Up next, we have the Paging and Intercom module. This module allows you to create what we call Paging Groups. Paging groups can be comprised of devices that support auto-answer, or dedicated devices for Paging and Intercom. These dedicated devices can be SIP-based paging speakers, for example. To create our paging groups, we must go to PBX > Applications > Paging and Intercom.
First, you need to enter the Code you will use to reach this paging group, this can use any digits and the star (*) symbol. Next, add a Description to identify this paging group. Afterward, include the Extensions you wish to page. Again, if these are regular desktop devices, they need to support auto-answering with speaker mode. Otherwise, this will not work. If you want to be able to have a two-way conversation with the paged extensions, you can enable Duplex Audio, so you can speak both ways. With this, you can Save and Apply Changes. Now you can dial the code you created and page the extensions assigned to the paging group.
Additionally, you can add the following settings.
- Announcement – this is an announcement that will play on the selected extensions
when you call this paging group. - Timeout – This is the time in seconds after which the paging group call will timeout.
- Mode – Here you establish the Default mode, which is to speak from the device you
called the paging group, or Announcement, to playback the announcement set to this
paging group. - Ignore Forward Call – When this is enabled, if the extension in the paging group has
a call forward enabled, this will be ignored, and the extension will ring with autoanswer anyway. - Quiet Mode – This will disable the tone that plays when calling this paging group
announcing that the extension is being paged. - Record Paging – This will record the call whenever the paging group is called.
- Skip Busy – This will ignore the status of the extension if the extension is currently in
a call and ring the device anyway
Finally, you can also establish MulticastRTP IP Addresses through a specific Port. If the devices you wish to page, like a dedicated paging device, use MulticastRTP you can establish its IP Address and port to cast the RTP packets. You can add as many IP Addresses as you need by clicking the green Add button in the right-hand corner.
