Set Up Static Inventory

In this section, we describe how to set up static inventory on your domain that will be displayed in the Static Inventory Page. We also describe the steps needed to import or update a static plan.

Note: Domain settings are available only to users assigned the Admin role. For more information, see User Privileges by Role.

Static inventory refers to traditional, non-digital, advertising faces (posters, billboards, bus wraps, etc.).

A "face" is the surface area on an OOH (Out of Home) unit where clients display advertising copy. A structure may have more than one face.

Note: In Broadsign Direct, static inventory operates differently than digital inventory. See Digital Inventory Page.

You can add your own static inventory that includes the location of all of the faces in your network. Static inventory will show only after it is imported.

Note: A new import overwrites existing inventory.

By default, the menu item is hidden.

You will need to create a .csv file with the appropriate data. Broadsign Direct provides a static inventory template for you. To create the file requires three general steps:

  1. Export the static inventory template from Broadsign Direct. This file provides you with the allowable columns and correct format. On a new domain, the columns will be empty.
  2. Enter your static inventory data into the file, respecting the format. You can leave existing columns blank; however, you are unable to add columns to the file.

    3. Tip: If you want to remove faces from your inventory, remove the row or information of the faces from the .csv file, and then import the file. See Remove Static Faces from Inventory.

  3. Import the file, now containing your inventory data, back into your domain.

To export the template:

  1. In the Domain Settings section, click on Import & Export.

  2. In the Static Inventory section, click Export.
    • Your system will download a .csv file.
    • The file name is in this format: screens_[year]-[month]-[day]. For example: screens_2018-03-02.

Note: You can leave existing columns blank; however, you are unable to add columns to the file.

Tip: If you want to remove faces from your inventory, remove the row or information of the faces from the .csv file, and then import the file. See Remove Static Faces from Inventory.

To open the static inventory data file:

  1. Open the static inventory .csv file you downloaded (we recommend Microsoft Excel or similar spreadsheet program).

  2. Enter your static inventory data.

Remove Static Faces

You can remove static faces from your inventory by removing the corresponding rows from the .csv file, and then import the file. Since a new import of the static inventory data file overwrites the existing inventory, the static faces will be removed from the Static Inventory Page.

The .csv file includes 10 columns (see below).

Supported Encoding

The .csv file must use one of the encoding formats that Broadsign Direct supports:

  • ASCII
  • UTF-8
  • UTF-8-BOM
  • ISO-8859-1
  • ISO-8859-14

Column Details

Column Letter Name Content

A-D: Screen identification columns

These columns contain information imported from Broadsign Control Administrator. They help to identify the screen on your domain and its location in the field.
A external_id Use this field to store an external identifier from your own system.
B name The name of the face or structure (for example, "NY Bus 0097", "Toy Store UK0014", etc.).
C reference_id Use this field to store an external identifier that you want to map to an integration with third-party software.
D format The type of face or structure (for example, shelter, billboard, etc.).
E deployment_date

The date on which the static face will be deployed. A future date.

Note: Date format is "yyyy-mm-dd".
F number_of_slots The number of slots available on the face or structure.
G address The physical address of the face or structure.
H latitude The latitudinal data of the face or structure.
I longitude The longitudinal data of the face or structure.
J criteria_list A list of the criteria that apply to the face or structure. Criteria must be separated by the ";" character. For example: Airport;Coffee Shop. See The Filter Panel.

Note: Remember to save the file in .csv format, otherwise Broadsign Direct will be unable to import your data.

To import inventory data:

  1. Return to the Import & Export section of the domain settings.
  2. In the Static Inventory section, click Import.
  3. Navigate to your .csv file and select it.

  4. Click Open.

A new Static Inventory Page will appear containing a list of your static faces.