Schedule Priority and Conflict Resolution

When multiple schedules are active at the same time, the system needs to decide which playlist to play. AccuArk uses a priority-based system to resolve this. This article explains how priority evaluation works and how to avoid scheduling conflicts.

How Priority Works

Every schedule has a priority number. When the player starts or polls for changes, it asks the scheduling service for the active playlist at the current location and time. The service:

1. Loads all schedules for the location.
2. Evaluates each schedule to determine if it is currently active (based on its mode, date, time, and day settings).
3. Filters out disabled schedules.
4. Among all active schedules, selects the one with the highest priority number.
5. Returns the winning schedule's playlist.

Higher numbers win. A schedule at priority 10 beats one at priority 1.

Priority Assignment Best Practices

A recommended priority structure:

• Priority 1 — Default/fallback playlist (Always mode). This plays when nothing else is active.
• Priority 5 — Regular scheduled content (Date Range or Time of Day modes).
• Priority 10 — Special events or promotions (One-Time or Combined modes).
• Priority 50-100 — Emergency or urgent content that must override everything.

Leave gaps between priority levels so you have room to insert new schedules between existing ones without renumbering.

Conflict Detection

A conflict occurs when two or more active schedules have the same priority at the same time. When priorities are tied, the behavior is unpredictable — the system may select either schedule.

AccuArk's scheduling service includes a conflict detection feature that samples several points in time and checks for overlapping schedules at the same priority. The Slideshow Manager displays conflict warnings on the Schedules tab when conflicts are detected.

The conflict detector checks for:

• Multiple "Always" schedules at the same priority — Since Always schedules are active at all times, two Always schedules at the same priority will always conflict.
• Same-priority schedules with overlapping time windows — The system tests the current time, 6 hours ahead, 12 hours ahead, 18 hours ahead, and the next two days to detect overlap.

Resolving Conflicts

If you see a conflict warning, resolve it by:

1. Adjusting priorities — Give each schedule a unique priority so one clearly wins over the other.
2. Narrowing time windows — Adjust the schedules' time settings so they do not overlap.
3. Disabling one schedule — If you no longer need one of the conflicting schedules, disable it.

Example: Layered Schedule Setup

Here is a practical example of a well-organized schedule setup for a restaurant:

• Priority 1, Always: General branding playlist (logo, welcome message, Wi-Fi info).
• Priority 5, Time of Day 06:00-11:00: Breakfast menu playlist.
• Priority 5, Time of Day 11:00-15:00: Lunch specials playlist.
• Priority 5, Time of Day 17:00-22:00: Dinner menu playlist.
• Priority 10, Date Range Dec 20-25: Holiday specials playlist.

During breakfast hours, the breakfast playlist (priority 5) overrides the general branding (priority 1). During December 20-25, the holiday playlist (priority 10) overrides everything else. Outside of scheduled hours, the branding playlist plays as the fallback.

What to Read Next

• Launching the Slideshow Player for starting playback.
• Scheduling Strategies for Multi-Location Businesses for advanced multi-location scheduling.