When schools invest in digital signage, a lot of thought goes into the setup. Where should the screens go? What content should run? Who will manage it? But once everything is up and running, maintenance can sometimes slip down the priority list.
The good news is that keeping your signage in great shape doesn’t have to take much time or effort, just a bit of forward planning and intention.
Start with the basics
Most player devices have a power cable and a HDMI lead, and they’re often longer and ‘danglier’ than they need to be. A quick tuck and tie is all it takes to clean up the look of your screens and keep things safe. Cables hanging loose don’t just look untidy – they can be a trip hazard too.
Another thing to consider is that while wifi works for most screens, a wired ethernet connection will always be more dependable, particularly for screens in high footfall areas like receptions and canteens. These are the areas where your communications need to be on and working consistently – the last thing you want is a blank or ‘loading’ screen when students, staff or visitors are walking past.
If you’re also planning any new installations around your school in the future, dedicated signage hardware is worth the investment: compact, fanless devices with software built in will run more reliably without constant attention.
If you’re considering updating your hardware, or expanding the number of screens in your school or trust, TrilbyTV Director, Ben Stanley, has put together a handy guide on the best hardware options for digital signage – a great starting point before making any decisions.
Use school holidays wisely
School holidays are one of the best opportunities to look after your signage – both the hardware and the content side of things.
On the hardware front, if screens aren’t needed over a break, think sustainability and turn them off. It’s the simplest energy-saving tip there is, and it adds up. Leaving a 100-watt TV running 24/7 for 6 weeks costs around £30 per screen in electricity alone.
It’s also worth dimming screen brightness during quieter periods. Bright screens use more power, and with lower footfall, your displays don’t need to work as hard.
In terms of content, have a flick through your TrilbyTV feed and notice all of the slides and content that stands out. What pulls your attention in? Is it the colours? The text? Or maybe some subtle animation?
Now, make a note of the rest of your content that doesn’t quite do the same. If it’s not grabbing your attention, it certainly won’t grab your students’. Schools can use Adobe Express or Canva for free, and offer thousands of content templates and sources of inspiration.
This is also a great task to hand over to a colleague, like a comms or marketing lead, or even a keen member of the admin team. They can update some of that less engaging signage so that when your students return after the break, the refreshed content will feel brand new!
While you’re at it, head to the TrilbyTV Content Catalogue and mix up your regular content with some ready-to-use signage. From awareness days to content aligning with school curriculum, there’s plenty to choose from.
Try it now
Visit the Content Catalogue
Speak to the experts
With fewer daily distractions, half terms and holiday periods are the perfect time to refresh yourself on all of the TrilbyTV features. Are you making use of Smart Content? Have you categorised your content for each area of your school? If you’re ever stuck for ideas or would like to try a new feature, our Relationships team is always on hand to help you make the most of your signage.
You can reach out directly, or drop in to one of their Ask Me Anything sessions, a free customer drop-in call where you can discuss anything you like! We also welcome feedback and new ideas from our customers, so that we can design and implement the features and content you need.
Could you inspire the next TrilbyTV user?
Great digital signage is more than just the initial installation. A little regular maintenance keeps your screens looking professional and working hard, all year round.
Have you had a recent content clear out or added some new screens to your school? We’d love to see it! Send your photos to marketing@trilbytv.co.uk and keep an eye out on our socials – we’re always on the lookout for real-life examples of great signage in action, and yours could be next…
If you’re looking for a digital signage solution, TrilbyTV is made for education. You can book a live demo with one of our team members, or you can watch an on-demand demo in your own time. Our friendly team will guide you through the platform, showing you how we can improve your whole-school communication easily and cost-effectively.