Eschenbach is a municipality in the constituency of See-Gaster in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland, serving several local villages. Since 2019, the municipal council have been researching and planning a means to communicate and share information to residents, tourists and people passing through. After Covid delays, the project finally started at the end of 2023, encompassing the installation of digital signage information boards that would serve as vibrant urban hubs for community engagement. The digital boards would be strategically situated in seven high traffic locations in and around the villages and their gateways to reach a broad audience with targeted messaging and acting as community hubs to inform visitors on local events and news.
Eschenbach municipal council approached full-service marketing agency and reseller KundenMarketing GmbH and its digital signage division Spots On Screen to be the partner on this community project. The reseller has been operating in the field of digital information boards in Switzerland for over a decade and offer tailor-made indoor and outdoor solutions for a wide range of applications. Several options were proposed for an outdoor display that would seamlessly integrate into a specially designed structure by the customer made of visually striking stone baskets with metal plates. The final design proposal had to be approved by the canton and cantonal traffic police. One of the key objectives was that the display must be eye catching, bright and easy to read and, most importantly, durable to withstand all-weather conditions, especially in the coldest Swiss winter months.
Peerless-AV’s 55” Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Displays (XHB554-EUK) were chosen as the as the digital signage solution that would allow KundenMarketing to take its information boards to the next level and create a truly impressive visual presence in the heart of the municipality. “As a trusted reseller, we understand the importance of offering clients the best possible solutions. Peerless-AV was our clear choice for urban signage thanks to its unmatched outdoor durability, brilliant brightness, and design integration at a competitive price point, “said Daniel Behrendt, CEO, KundenMarketing GmbH.
In the case of the Peerless-AV Xtreme displays, three key factors influenced the company’s decision:
•Unmatched Durability: Peerless-AV outdoor displays are renowned for their exceptional IP66 and IK10-rated, fully sealed construction quality and ability to withstand harsh outdoor environments. They offer the widest operating temperature range in the industry (-35° to +60°C), are fan cooled to address heat build-up or thermal load and have a patented thermal exhaust system to keep internal components cool. This functionality ensures a reliable performance and a long lifespan, minimising future maintenance needs.
•Flawless Visuals: Delivering stunning Full-HD resolution, these displays provide a captivating viewing experience for the community. Offering 2500nits of light output, reducing glare when used in direct sunlight or bright-lit conditions. The displays also feature optical bonding, which eliminates the air gap between the glass and the panel, thereby greatly reducing reflection and refraction in direct sunlight. The clarity and vibrancy of the visuals are crucial for effectively engaging the target audience.
•Seamless Integration: The compatibility of Peerless-AV Xtreme displays with the chosen external 4K media players facilitated a streamlined setup process and ensured smooth content playout. This ease of use was a major factor for KundenMarketing and the customer.
The Peerless-AV Xtreme displays and media players were sourced from Swiss distributor MobilePro. Installation of the first information boards began in late 2023 and the project is still in progress. So far, six out of eight information boards have been set up across the municipality. The Xtreme outdoor displays impressed with their straightforward setup. Installing one display within the housing took approximately an hour, including configuration and testing. Despite having underground cabling and players, connectivity was quick, and the displays were ready for immediate use.
Eschenbach municipal council utilises KundenMarketing’s cloud-based software to update content effortlessly from anywhere. Wireless internet connection is provided via cellular routers in the region. This allows maximum flexibility for the reseller in the delivery of a complete end-to-end solution, from expert planning and hardware/software integration to content delivery. They also provide ongoing support and training to empower the customer to manage the impact of the digital information boards effectively in the long term. Daniel Behrendt continued, “The key to effective content is achieving audience connection and engagement at the right time and place, to create a lasting visual impression. Audiences need to know what they are looking at is relevant and timely or their interest will wane. With our cloud software and our experience in marketing, customers can take the lead in managing the digital infoboards, ensure the effective customisation and delivery of dynamic content, animations, scheduled and detailed messaging and real-time updates.”
