Managing an outdoor LED sign used to mean being tied to a specific computer or location. Cloud-based LED sign software changes that by allowing you to manage your sign through an internet-connected web browser.
Instead of installing software on one computer, cloud-based sign software stores the platform and your sign content online. This allows authorized users to create, schedule, update, and manage LED sign messages remotely.
For organizations that regularly change their messages, events, announcements, promotions, or community information, cloud-based LED sign software can make sign management faster and more convenient.
What Is Cloud-Based LED Sign Software?
Cloud-based LED sign software is a web-based platform that allows users to remotely create, schedule, and manage content displayed on an LED sign. Because the software is hosted in the cloud, users can access it through an internet-connected web browser rather than relying on software installed on a specific computer.
Cloud-based software can be especially useful for churches, schools, municipalities, businesses, civic organizations, and other organizations that need to update their LED signs regularly.
How Does Cloud-Based LED Sign Software Work?
Cloud-based LED sign software typically works through three basic components:
- The software platform – The cloud-based system provides the tools used to create and manage sign content.
- An internet-connected LED sign – The sign connects to the cloud platform so it can receive content updates.
- An authorized user – Users access the software through a web browser to create, schedule, and send content to the sign.
When a user makes a change, the cloud platform communicates the updated content to the connected LED sign. This means the sign can be managed without being physically next to it.
Do You Have to Install Cloud-Based LED Sign Software?
No. Cloud-based LED sign software does not typically require a software installation on your computer. Users can access the platform through a web browser and log in to their account.
This eliminates the need to install the sign management program on every computer that needs access. It can also make it easier for multiple authorized users to manage the same sign.
With a browser-based platform such as SignCommand, users can access their LED sign management tools from an internet-connected computer or mobile device.
Can You Manage an LED Sign From Anywhere?
Yes. A cloud-based LED sign platform allows users to manage their sign remotely from virtually anywhere with an internet connection.
For example, a church office can update its sign from inside the building, a school administrator can change a message from another location, or a business owner can update promotional content without traveling to the sign.
Remote management is one of the primary advantages of cloud-based LED sign software.
What Can You Do with Cloud-Based LED Sign Software?
The exact capabilities vary between software platforms, but cloud-based LED sign software may allow users to:
- Create text and graphic messages
- Schedule messages in advance
- Change sign content remotely
- Organize and manage media
- Use templates and graphics
- Create recurring messages
- Schedule different content for different times of day
- Send quick messages when needed
- Manage multiple signs
These tools make it possible to use an LED sign as an ongoing communication and marketing tool rather than simply displaying the same message for long periods.
Can You Schedule Messages on an LED Sign?
Yes. Many cloud-based LED sign platforms allow users to schedule content in advance.
Scheduling can be useful when an organization knows what it wants to display ahead of time. For example, a school can schedule messages for upcoming events, a church can prepare weekly announcements, or a business can schedule promotional messages for specific dates.
Scheduling also reduces the need to manually change the sign every time a new message needs to be displayed.
What Is Dayparting for LED Signs?
Dayparting is a scheduling feature that allows different content to be displayed during specific times of the day.
For example, a business could display one message in the morning, another during the afternoon, and a different message in the evening.
This can help organizations make better use of their LED sign throughout the day while keeping content relevant to the audience seeing it.
Can You Update an LED Sign from a Phone?
With a cloud-based LED sign platform that supports mobile access, users can manage their sign from a smartphone or other internet connected device.
This can be particularly useful when a message needs to be changed quickly, and the user is away from their computer.
For example, SignCommand includes a Quick Message feature that allows users to send a message directly to their LED sign from a phone. This can be useful when an organization needs to quickly change what is displayed on its sign.
Is Cloud-Based LED Sign Software Secure?
Security features vary by software provider. When evaluating a cloud-based LED sign platform, organizations should consider how user accounts, passwords, access permissions, and data are protected.
Features such as two-factor authentication can provide an additional layer of account security.
Organizations should also consider who has permission to access the sign and whether the software provider regularly maintains and updates its platform.
What Is the Difference Between Cloud-Based and Traditional LED Sign Software?
The primary difference between cloud-based and traditional LED sign software is how the software is hosted and accessed. Cloud-based software is hosted online and accessed through an internet-connected web browser, while traditional software is typically installed and maintained on a specific computer or local network. Here’s how the two approaches compare:
Cloud-Based LED Sign Software
- Accessed through an internet-connected web browser
- Can be accessed remotely from compatible devices
- Does not require software to be installed on individual computers
- Allows authorized users to manage sign content remotely
- Makes it easier to manage content from different locations
Traditional LED Sign Software
- Typically installed on a specific computer or local network
- May require users to access the designated computer to manage the sign
- Software updates may require local installation or maintenance
- Remote access may require additional setup
- Access can depend on the computer or network where the software is installed
- May be better suited for organizations that prefer locally managed software
- For organizations that want convenient remote access and centralized sign management, cloud-based software can be a practical option.
What Are the Benefits of Cloud-Based LED Sign Software?
Cloud-based LED sign software can provide several advantages, including:
- Remote Access: Users don't have to be physically located at the sign to manage its content.
- Convenient Content Management: Messages can be created, edited, scheduled, and updated through a web-based platform.
- Advanced Scheduling: Organizations can plan content in advance and automate when different messages appear.
- Easier Collaboration: Depending on the platform, multiple authorized users can access the same sign management system.
- Ongoing Software Updates: Cloud-based platforms can allow software improvements and updates to be delivered without requiring users to install a new version manually.
- More Flexible Sign Management: Instead of treating an LED sign as a static display, organizations can use it as a flexible communication tool that changes throughout the day, week, or year.
Is Cloud-Based LED Sign Software Right for Your Organization?
Cloud-based LED sign software can be a good fit for organizations that frequently update their outdoor LED sign and want the flexibility to manage content remotely.
- Churches can schedule service times, events, and welcoming messages.
- Schools can display announcements, event information, and reminders.
- Businesses can promote products, services, special offers, and seasonal promotions.
- Municipalities can share community information, public notices, and local events.
- Civic organizations can promote meetings, fundraisers, membership activities, and community events.
The right software ultimately depends on how often you plan to update your sign, how many people need access, what scheduling capabilities you need, and how much control you want over your content.
How Does SignCommand Cloud-Based LED Sign Software Work?
SignCommand is the cloud-based LED sign management software exclusive to Stewart LED signs.
SignCommand is accessed through a web browser, so there is no traditional software installation required. Users can create and manage sign content, schedule messages, organize media, and remotely update their Stewart LED sign.
Features include tools such as Animation Templates, a built-in graphics library, scheduling, and optional two-factor authentication.
The platform is hosted through Amazon Web Services (AWS), helping provide the cloud infrastructure used to manage sign content.
For organizations looking for an outdoor LED sign and a convenient way to manage it, the software is an important part of the overall sign system—not an afterthought.
Stewart Signs combines outdoor LED sign manufacturing with SignCommand, its exclusive cloud-based LED sign software, giving organizations the tools to manage their sign long after it is purchased.
Ready to see what a Stewart LED sign and SignCommand can do for your organization? Explore your options with Stewart Signs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloud-Based LED Sign Software
What is cloud-based LED sign software?
Cloud-based LED sign software is an online platform used to create, schedule, and manage content on an LED sign. Users access the software through an internet-connected web browser rather than relying on software installed on a specific computer.
Can I control an LED sign remotely?
Yes. Cloud-based LED sign software allows users to manage compatible LED signs remotely through an internet connection. Users can change messages, schedule content, and perform other sign management tasks without being physically located at the sign.
Can I update my LED sign from my phone?
Some cloud-based LED sign platforms support mobile access. Depending on the software, users may be able to change messages or send content to their sign using a smartphone.
Does cloud-based sign software require installation?
Cloud-based sign software is accessed through a web browser rather than installed locally on a computer. This allows users to log in and manage the platform from compatible internet-connected devices.
Can I schedule LED sign messages?
Yes. Cloud-based LED sign software can allow users to schedule messages for specific dates and times. Some platforms also offer recurring schedules and dayparting.
Is cloud-based LED sign software better than traditional software?
Cloud-based software can offer advantages such as remote access, browser-based management, centralized updates, and flexible scheduling. Whether it is better depends on the organization's needs and the capabilities of the software platform.
What should I look for in LED sign software?
Look for features that match how you plan to use your sign, including remote access, scheduling, content creation tools, media management, dayparting, user access controls, security features, mobile access, and ongoing software updates.
Make Your LED Sign Easier to Manage
An outdoor LED sign is most effective when it can keep up with the organization using it. Cloud-based LED sign software gives users the flexibility to manage content remotely, plan messages in advance, and keep their sign current without being tied to a single computer.
