How to Create an External Dashboard

Creating an External Dashboard

An external dashboard is a valuable feature for your PLMS. Unlike internal dashboards, external dashboards can be accessed without requiring a login, making them highly accessible and convenient for a wider audience. 

This guide can assist you in setting up the External Dashboard on Acorn

• Enabling the External Dashboard
• Locating the External Dashboard URL
• Customizing the External Dashboard
• Use Cases & Benefits of the External Dashboard

How to Enable the External Dashboard

1. Navigate to Admin > Tenancy Management > Browse & Update Features > Features.

• • Make sure you are enabling the external dashboard in the correct tenancy.
  • If you have multiple tenancies you will need to enable the external dashboard in each tenancy.
  • If you don't see 'External Dashboard' under 'Features', please contact support to enable the external dashboard.

How to Find the External Dashboard URL

1. Navigate to Admin > Tenancy Management > Update Tenancy > .

• • The External Dashboard Link is at the bottom of the 'Update Tenancies' page,
  • Attach this to your site's URL ----> /external/dashboard?tenancyId=1
  • The URL is Tenancy specific. 

How to Customize the External Dashboard

1. Navigate to Admin > Tenancy Management > Widgets > External > .

2. Click > Add a Widget.

• • There are 4 widgets available for the External Dashboard.

  Image Block

The Image Block widget allows you to place an image on the dashboard. This image can be uploaded directly from your files, or selected from the Pexels image library. URL's can also be attached to the image, linking out to a course from the external catalogue or linking to a external website.

Link Block

The Link Block widget can be utilised to place URL links on the dashboard. This widget requires a URL to be functional. You can select an Icon from the icon library if necessary. There is also the option for the link to open in a new tab.

Text Block

The Text Block widget is a simple text box that displays a title and a text body. The text can also be split into columns if necessary. 

  Slider

The Slider widget allows for a slideshow of images, text, and videos on the dashboard. The slide timing can be adjusted by seconds. A 'Read More' function can also be included that can link to a specific URL.

3. Select and Resize Widgets.

Use Cases for the External Dashboard:

1. Ease of Access:

• • Users can view the dashboard without needing an account or logging in, which simplifies access for prospective learners, stakeholders, or anyone interested in the courses offered.

2. Highlight Courses and Resources:

• • An external dashboard can be used to prominently display courses, updates, and key information, acting as a marketing tool to attract new users or engage existing ones.

3. Branding/Whitelabelling:

• • With the ability to add images, links, text, and sliders, the dashboard can be tailored to fit the branding and informational needs of your organization.

4. Enhanced Communication:

• • It serves as a platform to communicate important updates, upcoming events, or new courses to a broader audience without any barriers.

You're now on your way to creating a external dashboard for your site!