Digital signage in retail has evolved from static displays into dynamic, interactive touchpoints that engage shoppers and boost revenue. Today’s retailers leverage signage as part of omnichannel strategies—integrating in-store screens with mobile apps, cloud-based CMS, and analytics platforms. In a smart retail environment, signage must do more than attract attention; it needs seamless integration with Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, customer analytics, inventory management, and loyalty programs. To meet these demands, solutions must deliver continuous 24/7 operation, enable remote real-time content updates across multiple locations, and support immersive formats such as multi-screen layouts, video walls, and ultra-high-resolution displays—meeting consumer expectations while maintaining a competitive edge in a fast-paced retail market.
Meeting the operational and experiential demands of smart retail requires an embedded platform that delivers reliability, flexibility, and security. The mainboard at the core of a digital signage system must satisfy several critical hardware requirements:
High reliability and long-life operation: Retail installations run extended hours, often unattended. Boards should support wide temperature ranges (e.g., -20°C to 60°C), stable DC power input (typically 12–24 V), and industrial-grade I/O connectivity for sensors, network ports, and display interfaces.
Flexible display output and high resolution: Multi-screen setups (dual or triple display) and 4K playback are now standard for branding and promotional units. Boards must provide multiple HDMI® or DisplayPort outputs and USB-C with DP Alt Mode to enable dashboards, video walls, or interactive kiosks.
Robust connectivity and expandability: Features such as network redundancy (dual 2.5 Gigabit LAN), mobile connectivity (SIM slots for remote sites), wireless modules, and multiple expansion options (M.2 slots, SATA, microSD) allow signage solutions to scale across flagship stores, pop-ups, outdoor installations, and remote retail outlets.
Security and legacy interface support: Integration with POS systems, barcode scanners, scales, and sensors often requires RS-232/422/485 interfaces. Hardware-level security, such as Trusted Platform Module (TPM), ensures protection for transactions and content.
Compact board form factor for flexible deployment: To fit into sleek kiosks, shelf-edge displays, or narrow cabinets, a small form-factor board is preferred—enabling system integrators to design minimal-footprint signage solutions without sacrificing performance or industrial resilience.
Portwell’s NANO-6065 is purpose-built to meet the demanding requirements of smart retail digital signage. At its core, it offers a flexible processor lineup, including Intel® Core™ Processor N355, Intel® Processor N150, and Intel Atom® x7835RE. The N355 delivers 8 cores/8 threads, supports DDR5-4800 memory, and operates at a typical TDP of 15 W. For power-constrained or fanless environments, the Atom x7835RE provides an efficient 12 W profile with 8 cores/8 threads and DDR5 capability.
The board supports up to 16 GB of DDR5-4800 memory, ensuring the bandwidth needed for real-time 4K video playback and multi-screen dashboards. Expansion and connectivity options include M.2 Key B (SSD or 4G/5G module), M.2 Key E (wireless module), Nano SIM slot for mobile network access, microSD support, SATA III, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode and optional dual-role host/device functionality.
For display interfaces, the NANO-6065 offers dual HDMI® 2.0 ports plus the DisplayPort Type-C output—enabling triple-display output for synchronized signage walls or interactive kiosks. Power input supports a wide 12–24 V DC range, matching retail infrastructure. Industrial-grade features include Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 for security, eight GPIOs, RS-232/422/485 for legacy integration, and dual Intel® I226 2.5 GbE LAN ports for network redundancy.
In the context of smart retail signage, these capabilities deliver clear benefits: a compact footprint for kiosks or shelf-edge displays, high-resolution multi-display support, flexible connectivity for mobile or remote locations, industrial-grade power and I/O compatibility, and the performance to handle demanding workloads—such as 4K video, synchronized content, and interactive assets—without over-engineering or excess cost.
As retailers invest in immersive, data-driven, omnichannel experiences, the demands on signage hardware continue to rise—higher resolution, multi-display capability, robust connectivity, industrial reliability, and compact design. Portwell’s NANO-6065 delivers a platform purpose-built for these requirements. With processor options including Intel® Core™ Processor N-series, Intel® Processor N-series, and Intel Atom® x7000RE Series, plus DDR5 memory support, triple display outputs, rich I/O, and mobile network connectivity, it provides system integrators and OEMs a future-proof foundation for deployments across flagship stores, pop-ups, kiosks, and in-store media networks.
By combining industrial-grade reliability with a compact Nano-ITX form factor (120 x 120 mm), the NANO-6065 enables signage solutions that deliver both robust performance and space efficiency. Whether for promotional video walls, interactive kiosks, shelf-edge media, or remote installations, this board simplifies deployment, accelerates time-to-market, and supports long-term operational stability. For retailers seeking a competitive edge through intelligent signage, the NANO-6065 represents a strategic choice—delivering performance, connectivity, and flexibility in one compact form.
Beyond hardware, Portwell offers comprehensive Design and Manufacturing Services (DMS), enabling system integrators to accelerate development of customized signage solutions—from board-level design to complete system integration—while ensuring industrial-grade reliability and long-term support.
