How to Prepare for a Digital Sign Installation

After reading about the benefits of digital signage and crunching some numbers, you’ve decided to make the investment into digital signs. That’s great! Before you get started on the groundbreaking, though, there are quite a few steps you need to carefully work out before your new signs arrive.

Consult with the Professionals
You want to build a relationship with the manufacturer long before you place the order for your signs. Chanan Averbuch told Jessica Kennedy in an article for Commercial Integrator, “Engage the manufacturer as early on as you can to help design the system with you.”

Also, some manufacturers, such as Ultravision, offer the services of project management teams who can help you along every step of the way. You may even want to consider hiring these teams to handle the entire project, especially if you’ve never worked with a project like this before. Experienced project managers can head off any problems long before they develop.

Plan Out Your Project
You may think your sign only affects your property, but your neighbors and local government likely disagree with you. You must check with applicable local and state agencies to find out what licenses and permits you need, and the process for obtaining them.

These agencies will also be able to tell you if there are any zoning laws or fire codes that apply to your property. Be sure to ask whether the type of sign you are installing has any accessibility requirements per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Your site needs to be surveyed, and a plan must be drawn up for the manufacturer. The licensing bodies discussed above may be able to help you find appropriate professionals, if your manufacturer or project management team have no suggestions for your area.

Evaluate where your sign will be located. Are there any potential problems? For example, will existing architecture make installation problematic? Is it an older building that may have smaller dimensions or infrastructure that can’t support the sign? What size of display can fit in the space?

Another concern is the availability of electrical and networking connections. Your sign will need to be tied into the electrical system to operate. The network connection is necessary for many types of signs in order to be able to change the content. This also means you’ll need to hire subcontractors to handle this work. Other subcontractors may be needed, depending on the services offered by your manufacturer.

Other Factors
Throughout the construction, you need to oversee when materials are supposed to arrive and make certain all associated materials are included in the shipment. Work with your contact at the manufacturer to help you keep track.

Your staff responsible for managing the content and maintaining the signs also needs to be trained. Discuss options for training, including continuing education, with your manufacturer. This also might be a good time to talk about extended service plans and any other maintenance programs the manufacturer offers.