Introduction
A Digital Hall of Fame is one of the most significant investments you can make in athletics. Not only is it a considerable financial commitment, but a touchscreen display is often the first thing alumni, donors, friends, and family notice when they enter your facilities. It will become a key highlight of every tour, serving as the centerpiece of your university’s athletic legacy. For that reason, it’s essential to choose wisely, as this display will represent your school for decades to come, long after your tenure. With that in mind, let’s discuss how to select the right company and consider the following questions.
- What factors should I be considering?
- Who are the companies in this space?
- Which one is the right fit for my school?
How Do I Decide on the Right Digital Hall of Fame Company?
Choosing a Digital Hall of Fame provider is kind of like choosing a spouse (stay with me now). You are going to be working with this company for a long time. It is not just a quick purchase, it is a lasting relationship. Pick the right one and you only have to do it once. Pick the wrong one and you might be going through the process all over again.
So how do you pick the right partner?
Picking the Right Partner
- Choose someone who makes your life easier.
- Someone who helps you shine.
- Someone who shares your commitment and grows with you.
- Who is still there for you tomorrow, or ten years from now.
- And who celebrates your biggest wins without missing a beat.
Picking the Wrong Partner
- Adds stress instead of removing it: You are already busy. A confusing or high-maintenance system just creates more work and takes time away from the rest of your job.
- Hurts your reputation: A blank or outdated display reflects poorly on the university. People will notice.
- Stays stuck while your school moves forward: A good system should evolve with your programs. If the software feels outdated a few years in, it was never built to last.
- Vanishes when you need support: Great service does not stop after the install. If you cannot count on help when things go wrong, the whole system becomes a liability.
My Personal Advice (Gardner)
My advice for a friend picking the right touchscreen display company:
Pick the company that…
- Makes your life easier: Look for a team that takes initiative, solves problems without being asked, and takes work off your plate. Look for a team that goes the extra mile!
- Has the best looking platform: Get a display with a “wow” factor. Its your school’s legacy so look for a platform that looks sharp, feels modern, and makes your program shine.
- Will keep getting better: Your needs will change over time. Pick a provider that updates their features, listens to feedback, and evolves with your program.
- You can trust: Find someone you can rely on. You should feel confident calling them with a question today or ten years from now and still get a real answer from a real person.
Digital Hall of Fames are amazing when done well so just make sure to choose the company that is as equally as amazing!
Which is the Better Pricing Structure - One Time or Annual?
Let’s discuss the following options:
- “Free”/DIY
- One-time purchase
- Annual subscription.
Free or DIY:
Free tools or do-it-yourself setups sound great in a perfect world. Oftentimes, it requires Clark Kent to be on your staff. If your department is lucky enough to have one of those and can do it and be proud of it then you should!
If Superman does not work at your school then that might be a challenge. Building and maintaining touchscreen software takes serious time, technical skill, and ongoing effort. Even with the best intentions, most DIY projects fall short when it comes to organizing decades of photos, videos, yearbooks, and stories.
And when your “Superman” moves on, what happens to the project? Without long-term support, sustainability becomes the biggest risk.
One-time purchase:
For departments working with the tightest budgets, a one-time payment can seem like the smartest move. You pay once and never have to think about it again. On the surface, that sounds ideal.
But with no ongoing revenue, the company may have little reason to keep improving the platform. You might be stuck with outdated tools, clunky updates, and minimal support when you need help. Over time, what looked like a good deal can turn into a platform that feels frozen in time, hard to manage, and nearly impossible to grow with.
Annual subscription:
When an university pays for a subscription (in a perfect world), it means more than just ongoing access. It means the company stays motivated to keep improving the platform, providing real customer support, and helping your department succeed.
Subscriptions create a relationship, not just a transaction. You are not just buying software, you are partnering with a team that stays involved, updates the product, and works to make sure your school’s athletic history is always presented in the best possible way.
Important Digital Hall of Fame Company Criteria
If a friend asked me for advice on buying a touchscreen history display tomorrow, here is the criteria I would tell them to use:
What specific criteria should I use to choose a Digital Hall of Fame? (In order of importance)
1. Cost
2. Ease of Use
3. Platform Beauty
4. Customer Support
5. Loading Speeds (vs Unlimited Data)
6. Features
7. Company’s Future
Each of these plays a critical role in whether your display works well, looks great, and lasts. So let’s break down why each one matters.
1. Cost
This category should speak for itself. Whether you are the University of Alabama or a small liberal arts college with 250 students per class, you have a budget and that budget matters. So you need to decide, do you want to invest in the highest-end platform, or are you looking for the most affordable option?
My advice is to pay for peace of mind.
2. Ease of Use
As the person most likely managing the Digital Hall of Fame, you should prioritize ease of use above all else. Start by confirming the platform can actually be updated. No one needs a touchscreen that is as static as the hallway walls around it.
Then ask the practical questions: How long does it take to add 100 profiles? What about 100 yearbooks or 100 videos? If the process is slow or clunky, you could be stuck spending entire weekends uploading content. Why sign up for extra work?
This might be the most important factor. If the system is too complicated, your beautiful display could end up collecting dust or get handed off to a coworker or student group. Make sure the platform is simple, fast, and intuitive from the start.
Some companies will promise to add your content for you, but make sure that is clearly written into your contract. If it is only mentioned during a sales call, there is a good chance it is just part of the pitch.
If the touchscreen adds more work than it saves, walk away. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Platform Beauty
Personally, this would be my top priority. Why install something with your name on it if it is not going to look great? Choose something that makes your school proud. The goal should be for every student, coach, educator, parent, and alumni to feel a spark of pride and curiosity the first time they see it. Ideally, someone scans the QR code and sends it straight to their alumni group chat. That is the kind of excitement you want.
A key consideration - can this work with my brand?
Make sure the platform reflects your brand. Can it display your school’s logos, fonts, and colors the right way?
To figure that out, hop on a call with top companies and decide what you think looks most impressive!
- How do the “Home” videos look?
- Who does it look like on the call?
- How does it look on a smartphone?
- Will your alumni love it?
4. Customer Support
24/7 support is crucially important. You need a company that is there when it counts. If it is 9 AM on a Saturday before your first home football game with your biggest donors coming and the screen stops working, will someone be there to fix it? That is the kind of moment that shows whether support is real or just a promise.
Just as important is building a real relationship with the company. Trust comes from knowing who you are working with. During your search, ask the questions that matter. Will you have a consistent point of contact? Will you be able to speak directly with leadership if needed? Or will you get passed from person to person? Can you give honest feedback and expect it to be heard?
Good support is not just fast—it is personal, reliable, and responsive. Make sure the company you choose understands that.
5. Loading speeds / Unlimited Data
Loading speed is one of those check the box items, but it still deserves real attention. You need to do your homework before saying yes.
Here is the reality. The more content you add, the more strain you put on the system. A platform that claims to offer unlimited data sounds great, but that can come at the cost of performance. If a company makes that promise, ask to see their largest live site. Then spend a few minutes clicking around.
How fast does it load? Does it respond quickly on your phone? Is there a long wait, or is the experience smooth and immediate? Try texting or emailing a link to yourself. Does it still look good and work fast when shared?
A system that looks great but loads slowly ends up frustrating your audience. Make sure performance keeps up with the platform’s promises.
6. Features
Make sure the platform actually includes every feature you are looking for. Ask to see real examples on current sites—not just mockups or promises. The goal here is to avoid being told “yes” to everything during the sales call, only to find out later that half of it is not built or does not work the way you expected.
Look for support for videos, PDFs, slideshows, timelines, social media links, and anything else important to your display. Do not assume. Confirm.
7. Company’s Future Goals
Last but not least - This is the expert level consideration and goes beyond features and pricing.
You need to make sure the company’s goals actually align with your university’s needs. Your school wants a platform that works, keeps improving, lets you add content easily, offers real support, and is willing to go above and beyond when needed. Your school wants to pay for a platform that works, is constantly improving, is able to add in new information, is there for you 24/7, and will go above and beyond. So you need to ask yourself the following…
Questions to Consider:
- What are this company’s real goals?
- Do they succeed when we succeed?
- Are they planning to sell to a massive corporation down the line?
- Do they have pressure from investors to grow at all costs?
- Will I just become another account number?
- A translation for Pink Floyd Fans - just another brick in the wall?
Once you find that company, make sure your priorities are clearly included in the contract. That is how to set yourself up for long-term success.
Now that the foundation is set, let’s take a closer look at the companies in this space.
Who are the Digital Hall of Fame companies?
- Touchstone Digital Solutions
- Touchpros
- Wall of Fame
- Rocket Alumni Solutions
- Gipper
What is the Best Digital Hall of Fame Company?
Touchstone Digital Solutions! We are a family company with the most beloved interface and visuals, easiest to use, 24/7 customer service with the family, and we aren’t going anywhere!
But my real advice? Do your own research. Talk to the companies. Visit their booths. Ask their current customers how things are going. Find out what truly fits your needs and priorities.
Ask yourself:
- Are you focused on the best visuals and design?
- Are you looking for the most affordable option?
- Is having the best warranty important to you?
- Do you just want the same setup as the college down the road?
- Do you care about having the latest technology?
The Official Buying Guide for Touchscreen Recognition
Touchpros
Best for: Schools wanting a traditional vendor with extensive experience and physical display options.
Founded in 2008 by Scott Erickson and based in Barrington, Illinois, TouchPros has spent nearly two decades focused on touchscreen recognition systems. Their TouchWall product combines hardware, templates, and a CMS to deliver full-service digital display solutions.
With over 1,200 installations across 900+ high schools and colleges, TouchPros emphasizes a more conventional vendor experience—providing stable performance, structured templates, and direct hardware integration. For schools that want a straightforward setup with less emphasis on design flexibility or software complexity, TouchPros can be a steady, low-risk option.
Questions to Consider:
- Does their CMS offer the customization my program needs?
- How fast can I update and manage content myself?
- What does ongoing support and training look like?
- Will the display feel modern to students and visitors?
- How often is the software updated?
- Is the system optimized for both in-person and mobile use?
Wall of Fame (Formerly “Vital Signs”)
Best for: Schools that want a one-time purchase with lasting value and committed support.
Founded by John Townsend and based in Dublin, Ohio, Wall of Fame has been helping high schools and colleges showcase their history through touchscreen displays since 1997. Originally developed in collaboration with a Central Ohio athletic director, the product brings together over 20 years of digital signage expertise with a focus on celebrating student achievement.
Wall of Fame stands out for its one-time purchase model—ideal for schools looking to avoid recurring subscription fees while still receiving ongoing support. Their displays are built with durable enclosures used nationwide, and each school is assigned a content advocate to keep displays current and effective.
The company’s strong ties to the education and athletics community include partnerships with 18 athletic director associations, including the national NIAAA.
Questions to Consider:
- Does a one-time purchase work best for me?
- Does their CMS offer the customization my program needs?
- How fast can I update and manage content myself?
- What does ongoing support and training look like?
- Will I develop a strong relationship with a person at this company?
Rocket Alumni Solutions
Best for: Institutions with dedicated tech or marketing teams, and a budget to match.
Founded in 2020 by Chase Mckee, Rocket Alumni Solutions is headquartered in Boston. MA. Over the last 5 years, their mission is to help convert static recognition displays into dynamic, interactive digital walls.
Rocket Alumni Solutions delivers a wide set of tools. Schools get unlimited profiles, unlimited pages, homepage customization, and real time editing through a visual editor. The platform includes advanced reporting, a broad set of features, and many layout configurations. Programs that have the staff and time to use these capabilities can build highly detailed digital halls of fame, alumni walls, staff directories, and record boards. Schools with larger dedicated communications teams find this platform best!
Note: Both founders of Touchstone Digital Solutions worked at Rocket Alumni Solutions before founding their company.
Questions to Consider:
- Is my school’s history ready to go Day 1?
- Have I talked to other companies to make sure I am getting a good price?
- How is their support?
- How do I learn to use their platform?
- How fast are their largest sites on a smartphone?
- Will I develop a strong relationship with a person at this company?
- How aligned is the company’s mission with the goals of my school?
Touchstone Digital Solutions
Best for: Colleges and universities seeking a family-owned, extremely easy to use platform with next-generation visuals and unmatched customer support.
After working in the Digital Hall of Fame space, in 2023, Colby & Gardner Gendron founded Touchstone Digital Solutions to fulfill an unmet need. Touchstone’s platform is fast, beautifully designed, very easy to use, constantly improving, and top level customer support. With over 100 Installations across 40 US States, institutions are taking notice. From the Ivy League to Division III colleges, we do touchscreen displays the way it's meant to be done.
Why is Touchstone Digital Solutions the Best Digital Hall of Fame Platform?
We created the company we always wished existed — one built around real service, honesty, and quality.
- Customer First
- Designed with Beauty
- Built for Scale and Speed
- Fast Mobile Speeds
- 24/7 Live Customer Support
- Unmatched Hardware Flexibility
- Complimentary Customer Data Transfers
- Family-Owned & operated
What Makes Touchstone Digital Solutions #1?
Customer First
Whether it's professionally designed layouts or integrating actual customer requests, we make dreams a reality.
Designed with Beauty
With software engineers from the video game industry, our platform features crystal-clear visuals, smooth motion effects, and immersive 3D elements that bring your school's legacy to life.
Built for Scale and Speed
Even with a century’s worth of trophies, photos, videos, social media, and PDFs, your Hall of Fame runs at top speed. The more you upload, the more powerful the experience becomes.
Fast Mobile Speeds
Built to load fast and run smoothly on every device. From smartphones to large touchscreens, the experience is instant, responsive, and frustration-free.
24/7 Live Customer Support
Call, text, email, FaceTime — or meet us in person. We’re always available to assist, update, and troubleshoot. Whatever it takes, we’re there and ready to go the extra mile.
Unmatched Hardware Flexibility
Wall-mounted displays, rolling kiosks, and custom touchscreen stands — all available at competitive prices with free shipping and full warranty coverage.
Already have multiple screens? We can work with that too. You choose the setup, and we’ll make your hardware look great.
Complimentary Customer Data Transfers
We handle the full migration of your photos, videos, and records at no extra cost, making it easy to switch without losing your history or wasting your time.
Family-Owned & operated
You won’t find call centers, middlemen, or sales quotas at Touchstone. We believe in direct support and strong relationships. As former Division I college athletes, celebrating sports is our passion and we aren’t going anywhere.
Our Unique Approach
We set out to build a platform good enough for America’s top institutions, but accessible to even the smallest athletic programs. Our goal was simple — make great technology available to everyone.
As industry veterans, we knew what pitfalls to avoid. That experience allowed us to design a platform that’s fast, efficient, and built for real-world use. Touchstone can process thousand-row spreadsheets in seconds, handle hundreds of large video files without slowing down, and apply updates across the system without having to edit each profile individually.
We believe this combination of speed, flexibility, and thoughtful design makes Touchstone a dependable and inclusive solution for departments of all shapes and sizes.
Touchscreen Software Experts
More than anything, Touchstone exists to deliver a state-of-the-art Digital Hall of Fame platform. It’s not one of many things we do — it’s the only thing we do. This singular focus has allowed us to master every detail, and we take pride in doing it right.
Conclusion
At Touchstone Digital Solutions, our goal is simple. We make your life easier and help your school's athletic legacy shine. We care just as much about celebrating your history as you do and we will make it look really great. Lastly, we are a family-run company, we are here to stay. We plan to grow, improve, and adapt just as your story continues to evolve.
Let us be a small part of celebrating your biggest wins. Reach out at sales@touchstone-ds.com or schedule a call here. (Schedule Call)
Appreciate your time,