Take the hassle out of navigating through wayfinding signage design firms with our handy guide.
With so many competing options vying to take on your project, finding the ideal wayfinding signage designers can be a tough task.
So, what do you need to look for in a wayfinding signage design firm? Here are some of some key criteria to keep in mind to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Pricing
The most common – and usually the first – question you’ll be asked as a wayfinding signage design firm is “how much does this cost?”
The last thing a design firm wants is for that first question to scare potential customers away
Prices can vary hugely across companies, so it’s important to not just pick the first one you come across.
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TOP TIP: Are you looking to implement multiple pieces hardware? Some companies will offer you a significant discount for purchases of multiple items, so make sure to ask!
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Ease of use
An intuitive, straightforward user experience that’s easy to understand is arguably the most vital factor to consider when looking for hardware from wayfinding signage design firms.
The hardware should be easy to understand at first glance, and should require very little additional explanation from the person demonstrating it.
Product design
It’s vital when considering wayfinding signage that the design perfectly suits your requirements. Most wayfinding signage design firms will offer out-of-the-box solutions that can be quickly, easily and affordably implemented.
Some of the main product design considerations include:
- Ergonomics – is the hardware comfortable and easy to use?
- Responsiveness – if the hardware includes a touch-screen, how responsive is it? If you touch part of the screen, do you get the expected result?
- Screen resolution – ensure your screen resolution is appropriate for the content that will be displayed on the signage hardware
- Legibility – text should be legible from the appropriate distances. Consider how far away people will stand from your signage hardware: if they’re going to be using it up-close, text can be smaller. If the hardware is also going to be used as a platform for digital signage that will be viewed from a further away, the text needs to be much larger.
- Weather/damage-proofing – this particularly applies to wayfinding signage that is being deployed
Customisation options
This ties in closely with product design. Finding the perfect design for your digital signage hardware often requires bespoke design and customisation.
Some of the most common customisation options offered by wayfinding signage design firms include:
Custom sizes
Do you have a particularly specific set of requirements for the environment in which your wayfinding signage will be installed? Many designers will give you the option of bespoke sizing for an additional price, so your wayfinding signage can fit into the most demanding of spaces.
Colour options
Do you need your wayfinding signage hardware to fit with the colour scheme of your premises? Most designers will be happy to offer you as much colour customisation as your project requires.
Integrations
If your organisation is already using particular hardware and software, a wayfinding signage design firm may be able to integrate them with your new wayfinding signage hardware.
Some of the most popular integrations include:
- Content management systems – enabling remote access and control over the content that is displayed on the hardware. You can also use a content management system to automate the content that is displayed on the hardware. This is particularly advantageous if you’re looking to upgrade from static to digital signage, as is will save your money over replacing static signs over time.
- Digital signage software – allowing you run digital signage advertisements when the hardware is not in use.
- Visitor management technology – you can integrate your wayfinding signage hardware with your visitor management system. If a visitor signs in to the premises, they can then be shown a map with detailed directions.
I you have a particular system in place already and are unsure whether or not you’ll be able to integrate it with your wayfinding signage hardware, it’s a great idea to ask the design firm you’re working with.
Accessories
Do you need to mount your wayfinding signage hardware on a table or wall? Perhaps you need to connect a printer or an RFID reader to it? Good wayfinding signage design firms will either sell you these kinds of accessories directly or point you in the direction of a trusted external supplier.
Accessories are particularly useful if you need to provide extra accessibility options to users with disabilities. For example, the hardware may need to be mounted lower down so it can be accessed by wheelchair users. This can easily be achieved using an adjustable mount.
Build quality
If you’re investing a significant amount in touch-screen technology from a manufacturer that isn’t based in your country, you need to ensure they can allow for international distribution.
Similarly, if you’re looking to expand your business and partner with an interactive touch-screen manufacturer, it’s important that they distribute worldwide.
Company reputation
You wouldn’t buy from a high street retailer with a bad reputation, so why would you buy from wayfinding signage design firms with a negative public perception. Quality of products, support and service can vary hugely between wayfinding signage design firms, and it can be hard to judge these factors by just looking at a website or receiving a demo.
So, before you make a purchasing decision, it’s vital that you do your research on the companies your considering. A simple Google search can often yield some enlightening reviews and customer testimonials.
Technavio is a fantastic resource for comparing manufacturers of digital technology allowing you to see ratings, reviews and testimonials from previous customers.
Installation, setup and support
While it’s vital to find the right wayfinding signage hardware for your project, it’s equally essential that your hardware is installed, set up and supported to the highest possible standards. Here are some thing to consider in the after-sales process:
Installation
Take a look at our installation checklist to make sure you have everything ready for your installation:
- Did the firm clearly communicate the installation process, including installation data and price?
- Was the installation process clearly explained to you?
- Does the firm have all of the appropriate contact details for everyone who needs to be involved?
- Has the firm made the appropriate provisions for an outdoor installation (if applicable)?
- Is your network set up to allow the hardware to work?
Setup
So your wayfinding signage hardware has been installed, what’s next? Well, ensuring everything works as it’s supposed to.
- Does the hardware work as intended? Is it easy to understand and navigate?
- Does your hardware integrate with the other hardware and software in your organisation?
- Have your staff been trained on how the hardware functions?
What if your staff members will have to show people how to use your wayfinding signage hardware, but are unfamiliar with it themselves? You need someone to provide training. Does the company you’re dealing with offer their own training program for the hardware, or would you have to look elsewhere? This can be a deciding factor in the process of choosing a digital signage firm.
Support
We hope it doesn’t, but if your wayfinding signage hardware were to fail or require maintenance, you need to have someone to turn to who can help. Before you make any orders of purchases, it’s a great idea to ask the company you’re dealing with about their after-sales support plan.
Even if the designer of your wayfinding signage hardware isn’t directly responsible for these aspects of your project, they should be able to direct you to an external company who can help.
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If you’re looking for a solutions provider that combines wayfinding signage technology with bespoke software development, project management, installation, support and training, look no further than LamasaTech. We’re a forward-thinking, project-focused digital technology company with a fantastic reputation in the digital technology industry. Many wayfinding signage designers will only provide you with the hardware. We believe a more holistic approach is far superior. We’ll work closely with you on every aspect your project, from planning and installation, to dedicated after-sales support and training.
Not only will we provide you with high-quality wayfinding signage technology, we will collaborate with you on every aspect of your project, including:
- Pricing and quotation
- Customisation
- Hardware production
- Software development
- Project management
- Installation, support and training
At LamasaTech we’ll work with our clients to provide them with the perfect wayfinding signage solution. No matter how large or small your project, nor how demanding your requirements are, we’d love to help bring your project to life.
If you’re looking for a no-pressure consultation for your wayfinding signage project, get in touch with a member of our expert team.
