Machine Users in Visual Radio Assist provide a secure way to authenticate automated systems and third-party integrations with the VRA Cloud platform. This functionality is essential for connecting external broadcast systems, scheduling software, and automation tools to your VRA instance.
Overview
Machine Users are specialized accounts designed for system-to-system communication rather than human users. They provide API tokens that enable external applications to interact with VRA's GraphQL API securely and programmatically.
Key Features
- API Token Generation: Create secure tokens for external system authentication
- Granular Permissions: Control what actions machine users can perform
- Scalable Integration: Support multiple external systems simultaneously
Use Cases
Machine Users are commonly used for:
- Broadcast Scheduling Integration: Sync program schedules from external systems
- Media Workflow Automation: Automatically upload and manage media content
- Real-time Data Exchange: Stream live data between VRA and other broadcast tools
- Custom Application Development: Build custom interfaces and control systems
Managing Machine Users
Creating a Machine User
- Navigate to the VRA Cloud dashboard
- Go to Settings → Broadcaster → Machine Users
- Click Create New Machine User
- Configure the following settings:
- Name: Descriptive name for the machine user
- Description: Purpose and scope of the integration
- Permissions: Select appropriate access levels
- Token Expiration: Set token validity period (optional)
Generating API Tokens
Once a Machine User is created:
- Select the machine user from the list
- Click Generate Token
- Copy the generated token immediately (it won't be shown again)
- Store the token securely in your external application
Token Security Best Practices
- Store Securely: Never expose tokens in client-side code or version control
- Use Environment Variables: Store tokens in secure environment variables
- Regular Rotation: Regenerate tokens periodically for enhanced security
- Principle of Least Privilege: Grant only necessary permissions
- Monitor Usage: Regularly review API access logs
Revoking Access
To revoke a machine user's access:
- Go to Machine Users settings
- Select the user to revoke
- Click Revoke Token or Delete Machine User
- Confirm the action
Integration Examples
Scheduling System Integration
Connect your existing broadcast scheduling system to automatically sync program information:
- Pull program data from external scheduling database
- Transform data to VRA format using GraphQL mutations
- Update VRA scheduling in real-time
- Handle recurring programs and schedule changes
Media Automation
Automate media workflows:
- Monitor network folders for new content
- Automatically upload media to VRA Cloud Media Hub
- Associate media with scheduled programs
- Manage media metadata and categorization