Electronic signage: types, use cases, and what it’s worth to your workplace

TL;DR summary

• Electronic signage covers a broad range of display technologies, from lobby screens and video walls to production floor displays and digital menu boards
• The type of electronic signage that works best for your organization depends on where it is placed, who is watching, and what you need it to communicate
• For internal communications teams, the most valuable electronic signage solutions are those that update centrally, integrate with your existing tools, and reach your workforce without requiring any action from them
• PLAYipp helps organizations across the world to manage their workplace screens from one platform, regardless of screen type or location

Walk into almost any modern workplace and you will find at least one screen displaying something other than a personal desktop. A lobby display welcoming visitors. A break room screen showing company news. A production floor board with live output metrics. An electronic notice board outside a meeting room.

These are all forms of electronic signage, and they serve different purposes depending on where they are, what they display, and who is meant to see them. Understanding the different types helps you make better decisions about what your organization needs and where screens will add the most value.

What electronic signage actually means

Electronic signage is a broad term for any screen-based display used to communicate information, promote content, or guide an audience. It includes everything from small single-screen electronic signage boards in a corridor to large-format video walls in a corporate headquarters lobby.

What distinguishes electronic signage from a standard monitor or TV is the combination of dedicated electronic signage software and a content management approach that allows information to be updated remotely, scheduled in advance, and tailored by location or audience.

In a workplace context, electronic signage is primarily used for internal communication: sharing company news, displaying operational data, reinforcing safety protocols, and keeping a distributed workforce informed across multiple sites.

Types of electronic signage and where they work best

There are many types of electronic displays that work best, depending on where you wish to display them. We break down some examples below:

1. Standard flat panel displays

The most common form of electronic signage in workplace environments. These are commercial-grade screens mounted on walls or stands, used to display a rotating mix of content across offices, corridors, break rooms, and reception areas.

Commercial displays are built for continuous operation in a way that consumer televisions are not. They offer better brightness, wider viewing angles, and longer operational lifespans, which matters when screens are running across a full working day in demanding environments.

For most internal communications use cases, standard flat panel displays are the right starting point. They are cost-effective, widely compatible with electronic signage software, and straightforward to install across multiple locations.

2. Video walls

Video walls combine multiple screens into a single large display surface, typically used in high-impact locations such as corporate headquarters lobbies, large conference spaces, or event venues.

For internal communications, video walls are most effective where you want a strong visual impression alongside information. A central atrium in a large office, a main entrance in a public sector building, or a shared hub in a multi-department facility are all appropriate locations.

The management approach is the same as for individual screens: content is controlled centrally through the same electronic signage platform, with the software handling how content is distributed across the individual panels that make up the wall.

3. Electronic notice boards and information displays

Electronic signage boards used as digital replacements for physical notice boards are common in public sector buildings, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and corporate offices. They display practical information: meeting room schedules, announcements, event listings, and operational updates.

The difference from a traditional notice board is meaningful. An electronic signage board updates remotely, can be scheduled to show different content at different times, and does not require anyone to physically travel to the location to change the display. For organizations managing communication across multiple sites, this removes a significant operational overhead.

4. Floor-standing displays and kiosks

Floor-standing electronic signage displays are used where wall mounting is not practical, in open-plan offices, event spaces, trade floors, or temporary installations. They bring screen-based communication to locations that cannot support fixed installation.

Interactive kiosks are a related format, combining a display with touchscreen functionality to allow visitors or employees to find information, navigate a building, or access specific content on demand. These are more common in public-facing environments such as hospital receptions, government buildings, and large corporate campuses.

5. Outdoor electronic displays

For organizations with external-facing communication needs, outdoor electronic displays are designed to operate in variable weather conditions and at higher brightness levels than indoor screens. They are used for building directories, campus wayfinding, and public information in exposed locations.

For most internal communications teams, outdoor displays are a secondary consideration. They are worth planning for if your organization has a large physical campus, multiple buildings, or significant visitor footfall that requires external wayfinding or information.

What electronic signage is worth to your workplace

The practical value of electronic signage in a workplace context comes down to three things: reach, relevance, and reliability.

Reach means getting information in front of the people who need it, including those who do not sit at a desk, do not check email during a shift, and are not part of the intranet audience that your other communication channels serve. Screens placed where your team already moves through the building reach them without requiring any change in their behavior.

Relevance means showing content that is current, specific, and matched to the audience in that location. An electronic signage board outside a specific department showing that team’s KPIs is more valuable than a generic company-wide display. A break room screen carrying recognition content for the shift that uses it is more effective than content aimed at a different audience.

Reliability means content that stays up to date without constant manual intervention. The best electronic signage solutions integrate with your existing tools so that live data, schedules, and updates flow through to your screens automatically.

For more on how to get the most from your screen content, screen design covers the visual principles that make content readable and effective. Digital signage content goes deeper on strategy, and how to strengthen internal communication with digital signage covers how screens fit into a broader communication approach.

Choosing electronic signage software

Hardware is only part of the picture. The electronic signage software you use to manage your screens determines how much your communications team can do without IT support, how easily content stays current, and how well you can target different messages to different locations.

The right platform for a workplace environment is one that your communications or HR team can manage day to day without a steep learning curve. It should support scheduling by location and time, integrate with the tools you already use such as Power BI, SharePoint, and Google calendar, and allow you to manage content across multiple screens and sites from a single interface.

PLAYipp is built for exactly this. Organizations use PLAYipp to manage workplace screens across multiple locations, keeping content current and relevant without a large production overhead. For organizations looking at specific sectors, PLAYipp’s solutions cover manufacturing, public sector, and professional services in detail.

Explore pricing or talk to an expert to see how PLAYipp fits your electronic signage setup.

Want to learn more? Check out Åsas 5 tips for screen design!