Two independent digital signage industry training programs are ramping up in 2010, as the demand for training increases.
Lyle Bunn reports that his SPEED Digital Signage Training Program will soon be delivered to the desktop as download-able training-on-demand. The 4-hour program and individual modules of the popular, practical program addresses key areas of business, project and supply planning and execution.
The full SPEED program comprised of eight modules is 4 hours in duration, and shorter programs can be structured based on time available and training focus. All programs are structured to allow end users and suppliers of digital signage to better plan objectives, timelines and budgets, and define key elements of a digital signage initiative leading to technology selection, deployment, growth and successful operations. An accompanying Digital Signage Planning Manual includes templates and guidelines to assist in network planning.
For more information at SPEED: http://lylebunn.com/speed.aspx
Also on the training front, Brawn Consulting’s Digital Signage Experts Group, is also going full bore with both in-person training, and on–line training (in place now). The Digital Signage Experts Group (DSEG) is an impartial and agnostic organization working in coordination and cooperation with the manufacturers, distributors, content creators and resellers in the Digital Signage Industry. And they have announced the addition of three new programs to round out the full suite of Digital Signage Experts seminars. As with the DSCE, the new courses will be offered at live events around the country as well as live webinars and virtual online versions.
This is the Digital Signage Experts Group’s training line-up:
The Digital Signage Display Expert (DSDE)
Understanding the growing need in the digital signage industry for a thorough understanding of displays and how to calibrate them, the DSDE program teaches display technologies and calibration through an understanding of the art/science of human vision and how display technologies, interact with the environment in which the display is installed and viewed.
The course begins with the science of light, color and the human eye relating to display specifications and performance exploring their effect in a system design. It covers signals, compression/scaling, and then analyzes each display type for appropriate applications including LCD, Plasma, DLP, and LED. Display illumination and lamps is followed by screens and human factors. The calibration section examines the CIE color space and gamut. The DSDE culminates in basic display calibration followed by advanced calibration utilizing state of the art measurement tools.
At the conclusion of the course there is a certification test administered online. Attendees are awarded the DSDE designation upon passing the test.
The Digital Signage Network Expert (DSNE)
Recognizing that networks are the "backbone" of a digital signage system the DSNE course is a fundamental approach to understating network structure and operating principals, as well as security. It begins with an introduction to networks from LANs to WANs, network design and topology followed by wired versus wireless, with features, benefits, and caveats. Networking hardware is covered to insure an understanding of the building blocks. From the perspective of network communications, the course addresses network protocols, understanding bandwidth and transfer rates, understanding ports, as well as what really impacts speed with a look at port and bandwidth throttling. The final section is titled Good Network Security and Policies: Beyond Networks for Dummies! It covers advanced network infrastructure, security threats and protection, and good security principles for new networks.
The DSNE wraps up with an understanding of , and how best to go about preventing them. At the conclusion of the course there is a certification test administered online. Attendees are awarded the DSNE designation upon passing the test.
The Digital Signage Sales Professional (DSSP)
Industry experts agree that one of the main obstacles we face in digital signage sales is conveying to the customers and end users what digital signage entails as well as what it can really do for them. It is the process of conveying and translating the value proposition to the customer where the sales process often breaks down. The DSSP focuses on the information and skills necessary to translate value into the reality for the digital signage customer. The course begins with a tutorial on the evolution of signage followed by a look at the digital signage markets and applications. The 7 Key Elements of Digital Signage are discussed and shown as a tool for sales success.
Keeping in mind of the objectives, the needs analysis process is revealed in the form of questions to ask the customer. The course provides a cursory look of digital signage hardware system components such as displays, mounts, and network devices and gives a clear understanding of commercial versus consumer products to reduce risk and fend off future headaches. Digital signage software will be reviewed followed by what makes up good digital signage content.
The DSSP examines business models and services that can and should be sold. The seminar concludes with an all important exploration of Selling Value in Digital Signage. At the conclusion of the course there is a certification test administered online. Attendees are awarded the DSSP designation upon passing the test.
For information: www.digitalsignageexperts.org
