In today’s fast-paced, data-driven world, the need for real-time information sharing is more crucial than ever. Whether you are managing a business, overseeing a manufacturing process, or running a school, effective communication can make a world of difference. One of the best ways to streamline this communication is through digital signage dashboards.

Digital signage dashboards are powerful tools that allow you to present live data, metrics, and updates in a visually engaging and easily accessible manner. Whether displayed on screens in an office, a factory floor, or a public venue, they help keep everyone on the same page. In this blog post, we’ll explore what digital signage dashboards are, their benefits, and how to create them for your specific needs.

What Is a Digital Signage Dashboard?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s clarify what a digital signage dashboard is.

A digital signage dashboard is a real-time display that presents data, metrics, or other information in a visual format, typically on large screens or monitors. These dashboards are used in a variety of settings, from corporate offices to retail stores and public spaces, to showcase key performance indicators (KPIs), announcements, and other critical data.

Unlike traditional dashboards that might be viewed on individual computers or smartphones, digital signage dashboards are designed for a broader audience and are typically displayed in shared spaces. This can include meeting rooms, employee lounges, factory floors, or even public areas like train stations or airports.

The Benefits of Using Digital Signage for creating Dashboards

1. Real-Time Data Sharing

One of the key advantages of digital signage dashboards is their ability to share live data in real time. This is especially important in environments where conditions change quickly, such as in manufacturing, logistics, or sales-driven businesses. By displaying live KPIs or other important metrics, teams can make informed decisions faster, improving overall efficiency.

2. Improved Communication

Digital signage dashboards can significantly enhance internal communication within an organisation. Instead of relying on emails or meetings to convey essential information, dashboards provide an instant, clear, and visually appealing way to share updates. For example, an HR department might use a dashboard to display upcoming events, policy changes, or performance statistics, ensuring that employees are always informed.

3. Enhanced Engagement

When data is presented in a visually engaging way, people are more likely to pay attention and absorb the information. Digital signage dashboards can incorporate colours, graphs, and animations to make important information stand out. This is particularly helpful for motivating employees by displaying sales figures, targets, or customer feedback in real time.

4. Centralised Control

Managing information across multiple locations or teams can be daunting. With digital signage dashboards, all your data can be centralised and controlled from a single platform. This makes it easier to ensure consistency in the information being displayed across different departments or branches.

5. Customisable Display

Digital signage dashboards are highly customisable, allowing you to tailor the content to fit your specific needs. Whether it’s changing the layout, adding interactive elements, or scheduling different types of information at different times, you can create a solution that works perfectly for your audience.

How to Create a Dashboard for your Digital Signage displays

Now that you understand the benefits, let’s walk through the steps to create an effective digital signage dashboard for your business or organisation.

1. Define Your Objectives

Before you start designing your dashboard, it’s essential to identify what you want to achieve. What data do you need to display? Who is your audience? Where will the dashboard be displayed?

For instance, a retail store may want to display sales data, inventory levels, or customer feedback to its employees, while a manufacturing plant might focus on machine performance, safety updates, and production rates. Understanding your objectives will help shape the design and functionality of your digital signage dashboard.

2. Choose the Right Platform

Choosing the right software platform for your digital signage dashboard is critical. There are many suppliers of digital signage who can assist. Take a look at Sabercom’s digital signage guide to get you started.

Digital signage solutions can integrations with various data sources, making it easier to pull the data you need, whether from spreadsheets, databases, or cloud-based platforms. The right tool will depend on your specific needs, the complexity of your data, and the level of customisation you require.

3. Select Data Sources

Next, you need to connect your dashboard to relevant data sources. These could include:

• Internal databases: Sales figures, inventory levels, employee performance metrics.
• Cloud-based software: CRM tools like Salesforce, marketing automation platforms, or business intelligence tools such as PowerBI
• External data: Weather forecasts, News RSS feeds, stock prices, or industry benchmarks.
  

The goal is to ensure that the data presented on the dashboard is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to your audience.

4. Design the Layout

Good design is key to creating an effective digital signage dashboard. A cluttered or confusing layout can lead to information overload, which is the opposite of what you want to achieve. Here are some design tips to keep in mind:

• Use visual hierarchy: Place the most important data at the top or in a more prominent position.
• Limit text: Keep text minimal to allow for quick comprehension. Use visuals like graphs, charts, and icons where possible.
• Colour-coding: Use colours to indicate status, such as green for good, yellow for caution, and red for problems.
• Consistency: Maintain consistent fonts, colours, and icons throughout the dashboard to make it easy to understand at a glance.
  

5. Optimise for Screen Size and Placement

Digital signage dashboards are meant to be displayed on large screens in shared spaces, so you need to design with this in mind. The content should be legible from a distance, and the information should be spaced out to avoid overcrowding the screen. If you’re planning to use multiple screens, ensure your design adapts well to different sizes and orientations.

Also, consider the placement of your screens. For example, in a busy office hallway, you’ll want to display high-level information that people can quickly absorb as they walk by. In contrast, screens in a conference room might show more detailed data that participants can focus on during meetings.

6. Make It Dynamic

One of the most significant advantages of a digital signage dashboard is its dynamic nature. You can rotate content, show different data at different times, or even add animations to highlight changes or important information.

You can schedule specific data to show up at particular times, ensuring the information is relevant when your team needs it most. For example, a dashboard in a logistics company could display shipment tracking information during work hours and switch to general announcements after hours.

7. Test and Iterate

Once you’ve set up your digital signage dashboard, it’s time to test it. Get feedback from the people who will be using it. Is the data clear and easy to understand? Does it help them make better decisions or stay informed?

Use this feedback to make improvements. Dashboards are meant to be iterative, so don’t be afraid to tweak the design, data sources, or layout to improve the overall user experience.

Best Practices for Maintaining a Digital Signage Dashboard

Now that your digital signage dashboard is live, regular maintenance and updates are essential for keeping it relevant. Here are a few best practices:

• Keep Data Fresh: Ensure that your data sources are updated regularly. Stale data can lead to bad decision-making or confusion.
• Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on how well your digital signage is performing. Is the display running smoothly? Are there any downtime issues?
• Evaluate Content Relevance: Periodically review the content on your dashboard to ensure it’s still relevant to your audience. For example, KPIs might change as business priorities shift, so your dashboard should reflect these updates.
• Engage Users: Ensure the people viewing the dashboard are engaging with it. If employees start ignoring the display, it may be time to switch up the design or the data being shown.

Conclusion

Digital signage dashboards are a game-changer when it comes to sharing real-time information in an engaging, accessible format. Whether you’re managing a business, tracking performance, or keeping employees informed, a digital signage dashboard can provide the critical data you need in an instant.

By following the steps outlined in this guide—defining objectives, choosing the right platform, connecting data sources, designing for visibility, and optimising for engagement—you can create a dashboard that not only meets your needs but enhances communication across your organisation.

Stay ahead of the curve, improve efficiency, and foster a more informed team with a well-designed digital signage dashboard.