OptiSigns offers versatile scheduling, allowing you to plan content like calendar events - recurring daily, on specific weekdays, or monthly (e.g., every 1st Monday).
In this article, we will cover:
- Single Schedule: Add any playlist or asset to a schedule.
- Recurring Schedule: Set content to play regularly.
- Copy an existing Schedule.
- Handling overlap of Single and Recurring Schedules.
- Change, and convert certain instances of recurring schedules
- Time zone awareness: Schedules play based on screens/devices' local time.
To create a schedule:
Navigate to the Schedule tab by clicking on the top navigation bar
Click "Create Schedule"
Select the newly created schedule:
Rename the schedule by clicking on its name:
To create a schedule at your preferred time, either click the "Add Event" button or simply drag and select in the calendar view
Fill out the details of your schedule item.
You have the option to use Assets or Playlists in your schedules.
Fine-tune the timing and set it to repeat daily, weekly, etc., or choose not to repeat at all
Click Save.
Your schedule item is now created.
You can click on the schedule item to edit it or add more schedule items as needed.
It could look like this:
Assign Schedule to your Screens:
Now, return to the Screens tab.
Then, click "Edit" on the screens to which you'd like to assign the schedule.
In the Edit Screen modal, select Type as Schedule and choose the schedule you just created from the list of available schedules.
A few common questions about schedules:
1) What if I have an overlap of Single and Recurring Schedules?
When this happens, the player should give priority to the Single Schedule.
For example, if there is a Recurring Schedule from 9 AM to 5 PM daily, and today there's a Single Schedule from 10 AM to 11 AM, the player will play the Recurring Schedule from 9 AM to 10 AM, then switch to the Single Schedule from 10 AM to 11 AM, and finally switch back to the Recurring Schedule at 11 AM.
If two Recurring Schedules overlap, the one created most recently will take priority.
2) What happens when there's nothing scheduled?
By default, it's a black screen.
However, you can change the Default content to be a playlist or asset. Therefore, when there's nothing scheduled, this content will be played. You can read more here.
3) I have seasonal content. Can I schedule a specific asset to go live or expire on a certain date only?
Yes, you can use your Set Asset to Live & Expire feature.
4) My screens/devices are in different time zones, how does this work?
The screens/devices will play according to their local time zone. For example
- If you (and your computer) are in the CST time zone (GMT - 6)
- Device 1 is in the EST time zone (GMT - 5)
- Device 2 is in the PST time zone (GMT - 8)
If you schedule an item to play at 10 AM-11 AM on 1/1/2024:
- Device 1 will play it at its 10 AM-11 AM local time on 1/1/2024.
- Device 2 will also play it at its 10 AM-11 AM local time on 1/1/2024.
Daylight saving will be handled automatically.
5) Can I modify or convert specific instances of recurring schedules?
Yes, you can click on any instance of schedule items and modify it. You have the flexibility to change the time of that instance or specify the content it should be playing.
6) Is it possible to duplicate an existing schedule?
Absolutely! To copy an existing schedule, select the schedule you wish to copy and then click on "Duplicate Schedule".
If you have any specific questions about a particular setting, questions, concerns, or any feedback about OptiSigns, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@optisigns.com