What are common drawbacks or challenges of on-premise signage?

While on-premise signage does provide a high level of security and control, there are certain challenges that an organization should be well prepared to face in advance. Most of these concern setup complexity, maintenance, and scalability.

1. Complex setup and configuration:

Deploying an on-premise system requires technical expertise. The IT team must configure servers, set up the firewall, and ensure that all screens connect properly. This process takes longer than setting up a cloud solution.

2. Limited remote access:

Since the system runs on a private network, users can only access it within the same network or through a secure VPN. This can make remote management less convenient.

3. Maintenance responsibility:

Your internal IT team is responsible for maintaining the server, updating software, and ensuring uptime. Hardware issues or network changes also require manual intervention.

4. Firewall restrictions:

Some features may not work properly, like email alerts or third-party integrations, if the firewall or internal network policies block them.

5. Scaling effort:

Expanding to new locations or branches requires additional network configuration and sometimes new hardware, which can be time-consuming.

Despite these challenges, the benefits of on-premise signage often outweigh the drawbacks, especially for organizations that value data privacy and internal control. With a competent IT team and proper planning, the system can run efficiently for several years, providing fast, secure, and reliable content management tailored to your organization's needs.