Using a Traditional Digital Signage CMS vs HTML Canvas Editor

digital sign HTML editor

Certainly, there are differences between digital signage CMSs and using content for digital signage from HTML canvas editors.

But, what is the difference between most signage CMS solutions and using an HTML canvas editor?

Secondly, is an HTML canvas editor better than a traditional digital signage CMS?

Finally, can you combine a traditional digital signage solution with an HTML canvas editor?

This is an interesting set of questions. Let’s delve into them and answer them as best we can.

What is the difference between most digital signage content management systems (CMS) and using an HTML canvas editor for digital signage?

Content for digital signs, room panels, video walls, and other screen canvases is created using a signage CMS.  Further, these CMSs support a zone or panel layout structure. The panels or zones are all four-cornered (squares/rectangles). Depending on the CMS, the zones/panels can be arranged on the screen canvas with each zone or panel displaying various content types. 

Let’s refer to these as zone-panel layout solutions. The solutions generally differentiate themselves by:

  1. How easy the screen layouts are to create, e.g drag and drop, size, overlay. Note: In general, the panel or zones can not be rotated on the canvas.
  2. The types of content that can be placed into the panels, e.g. images, videos, social media, etc.
  3. In addition, the finished content control capabilities, or the management of the content playing in real-time on the screens
  4. Content scheduling capabilities
  5. Integration with other platforms to pull diverse content from other sources for display

As a result of working with and reviewing many digital signage solutions, my guesstimate, is that of the hundreds of offerings in the market, 95%+ are zone-panel layout structure.

HTML Canvas editors are rarely found as a standalone digital signage system. Although they have a tremendous capability for creating exceptional content, they lack some of the crucial capabilities required in a digital signage solution. For example, the ability to support live content. For a more thorough explanation of an HTML canvas in digital signage please see this blog.

Is an HTML canvas editor better than a traditional digital signage CMS?

Just like many things in the world today there is no simple answer. From the table below we can see that both editors have their strengths and can be used optimally for certain content display requirements.

Ideally, you want to combine the benefits of the zone-panel traditional CMS canvas with the fantastic design capabilities of an HTML canvas.

Can you combine a traditional digital signage system with an HTML canvas editor?

Most signage CMSs will take an image or video file created in an HTML canvas editor and allow it to be imported into their CMS. This is very workable but takes more effort to manage when changes to the content are required.

A better solution is if the traditional signage zone-panel solution has an HTML canvas capability as well. Then you can take advantage of the best of both types of solutions.

Even better, would be if the digital signage solution also had an embedded HTML canvas editor from leading HTML canvas editors in the marketplace, e.g. Canva or PosterMyWall. To support an embedded editor the signage platform would have to be a true web-based solution. Please see this blog for more details on embedded editors.

If you do not want to limit your signage capabilities, you need a Swiss army knife-like, digital media signage platform solution which:

Display5 has all the capabilities listed above.  A true, web-based, small business or enterprise-class, platform. 

Why not give it a try? Sign up for a free 14-day trial today. 

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