Commentary

QSR digital signage decision-making: 8 key queries for your vendor

A good vendor should be able to answer these questions regarding a digital signage deployment.

January 16, 2019 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

The process of purchasing and deploying a QSR's new display or network can daunting when you consider all the elements from budget and placement to training and content. But a truly worthwhile vendor will be there to assist your brand in these digital signage decisions if operators know and take the time to ask some key questions.

It's almost like a litmus test for digital signage vendors in that those who know and take the time to answer these key queries will likely be your best choice in the long run because they can save you money, time and perhaps worst of all, mistakes. Here are the eight key inquiries your vendor should be able to answer fully.

What other QSRs and/or retailers have used this solution?

This question is especially useful if you want to compare notes with another end-user who has used this solution before. It also gives you a good idea if this particular product has been well-tested in the field.

What type of training do you offer?

You should have a clear idea on how much training your vendor can provide. Some vendors might offer follow-up training if you run into issues, but not all of them do. If they have a particular training manual, you should also ask for a copy.

What type of content creation do you provide or recommend?

Some vendors offer content creation services themselves, while others might recommend you to a specialist. If you plan to create the content yourself, you should ask the vendor if they have any tools to help with the process.

Do you offer any analytics, and if so, what kind?

This is key if you want to measure the overall effectiveness of your digital signage.

Do you offer discounts for upgrades?

If you ever want to upgrade your displays to a fresher model, you should ask your vendor if they offer any sort of discount.

How often do you update your software?

If you are dealing with a digital signage software vendor, you need to know how often they update their software. Typically, if a vendor doesn't update their software often, the software might have some big problems.

What type of warranties do you offer?

Make sure to read the fine print of those warranties yourself.

How will this feature help my brand?

You should be asking this question every time your vendor recommends a particular feature. By doing this, you won't be trapped by dazzling gadgets that don't add anything of value to your particular deployment.

These are just a few of the key questions you should be asking your vendor. Hopefully, these questions also prompt you to start your own lists of questions that are specific to the needs of your QSR and its customers.

You can also gain some key information on what your vendor offers by checking out QSRweb sister site, Digital Signage Today and its many guides, white papers and other resources.

Photo: iStock

About Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper is the editor of ATM Marketplace and Food Truck Operator. He was previously the editor of Digital Signage Today. His background is in information technology, advertising, and writing.

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