All of MessageNet support is done remotely, so it’s vital to maintain remote access to the MessageNet server for the MessageNet support staff and to keep them apprised of any changes with it that could affect access to the system. SSH access with a remote IP address is preferred, but a VPN is also acceptable. For security purposes, ssh remote access to the MessageNet server is limited, so any changes made to the network also need to be updated on the server by MessageNet support staff. If this change isn’t made, remote access to the user interface for all users will be broken until MessageNet staff update the remote IP address on the server. For VPNs, it can be time-consuming to make any changes and it’s best to test remote access with MessageNet support staff to ensure that it’s working as soon as the changes are made so that support tickets are not affected by a wait for VPN adjustments.
Author: Jessica Neuner
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One way to keep records of everything that happens in the MessageNet system is to set up messages to be saved to the Message Archives when they expire. Messages that are set to archive will later be viewable via their Archive Directory as well as by the sender and recipient of the message. If a message is not set to archive upon expire, then the message records will disappear after expiration and cannot be retrieved.
Note that while keeping records of messages can be important, launched messages are also recorded in the log files. Archiving allows you to organize saved messages any way your want, but the archives do take up space on your server, so it is important to decide which messages would be worth saving and which are not. If you need to create records of certain types of messages, setting up archiving is recommended.
In the administrative interface, navigate to the Message Editor for the message you want to archive. Scroll down to the Message Controls section, or click on the Message Controls link at the top of the screen. Then, in the Archive to Directory field, enter the name of the Archive Directory that the message will be saved in. If that name already exists as an Archive Directory, the message will save to it upon expiration. If that name hasn’t yet been used for an Archive Directory, an Archive Directory with that name will be auto-created when the message expires for the first time.
Alternatively, you can create new Archive Directories from the Directory Archive Manager (available from the Other Screens tab). Keep in mind that if you create a new directory here, you will still need to add it to messages in the Message Editor in order to save messages to it.
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If you are a user of the MessageNet system but not the system administrator and have forgotten your MessageNet password, please contact your on-site system administrator for a password reset. For security reasons, MessageNet support staff are unable to manage users or reset passwords.
For on-site system administrators, to reset a user’s password, log in to the MessageNet Connections administrative interface, click on the Other Screens tab, and select User Database Manager. Your own user profile will appear as the default. To navigate to another user’s profile, you can click Browse and search through the full list of users, or you can enter the user’s surname into the Last Name field and click Find.
If there are multiple users with the same last name, you may need to click Next until you find the correct one. Once you are at the correct user profile, change the password, click Save, and then give the updated password to the user, who can then change it again if needed once they have successfully logged in.
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MessageNet Connections is browser-based on PCs and on Android devices (while the mobile app for Apple devices has been released, the Android version is still in progress, so a web browser must be used on Android devices until the app is released), so to log in, navigate to any web browser and enter the MessageNet server’s IP address (or dns host name, if your organization uses that instead). You may need to obtain this information from your on-site MessageNet system administrator. Once you have navigated to the log in screen, the MessageNet logo will appear.
Click anywhere on the logo and the sign in window will pop up. If it does not, you may need to allow pop ups from that address. Enter your user name and password into the appropriate text boxes. If you do not know your user name and password, check with your on-site system administrator. For security reasons, MessageNet support staff cannot manage user accounts or reset passwords.
To log in to the administrative interface, click the Connections button. To log in to the Connections Mobile user interface, click on the Connections Mobile button. Some web browsers offer the option to save your log in information so you don’t have to type it in every time. If you choose to do this, the button for Connections Mobile may appear grayed out. If this is the case, simply click in the password text box and the Connections Mobile button will become clickable.
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If your MessageNet server is a black 4U server, it has an AMD processor in it and is not affected by the recent Intel security flaws. However, if your server is a newer silver 1U Dell server, then the processor is by Intel and may be affected by the security flaws. Any patches to fix this issue would be at the hardware level, provided by Dell on their website, and would therefore need to be applied directly on the server by someone on-site and cannot be done remotely by MessageNet support staff. Note: It is possible that applying a patch may cause the server to slow down by up to 40%.
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In order to avoid risking lost data in the event of a server failure, it’s very important to have a complete backup of all of the MessageNet server’s data. Because every customer’s system, network, and organization are different, MessageNet cannot provide or suggest a backup method. However you decide to back up your data, however, it’s important to backup everything, as data restoration may be impossible without a full backup. A full backup includes everything in the server’s root partition and home partition. The paths for these two partitions are:
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/home
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Support Resources
This section of the Support Portal is designed to be a database of user guides and instructions to help users of MessageNet Connections. They’re divided into sections based on interface and device so they’re easy to find. Click the links below to learn more about how to use MessageNet Connections.
Connections Mobile App
Connections Administrative Interface
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[address_and_contact_lines]What is Connections Mobile?
Connections Mobile provides easy access to MessageNet Connections on smart phones, tablets, and computers. The app is designed for the fast and easy sending of messages.
How Does it Work?
Connections Mobile interfaces directly with the MessageNet Connections server to provide a highly simplified user experience on mobile devices. The Connections Mobile inbox is fully compatible with the standard Connections inbox and message directory screens and functions.
Daily & Emergency Use
Connections Mobile is designed to meet both the daily and emergency needs of any organization. Because the system is used for emergency, educational and daily communications, it’s used every day, making it easier and faster for staff to send out notifications in the event of an emergency, saving more lives.
Maximize your ROI by providing multi-user daily and emergency communicationFeatures
Mobile Device Compatibility
Connections Mobile is available on many mobile devices, including iPhones, and iPads and is coming soon on Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. The App is downloadable through the app store directly to your device.
Single Log-In
Log in to Connections Mobile once when it’s installed and it will remain logged in as your user each time you open the app for easy messaging and access to the Connections platform.
Simplified User Interface
Connections Mobile has a simplified user interface to make the App more accessible to infrequent or more general users of the system. Anyone with a log-in can create their own list of favorite messages for easy communication.
Customizable Lists
Connections Mobile is designed so users can create lists of their most frequently used messages. They can be ordered and customized for convenience.
Features
Shareable Messages
Messages saved by one user can be shared with others. This is so members of a department can be sure to all have the same messages. When only the administrator creates messages, that admin can share to anyone else who would need them.
In-App Inbox
In addition to sending messages, the Connections Mobile allows threaded replies directly from the app for comprehensive messaging and ease-of-use.
Location-Aware Messaging
Connections Mobile can take advantage of the location capabilities of mobile devices in messages designed to broadcast the user’s location when sent, such as ‘Send Help’ or other emergency messages.
Available on PC and Mac
Connections Mobile is also available on PCs and Mac Computers. The simplified user interface is ideal for non-administrative users to access their messages without going through the full system.
Customizeable Icons
Connections Mobile has a wide variety of different images that act as icons for each message. Assigning unique icons to messages makes them easier to find, especially in an emergency situation. Even in every day communication, icons make messages faster and more convenient to locate.
Accessible Anywhere
Connections is available on any network-connected computer. Connections Mobile takes that a step further. Our mobile app can be accessed anywhere, whenever and wherever it is needed.
Convenient Access
Connections Mobile provides access to many of the user features of MessageNet Connections. It’s designed for convenient user access to many messaging features from a simplified interface.
Prioritize Messages
In Connections Mobile, messages can be reordered based on how often they’re used, priority, or however is most convenient for the user. Each user can organize messages in the way that suits their needs individual needs best.
*Some features described above may not yet be fully implemented.
Other Advantages
- 90-day, no-risk money-back guarantee on software
- Audit trails
- Integrate with pre-existing technologies
- Multi-user access
- User security control
- Ease of use
- Can save lives
Scalability
Connections can be purchased and installed all at once or gradually built up over time. The only device necessary to get started is the Connections server.
Connectivity
Connections is browser-based, so users can log on and send messages from any network-connected device.
Automated messages can be sent out by any device connected to the system, or can be launched manually on a computer or a mobile device using Connections Mobile
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MessageNet Connections Mobile
Connections Mobile sends and receives emergency alerts and mass notifications directly with your smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
MessageNet Connections Mobile provides easy access to all Connections functionality and can deliver messages to any connected device
With a single touch, our user-friendly interface performs a multitude of actions, providing access to the full spectrum of MessageNet Connections' capabilities.
Some Key Features
- Sends emergency alerts, such as for active shooters or lockdowns
- Launches messages with a single touch
- Uses location-aware technology on mobile-devices
- Message-sharing between users
- Greatly improved ease-of-use through highly simplified screens
- Supports Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, PCs, and Macs
- Simplifies everyday messaging and communications
- User-customizable and sortable messages
- Reply capabilities supported by the in-app inbox
- Same screens and same mobile look and feel on PCs and Macs
Connections Mobile provides access to the full platform-scale message-launch capabilities on mobile devices. Its simplified user interface greatly increases accessibility and ease-of-use. Connections Mobile can use the location-tracking ability of many mobile device for increased situational awareness and enhanced messaging and reporting capabilities. Screens are easily customizable to meet the specific needs of individual users.
Quite simply, Connections Mobile is a powerful addition to the Connections software platform, which you can use to enhance effectiveness during emergency and non-emergency situations.The diagram to the left illustrates the spectrum of functionalities accessible by Connections Mobile.
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[address_and_contact_lines]What is BGEMS?
BGEMS, or the Business and Government Emergency Management & Security system, is made up of features of MessageNet Connections to meet the unique needs of organizations in the businessgovernment fields.
How Does it Work?
A typical BGEMS integration is affordable, quick to install, and easy to use because the Connections platform it uses is designed to connect and work with technologies that are already deployed while leaving the system open to later additions. BGEMS can be used to enhance safety and security, to facilitate mass notification, and for daily announcements.
Daily & Emergency Use
BGEMS is designed to meet both the daily and emergency needs of any organization. Because the system is used for emergency and daily communications, it’s used every day, making it easier and faster for staff to send out notifications in the event of an emergency, saving more lives.
Maximize your ROI by providing multi-user daily and emergency communicationFeatures
Mass Communication
Messages can be sent out to large numbers of pagers, phones, email addresses, and computer pop-ups at one time.
LCD/HDTV Screens
LCD screens can be used to display videos, images, PowerPoint presentations and can actually be used as audio/visual PA devices in an emergency, as well as providing way-finding and emergency egress information.
Cameras
MessageNet connects to cameras as well as surveillance systems already in place, to record and even to broadcast the data to computers or LCD screens. Recording and surveillance systems are unified unified as well.
PA Integration
BGEMS allows users to speak live, play a pre-recorded message, or use text-to-speech over your PA or giant voice system from anywhere. All PA messages, even speak-live messages, are stored for future accountability and replay.
Features
Audio/Visual PA
PoE signs can be used as both audio PA and visual PA devices, providing a written version of a spoken message. These signs feature LED scrolling text, high-intensity flashers, input/output contact closures, and text-to-speech capabilities with speakers for ADA-compliance.
Scrolling LED Indoor and Outdoor Signs
LED signs can display and scroll text announcements with controllable speed.
Computer Pop-up Instant Messaging
Highly visible scrolling messages can be sent directly to any network-connected PC or Mac and pop through all other active programs and non-password-protected screen-savers.
Text Messaging & Paging
Messages can be sent out to any number or combination of mobile phones, pagers and other text-messaging devices, alerting all staff, specific groups, or even just a single person.
Fire Panel Integration
BGEMS can integrate with existing fire panels to send alert messages based on customizable criteria that is configured in the system.
Location-Aware Signage
BGEMS supports location-aware digital signage that can intelligently provide different instructions to different areas of a building, giving people the most accurate information for their situation.
Panic Buttons
Panic buttons can be placed in offices or in any area elsewhere in the organization, instantly alerting staff and emergency responders of any situation.
Door-Open/Glass-Break Detectors
BGEMS integrates with these and other types of input devices to issue alerts of intruders or other unauthorized personnel.
Unified Reporting
IMEMS keeps record of all alarms, alerts, messages, and data from all devices its connected to, for ease of use and unified reporting.
Automated Messaging
BGEMS can store pre-recorded and pre-configured messages that can be scheduled or sent at a user’s discretion.
Other Advantages
- 90-day, no-risk money-back guarantee on software
- Audit trails
- Integrate with pre-existing technologies
- Multi-user access
- User security control
- Ease of use
- Can save lives
Scalability
BGEMS can be purchased and installed all at once or gradually built up over time. The only device necessary to get started is the Connections server.
Connectivity
BGEMS is browser-based, so users can log on and send messages from any network-connected device.
Automated messages can be sent out by panic buttons, security devices, fire panels, and by scheduling messages in the browser interface. Messages can also be sent to signs, computers, e-mail, pagers, and many more devices.
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