Part 3: Testing, POCs, Pilots & Rollouts

This page highlights part 3 of a 5-part series designed to help team members better understand the key terms critical in ensuring a successful solution can be developed in advance of a roll out.

Overview

This tutorial covers the following points relevant to a successful deployment of a project plan:

Identify areas often underestimated as part of the overall project plan, including:
Actions surrounding Hardware Lab Testing & Performance Validation
Systems & Software Integration Testing
Proofs of Concept (also called POCs) and Pilot programs
End-to-End Testing

NOTE

Typical Sales cycles for Digital Signage deployment at scale can range from 9 - 18 months. There are many factors involved that affect the final time line, not the least of which is how the end-client measures success and how risk averse their business partners are when introducing a new solution.

For example, stakeholders for a digital signage program in a retail environment could include: In-Store Marketing, Store Environment or Visual Merchandising, Store Operations, IT Security, IT Support, the product category Merchant as well as their Supplier, who may be co-funding the solution.

Summary of Key Terms involved in an Overall Project Plan

The following section provides an overview on the key terms involved in an overall project plan such as project cycle, actions surrounding hardware testing, Proof Of Concept, pilots and roll outs.

Proof of Concept (POC)

The purpose of a POC is to gain initial feedback on a solution’s key functionalities and allow both the end-client and AV Integrator an opportunity to identify areas for improvement and prepare assumptions surrounding labor requirements and resource demands. A POC also affords both parties an opportunity to assess the solution’s performance, which is typically measured through:

Quality Control

Systems & Software Integration testing begins with the AV Integrator’s IT Engineering team. Referencing the approved system design, the IT Engineering Team configures, implements, and supervises the installation of hardware components in a “Lab environment” in the AV Integrator’s facility. This allows for close review and testing of the entire solution for quality control.

Once QC testing is complete the IT Engineering Team creates documentation, workflows, and training for reference during Day-2 support. Systems aspects to be tested include:

AEM Implementor Integrations
3rd Party Systems Integrations
Software
Hardware
Connectivity
Content Deployment workflows including manual, automated and conditional deployments.

Part 3: Video Tutorial on Testing, POCs, Pilots & Rollouts

Follow the tutorial below to understand Testing, Proofs of Concept, Pilot Programs and Rollouts.

Considering all these stages as part overall project plan, will help manage expectations and identify natural points in which the investment in an AEM Screens deployment will be evaluated.

Testing, POCs, Pilots & Rollouts

Learn the key terms involved in an overall project plan such as project cycle, actions surrounding hardware testing, Proof Of Concept, pilots and rollouts.

The Next Step

Once you are thorough with testing, Proofs of Concept, pilot programs and roll outs, follow the next tutorial that dives deep into Project Management and the processes involved.

Navigate to Part 4: Project Management and Deployment for more details.