Virtual Call Point (VCP) provides a virtual on-screen interface that presents a series of programmable buttons which can be used by staff to quickly and easily send pre-programmed messages.

Screenshot of the VCP webpage
Figure 1. The VCP webpage.

The image above shows how VCPs are displayed on the VCP webpage. As the number of VCPs increases, the tabbed group will expand and be scrollable.

Each VCP can contain multiple buttons, each of which can send a message to a set destination. The image below shows the buttons associated with one of the VCPs. If you click on the 'Tea & coffeee to conference room' button, VCP will send a message to the set destination.

Screenshot of the VCP button webpage
Figure 2. The VCP buttons webpage.

1. Creating a VCP

On the VCP webpage, press the 'New Call Point' button. You should be directed to a page similar to that shown below.

1.1. New VCP

Screenshot of the VCP create webpage
Figure 3. The VCP create webpage.

Complete the form with details of your new VCP.

Name

The displayed name of the VCP.

Notes

Any notes to be associated with the VCP.

Custom CSS

Any custom styling for changing the appearance of the VCP.

Use standard page layout?

For use if a standard header or footer should be applied to each page when accessing them via a browser.

Is Hidden?

If this field is checked, when the VCP is created, it is not immediately available for use.

Once all the required information has been added, press Save. You will be directed to a page containing details of the newly created VCP.

1.2. Adding buttons to a VCP

While still on the 'new VCP' webpage, press 'Create' in the bottom right corner.

The image below shows the create button form.

Screenshot of the VCP button create webpage
Figure 4. The VCP button create webpage.
Destination

The message destination is made up of two fields. The first field allows you to select the type of destination to which the message should be sent - e.g. to a single user, a group of users or a device. Depending on what selection you made on the first field, the second field will contain a drop-down list of possible destination candidates. One of these should be selected.

URL

This can be the URL of a custom form which a user is taken to when they press the button. For example, it could take you to a system for booking spa appointments.

Subject

Subject of the message to be sent. E.g. Doorbell has been pressed.

Body

The message body. E.g. The front doorbell has been pressed.

Message Type (Priority)

The type or priority that the message will be sent with. E.g. FIRE or EMERGENCY.

Position

Graphically, this is how high up in the list of buttons at which this button will be displayed. E.g. 0 (is the highest).

Image

Each VCP button can have an associated image - to help distinguish between different buttons.

Speech File

It is possible for messages to be sent as a speech messages as well as a normal text message. If this is to be the case, then an appropriate .WAV file can be selected. Alternatively, if 'No file is chosen', there is an option to 'Convert Text To Speech'.

Enabled

Whether the button should be enabled immediately, or initially disabled. E.g. to allow you time to define an appropriate .WAV file if a speech message is required.

Once the form has been completed, press Save.

1.3. Viewing and using the new VCP button

The image below shows the newly created VCP button.

Screenshot of the VCP button webpage
Figure 5. The VCP button create webpage.

As you have created a VCP button, a new row will be added to the 'Virtual Call Point Buttons' table. The button can be edited or deleted by pressing the appropriate button in the Actions column.

To make use of the button, navigate back to the VCP homepage which has all the other VCPs listed. Select the newly-created VCP.

Screenshot of the VCP button webpage
Figure 6. The VCP button webpage.

To use the button to send a message, all you need to do is to press it.

Once the message has been sent, you should receive a confirmation on the web page.