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Setup Checklist

Complete this checklist to ensure your BrandCast system is fully configured and ready for production use.

Phase 1: Account Setup​

✅ Account Creation​

  • Sign up for Brand Cast account
  • Verify email address
  • Complete account profile
  • Choose subscription plan
  • Add payment information (if applicable)

✅ User Profile​

  • Upload profile picture
  • Set display name
  • Configure timezone
  • Set notification preferences
  • Enable two-factor authentication (recommended)

Phase 2: Store Configuration​

✅ Create First Store​

  • Enter store name and code
  • Add physical address
  • Set store timezone
  • Enter contact information (phone, email)
  • Configure store hours

✅ Additional Stores (Multi-Location)​

  • Add all store locations
  • Verify timezone for each store
  • Assign store managers
  • Configure location-specific settings

Phase 3: Team Setup​

✅ Invite Team Members​

  • Identify users who need access
  • Send account invitations
  • Assign appropriate roles:
    • OWNER - Full account control
    • ADMIN - Manage users, content, displays
    • MANAGER - Create content and layouts
    • VIEWER - View-only access

✅ Configure Permissions​

  • Review default role permissions
  • Customize if needed for your organization
  • Test access levels
  • Document access policies

Phase 4: Content Preparation​

✅ Brand Assets​

  • Upload company logo
  • Upload brand color palette references
  • Add brand fonts (if custom)
  • Create brand guidelines document

✅ Media Library​

  • Organize media into folders/tags
  • Upload promotional images
  • Upload product photos
  • Upload videos (if applicable)
  • Tag all media for easy searching
  • Test media playback

✅ Content Sources​

  • List all integrations needed:
    • Google Slides presentations
    • RSS feeds
    • Calendar integrations
    • Weather displays
    • Employee scheduling (ZoomShift)
    • Stock market data
    • Other integrations
  • Configure each integration
  • Test data feeds

Phase 5: Display Hardware​

✅ Hardware Acquisition​

  • Identify display locations
  • Purchase display devices:
    • Tablets (if using)
    • Smart TVs (if using)
    • HDMI sticks (if using)
    • Mounting hardware
    • Power cables/adapters
  • Test all hardware before installation

✅ Network Preparation​

  • Verify WiFi coverage at display locations
  • Create dedicated SSID for displays (recommended)
  • Configure firewall rules (if needed)
  • Test internet speed at each location (10+ Mbps recommended)
  • Document WiFi credentials

✅ Physical Installation​

  • Mount displays securely
  • Connect power
  • Connect to WiFi
  • Test display visibility/viewing angles
  • Cable management
  • Security (lock tablets, secure TVs)

Phase 6: Layout Design​

✅ Layout Planning​

  • List all display purposes:
    • Customer-facing promotions
    • Employee schedules
    • Welcome displays
    • Menu boards
    • Other purposes
  • Sketch layout concepts
  • Identify required content for each layout
  • Choose template or create custom

✅ Create Layouts​

  • Create layouts for each display type
  • Add content areas
  • Configure content sources
  • Set up content rotation (if needed)
  • Test layouts in preview mode
  • Get stakeholder approval

✅ Template Library​

  • Save approved layouts as templates
  • Create seasonal variations
  • Document layout usage guidelines
  • Train team on layout editing

Phase 7: Display Registration​

✅ Register Devices​

For each physical display:

  • Create display in BrandCast dashboard
  • Note registration code
  • Navigate to display.brandcast.app on device
  • Enter registration code
  • Verify successful connection
  • Assign initial layout
  • Test display shows content correctly

✅ Display Configuration​

  • Set display names (descriptive and location-based)
  • Assign displays to correct stores
  • Configure display-specific settings
  • Set schedules (if time-based content)
  • Set playlists (if rotating content)
  • Test all displays

Phase 8: Content Scheduling​

✅ Create Schedules (Optional)​

  • Identify time-based content needs
  • Create schedule rules:
    • Business hours content
    • After-hours content
    • Special event schedules
    • Seasonal schedules
  • Assign schedules to displays
  • Test schedule transitions

✅ Create Playlists (Optional)​

  • List layouts to rotate
  • Set rotation duration for each
  • Configure transition effects
  • Assign playlists to displays
  • Test playlist rotation

Phase 9: Integrations​

✅ Google Slides​

  • Create Google Slides presentations
  • Share presentations with BrandCast
  • Add Slides content sources
  • Configure refresh intervals
  • Test display

✅ RSS Feeds​

  • Identify RSS feed URLs
  • Add RSS content sources
  • Configure display settings
  • Set refresh intervals
  • Test feed updates

✅ Calendar Integration​

  • Choose calendar source (Google Calendar, iCal)
  • Grant calendar access
  • Configure event display
  • Set refresh rate
  • Test event updates

✅ Weather​

  • Set location for weather data
  • Choose temperature units (F/C)
  • Configure display format
  • Test weather updates

✅ Employee Scheduling​

  • Connect ZoomShift account (if using)
  • Configure schedule display
  • Set refresh interval
  • Test schedule updates

Phase 10: Testing & Quality Assurance​

✅ Content Testing​

  • Verify all images display correctly
  • Check video playback (quality, no buffering)
  • Test text readability from typical viewing distance
  • Verify color accuracy and brightness
  • Check content rotation timing
  • Test all integrations update correctly

✅ Display Testing​

  • Confirm all displays online
  • Test display responsiveness
  • Verify scheduled content changes work
  • Test playlist transitions
  • Check display health monitoring
  • Test remote layout changes

✅ User Acceptance Testing​

  • Have stakeholders review displays
  • Gather feedback on content
  • Make requested adjustments
  • Final approval from management
  • Document any special requirements

Phase 11: Training​

✅ Admin Training​

  • Train admins on user management
  • Review content upload process
  • Demonstrate layout editing
  • Explain display monitoring
  • Cover troubleshooting basics
  • Provide admin documentation

✅ Content Manager Training​

  • Train on media upload
  • Review tagging and organization
  • Demonstrate layout updates
  • Explain content scheduling
  • Train on integrations management
  • Provide content guidelines

✅ Store Manager Training​

  • Overview of assigned displays
  • How to request content changes
  • Reporting display issues
  • Emergency procedures
  • Contact information for support

Phase 12: Documentation​

✅ Internal Documentation​

  • Document WiFi credentials
  • Record all login credentials
  • List all display locations
  • Create troubleshooting guide
  • Document escalation procedures
  • Create content update procedures

✅ Support Resources​

  • Bookmark help documentation
  • Save support contact information
  • Create internal FAQ
  • Document common issues and solutions
  • Set up support ticket system (if needed)

Phase 13: Launch​

✅ Soft Launch​

  • Enable displays during off-hours
  • Monitor for 24-48 hours
  • Address any issues found
  • Gather initial feedback
  • Make adjustments

✅ Full Launch​

  • Announce go-live to team
  • Enable all displays
  • Monitor first week closely
  • Respond quickly to issues
  • Gather user feedback
  • Document lessons learned

Phase 14: Ongoing Maintenance​

✅ Daily Tasks​

  • Check display health status
  • Review for any offline displays
  • Respond to support requests
  • Monitor content freshness

✅ Weekly Tasks​

  • Update promotional content
  • Review display performance
  • Update integration data sources
  • Address reported issues
  • Plan next week's content

✅ Monthly Tasks​

  • Review storage usage
  • Archive old content
  • Update seasonal layouts
  • Review user access
  • Check for software updates
  • Review analytics (if available)

✅ Quarterly Tasks​

  • Hardware inspection and cleaning
  • Update brand assets if changed
  • Review and update documentation
  • User training refresher
  • Evaluate new features
  • Plan seasonal campaigns

Success Metrics​

Track these metrics to measure success:

Content Metrics​

  • Average content age
  • Number of active layouts
  • Media library size
  • Integration uptime

Display Metrics​

  • Display uptime percentage
  • Number of offline incidents
  • Average response time to issues
  • Display health score

User Metrics​

  • Active users count
  • Content updates per week
  • Support tickets per month
  • User satisfaction score

Common Pitfalls to Avoid​

Don't skip these critical steps:

  1. ❌ Launching without testing all displays thoroughly
  2. ❌ Forgetting to train content managers
  3. ❌ Not documenting WiFi and login credentials
  4. ❌ Skipping stakeholder approval on layouts
  5. ❌ Failing to plan ongoing maintenance
  6. ❌ Not testing displays at actual viewing distances
  7. ❌ Ignoring network bandwidth requirements
  8. ❌ Skipping hardware security measures
  9. ❌ Forgetting to set up monitoring
  10. ❌ Not having backup displays or plans

Need Help?​

If you get stuck on any step:

  • 📚 Documentation: help.brandcast.app
  • 💬 Live Chat: Available in your dashboard
  • 📧 Email Support: [email protected]
  • 📞 Phone Support: Available for Enterprise plans
  • 🎓 Training: Schedule onboarding session

Next Steps​

Once you've completed this checklist:

Congratulations! 🎉 Your BrandCast system is now ready for production use.