Sustainability has become important for businesses across the world to consider and has been an especially bright focal point in the technology industry. Sustainable business practices are not only creating a healthier world (which we all want), but it’s key to connecting with customers in meaningful ways. Climate change is the #2 cultural concern for Millennials and Gen Z consumers, according to the Deloitte Global 2022 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, which means it must be top of mind for every company – and social purpose is one of the main drivers that consumers use when evaluating a brand’s reputation.
So unsurprisingly, sustainability is now an everyday topic, and was a huge focus for Samsung at Integrated Systems Europe this year, where we showed off the latest and greatest in digital signage. It was the right audience to talk sustainability, since it was the biggest ISE ever, with over 58 thousand people coming from 155 countries.
For over half a century, Samsung has been a global leader in technology – launching countless world firsts and creating iconic products. We’ve launched a new environmental strategy that includes joining RE100, a global initiative dedicated to pursuing 100 percent renewable energy. As part of this commitment, the company plans to ensure ‘Everyday Sustainability’ throughout our signage portfolio and finding meaningful ways to minimize our environmental impact as part of our journey toward a more circular economy. These eco-conscious practices we displayed at ISE are based on the five stages of the product lifecycle – sourcing, production, distribution, using, and recycling.
We’ve focused many of our updates and new products in the digital signage category toward helping customers manage their resources and energy consumption.
We’ve focused many of our updates and new products in the digital signage category toward helping customers manage their resources and energy consumption.
Our 2023 smart signage products (QHC, QMC, QBC) are approximately 40% slimmer than previous models at 28.5mm thickness. Through this, the number of shipping containers required for logistics after production can be reduced by more than 20% compared to the previous model. In addition, smart signage products support automatic screen brightness adjustment with illuminance sensors that react to surrounding light conditions, helping users manage their power consumption automatically. Plus, the resin used for the rear covers contains 10% of Post-Consumer Materials (PCM).
It’s also important to consider energy consumption with large outdoor screens, because of how bright they are. Our new XHB LED series that is made for sports stadiums and outdoor spaces reduces power consumption by over 15% compared to its predecessor. Plus, with a design twice as thin as the previous model, the XHB series can be installed in less than half the time to reduce labor resources. You’ll be able to see these signage solutions in the 2023 US baseball season in the home stadiums of the Houston Astros and the New York Mets.
Energy Star ratings are a key metric and customer indicator of how we’re helping them reduce their own environmental impact through our products. While there’s no industry standard yet for standby power mode regulation, our ultra-low power standby modes can put customers at ease when they use electronics by using as little as 0.5W. Samsung leads the industry in energy efficiency, especially in some of the physically largest displays available. The Wall and The Wall All-in-On mark .33W per cabinet, and have standby mode to reduce their usage even more.
Installation is also one of the biggest labor needs for signage, so efficiency is a huge benefit for doing more with less time, or fewer people. Making installation easy was a big focus for The Wall All-in-One. Pre-adjusted seams and a pre-assembled frame kit make it easier to install and is one of the features that led to The Wall All-in-One honored by Installation with the ‘ISE 2023 Best of Show’ award.
It's not just our hardware that’s leading to more efficiency either. Samsung’s cloud-based MagicINFO solution enables ‘Remote Management’. This makes it easy to control, dim, or turn off electronics when they’re not needed, or need to save power from a remote location. This leads to fewer site visits for an efficient management of multiple sign locations. We’ll be sharing more soon about new cloud solutions we’re rolling out this year that will offer tools to manage and reduce energy usage.
It’s a brave, sustainable new world. Manufacturers of technology need to reimagine their product lifecycle for the benefit of society – covering all the five stages of the product life cycle. It’s easy to say you are going to do something like sustainability, but following through takes dedication and commitment, and we showed both at ISE. A more sustainable future is worth the effort, and we can all take steps in the journey toward a more circular economy. Sustainability isn’t just good for the planet; it can be good for bottom lines too. Our small actions can turn a ripple into a new wave of sustainability.
