Solving the Operational Strain of Outdated Building Directories

Managing a Medical Office Building today isn’t just about tenants and leases—it’s about operational efficiency, maintaining patient trust and satisfaction, and retaining staff. It’s an area of business that’s high stakes, low margin, and constantly shifting.  

So when it comes to something as seemingly simple as signage, many property teams default to solutions that feels “good enough.” 

But in our work with customers and talking with asset managers and property leaders across the country—especially at the 2025 BOMA MOB Conference in Denver—it’s clear: static building signage isn’t keeping up with the realities of modern medical properties. 

 

When “Low Cost” Comes at a High Price

On paper, a traditional static directory looks like a bargain.  A one-time cost. A local print vendor just a phone call away.  

But in the day-to-day grind of property management, that seemingly simply route can turn into a logistical nightmare.

For example: 

• A specialist moves out. A new provider moves in. 

• You need an update—fast. But it takes a week of emails, a print vendor, and someone onsite to swap out plates. (If you’re doing this frequently, it can become a costly problem) 

• Meanwhile, your front desk is flooded with confused patients, and your team’s time is swallowed by something that should’ve taken minutes. 

• If there’s no front desk, patients are either getting lost and frustrated while trying to get to their appointments, or they’re popping into other suites to ask those tenants where to go.  

 

Static signage doesn’t just slow you down. It erodes patient confidence and makes your MOB look dated—even if you’ve invested heavily elsewhere. In this chart, we share some of the differences in the time and costs spent on updating the two types of building directories:

 

To view and download the full infographic, click here.  

What We Heard at BOMA MOB 2025

This year’s conference brought property executives face-to-face with shared challenges—and digital signage kept coming up. The message was loud and clear: 

• “We need systems that scale across properties, not one-off fixes.” 

• “Interactive wayfinding isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s an expectation.” 

• “Modernization doesn’t always mean a full renovation. Sometimes, it’s about visible, high-impact upgrades.” 

(For a full recap of event takeaways, head over to our CEO Ajay Kapoor’s blog Healing Spaces Reimagined: 3 Trends Reshaping Healthcare Real Estate) 

Digital signage and interactive wayfinding aren’t just bells and whistles—they’re central to creating a seamless patient experience. And that experience, more than ever, is part of what keeps tenants renewing their leases and patients staying with their providers. 

Digital Signage: A Smarter, Simpler, More Scalable Solution

Cloud-managed digital displays offer something static signs can’t: flexibility. Property managers and end users can: 

• Change listings in minutes.

• Push updates remotely.

• Share multilingual, real-time directions that reduce front desk interruptions.

• Run tenant promotions, building alerts, or emergency notifications from anywhere. 

It’s Not Just Easier—It’s Smarter

Digital signage scales effortlessly as your portfolio grows.

Whether you’re managing one building or dozens, a centralized platform allows you to update content across multiple locations in seconds—no need to coordinate local vendors or print new signage. With features like remote access, cloud control, and standardized templates, it’s simple to maintain brand consistency, improve efficiency, and adapt quickly to evolving tenant needs. 

TouchSource makes it easy to start small and expand at your own pace—without rethinking your entire system every time you add a new property.

What’s at Stake?

If your building is dealing with tenant churn, limited resources, or rising expectations, your current signage is likely working against you. And in healthcare, that can hurt more than your bottom line—it can hurt your brand. 

The good news? You don’t need a full property remodel to modernize how patients and visitors experience your property. You just need the right tools that do more with less.  

You need a reliable vendor who knows your business needs to lighten your load. That’s how TouchSource can help. 

A Better Way Forward

Whether you’re managing one MOB or an entire regional portfolio, cloud-based digital signage is built for the reality of today’s medical real estate: 

• Remote updates
• Easy scaling across buildings
• Enhanced visitor experience
• Labor savings
• Optional ad revenue 

In Conclusion

Modernizing your Medical Office Building doesn’t have to mean major construction or disruptive changes. Digital signage is one of the simplest upgrades with the broadest impact—especially when managed by a partner who understands the unique demands of healthcare environments. 

Connect With Us

If you’re rethinking your building experience, we’re happy to share how other healthcare leaders are using digital signage to stay ahead—without overextending their teams or budgets. 

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