Scheduling Software Upgrades with Neat Pulse Management Platform

Last updated November 5, 2024

Introduction

In addition to manually updating software or receiving updates automatically when a new version is available, Neat Pulse also offers the ability to schedule updates for a specific date and time within the next 60 days.

Note: this feature is only available to customers on a paid Pulse plan.

Overview

Neat Pulse offers two ways of updating software on Neat devices:

  • Automatic. Software updates will happen automatically after a new release is available
  • Manual. No software updates will happen unless an administrator executes or schedules the update

Setting devices to Manual updates gives you two options:

  • Manually download and install. Update devices individually and immediately.
  • Schedule update. Schedule any number or combination of devices to update at a specific time and date

Scheduled updates will not happen if a device is in use. If a device is in use or offline, Neat Pulse will try to update it when it becomes available. Note: this could mean that a device that is powered off will immediately update on reconnection, this could cause disruption if devices are regularly powered off overnight and restarted just before any meetings.

You can schedule updates for Neat OS and Zoom Rooms/Microsoft Teams. For compatibility reasons, you can not update Zoom Rooms/Microsoft Teams separately from the Neat OS version on your selected channel – if there is a Neat OS update available this must also be installed. You can schedule updates no longer than 60 days into the future.

If both a new Neat OS version and a new Zoom Rooms/Microsoft Teams are available, it is recommended to schedule them to update at the same time. You do, however, have the option to opt out updating Zoom Rooms/Microsoft Teams when scheduling an update. 

If your device is in App Hub mode, updates to other apps installed on the device can also be scheduled, in addition to being either on Automatic or Manual mode.

Scheduled updates can be applied to any number and combination of devices by selecting them (multi-select) on the Devices page. This means that scheduled updates easily can be applied to Locations, Regions, Profiles etc by first using filters, then selecting and scheduling the devices that match that scheduling criteria.

The Updates page, accessible from the side menu, will provide an overview of available updates, pending updates, and scheduled updates, together with a visual representation of our firmware roadmap.

To avoid network congestion, if you schedule more than 10 devices to update at the same time, we will spread out the excess devices over a maximum of one hour. 

Step by step guide

1. Select devices

  • On the Devices page, find the devices you want to schedule an update for using search and filters
  • Select the devices by clicking Select all 
  • If you want, you can choose to unselect specific devices manually

2. Schedule an update

  • With the devices selected, click the cogwheel icon that is now visible
  • You will now get two options: Update now and Schedule Update. 
  • Click Schedule update. Choose the date and time you want to schedule this update for. Click Schedule. Date and time represents the local time for the device(s).
  • In this stage, if a Zoom Rooms/Microsoft Teams update is available, you have the option to not include it
  • Your scheduled update is now visible on the Updates page, under Pending updates -> Scheduled updates 

3. Reschedule or unschedule updates

  • Navigate to the Updates page
  • Find the schedule you want to change or delete under Pending updates -> Scheduled updates 
  • Click the Edit button. You will be presented with two options: Reschedule and Unschedule
  • Clicking Reschedule will bring up the calendar view to allow you set a new time and date.
  • Clicking Unschedule will bring up a confirmation window. Click Unschedule to remove the update.

Notes

  • Available updates can also be scheduled and rescheduled from the Updates page, under Available updates, and the Room/Space view by clicking the cogwheel icon. 
  • Scheduled updates can always be updated immediately, either from the Updates page or from the Device view.
  • If a device is in a call or offline, the update will be installed when the device becomes available next