Digital communication in times of coronavirus

If at any time, before the Covid-19 pandemic, the importance of digital communication was questioned, now there is no doubt. This is how Marta Fernández analyzes it, CMO of Netipbox Technologies, Spanish company of intelligent digital signage solutions.

Thousands of examples in all sectors reaffirm that immediacy and responsiveness are indispensable in this environment more Vuca (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) than ever.

All supermarkets, grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, Hotels, Residences, health centers,… that are still open need to communicate safety and prevention measures. Even retailers that are closed and have digital storefronts redirect the few passers-by to their websites and report their offers through digital screens.

Digital signage plays a bigger role than ever in difficult times like this. Sharing important health and safety information, quickly, Immediate and with real-time updates is absolutely necessary to keep employees and customers safe.

These days, while the population keeps the distance in line to pay in a supermarket, the digital signage screens that yesterday communicated offers and promotions today instruct customers on the best way to put on and take off their gloves safely.

Queue management and single-row screens show the minimum safety distance between person and person, and other systems located at the entrance of the establishment dynamically indicate the new schedules of the center and other hygiene recommendations when making the purchase.

With the coronavirus outbreak, new technologies have become protagonists of this unprecedented global health crisis. And digital signage can play a very important role in disseminating content about public safety and health., keeping the population informed and fighting fear.

Transmit relevant data and important instructions, as well as guides and tips in a clear and visually appealing way to fight the pandemic, requires efficient digital signage. The dissemination of a message in an agile way, Simple and understandable can make a difference in a crisis situation.

And it is that, at a time like the present, visual language is paramount to mitigate fear. Messages that are transmitted through digital signage displays, located in supermarkets or pharmacies, hospitals and hotels converted into health centers help to assimilate ideas and reduce this feeling of fear and uncertainty.

Similarly,, in work environments that remain operational, the possibility of transmitting through the screens contents to the employees with recommendations to wash their hands, keep your distance and don't touch your face, For example, it can be helpful for them to be knowledgeable and feel safe.

Constant reminders

In situations like the ones we are experiencing, the repetition of messages is the key to success. The various establishments that remain open remind the public of what they must do to protect themselves and stop the spread. but, because the situation is very changeable, it can be difficult to keep the contents up to date.

today, millions of digital signage displays adorn the lobbies of public spaces around the world; many work with cloud-based content management systems, allowing publishers to send updates from anywhere in real time, becoming an informative channel of the television level, radio and/or the web.

These platforms also have the flexibility to target specific messages., being able to configure the playlists to control what contents are played on each screen, plant, establishment, building…

Another interesting application in this context is queue management tools, integrated into some digital signage platforms, that allow the different establishments to control and optimize customer flows, avoiding the crowding of people in endless lines and in a context in which social distance is mandatory.

Many of these applications also report the estimated waiting time on the shift ticket, so that the client can move freely inside or outside the establishment while waiting for his turn, as well as offering updated information in real time through a social network.

Thinking about tomorrow

One way to give value to this moment is to start thinking about the return to normality.. As people resume their routines and movements, digital signage will once again be at the forefront in all areas to transmit information to the population with the power of this audiovisual medium.

That's why, now is a good time to develop content strategies that will have relevance when the situation normalizes, as well as preparing digital signage campaigns with the launch of offers for those who may be thinking about reopening.

It is clear that digital signage will not prevent the spread of the virus, but it can be a great ally to raise awareness among the population. We are facing an exceptional situation and all the tools available will be welcome to disseminate the information in the best possible way.

As administrators of digital signage networks it is possible to drive relevant messages, accurate and updated in real time. This information can help the population to know what they should do to protect themselves and, among all, curbing the coronavirus pandemic.

For all this, in Netipbox we wanted to transfer our support to all those companies that need to transmit information and are in difficulties to do so (supermarkets, hospitals, transport services, pharmacies, Funeral homes, corporate channels…).

We have created official content on Covid-19 adapted to the digital format, freely accessible to those who manage digital signage networks in any sector, for immediate dissemination. They can be accessed for free from our omnichannel communication platform www.nsign.tv

Marta Fernandez

CMO of Netipbox Technologies

 

 

 

Other articles on coronavirus -Covid-19, Netipbox