You invested in digital signage because you had a vision. You saw sleek screens in your lobby welcoming guests by name. You pictured monitors on the factory floor displaying live production targets in green and red. You imagined a restaurant menu board that updates instantly when the daily special sells out.
But then reality hit.
The screens are up, and the software is installed, but the content is… stale. The “live” dashboard is actually a static image updated once a week. The welcome board still lists yesterday’s visitors because the receptionist doesn’t have the login credentials to change it.
The problem isn’t the hardware, and it often isn’t even the signage software itself. The problem is the data gap.
Today, we are thrilled to announce a solution that bridges that gap: the Split-Flap TV App Marketplace.
The Hidden Complexity of “Simple” Data
In the world of digital signage, there is a dirty little secret: getting real-time data onto a screen is incredibly difficult.
Most businesses operate on a mix of modern cloud tools, legacy databases, Excel spreadsheets, and sticky notes. To get that information onto a TV screen usually requires one of two things:
- Manual Labor: Someone physically types data into a design editor every time it changes. This is slow, prone to errors, and quickly abandoned.
- Complex IT Projects: An IT admin builds a custom integration. This requires coding, API keys, and maintenance.
Because option #2 is expensive and time-consuming, most companies default to option #1—or worse, they just stop updating their screens altogether.
Furthermore, there is the issue of control. IT departments are rightfully protective of their systems. They don’t want to give “admin” access to the marketing manager or the shift supervisor just so they can change a text field. The risk of breaking the entire screen layout is too high.
So, the person who owns the data (the receptionist, the restaurant manager, the floor supervisor) can’t actually update the data.
Enter the Split-Flap TV App Marketplace
We built the App Marketplace to dismantle these barriers. We realized that most businesses don’t need a blank canvas; they need specific tools to do specific jobs.
The App Marketplace is a collection of “mini-apps”—hosted, pre-built applications designed for specific use cases. Whether you need to manage a queue, display flight times, or show a KPI dashboard, there is an app for that.
Here is why this changes everything for your digital signage strategy:
1. No Setup Required (Yes, Really)
Forget about setting up servers, writing SQL queries, or wrestling with APIs. We host the apps for you. When you select an app like Room Reservations or Welcome Board, the infrastructure is already there. You simply bind it to your screen, and it works.
2. Empower Your Team (Safely)
This is the game-changer for operational efficiency. With our apps, you can delegate data entry without handing over the keys to the castle.
Let’s say you use the Anniversaries app to celebrate employee milestones. You can generate a unique, secure URL for that specific app and give it to your HR manager. They get a simple form to input names and dates. They hit “Save,” and the screen updates. They cannot accidentally delete your screen layout or mess up the network settings. They only control what they need to control.
3. Real-Time is Finally Real
Because these apps are web-based and hosted by us, the connection to your screens is instant. When the kitchen manager marks the “Soup of the Day” as sold out in the Menu Board app, the digital menu above the counter updates immediately. No refresh delays. No manual file uploads.
What Can You Do with the Marketplace?
We are launching with a suite of apps designed to tackle the most common business needs, including:
- KPI Dashboards: vital for logistics and manufacturing environments to keep teams aligned on targets.
- Live Flight Info: Perfect for hotels and transport hubs, pulling real-time data without complex integrations.
- Queue Management: Keep customers informed about wait times and turn numbers.
- Order Pickups: Streamline restaurant and retail operations by displaying order status clearly.
- On-Duty Management: Show who is currently staffing the help desk or reception area.
- Sports Scores: Keep patrons engaged in bars and waiting areas with live updates.
How to Get Started
The Split-Flap TV App Marketplace is available now for all users with a Cockpit Subscription. This subscription level unlocks the full power of our hosted tools, giving you the flexibility to transform your screens from static displays into dynamic, data-driven assets.
Stop letting technical hurdles keep your screens dark or outdated. It’s time to put your data to work.
Ready to explore the apps?
