Push to Talk (PTT) over Cellular (PoC), using mobile 3G / 4G / 5G or Wi-Fi networks, is the modern way of instant voice group communication.
The Group PTT feature provides the equivalent service of a traditional two way radio (walkie talkie). GroupTalk Group PTT benefit from basically unlimited geographical coverage and crystal clear voice communication and text messaging.
GroupTalk users select a PTT group (sometimes referred to as a "channel" as in the analog radio world) from the list of available groups. Everyone in that PTT group can instantaiously communicate with each other using voice at a push of a button. Push to Talk is half duplex, thus only one user can talk at a time.
Mobile users can only select one primary group at a time while dispatchers using the service on a PC can participate in multiple groups simultaneously. Additionally, mobile users can "scan" groups in the background. Incoming voice on scanned groups will be heard when there is no voice traffic in the primary group. All communication is in real time. User access to the PTT groups are managed centrally on the web.
See your colleagues in real time or in location histroy on a map
Location tracking of users can be live on a PC Dispatch, or historical (breadcrumb trail) when using location history in web admin.
A user and a date and time interval is entered and the correspondeing breadcrum trail is presented. You can see the time when the user was at a specific location and the speed of the user at that time.
Location tracking is a privacy concern and it is critical that anyone enabling this feature has been granted the right to do so and that the users being tracked are informed and have approved the tracking.
The duration for how long the location data is stored is configurable and the data will automatically be deleted at the end of the period.
A "location viewing" access right need to be assigned to the individuals that are authorize to access the location tracking information.
Record, store and replay all voice communication
The GroupTalk voice recorder is available as a cloud service and as an On-Premise solution.
The recorder can be configured to record and store any combination of Group PTT, Private calls and voice monitoring during panic alarms. A web based tool exists for play back of recordings and to export them to a more portable file format, when needed for evidence or training purposes.
All recordings are encrypted and a special "recorder" access right need to be assigned in GroupTalk for a user to gain access to the recordings.
An audit log exists that documents who and when recordings have been accessed.
Immediately alert colleagues and an Emergency Operations Center when help is required. Live location tracking and remote voice listen in.
To increase personal safety, panic alarms can be used. The personal alarm configuration is managed centrally on the web and pushed to the users device. Different safety features can be enabled when the panic alarm / personal alarm is triggered, such as sending of SMS, automatic dialup for full duplex communication or remote voice listen in over IP, real time location tracking and alerts on co-workers devices with GroupTalk and on PC Dispatcher in control rooms.
SMS can be sent automatically by the phone to preconfigured phone number(s) with an personal alarm message based on a template. Supporting standards, such as OVLS. The message may contain name and other user information and location at the time of the panic alarm. For iOS based devices the SMS will be sent from the GroupTalk server on behalf of the iOS device.
Android phones can be configured to automatically call a preconfigured number. This way a central may listen to and optionally talk to the user.
The personal alarm can be configured to remain active until cleared by an authorized user. In this case the device will continually report its location to enable a dispatcher to follow the position of the device in real time. Personal saftey alarms will also be clearly displayed and notified in the PC dispatch application and / or in the mobile apps.
For Ad hoc communication between two users
In addition to group push to talk, private calls can be initiated between two users. This creates a temporary half duplex push to talk session that only the callees can participate in. The call will be terminated when only one participant is left in the call, or the call has been idle for some time. This feature can be configured so that calls can only be initiated from one party to the other and not the opposite.
Lets users request the attention of dispatchers without disrupting their workflow
It is quite common that a mobile worker need assistans from a Dispatcher, but that the response is not super urgent. It might also be the case that only a couple of dispatchers are managing hundreds of mobile workers.
In such scenarios it is preferable if the mobile users do not call or contact the central dispatchers directly with PTT. Instead, whenever the users need to talk to the dispatchers they enter a queue by pressing a button. The dispatchers can manage the queue and take appropriate actions for each queue ticket. Thus, respond in the most efficient way. Multiple queues can be configured, with optional prioritization. Multiple dispatchers can manage the same queues.
Queues can also be used to inform the dispatch of the status of a user. For example that a car towing truck is available for a new job, or that a taxi is vacant.
Send a text message to your coworkers
In some situations a text message is needed to complement voice messages. In the GroupTalk application, you can send text messages in groups, as well as person to person.
Keep your coworkers posted on your User Status
The GroupTalk feature “User Status” is a way for users to show their status to other GroupTalk users, both mobile and dispatcher. The statuses available to a user is predefined by an administrator and each status has both a name (e.g. "Available") and optionally a color.
Select network username to fit current assignment
GroupTalk Call Sign allows users to set / change their network name according to their current task. Ideal for personnel switching between tasks / objects during the work hours.
Use scanning to participate in multiple PTT Groups
While a PC Dispatch client can have full access to a number of PTT Groups simultaneously the mobile phone client can only speak in one group at a time. The scanning feature in GroupTalk allows mobile phone users to listen to an unlimited number of groups. When a conversation is started in one of the scanned groups, the user will be moved there automatically. When the "scanned conversation" is over, the user will be moved back to the primary group.
It is quite common that mobile users communicate in a primary group but scan a secondary "emergency" or "announcement" group that can be used by a dispatcher to quickly reach out to many users within an organisation with important and urgent information.
Security and transportation companies are frequent users of scanning.
Radio Bridge to GroupTalk
A radio bridge, i.e. interoperability, is used to connect an existing two way radio system to GroupTalk users with smartphones or PC Dispatch.
Some customers require a PTT communication solution that can be use in direct mode and not dependent on 3rd party networks or the simple fact that no or limited mobile phone coverage is available in the area.
A connection between two way radio systems and Grouptalk is a great way to extend the coverage and the "radio range" and to continue to benefit from utilizing prior investments. With a radio bridge, two way radio and GroupTalk users can communicate seamlessly with each other and without range limitations.
Sharing to network resources
Communication across organizations. Interoperability between organisations using GroupTalk for PTT, panic alarms, location sharing, queues, messaging, etc.
In scenarios in which two or more GroupTalk organizations would like to share a network resource like PTT Groups or alarms, we offer a Sharing service allowing companies to set up sharing of their choice.
Typically a company with personal working in vulnerable environments would like a certified alarm central to handle their personal alarms. In a typical construction site workers from many companies cooperate, sharing PTT groups is an effective way to handle "radio communication".
A team of professionals at your disposal
For some enterprises an integration with GroupTalk is needed to support their workflow.
GroupTalk professional security solution include a full range of support from standard customization projects to full integration and development of custom featers to support the customers workflow solutions.
GroupTalk offers a lot of flexibility and the solution supports integration in the cloud, on the PC dispatch and on the mobile devices. Integration with web apps and other IT systems.
Private cloud setup available
GroupTalk runs on Amazon AWS a secure-, private-, available- and redundant Cloud Computing environment offering a market leading network security. However, some customers demand more privacy and therefore we offer a private cloud Amazon setup supported and maintained by GroupTalk. Contact us for more information, info@grouptalk.com.
API’s available for application integration
The GroupTalk solution supports a wide range of open API’s for application integration allowing you to integrate our services into your in house application.
Two Factor Authentication
Add an extra layer of security to your GroupTalk ID to ensure that no one unauthorized gets access to your account, even if your passwords are compromised.
Synchronize important contacts to your GroupTalk network
To support availability to important contacts outside your GroupTalk network, we offer a contact sync in our applications. Practical e.g. for personnel working on a remote site in need for reporting outside their network. Powerful for administrators, to ensure that all users have access to needed points of contact.
