Why Interactive Digital Signage Matters: Lessons from the Balonne Shire Interactive War Memorial Project

When we partnered with Metromatics to deliver an interactive digital signage war memorial for Balonne Shire Council, we knew this was more than a tech project. It was a chance to show how thoughtful design and reliable software can preserve history, engage communities, and solve real-world problems.

This project proves how digital signage — when done properly — can offer long-term value to councils, businesses, and organisations.

Preserving Stories Through Design

Balonne Shire Council wanted a way to honour local veterans and share their stories with the public. The goal wasn’t just to list names. It was to help people connect — to understand the lives behind the medals, the places they served, and the sacrifices made.

So instead of building just another display, we created a touchscreen interface that feels personal and easy to use. Every part of the experience was designed to invite curiosity and encourage reflection. Visitors can browse through veteran profiles, view photos, and access linked documents — all without any confusion or delay.

This kind of interactive digital signage does something print or static boards can’t do. It adapts. It grows. And it invites interaction.

The Power of a Good CMS

One of the biggest issues councils and businesses face with digital displays is content management. Most systems are clunky, hard to update, or require a developer every time you want to make a change.

That’s why we built our own CMS — tailored specifically for this project. The council can log in from anywhere, update records, upload photos, and even add links to external documents like war records. No technical skill required.

In this case, the original veteran data came from an external historian and was stored in Excel. We built a mail merge tool to import that data directly into the CMS. No double handling. No data entry errors.

For councils, tourism operators, museums, or any business that needs to regularly update public-facing content, this approach saves time and removes bottlenecks.

Real-World Functionality

Interactive digital signage isn’t just about what’s on the screen — it’s about how the screen behaves.

We integrated with the kiosk hardware to manage key features like:

• Screen reset after inactivity
• Timed on/off scheduling
• QR code links to external files

This last one matters. Because security is a real concern, we made sure that users couldn’t browse the open internet from the kiosk. Instead, they can scan a QR code and continue reading the veterans full document on their phone — without leaving the main interface.

This approach balances access with safety. It’s also a smart way to extend content without cluttering the screen.

Why This Matters for Your Business or Council

Whether you’re running a visitor centre, an art gallery, a national park, or a community hub — interactive digital signage can do more than display content. When designed well, it can:

• Tell a story that lasts
• Give users something to interact with
• Let your team update things easily without ongoing costs
• Work in both public and secure environments
• Build engagement that static signage can’t match

But it only works if it’s built right. That means:

• A clean interface that’s easy to use
• A CMS that doesn’t require IT support
• Hardware that works with your workflow
• Hosting that’s reliable

We handled all of that on this project. And we can do the same for others.

Built for the Long Term

The Balonne Shire project was designed to last. Hosted on our servers, with remote updates, automatic scheduling, and a stable interface — it’s a system that won’t go stale. That’s the kind of setup every public-facing business should expect.

If you’re planning interactive digital signage or an interactive screen and want something that works for your team, your visitors, and your budget — we’re here to help.

Get in touch and let’s talk about what’s possible.