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SSP - Vistar Media

The Vistar Media SSP (Supply-Side Platform) integration enables you to incorporate programmatic advertising from Vistar Media's network directly into your digital signage channels. This feature allows for dynamic ad serving, revenue generation, and flexible channel management.

Prerequisites​

Before creating SSP channels, ensure the following requirements are met:

1. Vistar Media Account​

  • You must have an active Vistar Media account
  • Obtain your Network ID and API Key from Vistar Media

2. Administrator Configuration​

  • Your system administrator must configure the Vistar Media Base URL
  • This is typically pre-configured but may require verification

3. Customer-Level Setup​

  • Configure your Vistar Media credentials in Settings > Preferences
  • Both Network ID and API Key must be entered

4. Device Configuration​

  • Each device must have a Venue ID configured in its SSP settings
  • This ensures devices receive ads targeted to their specific location

How It Works​

SSP channels connect your digital signage to Vistar Media's programmatic advertising network. When a display device requests content:

  1. The system identifies the SSP channel in the playlist
  2. Connects to Vistar Media using your configured credentials
  3. Uses the device's Venue ID to request location-specific ads
  4. Requests relevant ads based on your channel settings
  5. Receives and displays appropriate advertising content
  6. Tracks impressions for proof of play reporting

Initial Setup​

Customer Configuration​

  1. Navigate to Settings > Preferences
  2. Locate the Vistar Media section
  3. Enter your credentials:
    • Vistar Media network id: Your unique network identifier from Vistar
    • Vistar Media api key: Your authentication key from Vistar
  4. Click the save button
  5. Confirm your changes when prompted
tip

Store your Vistar Media credentials securely. The API key will be hidden after saving for security purposes.

Device Venue ID Configuration​

Each device playing SSP content must have its Venue ID configured:

  1. Navigate to Devices
  2. Select the device to configure
  3. Access the device settings
  4. Locate the SSP section
  5. Enter the Venue ID provided by Vistar Media for that location
  6. Save the device settings
warning

Without a properly configured Venue ID, devices will not receive location-appropriate ads from Vistar Media.

Creating an SSP Channel​

Create Channel​

  1. Navigate to the Channels menu
  2. Click the button next to the Channels header
  3. Select SSP from the options
    • You'll see "Vistar Media" as the subtitle
  4. Enter a descriptive Channel Name

What to Play Configuration​

When creating an SSP channel, you'll configure several important settings that control how ads are selected and displayed.

Duration Settings​

Configure how long ads should play:

  • Static duration (seconds) (Required): Default duration for all ads

    • Minimum value: 1 second
    • This is used when ad duration cannot be determined

  • Minimum duration (seconds) (Required): Shortest acceptable ad length

    • Must be less than maximum duration
    • Ads shorter than this will not be selected

  • Maximum duration (seconds) (Required): Longest acceptable ad length

    • Must be greater than minimum duration
    • Ads longer than this will not be selected
note

Duration settings help ensure ads fit within your content rotation schedule. Choose ranges that work with your overall playlist timing.

Supported Media Types​

Select which types of media the channel should accept:

Image Formats:

  • JPEG (image/jpeg)
  • PNG (image/png)

Video Formats:

  • MP4 (video/mp4)
  • MPEG (video/mpeg, video/mpg)
  • WebM (video/webm)

Audio Formats:

  • AAC (audio/aac)
  • MP3 (audio/mpeg)
warning

When mixing audio formats with image/video formats, you'll see a warning. Consider creating separate channels for audio-only content.

Audio Settings​

  • Allow audio: Toggle to permit ads with sound
    • Automatically enabled when audio media types are selected
    • Cannot be disabled if only audio types are selected

Advanced Filtering (Optional)​

Control which specific ads or categories appear:

  • Order ID: Enter a specific Vistar order identifier to limit ads to a particular channel

  • Excluded Creative IDs: Block specific advertisements by their IDs

    • Add multiple IDs using the chip input
    • Press Enter after each ID

  • Blocked Categories: Prevent certain ad categories from appearing

    • Add category names using the chip input
    • Common categories include: alcohol, gambling, political, etc.

How to Play Settings​

After configuring what content to accept, set how it should play:

  1. Click the icon in the top-right corner of the What to play modal
  2. Configure the following settings:

General Settings​

Channel order: Defines the position of this channel relative to others

  • Higher numbers play later in the rotation
  • Default value: 1

Channel saturation: Controls how often this channel plays

  • Higher values mean more frequent playback
  • Default value: 1

Learn more: Channel order | Channel saturation

Playback Settings​

In the playback slot: Number of ads to play consecutively before switching to other channels

Learn more: In playback slot

When to Play (Scheduling)​

Configure when the SSP channel should be active:

  1. In the channel editor, navigate to the When to play section
  2. Set your scheduling preferences:
    • Always active (default)
    • Specific days/times
    • Date ranges

Where to Play (Device Assignment)​

Assign the channel to specific displays:

  1. In the channel editor, navigate to the Where to play section
  2. Select devices or device groups where ads should appear
  3. Use tags for easier device management
important

Remember that each assigned device must have its Venue ID configured in the device settings for ads to play correctly.

Managing SSP Channels​

Viewing SSP Channels​

SSP channels appear in your channels list with:

  • Type displayed as "SSP"
  • Same management options as regular channels (edit, delete, duplicate)
  • Special icon:

Editing SSP Channels​

  1. Navigate to the Channels menu
  2. Locate your SSP channel in the list
  3. Click the channel name or edit icon
  4. Modify settings as needed
  5. Save your changes
note

The channel type (SSP) cannot be changed after creation. To switch types, create a new channel.

Channel Playlist Snapshot​

Monitor what's currently playing:

  1. Use the Channel Playlist Snapshot feature
  2. Filter by SSP channels using tags
  3. View current ad rotation

Learn more: Channel Playlist Snapshot

Best Practices​

Venue ID Management​

  • Document which Venue ID corresponds to each physical location
  • Verify Venue IDs are correctly entered before launching channels
  • Update Venue IDs when devices are relocated

Duration Management​

  • Set minimum durations that allow for meaningful ad display (typically 10-15 seconds)
  • Maximum durations should align with your content rotation schedule
  • Consider your audience's attention span when setting durations

Media Type Selection​

  • Choose formats compatible with your display hardware
  • Separate audio-only content into dedicated channels
  • Test different formats to ensure smooth playback

Content Filtering​

  • Use category blocking to maintain brand-appropriate content
  • Regularly review excluded creative IDs
  • Document filtering decisions for team reference

Performance Optimization​

  • Limit the number of simultaneous SSP channels per display
  • Monitor network bandwidth usage
  • Use device tags to manage large deployments efficiently

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

No ads displaying:

  • Verify Vistar Media credentials are correctly entered
  • Check that devices have Venue IDs configured
  • Ensure Venue IDs match those provided by Vistar Media
  • Check network connectivity
  • Ensure duration settings allow for available ad inventory
  • Review filtered categories and excluded IDs

Authentication errors:

  • Re-enter API credentials in Settings > Preferences
  • Verify credentials with Vistar Media support
  • Check for expired API keys

Location-specific ad issues:

  • Confirm Venue ID is correctly configured for the device
  • Verify the Venue ID is active in Vistar Media's system
  • Check with Vistar Media that ads are available for that venue

Media format issues:

  • Confirm display devices support selected media types
  • Test with different format combinations
  • Check device logs for playback errors

Getting Help​

For assistance with SSP channels:

  1. Check device logs for specific error messages
  2. Verify all configuration steps were completed, including Venue IDs
  3. Contact support at support@wallboard.us with:
    • Channel configuration details
    • Device Venue ID settings
    • Error messages from logs
    • Device and network information
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