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What is an andon system and how does it work? Light vs digital andon, a 7-step setup, response time measures and tracking downtime through MES.
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Digital Signage Displays
Digital Signage That Keeps Itself Up to Date
Digital signage displays show live information such as output counts, queue numbers and announcements, pulled from your ERP, MES or queue system and managed from one dashboard. We install them as production andon boards, queue screens in hospitals and public buildings, and internal notice screens, so nobody has to update the content by hand.
A printout on the noticeboard is out of date within days, and usually nobody replaces it. Line leaders find out how far they are from target at the end of the shift; people in a waiting room have to ask at the desk whether their number has come up. Output counts, queue numbers and shift notices change too often to be managed on paper or on a screen someone updates by hand.
The screens we install take their data straight from your business systems and are managed from one dashboard. They are not standalone advertising boards: they show whatever your ERP, MES or queue system says at that moment. We handle the data connection, screen templates, hardware and installation together.
On a production line, for example, the andon board takes target and actual output from MES; when the line stops, the downtime reason appears on screen and the shift supervisor sees the deviation as it happens, not at the end of the shift. In an outpatient clinic, the queue screen is fed by the ticket machine, so patients follow their turn on screen without asking at the desk, and desk staff can get on with their work.
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Digital Signage Features
One Dashboard
Every screen is managed from one dashboard, with different content by location, department or screen group, scheduled in advance.
Live Data Connection
Output counts, OEE, target attainment, queue numbers or stock levels come straight from the source system. Nobody has to update the screen by hand.
Production and Andon Boards
Target versus actual by line, downtime reasons and andon alerts, so the whole line sees a deviation as it happens rather than at the end of the shift.
Queuing and Wayfinding
Queue calling, counter routing and voice announcements linked to the ticket system, so people waiting in hospitals, banks or public offices can follow their turn on screen.
Hardware and Installation
Commercial-grade displays, media players and mounting hardware supplied and installed, with dust-protected enclosures available for the shop floor.
Remote Monitoring
You can see centrally whether each screen is online. A unit that has switched off or frozen is spotted and can be restarted remotely.
Where Is Digital Signage Used?
- Factory production lines and andon boards
- Hospital and clinic queue systems
- Banks and public service buildings
- Restaurant and cafe menu boards
- Shopping centre wayfinding
- Hotel lobby and meeting room information
- Internal announcements and shift information
- Logistics centre dock guidance
Guides worth reading before you decide: our digital signage guide, what an andon system is, managing digital signage in retail and all our IoT and hardware articles.
How Is a Digital Signage Project Set Up?
01
Needs and Locations
We agree what is shown where and to whom, along with viewing distance and conditions such as dust, light and humidity.
02
Templates and Data
Screen templates are designed, the source system for each data point is defined and the connections are built.
03
Installation and Network
Displays are mounted, players installed, and network connectivity and remote access configured.
04
Training and Handover
Content management passes to your team, with training on updating templates and scheduling content.
Common Concerns
- We already have screens. We assess during the survey whether your existing displays can be used, so you only invest in the hardware that is missing.
- Our data sits in an old or bespoke system. Where no ready-made connector exists, we build the data connection ourselves; see system integrations.
- Nobody watches the screens, so who notices if one goes off? The online status of every screen is monitored centrally, and a frozen unit can be restarted remotely.
We Start With the Data, Not the Screen
The real question in any signage project is who keeps the content current; leave it open and the screen is soon showing last month's notice. So we connect the data source first and choose the screen second. If the content comes from the source system, nobody has to maintain it. Where management needs deeper analysis rather than a wall screen, the same data can also feed a BI dashboard.
Since 2013 Digital Bridge has developed software and hardware within one team: data connection, templates, displays and installation come from one point of contact, and technical support is available 24/7. Tell us what you want to show and where, and we will set out scope and cost in a written proposal.
Questions we hear most often
Frequently Asked Questions
What is digital signage used for in a business?
Digital signage shows live information such as output counts, queue numbers and announcements on screens managed from one dashboard. The screens we install pull data from your ERP, MES or queue system, so nobody updates them by hand. Typical uses are production andon boards, queue screens in hospitals and public buildings, and internal notice screens.
Can the screens show live ERP or MES data?
Yes. Output counts, OEE, target versus actual, queue numbers or stock levels are pulled straight from the source system. That is why we start with the data, not the screen: we define where each figure comes from and build the connection, design the templates around it, and choose the display hardware last.
What does a production andon board do?
An andon board shows target versus actual output for each line, stoppage reasons and andon alerts. Line leaders and operators see a deviation the moment it happens rather than at the end of the shift. On the shop floor it can be installed in a dust-protected enclosure, with data coming from MES or production tracking.
How are multiple screens and schedules managed?
All screens are managed from one dashboard. Different content can be published by location, department or screen group, and content can be scheduled in advance. After installation, content management is handed over to your team, with training on updating templates and planning what is shown.
How do we know when a screen fails?
The online status of every screen is monitored centrally. A screen that switches off or freezes shows up on the dashboard and can be restarted remotely, so the problem is caught before someone notices a blank screen and reports it. Our technical support line is open 24/7, with on-site service when needed.
Can we use the screens we already have?
Whether your existing screens can be used is assessed during the survey; if they are suitable, you only invest in the missing player, mounting hardware or software. We start with the data, not the screen: first we define which system each piece of information comes from and build the connection, and the display hardware is chosen last. Scope and cost are set out in a written proposal.
Where is digital signage used?
Common uses include andon boards on factory production lines, queue screens in hospitals and clinics, counter guidance in banks and public service buildings, and menu screens in restaurants and cafés. Digital signage is also used for wayfinding in shopping centres, hotel lobby and meeting room information, internal announcements and shift information, and dock door guidance in logistics centres.
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