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Understanding Parent Group and Subgroup Hierarchy in Kitcast

Kitcast’s hierarchy system allows you to deliver content effectively by using Parent Groups and Subgroups. This structure provides flexibility in content management, enabling you to share playlists across screens while offering options for customization at more granular levels.

How Hierarchy Works

  • What is Inherited? Subgroups inherit the Main Playlist from their Parent Group. This inheritance is one-directional: Parent Groups do not inherit content from Subgroups.
  • Default Content Sharing: If a specific playlist is not assigned to a Subgroup, its screens will display the Parent Group’s Main Playlist by default.
  • Overrides: Assigning a unique playlist to a Subgroup overrides the Parent Group’s Main Playlist for the screens linked to that Subgroup.

Example Usage

Parent Group: "Clothing Store Chain"

  • Subgroup 1: "Women’s Clothing"
    • Subgroup 1.1: "Formal Wear" (Screen 1)
    • Subgroup 1.2: "Casual Wear" (Screen 2)
  • Subgroup 2: "Men’s Clothing" (Screen 3)
  • Subgroup 3: "Kids’ Clothing" (Screen 4)

  • Unified Content Delivery: A Main Playlist assigned to the Parent Group could include general branding or promotional offers. This playlist extends to all screens within its Subgroups by default.
  • Customized Content: If "Casual Wear" (Subgroup 1.2) is running a sale, you can assign a unique playlist to that Subgroup. Screens connected to Subgroup 1.2 will display the custom playlist, while other Subgroups continue showing the Parent Group’s Main Playlist.

Common Scheduling Scenarios

  1. No Playlists Scheduled in a Subgroup:
    Screens in this subgroup will play the Parent Group’s Main Playlist.
  2. Unscheduled Playlist in Subgroup, Scheduled in Higher Group:
    The higher-level group’s scheduled playlist will take over.
  3. Scheduled Playlist for 9:00–14:00, Current Time 14:30:
    The scheduled playlist runs only between 9:00–14:00. Afterward, screens switch to the Parent Group’s Main Playlist.
  4. Business Hours Playlist with After-Hours Content:
    During working hours, the subgroup playlist plays. After hours, screens revert to corporate content from the Parent Group.

For more details on scheduling, please check out our Scheduling Guide.

Best Practices

  • Use Parent Groups for General Messaging: Ideal for branding or wide-reaching campaigns.
  • Leverage Subgroups for Targeted Content: Tailor content for specific audiences or events.
  • Audit Regularly: Check your group hierarchy to ensure proper content assignment.

By understanding the hierarchy of Parent Groups and Subgroups, you can strike the perfect balance between unified branding and localized messaging. Kitcast’s system gives you the tools to organize and optimize your digital signage network effortlessly.