Duty schedule module

The duty schedule module is an additional licence for Touch and Touch Pro. ARA includes this module as standard. You can use it to create and maintain a duty schedule for longer periods.

Tip: Commission the module by following the sequence in this chapter.

Good to know: You configure the duty schedule via Remote setup. For more information, see The portal: portal.octalarm.com and Remote setup (local).

Implementation licence

1. When purchasing the dialler

We implement and activate the licence before delivery.

Setting sequence new dialler WITH duty schedule module

When installing a new dialler, follow this procedure:

1. Create contacts with all required call methods.
2. Create weekly schedules. A weekly schedule defines the start and stop times of service groups with a particular specialism, for example Cultivation-specific, Electrics, Water-specific, and Laboratory.
3. Create service groups and set the preferred call method per service group.
4. Create shifts in the duty schedule, for example repeating shifts and temporary shifts (such as holidays):
   • The service groups are already listed here.
   • Schedule contacts per service group and choose Daytime or Nighttime.
   • Give shifts logical names, for example, Day shift.

• Link the correct service group to each input based on the specialism.

Go to Sections module for further instructions.

2. Retrofitting on diallers already in use

We activate the licence remotely at an agreed time. You can then activate the duty schedule and start the set-up.

Download the application form for the duty schedule module (diallers already in use)

What happens when activating the duty schedule module (for an existing dialler)?

• The dialler converts existing call lists into service groups.To begin with, you will have the same number of service groups as you previously had call lists.
• All contacts from call lists move to the service groups. Your contacts remain available.
• The licence combines the call methods for each contact. For example: John voice, John pager, John SMS, and John Email are combined into a single contact: John with all call methods.
• The dialler now uses all call methods of one contact before it alerts the next contact.
• Previously, you could add a contact to a call list multiple times. You can now add a contact only once per service group.
• Set up the duty schedule on a PC or laptop via portal.octalarm.com (worldwide) or via the dialler’s IP address (within the end customer’s company network).

Setting sequence AFTER adding duty schedule module in existing dialler

1. Create additional weekly schedules if required. A weekly schedule determines the start and stop times of service groups.
2. You can optionally add new service groups, for example, Cultivation group, Water group, and Electrics group.
3. Create shifts in the duty schedule:
   • Service groups are already available.
   • Schedule contacts per service group and choose Daytime or Nighttime.
   • Give services logical names, for example, Day shift.
4. Check that you linked a service group to each alarm input.

Licence activation

If you have purchased a new alarm dialler including the duty schedule, then skip this section and go directly to Sections module.

1. Create a backup

Tip: Before you start, back up the current settings. For more information, see The portal: portal.octalarm.com | Remote setup (global) | Import & export.

You can use this file to return to the current settings at a later date if necessary. Keep this file in a safe place.

2. Receive and activate the licence

At the agreed time, we send the licence to the dialler via the web portal.

Note: Receiving the licence requires a working internet connection on the dialler. In addition, you need to enable the portal on the Octalarm alarm dialler. See Settings | Interfaces | Web portal for further explanation.

Good to know: After the dialler receives the licence, it does not activate it automatically. This prevents unwanted changes to your current alerts.

Note: Avoid error messages in your current alerts:

1. Perform activation in a controlled manner.
   
   
2. Immediately go through the necessary steps for setting up alerts with a duty schedule.

The alarm dialler’s dashboard displays the message Licence(s) New licence(s) available.

• Click on the message Licence(s) New licence(s) available.
• Click Implement to activate the duty schedule.

If you do not confirm the licence, the Octalarm alarm dialler continues to use call lists, and the duty schedule remains inactive. After you confirm the licence, the duty schedule becomes active.

You will then see these changes:

• You can create multiple weekly schedules (see Weekly schedules menu).
• Call lists become service groups (see Service groups menu).
• The dialler adds the Duty schedule menu (see Duty schedule menu).

Tip: You can activate the licence via the dialler or via Remote setup.

3. Check converted call list(s)

After you activate the licence, the dialler converts existing call list(s) into service groups. Duplicate contacts are now merged.

Example call list before conversion:

Example service group after conversion:

In the above examples, John and Danny appear twice in the call list prior to conversion. After conversion,they appear only once in the service group, with the call methods App alerts and Voice alerts. If John does not accept the alert, the dialler will first contact him via app and voice before alerting Danny. If this is undesirable, you can adjust the call preferences in the service group(s).

Tip: It is wise to check the service group(s) properly after conversion.