How to Automate Content Updates Using OneDrive or Google Drive

Introduction

Completion Time: 20-30 minutes

Description:

This guide walks you through automating content updates in Wallboard by linking a cloud storage service, such as Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive, to Wallboard's file manager. Once files are synced into the cloud folder in Wallboard's file manager, that folder can be added directly to a playlist. This allows the playlist to play any files that are automatically synced to the folder from the cloud storage. Folders, like media assets, can be dragged into the playlist timeline panel from the asset panel in the playlist editor, ensuring seamless and automatic content updates.

Step-by-Step Interactive Tutorial

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add a Cloud Credential

Navigate to the Cloud Credentials Menu:

• Click Settings in the navigation bar.
• In the expanded submenus, click Cloud Credentials.

Select the Appropriate Cloud Service Tab:

• At the top of the Cloud Credentials page, select either Microsoft, Google, or Other based on the cloud service you plan to connect.

Add a New Cloud Credential:

• Click the + button in the selected tab.
• In the Add Cloud Credential popup:
  • Name: Enter a descriptive name for the credential (e.g., "Marketing OneDrive").
  • Scope: For this guide, select Microsoft OneDrive.
  • Tenant Type: Choose Personal Account for personal OneDrive folders or Work and School Account for SharePoint folders.
• Click Sign in with Microsoft (or Sign in with Google, depending on the service).
• Follow the prompts to authenticate and authorize Wallboard access to your cloud storage.

2. Link a Cloud Folder to the File Manager

2.1. Open the Playlist Editor

Create or Open a Playlist:

• Navigate to the Contents section on the Wallboard dashboard.
• Click the + button, select Create Playlist, and name your playlist.
• Click Create and Open to enter the Playlist Editor.

Access the File Manager:

• In the Playlist Editor, click the file icon to the left of the + button in the asset panel. This will open the file manager.

2.2. Connect a Cloud Folder

Click the + Button in the File Manager:

• Select Connect Microsoft OneDrive folder (or Connect Google Drive folder, depending on your service).

In the Connect Microsoft OneDrive Folder Popup:

• Select the appropriate cloud credential from the Cloud Credential dropdown.
• Click Continue.

Configure the Connection Settings:

• On the right side, browse the tree view to find and select the specific folder you want to sync.
  • Expanding Folders: To expand and view subfolders, click the arrow icon located on the right side of the folder row. This will reveal any subfolders, allowing you to select the exact folder needed for syncing.
  • (Optional) If using SharePoint, choose the Site and Drive first before selecting folders.
  • Hover over a folder row to display a checkbox on the left side, then click the checkbox to select the folder.

• On the left side, configure the following options:
  • File Change Tracking Mode:
    • Select Active Sync to track all file operations, including additions, deletions, and modifications.
  • File Type:
    • Check all relevant file types. For this use case with Microsoft OneDrive, it’s recommended to select Image, Video, PDF, Excel, Document, and Presentation. This allows syncing of PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and media assets directly into your playlist, ensuring automatic updates when files are modified or added.

Complete the Setup:

• Click Connect to add the folder to Wallboard.

3. Verify the Cloud Folder Sync

Open the Cloud Folder in Wallboard:

• Once the folder is added, click into it in the file manager.
• Wait a moment for the files to sync.
• Verify that the files from your cloud storage are uploaded into the folder.

Test Automatic Updates:

• Add a new image or video file to the linked cloud folder from your computer.
• From the file manager, wait a moment and click into the folder.
• Confirm that the new file appears in the folder.

4. Add the Cloud Folder to the Playlist

Select Media in the Navigation Bar within Playlists:

• In the Playlist Editor, ensure the Media option is selected in the left-side panel.
• This will display all folders and media assets from the file manager in the center panel (asset panel) of the playlist editor.

Drag the Cloud Folder into the Timeline Panel:

• Locate the synced cloud folder in the asset panel.
• Drag the folder from the asset panel into the timeline panel.
• The playlist will now display any files added to the cloud folder automatically, ensuring your content stays up to date without manual intervention.

5. Configure the Folder’s Playback Settings

Set Item Shuffle Mode:

• In the Playlist Editor, click the Playback Settings (gear icon) located above the folder in the timeline panel.
• Set the Item Shuffle Mode dropdown to Serial or Balanced.
  • If one folder is set to Balanced, it will play one asset before moving to the next folder.
  • If set to Serial, it will play all assets in the folder before moving to the next.

Set Played Media Types:

• In the Played Media Types dropdown, select the media types you want to display from the folder.
• To exclude documents, uncheck them and leave Images and Videos selected.

Set Playback Order:

• Set the Ordering Mode to Alphabetical or Random, depending on the display order you prefer.
• Press Save to apply your settings.

Set Dwell Time for Each Asset:

• In the timeline, double-click the Duration Field above each asset to adjust how long it should display (e.g., 10 seconds).

6. Save and Publish

Save the Playlist:

• Click the Save icon (floppy disk) to confirm your changes.

Publish the Playlist:

• Assign the playlist to a screen or schedule it for deployment using Wallboard’s scheduling tools.

Troubleshooting Tips

Missing files in the synced folder:

• Ensure all relevant file types are selected in the File Type dropdown when adding your cloud folder.

Folder not appearing in the tree view during folder selection:

• Verify that the correct Tenant Type was selected when adding the cloud credential.
• Try switching between Personal Account and Work or School Account.
• If neither option works, consider using Service Principal.

Cloud credential not appearing in the setup popup:

• Ensure the correct Scope was selected when adding the cloud credential (e.g., Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive).
• Double-check that the cloud credential was added correctly.

Downloads

Downloadable content!

• Project files

Tip!

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@wallboard.info. Happy editing!