Create a Multizone Signage Channel

Learn how to create a Multizone Signage Channel in Appspace for layouts with multiple content zones. A Multizone Signage Channel uses a blank or preconfigured template so you can add different content to separate zones.

For: Communicators --- Multizone Signage Channel Creation

What’s in this article:

Prerequisites

• You must be a Publisher for the selected location, channel, or channel group, or have another role that allows you to create and manage channels.
• Prepare the content you want to add to each zone, such as cards, images, videos, or widgets.
• Confirm the screen orientation and layout structure you want to use for the channel.

Create a Multizone Signage Channel

1. Select Channels from the Appspace menu.
2. Click + Create.
3. Select Signage Channel.

The Create a Signage Channel dialog appears.

4. Select Multizone.
5. Enter a name in the Name field.
6. Select the channel orientation from the Orientation menu.
7. Select a template from the Templates section.
8. Click Create.

The Multizone Signage Channel opens on the Edit tab with the selected template.

Review and Manage the Layout

The Edit tab shows the layouts and zones in the Multizone Signage Channel. The zone names depend on the selected template.

• Use the layout panel to select a layout.
• Use the zone list to select the zone you want to update.
• Click + Add Layout to add another layout to the channel.
• Use the layout duration field to review or update how long the layout plays.
• Use Schedule Layout to configure when the layout plays.
• Use Sync now to manually sync the channel when automatic syncing is off.
• Use Enable Auto-Sync to turn on automatic syncing for the channel.

Use the layout more options menu to manage the selected layout.

• Edit: Edit the selected layout.
• Rename: Change the layout name.
• Schedule Layout: Configure when the layout plays.
• Copy: Duplicate the layout.
• Delete: Remove the layout from the channel.

Add Content to a Media Zone

Use the + Add menu in a media zone to add or manage the content that plays in that zone.

1. Select the media zone you want to update from the zone list or layout preview.
2. Click + Add in the selected zone.
3. Select one of the available options.

• Create card: Create a new card for the selected media zone.
• Upload Media: Upload media from your device.
• Generate Media: Generate media for the selected media zone.
• Select from Library: Add existing content from the library.
• Link source: Link content from a supported source.
• Manage playlist: Manage the playlist for the selected media zone.
• Open editor: Open the editor for the selected media zone.

The selected or created content appears in the content list for that media zone.

Add Widgets to a Zone

Widgets add dynamic content or functionality to a Multizone Signage Channel. You can add new widgets to a zone or reuse widgets from another layout.

1. Select the zone where you want to add a widget.
2. Click + Add.
3. Select the widget option.
4. Select New widgets to add a new widget, or select Existing widgets to reuse a widget from another layout.
5. Select the widget you want to add.
6. Configure the widget fields.
7. Save the widget.

The widget appears in the selected zone content list.

Use Existing widgets when you want continuity from one layout to another. Existing widgets come from a layout already available in the channel.

Available new widgets include Clock, Event Calendar, Media Container, Media Zone, Plain Text, Remote Control, RSS Ticker, RSS Viewer, Table Listing, Text Ticker, and Weather.

Manage Layout Scheduling

Use layout scheduling to control when layouts play in a Multizone Signage Channel. When layout scheduling is enabled, a dedicated Schedule tab appears in the channel navigation.

1. Select the Edit tab.
2. Turn on Scheduling.
3. Click Enable when the Enable Layout Scheduling confirmation dialog appears.

The Schedule tab appears. The main navigation includes Edit, Schedule, Actions, Preview, Publish, and Settings. The schedule timeline includes the Default Schedule and any custom schedules created for the channel layouts.

4. Select the Schedule tab.
5. Use the schedule view menu to switch between Day, Month, and Year views, navigate between dates, or return to Today.
6. Click Add.

The Add Schedule panel appears.

7. Enter a schedule name in the Name field.
8. Enter an optional description in the Description field.
9. Enable Exclusive Schedule if this schedule should be the only schedule that plays during its configured time period.
10. Select the Start Date and Start Time.
11. Select the End Date and End Time.
12. Select the Day of Week option.
13. Select the Layouts tab.
14. Select the layouts the schedule should apply to.
15. Click Save.

The schedule is applied to the selected layout or layouts.

Apply Tag Rules to a Layout Schedule

Use Tag Rules when you want to control where a layout schedule can play based on device-related targeting criteria.

1. Select the Schedule tab.
2. Open the schedule you want to update.
3. Select the Tag Rules tab.
4. Click + Add.

The Create Tag Rules page opens.

5. Select the query type from the query menu.
6. Select Simple Query to build a query from selected devices, groups, or locations.
7. Select Rule-Based Targeting to build a dynamic query from device properties and attributes.

If you select Simple Query, add the devices, groups, or locations that should match the tag rule.

8. Click Add.
9. Search for and select the devices, groups, or locations you want to include.
10. Click Add.

The selected devices, groups, or locations are added to the query.

If you select Rule-Based Targeting, configure the rule criteria.

11. Select an attribute, such as Location, Device Group, Tag, or Device.
12. Select the operator, such as Contains or Not Contains.
13. Enter or select the value.
14. Select whether the criteria should use AND or OR logic.
15. Click + Add Criteria to add another criterion, if needed.
16. Select Devices to review the devices that match the query.
17. Click Apply.

The tag rules are applied to the layout schedule.

Configure Channel Actions

Use the Actions tab to configure supported behavior for the Multizone Signage Channel. Actions define what happens when a supported event occurs.

1. Select the Actions tab.
2. Click + Add.

The New Action panel appears.

3. Select the action event from the Event menu.
4. Select the action target from the Target field.
5. Select the action method from the Method menu.
6. Configure any available Conditions or method parameters.
7. Click Save.

The action is saved and appears in the actions list.

Preview the Channel

1. Select the Preview tab.
2. Select the display resolution from the resolution menu.
3. Review the channel preview.

The preview shows how the Multizone Signage Channel will appear on a display.

After you create and preview the channel, publish it to devices or web from the Publish tab. You can also update channel details, permissions, approvals, and properties from the Settings tab.

Related Articles

• Introduction to Signage Channels in Appspace
• Create a Fullscreen Signage Channel
• Configure Signage Channel Actions
• Configure Signage Channel Settings
• Publish a Signage Channel to Devices