Digital screens have become essential in modern manufacturing facilities. Screenly, a leading provider of digital signage software, understands that factories are dynamic environments where real-time data and clear communication are key. For example, in an industrial setting filled with heavy machinery and mobile workers, traditional communication methods often fall short. In this article, we explain why digital signage for manufacturing is so important and how Screenly’s digital signs address communication needs on the production floor.
Challenges in manufacturing communication
Manufacturing facilities face unique communication challenges. The complexity of production line operations means there’s an abundance of data, from machine status to output quotas, that needs to reach employees quickly. At the same time, many workers on the production floor are constantly on the move and may not have access to email or computers during their shift. Important safety information, policy updates, and production metrics can be missed if delivered through old-fashioned methods like bulletin boards or paper notices. Ensuring everyone stays informed and compliant requires a solution that can keep up with the pace of manufacturing. This is where digital signage manufacturing solutions come into play.
However, simply setting up screens isn’t enough. Without a proper content management system and digital signage software, displays can become stale or ignored. Companies often struggle with manually updating content on multiple screens and keeping content fresh. The key challenge is streamlining workflows for communication: getting the right information to the right people at the right time, without burdening staff with tedious update processes.
Remote control and scheduling with Screenly’s software
Screenly’s cloud-based digital signage software directly tackles these challenges by enabling easy remote management of screens. Instead of physically updating each sign in person, team members can control and schedule content on digital signs across various manufacturing facilities from a central dashboard. Through Screenly’s intuitive content management systems, teams can schedule playlists of images, videos, dashboards, and even live data feeds to display real-time information on screen. For example, a supervisor can upload an updated production schedule or a new safety notice and deploy it to every screen on the production floor within seconds.
This remote capability is especially valuable in manufacturing, where sites may be large or spread across multiple locations. Whether you have one factory or many, Screenly ensures that all your displays show the right content at the right time. The platform supports various media formats and integrates with external data sources, so live production metrics or inventory levels can be displayed seamlessly. With Screenly’s digital signage solutions, what used to require walking around the plant with a USB drive and keyboard is now handled with just a few clicks, greatly streamlining workflows and saving time. This efficient system lays the foundation for delivering all kinds of critical information through your screens, starting with safety.
Improving safety with real-time alerts
Worker safety is paramount in any industrial setting, and digital signage in manufacturing plays a critical role in keeping safety information front and center. Screenly-powered digital signs can display safety alerts and compliance messaging that catch the eye of employees in busy areas. Instead of static posters that blend into the background, digital screens can rotate through engaging reminders about proper protective equipment, machine lockout procedures, and emergency exits. Because content updates are so easy, safety managers can quickly push out new alerts in response to changing conditions, such as a spill, a fire drill, or updated OSHA guidelines. This ensures that safety communications are never out-of-date. By providing these real-time updates on-screen, Screenly helps improve safety awareness throughout the facility.
An added benefit is the ability to target specific zones of a manufacturing plant with relevant warnings. For instance, a screen by a hazardous chemicals storage area can display handling precautions unique to that area. Overall, digital signage initiatives focused on safety create a more alert and informed workforce, reducing the risk of accidents. When safety is visibly emphasized every day, it becomes ingrained in the company culture.
Boosting productivity and team cohesion with live data
Safety is just one part of the equation. Beyond compliance, manufacturing companies use Screenly’s digital signage to drive efficiency and foster team cohesion. One of the best ways to motivate teams is by sharing live, actionable information. Digital signs positioned along the production line can display real-time production metrics: output counts, efficiency rates, downtime, and progress toward daily targets. Seeing these key performance indicators updated live on a large screen keeps everyone informed about how their line is performing. It also encourages teams to react quickly to any dips in performance, as the data is visible to all in the moment. This transparency improves productivity by aligning everyone with production goals and creating a sense of shared accountability.
Moreover, celebrating wins on-screen — like meeting a monthly goal or achieving a safety milestone — can boost morale. In this way, digital signage becomes a kind of cheerleader on the production floor. It’s not just about numbers; content can include employee shout-outs, birthdays, or team success stories, which strengthen team cohesion. Screenly’s content scheduling makes it simple to mix these uplifting messages into the rotation of data dashboards. By having a unified source of truth visible to all, misunderstandings are reduced and teams stay cohesive and informed. The outcome is smoother operations and more on-time production, since everyone can adjust their work based on the latest information in sight.
Never miss an emergency with Priority Override
Even the most efficient production floor needs to be prepared for the unexpected. In fast-paced industrial environments, emergencies or urgent announcements can arise with little warning. Screenly’s digital signage software comes prepared for these moments with its Priority Override feature. Priority Override ensures that critical messages are never missed: it allows an emergency alert or high-priority content to immediately interrupt the regular screen programming. Imagine there’s a safety incident like a fire, gas leak, or severe weather warning — with Priority Override, an urgent warning message can flash across all digital signs instantly, advising workers to evacuate or take specific action. Once the situation is resolved, normal content playback resumes. This gives manufacturers peace of mind that even if employees are spread out across a large facility, they will all receive urgent information simultaneously and without delay.
It’s an essential part of how digital signage improves safety in manufacturing settings. Even for non-emergencies, this override feature can be used for time-sensitive announcements from leadership, such as a last-minute schedule change or a critical quality control notice. With a tool like Priority Override, Screenly’s platform combines routine communication and emergency alerting into one seamless system, reinforcing the reliability of your internal communications network.
Real-world success: Bridon-Bekaert case study
Screenly’s impact on manufacturing communication is best illustrated by real-world examples. A great case in point is Bridon-Bekaert, a global steel rope manufacturer that turned to Screenly to modernize its factory communications. Prior to Screenly, Bridon-Bekaert had a makeshift digital signage setup: a few monitors around the plant displaying a looping PowerPoint with announcements. This DIY approach had serious limitations. Content was hard to update, as staff had to go to each screen in person to change the slideshow. As a result, screens often showed outdated information that employees eventually tuned out. In fact, some workers even switched off the monitors out of frustration with the stagnant content.
After implementing Screenly’s digital signage solution, Bridon-Bekaert saw an immediate transformation. The company’s IT department quickly set up Screenly’s media players and taught the safety coordinator how to use the web-based dashboard to upload content and manage playlists. Within minutes, they had their first Screenly-powered digital sign running in the facility’s cafeteria. From there, the network of screens grew.
Today, Bridon-Bekaert uses multiple digital signs throughout its factories to keep everyone informed. They broadcast safety procedures and reminders, display production numbers and other business metrics, and share general company news and updates from management. To keep content engaging, the screens alternate between work-related information and brief, fun content (like motivational quotes or quick humorous videos). Employees soon started paying attention and even looking forward to the updates on the screens. Management noticed that important messages, such as reminders about required OSHA training or updates on production goals, were finally reaching staff consistently.
With Screenly’s cloud-based control, Bridon-Bekaert can update all its screens across different plant locations from headquarters, ensuring the entire workforce receives the same information. As the company expanded its Screenly deployment to multiple facilities, workers in different locations began to feel more connected. Employees enjoyed seeing photos and videos from sister plants on the displays, fostering a sense of unity across the company. The Bridon-Bekaert story shows how effective digital signage in manufacturing can improve safety, enhance communication, and create a more cohesive team environment.
Training and event updates via digital signs
Bridon-Bekaert’s experience mostly highlights safety and performance, but digital signs can do even more for employee engagement. Another powerful use case for digital signage in manufacturing is employee training and internal events. Training materials that might normally be confined to a manual or occasional seminar can be brought to life on digital screens. For instance, Screenly allows you to schedule short training videos or how-to animations that play during shift changes or break times. New procedures, quality control steps, or equipment operation guidelines can loop on screens in the break room or near workstations, continuously reinforcing best practices. This approach is incredibly effective for a workforce that might not sit at desks reading emails – the training content comes to them, right on the shop floor, in an easily digestible format.
Additionally, digital signs are a great way to announce company events and recognize employee achievements. Is there a town hall meeting next week or a team-building event coming up? Broadcasting that information on the screens ensures everyone sees it, even those who might miss an email. You can also use the screens to congratulate a team that hit a production milestone or to spotlight an “Employee of the Month.” These kinds of communications help strengthen the community spirit within manufacturing facilities. They remind every worker that they’re part of a larger story, not just isolated in their day-to-day tasks. By using Screenly’s scheduling, management can keep a steady rotation of training tips, company news, and event reminders playing alongside operational data. The result is a workforce that is not only well-informed about their tasks and safety, but also more engaged and included in the company’s journey.
Innovating with Screenly’s Edge App framework
Screenly’s commitment to empowering manufacturers goes beyond just standard content – it also provides tools for innovation through its Edge App framework. Screenly’s Edge App framework enables companies to create custom applications for their screens, enabling deep integration with real-time devices and data on the factory floor. In practice, this means your digital signage can do more than show a playlist of images or videos; it can become an interactive dashboard tied directly into your operations. For example, using Edge Apps, a manufacturer could develop a custom screen application that connects to assembly line sensors or a factory’s PLC/SCADA system. The digital sign could then display live readings of machine temperatures, speeds, or maintenance alerts directly from the equipment. If a sensor on a machine detects an anomaly, the screen could instantly show a warning or instruction specific to that machine, without any human intervention. This kind of real-time device integration greatly enhances responsiveness on the production floor.
Edge Apps also make it possible to pull data from internal software solutions like ERPs or MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) and display up-to-the-minute inventory levels, order statuses, or quality metrics on the shop floor. Because Screenly’s Edge App framework is flexible and developer-friendly, these custom manufacturing apps can be built quickly and tailored precisely to a company’s needs. Essentially, Screenly provides the digital signage infrastructure (handling the hardware, security, and content distribution), and you focus on the business logic that runs on the screen. For manufacturers embracing Industry 4.0 initiatives, this ability to merge digital signs with IoT sensors and local databases is a game-changer. It turns your screens into intelligent hubs that not only broadcast information but also react to your operations in real time. This level of customization and integration is something traditional signage systems can’t easily offer, and it’s a standout feature of Screenly’s platform for any tech-forward industrial organization.
Transforming manufacturing communication
Effective signage for manufacturing is no longer a nice-to-have — it’s a must-have for safe, productive, and efficient operations. From improving safety with timely alerts to driving productivity with real-time performance dashboards, digital signage is transforming how manufacturing teams communicate. Screenly’s all-in-one platform makes this transformation accessible to any company. With its easy-to-use cloud management, robust media players, and advanced features like Priority Override and Edge Apps, Screenly provides the tools to keep every worker in the loop and every process visible. The result is a more informed workforce, quicker decision-making on the factory floor, and better outcomes in both safety and productivity.
If you’re looking to modernize your factory communication and streamline information flow, now is the perfect time to explore what Screenly can do for you. The platform is designed to scale and adapt, whether you run a small shop or multiple large manufacturing facilities. To see the impact for yourself, we encourage you to experience Screenly firsthand. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial of Screenly’s digital signage software and have your first screen up and running in minutes. No complex IT project or steep learning curve is required. Embrace digital signage in your manufacturing operations today, and watch how it improves productivity, enhances safety, and unites your workforce like never before.
