Add new sign to Poppulo Cloud system

Adding a new sign to the Poppulo Cloud system involves a few simple steps, but each is important in order to form the proper connections. The process includes:

1. Install Poppulo Content Player software to the player machine
2. Add player machine to Poppulo Cloud Devices module
3. Connect player machine to Content Manager

Install Poppulo Content Player software

1. Download the Content Player software from the Digital Signage Community of Practice SharePoint
2. Once installed, open the Content Player Configuration settings
   1. On the Channels tab
      1. These settings should be automatically added when running the installer linked above. If they are not correctly added, contact us for assistance.
         1. Check the box at the top beside “Retrieve deployment from a server”
         2. Enter the Deployment ID
            1. If it does not appear automatically, manually enter the computer name where you just installed the content player.
         3. Expand the Connection Properties dropdown and ensure that content exists for the Username/Password fields.
            1. If yes, you are ready to move on.
            2. If no, please contact us to get the credentials needed to connect to Poppulo Cloud. For security reasons, we will not be posting that on this website.
   2. On the About tab
      1. Open this and click on Activate Cloud
      2. The system will ask for an Invite Code which you will get in the next step when you activate the player machine in Poppulo Cloud… (keep these settings open and move on to “Add player machine to Poppulo Cloud Devices” below)
      3. Once you have entered this code, click OK at the bottom to close the configuration settings, then reopen the settings and continue to the Channels tab instructions below

Add player machine to Poppulo Cloud Devices

1. Login to Poppulo Cloud
2. Open the Devices Module. If you do not see the Devices Module, please contact us.
3. On the far right of the light blue bar, click New –> Device Invite Code
4. A new window will appear asking for a Device name:
   • Enter an administrative name for this device:
     • Please use the following naming convention: CampusCode_CollegeCode_Unit – sign location.
       • Examples:
         • UP_UE – Grange Building West
         • UP_AG_APD – APD 3
         • BD_RUB_RUBdesk – Rub Desk East
         • BR – Bistro
   • Click “Create”
5. This will generate a 6-digit code. Insert this code into the text box on the About tab in the Content Player Configuration settings on the player machine (Step 2.2.2 above in Install Poppulo Content Player Software).
   • NOTE: This code will expire 7 days after creation. If it expires, simply request a new invite code using steps 3 and 4 above.
6. Once activated:
   • Locate the recently activated device in the main Devices folder in Poppulo Cloud and click on the device name.
     • This will bring up a full screen view with a few additional columns of information.
     • In the second column from the right, add the following:
       • Description: Add the Computer Name and IP Address for this device
         • This is very helpful when trying to locate a machine for troubleshooting purposes.
       • Label: Add your business area
         • Click the blue Add button
         • Under Labels, click the Plus (+) icon beside Business Area
         • Click in the Business Area text field and locate your business area. If you do not know your business area, or are unable to locate it from the list, please contact us for assistance. This value determines where the bill goes for this device, so it is important to be accurate.
       • Move: Once those items are added, please move your device to your unit’s folder
         • Click on the Move link under Actions
         • Expand the Penn State Signs folder to reach the appropriate folder for your unit.
         • Select your unit and click “Move”
         • This will move the device into your unit’s folder in the Devices Module.

Connect player to Content Experience Builder

If installing a brand new sign/player:

1. Open Content Experience Builder
2. Navigate to the location (red icon) you wish to add the new sign and right-click.
3. Select Add New Player (blue icon)
4. A popup window appears:
   1. Name: This is an administrative name for you to easily identify this player. It has no bearing on any connection to any content.
   2. Deployment ID: This is the computer name of the computer where the corresponding Content Player is installed.
      1. NOTE: It is important that this Deployment ID and the Deployment ID on the player machine are an exact match.
   3. Check the radio button beside “A server will manage the deployment”
   4. Click OK.
5. The sign is now ready to go. In order for the actual player machine to receive content, you must first deploy it from content manager.

If replacing an existing sign/player:

1. Open Content Manager
2. Navigate to the player you replaced (blue icon).
3. Right-click and select Properties:
   1. Name: Rename as appropriate for the new machine. This may not need changed at all.
   2. Deployment ID: Edit to now display the computer name of the new device.
   3. Click OK.
4. Save.
5. The sign is now ready to go. In order for the actual player machine to receive content, you must deploy it from content manager.