From smart sensors to smart service: what we’re excited to explore at DSE

Smart signage meets smart service.

Read time: 2 minutes

On October 19-21 I’ll be joining my colleague Steve Gole at Digital Signage Experience (DSE) in San Diego at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. DSE is always a hub for innovation in digital signage, and this year I’m especially looking forward to the session Smart Sensors to Smart Staff – Validating Digital Signage ROI. It speaks directly to what we believe is the next frontier in digital signage: closing the loop between smart displays and smart service.

Why this topic matters

One of the biggest challenges in digital signage has always been proving impact. It’s not enough to install displays and hope for the best. Today’s retail leaders demand measurable returns. In fact, research shows that 58% of shoppers actively notice in-store digital displays, and nearly half report that those displays influence their purchase decisions. Other industry reports show that retailers deploying digital signage can see average sales uplifts of ~29–32%. These figures underscore that digital signage is more than visual flair — it’s a performance channel.

But even smart displays with sensors (tracking dwell time, passive engagement, foot traffic) only deliver half the story. To make those metrics actionable and tie them to real business outcomes, you need to connect them to staff decisions, such as deploying the right person at the right time in the right place.

Field Nation’s perspective

At Field Nation, we connect companies to a nationwide network of skilled independent technicians who can support every stage of a digital signage rollout. Whether it’s:

Installation: Getting new smart displays and sensor systems live, at scale, across hundreds of locations.
Maintenance & upgrades: Ensuring hardware and software stay optimized, so retailers get the data and ROI they expect.
Flexibility: Scaling staff to meet fluctuating demand without adding permanent headcount.

Smart technology is only as effective as the service model that supports it. By linking digital signage strategy with an agile, on-demand workforce, businesses can maximize uptime, validate ROI, and deliver better customer experiences.

Let’s connect at DSE

If you’ll be in San Diego for DSE, I’d love to connect and talk more about how Field Nation can help bring these innovations to life. You can find me and Steve throughout the show! We’re eager to learn from peers, share our perspective, and explore how smarter service can drive smarter signage outcomes.

A note about our model: Field Nation is a software company and labor marketplace that enables companies to connect with thousands of independent contractors with skills in a variety of work types. Companies are responsible for defining and posting the work, negotiating and engaging the technician, and reviewing and approving each work order. Independent contractors are responsible for entering and updating their platform profiles to advertise their skills, experience, and preferences, as well as choosing when and how they want to work and manage their business.