A simple replacement for Chrome Sign Builder
Thanks for your interest in using my simple signage application. I work as a technology educator in Asheville City Schools, North Carolina.
We have used Chrome Sign Builder for our school district's digital signage for many years. With its advertised end of life, I spent many months searching for a cheap, effective replacement that we could launch using kiosk mode from the Google Admin Panel. I struck out. The available options either didn't work, or were way outside of our budgets.
So, I created JGE Digital Signage as my own solution. We've been using it for several months and I've been encouraged to share it with other districts. I'm not trying to make a boatload of money from it and I'm happy to share it with as many people as care to use it.
This signage app does require you to have a small bit of technical ability to get set up; but I've got video instructions to show you exactly what to do and, once it's set up, you can manage your signs in a simple spreadsheet.
To help pay for server space and support costs, I'm asking for donations to help keep the app running. Once you've tested the app for 30 days, a suggested donation of $5 per screen per YEAR would be greatly appreciated. I can accept purchase orders as well if your school district requires it. If that doesn't work for you, get in touch and we can work something out.
-- Jesse Emry
The digital signage app has two pieces. The first runs on my server and provides the scripts necessary to load various signs on a schedule that you create. The second half runs as a web app in YOUR Google Workspace domain and it provides access to the schedules and signs you and your staff create.
Because your half of the web app will run with the permissions of the user who sets it up, it's recommended that you create a service account (digital.signage@yourdomain.edu or something of the sort) to install the app so that you don't inadvertently provide access to any private data.
To get started and test it out, please fill out this Google Form. You'll receive an email with instructions to get going. You can have your signs set up and running in just a few minutes.
I do not have any interest in your personal information. The only emails you will receive from me are setup instructions and replies to your inquiries. The app is designed the way it is, with you hosting your own local version, to ensure that you don't have to share any private information outside of your Google Workspace domain.
Set a schedule in a simple spreadsheet: Set a start time and end time and which item to display.