Broadcast - Record Dispatch (Zenitel Connect)

This article describes the operation and behavior of the Record Dispatch Broadcast mode. Configuration is covered in Features > Broadcast.

Record Dispatch, sometimes referred to as Recall or Store-and-Forward, allows an operator to record an announcement before it is distributed to the members of a Broadcast group. The recording can be reviewed and re-recorded as many times as required before it is dispatched.

The feature is particularly useful in environments where live announcements may be affected by acoustic feedback, background noise, or operational distractions. By recording the message first, the operator can ensure that the announcement is clear and complete before it is played to the Broadcast recipients.

Record Dispatch combines the flexibility of live announcements with the consistency of pre-recorded messages, making it suitable for operational, safety, and public-address applications.

Operation

Throughout this article, PTT (Push-To-Talk) refers to the control used to start and stop recording. Depending on the device type, this may be:

A dedicated PTT button on supported devices.
An M-key on native Zenitel intercom stations.
The * and # keys on ITSV video phones and Generic SIP phones.

Require PTT Enabled

When Require PTT is enabled (default), the operator controls when recording starts and stops.

When the operator dials the Broadcast number:

The system waits for the operator to activate PTT.
The operator records the announcement while holding the PTT button.
When the PTT button is released, the recording is played back to the operator.
The operator can then:

Press 8 to dispatch the recording to the Broadcast group.
Press 7 to replay the recording.
Activate PTT again to discard the current recording and create a new one.

The operator may dispatch the message at any time during playback.

If the caller hangs up before dispatching the message, the recording is discarded and no Broadcast is initiated.

Require PTT Disabled

When Require PTT is disabled:

Recording starts immediately when the Broadcast number is dialed.
The announcement is recorded until the caller hangs up.
When the call is terminated, the recorded message is automatically dispatched to the Broadcast group.

After a message has been dispatched, the originating call is automatically terminated. The recorded message is then played only to the members of the Broadcast group. The originating device is not included in the Broadcast and therefore does not hear the announcement.

Canceling a Dispatched Message

A dispatched message can be canceled using the Cancel Dispatched Call feature:

Dial *9#
Dial directory number 7092

Any queued or active dispatched Broadcast associated with the caller will then be canceled.

Configuration

The Message Dispatch feature is configured from the Features > Broadcast page in the Zenitel Connect web interface.

Busy Handling

If the Broadcast cannot be established because one or more member devices are occupied by calls with the same or higher priority, the Broadcast is queued.

The Broadcast remains queued until either:

The conflicting call ends and the Broadcast can be established.
The Answer Timeout expires, causing the Broadcast request to be discarded.

The queue timeout is controlled by the Answer Timeout setting under Devices and Connections > Global Parameters.

During the recording phase, the operator is not notified if the Broadcast group is currently busy due to calls with the same or higher priority.
If the recorded message is dispatched while the Broadcast group is busy, the operator is not notified that the Broadcast has been queued.
After dispatching the message, the originating call is terminated and the operator receives no further indication of whether the Broadcast was played immediately or queued pending resource availability.