⚠️ Important Administrative Notice: The Edlio CMS website and the Edlio Mobile App are completely separate, independent systems. There is no automatic data synchronization between the CMS Staff Directory and the Mobile App Directory. Staff profiles added, edited, or removed in the CMS website do not update the mobile app, and vice versa. Each platform must be managed separately.
Schools and districts using both an Edlio website and the Edlio Mobile App frequently contact support asking why a new teacher added to their website does not appear in the mobile app, or why mobile app directory updates do not change the website staff page. While both tools display contact information to your school community, they are built on distinct cloud infrastructures with separate administrative dashboards, distinct data sources, and independent privacy controls.
System comparison matrix
The table below summarizes the key architectural and administrative differences between the two directories:
Feature | Edlio CMS Website Staff Directory | Edlio Mobile App Directory |
Primary Surface | Public school website page (e.g., | Mobile App drawer menu (iOS & Android) and Web PWA |
Admin Console | CMS Admin ➔ User Management > Users or Staff Directory | Edlio App Dashboard ➔ Directory > Staff / Members |
Data Source | Manual admin entry, Edlio-assisted bulk upload, or LDAP directory sync for user authentication into User Management. (No direct SIS roster sync for User Management) | Automated SIS Sync via Data Setup (API/SFTP), CSV import, or manual entry |
Sync Between Systems | None. Operates completely independently. | None. Operates completely independently. |
Profile Photos | Individual upload in user profile (managed by staff or web admin) | Square thumbnail (1:1 aspect ratio), automated SIS photo import, or manual upload |
Email Protection | Automatic scraper obfuscation & built-in web contact form | Configurable in Settings: tap-to-email or hidden behind Start Conversation |
Organization | Departments, grade levels, and administrator categories | Directory Folders (e.g., High School Staff, Elementary Teachers, Administration) |
Understanding why the directories do not sync
It is vital for school administrative teams to understand that the Edlio CMS and the Edlio Mobile App do not share a single user database:
CMS User Management (Manual, Bulk CSV Uploads, & LDAP Sync): In the Edlio CMS, User Management supports LDAP Directory Sync (along with manual entry and bulk CSV uploads) strictly to provision and authenticate staff accounts so educators can log in. However, the CMS has no direct SIS sync pipeline for user accounts or the public website staff directory.
The Mobile App Connects Directly to Your SIS: The Mobile App, by contrast, connects directly to your district's Student Information System (e.g., PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, Skyward, or automated SFTP) via Data Setup. When staff sync is enabled, teacher and staff profiles in the Mobile App Directory are provisioned and updated automatically from your SIS.
Zero Cross-Platform Data Sync: Because the CMS Staff Directory and Mobile App Directory have zero cross-platform data sync, school administrative teams must not conflate CMS LDAP authentication with an automated SIS staff directory sync. Adding a staff member to the Mobile App Directory (or syncing them via SIS) does not create a user account or staff profile on your Edlio CMS website. Similarly, publishing a teacher on your website staff page does not push that teacher into the mobile app.
💡 Best-Practice Adoption Tip: Establish an internal staff onboarding checklist that accounts for both platforms. Whenever a new educator joins your school or changes roles:
1. Update your district SIS (which automatically updates the Edlio Mobile App via nightly Data Setup sync).
2. Add or update the staff member's profile in the CMS Admin under User Management > Users (or verify your LDAP sync) so website visitors can find their bio, room, and contact form.
Managing contact privacy & visibility
Both platforms provide granular controls to protect staff privacy while ensuring families can easily communicate with educators:
Hiding Email Addresses on the Website: In the CMS, administrators can toggle email visibility on a per-user basis. When an email is marked hidden, the staff member's direct address is concealed from web scrapers, but visitors can still send a message via a secure web contact form.
Controlling Mobile App Contact Details: In the App Dashboard under Directory > Settings, administrators can choose whether staff phone numbers and email addresses are displayed publicly in the app. For schools utilizing Edlio Conversations, staff emails can be completely hidden from parents while still allowing direct, two-way in-app messaging.
Directory Folders & Menu Placement: Organize high-volume rosters into intuitive folders (such as District Office, Athletic Coaches, or Counseling Department) and use App Builder to link specific staff folders directly to the mobile app navigation menu.
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