We are pleased to share the good news about delivering our first Digital Signage project based on the iDS Cloud hardware‑software platform and a centralized digital‑menu content‑management system at the London café TDO Cafe‑Bistro.
An interesting request came from the Foggy Albion — namely the possibility of implementing the flexible functionality of the iDS Cloud software. Owners and managers (especially in the HoReCa segment) are always looking for effective solutions that optimize costs while increasing profitability. The case of the London café TDO Cafe‑Bistro perfectly reflects the reality of most requests from non‑chain cafes, bars and restaurants. This business format critically needs the ability to easily and simply update content from anywhere in the world without in‑house designers or administrators. Besides remote content management, we were asked to implement role‑based administration. For the London request two roles were defined: the main administrator and the TDO Cafe‑Bistro content manager.
The basic functionality of iDS Cloud fully supports such role‑based management and remote access for both the content manager and the business administrator.
We studied the project details, produced our expert assessment and prepared a technical specification for approval with recommendations on content design and remote management. Using HTML templates and the built‑in template editor — which allows creating unlimited templates for screen layouts (dividing the screen into two, three, four parts, and using widgets) — each task can have its own visualization. This greatly simplifies content updates and adaptation for different tasks.
After clarifying and agreeing all technical points with the Client, we began preparing to implement the digital‑menu project according to the technical specification.
In addition to implementing the iDS Cloud hardware‑software suite, we developed and adapted dynamic digital‑menu content for the Client taking into account ALL the wishes of the café owner, administrator and content manager. The café’s head chef actively participated in the working group and insisted on the highest quality visualization. Obviously, the lion’s share of success for digital‑menu deployments in cafés and restaurants is content (visual design).
It is important to note that this project’s success was directly linked to the Client’s full trust in our expertise and many years of experience in café, bar and restaurant projects. Trust is one of the key factors for quality implementation of such projects.
Speaking of trust, it’s worth recalling our implementation of digital menus in the Baggi’z fast‑food restaurant chain. The owner initially struggled to believe in the metrics we forecast using iDS Cloud. However, the result we achieved exceeded all expectations — sales growth in the venue of over 20%.
Focusing on designing and updating the digital menu definitely attracts new customers, drawing attention from afar with its “tempting offers”.
Even outside the café a dynamic, bright image on a large monitor with original offers of hot drinks and tempting desserts will be noticed and people simply won’t be able to walk by.
An additional advantage of digital menus is the technical ability to quickly adjust prices, content and the menu panel remotely. The built‑in “weather” widget is useful because when weather changes (a frequent occurrence in London) the system can emphasize, for example, hot drinks in cool weather or cold drinks when it’s hot outside. This functionality became especially relevant during the Covid‑19 pandemic, when many business processes rapidly moved to remote operation.
A simple but very useful feature is tying displays to different time zones — when switching from summer to winter time the system updates data automatically. Automatic on/off scheduling for digital menus is another handy detail — if a venue operates at varying hours on different days, this is extremely convenient for the administrator. All these and many other functions can be flexibly configured according to your requirements or business specifics.
The system’s functionality allows making changes to the digital menu, and as playback devices you can use either professional panels or regular LCD TVs. Want to use tablets — no problem. Even video walls or media facades within one venue or across a national network. The only limit to using Digital Signage is your imagination.
With Innovative DMC’s digital menu board and system you get a flexible tool to solve diverse tasks, plus generous remote‑management functionality for all business processes related to digital menus or advertising monitors in HoReCa, Retail, Entertainment, etc.
Our software is most relevant for networked business owners who need to respond synchronously and promptly to market changes.
Especially now, during Covid‑19, which has reshaped many aspects of life.
Today the main thing is to react in time to current changes in business processes. For that you need a quality centralized content‑management system like iDS Cloud.
It’s important to adapt your business to the current global situation to remain relevant and keep customers’ interest in your venue at the highest level.
