📚 Glossary

A comprehensive glossary of terms used throughout the Phygrid platform. Use this reference guide to understand key concepts, features, and terminology.

Alert

A notification system that monitors device conditions and automatically sends notifications when specific triggers are met. Alerts help you stay informed about device status, performance issues, and operational events across your Phygrid infrastructure.

Key aspects of Alerts:

Device Monitoring: Requires device monitoring to be enabled for condition tracking
Trigger Conditions: Monitor device status, session counts, or specific events
Severity Levels: Define notification frequency based on alert importance
Scope Control: Target specific devices or limit alerts to certain spaces
Notification Groups: Send alerts via email or webhooks to designated recipients

App

Software that runs on the Phygrid platform, provided through the Phygrid Marketplace, and developed by Phygrid or third-party developers. Apps extend the functionality of your Phygrid installation and can be customized to meet specific business needs.

Examples of Apps:

Content Player for digital signage
Queue Management for customer flow
Endless Aisle for product browsing
Trigger Playlist for automated content

Channel

A collection of media structured into segments that can be deployed to devices for content playback. Channels allow you to organize and sequence your media content in a logical flow for your audience.

Key features of Channels:

Organize media into logical segments
Control playback order and timing
Deploy to specific devices or spaces
Mix different media types (images, videos, web content)
Schedule content for specific times or dates

Data Residency

The country or region where your Tenant data is physically located and stored. Data residency ensures compliance with local regulations and can affect data access speed and legal jurisdiction.

Important considerations:

Compliance: Meets local data protection laws (GDPR, etc.)
Performance: Closer data centers typically provide faster access
Legal: Determines which jurisdiction governs your data
Backup: Data backups are typically stored in the same region

Device

A physical piece of hardware that runs PhyOS and connects to the Phygrid platform to execute Installations. Devices serve as the endpoint where digital experiences are delivered to users in physical spaces.

Key aspects of Devices:

Hardware Types: Intel/AMD (x86-64), specialized devices, or virtual machines
Operating System: Runs PhyOS for seamless platform integration
Space Assignment: Belongs to a specific Space for organizational purposes
Remote Management: Configure, monitor, reboot, and update from the console
Content Delivery: Automatically receives and runs assigned Installations
Offline Support: Functions offline after initial content download

External ID

A customizable free text field that provides an additional identifier or descriptor for Spaces and Devices within the Phygrid platform. External IDs serve as supplementary reference information that can be included in alerts and help with integration to external systems or organizational workflows.

Key aspects of External ID:

Free Text Field: Customizable identifier that can contain any descriptive text
Multi-Entity Support: Available for both Spaces and Devices configuration
Alert Integration: Included in alert notifications for additional context
External System Integration: Useful for connecting with existing organizational systems or workflows

Global Settings

The shared configuration applied to all devices within an Installation that defines the common functionality and appearance. Global Settings serve as the foundation setup that applies uniformly across multiple devices, eliminating the need to configure each device individually.

Key aspects of Global Settings:

Shared Configuration: Applied to all devices connected to the Installation
Foundation Setup: Defines common elements like logos, themes, and core functionality
Efficiency: Configure once and apply to multiple devices simultaneously

Installation

An application that has been installed and configured on the Phygrid platform. Once an App is installed from the Marketplace, it becomes an Installation that can be deployed to specific devices and spaces.

Key points about Installations:

Created when you install an App from the Marketplace
Can be configured with specific settings and content
Deployed to devices within your chosen spaces
Managed independently from the original App

Installation Group

An organizational category used to group related Installations together for better management and navigation. Installation Groups help organize multiple installations, including both regular Apps and peripheral edge apps, making it easier to manage complex deployments across your Phygrid platform.

Key aspects of Installation Groups:

Navigation Aid: Helps organize the installations list for better user experience
Optional Grouping: Can be assigned during installation or left ungrouped

Managed Tenant

A Tenant created in the service for a specific Customer and for the Customer's use, which belongs to the Customer but can be managed by an Approved Partner on the Customer's behalf. This arrangement enables partners to provide technical expertise and day-to-day management while maintaining clear ownership boundaries.

Key aspects of Managed Tenants:

Ownership: Belongs to the Customer, not the managing partner
Management: Day-to-day operations handled by an Approved Partner
Access Control: Partners receive delegated permissions for specific functions
Collaboration: Combines customer business needs with partner technical expertise
Flexibility: Customers retain control while benefiting from specialized management

Marketplace

Phygrid's software repository that allows you to install applications developed by Phygrid and other developers. The Marketplace is your central hub for discovering, installing, and managing Apps that extend your Phygrid platform capabilities.

What you'll find in the Marketplace:

First-party Apps developed by Phygrid
Third-party Apps from certified developers
Detailed app descriptions and requirements
Installation and configuration guides

Network

The internet connectivity infrastructure required for Phygrid devices to function properly, including specific firewall configurations and IP whitelisting. Networks must be configured to allow connectivity to Phygrid services based on data residency, with different requirements for provisioning, post-provisioning, and ongoing operations.

Key aspects of Networks:

Data Residency-Based Configuration: Different IP addresses and domains required for each region
Firewall Requirements: Specific ports, protocols, and IP addresses must be whitelisted
Offline Support: Devices can function offline after initial content download
Regional Variations: Different configurations for US, EU, AU, IN, and UAE deployments

Peripheral

External hardware devices that connect to and extend the functionality of primary Devices through specialized edge applications. Peripherals are managed through dedicated edge apps and enable integration with various hardware components to enhance user interactions.

Key aspects of Peripherals:

Edge App Integration: Managed through specialized peripheral edge apps from the Marketplace
Hardware Extension: Extends primary Device capabilities with external components
Device Connection: Connected to and controlled by primary Devices running PhyOS
Remote Configuration: Settings can be adjusted and deployed remotely through the console
Analytics Support: Provides peripheral-specific analytics and monitoring data

Product

Digital catalog items that represent merchandise physically located in-store or part of extended inventory that can be displayed and managed within the Phygrid platform. Products include detailed information such as descriptions, pricing, inventory, and variants that can be integrated from external feeds or created manually.

Key aspects of Products:

Multiple Import Methods: Integrate via Google Product Feed, import from Excel, or create manually
Rich Content: Include titles, descriptions, media, pricing, and inventory information
Variants Support: Manage different sizes, colors, styles, and configurations
Category Organization: Group products into categories for better organization and navigation

Product Feed

An external data source that automatically provides product information to the Phygrid platform through scheduled synchronization. Product Feeds enable seamless integration of product catalogs from external systems, supporting formats like Google Product Feed and Google Local Inventory for real-time stock availability.

Key aspects of Product Feed:

Automated Synchronization: Scheduled syncing to keep product data current and accurate
Multiple Feed Types: Supports Google Product Feed and Google Local Inventory integrations

QR Code

A machine-readable code that stores information accessible by scanning with smartphones or dedicated scanners. In the Phygrid platform, QR codes are powered by qr.run service, providing dynamic codes that can track metrics and redirect users to specific web addresses.

Key aspects of QR Codes:

Dynamic Functionality: Powered by qr.run service for advanced tracking and management
Metrics Integration: Integrated with Phygrid Signals for detailed analytics
Custom Short URLs: Create memorable short links (e.g., qr.run/demo-link)
Multiple Formats: Available as downloadable images for printing and digital use

QR.run

A flexible service that powers Phygrid's QR code functionality, providing comprehensive link management and tracking capabilities. QR.run offers multiple ways to share and track content through short URLs, downloadable QR code images, and dedicated NFC-specific links.

Key aspects of QR.run:

Flexible Link Management: Create custom short URLs with memorable IDs
Multiple Output Formats: Provides short URLs, QR code images, and NFC-specific links
Dedicated NFC Support: Separate URLs for NFC tags with dedicated tracking metrics
Tracking Integration: Built-in analytics through Phygrid Signals for comprehensive metrics

Segment

A single piece of scheduled and targeted content within a Channel that can be deployed to devices. Segments are the building blocks of content delivery, combining media or apps with specific timing and targeting conditions to ensure the right content reaches the right audience at the right time.

Key aspects of Segments:

Content Types: Can contain videos, images, media, or even apps with settings
Scheduling: Defined start and end dates control when content is active
Content Targeting: Uses tags to determine which devices should display the content
Channel Integration: Multiple segments combine to form complete Channels
Flexible Targeting: Can target specific spaces, device types, or custom conditions
Content Management: Can be edited, cloned, or deleted as needed

Settings Override

Device-specific configuration that modifies or extends Global Settings for individual devices within an Installation. Settings Override allows customization of specific elements on a per-device basis while maintaining the shared foundation from Global Settings.

Key aspects of Settings Override:

Device-Specific Customization: Modify settings for individual devices without affecting others
Selective Overrides: Change only specific elements while inheriting the rest from Global Settings
Flexible Configuration: Combine shared settings with device-specific requirements
Efficient Management: Customize individual devices without duplicating entire configurations

Space

A physical or virtual location represented on the Phygrid platform. Spaces help organize your devices, users, and content in a way that mirrors your real-world business structure.

Types of Spaces:

Location: Physical stores, offices, or facilities
Region: Countries, states, or geographic areas
Section: Areas within a location (e.g., departments)
Floor: Levels within a building
Custom: User-defined space types

Tag

A label or attribute that can be assigned to devices, content, or spaces to enable targeted content delivery and organization. Tags serve as conditions that determine when and where specific content should be displayed, providing flexible control over your digital experiences.

Key aspects of Tags:

System Tags: Automatically created by the platform (location, orientation, device type)
Content Tags: User-created tags for targeting specific content to devices or spaces
Content Variants: Define different versions of content for specific contexts
Device Assignment: Custom tags can be assigned to devices for content management
Targeting Control: Determine which content appears on which devices and when
Organization: Group and categorize devices, content, and spaces logically

Tenant

An instance of the Phygrid Console used by a Customer which provides a single place to manage Users, permissions, roles, Devices, and Installations. A Tenant can represent an organization or a subsection of an organization, providing isolated and secure access to the Phygrid platform.

What a Tenant includes:

User Management: Control who has access and what they can do
Device Management: Monitor and control all connected devices
Installation Management: Deploy and configure Apps across your infrastructure
Data Isolation: Your data is completely separate from other Tenants
Billing Boundary: Usage and costs are tracked per Tenant
Customization: Branding, settings, and configurations unique to your organization

User

An individual person who has been granted access to a Tenant with specific permissions and roles. Users can be invited to collaborate on managing devices, content, and operations within designated Spaces, with their access level controlled by assigned roles.

Key aspects of Users:

Role-Based Access: Assigned specific roles that determine what they can do (Admin, Editor, Viewer, etc.)
Space Assignment: Can be granted access to all Spaces or limited to specific ones
Invitation System: Added to Tenants through email invitations with defined permissions
Billing Impact: Only 'Viewer' roles are free; other roles incur charges
Custom Roles: Organizations can create custom user roles with tailored permissions
Management: Can be edited, deleted, or have their access modified by administrators

Whitelist

A network security approach that allows access only to approved hostnames or domains. In Phygrid, whitelists are managed through whitelist rules that specify which external sites devices can connect to, ensuring secure and controlled internet access for Apps that require external resources.

Key aspects of Whitelist:

Controlled Access: Only approved hostnames/domains are accessible to devices
App Dependencies: Required when Apps need connectivity to external APIs or media sources

Coming Soon

More terms will be added to this glossary as the platform evolves. If you can't find a term you're looking for, check the relevant how-to guides or contact support for clarification.

📝 Missing a term? Help us improve this glossary by suggesting terms that should be included. The more comprehensive our glossary, the better we can help you understand and use the Phygrid platform.