Many advertising spaces are still analog and cause high operating costs due to inefficient lighting. With “smart.click Billboard Control”, Projektunion and IOX have developed an IoT device that digitalizes existing advertising systems and thus optimizes their operation. Lighting and displays are controlled remotely via Narrowband IoT.
The challenge: High costs due to analog advertising space
A large proportion of advertising spaces in Germany are still analog and do not have the option of efficient remote monitoring and control. This means that disruptions caused by vandalism or failures of the illuminants or motors for changing posters are detected too late.
Operators also struggle with uncertainties about electricity consumption, a lack of monitoring of lighting failures and special requests from landlords. Challenges in fairly distributing costs and handling special requests reduce profitability. The lack of integration into digital systems also prevents the use of real-time data for process optimization.
Outdoor advertising companies are therefore looking for ways to transfer their analog advertising spaces to the digital world in order to reduce operating costs and detect operational disruptions at an early stage.
The solution: Digitalization of advertising systems
To overcome these challenges, the Hagen-based advertising system provider Projektunion and the Düsseldorf-based IoT specialist IOX have jointly developed the “smart.click Billboard Control” system. The IoT device is integrated into existing advertising systems and connected to the Internet via the Narrowband IoT mobile communications standard. The network enables energy-efficient and cost-effective data transmission with a long range and good building penetration.
The device monitors the power consumption of the lighting and can be automated and controlled remotely via the IOX platform. This enables operators to adjust lighting times and optimize energy consumption. Additional sensors record parameters such as temperature, humidity, pressure and movement, thus enabling comprehensive condition monitoring of the systems.
A key feature is integration into existing company IT systems via open interfaces and APIs. This enables seamless connection and data transmission without the need for extensive adjustments. By recording and evaluating real-time data, companies can individually monitor and control the locations of advertising installations.
Additional built-in sensors monitor failures and vandalism on advertising spaces. This enables a rapid response to incidents, which reduces maintenance costs and downtimes. The sensors and their data help to leverage the unused potential of the locations. These are measurement data such as people flows, CO2 or the noise level in the surroundings. With this data, the operator can either optimize their own business or introduce new business models.
The result: Low energy costs and new business models
With “smart.click Billboard Control”, companies can significantly reduce their energy costs. According to the project partners, outdoor advertisers can reduce their electricity costs by up to 60 percent. This is achieved through the efficient use of resources and the reduction of downtime. In addition, the system contributes to environmental protection and improves the sustainability profile of companies by reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
The digitalization of advertising space also opens up new business opportunities. Companies can use additional data to develop innovative business models and fully exploit the potential of their advertising space. For example, data-based services can be offered or personalized advertising can be displayed. Integration into existing systems via open interfaces facilitates this process and promotes the scalability of the solution.
