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cockpitOS Content-Creator Manual

The comprehensive manual for content managers and content creators

Table of Contents​

  1. Introduction to cockpitOS
  2. Getting Started
  3. Content Management
  4. Marketing & Campaigns
  5. Analytics & Assessments
  6. Digital Signage
  7. Mobile Apps
  8. User Roles & Permissions
  9. Workflows & Best Practices
  10. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Introduction to cockpitOS​

What is cockpitOS?​

cockpitOS is the central operating system for modern shopping centers. It integrates all digital processes into a unified platform - from content creation and marketing campaigns to visitor analysis.

For content creators, this means:

  • All content is managed centrally
  • Automatic distribution across all channels (website, digital signage, mobile apps)
  • AI-supported content optimization
  • Simple, intuitive operation without technical prerequisites

The key modules for content creators​

Mall Cockpit - Your main workspace for:

  • Shopping center management
  • Shop information
  • Events and activities
  • News and articles
  • Offers and promotions
  • Hot Picks (recommendations)
  • Services and amenities
  • Job postings

Marketing Cockpit - For campaigns and promotions:

  • Create marketing campaigns
  • Manage marketing calendar
  • AI-supported target group optimization

Analytics Cockpit - For measuring success:

  • Analyze content performance
  • Understand visitor behavior
  • Measure ROI of campaigns

2. Getting Started​

Login and Dashboard​

After logging in, you will access the main dashboard. Here you see:

  • Overview cards with key metrics
  • Quick access to frequently used functions
  • Current activities and notifications
  • AI recommendations for content optimizations

Understanding Navigation​

The sidebar is your primary navigation tool:

Content - Manage all content

  • Centers: Core data of shopping centers
  • Shops: Retailers and tenants
  • Events: Activities
  • News: Articles and updates
  • Offers: Promotions and deals
  • Hot Picks: Recommendations
  • Services: Amenities
  • Jobs: Job postings

Marketing - Campaigns and promotions

  • Campaigns: Marketing initiatives
  • Calendar: Marketing schedule

Analytics - Assessments and statistics

  • Reports: Detailed reports
  • Insights: AI-generated insights

User Interface​

Consistent Elements:

  • Search bar at the top right for quick finding
  • Filters and sorting in lists
  • Action buttons always at the top right
  • Breadcrumb navigation shows the current path
  • Status badges indicate publication status

3. Content Management​

3.1 Managing Shopping Centers​

Purpose: Maintain core data of shopping centers

Key Fields:

  • Name and description
  • Address and contact details
  • Opening hours (JSON format)
  • Logo and cover image
  • Website link

Workflow:

  1. Select or create a center
  2. Enter core data
  3. Upload images (logo max. 2MB, cover max. 5MB)
  4. Configure opening hours
  5. Save and publish

Special Features:

  • All other content is linked to a center
  • Changes affect all linked content
  • Automatic synchronization with digital signage

3.2 Managing Shops​

Purpose: Maintain shop and tenant information

Key Fields:

  • Shop name and description
  • Category (fashion, food service, etc.)
  • Location in center (floor, area)
  • Contact details and website
  • Opening hours
  • Logo and images
  • Status (active, closed, under renovation)

Workflow:

  1. Create new shop or edit existing one
  2. Select center assignment
  3. Enter core data and category
  4. Add location information
  5. Upload images (recommended: 16:9 aspect ratio)
  6. Set status and save

Special Features:

  • Shop chains are automatically recognized
  • Integration with digital signage wayfinding
  • Automatic linking with events and offers

3.3 Managing Events​

Purpose: Plan and promote events

Key Fields:

  • Title and description
  • Start and end date with times
  • Venue (center or specific shop)
  • Event image (recommended: 16:9, min. 1200x675px)
  • Status (active, draft, archived)
  • Linking to shops or services

Workflow:

  1. Create "New Event"
  2. Enter title and meaningful description
  3. Precisely set date and time
  4. Assign center and possibly shop
  5. Upload high-quality event image
  6. Set status to "Active" for publication

Best Practices:

  • Create events at least 2 weeks in advance
  • Description should include value and call-to-action
  • Images must be legally permissible
  • Regular events should be created as a series

3.4 Managing News​

Purpose: Create news and articles for the website and digital signage

Key Fields:

  • Title and short description (excerpt)
  • Full article text
  • Author and category
  • Publication date
  • Article image (featured image)
  • Status (draft, published, archived)
  • SEO metadata

Form "New News" / "Edit News": Three steps at the top as tabs — 1. Content → 2. Publish → 3. Optional. Same pattern applies for Event and Offer (new creation and editing).

Workflow:

  1. Content: Title, short description, category, article text; optional featured image, gallery, documents
  2. Publish: Select center, visibility period, status (draft/published/scheduled), possible highlight or NOW! exclusive
  3. Optional: Link to shop/event/offer, construction details, SEO and tags
  4. Save with "Create" (header or bottom bar)

Content Guidelines:

  • Title max. 60 characters for SEO
  • Excerpt max. 160 characters
  • Articles structured with paragraphs
  • Images provided with alt text
  • Check spelling and grammar

3.5 Managing Offers​

Purpose: Promote actions and special offers from shops

Key Fields:

  • Offer title
  • Description with details
  • Validity period (from/to)
  • Discount percentage or amount
  • Linked shop
  • Offer image
  • Category (sale, new, limited)
  • Status and priority

Workflow:

  1. Select shop for which the offer applies
  2. Formulate a concise title
  3. Describe offer details
  4. Precisely set validity period
  5. Upload an attractive offer image
  6. Set category and priority
  7. Approval and publication

Special Features:

  • Automatic display on digital signage
  • Integration into mobile app notifications
  • Expiration automation removes expired offers
  • Performance tracking for ROI measurement

3.6 Managing Hot Picks​

Purpose: Editorial recommendations and highlights

Key Fields:

  • Title of the recommendation
  • Description and justification
  • Category (shopping, dining, entertainment, services)
  • Priority (1-5, with 1 = highest priority)
  • Validity period
  • Linking to shop, event, or service
  • Recommendation image
  • Status

Workflow:

  1. Choose recommendation category
  2. Create title and compelling description
  3. Set priority based on relevance
  4. Define validity period
  5. Link appropriate content
  6. Select high-quality image
  7. Activate for immediate display

Strategic Usage:

  • Max. 5 active Hot Picks simultaneously
  • Regular rotation for freshness
  • Seasonal adjustments
  • Performance monitoring for optimization

3.7 Managing Services​

Purpose: Services and amenities of the center

Key Fields:

  • Service name
  • Detailed description
  • Category (customer service, technology, security, etc.)
  • Availability hours
  • Contact information
  • Location in center
  • Service icon or image
  • Status

Examples of Services:

  • Customer information
  • Package service
  • Child care
  • Wi-Fi service
  • Parking service
  • Wheelchair rental
  • Lockers

3.8 Managing Jobs​

Purpose: Job postings for the center and shops

Key Fields:

  • Job title
  • Employer (center or specific shop)
  • Complete job description
  • Requirements and qualifications
  • Working hours (full-time, part-time, mini-job)
  • Salary information (optional)
  • Application procedure
  • Application deadline
  • Contact for applications
  • Optional: Job advertisement as PDF (Upload in job form, storage via Bunny CDN; a link "Download PDF" appears on the center website if maintained)

Workflow:

  1. Select employer (center or shop)
  2. Create job title and description
  3. Clearly define requirements
  4. State working hours and conditions
  5. Describe the application procedure
  6. Set application deadline
  7. Provide contact details for applications
  8. Publish and promote

4. Marketing & Campaigns​

4.1 Creating Marketing Campaigns​

Purpose: Plan and execute coordinated marketing actions

Campaign Types:

  • Seasonal campaigns (Christmas, summer sale)
  • Event campaigns (grand openings, anniversaries)
  • Product campaigns (new shops, services)
  • Target group campaigns (families, youth)

Key Elements:

  • Campaign name and goals
  • Target group definition
  • Channels (website, social media, digital signage, mobile app)
  • Budget and duration
  • Content assets (images, videos, text)
  • KPIs and measurement of success

AI-supported Optimization:

  • Automatic target group analysis
  • Optimal timing recommendations
  • Content performance predictions
  • Budget allocation suggestions

4.2 Marketing Calendar​

Purpose: Coordinate all marketing activities temporally

Functions:

  • Monthly and yearly overview
  • Campaign planning
  • Event integration
  • Resource planning
  • Conflict detection

Best Practices:

  • Plan at least 3 months in advance
  • Consider seasonal highlights
  • Include buffer times for spontaneous actions
  • Regular review meetings

5. Analytics & Assessments​

5.1 Measuring Content Performance​

Key Metrics:

  • Page views and time on page
  • Engagement rate (likes, shares, comments)
  • Conversion rate (from content to action)
  • Click-through rate on offers
  • Download numbers for apps

AI Insights:

  • Automatic trend detection
  • Content optimization suggestions
  • Target group behavior analysis
  • Predictive analytics for future performance

5.2 Understanding Visitor Behavior​

Data Sources:

  • Website analytics
  • Digital signage interactions
  • Mobile app usage
  • Wi-Fi data (anonymized)
  • Surveys and feedback

Utilizing Insights:

  • Identify optimal content times
  • Recognize popular areas and shops
  • Uncover improvement potentials
  • Enhance personalization

6. Digital Signage​

6.1 Content for Touchscreens​

Special Features:

  • Portrait formatting (9:16 instead of 16:9)
  • Large, easily readable fonts
  • Intuitive touch navigation
  • Short, concise texts
  • High-quality, high-contrast images

Content Types:

  • Wayfinding and orientation
  • Current offers and events
  • Shop information
  • Services and assistance
  • Emergency information

6.2 QR Code Integration​

Functions:

  • Directing to the mobile app
  • Immediate access to offers
  • Contact data transfer
  • Collect loyalty points
  • Feedback forms

Best Practices:

  • Make QR codes large and contrasting
  • Provide clear calls to action
  • Communicate value for users
  • Regularly test functionality

7. Mobile Apps​

7.1 Center Manager App​

Target Audience: Center management and staff

Main Functions:

  • Content capture on the go
  • Tenant communication
  • Incident reporting
  • Quick updates
  • Push notifications

Content Workflow:

  1. Capture photo/video on site
  2. AI-assisted categorization
  3. Automatic text generation
  4. Review and approval
  5. Automatic publication

7.2 Companion App​

Target Audience: Visitors of the shopping center

Features:

  • Mobile navigation
  • Personalized offers
  • Event notifications
  • Loyalty program
  • Social sharing

Content Integration:

  • Automatic synchronization with CMS
  • Personalized content recommendations
  • Location-based notifications
  • Offline availability of important information

8. User Roles & Permissions​

8.1 Roles for Content Creators​

Content Editor:

  • Full access to content management
  • Create, edit, publish
  • Access to assigned centers
  • No system settings

Marketing Manager:

  • Content Editor rights plus:
  • Campaign management
  • Access to analytics
  • Marketing calendar
  • Budget overview

Center Manager:

  • Full access to own center
  • All content areas
  • Tenant communication
  • Local campaigns

8.2 Workflow Permissions​

Draft Status:

  • Only the creator can edit
  • Others can comment
  • No public visibility

Review Status:

  • Approval by manager required
  • Comments and suggestions for changes
  • Timestamp of all changes

Published:

  • Publicly visible
  • Changes are logged
  • Automatic archiving

9. Workflows & Best Practices​

9.1 Content Creation Workflow​

Planning (Week 1):

  1. Check content calendar
  2. Define topics and dates
  3. Plan resources (images, text)
  4. Assign responsibilities

Creation (Week 2):

  1. Write and optimize texts
  2. Select/create images
  3. Conduct SEO optimization
  4. First review round

Review & Approval (Week 3):

  1. Content check
  2. Legal verification
  3. Technical check
  4. Final approval

Publication (Week 4):

  1. Scheduled publication
  2. Social media promotion
  3. Newsletter integration
  4. Performance monitoring

9.2 Quality Assurance​

Content Checklist:

  • Spelling and grammar checked
  • Legally permissible images
  • SEO optimization conducted
  • Mobile display tested
  • Links functional
  • Metadata complete
  • Categorization correct
  • Publication date set

Technical Check:

  • Images optimized (size, format)
  • Load times acceptable
  • Responsive design functional
  • Accessibility ensured
  • Browser compatibility tested

9.3 Crisis Management​

In case of technical issues:

  1. Document the problem
  2. Contact IT support
  3. Seek workaround
  4. Inform stakeholders
  5. Implement solution
  6. Conduct follow-up

In case of content errors:

  1. Immediate correction
  2. Check affected channels
  3. Inform stakeholders
  4. Cause analysis
  5. Process improvement

10. Frequently Asked Questions​

Technical Questions​

Q: Why aren't my changes displayed immediately? A: The system uses caching for better performance. Changes are usually visible after 5-10 minutes. For urgent updates, you can manually clear the cache.

Q: Which image formats are supported? A: JPG, PNG, and WebP. Recommended size: max. 2MB, min. 1200px width for optimal quality across all devices.

Q: Can I schedule content for publishing? A: Yes, for each piece of content you can set a future publication date. The content will automatically activate at the chosen time.

Content Questions​

Q: How often should I create new content? A: Recommendation: 2-3 news articles per week, 1-2 events per month, offers as needed. Quality is more important than quantity.

Q: Can I copy content between centers? A: Yes, using the "Duplicate" function you can copy content and adapt it for other centers.

Q: How does the AI optimization work? A: The AI analyzes performance data and suggests improvements: optimal publication times, title variations, and target audience adjustments.

Workflow Questions​

Q: Who can see my drafts? A: Only you and users with manager rights. Drafts are never publicly visible.

Q: Can I restore deleted content? A: Yes, deleted content is retained for 30 days in the trash and can be restored.

Q: How does version control work? A: Each change is automatically saved. You can revert to an earlier version at any time.

Marketing Questions​

Q: How do I measure the success of my campaigns? A: The analytics dashboard shows all key KPIs: reach, engagement, conversions, ROI. The AI automatically generates performance reports.

Q: Can I conduct A/B tests? A: Yes, for campaigns you can test different variants. The system automatically shows the more successful version to more users.

Q: How does target group segmentation work? A: Based on behavior, demographics, and interests, the AI automatically creates target audience segments. You can also define your own segments.

Appendix A: Keyboard Shortcuts​

Navigation:

  • Ctrl + / - Open search
  • Ctrl + N - Create new content
  • Ctrl + S - Save
  • Ctrl + P - Show preview
  • Esc - Close dialog

Content Editing:

  • Ctrl + B - Bold
  • Ctrl + I - Italic
  • Ctrl + K - Insert link
  • Ctrl + Z - Undo
  • Ctrl + Y - Redo

Appendix B: Image Guidelines​

Optimal Image Sizes​

Website & Mobile:

  • Header images: 1920x1080px (16:9)
  • Content images: 1200x675px (16:9)
  • Thumbnails: 400x225px (16:9)
  • Logos: 300x300px (1:1)

Digital Signage:

  • Full screen: 1080x1920px (9:16)
  • Content areas: 800x450px (16:9)
  • Icons: 128x128px (1:1)

Social Media:

  • Facebook: 1200x630px
  • Instagram: 1080x1080px
  • Stories: 1080x1920px

Technical Requirements​

  • Format: JPG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency
  • Quality: 85% JPG compression for optimal balance
  • File Size: Max. 2MB per image
  • Color Space: sRGB for web optimization
  • Alt Text: Always add descriptive alt text

Appendix C: SEO Guidelines​

Title Optimization​

  • Length: 50-60 characters
  • Keywords: Most important keywords at the beginning
  • Uniqueness: Each title should be unique
  • Readability: For humans, not just search engines

Meta Descriptions​

  • Length: 150-160 characters
  • Call-to-Action: Include a call to action
  • Keywords: Integrate naturally
  • Value: Communicate benefits for the reader

Content Structure​

  • H1: Only one H1 per page (automatically the title)
  • H2-H6: Use logical hierarchy
  • Paragraphs: Max. 3-4 sentences per paragraph
  • Lists: Use for better readability

Image Rights​

  • Only use royalty-free or own images
  • For individuals: Obtain consent
  • Observe trademark rights
  • Provide source references if needed

Data Protection​

  • No personal data without consent
  • GDPR-compliant data processing
  • Anonymization in analytics
  • Opt-in for newsletters and marketing

Imprint & Disclaimer​

  • Complete imprint required
  • Disclaimer for external links
  • Copyright notices
  • Contact details for complaints

Appendix E: Emergency Contacts​

Technical Support​

  • Technical (cockpitOS): Saad Badr, Technical Lead · technik@schickma.de
  • Phone: +49 201 857 927 24
  • Availability: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Emergency Hotline: +49 (0) 123 456-999 (24/7)

This manual is regularly updated. For questions, please contact support or your system administrator.

Version: 1.0
Date: December 2024
Next Update: March 2025

Further Documentation​

For specific use cases and extended functions, additional manuals are available:

  • cockpitOS Administrator Manual - For system administrators
  • Digital Signage Content Guide - Special guidelines for touchscreen content
  • Mobile App Integration Guide - For app-specific features
  • Analytics Deep-Dive - Advanced analysis functions
  • API Documentation - For technical integrations

These documents can be accessed through your system administrator or support.

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