walks into her company’s building and is greeted by a screen displaying the day’s agenda and current weather. “Great, I don’t need to worry about an umbrella,” she thinks as she sees the forecast. On her way to her floor, she passes more screens—one shows information about a new client, helping her prepare for an afternoon meeting, while another reminds her of next week’s team-building event.

In the kitchen, as she makes her coffee, a screen displays today’s menu in the company cafeteria. By the exit, another screen shows photos from the recent charity marathon organized by the company. Anna smiles as she recognizes her colleagues and decides to sign up for the next one.

These screens (including small and large-format monitors, LED displays, and video walls) form a Digital Signage system that brings the office to life, delivers important information in an engaging way, and fosters a friendly, dynamic workplace atmosphere.

But Digital Signage is more than just a display. It’s a multimedia hub that combines in-house marketing content with live broadcasts and automatically updated data from the internet or company servers. Everything is managed from a single computer with an intuitive drag-and-drop program that lets you create professional presentations and schedule their display across the system’s screens.

The most innovative feature of Digital Signage is its ability to communicate with smartphones. Using Beacon technology, the system can send notifications directly to employees’ Bluetooth-enabled smartphones when they’re near a screen. This ensures important messages reach their audience, even if they aren’t looking at the display.

Why monitors, not TVs?

In all our installations, we use professional monitors and advise against regular TVs. Here’s why:

• Monitors don’t have built-in TV tuners, so you don’t need to pay a TV license fee.
• Monitors can operate in both vertical and horizontal orientations, while TVs are limited to horizontal use.
• Monitors are designed for 16/7 or even 24/7 operation, whereas TVs are only built for 6/24 usage.
• Monitors include hardware and software solutions to prevent screen burn-in.
• Advanced calibration tools ensure the best possible image quality and consistency across multiple screens.
• Professional monitors come with better warranties and expert technical support.

Interactive monitors – a toy, a trend, or a must-have?

Some might see interactive monitors as pricey gadgets, but they’ve revolutionized how modern teams collaborate. Responsive to touch, these monitors transform meetings into dynamic sessions where everyone—whether in the office or working remotely—can edit documents, brainstorm ideas, or sketch concepts in real-time. They’re not just a trend; they’re a tool that takes teamwork to a new level of efficiency.

Watch out for pitfalls!

Let’s consider a scenario: your team is thrilled about the new, massive interactive monitor in the conference room. The first meeting begins, everyone is ready for a brainstorming session, and… no one can reach the top of the screen! With an 86-inch monitor, the top edge can be as high as 235 cm (7.7 feet) off the floor. That’s no problem for your basketball-playing colleague, but what about the rest of the team?

Before you order the largest monitor available, think about this: who will be using it, what will it be used for, and where will it be mounted.

Wayfinding: Helping You Navigate

Have you ever been at a huge airport looking for your gate? Or trying to find a specific store in a shopping mall? In these situations, wayfinding systems come to the rescue—visual navigation systems that guide you to your destination. They often display additional information, such as store opening hours or train schedules.

In office buildings, wayfinding systems can be integrated with room reservation systems, and when rooms aren’t in use, they can display advertisements.

Large-Format Displays and Video Walls

Imagine an enormous screen creating a “wow” effect in a company lobby or on a building facade. Large-format displays are increasingly common in conference rooms, auditoriums, and control centers.

Video walls take this a step further, combining multiple smaller screens into one large display. Modern video wall panels feature ultra-thin bezels, making the seams between screens nearly invisible. You can display a single large image or split the wall into smaller sections for multiple streams of information.

LED Displays

Another technology for creating large-format displays is LED screens. These displays consist of modules filled with tiny light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that work together to create an image. You can build a screen of any size without visible seams—it’s like assembling giant, glowing puzzles.

When choosing an LED screen, an important factor is the distance between the diodes, known as the “pixel pitch.” This is selected based on the viewer’s distance from the screen and the type of content being displayed.

LED screens also offer new possibilities: they can be bent to create curved surfaces, shaped into unique forms, and even made transparent. Transparent LED screens can be installed on windows, producing an eye-catching and visually stunning effect.

Why are LED screens energy-efficient and cost-effective?

If you’ve ever wondered why more and more companies are investing in LED displays, the answer is simple: they save energy and money. These modern technologies use up to 40% less energy than traditional displays while offering the same level of brightness. How is this possible?

Smart energy management

LED displays allow for remote management, meaning you can control which screens are active at any given time. For example, in low-traffic areas, displays can be turned off or dimmed, reducing power consumption and helping businesses keep costs under control.

Another advantage is automatic brightness adjustment. LED screens can regulate their brightness based on the environment—reducing intensity in dimly lit spaces or after sunset.

Modern systems also allow you to schedule content playback during peak activity hours. There’s no need to show ads or messages when the office or store is empty. This smart approach maximizes efficiency and minimizes energy waste.

Advanced Technology = Lower Operating Costs

The average lifespan of an outdoor LED display is an impressive 100,000 hours. The latest LED displays combine energy-saving features with excellent image quality. High resolution, energy efficiency ratings of ErP Class D or higher, advanced security systems, and seamless connectivity are now standard.

Investing in LED displays pays off multiple times over—saving energy, reducing costs, and offering long-lasting performance.

Where do different display systems fit in the office?

Meeting Rooms

The key element of any meeting room is a display system. A large-format monitor (one or two) is ideal for smaller spaces, while projectors work better in larger rooms. The size of the screen should match the room’s dimensions—it’s easier to underestimate than to overestimate the optimal size.

Social Spaces

Large-format monitors displaying internal news and announcements are now standard in social areas. Interactive screens are increasingly popular, offering employees education or entertainment. In zones like game rooms, gaming consoles and home theater sound systems are often installed.

Reception and Town Hall Areas

Reception and town hall spaces are crucial for shaping a company’s image—you only get one chance to make a first impression. Technology should take center stage here, with large-format displays, seamless video walls, or LED screens in unique shapes. Content is typically managed through Digital Signage systems.

Control Rooms

In environments where every second counts, Control Rooms are the hubs where data turns into decisions. Whether it’s managing city traffic, monitoring hundreds of flights at an airport, or making strategic decisions in military command centers, these spaces are powered by advanced display systems.

At the heart of every Control Room is a display system – either a video wall with ultra-thin bezels designed for 24/7 operation or a large-format LED screen. Modern Control Rooms also feature PTZ cameras and high-quality microphones, enabling seamless collaboration among experts in different locations.

When designing audiovisual systems for these spaces, key priorities include:

• Reliability and speed of operation
• Easy control mechanisms
• Power and signal redundancy for critical devices
• Maximum operator ergonomics

When the walls of your office start to speak, display, and respond, you’ll know the future has arrived. While technology will never replace human creativity, it can certainly elevate it to heights we never imagined possible.