Box 2.0 Series | Remote Hardware Management - Device Features

In the second post in a series dedicated to highlighting the newest features of the latest version of the signageOS remote hardware management console, Box 2.0, we will explore DEVICE FEATURES! Device features refer to the uniformed, cross-platform functionality that a user within the signageOS Box can utilize directly for digital signage hardware. This includes digital signage SoC displays, media players, and external devices from companies like Samsung, LG, NEC, Philips, BenQ, ELO, BrightSign, Giada, Raspberry Pi 3, and 4, as well as many other Android-based devices. 

To learn more on what the signageOS Box is, check out the first post: signageOS Box Series: Introducing Box 2.0

*NOTE* A very important thing to remember is that all of the features and functionality in Box 2.0 can be achieved either within the signageOS Box or within your own software system via REST API communication with signageOS. This enables signageOS partners to utilize signageOS features as a whitelabeled solution where their end-customers will never see any signageOS branding at all. For more information on this contact us at www.signageos.io/contact.  

Device Search

Easily search for any device from the device section of Box 2.0. Here you can search by device name, online status, organization, or System like Tizen, webOS, Android, etc. This enables you to easily search through and segment your devices.  

Also, from the device search you can bulk select for one-to-many control over your device actions and settings. 

Additionally, below the main filters are even more filters for segmentation of your devices by items like serial number, model, storage status, battery status, firmware version and much more! We realize locating and controlling large networks of devices requires quick and easy segmentation so you can expect to see more from signageOS in this section!

Device Detail 

When signageOS CMS partners are developing new content-rich features or collecting proof-of-play screenshots for their customers, the device detail is home. Navigating to the device detail sections allows you to see every minute detail about any given device. This includes information about the last commands that were sent to the device, history of commands, and the user who initiated the commands. The device detail section includes helpful individual subsections that are listed below.  

Device specific information like IP address, firmware version, core app version, connection status, command status, and much more!

The content subsection is where you can select and remotely publish any application, what we call Applet, to any display or media player. This is what we call “creating a timing”. This process allows you to specify the start and stop date, timer configuration, finish events, and Applet versions! 

The screenshot section is where you can view and collect real-time proof-of-play screenshots of what is actually happening on the device. Many signageOS partners regularly provide these to their customers to show the published content among other attributes.

The device settings subsection is similar to the information subsection but here, you can change aspects of the device like firmware versions, scheduled reboots, remote control locks, security pins, volume, brightness, testing settings, and more! 

The notes subsection is an added tool for digital signage developers and network managers to communicate device-specific information. A simple yet nice tool to use when testing and debugging for many different device types. Lastly, the history subsection is where you can see the complete list of commands that were either to the device regardless of their success or failure. From here, you can view the action, the user that triggered it, data like application type or version, date and time, and the result. Again, a nice feature when testing and debugging for many different device types.

Recently Deprovisioned Devices 

Another helpful section for developers and general users of Box 2.0 is the Recently Deprovisioned Devices section. 

Provisioning and deprovisioning, or registering and unregistering, devices is key for any digital signage network. Oftentimes devices are provisioned and deprovisioned simply for testing purposes. 

Now, you can easily view attributes of deprovisioned devices like the organization with previous ownership over that device, device UID, device names, verification hash (for potentially provisioning again), and time and date of the deprovisioning.   

Sneak Peak: Network Monitoring

The next post in this series will feature some really great features of signageOS, the remote hardware management and network monitoring. signageOS partners manage their customers’ networks, like a fast food restaurant chain with thousands of devices spread over a large geographic area, to ensure the devices are working properly and to troubleshoot in the event of any problems.

Subscribe to the signageOS blog to be notified when a post is published so you will never miss a beat! 

Conclusion

Are you wondering if the features and functionality mentioned above are supported for your digital signage hardware? We have a very helpful resource for you! To view a comprehensive list of content playback, remote management and monitoring features, visit www.signageos.io/features. 

signageOS Box 2.0 is the only cross-platform remote hardware management system in digital signage! This means you can control your networks of Raspberry Pi devices in the same place at the same time as your networks of Samsung, LG, Philips, NEC, BenQ, BrightSign, or any other digital signage hardware!

Utilize signageOS and Box 2.0 to become more effective with development, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of your diverse digital signage networks. If you are interested in experiencing Box 2.0 features and learning about how they will save you time and money, simply contact us to schedule a demo!