How DST Connect Works

Platform Architecture

DST Connect consists of two components: a cloud-based CMS for content management and a device application that runs on the display hardware. All communication between the CMS and devices is direct — without third-party intermediaries.

Supported Hardware

DST Connect runs on 50+ hardware platforms. The same application delivers a consistent experience across all supported devices.

SoC Displays (no external player needed)

External Players

Touchscreens & Interactive

DST Connect supports interactive deployments via touch-enabled displays such as Elo touchscreens and BenQ interactive flat panels, enabling wayfinding, self-service kiosks, and interactive menus.

Device Setup

Setting up a device takes minutes. Install the DST Connect app, claim the screen with a verification code, and start publishing content.

Screen Claiming

Step 1 — Install the app. The DST Connect app is installed on the device. For SoC displays, this is typically done via the manufacturer's app store or USB provisioning. For external players, the app is pre-installed or deployed remotely.

Step 2 — Verification code. Once the app starts, the device displays a unique 6-character verification code on screen. This code is valid until claimed and uniquely identifies the device.

Step 3 — Claim the screen. A user logs into the DST Connect dashboard, enters the verification code, and the device is instantly linked to the organisation. The device receives its configuration and is ready for content.

Step 4 — Assign content. Assign a playlist or template to the screen. The device picks up the new content automatically on its next sync.

Bulk Provisioning

For large-scale deployments, DST Connect supports bulk provisioning. Upload a list of devices with pre-configured settings (location, tags, assigned content) and deploy hundreds of screens in one go. Devices auto-register when they come online — no manual claiming needed.

Templates & Editor

DST Connect provides a complete content creation platform with a library of 600+ professionally designed templates and a visual drag-and-drop editor.

Template Library

Browse and filter 600+ templates across categories: corporate communications, hospitality, education, retail, healthcare, and more. Templates are fully responsive and optimised for digital signage displays.

Visual Editor

Customise any template with the visual editor — no design or coding skills required:

• Brand presets — save your brand colours, fonts, and logos for consistent output
• DST Connect AI — generate images, write text, or optimise existing copy with built-in AI tools
• Multi-layer timeline — animate elements with transitions and timing
• Data bindings — connect live data sources (weather, news, social, calendars) directly in the template

Integrations & Modules

DST Connect includes 50+ integrations and 14 built-in modules that automate your digital signage content — from Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace to HR systems, education platforms, and more. View all integrations →

Playlists & Scheduling

Combine templates into playlists, set transitions and timing, and schedule content per screen or group of screens.

Sequences (playlists)

A Sequence combines multiple templates into a single playlist. Configure:

• Duration per slide — how long each template is shown (5s, 10s, 30s, custom)
• Transitions — fade, slide, zoom between templates
• Slide order — sequential or shuffle

Scheduling

Schedule different content for different times of day, days of the week, or specific date ranges. Assign playlists to:

• Individual screens — unique content per display
• Screen groups — same content across a location, floor, or region
• Time slots — breakfast menu in the morning, lunch menu at noon, promotions in the evening

Content Delivery

Content is delivered securely from the DST Connect cloud to the device, cached locally, and played back independently.

• Automatic sync — devices periodically check the CMS for updates and download new content automatically
• Local caching — all content (images, videos, templates) is cached on the device for instant playback
• Offline playback — if the network connection drops, the device continues playing the cached content indefinitely
• Delta updates — only changed assets are downloaded, minimising bandwidth usage

On-Device Management

The DST Connect app runs on the device and provides full hardware control via the built-in JS SDK. All management commands are sent directly from the DST Connect CMS to the device — no third-party services involved.

Power Management

Control power state and scheduling directly from the DST Connect dashboard:

• Screen on/off — turn the display on or off remotely
• Scheduled power — set daily on/off times (e.g., 08:00–18:00 on weekdays, off on weekends)
• Remote restart — restart the device or app remotely for troubleshooting
• Wake-on-schedule — device wakes up automatically before content is scheduled to play

Audio & Display Control

• Volume control — adjust audio volume remotely, per device or per group
• Mute/unmute — toggle audio output from the dashboard
• Screen brightness — adjust display brightness for different environments (where supported by hardware)
• Screen orientation — switch between landscape and portrait mode

Monitoring & Diagnostics

• Online/offline status — real-time connectivity status for every device
• Device information — hardware model, firmware version, IP address, storage capacity, uptime
• Content verification — confirm which content is currently playing on each screen
• Remote screenshots — capture a live screenshot from the device to verify what is being displayed
• Network diagnostics — WiFi signal strength, connection type, bandwidth usage
• Storage monitoring — available disk space and cache status
• Error reporting — automatic alerts when a device goes offline, encounters playback errors, or runs low on storage

Device Organisation

• Tags — label devices by location, department, client, or any custom category
• Groups — organise devices into groups for bulk content assignment and management
• Locations — assign physical locations for easy fleet overview

Security, Network & Infrastructure

DST Connect is built with enterprise-grade security. Devices require only outbound HTTPS access — no inbound ports, VPN, or firewall changes needed.

For the complete details on encryption, hosting, compliance, network whitelisting, and infrastructure, see the dedicated security documentation:

Security & Compliance Documentation →