PC Client Overview

ESChat PC Client 

The ESChat PC Client can be installed on a Windows PC.  Here are the requirements:

• A computer running Windows XP or later Operating System.
• Sound capability to send/receive audio, such as from a sound card with a headset plugged into it, USB headset/mics, and Bluetooth connected audio options
• Network connection with the ESChat servers (see Firewall Exceptions).
• You need to have Administrator, or Administrator-level access, based on your Windows Operating System configuration and privilege structure.
• The PTT key is available as an on-screen button or the space bar.
• Selectable user file location permits  Active Directory / Roaming profile support requires administrator network/server access.
•   Language Supportfor Window 7 ( Ultimate or Enterprise only), Windows 8 and Windows 10.   

Install

To install the PC Client, click here.

The initial setup begins with the creation of a user in the admin portal with the appropriate email list for the user.  Make sure this user is created to show groups as the feature key, not channels.  Once the user is created,   ESChat will send an email notification with a clickable link to the setup page, as shown below.

The setup page has a download link and the new activation code. To install, click the download button, and copy the code separately for activation.

The PC client is configurable to support Active Directory / Roaming Profiles or a simple stand-alone install.  For step-by-step install instructions, click here.

Set Location

If the PC Client user wants to see their location on the map, then location needs to be set. To center the map on the PC client location, select “Mapping” from the menu bar and click on “Set my location.” Enter your location and click OK.

The map is available as a Street Map (shown below), Satellite, Terrain and Satellite + Street Map.  Click the  on the right side of the map to select the options. The default is the “Street Map” setting.

Audio Configuration

If no input device is found, you’ll see the message “Voice Format Error.” If no playback device is found, the the message “Voice Player Error.”

To correct these error messages, click on “ESChat” from the menu bar and select Options → Audio Configuration.  ESChat will allow any audio device recognized by Windows.   Initially, it will default to “Primary Sound” for Output and Input.

This configuration can be changed.  Click the drop-down arrow next to “Primary Sound Capture Driver” to see other options and select the correct device:

Output is set the same way.  click the drop-down arrow next to “Primary Sound Driver” to see other options and select the correct device:

 Click “Accept” at the bottom to save the changes. Once the audio inputs and outputs are configured, the dispatch client is now ready to make and receive calls.   

1:1 or Ad Hoc Calls

The PC Client should be configured in the Admin Portal to show groups, even if the other devices in the enterprise are configured to show channels.  

To initiate a call,  select an available user from the contact list and press the PTT button to begin the call. For an ad hoc group call, highlight several available users. An ad hoc call can have up to 128 members. For large ad hoc groups, hold down the CTRL button while highlighting. Each user has an accompanying status icon to show if they are available for a call.

 Use the green PTT button at the bottom of the screen, or press the spacebar on the keyboard to initiate a PTT call.

 During a call, the    identifies the caller who is transmitting.

To end the call, click the     button. The call window will display a call end confirmation.  Click “Close” to return to the contact list tab.

For other options from the Contacts Tab, right-click on a highlighted contact.

• Start ESChat Alert Call: Sends a call request.
• Send Message: Sends an ESChat text message.
• Show on Map: Places a presence marker on the map for this user only.
• Block Call: Blocks incoming calls from that user.

Groups

The Group Tab displays the predefined groups by name and a presence status icon.  To initiate a call to a group, click to highlight, then use the green PTT button at the bottom of the screen, or the keyboard spacebar.

Double click on the group name to see the group member list and individual status icons.

From this expanded group member view, an ad-hoc call can be started with a single group member by highlighting the recipient and clicking the PTT button.

Right click on the group to access the following options:

• Send Message: Send a text message and/or image to all members of the group.
• Show on Map: Places presence markers on the map for this group only.
• Block Calls: Temporarily blocks incoming calls from that group, while allowing all other ESChat communication.

Messages

The PC Client supports text messages, with an attached image, to be sent to a single contact, multiple contacts or a pre-defined group.  Messages can also be received by the dispatch client as well.

To send a message, right-click the contact or group and select “send message.”  This will open a message window below the contact or group list.

When a message is received a notification window will pop-up above the tabs:

Click on the message tab to view the message:

Call History

The call history tab shows all incoming and outgoing call completed.   Detailed information about each call is available by clicking on the call.  Initiate a call from the history tab by highlighting the record and then clicking the PTT button.

Click the  to refresh the dispatch client’s information from the server.

ESChat Emergency Call Feature

Groups configured in the Administration portal as emergency calls will have a different visual signal and call behavior.  The PC client may call a configured emergency group as a regular group call, but may not initiate an emergency call. When a handset user makes an emergency call, a flashing red banner identifies it on the receiving PC client.  Ending the call will result in the emergency call automatically reconnecting, as the initiator of the call is the one to end the emergency call session. Select the Acknowledge Emergency button to participate in the call.