Audio Scheduler V18

Table of Contents

Introduction #

With 3CX Audio Scheduler you can schedule the playing of tones or alarms over your paging system (and phones). 3CX Audio Scheduler is great for notifying employees of break times, shift changes, and more. You can schedule multiple alarms throughout the day. You can play custom tones to meet your specific needs — including fire alarms, tornado warnings, or shift change notifications. 3CX Audio Scheduler is a perfect solution for Schools, Airports, and Shift work.

1.1. Why 3CX Audio Scheduler?

  • Schedule custom paging announcements or tones with 3CX Audio Scheduler.
  • Use it to notify staff of break times, shift changes and more.

1.2. What’s New?

  • Compatible with 3CX Version 15-16
  • Greatly simplified administration of scheduled audios
  • Upload custom audio files
  • Play an unlimited number of different audio files
  • You can page to any device type including traditional overhead paging, phones, PA1 (and similar products)
  • Improved installer allows you to add, edit, delete, and run scheduled audio directly from the configuration screen

Prerequisites #

Before you begin with the installation steps mentioned in this guide, you need to ensure that your computer meets the minimum requirements mentioned below for installing 3CX Audio Scheduler.

  1. 3CX Version V16 and V18
  2. Microsoft .Net 4.7.2 or above
  3.  Internet Information Server (IIS) 7.0 or above
  4. VoIPTools Relay Agent (Free)

Note: When installing IIS, be sure to install Basic Authentication, .Net Extensibility, and ASP.Net 4.X

Installation #


Download software

You can order 3CX Audio Scheduler on-line at https://www.voiptools.com.  Your order confirmation email will include your license key and a link to download the software.


Install Prerequisites

There are a number of prerequisites that must be installed prior to installing 3CX Audio Scheduler. These prerequisites include Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS)


Install 3CX Audio Scheduler

Run the setup program named AudioSchedulerInstaller.exe and then follow the instructions as mentioned in the manual.


Register your License Key

You must register your license key to activate 3CX Audio Scheduler. Your license key is included in your order confirmation email, and can also be found in your order history on our website.

Step By Step Installation Procedure #

The following section guides you through a detailed walk-through of the installation process:

Step 1: Download 3CX Audio Scheduler #

You can locate the software download link included in your order confirmation email. Alternatively, you can also find the link from your order history on our website.

Step 2:  Start the Installation #

  1. Click the downloaded installer executable to start the 3CX Audio Scheduler setup wizard.

Figure 1: Audio Scheduler Setup Wizard

  • On the Select Installation Folder window, view the installation folder. You cannot change the installation path.

Figure 2: Installation Folder Location

Step 4: Test Relay Settings

  1. In the 3CX Relay Services window, in the Relay Host field, enter the IP address or FQDN of your 3CX server.
  2. Enter 8801 in the Relay Port field.
  3. Enter the public key you took from VoIPTools Relay services in the Public Key text area.
Fig 7: Configure Relay Services
  1. Click the Test Relay Settings to confirm ‘3CX Audio Scheduler’ can communicate with the Relay services running on the 3CX server.
  2. If the ‘3CX Audio Scheduler’ is successfully able to communicate with the Relay services that run on the 3CX server, a Success message box appears. Click OK. If the test fails, you will not be able to continue until communication with the relay is established.
Fig 8:Test Relay services

Click Next to continue with the installation.

Note: If the test was unsuccessful: 

  1. confirm you have the correct firewall port open (default TCP 8801) on the 3CX server and the firewall protecting the 3CX server.
  2. confirm that you have entered the correct IP address / FQDN for the 3CX server.
  3. confirm that 3CX Audio Scheduler and the Relay are using the same port and protocol.
  • 5). Click Next to continue with the installation.
  • Click Next to continue.
  • In the Ready to Install window, click Install to start the installation of the ‘3CX Audio Scheduler’.

Figure 3: Install 3CX Audio Scheduler

  • The application installation progresses. This may take several minutes to complete.

Figure 4: 3CX Audio Scheduler installation in the process

Once the installation is complete, check the Launch 3CX Audio Scheduler check box and then click Finish. The 3CX Audio Scheduler configuration screen opens. If you want to simply close the installer without opening the configuration screen, then simply uncheck Launch 3CX Audio Scheduler check box and then click Finish

Figure 5: Installation Complete

Configuration Screen #

The Audio Scheduler configuration screen enables you to perform various activities as mentioned below:

  1. Register software
  2. configure the paging dial code
  3. Upload/ delete/ play audio files
  4. Create/ edit/ delete/ run the scheduled tasks

License tab #

Registration is required to authorize your license key. Registering also makes it possible for VoIPTools to provide a replacement key if your license key is ever lost. Also, it enables VoIPTools to notify you of any product updates, and reminders if your key is reaching the renewal date.

Figure 12: Register Software

Steps:

1. On the 3CX Audio Scheduler configuration screen and in the License tab, enter your registration information in all the required fields (Note the red dot denotes a required field).

2. Click Register.

Note: The license key permits you to install the software on one computer. This is not free software.

Settings tab #

The Settings screen enables you to set paging code that causes the phone to auto-answer, set path for ‘Audio Folder’ to store audio files, upload a new or delete an existing audio file from the 3CX Audio Scheduler.

Figure 13: Settings

5.2.1. 3CX Dial Code

When dialing a phone, using the paging dial code will cause the phone to auto-answer (provided it is provisioned correctly).

  • Under 3CX Dial Code section, in the Paging Dial Code field enter valid dial code that is already configured in the 3CX Management console.

Note:

Dial codes are configured in the 3CX Management console at:
• V12.5: Settings ? Advanced ? Dial Codes ? Paging
• V14: Settings ? PBX ? Dial Codes ? Paging

5.2.2. Audio Files
Set Path for Audio Files

  1.  On the Audio Scheduler configuration screen and in the Settings tab, beside Audio Folder field, click Browse button.
  2. Select appropriate folder to store the audio files you uploaded into the 3CX Audio Scheduler.

Upload Audio File

  1. In the Settings tab, click Upload button.
  2. Browse for the audio file you want to upload.

Delete Audio File

  1. In the Settings tab, under Audio Files section, from the ‘Audio File’ list box, select the audio file that you want to delete.
  2. Click Delete button.

Schedule tab #

Schedule tab enables you to create new scheduled tasks and delete, edit or run existing scheduled tasks.

Figure 14: Schedule screen

5.3.1. Create New Scheduled Task

  • 1. In the Schedule tab and in the toolbar, click New button.

Figure 15: Schedule tab-Toolbar

  • 2. In the New Task dialog box, and in the Task Name field, enter the name for the scheduled task.

Figure 16: Schedule tab-New Task

  • 3. From the Dial Ext dropdown, select the extension for which you want to schedule the new scheduled task.
  • 4. From the Audio File dropdown, select the audio file that you want to play for this new scheduled task.
  • 5. If you want the phone to auto-answer the call, check Use Dial Code box.
  • 6. Click Create Task.
  • 7. In the Properties dialogue box fill the necessary fields and click OK.

5.3.2. Edit Scheduled Task

  • 1. In the Schedule tab and from the Scheduled Tasks list box, select the scheduled task that you want to edit.
  • 2. From the toolbar, click Edit button. Schedule Task Properties dialog box appears.
    • General tabGeneral tab allows you to set general properties of a task.
  • a. In the Schedule Task Properties dialog box and in the Description text field, enter the description for the task.

Figure 17: Schedule Task Properties-General tab

  • b. Click Change User or Group… button to select a different user or group account for a task to run under.
  • c. Select Run only when user is logged on option if you want to run the task interactively.
  • d. Select Run whether user is logged on or not option if you want to run the task when the user is logged in or not. When you select this option, you may be prompted to enter account credentials while saving the task, regardless of whether you checked Do not store password box or not.
  • e. Check Do not store password box if you do not want the Task Scheduler to store the credentials on the local computer.
  • f. Check Run with highest privileges to allow the scheduler to run the task that is registered using the Administrators group.
  • g. From the Configure for dropdown select the operating system that the task is configured for.
  • h. Check Hidden box if you want to hide the task.

Triggers tab

When you create a task, you can specify the conditions that will trigger the task.

From the Triggers tab, you can view the list of existing triggers for the schedule task, add new trigger and, edit or delete existing trigger. You can access trigger settings from the New Trigger or Edit Trigger dialog box.

Figure 18: Schedule Task Properties–Triggers tab

Add New Trigger

  • a. In the Triggers tab, click New… button. New Trigger dialog box appears.

Figure 19: New Trigger dialog box

  • b. In the New Trigger dialog box, from the Begin the task dialog box, select appropriate trigger. For more details, see Trigger Type table below.

Figure 20: Triggers tab-Begin the task: dropdown

  • c. From the Settings section, select appropriate trigger setting and set the time at which you want the trigger to occur. For more details, see Trigger Settings table below.

Figure 21: Triggers tab-Settings

  • d. In the Advanced settings section,
    • Check Delay task for up to (random delay) box to specify an amount of time to delay the task from running, after the task is triggered.
    • Check Repeat task every box to set a repetition time interval for the task. The task will run, wait for the time interval specified, and then run again. This cycle will continue until the duration time is met
    • Check Stop task if it runs longer than: box to stop long running tasks by setting a time limit on the amount of time the task is allowed to run (execute the action).
    • Check Expire box to set a date and time for the trigger to expire.
    • Check Enabled box to enable the task so that it can run.
  • e. Click OK.

Edit Existing Trigger

  • i. In the Triggers tab, click Edit… button. Edit Trigger dialog box appears.
  • ii. Edit all the required details. (See Trigger Type and Trigger Settings tables for more details)
  • iii. Click OK

Delete Existing Trigger

  • i. In the Triggers tab, from the trigger list box, select the trigger that you want to delete.
  • ii. Click Delete.

Actions tab

A task action is the work that is performed when the task has run. A task can have single action or a maximum of 32 actions. Each action contains settings that determine how the action is performed. When you create a task, you must specify the action that will occur when your task starts. You can access ‘Actions’ settings when you create a new or edit an existing action.

Figure 22: Schedule Task Properties-Actions tab

Add New Action

1. In the Actions tab, click New… button. New Action dialog box appears.

2. From the Action dropdown,

  • a. Start a program – This action starts a program on script.
    • i. In the Program/ script text box, enter the name of the program or script that you want to start.
    • ii. In the Add arguments (optional) text box, enter the arguments if the program or script takes command line arguments.
    • iii. In the Start in (optional) text box, you can specify the working directory for the command line that executes the program or script. This should be either the path to the program or script file or the path to the files that are used by the executable file.

Figure 23: Actions-Start a Program

  • b. Send an e-mail – This action sends an e-mail when a task is triggered.
    • i. In the From field, enter the e-mail address that acts as the sender of the mail.
    • ii. In the To field, enter the e-mail address that the mail will be sent to.
    • iii. In the Subject field, enter the subject of the e-mail.
    • iv. In the Text field, enter the e-mail message.
    • v. As an optional, you can browse and add an attachment.
    • vi. In the SMTP server field, specify the SMTP server that you use to send e-mail from.
    • vii. Click OK.

Figure 24: Actions-Send an e-mail

  • c. Display a message – This action shows a message box with a specified message and title
    • i. In the Title field, enter the title for the message.
    • ii. In the Message field, enter the message that you want to send.
    • iii. Click OK.

Figure 25: Actions-Display a message

Edit Action

  1. In the Actions tab, click Edit… button. Edit Action dialog box appears.
  2. Edit all the required details. (See New Action dialog box for more details)
  3. Click OK.

Figure 26: Edit Action

Delete Action

  1. In the Actions tab, from the actions list box, select the action that you want to delete.
  2. Click Delete.

Conditions tab

Conditions control whether a task along with the trigger should run. The task will not run if any condition specified is not true.

Conditions are of 3 categories:

  • Idle conditions are set to run the task only when the computer is in an idle state for a specific amount of time when a task trigger is activated.
  • Power conditions are set to run the task only when the computer runs on AC power (not battery power) when the task trigger is activated. If this condition is set, the task will stop if the computer switches to battery power.
  • Network conditions are set to run the task only if a specified named network connection is available or if any network connection is available when the task’s trigger is activated. If your task action requires a network connection to execute, then set this condition.

Figure 27: Schedule Task Properties-Conditions tab

Idle Conditions

  • a. Check Start the task only if the computer is idle for: box if you want the task scheduler to start the task if the computer is idle for the specified time. You can select the time from the dropdown.
  • b. From the Wait for idle for dropdown, select the amount of time to wait (after the task is triggered) for the computer to enter an idle state.
  • c. Check Stop if the computer ceases to be idle check box so that when a task is running while the computer is in idle state, it will stop running when the computer ceases to be idle.
  • d. Check Restart if the idle state resumes box so that the task that stopped when the computer was in idle state will start running again the next time the computer enters an idle state.

Power Conditions

  • a. Check Start the task only if the computer is on AC power box if you want to run the task only when the computer runs on AC power.
  • b. Check Stop if the computer switches to battery power box to stop the task if the computer switches to battery power.
  • c. Check Wake the computer to run this task box to wake the computer from sleep mode and run the task when the trigger is activated.

Network Conditions

  • a. Check Start only if the following network connection is available box if your task action requires a network connection to execute.
  • b. From the network connection dropdown, select required network connection so that the task will run when the specified network is available.

Table-1: Trigger Type-Definitions

Begin the task: dropdown

ON A SCHEDULEThis trigger causes the task to run according to a schedule, and the trigger settings allow you to set the schedule.
AT LOG ONThis trigger causes the task to run when a user logs on to the computer, and the trigger’s settings allow you to specify that the task should be triggered when any user logs on the computer or when a specific user logs on.
AT START UPThis trigger causes the task to run when the computer starts up. The only settings for this trigger are the described in the Advanced Settings section of the New Trigger dialog box.
ON IDLEThis trigger causes the task to run after the computer enters an idle state, and the idle settings can be set from the Conditions tab in the Create Task or Task Properties dialog box.
ON AN EVENTThis trigger causes the task to run when specific event entries are added to an event log.
AT TASK CREATION/ MODIFICATIONThis trigger causes a task to run as soon as it is created and when the task is modified. The only settings for this trigger are the advanced settings described in the Advanced Settings section of the New Trigger dialog box.
ON CONNECTION TO USER SESSIONThis trigger causes a task to run when a user session is connected to the local computer or from a remote desktop connection.
ON DISCONNECT FROM USER SESSIONThis trigger causes a task to run when a user session is disconnected from the local computer or from a remote desktop connection.
ON WORKSTATION LOCKThis trigger causes the task to run when the computer is locked.
ON WORKSTATION UNLOCKThis trigger causes the task to run when the computer is unlocked.

Table-2: Trigger Settings-Definitions

Trigger Settings

ONE TIMEChoose date and time to trigger the task.
DAILYChoose the recurrence interval for the task and the date and time to start the task. An interval of 1 produces a daily schedule and an interval of 2 produces an every other day schedule. The task will start at the specified time each day.
WEEKLYChoose the recurrence interval for the task, the date and time to start the task, and the days of the week in which to start the task. An interval of 1 produces a weekly schedule and an interval of 2 produces an every other week schedule. The task will start at the specified time on each of the specified days.
MONTHLYChoose the months in which you want to start the task and the weeks of the month and the days of the week for each month in which you want to start the task. You can also specify that you want to start a task on the last day of each month.

Settings tab

Settings tab enables you to specify additional settings that affect the behavior of the task. The task settings specify how a task should run, stop or delete.

  • a. Check “Allow task to be run on demand” box if you want to run the task at any time on demand.
  • b. Check “Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed” box so that the Task Scheduler service will start the task if the task was scheduled to run at a certain time, but for some reason the task was not activated.

Note:The Task Scheduler service will not start the task immediately after the task was missed. By default the service waits for ten minutes before starting the missed task.

  • c. Check “If the task fails, restart every:” box to restart a task if the last run of the task fails. From the dropdown, specify the time interval that takes place between task restart attempts and the number of times to try to restart the task.
  • d. Check “Stop the task if it runs longer than:” box to limit the amount of time a task is allowed to run. From the dropdown, select appropriate time.
  • e. Check “If the task is not scheduled to run again, delete it after:” box so that the task Scheduler service will automatically delete the task after waiting for the specified time period, if it is not scheduled to run again.

Figure 28: Schedule Task Properties-Settings tab

  • f. From the “If the task is already running, then the following rule applies:” dropdown,
    • Do not start a new instance – The Task Scheduler service will not run the new instance of the task and will not stop the instance that is already running.
    • Run a new instance in parallel – The Task Scheduler service will run the new instance of the task in parallel with the instance that is already running.
    • Queue a new instance – The Task Scheduler service will add the new instance of the task to the queue of tasks that the service will run, and the service will not stop the instance of the task that is already running.
    • Stop the existing instance – The Task Scheduler service will stop the instance of the task that is already running, and run the new instance of the task.

Run Times tab

Run Times tab allows you to view the scheduled tasks have not yet run and are ready to run once the time arrives.

  1. From the From calendar, select appropriate date and time from which you want to see the run times of the scheduled tasks that need to run.
  2. From the To calendar, select appropriate date and time before which you want to see the run times of the scheduled tasks that need to run.

Figure 29: Schedule Task Properties-Run Times tab

History tab

History tab enables you to view the scheduled task logs that have run. The details include level, date and time, event id, task category, operation, and correlation id. To view further details, select the log and click General and Details tabs

Figure 30: Schedule Task Properties-History tab

5.3.3. Delete Scheduled Task

  1. In the Schedule tab and from the Scheduled Tasks list box, select the scheduled task that you want to delete.
  2. From the toolbar, click Delete button.

5.3.4. Run Scheduled Task

  1. In the Schedule tab and from the Scheduled Tasks list box, select the scheduled task that you want to run.
  2. From the toolbar, click Run button. The scheduled task causes it to perform the call.

TTS tab #

The TTS screen enables you to type the text that you want the ‘Audio Scheduler’ to convert into speech. The conversion will be done according to the Culture you select and the voice of the speech will be according to the Voice you select.

Figure 31: TTS screen

Steps:

  1. On the 3CX Audio Scheduler configuration screen, in the TTS tab, and in the Text-To-Speech textbox, type the text that you want the ‘Audio Scheduler’ to convert into speech.
  2. From the Culture dropdown, select the type of language into which you want to the ‘Audio Scheduler’ to convert the Text-To-Speech.
  3. From the Voice dropdown, select the voice so that the ‘Text-To-Speech’ audio file will play according to the voice you have selected.
  4. In the File Name field, enter the name for the ‘Text-To-Speech’ audio file.
  5. Click Save to save the ‘Text-To-Speech’ audio file.
  6. Confirmation message box appears. Click OK.
  7. Click Play to play the ‘Text-To-Speech’ audio file.

Note: Every time you play the ‘Text-To-Speech’ audio file, you should save it or else the file will be deleted from the database.

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