Milestone XProtect - Zenitel Connect Pro Integration
From Zenitel Wiki
Introduction
The interface between Zenitel Connect Pro and Milestone XProtect is through an integration module.
This integration requires a Zenitel desktop station associated with each XProtect Smart Client, as audio is routed through Zenitel Connect Pro.
This article assumes that the reader is:
- familiar with the setup and operation of the Milestone XProtect VMS
- that Milestone XProtect is operational, with all the system connected and cameras configured
- that Zenitel Connect Pro is operational, with all the system connected intercom devices configured
Only points that are specific to this integration and to connected intercom stations and IP speakers are described.
Licensing
Milestone XProtect
The integration interface does not require a specific license from Milestone.
However, note that Zenitel stations are typically registered as ONVIF devices in XProtect, e.g. stream and record audio/video from stations. This requires separate station licenses from Milestone.
For an overview of the ONVIF features supported in Zenitel devices, please read our article ONVIF Settings
Zenitel Connect Pro
Zenitel Connect Pro requires an Integration license, item number 1002720900. See article Licensing_(Zenitel_Connect_Pro) for more details.
Installation
This section describes how to install the integration plugin.
It is assumed that the Milestone XProtect VMS is installed and running. It is also assumed that the Milestone XProtect VMS has been licensed appropriately.
- When installing (or uninstalling) the plugin all XProtect Clients (XProtect Management Client and XProtect Smart Client) must be closed.
- The plugin needs to be installed on the same machine as the XProtect Smart client.
- Download the MSI setup file from the Downloads section on Zenitel Wiki.
- Run the setup file, and follow the instructions on the screen
- When prompted for the installation location, select the Milestone/MIP installation folder (e.g. C:\Program Files\Milestone\MIPPlugins).
- Click "Close" to complete the installation.
Configuration
Basic plugin configuration
- Open the XProtect Smart Client.
- Open the "Settings" window by clicking the "Settings" Icon button in the toolbar.
- In the "Settings" window enter the IP address of your Zenitel intercom system in the "IP Address" field.
- The port used for connection is TCP port 8086 (recommended) or 8087 and must be open in the Zenitel Connect Pro firewall.
- The credentials used in the plugin are set in the Zenitel Connect Pro web interface with the role of a Zenitel Link User (not the administrator). See User_Management_(Zenitel_Connect_Pro) for more information.
- Click the "Connect" button and wait for the system to retrieve the list of available devices.
- Select the operator's device by choosing its directory number from the drop-down list.
Associating cameras with devices
- Open the camera settings window.
- On the left side, there will be a list of devices registered with Zenitel Connect Pro.
- On the right side, there will be a tree view of cameras grouped by recording servers and categories, as configured within the XProtect system.
- Click on a device in the left list to select it. This selection will dynamically highlight associated cameras in the tree view.
- Use the search bar at the top of the camera tree to quickly find a specific camera by name.
- Click on an item in the right tree view to preview the video feed from that camera in the lower pane.
- To associate a camera with the selected device, click the checkbox next to the camera’s name in the tree view.
- Repeat steps 4–7 to associate additional cameras with the selected device.
- Once satisfied with the configuration, close the camera settings window.
- Click "Save and Close" on the configuration window to apply and save the changes.
Tone Test Window Description
The Tone Test Window allows operators to manually initiate a tone test on selected intercom devices or IP speakers. This feature is designed to verify device functionality by playing a tone on the selected device's speaker.
Features:
- Device List: Displays a list of all available devices, showing their directory numbers and names.
- Checkbox Selection: Users can select one or more devices by checking the boxes next to the device names.
- Tone Test Buttons:
- Test Checked Devices: Plays a tone on all devices selected via the checkboxes.
- Test All Devices: Initiates a tone test on all devices listed, regardless of selection.
How to Use:
- View Available Devices:
- The device list is populated dynamically with all registered devices.
- Use the scroll bar to navigate through the list if it contains many devices.
- Select Devices for Testing:
- Check the boxes next to the devices you wish to test.
- If you want to test all listed devices, skip this step and use the "Test All Devices" button.
- Initiate Tone Test:
- Click the Test Checked Devices button to play a tone on the selected devices.
- Alternatively, click the Test All Devices button to test every device on the list.
- Monitor Results:
- Observe the devices to ensure the tone is audible on the speakers.
This window simplifies manual testing of device audio output, ensuring quick verification of individual or multiple devices.
Using the Call Handler
The Zenitel Call Handler (Zenitel Connect Pro) plugin can be used for two scenarios: initiating calls and handling incoming calls.
Note that SIP audio is routed through Zenitel Connect Pro, so audio calls and audio broadcasts are established on a Zenitel desktop station.
If the Operator uses a desktop station, the Call Handler transfers the call from the Smart Client to the desktop station where the operator gets audio through the station connected handset, speaker, or headset.
Initiating Calls
In the XProtect Smart Client on the Zenitel Audio tab select a device you wish to call and click on the green "Answer/Call" button.
A popup window will be displayed showing the active call, along with a video preview from an associated camera.
Answering queued Calls
- When an inbound call is received, a popup window will be displayed showing the queued call, along with a video preview from an associated camera.
- To answer the call, click the green "Answer/Call" button.
- If there is an active call, the Call Handler will automatically hang up the active call and answer the inbound call.
- If there are multiple queued calls, they will be displayed in order of priority. To answer a specific queued call, simply click on the green "Answer/Call" button.
Tracking calls meant for a different operator
You can determine if a station is busy by checking the device list. If another operator has initiated a call, the current user will be informed about which operator and station are engaged. Notably, there will be no popup window displayed in this scenario.
Using the Popup Window
- The popup window displays the active call (if it was initiated by the operator) or a list of queued calls, along with a video preview from an associated camera.
- The popup window will display the camera feed from the first associated camera of the active call (if present) or if there are no active calls, the first queued device-associated camera will be displayed.
- To manually switch the camera video feed to any active or queued device, select the desired device from the dropdown list in the popup window.
- To hang up the active call, click the red "Hang-Up" button.
- To answer a queued call, click the green "Answer/Call" button.
- If there are multiple queued calls, they will be displayed in order of priority. To answer a specific queued call, select it from the dropdown list in the popup window.
Broadcasting
Live announcements
The user will be presented with a list of all available groups. See Broadcasts_(Zenitel_Connect_Pro) for more details.
From this list, the user can make a selection to interact with a particular group by simply clicking either of the two buttons: "Live Announcement" or "Prerecorded Message."
Notably, if any group is currently engaged or busy, both buttons will be displayed in a distinctive red color to indicate the unavailability of the group.
This visual cue helps users quickly identify the status of the chosen group.
When the user clicks on the "Live Announcement" button, a new window will appear, providing the user with essential information about the selected group and the control to stop the Live Announcement Call.
Broadcasting prerecorded messages
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Before using prerecorded messages, it's essential to upload WAV audio files to the Zenitel Connect Pro system. |
The user will first be presented with a list of all available groups. After selecting a group, they can click the "Prerecorded Message" button to open the prerecorded message window. This window provides vital information about the selected group and offers controls for managing prerecorded audio messages. See Audio_Messages_(Zenitel_Connect_Pro) for more details on how to upload audio files to Zenitel Connect Pro.
In this window, users can:
- View the selected group’s details, such as the name and directory number.
- Browse a list of available prerecorded audio messages.
- Select a message and configure playback options:
- No Repeat: Play the message once.
- Limited Repeat: Specify the number of repeats.
- Infinite Loop: Continuously broadcast the message.
- Start or stop message playback with the provided controls.
- Monitor real-time playback status to ensure proper message delivery.
This intuitive interface streamlines the process of managing and broadcasting prerecorded messages, ensuring effective communication with the selected group.
