Post on 29-May-2020
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Mobile App Configuration Specifications This Mobile App Configuration Specifications document is a companion to the Blackboard
Implementation Guide. This document goes into greater detail on the items in the MCA specification
portion. Included with each item is a description, limitation, dependency, and visual.
• Long Name
• Short Name
• Hexcode
• Artwork
• Stream Button
• Directory Button
• Calendar Button
• Tip Line Button
• Superintendent Button
• Sports Button
• Photos Button
• Custom Buttons
• Integration Buttons
• School Finder Button – by request
• Staff File Import – by request
Long Name
Description The long name is the name of the organization. It is used for the store listing and in the header bar
within the app.
Action Provide the top 3 long name choices in order of preference.
Limitations The long name is limited to 30 characters, including spaces. This name is compiled into the binary and
used to create the listing; this cannot be easily changed. Changing this name will require a resubmission
of the app to the stores.
Dependencies The app listing cannot be created, nor can the submission process cannot begin until the long name is
provided.
Visuals
iOS – first page in app iOS – app store search view iOS – app store listing view
Short Name
Description The short name is typically either a condensed name of the organization or a brand saying. It is used as
the name of the app on the device.
Action Provide one short name.
Limitations The long name is limited to 11 characters, including spaces. This name is compiled into the binary and
cannot be changed easily. Changing this name will require a resubmission of the app to the stores.
Dependencies The app listing cannot be created nor can the submission process begin until the long name is provided.
Visuals
iOS – app on device view
Hexcode
Description The hexcode is typically the primary color used in the organization’s branding. It is used as the header
and footer bar colors within the app. It also helps guide the graphic designer in creating the background
for the app artwork*.
Action Provide one hexcode.
Limitations Only one hexcode can be accepted. This hexcode is compiled into the binary and cannot be changed
easily. Changing this hexcode will require a resubmission of the app to the stores.
Dependencies
The submission process cannot begin until the hexcode is provided.
Visuals
iOS – header and footer bar color
*An app artwork sample can be seen in the Artwork section.
Artwork
Description The artwork displays the brand of the organization. It consists of launch images and icons that are
displayed in various locations throughout the app and app stores. Launch images are displayed only
when launching the app on a device; icons are displayed in the store and on the device.
Actions Provide the logo in either a vector file (.ai) or a JPEG/PNG file with a minimum resolution of 800 x 800
pixels.
Limitations The logo must either be a vector file (.ai) or a JPEG/PNG image with a minimum resolution of 800 x 800
pixels. For JPEG/PNG images, untraceable elements will not be included in the final logo image. No
alterations may be made to the actual logo provided.
Dependencies
The artwork cannot begin until the logo is provided. Subsequently, the submission process cannot begin
until the artwork is completed.
Visuals
App artwork sample
Stream Button
Description
The stream button is comprised of feeds from multiple locations, including feeds found in other buttons
described in this document. Beyond these other buttons, additional feeds will be added to the
organization at which they belong. Standard configuration includes the following:
Limitations
Feeds will not be brought in for department and other non-school entities. Unless the feeds are
provided, these will be limited to what is able to be found on the website.
Dependencies
The app cannot be submitted until this is configured, unless this item is excluded from configuration.
Visuals
None.
Feed Supported Feed Type Supported Facebook Accounts, pages
Twitter Accounts
YouTube Account, Playlists, Channels
Calendars iCal, Web/PDF link
RSS All types
Schoolwires (WCM) Announcements App; Headlines & Features App
Directory Button
Description
The directory button displays contact and location information for organizations and individuals. While
staff accounts can also be displayed, these are added to the directory by either integration or import. If
the integration was not purchased but staff information is desired, please see the item in this document
titled “Staff Directory”. Standard configuration includes the following:
School Board Organization An organization will be created for the School Board. This is in addition to the organizations that will have been imported.
Directory Organization Organizations will be grouped into the following categories: District, Board of Education, High Schools, Middle Schools, K-8 Schools, Elementary Schools, Other, Department.
Organization Information Each organization will have their phone number, email address, physical address, and website added.
Organization Logo/Image Each organization will have their logo or image added. Should there be no logo/image for an organization, the district’s will be used.
VIPs The following role types will be selected as VIPs at each organization that is applicable:
• Superintendent
• Cabinet Members
• Board of Education Members. Should an account need to be manually created prior to being made a VIP, the following information will be included:
• Name
• Title
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Bio
• Picture
Actions
None, unless these specifications are to be changed.
Limitations
The directory will be comprised of organizations that are sourced either from an import or the website.
Organizations that need to be added or removed need to be specifically enumerated.
Manually created accounts will be restricted to the listed role types. While additional VIPs can be
requested, the associated accounts will need to be created via data integration or import first.
Dependencies
The app cannot be submitted until this is configured, unless this item is excluded from configuration.
Visuals
iOS- Org list view in directory iOS – Org page view in directory iOS – account info view in directory
Calendar Button
Description
The calendar button is comprised of calendar feeds and webpages from all organizations, making it easy
for users to see all events at a glance. Standard configuration includes adding any calendars found on
the website into the Bb Comms portal. WCM (schoolwires) calendar feeds will also be integrated.
Limitations
Feeds will not be brought in for department and other non-school entities. Unless the feeds are
provided, these will be limited to what is able to be found on the website. While calendar feed types are
limited to iCal and Google, any calendar with a URL can be added as a webpage.
Dependencies
The app cannot be submitted until this is configured, unless this item is excluded from configuration.
Visuals
iOS – Calendar Feed View iOS – Calendar Web View
Tip Line Button
Description
The mobile app has a tip line feature that allows users to submit tips. This is in the form of a button. The
tip line will be turned on to allow for further configuration.
Limitations
Further tip line configuration will not be performed. Tip line configuration will be covered during
training.
Dependencies
None.
Visuals
iOS – Tip Line view
Superintendent Button
Description The superintendent button displays bio and update (feed) information. The bio will be configured utilizing information found on the website. Any feeds specific to the superintendent will be included in this buttons configuration. Feeds that can be included are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, RSS, and WCM (schoolwires).
Limitations Unless the feeds and content are provided, these will be limited to what is able to be found on the
website.
Dependencies The app cannot be submitted until this is configured, unless this button is excluded from configuration.
Visuals
iOS – Superintendent updates view iOS – Superintendent bio view
Sports Button
Description
The sports button displays a variety of sports related information: news, scores and sites. News consists
of feeds; Scores and Sites contain webpages. Standard configuration includes the following:
News Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram feeds
Scores Maxpreps webpages
Sites Sports-specific webpages found on the website
Limitations
Unless the feeds and web links are provided, these will be limited to what is able to be found on the
website.
Dependencies
The app cannot be submitted until this is configured, unless this is excluded from configuration.
Visuals
iOS – Sports News View iOS – Sports Scores View iOS – Sports Sites View
Photos Button
Description
The photos button is where users can see photos from Instagram, Flickr, and Facebook. Standard
configuration includes bringing any Flickr and Instagram feeds found on the website into the Bb Comms
portal. Facebook feed photos will be designated to show in the photos button as well.
Limitations
Feeds will not be brought in for department and other non-school entities. Unless the feeds are
provided, these will be limited to what is able to be found on the website.
Dependencies
The app cannot be submitted until this is configured, unless this item is excluded from configuration.
Visuals
iOS – Photos grid view iOS – Photos list view
Custom Buttons
Description In addition to the buttons found in this document, custom buttons can be created. Standard
configuration includes creating the following custom buttons:
Grades The grades button brings in various student data information via integration. If the integrated mobile app was not purchased, then a custom button will be created linking to the SIS login page.
Lunch Payment A custom button will be created linking to the lunch payment system as found on the website (unless provided).
Payment System A custom button will be created linking to the general payment system as found on the website (unless provided).
Limitations Unless the links are provided, these will be limited to what is able to be found on the website.
Dependencies The app cannot be submitted until this is configured, unless this item is excluded from configuration.
Visuals None.
Integration Buttons
Description
Integrations provide additional value to users by bringing multiple services together in one place. The
mobile app platform supports the following 3rd party integrations: Peachjar, Nutrislice, and e-Funds.
These integrations appear as buttons within the mobile app.
Actions
Confirm if any of the following that are being used: Peachjar, Nutrislice, e-Funds.
Limitations
The services must be active, configured, and live.
Dependencies
The app cannot be submitted until this is configured, unless these integrations are excluded from
configuration.
Visuals
iOS – Nutrislice View iOS – Peachjar View iOS – e-Funds View
School Finder Button – by request
Description
The mobile app has a button titled “School Finder.” This feature allows individuals to find which schools
their address belongs to by either typing in an address or using the device’s location. Enabling this
feature requires boundary maps to be configured in the system. There are two ways to this can be
accomplished: drawing boundaries by hand within the Bb Comms portal or by importing a GIS/Shape
file.
Limitations
This request is limited to importing GIS/Shape files only. Manually drawing boundaries is not included.
How to draw boundaries in the Bb Comms portal is covered during training.
Dependencies
Should this option be included in the configuration, the app cannot be submitted until this item is
completed.
Visuals
iOS – School Finder View
Staff File Import – by request
Description
The directory button can display staff accounts. Typically, staff are added via integration. This keeps staff
accounts updated seamlessly as information changes in the HR or SIS system. However, if the
integration product was not purchased, staff can be imported manually.
To import staff, the template titled “Employees Template” must be filled out and provided to
Blackboard. The required fields are “Last Name” and “First Name”. The “Organization ID” column must
be filled out as well If staff members belong to various organizations.
Limitations
This request is limited to a one-time import of a single CSV file. The data must be arranged and
formatted according to system specifications.
Dependencies
Should this option be included in the configuration, the app cannot be submitted until this item is
completed.
Visuals
None.