The public has adapted to using digital devices in many aspects of their lives. For example, people read digital newspapers, have digital conversations, and work digitally.
So, it makes sense that people have come to expect the ease of use associated with digital products in other parts of their lives, including digital signage.
What is Tenant Directory Signage?
Tenant directory signage is the nameplates typically posted in the entryway of a property that guides customers through an unfamiliar property. Traditionally, directories are physically manufactured products that require manual updating.
Today, professional property managers have the option to utilize digital signage and software to maintain directories.
What Does Tenant Directory Signage Do?
Tenant signage helps business park visitors quickly locate the business they wish to visit.
Tenant signage is crucial to the success of any business complex, which is why physical directories are installed in almost all multi-business properties.
It is becoming increasingly common for property owners to utilize electronic signage for its convenience and ease of use.
Most tenant signage is semi-permanent. Name plaques for businesses are usually printed on metal or plastic plates fixed to a larger directory board. This type of signage has worked for dozens of years and is currently the standard for tenant directory signage.
However, electronic signage is becoming increasingly popular as the world becomes more digital.
Whether it’s electronic or analog, accurate and easy-to-use tenant signage reduces potential customer frustration. Locating a business that is not clearly listed can be difficult and make potential customers annoyed, which can hurt business customer relations.
In the worst-case scenario, people leave a property before ever finding the business they intended to.
Property managers can reduce potential profit loss by reviewing changeable tenant directory signage best practices.
Tenant Directory Signage:
- Helps customers wayfinding
- Facilitates the conversion of patrons to clients
- Can be electronic or analog
Who Needs Tenant Signage?
Owners of professional business parks, office buildings, and residential complexes need tenant directory signage to help people find their desired destination.
Many property owners understand the importance of directory signage and use large analog directories to list the dozens, in some cases, hundreds, of businesses located at their property.
Property Managers
Property managers need tenant directory signage to facilitate wayfinding. Tenant signage also presents a professional appearance to potential business clients.
A professional appearance does a lot to improve client relations and can help retain business tenants at a property. Using electronic signage demonstrates that businesses are progressive and adaptable.
Residential Property Managers
Property managers of residential housing units may need mailbox signage or directory signage depending on the property’s mail delivery system.
Up-to-date tenant signage ensures that mail makes it to the right place, which, in turn, will reduce lost-mail complaints.
Residential property managers may consider electronic directories because they facilitate the easy update of tenant information.
Listing accurate tenant information on mailboxes or directories can prevent the accumulation of mail that is common when rental tenants change addresses.
Business Property Managers
Business property managers use tenant directory signage to convert foot traffic into a client engagement.
A directory that is laid out well can save new and potential business clients time. In the worst-case scenario, a cluttered directory, full of esoteric formatting or outdated information, can set a negative tone for business transactions.
If a property lacks a receptionist to guide patrons to their desired location, the importance of accurate tenant signage is doubled. Property managers can easily facilitate customer wayfinding by installing an easy-to-use directory.
Analog vs. Digital Signage
Although most tenant directory signage is analog, several businesses and property managers have adopted digital signage to save time and money. Signs can be customized by digital signage providers when ordering to provide a variety of specifications.
Analog directories require physical signs, which cost money to produce and install. In contrast, electronic signage requires a one-time equipment upgrade.
Once electronic directories have been installed, they can easily be maintained by software.
Unlike analog signs, you can update digital signs remotely.
With electronic signs run by software, maintenance staff authorized to update directories can change signage faster than ever with minimal margin for error.
The ability to update electronic signs from a remote location integrates a new level of flexibility into tenant directory signage maintenance that can improve business visibility at any given property.
Digital signage also improves building operating efficiency. Many businesses fail within the first two years. Traditionally, this would mean that someone has to physically remove all of the signage associated with that business.
However, electronic signage allows all signage related to a particular business to be updated within a matter of minutes, saving time and money.
Digital Signage Pros
- Easy maintenance
- Similar to a digital generation
- Increase building operating efficiency
Digital Signage Cons
- Requires one-time directory equipment upgrade
Analog Signage Pros
- Similar to an analog generation
- Not prone to failure during power outages
Analog Signage Cons
- Unnecessary cost for properties that experience high tenant turnover
- Can be tedious to maintain, more prone to error
Software that Changes Tenant Signage
As the adoption of electronic tenant signage accelerates, the software has started to play an increasingly important maintenance role in implementing and maintaining electronic directories.
For many property owners, the draw of electronic signage stems from the flexibility built into the new medium. Software that can automate the maintenance of tenant directory signage makes electronic directories more flexible.
Therefore, more appealing to property owners looking to save time and money.
The software allows employees with limited computer training to update signage appropriately.
The software can also schedule signage updates according to anticipated business plans or update formatting styles as aesthetic design choices evolve to ensure consistent branding.
Summary of Software’s Role in Electronic Signage
- Can augment the benefits of electronic signage
- Allows for full automation of tenant signage maintenance
- Permits flexibility for dynamic business plans
Directory and Signage Solutions
Whether property owners opt for analog or electronic tenant signage, a clean, accurate, up-to-date directory will limit customer frustrations, improve business relations, and reduce tenant turnover.
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