Communication improved at Sako through digital signage

Sako Oy is a Finnish firearms manufacturer renowned for its high-quality hunting and precision rifles as well as its ammunition. The company’s headquarters and manufacturing facility are located in Riihimäki, with additional production sites in Hausjärvi and Muurame. The location of the sites in different municipalities led to fragmented information flow, which was also reflected in employee satisfaction surveys.

– Our employee satisfaction surveys had highlighted a need to improve information flow. As a result, we began exploring the acquisition of digital signage displays. At the same time, we realized that digital signage could also be used to support work management by showing how production is progressing and what tasks need to be carried out next, says Ari Kukkonen, IT Manager at Sako.

Sako wanted to find a digital signage system that would not only meet its technical requirements but also support the day-to-day communication needs of different departments. Therefore, the selection process focused on ease of use, flexibility, and, in particular, support services that would help ensure efficient implementation and ongoing maintenance of the system.

 We compared the solutions we found, and iDiD stood out from the rest, particularly because of its excellent local customer support. 

Ari Kukkonen / Sako Oy

— We compared the solutions we found, and iDiD stood out from the rest, particularly because of its excellent local customer support. In addition, the content hierarchies could be configured exactly to our needs, Ari explains.

Enhanced information flow and smoother work management through digital signage

Digital signage has improved information flow at Sako by enabling current information to be communicated to employees quickly, visibly and in a way that is accessible to everyone. Information flows across all sites and can be supplemented with, for example, department-specific content.

– Supervisors can use the digital signage displays to communicate the information they want to their respective departments, allowing us to display the right information in the right locations. We have around ten content creators, therefore, it was important that user roles could be configured appropriately. iDiD succeeded in this as well.

Digital signage also supports work management by providing employees with content that helps them stay up to date with instruction schedules, and processes. At the same time, they enhance workplace safety and motivation by displaying reminders, recognition of achievements, and other messages that help strengthen a sense of community.

– For us, work management is enhanced by live production status information displayed on the screens, along with other updates from financial performance to employee recognition and visits.

Flexible content management ensures that the right information reaches the right people at the right time. In addition, users have also found content management to be both effortless and versatile, which has further increased its use in day-to-day operations.

The system has been easy to use, and creating new content for people to see has been a genuine pleasure. As an IT professional software reliability is important for me as well, and it has been beyond reproach.

Regular free training sessions and a quick response to customer requests have ensured a smooth user experience and high user satisfaction. This has further strengthened confidence in the chosen solution.

– iDiD’s greatest strengths are its Finnish origin and the fact that it listens to its customers. Even all of my more unusual requests have been implemented in no time. Training sessions are held regularly and free of charge, so it is easy to encourage people to attend them. This has definitely contributed significantly to user satisfaction with iDiD. No one has ever questioned our decision, Ari concludes.

Sako & iDiD

• Founded in 1921, Sako Oy is Europe’s largest rifle manufacturer.
• Sako Oy generates an annual revenue of approximately 137 million euros (2024), with exports accounting for 96% of its production. The company is part of the Beretta Group, owned by the world’s oldest industrial family business.
• iDiD was implemented in 2020. Approximately 20 displays are in use across Riihimäki, Muurame and Hausjärvi.
• The introduction of digital signage has improved information flow throughout the organization and enhanced work management.