Reorganized Dashboard
The CommandCenterHD dashboard underwent a somewhat minor but highly beneficial facelift. The four main sections of the dashboard are now laid out in order of your workflow for uploading, creating and deploying content. The biggest change being that Templates are now accessible for creation and management outside of the Campaign Manager section. This update increases system efficiency within the application by reducing clicks dramatically while also providing a cleaner roadmap for your workflow.
Additionally, the administration tools on the right hand side of the dashboard have received a number of updates (noted within this message). By the way, if you are a legacy CCHD customer and are looking for “AlertHD”, it is now in the list on the right hand side.
One final note about the dashboard… we had several clients ask us if they could add their logo to CommandCenterHD’s dashboard. Our development group said “sure, why not” and implemented a company profile section to CommandCenterHD. To add your logo, simply go to the “Configuration” tab, locate the logo section, browse your desktop for the logo and upload it to the system. CommandCenterHD will resize it for inclusion on the dashboard.
On to the updates and new features…
Vertical UI Support and Playback
Need to display your content on a display hung vertically (portrait-mode), not a problem. Simply set the “vertical” permission to your content within CommandCenterHD and the system will pre-format your slides for vertical playback.
Please note: all legacy data is horizontal and cannot be converted to vertical. To take advantage of vertical playback, you will need to upload your new media.
Optional HTTPS CommandCenterHD
Worried about the security of your data transfers or just prefer working in an HTTPS environment? Click the “Secure Login” option on the login page and you will be redirected to the secure CCHD interface.
Channel Caching
CommandCenterHD’s new Channel Caching feature keeps your content running even when network communication to your signage has been severed. In the event your network incurs downtime or disconnection from your digital signage, your campaigns will continue to run uninterrupted from the Channel Cached on each DMP.
Please note: in the event of a network outage, you will lose access to RSS feeds as they are pulling from an external web resource. Additionally, you would also lose any remote images that are not selected to be cached. See “Optional External Media Cache” feature below for more information.
AlertHD Update
The Alerts function of the system received a notable overhaul and now allows you to control alerts with even greater certainty. Alerts can now be issued via a “trigger” response, such as integration with a fire alarm safety system or database call. They can also be activated and deployed to specific displays using CCHD’s attributes system. Additionally, Alerts can now be scheduled to display for the duration of your choice or shut down manually.
Optional External Media Cache w/ Update Interval Control
When adding “Remote Images” to CommandCenterHD you now have the option to not only cache the media on the DMP, you can also select an update interval to tell the system how often you would like it to go out and grab a new image. This feature helps to reduce bandwidth requirements and keeps external images active during network loss. The image will not be updated by its external resource during the network outage but it will not display as a broken image or error.
Dynamic Images Now Available for Use on Individual Slides.
This updates gives users the ability to access and manipulate dynamically generated images at the slide level. In previous additions of CCHD, users were forced to configure dynamic images at the template level only. The template-level function still exists along with the added flexibility to integrate your dynamic images at the slide level.
Weather Caching (a new approach to weather)
In previous releases of CCHD, the “call” weather function required numerous requests to weather service web sites to obtain accurate and current weather information. With this new release, weather “calls” are made less frequently by caching the latest forecast on the CCRS-RA. New information is only called upon and obtained when there is an actual change in the forecast. This methodology greatly reduces bandwidth consumption across the board and prevents the weather “N/A” error from occurring on your signage, which was due to excessive call requests to the weather service.
RSS Caching
Just like the updates to Weather “calls”, RSS feeds now only update when there is new information to be had instead of constantly checking the service for updates. CommandCenterHD checks for RSS updates every 30 minutes.
Redesigned Channel Scheduler
A few simple UI tweaks to the ChannelsHD have made scheduling your Channels even easier. Assign your campaign, choose to run a simple schedule (infinite play rotation) or assign a specific schedule (including months, days of the week and time of day) for complete control of your campaign playback.
DMP Configuration / Zip Code Update
To tune your DMP to local information such as weather, you now are only required to enter the local zip code. In previous CCHD versions, users were also required to add the local airport code as well as longitude and latitude. By entering the proper zip code for the DMPs, CCHD will now obtain the information automatically making setup and troubleshooting that much easier.
Updated Drag and Drop On Slide Editor
The Drag and Drop functionality of the slide editor underwent some slight programming enhancements to make the usability smoother, more accurate and efficient. Users will enjoy to more fluid feeling of the updated editor and will no longer deal with “skipping” content when dragging content.
Live Data / Data Feeds Now Dynamic Images
The title says it all. Live Data and Data Feeds have been renamed “Dynamic Images” within the CCHD user interface. If you’re looking for Live Data or Data Feeds on the dashboard or within the Template manager, please note both are now listed as Dynamic Images.
Quick View of IP on DMP Master List
Another efficiency improvement of the UI, DMP IP’s can now be seen on the master DMP list within CCHD making it easier for those configuring or troubleshooting the digital signage network by reducing the number of clicks and presenting the information on a single page.

DMP Status with CCRS-RA
Similar to the “Quick View of IP” feature noted above, the DMP Status check is located on your master DMP list and will verify if your DMPs are online, their start up address, if FTP and Read/ Write settings are active and if the DMPs are properly connected to the CCRS-Relay Appliance.
New RSS Display Option – Tele Ticker
Another customer request – in addition to scrolling RSS, many of our customers wanted a “typing” RSS display option. For those experiencing RSS lag when utilizing scrolling-based RSS tickers, the Tele-Ticker option is a great alternative as playback is extremely smooth and reliable.
Modules
Now available within CommandCenterHD are a number of module-based add on services and applications to further enhance your digital offerings. Modules come in many flavors ranging from the simple widget-based routine tasker to full blown applications such as the Delphi Event Manager. Modules can be located within the CommandCenterHD Marketplace launching in October 2009. If you are interested in learning more about current and upcoming modules, please contact an Industry Weapon sales rep, check out our product blog and join our newsletter for release updates.
Listed below are a few of the current modules being offered…
Countdown Contest
The Countdown Contest module allows you to run a variety of engaging contests for your digital signage patrons. Contests can be setup and deployed in just a couple of minutes and can be configured to interrupt your scheduled signage or be scheduled for later usage.
How does it work? Simply give the contest name, select the template to be applied to the contest, enter the point of redemption, the countdown duration and the contestants. Next schedule the contest to interrupt your signage or play during a scheduled interval. Click “Save” and you’re ready to go.
Event Directory Module
Need an easy way to schedule and display events with your digital signage? To get started, simply enter the directories to be utilized, then assign the conference or convention rooms for each floor or building, and schedule your events using the integrated calendar and time setting tools.
Created with front desk admins in mind, the Event Directory module accommodates users of any skill level.
Directory Module
Static building directories are a thing of the past and the CommandCenterHD Directory module allows you to easily create, deploy and manage your building’s new digital directories. Created with front desk admins in mind, the Directory module accommodates users of any skill level.
How does it work? Access the Directory module, add your directory, add the rooms and occupants for the directory and click “Save”. Best of all, when used in “half screen” mode, you can run traditional signage (commercials, offerings, new services, etc) on the other half of the display.
Wayfinding - Exit
The Wayfinding Exit module allows you to upload floor plans and maps to inform your patrons and faculty of the closest exit points in relation to your digital signage. Featuring a quick setup, drag and drop interface, the Wayfinding Exit module is great for general campaign playback and emergencies situations.
For emergencies, Wayfinding Exit can be driven by a triggered event system such as Fire Alarm Safety. Wayfinding Exit can also be activated by user interaction on “touch” enabled displays.
GlobalCast
Globalcast takes highly targeted digital signage messaging to a whole other level. Enjoy limitless attribute/DMP combinations, applied to infinite locations and campaign schedules – resulting in complete control of your marketing initiatives. Your message, where you want it, when you want it, quick and easily – simple and plain!
How does it work? Simply assign attributes to the digital media players in your network, launch the Globalcast Module, select your Campaign – choose your time frames and select the attributes to push the content to – that’s it. The media player will pull the targeted content from CommandCenterHD and publish it to the displays that match your assigned Attributes, resulting in laser precise messaging opportunities. Example: I want to schedule my new marketing campaign to run from December 1st through the 24th, Mon-Thurs on the left-hand displays of my checkout counters in all of my stores in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. With just a few clicks of the mouse, your Campaign is inserted into your scheduled content running per your attribute choices – Presto!
Delphi Event manager
CommandCenterHD’s Delphi module integrates with Newmarket International’s Delphi hotel, gaming, restaurant and banquet facilities event management software. Now you can turn your traditional event signage into a more personalized experience. Upload logos and videos to CommandCenterHD for the companies reserving event space and when you schedule new events in Delphi, the logos and videos are seamlessly included with the event booking information and broadcasted to the digital signage.
When no events are scheduled, venue specific content, upcoming events or a variety of customizable information can be displayed on the digital signage.
4.2.4 Release notes
Upgrading to CCHD 4.2.4 requires an update to your CCRS-RA to version 2.1.1. Prior to updating your main CCHD account, please confirm your CCRS-RA is running version 2.1.1
To download a PDF version of the release notes click here
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