What Is the Butler?
The viewneo Butler is an IoT gateway that connects your digital signage installation to external devices. With the Butler, you can control lights, motors, outlets and other actuators directly from the viewneo CMS.
How It Works
Section titled “How It Works”The viewneo Butler connects to your viewneo player via the local network and controls connected devices wirelessly (Zigbee). Actions can be triggered in three ways:
- Scheduled – Set times at which devices should be switched on or off automatically.
- Event-based – React to triggers such as playlist changes, content events or sensor input.
- Manually – Control devices directly from the CMS when needed.
The communication flow is as follows:
- The Butler connects to the same local network as your viewneo player.
- You pair Zigbee-compatible actuators (lights, outlets, motors) with the Butler.
- The viewneo CMS sends commands to the player, which forwards them to the Butler.
- The Butler sends the corresponding radio signal to the paired actuator.
Products
Section titled “Products”| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| viewneo Butler | IoT gateway (standalone unit). Connects to your network and communicates with Zigbee actuators. |
| viewneo Butler Set | Starter kit that contains the Butler gateway and a selection of actuators so you can get started right away. |
Use Cases
Section titled “Use Cases”The Butler enables a wide range of IoT-driven digital signage scenarios:
- Retail – Synchronize lighting effects with screen content to draw attention to promotions or products.
- Hospitality – Schedule outlets to automatically control displays, ambient lighting or signage in lobbies and restaurants.
- Corporate – Control motorized displays or screen lifts that activate based on meeting schedules or sensor triggers.
- Education – Automate room lighting in lecture halls or classrooms in sync with presentation content.
Prerequisites
Section titled “Prerequisites”Before you set up the Butler, make sure you have the following:
- An active viewneo account with a plan that includes the Butler plugin.
- A viewneo player connected to your local network.
- The Butler hardware unit.
- One or more Zigbee-compatible actuators (lights, outlets, motors, etc.).
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Activate the Butler – Connect the Butler to your network and register it in the CMS.
- Pair Zigbee devices – Add actuators to your Butler.
- Butler events – Set up automated actions triggered by events or schedules.