How does Mass Notification work?A moderator can login to the user interface and set up a Group Alert session. As part of setting up the session, he/she can create emergency specific groups. He/she can prerecord a number of greeting and alert messages. Then Moderator can then associate a group with a) greeting and an alert message, b) assign a caller-id, c) assign email text and d) assign SMS text and save all this information into a pre-set Group Alert session. A Moderator can create multiple pre-set Group Alert sessions. A pre-set Group Alert session can then be triggered in following three ways:
- Dial-in - immediately
- Through the web portal - immediately
- Through the web portal - scheduled
If 'Dial-in' is selected, the moderator can at any time dial into the bridge, when prompted, enter the Moderator PIN, use teh built in IVR to record a new message or use a previously recorded message and send it to the associated group. The system will instantly dial out to the members of the group and upon off hook play the greeting followed by the recorded message.
If through the web portal - ‘immediate’ is selected, the system will instantly dial out to members of the group and upon off hook, play the greeting message followed by the pre-recorded message.
If through the web portal ‘scheduled’ is selected, the system will instantly dial out to members of the group at the scheduled time and upon off hook, play the greeting message followed by the pre-recorded message.
Can Group Alerting and Firebar conference take place simultaneously?
Yes, provided there are spare ports available for the group alert messages. Firebar conference has higher priority than Group Alerting. For example, suppose a customer has deployed a 48 port USN. During an emergency 20 ports may be used for conducting the Firebar conference. The remaining 28 ports can then be used for sending messages to the larger audience.
How many voice messages can I send per minute?
The number of voice messages that can be sent simultaneously depends on the length of the message and number of ports available. Assume a 15 second long message needs to be sent. Also assume it takes 5 seconds for the network call set up. Also assume that the recipient picks up the phone on 2nd ring (one ring = 6 seconds). Adding all the times involved, it will take 15 + 5 + 12 = 32 seconds for delivering the message. If we assume that on average it takes 30 seconds to deliver a message, it means that one port can send 2 such messages per minute. If system is equipped with 96 ports, then we can send 192 such messages per minute.
Similar reasoning applies if the messages are being sent over VoIP/SIP trunk.
How many SMS messages can I send?
SMS messages are limited to 150 characters. These messages are sent via the Ethernet port onto the internet. Through the Internet, the messages make their way to a Wireless Operator’s SMSC product. After appropriate authentication, the SMSC causes the message to be delivered to recipients’ hand set via the air interface. The overall throughput of SMS messages therefore depends on the through put of various network elements that are involved between the USN Ethernet interface and a recipient’s handset.
What if the recipients phone is busy or if they do not answer their phone?
If the recipient’s phone is ’busy’ or he/she does not answer the phone, the system’s find-me capability will try to locate the recipient on three additional numbers if provisioned. If the person is not reachable, the system will mark the call as ‘No Answer’. This state is later shown in the ‘detailed’ report.
