Kevin Bierman, Head of Business, Moving Tactics
As the dust settles on Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 in Barcelona, the global digital signage industry has sent a clear message: we have moved beyond ‘bigger and brighter’ to ‘smarter, greener, and more measurable’.
For Moving Tactics, attending ISE was not just a fact-finding mission; it was an opportunity to stress-test global innovations against the unique realities of the South African market. After engaging with the world’s leading tech partners, it became clear that the future of retail is defined by interaction, intelligent power, and data-driven decision-making.
From Flashy Hardware to Hard Data
“ISE remains the global benchmark for innovation,” explains Kevin Bierman, Head of Digital Signage at Moving Tactics. “For Moving Tactics, it’s about more than just seeing new hardware; it’s about reconnecting with key partners and scouting the next generation of smart retail solutions that combine digital signage with retail analytics to deliver measurable ROI and better in-store experiences for our Southern African clients.”
Three major trends stood out at ISE 2026: green signage through intelligent power control, AI-driven content automation, and interactive retail data. Together, they signal a shift where screens don’t just display content; they react to shoppers, measure engagement, and manage their own power consumption.
1. From Passive to Active: The Nexmosphere Effect
One of the standout technologies at ISE 2026 was the evolution of interactive retail experiences, showcased on the Nexmosphere stand.
In the past, digital signage was often a passive medium – a loop of content playing to everyone. Nexmosphere showed how sensor technology is changing that dynamic entirely. We saw “Lift & Learn” solutions where lifting a sneaker or a perfume bottle instantly triggered rich, relevant content about that product on a nearby screen.
This creates a genuinely “magical” moment for the shopper, turning a standard shelf into an intelligent sales assistant that responds to human behaviour in real time.
2. Intelligent Efficiency: The Neo Power Revolution
While engagement is key, operational efficiency is critical for the South African market. This is where Nexmosphere’s new Neo series is a game-changer.
Neo brings intelligent power management to digital signage. Instead of screens running around the clock or relying on timers, Neo uses sensor data to control power, so displays only wake up when shoppers approach. Imagine a screen that stays completely off until a customer is near, then instantly comes to life.
“For South African retailers battling rising electricity costs and power constraints, this ‘green signage’ approach is vital,” says Bierman. “Neo also allows for remote power cycling. Meaning, if a screen or media player freezes in a remote store, it can be restarted from head office, avoiding costly technician visits and keeping operations running smoothly.”
3. Visualising the Invisible: Sensmi
While Nexmosphere handles the engagement and power, the real value for business owners and retailers lies in understanding the impact. This is where Sensmi stole the show.
At ISE, Sensmi showed how data from in-store sensors and Neo power controllers can be turned into actionable insights. Instead of guessing if a campaign worked, Sensmi’s dashboards show exactly how many times a product was lifted and how long the customer held it (engagement), which content led to a sale (conversion), and the exact power consumption of each digital screen (efficiency).
“For the local market, where marketing budgets are closely scrutinised, being able to provide this level of concrete ROI data, balancing sales impact against energy costs, is invaluable,” adds Bierman.
Emerging Market Fit
“The combination of these technologies offers a perfect fit for South Africa,” says Bierman. “We often skip ‘legacy’ steps and jump straight to efficient tech. By pairing Nexmosphere’s sensors for engagement, Neo for power efficiency, and Sensmi for actionable retail analytics, we can create digital signage networks that are cheaper to run but deliver far greater value than traditional static displays.”
Looking Ahead
“If ISE 2026 taught us one thing, it’s that the screen is no longer just a display: it’s an intelligent endpoint. The future of digital signage isn’t just about showing content. It’s about understanding the customer and managing resources wisely. At Moving Tactics, we’re excited to bring these data-driven, energy-efficient solutions to South Africa, helping our clients not just display content, but truly optimise their retail environments,” adds Bierman.
To learn more about Moving Tactics’ Digital Signage, Sensor Technology and Retail Analytics Solutions, get in touch with us today.