Cloud-Based vs On-Premise Digital Signage Solutions
Digital signage has changed how businesses and organisations communicate with both their internal and external audiences, from advertising and live streaming to news tickers. As a result, digital signage has become popular among commercial establishments and institutions, catering to both B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) markets.
For an organization that has decided to take advantage of the massive benefits of digital signage, a key question arises: should they opt for an on-premise solution (self-hosted) or a cloud-based digital signage system as a service (SaaS)?
In this post, we’ll explore both options to help you decide which one best meets your needs.
What is Cloud-Based Digital Signage?
Cloud-based digital signage is a solution that operates entirely online, allowing users to manage content from any location with internet access. Content is stored and distributed via remote cloud servers, eliminating the need for bulky local server installations.
This model supports a subscription basis, where the provider handles server maintenance, updates, and cybersecurity, making them accessible and efficient for businesses.
Users can upload, schedule, and update displays on multiple screens in real-time through a web dashboard, making it highly adaptable for various settings like retail, corporate offices, education, and more. It’s an ideal choice for companies seeking flexibility, scalability, and minimal on-site infrastructure.
Benefits of Cloud-Based Digital Signage Systems
In cloud-hosted solutions, content is hosted online and accessed through an internet browser, reducing hardware costs and maintenance efforts.
The management of the digital signage solution is handled by a remote service provider, with the servers located off-site. This setup enables content to be delivered to any display player. As a result, the client can concentrate on other aspects of their business, such as the management.
The advantages of a cloud-based system go beyond the monetary benefits. In addition to reducing initial investment costs, cloud-based solutions also ensure that the organization doesn’t need a dedicated team to manage and control the system.
Key advantages include:
Automatic Updates: Software updates occur automatically on all connected devices, so if the software requires an update, the service provider will handle it, relieving the client of any concerns o intervention.
Low Initial Investment: Cloud-based systems significantly lower initial costs by minimizing hardware and software investments and eliminating the need for dedicated on-site management resources. At Easysignage, we consistently see that clients prefer the SaaS (Software as a Service) model for its scalability. As businesses grow, expanding their digital signage systems can be challenging due to the investment in additional display players and hardware. However, with cloud-based systems, this expansion is effortless and requires minimal investment, making them a popular choice for startups and fast-growing businesses.
Real-Time Content: Cloud-hosted systems excel in delivering time-sensitive information, such as stock updates and weather reports, instantly across multiple displays. They ensure content remains current and can be shared without delay, making them ideal for displaying the latest stock prices, news feeds, and weather updates. Many Easysignage clients wonder if they can display existing content in different formats; fortunately, most cloud-based systems can easily convert any format into a display-friendly version quickly.
Key Considerations for Choosing Cloud-based Solutions
If you’re convinced of the benefits of a cloud-based digital signage system, the next step is to choose a provider with the right expertise and experience. Consider factors such as:
Offline Functionality: One of the important features you should make sure that the system supports is offline operation, where your player can download and locally playback content offline, which guarantees system availability without constant internet access 24/7 or during internet outages.
Data Security: Opt for providers with proven security measures to protect your content and customer data. The service provider should have a proven ability to scale systems quickly.
User-Friendly Interface: An easy-to-navigate dashboard simplifies content management, making it accessible for all team members.
Reliable Support: Pay close attention to the level of support the software provider offers. A solid support system is essential for troubleshooting and scaling.
Only after considering these factors should you select a vendor for your digital signage systems.
What is On-Premise Digital Signage?
On-premise digital signage, also called on-site digital signage, is hosted on the business’s local servers, ensuring complete data control and privacy. This approach requires purchasing and installing physical hardware at each location where signage is displayed.
In an on-premise setup, all data management, updates, and troubleshooting fall to the in-house IT team, which guarantees data privacy but requires significant resources. Businesses can fully customize the system to meet their specific needs, which is particularly valuable for industries where security, control, and regulatory compliance are top priorities. While initial setup costs are typically higher, many companies appreciate the long-term control and stability that on-premise solutions offer.
Key Considerations for On-Premise Solutions
Initially, digital signage, like many IT solutions, was primarily on-premise.This was before the rise and popularity of SaaS or Software as a Service, where both the hardware and software were physically based at the client’s location. This setup required significant initial investments and ongoing maintenance. Key considerations include:
Control and Ownership: On-premise solutions provide full control over system management and data, ensuring complete privacy and security.
Initial and Ongoing Costs: Although setup can be expensive, organisations must also face maintenance costs and the need for regular updates to keep hardware and software up to date.
Technical Requirements: Dedicated IT resources are necessary for management, making this approach less suitable for companies focused on other core areas.
Cloud-based vs On-premise Digital Signage
Now, let’s do a brief comparison of cloud-based and on-premise digital signage solutions to understand their core difference and to see how each stacks up in terms of setup, maintenance, scalability, security, and cost. This comparison will help clarify which option best aligns with your organisation’s specific needs.
1. Setup:
Cloud-Based: Hosted by a third party, accessible from anywhere with internet access. Scalable and perfect for businesses prioritising flexibility.
On-Premise: Hosted locally on company servers, offering more control and potentially enhanced security, suitable for industries with strict data requirements.
2. Maintenance:
Cloud-based: These systems require minimal hardware upgrades and come with managed updates and support from the provider, reducing IT demands.
On-Premise: On-premise systems need significant initial investment in hardware, ongoing manual upgrades, and dedicated IT resources for maintenance and updates, offering full control but at a higher cost and increased responsibility as the business expands.
3. Scalability:
Cloud-based: Easily scalable, allowing new screens or locations to be added instantly through the provider’s infrastructure.
On-Premise: Limited scalability, requiring manual adjustments, and often needing additional hardware and setup for expansion.
4. Security:
Cloud-based: Offers provider-managed, high-standard security protocols but depends on the provider’s infrastructure.
On-Premise: Provides full internal control that keeps data in-house, allowing customisation for high-security measures but requires IT resources for ongoing security and protection.
5. Cost:
Cloud-based: Generally subscription-based with lower initial costs. This pay-as-you-go model helps manage costs, but expenses can accumulate over time.
On-Premise: Requires a high initial investment for hardware and setup, but eliminates ongoing subscription fees, making long-term costs more predictable.
6. Future-Proofing and Updates
Cloud-based: Automatic updates keep the system up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements.
On-Premise: Stability is a plus, but updates can be costly, potentially impacting long-term adaptability.
Conclusion
Digital signage is rapidly evolving, and choosing between cloud-based and on-premise digital signage solutions is a critical decision and depends on your organisation’s goals.
Cloud solutions are great for flexibility and ease, while on-premise offers robust control and potentially enhanced security.
If you’re considering cloud-based digital signage, EasySignage is an excellent choice. As a Google Cloud partner, EasySignage delivers secure, scalable digital signage solution via Google Cloud. With industry-leading security and global availability, EasySignage provides businesses with the reliability they need for effective digital display management.
Sign up today for forever-free digital signage at EasySignage.