When considering the purchase of a digital display solution for your elevator and you are not yet familiar with all aspects of such an implementation, we have outlined the key considerations for you.
1. Content concept
This is deliberately placed at the top because it is related to all considerations mentioned on this page. What you want to display influences the type of screen (form factor), size, screen orientation, required data connection, and the software application needed to show the desired content on the screen.
Information and news
Advertising and promotions
Useful elevator information and safety instructions
Entertainment
Corporate Communication
Social Media Feeds
Events and Agenda
Weather Reports
Local attractions and tourist information
Multi-tenant Building Content
Information and news
To display current information such as news, weather reports, and stock prices, a small to medium-sized screen is sufficient to ensure readability. The most suitable orientation is portrait, which is ideal for text-focused content. A stable internet connection is necessary to receive and display regular updates. Using a content management system that supports RSS feeds and news aggregation is essential.
Advertising and promotions
Displaying ads and promotions requires a medium to large screen for maximum visual impact. Landscape orientation is best for videos, while posters are better displayed in portrait. A reliable internet connection is needed for dynamic ads and frequent updates. Flexible content management software that can manage various advertising campaigns is a must.
Useful elevator information and safety instructions
Displaying information about the elevator, such as current floor, arrival times, and safety instructions, requires a small to medium-sized screen for clear readability. Portrait orientation is usually the most suitable. Real-time information requires a local or LAN connection. Specific software that can integrate with elevator data is necessary. Location and destination-related content can add extra value by showing specific information depending on the position and destination of the elevator.
Entertainment
To provide relaxing content such as short videos and animations, a medium to large screen is needed for better visibility. Landscape is the most suitable orientation for videos and animations. A strong internet connection is required for streaming content. A content management platform that can manage and play multimedia content is essential.
Corporate Communication
In corporate buildings, the screen can be used to share internal announcements, events, and company news. A small to medium-sized screen is usually sufficient, with portrait being the most suitable orientation for announcements and messages. A LAN or WLAN connection ensures access to the internal network. Software for managing corporate messages and internal communication is needed. Location and destination-related content can be useful for showing specific information per floor.
Social Media Feeds
Displaying live updates from social media requires a medium-sized screen to ensure text readability. The portrait orientation is the most suitable. A constant internet connection is needed to receive live updates. Integration with social media platforms in the content management system is essential.
Events and Agenda
For displaying event and agenda information, a small to medium-sized screen is suitable. Portrait is the best orientation for this type of content. An internet connection is needed for real-time updates. Calendar and agenda management software in the content management system is important.
Weather Reports
Displaying weather reports requires a small to medium-sized screen for good readability. The portrait orientation is the most suitable. An internet connection is needed for current weather updates. Software that can integrate weather data and widgets is essential.
Local attractions and tourist information
For displaying information about local attractions and tourist sites, a medium to large screen is needed. Landscape is most suitable for videos, while portrait works better for text and images. An internet connection is required for up-to-date information. A content management platform that can manage tourist content and interactive maps is necessary. Location and destination-related content can add extra value by showing relevant information depending on the position and destination of the elevator.
Multi-tenant building content
In a multi-tenant building for residential and/or office use, the screen can be used to display specific information for different tenants, such as announcements, events, and facility information. A medium-sized screen is suitable, with both portrait and landscape orientation depending on the content. A LAN or WLAN connection is needed to keep the content up-to-date. Software that can manage multiple content streams and assign them specifically to different tenants is essential. Location and destination-related content can add extra value by showing relevant information depending on the floor or section of the building.
2. Form Factor
There are various options in terms of form factor. The most important consideration is whether you want a surface-mounted screen or a built-in configuration.
For each preference, we have a suitable solution. Your choice is mainly determined by your design, size, and budget preferences.
The size is also important and must fit the specific situation. Bigger is not always better. The most common sizes for screens in the elevator are 15″, 21″, and 32″. In the SERENITY, the mirror often covers the entire wall or a large part of it. This offers more possibilities for a larger screen, but it is not necessary.
4. Screen orientation
Not only is the screen size important, but also the orientation. By orientation, we mean whether the screen should be placed in landscape or portrait. The choice depends mainly on the type of content you want to display. Regular digital signage is usually portrait, while video is often landscape. The layout of the screen can also influence what is the most desirable display position for you.
5. Screen location
The location of the screen within the elevator is important. The most logical place is near the signaling and destination control, as this is usually where attention is focused during the stay in the elevator. Additionally, people often stand facing the door.
6. Connectivity
For both (remote) maintenance and content updates, it is important that the screen is remotely accessible. For this, the screen must be connected to the internet. Internet in an elevator can sometimes be a challenge because it is continuously moving vertically.
LAN
The most stable solution is wired (LAN) internet. This is already present in many modern elevators, and it is advisable to provide the elevator with this if it is not. Due to the length of the cables and their continuous bending and turning, this is often an expensive solution. An Ethernet extender can help as it allows you to create a network signal via (unused and already present) 2-wire cable in the traveling cable of the elevator. Read more about the Elevator transmission solution here.
WLAN
If wired internet is not an option and you still want to bring the screens online, WLAN (Wi-Fi) might be a solution. However, the steel construction of an elevator usually does not support optimal wireless coverage. It is therefore important to have a professional network administrator assess your situation to determine if stable wireless coverage in your elevator is possible and how. An alternative could be to ensure that there is an access point at the base (often Ground floor) position of the elevator (possibly with the elevator doors open) with sufficient coverage to download updates.
Mobile internet
Mobile internet can be a sensible option for a digital screen in an elevator, especially because of the flexibility and speed of installation. However, the signal strength of mobile internet can vary in an elevator, especially in taller buildings or elevators with a lot of metal, which can affect the reliability of the connection. Additionally, mobile internet can be more expensive when large amounts of data are used, such as for video streaming.
Local updates
If internet is not an option in your elevator, it is also possible to update the images on the screen via a USB stick. However, you need to physically go to the elevator, and remote management in case of malfunctions is not possible. However, for certain situations, for example, when the content only needs to be updated sporadically, this is sufficient and therefore a feasible solution.
Depending on the desired content, you need an application to display this content. Unlike almost all elevator screen providers, you are free to choose your software with us.
Considerations when choosing your application are determined by:
Desired features
If you know what you want to display on the screen, where this data comes from, and how you want to manage this content, you can start looking for the application that offers these possibilities.
Costs
These vary from free to (sometimes expensive) monthly subscriptions. It is important to first clearly understand your needs and then find the most suitable and cost-effective solution.
Mediaplayer and OS
If there is already a predetermined preference for a brand or type of media player and operating system, this can also influence which CMS can or cannot be used.
Already used software
It may be that you already have digital screens in your building that are managed via a certain CMS. In that case, it is preferable to control the elevator screens through the same system. Let us know which system you use so we can review the specifications.
Using CMS integrally
It may also be that you are proposed a CMS solution when purchasing these screens that you also want to use for other (perhaps already present) screens. This is also possible.
The installation of a digital screen in an elevator must be carried out by qualified professionals. It is essential that the installation complies with all safety standards and regulations to ensure the safe and reliable operation of both the elevator and the digital screen. Moreover, a professional installation ensures that the warranty conditions of the equipment are maintained.
