How to Use doPublicity Digital Signage Manager: Setup & Best PracticesDigital signage is an effective way to deliver dynamic content across locations, engage customers, and streamline internal communications. doPublicity Digital Signage Manager (henceforth “doPublicity”) is a cloud-first platform designed to make content creation, scheduling, device management, and reporting simple for businesses of any size. This guide walks through setup, everyday workflows, advanced features, and practical best practices so you can get the most value from the platform.
Quick overview: what doPublicity does
doPublicity is a cloud-based digital signage platform that lets you:
- Create and publish multimedia content (images, video, HTML, feeds).
- Schedule content by time, day, or location.
- Manage multiple displays and players remotely.
- Group devices and assign playlists or templates.
- Monitor device status and basic playback reporting.
Why choose it: it simplifies multi-location deployments with centralized management, supports various media types, and provides scheduling and remote monitoring tools commonly required by retail, hospitality, corporate, and public spaces.
Before you start: hardware and network checklist
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Display hardware
- Supported displays: modern commercial or consumer HDMI screens.
- If using a system-on-panel or integrated player, confirm compatibility with doPublicity’s supported player types (e.g., Android players, Windows PCs, Raspberry Pi-based players, or proprietary media players).
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Media players
- Recommended: Android commercial players or small-form Windows PCs for robust compatibility.
- For low-cost deployments, Raspberry Pi with the recommended OS can work for basic playback.
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Network
- Stable internet connection (wired Ethernet preferred for fixed displays).
- Open required outbound ports (usually standard HTTPS/443); check doPublicity documentation for exact networking needs.
- Ensure sufficient bandwidth for high-resolution video if updating playlists frequently.
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Power and mounting
- Reliable power and secure mounts appropriate for screen size and environment.
Account setup and initial configuration
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Create an account
- Sign up for doPublicity and verify your email.
- Choose a subscription tier that matches device count and feature needs.
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Organization structure
- Set up Locations and Groups — these let you target content and schedules by physical area or business unit.
- Invite team members and assign roles (admin, content editor, viewer). Use role restrictions to keep control over publishing.
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Device registration
- Install the doPublicity player app on each media player device or configure the supported OS image.
- Register each player by pairing it with your doPublicity account (pairing code or device token typically used).
- Name devices clearly (e.g., “Store-101 – Entrance”).
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Time zone and locale
- Set the correct time zone for each location to ensure schedules trigger on time.
- Configure language and regional settings where relevant.
Creating content: types and tips
doPublicity supports several content types. Use a mix for engaging displays.
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Templates and layouts
- Start with built-in templates for menus, promotions, social feeds, or announcements.
- Use grid and zone-based layouts to display multiple content types (e.g., video zone + ticker).
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Images and video
- Recommended formats: JPG/PNG for images; MP4 (H.264) for video.
- Optimal resolutions: match your display (1080p is common); higher res for large or portrait displays.
- Keep file sizes reasonable; use compressed MP4 with variable bitrate to balance quality and bandwidth.
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HTML and web widgets
- Embed responsive HTML widgets for weather, news, or custom web apps.
- Ensure widgets are sandboxed and fast-loading.
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Live feeds and dynamic data
- RSS, social feeds, or data integrations (e.g., Google Sheets, APIs) allow auto-updating content.
- Use dynamic templates to inject live data into layouts.
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Scrolling tickers and overlays
- Keep tickers short and readable; use high-contrast colors and legible fonts.
- Reserve overlays for important alerts to avoid distracting from primary content.
Scheduling and playlists
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Playlists
- Assemble media into playlists per campaign or location.
- Use a mix of long-form content (videos) and short, high-frequency items (images) to catch attention.
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Scheduling
- Dayparting: show different playlists at different times of day (breakfast/lunch/dinner in restaurants).
- Recurring schedules: set daily/weekly repeats for predictable programming.
- Priority rules: define override content for live promotions or emergency messages.
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Local vs. global scheduling
- Apply global campaigns across all sites for brand-wide messaging.
- Use local schedules for store-specific promotions or notices.
Device groups, profiles, and failover
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Groups and profiles
- Group devices by physical area or function (e.g., “Lobby screens”, “Drive-thru”).
- Create device profiles to standardize settings — resolution, orientation, playback order, and default volume.
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Offline behavior and caching
- Enable local caching so players continue playing stored content if they lose connection.
- Set cache retention policies to balance storage with content freshness.
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Failover and priorities
- Define fallback playlists in case a primary content source fails.
- For critical messaging, configure push notifications or higher-priority playlists.
Monitoring, reporting, and maintenance
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Health monitoring
- Use the device dashboard to check online/offline status, last-checkin time, and storage usage.
- Set alerts for prolonged offline devices.
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Playback logs and reporting
- Review playback logs to verify what content played and when.
- Use basic analytics to measure impressions per location; export logs for deeper analysis.
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Remote troubleshooting
- Reboot, update, or push configuration changes remotely from the dashboard.
- Keep OS and player apps updated on a schedule to avoid security issues.
Security and compliance
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Access control
- Enforce least privilege: give users only the permissions they need.
- Use SSO integration if available for centralized identity management.
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Network security
- Keep players behind a firewall with minimal open ports.
- Use HTTPS for all communication and validate certificates.
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Content approval
- Implement a review/publish workflow for brand compliance, especially across franchises.
Best practices and content strategy
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Keep messages short and scannable
- Most viewers glance for 3–8 seconds. Prioritize concise headlines and visuals.
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Use high-contrast visuals and large fonts
- Ensure readability from typical viewing distances.
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Rotate content intelligently
- Avoid repeating the same asset too frequently; use playlists that balance repetition and novelty.
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Test on-device before wide rollout
- Preview content on an actual player and display to check spacing, fonts, and playback.
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Measure and iterate
- Track engagement where possible (e.g., correlating in-store sales with campaigns) and refine content based on results.
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Accessibility
- Consider captioning for videos and make sure essential text is not conveyed by color alone.
Advanced uses and integrations
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Interactive kiosks
- Combine doPublicity with touch-capable players for menus, wayfinding, or product lookup.
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Data-driven displays
- Integrate APIs or spreadsheets for real-time pricing, stock levels, or queue times.
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Emergency messaging
- Configure priority templates that can override normal programming for alerts and evacuations.
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Multi-platform distribution
- Use doPublicity to push content to in-store displays, menu boards, and even social screens simultaneously.
Troubleshooting common issues
- Player not showing new content: verify device is online, check pairing status, and confirm cache hasn’t filled up.
- Playback stutter: reduce bitrate or transcode video to a more compatible profile.
- Wrong schedule time: confirm device time zone and check server-side schedule timezone settings.
- Offline devices: check network (DHCP, firewall), power, and physical connections.
Example deployment checklist (quick)
- Purchase displays and players.
- Create doPublicity account and set up organization.
- Register devices and group them.
- Build templates and playlists.
- Schedule content for each group/location.
- Test on local displays, iterate, then roll out.
- Monitor device health and playback; refine content.
Final notes
doPublicity makes digital signage management accessible by centralizing content, scheduling, and device control. Treat the platform as both a creative and operational tool: invest in clear, high-impact content and pair it with disciplined device and schedule management to maximize ROI.
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