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Four Winds information

Updated information 2025: 

https://service.purdue.edu/TDClient/32/Purdue/KB/ArticleDet?ID=117

OLD information

Basic Information about how Four Winds kiosks work

The SMARTsigns service uses Four Winds technology, which works in several steps:  
  1. The person who designs the things to be displayed on the sign (Content Creator) uses the Content Manager Desktop software (on their computer) and sends content to the server. 
  2. The server writes content to the database.  
  3. The database then sends the content to the Content Player computer (mounted directly behind or near the display). 
  4. The Content Player computer then sends the content to the digital display. Note: There is a firewall rule that needs to be updated - NOT ITNS responsibility, but it's on digitalsigns.purdue.edu server.
ECN installs the Content Manager Desktop software on your ECN-domain desktop, or provides access for you to install it on your laptop.
 

Support resources for Four Winds

The service doesn’t have a dedicated support resource and this can be challenging if and when there is an issue.
Discovery Park/EVPR has a person who helps manage content, but for most engineering groups, it is up to the department how to manage their content, and how to troubleshoot any problems that might arise.
 
The normal sequence for troubleshooting problems that go beyond "How do I add _____ to my Four Winds display":
1) Content Creator engages local IT support to rule out hardware malfunctions (tier 1)
2) Issues not resolved can be escalated to the SignSupport group (signsupport@purdue.edu) (tier2);
3) Issues not resolved at this level are escalated to the Four Winds support (tier 3)
 
ECN supports the hardware the Content Creator uses, IT Infrastructure Services provides the server administration, Cooperative Services Desktop Support (CSDS) provides the Content Player Computer for ECN participants and some background administration. If necessary, AV Services provide ordering and installation of new/replacement signs.
 
New Content Creators can utilize very simple video tutorials online that will provide the foundational skills to create content using the Content Manager Desktop software using the directions at https://sp2013.itap.purdue.edu/itcommunity/SMART%20Technology/Hardware/SitePages/Home.aspx
 
The Marketing and Media CORE contains good reference material for digital signage: https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/CMO/ (requires Purdue authentication)
 

Miscellaneous Information

Location and type of TV is critical - if the TV is touch-enabled, the positioning and other details must be ADA compliant.

Touch-enabled signs must have content designed carefully, since touches count as clicks and can interrupt certain presentations.

The SMARTsigns service oversight committee (SOC) provides governance and oversight of the service.
 
Most computers purchased through ECN in the past 4 years can run the Four Winds content player, but we recommend an ultra-small form factor computer that can be more easily hidden.

Additional SMARTsigns hardware information is located on SharePoint (log in as onepurdue\username): https://sp2013.itap.purdue.edu/itcommunity/SMART Technology/Signs/Shared Documents/Support

The SMARTsigns service uses Four Winds technology, which works in several steps:  
  1. The person who designs the things to be displayed on the sign (Content Creator) uses the Content Manager Desktop software (on their computer) and sends content to the server. 
  2. The server writes content to the database.  
  3. The database then sends the content to the Content Player computer (mounted directly behind or near the display). 
  4. The Content Player computer then sends the content to the digital display.
 
ECN installs the Content Manager Desktop software on your ECN-domain desktop, or provides access for you to install it on your laptop.

Client Types

Just wanted to add a list of the different client types that we received in a recent email from FourWinds. This is helpful info for knowing what is available from FourWinds and a brief description. (added by alexs)

· Content Creator: An individual that has been granted access to FWI Cloud to manage digital signs; is either an Author or a Contributor.

· Author: A Content Creator who uses FWI Cloud and Content Manager Desktop to deploy content to digital signs.

· Contributor: A Content Creator who uses FWI Cloud and Content Manager Web to deploy content to digital signs.

· Content Manager Desktop (CMD): The Four Winds application Authors use to deploy content to digital signs.

· Content Manager Web (CMWeb): The web interface Contributors use to distribute content to a Content Player.

· FWI Cloud: The web interface that all Content Creators will use to access the various cloud modules including Library, Devices, CMWeb.

· Content Player: The computer connected to the digital sign that receives content.

Last Modified: Dec 10, 2025 1:24 pm US/Eastern
Created: Jun 21, 2017 11:30 am GMT-4 by admin
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