Integrated Systems Europe 2026 was busier than ever, but the most important conversations focused on what really delivers impact. The same practical questions kept coming up: how do we future-proof platforms as new display technologies arrive, and how do businesses prove real value from their signage networks?
From ultra-thin e-paper displays that can run for months without recharging, to rising competition in retail media, here’s our roundup of the practical shifts shaping digital signage.
Footfall at ISE 2026 has increased by 12% since 2025, with a record-high 120,940 registrations. This reflects growing investment across the digital signage market. The retail media advertising market in particular is now valued at $30 billion a year, which was highlighted at the Retail Conference by Jordi Mur, CMO at In-Store Media.
The key point is simple: retail media networks must be able to analyse proof of impact to remain competitive. Xibo supports this process by helping retailers and partners track impressions and report proof of play across digital displays, so it’s easier to measure retail media network performance.
You may have seen basic e-paper screens before that looked more like a Kindle, but ISE showcased the latest in e-paper displays capable of handling far more visually striking content. One example came from Samsung, which presented its Colour E-paper range with paper-thin displays designed to replace printed signage in everyday settings.
This means that even with daily updates, batteries can last for weeks, and in lower-update use cases, screens could run for months on a single charge. That’s a game changer for sustainability, and e-paper is an area that Xibo is tracking for future platform support.
The ISE Education Technology Summit has become a mainstream part of the show due to its growth. This shift is visible at vendor level and represents an opportunity for partners across the digital display market. Dr Gill Ferrell, Executive Director at 1EdTech Europe, explained that EdTech now spans a wider ecosystem of screens and interactive tools than ever before.
This pattern reflects the growing demand for reliable and easy-to-use digital signage across schools and universities. Xibo supports this growing market through its flexible and open-source digital signage platform, helping partners deliver signage for a wide range of education customers.
Single-purpose screens are becoming redundant in the workplace. Instead of doing just one job, systems are connecting so the same display can handle daily workplace communication. Google’s Scott Friedman made this clear, explaining the industry is shifting to connected setups to remove idle screens from the workplace.
Xibo supports this type of reuse on ChromeOS devices, allowing you to manage and publish workplace communications from one central platform, without needing additional hardware.
Real conversations at ISE revealed a simple truth. Many organisations want to modernise their digital signage platforms, but are being held back by fragmented systems and complex migrations. This was echoed by Futuresource Consulting, who highlighted that market fragmentation and security concerns are delaying investment, even though demand remains strong.
The bottom line is that buyers want simpler setups and fewer systems to manage. This is why Xibo supports multiple operating systems and open integrations, so businesses can roll out signage gradually and keep flexibility as their network grows.
The Xibo team were thrilled to meet so many customers and partners at the booth this year, and many of the questions discussed helped shape the key takeaways in this article.
This year’s ISE was not about hype, it was about the need for stabilising solutions. New ways to use screens, more flexible options, and simpler deployments are all priorities in 2026, and Xibo is here to help you move forward!
Get in touch with our sales team to find out how Xibo can help you deploy and manage digital signage quickly and easily.