SmilControl

SmilControl, developed by SmilControl GmbH, is a digital signage software solution designed for small to large enterprises. According to the vendor, it offers a web-based CMS that allows for centralized management of digital screens worldwide. This software is targeted at various professions and industries, including retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, and corporate sectors.

Key Features

Digital Signage CMS: According to the vendor, SmilControl's web-based software enables centralized management of digital screens worldwide. It efficiently handles media content such as images, videos, and documents, while supporting playlist management and scheduling. The CMS also provides dynamic content with channels and multiple zones, along with generating playback statistics and reporting.

White Label Digital Signage for Reseller: SmilControl offers white-label software solutions for resellers and enterprises. According to the vendor, it seamlessly integrates with the reseller's portfolio, allowing customization and branding of the media player on digital signage hardware. The software supports multi-client capability and hierarchical user access control, along with features like white-label corporate design and license management.

SMIL-Player: According to the vendor, SmilControl supports SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) for playlist control and is compatible with various SMIL players from different vendors. It offers features such as support for widgets, multiple zones, and reporting. Additionally, SmilControl provides a free SMIL-Player called Garlic-Player for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android, and allows for customization and development of own hardware solutions.

Digital Signage Proxy: According to the vendor, the Digital Signage Proxy acts as a network cache and accepts requests from web browsers. It saves bandwidth by caching content locally and protects devices. The proxy enables efficient sharing of the internet connection among multiple media players and provides features like automatic integration of media players, centralized time-controlled downloads, and duplicate detection, with a web GUI for manual operations and control.

Android Launcher for Digital Signage: SmilControl turns Android devices into secure media players by separating media player software and hardware-related control tasks. According to the vendor, it incorporates a watchdog timer for system monitoring, creates a secure user interface, and automatically launches the media player. The Android Launcher is compatible with the Garlic-Player for Android.

Watchdog-Timer against player crashes: According to the vendor, SmilControl includes a watchdog timer feature that detects crashes in the digital signage media player and automatically restarts it within seconds. This ensures uninterrupted playback of content, minimizing disruptions and enhancing reliability.

Secure User Interface: According to the vendor, SmilControl provides a secure user interface that prevents unauthorized access to the system. Only technicians with appropriate password knowledge can manually access the system, ensuring protection against hacks or compromises.

Reboots, Installations, and Updates: According to the vendor, SmilControl allows for silent software updates and installations. It enables remote execution of software maintenance tasks from the Digital Signage CMS, eliminating the need for manual confirmation. This streamlines the process of updating and installing additional apps.

The garlic-launcher: According to the vendor, the garlic-launcher is an open-source software that works with SmilControl and other digital signage media players. It offers basic administrative functions for digital signage players, including silent reboots, screen on/off scheduling, password-protected kiosk mode, and more.

Security gain due to "no-rooted": According to the vendor, SmilControl utilizes the "Device Owner" concept introduced by Android since version 7, providing a defined interface with special authorization. This approach is said to significantly increase device safety compared to rooted devices, enhancing overall security.