kClient HTML Help: CONNECTIONS

Table of contents:

1. Introduction
2. Connections features
3. Icons description
4. The window configuration
5. Tool panel
6. Virtual dialer
7. Big KKO conferences maintenanced in CSTA window
8. Group buttons
9. 'kCstaMonitor' software
10. Calls recording
11. Auxiliary help movies

Introduction

Beginning on 4.25 version, there is new feature "connections" in the kClient software available. It bases on CSTA (Computer Supported Telecommunication Applications) functions. So, the kClient SW from 4.25 supports both : big conferences based on KKO conference card and connections based on CSTA. These functions work independently, it is possible to close e.g. conference part of kClient SW and go to connections and vice versa. Connections features very well complement functionality of KKO system ; so whole KKO system has two following important features :

• Big conferences up to 30 or 60 parties based on the KKO card
• Much dispatcher functions based on the CSTA

The CSTA Connections make possible many usefull functions like monitoring, connections, call queues, switching, consultation and small auxiliary conference for 3 parties. It is preffered to have full functionality installations (with both KKO card and CSTA server) but it is possible to play with conferences only or with CSTA server only. For Connections it is required to install additional software called 'kCstaMonitor'. It maintenances CSTA service and on the other hand it services kClient SW. The 'kCstaMonitor' application is available on our website.

Connections features

It is possible to have following features in the CSTA Connections service:

• Party monitoring. For every monitored subscribers, there are events incoming from CSTA server and it makes possible to see the status (null, picked-up, dispatcher speech, normal speech etc). Every state is showed by the icon and the colour.
• Party calling. In order to call the party, it is possible to click his button-icon or make use from virtual dialer. If the subscriber is free, it will be called by dispatcher (ODN number) See: Settings->Csta. It is impossible to call subscribers removed from service, busy etc. If the party is monitored, only 'free' state makes possible to call him by dispatcher. If party is not monitored, his state is unknown, but he will be called anyway. However, make call command would be rejected in some circumstances in such situation.
• Picking up. All incoming calls are queued and showed on the list. There are both incoming calls : to main ODN number and to every defined ADNs. The dispatcher can pick up the first incoming call from the queue (waited the longest time) by "Pick-up" button or by the keyboard (default 'space' key) or can pick up selected call from the list by clicking on the list.
• Disconnections. If the subscriber is connected to the other party, it is possible to disconnect such speech by clicking the partie's button-icon. Additionally, every active call, every existing connection, conference connection etc can be disconnected by "Disconnect" button.
• Parking. If the subscriber is in speech with the dispatcher, he will be parked by "Parking" button or by calling other paty. After parking, dispatcher is able to call other party or setup the connection or small conference.
• Retrieving. If the subscriber is parked, dispatcher will retrieve this held connection by clicking his icon or by "Retrieve" button. Note that only last parked connection can be retrieved (LIFO schema). After execution, subscriber returns to speech with dispatcher.
• Connection. If one subscriber is parked and second is in active connection with dispatcher, they will be connected each other (dispatcher will be disconnect). This procedure can be executed by "Connect" button. After execution, new connection is established whilst dispatcher becomes 'free'.
• Small conference. If one subscriber is parked and second is in active connection with dispatcher, they will be connected to new common conference connection. This procedure can be executed by "Conference" button. After disconnecting any party from such conference, the rest both parties return to normal speech.
• Neighbouring dispatcher queue deflection. If neighbouring dispatcher number is defined, incoming calls for them will be shown in the window. It is possible to deflect such incoming call (redirection procedure) by clicking neighbouring queue icon.

Icons description

Every subscriber's state will be showed if he is in monitored numbers group. Every state has own icon and colour. It makes possible to see subscriber's state change very easy. Additionally, the number and alias from database is showed on the button-icon too. There are following statuses list for every monitored device:

	Removed from monitoring. Subscriber is in monitored group but he is rejected by the server or removed by the exchange (e.g. because he is hang-up long time)
	Picked up. Subscriber initiate new connection. He is picked up and he is selecting the number.
	Called by dispatcher. Subscriber is called by dispatcher, he is ringing and he is in pre-speech phase.
	Called by other party. Subscriber is called by the other party (he is rang).
	Calls dispatcher. Subscriber calls ODN or ADN dispatcher's number.
	Calls other party. Subscriber calls other party (not dispatcher) and he waits for connection.
	Speech with dispatcher. Subscriber is connected to dispatcher number.
	Speech other party. Subscriber speaks to other party (not dispatcher).
	Parked. Subscriber was in connection with dispatcher and he was parked (he waits for reconnection).
	In conference. The conference for 3 parties was established with dispatcher, connected subscriber and parked subscriber.
	Unpicked call. The party called but didn't talk. It shows which calls are unpicked.
	"Dispatcher" version of buttons. Every button can be "normal" or "dispatcher" version. There are : own number, ADN numbers for given dispatche and MDN numbers for neighbouring dispatcher.

Note! Beginning from 4.26 version, the skin can be changed and the icon set can be different!
In order to change the skin, go to 'Settings'->MainMenu->'Graphic set'.

The window configuration

The configuration window is configurable by the user in wide range. Every configuration settings is available by popup context menu in the window. You can configure following elements:

• Keys dimension. There are 3 values available :
  - big keys
  - medium keys
  - small keys
  
• Distance between keys. There are 3 values available :
  - big distance
  - mendium distance
  - small distance
  
• Background colour of subscriber's part.
• Background colour of tool panel.
• Texts colours of system keys.
  - pick up key
  - disconnect key
  - parking keys
  - connection key
  - conference key
  
• Dialer window colours.
  - selected key colour
  - background colour
  - text colour
  
• Colours of every text for every state (icons). Possible values are as follow :
  - automatic
  - white
  - black
  
• Set defaults colours. This option retrieves factory settings
• Key shortcuts for every available function. It is possible to setup shortcuts for following functions :
  - 'Pickup' - default {space}
  - 'Disconnect' - default {esc}
  - 'Park' - default {p}
  - 'Retrieve' - default {CTRL + p}
  - 'Connect' - default {s}
  - 'Conference' - default {k}
  - 'Help' - default {h}
  It is posible to set factory settings for every shortcut.
• Tool panel. It can be :
  - showed automatically (after mouse over left/right margin of the window) or after incoming call.
  - showed permantently
  For permanent toolbar, the subscriber's buttons area is reduced by tool panel width. For dynamic tool bar, the icons can be 'under' tool bar.
  
• Dialer virtual keyboard. It can be showed on demand. Automatically, the keyboard appears after digit 0..9 on keyboard.
• Show hint. It switches on and off hints for graphic elements in tjhis window
• Programmable general purpose buttons. There are 4 buttons for general purpose. They make possible to programm given digit sequence under the button in order to call special functions. There are following settings for every general purpose button :
  - switch ON the button (it becomes visible on tool panel)
  - switch OFF the button (it becomes invisible on tool panel)
  - programmed sequence, called after clicking the button - it may include digits only and '#' character
  - text caption for button top line
  - text caption for button bottom line
  These programmable buttons can be usefull for calling special functions available under given digit sequences. If such string is sent to the exchange, given function will be called. For example the big conference in the KKO card can be called from phone via voice menu system (see : voice menu description). In such situation it is possible to programm the sequence under general purpose button and call the function directly from 'Connections' window. In normal way would be required to close this window and go to 'Conference' window. What's more, if conference group programmed in predefined group for KKO conference is set as monitored group in 'Connections' window, the big conference on KKO card will be done from 'Connections' window.
• GP button - shortcut to the conference. General purpose buttons make possible to go into the conference immediately. To active this feature programm please the sequence "conference n" (where n=1..5) instead of the number.
• Conference buttons. Used for service of big conference KKO. It makes possible to switch on and off given conference.
• Group buttons. Show or hide. If show, group panel with local group butons is visible.
• Dynamic group buttons. Yes or No. If yes, the group buton is dynamic - his dimension depends on mouse position. Big under mouse, small without mouse cursor.
• Predefined group buttons in conference. It defines visibility of predefined group buttons :
  - invisible
  - automatic mode
  - always visible
  
• Mode of group addition in conference. It defines mode for predefined group buttons :
  - additing only when conference is running
  - additing only before the conference
  - additing always available
  
• Local group picked into KKO conference. Yes or No. If yes, the local group will be added to the confeence if clicked. If no, the local group button works "normally" - it reduces number of buttons on the screen
• Dispatcher is added into KKO conference automatically. Yes or No. If yes, in conference start moment the dispatcher's main number is added automatically

Tool panel

Tool panel. This is panel for tool buttons. It includes basic operation elements like this: Call queue window - you can see 2 incoming cals in the example : - 305 (the first on the list - he called earlier) - 217 - second call Tool buttons subwindow - it includes following keys : - Pick up button - Disconnect button - Park button - Retrieve button - Connection button - Conference button Dispatcher actions queue window This is the list where you can find every dispatcher actions. It includes the symbol - icon for given action and beginning and finish time stamp It the action is not finished, (they are 2 incoming calls in our example) 'the end' time will be empty Events diary window There is every action for dispatcher with time stamp (hour and minute) Tool panel can be : -showed permanently - it has defined place and it doesn't hide subscriber's icons -dynamic - it appears on demand and it hides some subscriber's icons

Virtual dialer

Virtual dialer. The virtual dialer is available in order to make possible to dial non-monitored numbers by dispatcher. This keyboard appears automatically after digit 0..9 character or it can be showed manually by the context menu. If the number exists on monitored list, the selection by dialer will be the same effect like clicking on subscriber's button. If not, he will be called but none graphic information will appear in the window. The dialer includes digits buttons 0-9 and following system keys: - OK button - it closes the window and sends selected number to the exchange - ESC button - it closes the window and doesn't sent any number - CLR button - it clears whole selected number (number edit window is erased) - DEL button - it clears last character in number string

Big conference KKO in CSTA window

Beginning on 4.27 version, there is possible to maintenance KKO conferences directly from CSTA connection window. It is independent action on CSTA connections but the meaning is connected to current mode. In "normal" mode, these buttons make possible to call numbers via CSTA. In "KKO conference" mode, these buttons make possible to add and remove party from the conference and pick it up before conference connection. So, there are following subscriber's icons dedicated to KKO conference :

	Party will be called to the conference. The number was checked and added to the conference group. It will be called if the conference runs.
	Party is called to the conference.
	Party in KKO conference in simplex mode. The party is added to the conference and it is in simplex mode at the moment (he is hearing the conference room).
	Party in KKO conference in duplex mode. The party is added to the conference and it is in duplex mode at te moment. He is hearing conference room and he is able to speak as well.

The KKO conferences run from CSTA window have 3 phases as follow:
- inactive phase
- pre conference pick up phase
- active phase

In order to control the conference, there are some special buttons in tool panel. It is possible to switch them on an off. If the button is switched on, given conference will be available from given workstation. It makes possible to configure which conference is allowed to given dispatcher. There are following KKO conference buttons :

	Inactive conference. This graphics means that the KKO conference doesn't work.
	Active conference. This graphics means that the KKO conference is active but it doesn't work yet. On this stage it is possible to check and uncheck numbers befor conference connection.
	The conference works but inactive. This graphics means that the KKO conference is working but it is inactive at the moment. In order to activite given conference simply click proper button in tool panel.
	The conference is active and working. This graphics means that the KKO conference is working and active at the moment. It is possible to call new party and remove existing party from the conference.
	Release button. It leaves preselection mode or closes existing conference (dependently on currentstatus).

Group buttons

'kCstaMonitor' software

The 'kCstaMonitor' software is needed for proper work of 'Connection' service. This application supervises CSTA server and made the interface between CSTA server and 'kClient' user software. The 'kCstaMonitor' software executes automatically after CSTA login procedure, the 'Connection' window opens automatically too. Next, after logout procedure the 'kCstaMonitor' application is closed automatically. It isn't possible to run this software as single application. It must be called and closed by kClient software only.

	Now, it is possible to login to CSTA service by clicking this - login (blue) icon. The 'kCstaMonitor' will be called, CSTA user will be logged and finally the 'Connection' window will open. This opening procedure may last a few - up to ten odd seconds (it depends on monitored parties number). The user should wait for opening results.
	This icon shows that user should wait for answer from CSTA server. In this time none window should be opened and the application shouldn't be closed.
	Now, it is possible to work with CSTA features. After working, logout procedure is needed. It is available by clicking this - logout (red) icon. After it, the 'kCstaMonitor' application will be closed automatically.

Auxiliary help movies for 'CSTA Connections'

For help and illustrative example, there are some auxiliary help movies regarding Connections window/feature :

	Outgoing calls : play the movie
	Incoming calls : play the movie
	Conference connection : play the movie
	The window configuration : play the movie
	CSTA settings - configuration : play the movie
	Programmable general purpose buttons : play the movie
	Neighbouring dispatcher queue redirection : play the movie
	Local group buttons in 'connection': play the movie
	CSTA feature basic configuration : play the movie
	ReDat recorder maintenance : play the movie