Scheduling
Schedules allow you to automate when and where your playlists play on digital screens. Learn how to create and manage schedules effectively.
Overview
Schedules enable you to:
- Automate playlist playback at specific times
- Create recurring schedules (daily, weekly)
- Set up one-time events
- Control when content displays
- Manage multiple schedules per device
- Activate or deactivate schedules easily
Accessing Schedules
Navigate to Schedule from the sidebar menu to view all your schedules.
![Screenshot: Schedules page showing a table/list of schedules with columns for Type (icon), Name, Schedule Type (Recurring/One-time), Days/Dates, Time Range, Status (Active/Inactive), and Actions. Should show multiple schedules with different types and statuses.]
Schedule List View
Schedule Table Columns
The schedule table displays:
- Type: Icon indicating recurring (🔄) or one-time (📅)
- Name: Schedule name
- Schedule Type: Recurring or One-time
- Days/Dates: Days of week or date range
- Time Range: Start and end times
- Status: Active (green) or Inactive (gray)
- Actions: Menu for schedule operations
![Screenshot: Close-up of the schedules table showing several rows with different schedule types - recurring schedules showing repeat icons, one-time schedules showing calendar icons. Should highlight the type column and show various time ranges and statuses.]
Filtering Schedules
Filter your schedules:
- Use the Search box to find schedules by name
- Use the Status dropdown to filter by:
- All Status
- Active
- Inactive
![Screenshot: Filter controls showing a search box with search icon and a Status dropdown menu. Should show the search box with placeholder "Search schedules..." and the Status dropdown with "All Status" selected.]
Creating a Schedule
To create a new schedule:
- Click the "Create Schedule" button (top-right)
- Fill in the schedule form (see details below)
- Click "Create Schedule"
![Screenshot: Create Schedule dialog/form showing all form fields including Schedule Name, Schedule Type toggle (Recurring/One-time), day selection, time fields, playlist selector, and Active toggle. Should show the form ready to be filled out.]
Schedule Form Fields
Basic Information
- Schedule Name: Descriptive name (e.g., "Weekday Morning Promotions")
- Schedule Type: Choose Recurring or One-time
![Screenshot: Top section of schedule form showing Schedule Name field with placeholder text, and Schedule Type section with two buttons/toggles: "Recurring" (selected/highlighted) and "One-time".]
Recurring Schedules
For schedules that repeat:
- Select "Recurring" as schedule type
- Select Days of Week: Check boxes for Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Select multiple days as needed
- Set Start Time and End Time
![Screenshot: Recurring schedule configuration showing day selection with checkboxes for each day of the week (Mon-Sun), with some days checked (e.g., Mon-Fri). Should show Start Time and End Time fields below.]
One-Time Schedules
For single events:
- Select "One-time" as schedule type
- Set Start Date: When schedule begins
- Set End Date (optional): When schedule ends
- Set Start Time and End Time
![Screenshot: One-time schedule configuration showing date pickers for Start Date and End Date (optional), with Start Time and End Time fields. Should show calendar date pickers with dates selected.]
Time Configuration
For both schedule types:
- Start Time: When schedule begins (e.g., 08:00)
- End Time: When schedule ends (e.g., 22:00)
- Use 24-hour format or AM/PM depending on system
![Screenshot: Time fields showing time pickers for Start Time (08:00) and End Time (22:00), with clock icons or time input controls.]
Playlist Assignment
- Playlist: Select which playlist to play during this schedule
- Choose from your existing playlists
- Required field
![Screenshot: Playlist dropdown showing a list of available playlists with one selected (highlighted), showing how to assign a playlist to the schedule.]
Status
- Active: Toggle to activate schedule immediately
- Inactive: Schedule created but not active
- You can activate/deactivate later
![Screenshot: Active toggle/switch showing the schedule set to "Active" (green/checked), with label "Active (Schedule will be applied immediately)".]
Schedule Types Explained
Recurring Schedules
Use for:
- Daily content (same every day)
- Weekly patterns (weekdays vs weekends)
- Regular promotions
- Standard operating hours
Examples:
- "Weekday Business Hours": Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 5 PM
- "Weekend Promotions": Sat-Sun, 10 AM - 8 PM
- "Morning Announcements": Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 9 AM
![Screenshot: Example recurring schedule showing "Weekday Morning" schedule with Mon-Fri selected, 08:00-12:00 time range, assigned to "Morning Promotions" playlist, and Active status.]
One-Time Schedules
Use for:
- Special events
- Product launches
- Limited-time promotions
- Holiday content
Examples:
- "Black Friday Sale": Nov 24-26, 6 AM - 11 PM
- "Product Launch": Dec 1-7, all day
- "Holiday Hours": Dec 24-25, 10 AM - 4 PM
![Screenshot: Example one-time schedule showing "Holiday Special" schedule with date range Dec 24-25, 10:00-22:00 time range, assigned to "Holiday Content" playlist, and Active status.]
Editing Schedules
To modify an existing schedule:
- Click the Actions menu (three dots) for a schedule
- Select "Edit"
- Modify any fields as needed
- Click "Save Changes" or "Update Schedule"
![Screenshot: Edit schedule dialog showing the same form fields as create, but with existing values filled in. Should show a schedule being edited with modified values highlighted.]
Activating/Deactivating Schedules
Activating a Schedule
To activate an inactive schedule:
- Edit the schedule
- Toggle Active to ON
- Save changes
- Schedule will start immediately (if within time window)
Deactivating a Schedule
To temporarily disable a schedule:
- Edit the schedule
- Toggle Active to OFF
- Save changes
- Schedule stops but isn't deleted
![Screenshot: Schedule status toggle showing how to change a schedule from Active (green) to Inactive (gray), with the toggle switch visible in the edit form.]
Deleting Schedules
To permanently delete a schedule:
- Click Actions → Delete
- Confirm deletion (if prompted)
- Schedule will be removed
Warning: Deleting a schedule will stop automated playback. Ensure this is what you want.
![Screenshot: Delete confirmation dialog showing a warning message like "Are you sure you want to delete this schedule? This will stop automated playback." with Cancel and Delete buttons.]
Schedule Best Practices
Naming Conventions
Use clear, descriptive names:
- ✅ Good: "Weekday Morning - 8AM-12PM"
- ✅ Good: "Holiday Sale - Dec 24-25"
- ✅ Good: "Weekend Promotions - Sat-Sun"
- ❌ Avoid: "Schedule1", "Test", "New Schedule"
Time Management
- Business Hours: Match your operating hours
- Peak Times: Schedule important content during peak hours
- Off Hours: Use different content for off-peak times
- Overlap: Be aware of overlapping schedules
Multiple Schedules
You can create multiple schedules:
- Different playlists for different times
- Weekday vs weekend content
- Morning vs afternoon content
- Special event schedules
![Screenshot: Multiple schedules view showing how different schedules can coexist, with a timeline or calendar view showing when each schedule is active throughout the day/week.]
Schedule Conflicts
Understanding Conflicts
Schedules may overlap:
- Same Time: Multiple schedules at same time
- Priority: System may use most recent or first created
- Device Assignment: Check which devices use which schedules
Resolving Conflicts
To avoid conflicts:
- Review all active schedules
- Ensure non-overlapping times
- Or assign to different devices
- Test schedule timing
![Screenshot: Schedule conflict warning or visualization showing overlapping schedules highlighted, with a message indicating which schedules conflict and suggestions for resolution.]
Schedule Examples
Example 1: Business Hours Schedule
- Name: "Business Hours - Weekdays"
- Type: Recurring
- Days: Monday - Friday
- Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Playlist: "Business Content"
- Status: Active
Example 2: Weekend Promotions
- Name: "Weekend Promotions"
- Type: Recurring
- Days: Saturday, Sunday
- Time: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Playlist: "Weekend Promos"
- Status: Active
Example 3: Holiday Event
- Name: "Black Friday Sale"
- Type: One-time
- Dates: November 24 - November 26
- Time: 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Playlist: "Black Friday Content"
- Status: Active
![Screenshot: Three example schedules displayed in cards or list format, showing the different configurations for business hours, weekend promotions, and holiday events.]
Troubleshooting Schedules
Schedule Not Running
If schedule isn't executing:
- Check Status: Verify schedule is Active
- Verify Time: Ensure current time is within schedule window
- Check Device: Verify device is online and assigned
- Review Playlist: Ensure playlist has content
- Check Dates: For one-time, verify dates are correct
Schedule Running at Wrong Time
If timing is incorrect:
- Check Time Zone: Verify system time zone
- Review Times: Double-check start/end times
- Device Time: Ensure device time is synchronized
- Test Schedule: Create test schedule to verify
Multiple Schedules Conflict
If schedules conflict:
- Review all active schedules
- Identify overlapping times
- Adjust schedules to avoid conflicts
- Or assign to different devices
Schedule Analytics
View schedule performance:
- Execution history
- Success/failure rates
- Device compliance
- Time-based analytics
![Screenshot: Schedule analytics dashboard showing statistics like "Schedules executed: 245", "Success rate: 98%", "Active schedules: 12", with charts showing schedule performance over time.]
Next Steps
Now that you understand scheduling:
- Create Playlists to schedule
- Assign schedules to Devices
- Monitor Analytics for schedule performance
- Review Troubleshooting for issues
Tip: Create schedule templates for common patterns (weekdays, weekends, holidays) to speed up setup!