From Feature Lists to Strategic Vision

The digital signage landscape is changing. It’s no longer just about putting pixels on a screen. It’s about AI-driven content, sustainable operations, global scalability, and seamless integration into the enterprise IT stack.

To reflect this evolution, we have redesigned the DS Compass scoring framework. We’ve moved away from technical silos like "Complexity" and "Multiplatform" to a modern, persona-driven model that helps you answer two fundamental questions:

1. Can this software execute my needs today?
2. Is this software built for my vision of tomorrow?

Here are the 5 new pillars of the DS Compass:

1. Experience (The CMS Score)

Focus: Usability, Content Creation, Efficiency

This category is for the people who use the software every day—marketing managers and content creators. We evaluate the User Interface (UI), drag-and-drop capabilities, template engines, and preview fidelity.

• Why it matters: If your team can’t easily update content, your screens will go stale. A high "Experience" score means friction-free communication.

2. Operations (The Ops Score)

Focus: Reliability, Security, Infrastructure

This is the backbone of your network. We’ve consolidated device management, security, and hosting into one robust category. It covers everything from ISO 27001 compliance and SSO to watchdog timers and remote health monitoring.

• Why it matters: A beautiful CMS is useless if the screens are black. High "Operations" scores indicate a platform built for stability and secure enterprise deployment.

3. Connectivity (The Integration Score)

Focus: API, Data, Reporting

Digital signage shouldn't be an island. This category assesses how well the software plays with others. We look at API-first architectures, headless capabilities, and data integration for automated content.

• Why it matters: Modern signage is data-driven. This score tells you if the software can act as a connected hub in your wider IT ecosystem.

4. Innovation (The Future Score)

Focus: AI, E-Paper, Modern Tech Stack

This is where we track the bleeding edge. We are now weighting Artificial Intelligence (content generation, predictive maintenance, audience analytics) and support for sustainable technologies like E-Paper.

• Why it matters: You aren't just buying for today. A high "Innovation" score identifies vendors with a forward-looking roadmap that will keep you ahead of the curve.

5. Reach (The Scale Score)

Focus: Global Scale, Verticals, Commercials

Formerly "Complexity" and "Commercialisation," this category evaluates the software’s ability to scale. It covers global footprint, vertical-specific features (like QSR menu boards), and Retail Media capabilities.

• Why it matters: Whether you are rolling out to 50 countries or monetizing your network with programmatic ads, this score measures the platform's ceiling.

The "Vision vs. Execution" Framework

With these new categories, the DS Compass now allows you to visualize software on a strategic level:

• Execution (Focus on Today): Combine Experience, Operations, and Reach to see who delivers reliable performance right now.
• Vision (Focus on Tomorrow): Look at Innovation and Connectivity to find partners who are building the future.

Explore the new Compass today and find the perfect software for your journey.