Use QCDR Schedule Time Zones, Daily Windows, and Blackout Dates

QCDR scheduling evaluates start/end boundaries, recurrence, daily active windows, and blackout dates in a deliberate order. Choosing the correct timezone is what makes those local-calendar controls predictable.

Choose the Schedule Timezone

The timezone selected in When should it run? controls the local calendar used for recurrence, daily windows, and blackout dates. Start and end values entered in that timezone are converted to UTC when saved.

At runtime, QCDR compares the overall boundaries in UTC, then converts the current request time into the saved timezone for the local recurrence/window/blackout checks.

Use a Daily Active Window

  • With both Active each day from and Until, a normal window such as 09:00–17:00 runs from 09:00 up to, but not including, 17:00.
  • An overnight window such as 22:00–02:00 works across midnight: the item is eligible from 22:00 onward or before 02:00.
  • With only a start, the item is eligible from that time through the rest of the local day.
  • With only an end, it is eligible before that time.

Add Blackout Dates

Enter one date per line using YYYY-MM-DD. QCDR validates the format when you save. A blackout is evaluated against the local date in the schedule timezone and makes the item ineligible for that entire date, even if the recurrence and daily window would otherwise pass.

Understand Daylight-Saving Changes

Because QCDR uses the named timezone when converting each request, local daily windows follow that timezone’s offset changes. Avoid replacing a regional timezone with a fixed mental UTC offset when a campaign is intended to remain at the same local clock time across DST changes.

Troubleshoot a Schedule That Does Not Run

Check the gates separately: overall start/end, recurrence interval, weekday or day-of-month, blackout date, then daily window. A Rule’s private Rule Health can report the schedule gate for the tested request. Also verify other Rule/Token targeting and cache behavior before changing a correct schedule.

Community Discussion

Want to compare workflows, share practical tips, or discuss how you use this QCDR feature? Visit the QC Dynamic Replacer Community. For private support, bug reports, account-specific issues, or feature requests, use the QuantaCade support system.