Chrome licenses give you access to Chrome Enterprise, a set of device management features for Chrome devices from Google that will give you advanced tools to have the best digital signage experience. By using Chrome licenses and Chrome Enterprise, you can have ScreenCloud be the only application running on your devices, ensure your devices are properly connected, receive notifications if they go offline, and easily deploy ScreenCloud to a large number of devices.
To find out how to purchase Chrome licenses and get started with Chrome Enterprise, please refer to How to Set Up ScreenCloud on Chrome OS Devices Using Google Workspace, Chrome Licenses and Kiosk Mode.
Below are some of the features you will have access to that will help you manage your digital signage effectively.
1. What is kiosk mode and why do I need it?
Kiosk mode will allow you to run a single app on a Chrome device and lock it down so no one can interfere with it. It's useful if you're using the screen in a public area. Also, if there's a power failure or the app crashes for some reason, the device will auto-launch the app again.
We highly recommend using kiosk mode with Chrome devices to provide you with an optimal digital signage experience, in addition to providing additional features for your device. Using a Chrome license to set your Chrome device in kiosk mode provides a number of benefits and features for your digital signage device, such as:
Device monitoring and reporting
Remote updates
Reboot device remotely
Capture screen
Device offline notification
Ability to manage and deploy policies at a user level (for Chrome Enterprise licenses only)
Ability to use the device as a workstation (exit kiosk mode) (for Chrome Enterprise licenses only)
View internet signal and connection strength
Please note: You will need to purchase either a Chrome Enterprise Upgrade, Chrome Education Upgrade or a Chrome Nonprofit Upgrade. Please take a look at Google's list of Google Cloud partners who specifically offer Chrome solutions for help with purchasing your Chrome licenses.
For more information, please review the article we mention in our introduction here, and please view this support article from Google here, or contact [email protected].
2. Using ScreenCloud without kiosk mode, how does this affect me?
Kiosk mode is not required to run the ScreenCloud app on a Chrome device but it is recommended for a few reasons which will greatly improve your experience. Here are some reasons why we don't recommend using the ScreenCloud player app without kiosk mode:
The ScreenCloud app will not start automatically once the device is turned on
The ScreenCloud app will not automatically re-launch if the device crashes or restarts
The device is less locked down and the ScreenCloud app can be exited to use other services
Lack of remote updates and remote reboots, as well as no device reporting and lessened app stability
3. ScreenCloud player app features
Let's take a look at the benefits you will receive by using the ScreenCloud player app:
Full-screen and multi-zone layout support
Landscape and portrait support
Offline playback of media and some apps: video and images
Boot at the start (not available without Chrome license)
Schedule reboot (not available without Chrome license)
4. Recommended Chrome device management settings
Here are the main settings we recommend you set when setting up Chrome Enterprise to ensure your device has the best experience.
i) User Data Settings:
Make sure the User Data setting is set to “Do not erase all local user data”, otherwise when the device reboots it will lose connection to your management console. This option is under Sign-in Settings:
ii) Scheduled Reboot:
You can schedule your Chrome device to reboot by specifying the Number of days before reboot. The device will be rebooted after that given number of days. You can find this option by performing the following:
Visit the Device Settings page
Click on Chrome Management
Click on Device Settings, scroll down to Power & Shutdown and then enter 1 under Scheduled Reboot: Number of days before reboot; leave empty for unset.
iii) Timezone:
You want to make sure that your device is in the correct timezone in the current location otherwise your schedule may not work as it should. Please refer to this page from Google about the setting.
iv) Kiosk device status alerting contact information:
You can enter your email address and phone number to receive alerts of when your device goes offline:
You can learn more about specific device settings here.
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