Digital Signage Need To Know: Notes on Successfully Implementing an LED Sign Program

-Scott Hofheins

A sign is a land sculpture designed by artists, a superbly fabricated structure by craftsmen, and a fundamental marketing investment for the business. But there is a relatively recent addition to this list: the sign is now a work of technology, designed by electrical engineers and made possible by the integrated circuit.

I am speaking, of course, about LED signs, electronic message centers, video boards, digital billboards, etc... This technology is the future of on-site advertising for a business, but how does a traditional sign company successfully integrate this product into their current offerings? The technology has been around long enough now that we are starting to see some common traits that make up a successful LED sign program.

Sell it, Don’t Forget It

It’s not enough to just sell an LED sign, you have to be able to support it. Not just “issues” with the sign, but software training, support, questions, installation and communication setup. These are things that are always going to need to be addressed. If you don’t have a good system for this, you will have unhappy customers unwilling to recommend you to others.

Materials that make up traditional signage tend to stick around for a while, but LED sign hardware does not. Just like the technology industry as a whole, LED signs are continuing to evolve at a relatively rapid pace. This is why choosing the right manufacturer is important. When you buy sheets of aluminum, you're going to usually get your standard aluminum, not aluminum version 6.5 with upgraded nanoparticles. However, with LED signs, you will get different hardware on a 2-5 year cycle depending on the manufacturer.

Whether or not this is a bad thing also depends on the manufacturer. Companies dealing in technology MUST innovate and change or they will be left behind. Companies that do this well, are able to support the previous technology within the warranty period and have the financial and organizational health to do so. Stocking parts, keeping solid internal documentation and skilled technicians make all the difference.

Skilled Workforce and Skilled Manufacturer

Supporting an LED sign program requires skilled team members, just like your fabrication shop requires skilled fabricators. It’s always a good idea to have someone on staff who has a “tech mind”. Someone who knows computers, familiar with networking, software, and current technology. This will make a significant difference in how much you can commit to your LED sign program. Nothing should stop you from selling as many signs as possible, knowing that you will be able to fully support the new technology and customers needs.

Your manufacture is key to this. Good manufacturers can provide their own tech staff and documentation to support your program. This includes working with your tech team, or with your customers directly on software trainings, communication setups and tech support issues. Your manufacturer should be a resource to you for both sales AND support, someone you can leverage to keep your program running lean and mean.

Providing What They Need

I’m sure there is a sales guy out there somewhere who could convince a school district to replace their buses with Ferraris, but not likely. LED signs are not a "bigger is better" product in all cases. These are custom built to size products that have a range of applications and needs. Find out what the customer needs, and be the trusted authority who is filling that need, not trying to take as much money as possible. What is the budget? How fast is the street frontage? Any stop lights? Any code restrictions on color, movement, etc…? These types of questions will help you get a good idea of what they need, and communicate to the customer that you really do care about their specific application. Be your customers “go to guy” on LED signs and develop that trust. It will pay off.

Realistic Installation and Setup

LED signs take a bit more setup than traditional signage. Take this into account when scheduling your installation and pricing your jobs. Traditional signage is completed after the sign is in the ground, and powered on. It either works, or doesn’t work. However, LED signs come with specific needs like communications and software (or cloudware). Setting this up will take a little bit of extra time for your crew. This is one of the main reasons I recommend a tech on staff to help your crew get all your LED projects 100% finished on the same trip.

This is especially important to remember if you are subcontracting an install crew. A common occurrence is for an installer to get the physical sign installed, and powered up, then leave the site only to return later (at more cost to you) to get the communications setup and established. Plan for this, and make sure your installers know that the job isn’t done, and they won’t get paid until the sign is communicating and the customer is sending messages to the sign.

Strong Internet Presence

Your website is also an important tool in your LED sign program. The number one place to research anything these days is Google or other search engines. The first thing these potential customers are going to see is your website, if you have one. Those without websites are easily overlooked and never called. A quality website is just like a quality street sign for your business, but interactive.

Your site doesn’t have to be complex, but should contain good information about who you are, what you offer, why they should buy from you, and examples of your work. Platforms like WordPress have made it easier for businesses to create good looking sites with a reasonable investment. This has fueled the the general idea that the quality of a company’s product is related to the quality of their website. It’s worth the investment.

Partners

Be a partner to your end users, and seek a partnership with your manufacturer. When you partner with your end user, you become a trusted part of their team able to provide expertise on all kinds of signage, including LED signs. There is always a need for this because LED signs are still new to many people, something they don’t purchase every day.

Additionally, you want to be a partner with your manufacturer, not just “another dealer” in the system. Manufacturers should provide you sales support , brochures, white papers, and staff time to help you close deals. Your business has specific needs and challenges depending on your local market and business model. Make sure your manufacturer supports this and can offer you the tools you need.

When you decide to sell LED signs, don’t be afraid to commit fully. Do your research and partner with good manufacturers. Invest in the support and sales staff needed to to hit the ground running and avoid cheap products. And lastly, always remember to think long term, long term, long term.

-SH

I hope this post has been informative and helpful. As usual, I welcome ALL constructive comments. Please feel free to comment and add anything I’ve missed, or additional tips you may have regarding this topic. Please visit www.vantageled.com for many other resources, white papers, and of course: Great looking LED Signs!

**All posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Digital Signage Need to Know: US Based Support for LED Signs is More Than Phones and Technicians

- Scott Hofheins

Having access to local support is important for any electronic device, including LED signs, but getting good support requires more than just being able to call and talk to someone in the US. There are many aspects to supporting LED signs that aren't always just technical. Component control, manufacturing location, software development, documentation, representation, and marketing support are all factors that will affect a manufacturer's performance in this area.

Component Control

Having good quality components is obviously a must in this industry. But maintaining the design and quality control is key to a successful product. No technology is perfect, but how fast can a manufacturer implement a solution to a module design, or driver system? This depends on how much control they have over the components. Skilled in-house engineers and designers will be able to provide better solutions than those who rely on third party support based overseas.

Manufacturing Location

Where is the manufacturer building their systems? Systems that are built entirely overseas will typically take quite a bit longer to produce and deliver to the site. Information about the status of production can be slow and often inaccurate because of the distance, communication barriers, and little oversight of the actual production floor.

Manufacturers who produce in the US and balance their component sources correctly will be much better equipped to provide accurate information. They can also react and improve production processes much quicker than a company who is working with a third party.

Software and Documentation

In-house software development is one of the most underrated aspects of LED signs before the sale, yet becomes a top priority when the sign is installed and ready for use. Unfortunately many end-users are stuck with poorly designed software that is unlikely to ever be improved or updated. This can be avoided when a manufacturer develops the software in-house. The ability to innovate quickly and respond to the market with real solutions like cloud based management, customized solutions, and easy to use interfaces are what help separate the good from the great.

Documentation designed by the same people who manufacture the signs and work with the product directly in real world situations will always be a step above the rest in usability and accuracy. The long term support of an LED sign will often rely on the quality of the documentation.

Representatives

The factory can’t be located everywhere at once, so good manufacturers will have skilled representation across the country to support their dealers and partners. Having a local representative gives you a direct link to the manufacturer, someone you can talk to face to face. This helps close the gap between the manufacturer and dealer, and fosters a better partnership.

These representatives should be able to support you in sales and demonstrations, and be your “go to” people to help close LED sign projects. Having a factory rep and a demo on-site can really make a difference and promote a greater comfort level with potential buyers.   

Advertising Support

Local support means that your manufacturer knows the needs of the US market because they operate in the US Market. They can give you the tools to grow your business and help educate the public to make your job easier. This industry is full of mis-information, but there are good manufacturers out there who can provide you resources that will combat myths and mis-understandings; not just for the good of their products but for the good of the industry in general. Your manufacturer should be your partner in building your business, not just a supplier.

Support is so much more than calling a tech on the phone. The ability to provide quality support is directly related to the control the manufacturer has over their product, software, and people. The business culture of good manufactures promotes the health of their staff, dealers, and partners. They speak your language and have the ability to act quickly to address product, sales, or resource needs specific to you. Always remember, good manufacturers should be just as interested in your success as you are.

-SH

I hope this post has been informative and helpful. As usual, I welcome ALL constructive comments. Please feel free to comment and add anything I’ve missed, or additional tips you may have regarding this topic. Please visit www.vantageled.com for many other resources, white papers, and of course: Great looking LED Signs!

**All posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Digital Signage Need To Know: How an LED Sign Manufacturer's Approach to Design and Engineering Can Affect Installations

-Scott Hofheins

Other Topics in this Series

• Business Growth
• Support and Reputation

It takes a team of people to design, engineer and produce almost any product. By utilizing  the strengths of many, companies have been able to create some pretty cool products. LED Signs are no different. To make a quality sign, you need good engineers, good designers, and good production personnel. The end result is a reflection of the people who make the product, how well they communicated, and their preferences for how a product should work. In the end, the dealers and end-users see the results first hand, good or bad.

This is the first, in a series of articles about how different approaches can affect specific aspects of an LED Sign. This post will focus on sign installation and how the manufacturers engineering, design, and production can mean the difference between a 3 day ordeal, or a quick 1/2 day installation.

A small oversight in the initial design of a product can mean huge headaches for an installer, or end-user. Poor documentation can waste time and money on the job site. Over engineering can increase installation and service costs. Inadequate quality controls mean down time on broken signs, and immediate installation issues.

Design
Simplicity is king. The best designs are simple, effective, and take the long term operation of a sign into account. Signs have to be serviceable but still maintain an efficient production build and sealed cabinet design. Component locations should be documented and easy to access. Structural features like mounting angle, or brackets should be standardized to allow installers to be well prepared before the sign ships. Data and electrical entry points should be easy to reach, and clearly marked. Anything that can be pre-connected to the sign should be, allowing the installer to focus on what they do best, fabricating structures and physically installing the sign.

If Simplicity is King, then Balance is Queen. Drawing a good balance between design factors is difficult. Some do it well, and others do not. If you fall too far on one side, you could have a sign that is extremely easy to service, but is always broken because the cabinet design is flawed. Or a sign that easy easy to install in one location, but difficult in another due to random changes in structural design.

Documentation
This is a key component of a successful installation. Not only in terms of the actual install, but the planning stages as well. There are obvious problems with the many overseas manufacturers having little to no documentation, usually translated poorly. But I would like to focus on the less obvious issues when you are supplied documentation.

Relevance is key when talking about documentation for sign installation. Installers need to focus on their job, installing the sign. Over zealous technical writers can work against this goal with large in-depth manuals that are impressive at first glance, but are seldom used at an installation site. Installers need to get relevant information as quickly as possible, without having to sift through pages of technical information and legal statements to get there. A good on-site installation manual should be visual, quick to navigate, and easy to read.

In addition to traditional manuals, the sign itself should be labeled and clearly marked to guide an installer through the process. Communications, electrical and accessories should be pre-connected when possible, and any access points clearly labeled.

Engineering Approach
It’s important to be aware of a manufacturer's engineering approach.  Under-engineered products will have problems, but over-engineering has its own issues. Balance and simplicity are major factors, just like in the design. Overly complicated signs can decrease installation options increasing time and cost for your installation.

A good engineering method allows for scalability and innovation, while minimizing points of failure in the system. Sometimes its easy for engineers to get carried away with a certain aspect of their design, and end up causing problems in other areas because they weren’t looking the big picture.

Production and Quality Control
Standardized production is important to make sure each sign arrives on-site with everything that the installer expected from the shop drawings and other pre-production material. Component locations are where they should be, documentation is there,  and accessory devices are setup correctly and ready to plug and play.

Good quality control is assumed to be in place with every manufacturer, unfortunately this is not the case. There are many who see it as an afterthought and do not put as much emphasis on it as they should. Poor quality control will turn your installer, into a troubleshooter as they diagnose and try to fix a brand new sign. Although good signs can have issues after installation, these will be simple fixes, usually caused by shipping or the installation itself.


If there were such thing as a perfect LED sign, it would be powered by oxygen, use anti-gravity (no installation required!), have an infinite resolution, and cost...nothing. Unfortunately that’s not going to happen, but good manufacturers will strive to make there LED signs as easy as possible to install and support. They will have a balanced approach to design and engineering while keeping their eyes on the big picture, and always remember that the sign must work in the real world, not just on paper.

-SH


I hope this post has been informative and helpful. As usual, I welcome ALL constructive comments. Please feel free to comment and add anything I’ve missed, or additional tips you may have regarding this topic. Please visit www.vantageled.com for many other resources, white papers, and of course: Great looking LED Signs!

**All posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Be S.M.A.R.T. with your choices: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic and Time-driven ways to ensure your investment with Digital Signage is a good one.

-Deacon Wardlow

I’m an avid hiker, mountain climber, outdoorsmen and it all started at a young age. The first time I solo climbed a mountain was nerve-wracking. I had climbed hundreds of times before, but never on my own (and by climbing, I’m referring to a solo “hike” not actual rock ascension). The sensation was exhilarating, being out on my own with the beauty all around me. The experience could easily have been a nightmare. Without a map, compass and the right experience in place I could have been frightened and gotten lost or seriously in trouble.

To make the right decisions, you’ve got to have all the information in place and know where you’re going. You’ve got to have SMART goals to achieve your desired end result.. SMART goals are - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-driven. By making the right choices from the start, you can save yourself (and possibly many others) frustrations, headaches and time (money). Here's a brief bit on how to start (and finish) SMART:

SPECIFIC:
Be specific about what your objective is with the Digital LED Signage System. Do you want to reach out to the community? Share information about a group/business? Create business opportunities? Draw people into the store? Share specials and pricing to the public to incentivise them to stop in? Perhaps all or a few different selections from these options? The more specific the objective, the better fit you’ll get with a solution.

MEASURABLE:
How will success with the system be measured? Will a call to action (i.e. SPECIAL RENTAL PRICES ON COFFEE CUPS, unlimited refill with 2 hour cup rental for $2.50/2 hours!) be made and sales tracked against the special (which is only on the system)? Perhaps SMS (texting) integration? Events listed only on the LED Sign with a tracking of attendance? The better the measurement of success, the more the client can utilize the board and fine-tune the content to meet their needs.

ACHIEVABLE:
Depending on the system selected, can the end-user get what they want out of the system? In an area flooded with single-color LED Signage, a small FULL COLOR system may achieve the end-goal/objective of standing out from the crowd. If the client is an auto-dealer and wants to put up big pictures of their newest vehicles, a 2’ x 4’ display likely is not going to achieve their objective.

REALISTIC:
While a 150% return on their investment may not be realistic, what is? Can a business expect to see a 10-20% growth in business because of the LED Sign purchase? NO! They can expect a 10% (or greater) return by USING the LED Sign they purchase. Simply purchasing the sign isn’t enough, content has to be constantly and consistently refreshed/changed to keep people’s eyes on the prize.

Time-Driven:
Quality takes time. There’s an old graphic showing a triangle with three sides. Written on each side is a single word: Quality, Price, Time. Under the triangle is the phrase, you can only have two (low price, high quality; but longer build time. Low price, fast turnaround; but low quality, etcetera). These days an average build time will be 5-8 weeks. If you’re looking for a custom solution or a large-scale system with a lot of bells and whistles, you should expect the system to take a little more time to build. If someone promises you they can build a high-quality system in a short turnaround (i.e. 2 weeks) you should immediately be concerned as to how that’s possible. Think of the triangle. If they’re delivering a low-cost system with a fast turnaround, you’re not getting that third side in the deal...

Be SMART when making your selection for a quality manufacturer/partner with Digital Signage. The wrong choice could cost you a lot more than money. Making the SMART choice now, will benefit both you and the end-user over the lifetime of their investment.

*I invite you to comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment. Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

National Electrical Code Compliance and YOU!

- Mike Prongue

    
My dear wife, a former fire inspector and fire fighter once attempted to share “sage advice” with me regarding fire codes with the statement “behind every fire code is a tragedy”. Government regulation, regardless of an individual’s political opinion, has at its core the intention to help further and validate an industry and more importantly, in the case of safety regulation - to save lives.

The Electronic Message Center (EMC) industry, Digital Sign Industry, is not exempt from this regulation and most business owners familiar with these requirement look toward the National Electrical Code (NEC) particularly Section 600, for guidance and conformance. Like any regulation there are ambiguities regarding the NEC but EMCs are required to be inspected to NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) standards. That is clear.

In the early development of the NEC, the term UL, for Underwriters Laboratory, was used in lieu of today’s reference of  "NRTL". Many UL equivalent organizations have come to the forefront since OSHA changed its terminology to reflect it’s choice of “NRTL” in 1988, a few examples are: MET, CSA, NSF, TUV, ETL (Intertek) and others.

Regardless of the NRTL chosen to inspect and approve the EMC at the factory, this inspection has to occur and the inspection is to the same standards regardless of the NRTL used.

When a code inspector signs off on an installation, a NRTL certification listing label number is the permission required for him to not open up the display and inspect the components contained therein.  Without this certification listing the local code enforcement body can ask that the EMC be removed.  Some sign companies lean heavily on the NRTL certification of the power supplies alone, to convince the inspector that the EMC conforms to the NEC. This is bypassing the intent of the NEC and opens the sign company up to liability if damage, injury or death were to occur as a result of a faulty EMC product.

In addition to false claims by sign companies engaged in the actual installation, many overseas manufacturers are quite liberal with use of the NRTL certification label. Displaying a UL certification label (for example) on a website could cause the reader to think the total EMC is UL certified rather than just subcomponents such as a power supply. This is not the same as the completed, total EMC assembly having a UL certification. The same non-compliance penalty exists regarding removing the EMC from the structure after installation due to non-compliance of the certification requirement.

Many documented issues exist regarding EMCs produced offshore and their claim to be NRTL approved- ETL, MET or others.  If it does not have a NRTL certification listing label number issued by the manufacturer, the EMC project should be suspect. If it does have a listing label number and the sign dealer wants to be sure it is legitimate, every NRTL has a toll-free line to validate the certificate.  Many offshore produced EMC units have the claim to be NRTL certified but investigation of this claim will prove that only subcomponents have been inspected to NEC standards.

Also, with regards to offshore produced EMCs, this writer has been told by many company representatives that the EMC model submitted for NRTL inspection bears little resemblance to the EMC models eventually delivered to the USA. The components offered for inspection are top-grade, the electrical connections and wiring are to standard, and installation has been completed with meticulous detail. This sets up a NRTL quandary similar to the magician’s trick of “three cups and a pea”. What cup is the NRTL certification under?

It’s the responsibility of the sign dealer to make sure their product meets the standards of the National Electrical Code.  You get what YOU inspect.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Electrical Safety Certification Marks explained: NEC/OSHA/NRTLs and more...

-Deacon Wardlow

I often come across the question of what an acceptable Certified Mark is for UL compliance. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of confusion as to what an NRTL is, what the code requires and such. So here’s some quick clarification:

Specific Information on the 2011 NEC (National Electric Code) requirements:

The National Electrical Code (NEC) – or NFPA 70 – was updated in 2011, as part of its 3-year change cycle.  The NEC is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and is commonly adopted by U.S. state or local political subdivision, and enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Many NEC requirements refer to “listed” or “labeled” devices, as defined in Article 100 of the NEC. The NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories) program accredits those organizations that, by whose labeling, the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards or performance in a specified manner.

What is an NRTL?

A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) is an independent laboratory recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to test products to the specifications of applicable product safety standards – such as those from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and other standards-writing bodies. An NRTL's function is to provide an independent evaluation, testing, and certification of any electrically operated or gas- and oil-fired product. Intertek is recognized as an NRTL in the United States.

What’s the difference between the UL, CSA, and ETL/other Listed Marks?

All the marks demonstrates the product has met the minimum requirements of widely accepted product safety standards as determined through the independent testing of a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). As part of that testing regimen, the product manufacturer has agreed to periodic follow-up inspections to verify continued compliance.

Aren’t manufacturers required to use UL for their compliance testing? Isn’t this mandated by the standards themselves?

The simple answer to both questions is "no." In fact, this misconception has misled many manufacturers, distributors, contractors and end-users to believe that UL must be used as the third-party testing partner. To satisfy the prerequisite of having your products tested by an independent organization, the true legal requirement is that the laboratory that performs the testing be a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) recognized by OSHA.

Some Useful Links:

OSHA recognizes four organizations to develop product safety:

1.    ANSI
2.    ASTM
3.    UL
4.    FM

Standards from the four are approved for use by ANY of the NRTLs OSHA lists/recognizes to test and certify products.

OSHA’s listing of NRTLs (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories)

http://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/

UL has both a standards development group AND a testing group. The landmark case which MET instigated in the 80s made it so UL no longer had a monopoly and other companies were allowed to be listed as NRTLs.

For further reference, please check the following websites:

OSHA article on NRTLs Approval of Products:
http://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/NRTLarticle.html

More on NRTL and legal use:

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Act of 1970, OSHA uses Federal regulation Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Paragraph 1910.303, Subpart S (29CFR 1910.303 (S)), which requires that all conductors and equipment are approved (listed), it also requires electrical equipment to be examined, to ensure it is free of hazards likely to cause harm to employees and be suitable for installation (by listing or labeling).

In addition to OSHA requirements, which cover only the workplace, the USA relies on local building codes to ensure safe residential housing. These codes are based on the requirements of the National Fire Protection Agency, standard NFPA 70, also known as the National Electrical Code (NEC). This code is adopted universally by state and local inspectors who are empowered by their authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

Some common AHJ (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) personnel known for their strict enforcement of local electrical codes include the City of Los Angeles, the City of Chicago, the State of North Carolina, the State of Oregon, the State of Florida, the City of Orlando and New York City. In these locations' electrical inspectors "red-tag" electrical products that are not listed or labeled. The legal requirement for acceptability to the local AHJ is derived from Article 110 - Requirements for Electrical Installations. As a result, electrical inspectors will look for an NRTL listing, or a field label

The NEC code 800-4 additionally requires all equipment connected to a telecommunication networks to be listed. If equipment is not listed or labeled a supplier may be asked to pay for it to be field labeled on site before it is released for use, and lose a potential repeat order from the customer, due to the delays involved. In addition, AHJ inspectors who are IAEI members exchange information on manufacturers who they know are noncompliant.

Source: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/tvi/tvi102.html

Make sure the manufacturer/reseller you’re dealing with knows the code and is 100% compliant. A failure on their part can cost you and your business money, reputation and more.

*Please comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), check out the site periodically as we’re constantly adding new material.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

LED Signs 101: LED sign system components

-Deacon Wardlow

Driver board, LED Tile, Modules, Panels, Quads, etc. If one were to look at all the different titles, they’d be misled into thinking they were different things when they’re all component titles for the same thing; an LED “panel” made up of a matrix of either 8x16, 16x16, or even 32x32 pixels (LED groups) with connectors for power and communications meant for LED Signage. LED components can be confusing and even though the industry has been in existence for decades, the terms are not standardized across the board.

Many manufacturer’s don’t want you to understand the systems. The more complex it seems, the less likely they figure you are to dig deeper and get to understand what they’re really using to produce the product. Here’s a quick tutorial (which will be expanded and expounded upon later):

Power Supplies: Be wary of private-labeled systems. A sign shop doesn’t make it’s own ballasts and power supplies for signs. They reach out to the top manufacturer and get the best product at the best price. It’s possible to specify some particular component tweaks, but the reason they do this is reliability. A main manufacturer who specializes in power supplies builds millions of units (not thousands) and they work to ensure the clients get the best quality. It’s nice to have a private-label, but who stands behind that brand should something happen to the manufacturer of the LED Display?

PCB (Printed Circuit Boards) and LED Panels: A lot of companies are claiming to be “made in the USA” when in fact they buy off-the-shelf product from somewhere in Asia and put it in a cabinet. This is akin to me claiming a paint-by-numbers set I’ve done is my own masterpiece. If the company is not engineering their own solution, they’re handing control over to someone else and they have little/no control over quality and the ability to modify the product to meet consumer demand or to match changes in technology which may offer a better, cheaper alternative technology solution to those able to change with the times.

Controller: The controller is the engine which drives the LED Sign forward. There’s a reason auto manufacturers spend so much money and time on their engines, the engine makes a huge difference. While standard components are somewhat important (i.e. what type of power and connection cables are selected) the controller NEEDS to be something specified and engineered by the manufacturer. The controller is the heart of their Display and it’s important that heart get the maximum number of beats and performs optimally for the lifetime of your system. Make sure the manufacturer you’re dealing with can go over their controller and explain how they engineered a solution specifically for their systems. You can’t go online and find a great solution for LED signage. The solution has to be specifically engineered to the use and controllers (more than anything) need to be product-specific.

Control boards (logic board, receiver cards, etc.) and Control Chips: While this is digging deeper than most people prefer to go, it’s important (again) to make sure the company has sourced the product properly. A year ago, Thailand had some major floods and over 80% of the world’s market were getting hard drives from Thailand. When the source “dried up” from the flood, hard drive levels were at an all time global low and prices were driven up. Several companies ate the loss and others had to increase cost on their systems (causing dealers to lose a lot of sales)/ Without solid sourcing (including a backup source in a different country/location) it’s too easy for a localized event to suddenly cause issues with the ability for a manufacturer to meet market demand. When the 6-8 weeks you were expecting for production on an LED Sign turns into 12+ weeks, nobody will be happy. Proper sourcing avoids these kind of pitfalls.

Software: Is this a component? Most definitely! All too often I see the standard Chinese software on systems “made in the USA.” What the end-user gets is a sub-standard control system, software which is not simple and straightforward to use, and software which DOES NOT meet the market requirements. EVERY LED Signage manufacturer should have a unique solution for their clients. When an end-user comes back to the manufacturer with a special request (i.e. someone who’s display needs to be tied into a scoring system for a sports arena), you’ll find how important it is to have this component sourced through the manufacturer. A request to a “standardized” control system manufacturer in Asia will either never be answered or get the, “We will see” response. LED Sign Manufacturers need to be able to respond to market demand and customer requests and this means software which they can modify as needed.

Don’t accept a mediocre solution at a low price. Fight for the best combination of quality and price possible and always dig deeper. Make sure the system you’re getting is the best possible and unique to the manufacturer of your choice. You don’t always get what you pay for. Make sure what you’re getting is what you expect and the manufacturer can meet your needs.

*Please comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), check out the site periodically as we’re constantly adding new material.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

The Importance of Good Documentation for LED Signs.

Almost all products you buy will have some sort of operation manual included. The quality and usefulness of this documentation varies greatly between products and manufacturers. Some products require in-depth technical manuals while others just need simple assembly drawings. In my opinion, LED sign documentation falls into the middle. End users and dealers do not want or need an engineering manual unless the project is a highly customized build. But they do need documentation for parts replacement, quick troubleshooting, installation, and software training.

Most commercial LED signs are made for the simple purpose of advertising to the public. Consistant and uninterrupted operation is crucial to this purpose. Component level troubleshooting and customization is the responsibility of the manufacturer’s engineers, not the end user or dealer. Well manufactured LED signs are built for easy parts replacement and quick access to components. The documentation should reflect this concept and be simple, concise and relevant. Information should be well organized and purposeful.

From my experience there are three general types of documentation styles:

In-Depth and Content Heavy
These are the manuals that are written like engineering text books. This type of documentation has its place when done well and used in the right place. Unfortunately they are often overly organized and written for content, not for readability and real world use.  In my opinion, these type of manuals (again...when done well) are best used as a reference for factory technicians or dealers/OEMs who want to have a more direct role in the product, not for most dealers or end users.

Minimalist
Manufactures usually take this approach for one of two reasons. Because they don’t have the resources to produce good manuals, or their product design actually does support a simple operation manual. Many of us have seen examples of this style done right (think swedish furniture, or high tech fruit), but in my opinion this approach is not realistic for LED Signs. These are large outdoor industrialized products that are the face of your organization, not just a high tech gadget.

Best of Both Worlds
This style blends simplicity and purposeful content. The key here is to be able to communicate the most important information quickly to the reader, while still keeping important technical data accessible and documented. When done right, this approach can save time and money on installations, service calls, and general troubleshooting.

The bottom line is to make sure you look for yourself. Ask the manufacturer for the most current documentation and review it with your own eyes. Make sure it’s easy to read, relevant and written to be used, not just for show. A dealer should have the best tools available to support their customers. End users want to make sure the up-time on the sign is maximized and any repairs can be done quickly and effectively. Updated and well written documentation is key to the long term support of an LED sign, and is an important requirement when choosing a manufacturer.

-Scott Hofheins

I hope this post has been informative and helpful. As usual, I welcome ALL constructive comments. Please feel free to comment and add anything I’ve missed, or additional tips you may have regarding this topic. Please visit www.vantageled.com for many other resources, white papers, and of course: Great looking LED Signs!

**All posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.