ZEBRA 9GM460 WorkForce Connect PTT Express User Guide

ZEBRA 9GM460 WorkForce Connect PTT Express

Product Information

Specifications:

• Product Name: WorkForce Connect PTT Express
• Manufacturer: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Publication Date: December 16, 2020
• Supported Devices: Android clients 3.1.x, Windows Mobile/CE clients 1.2.x

Product Usage Instructions

Introduction:
The PTT Express client enables Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication between enterprise devices using WLAN infrastructure. It also supports communication with 2-way radios via the Interworking Gateway (IWG).

User Guide Audience:
This guide is suitable for associates, managers, network engineers, and IT administrators who will utilize the PTT Express client.

Related Documents:
For more detailed information, refer to the PTT Express Installation and Configuration Guide available at zebra.com/support.

FAQ:

• Q: What devices are supported by the PTT Express client?
  A: The client supports Android clients 3.1.x and Windows Mobile/CE clients 1.2.x.

• Q: What is the purpose of the Interworking Gateway (IWG) in PTT communication?
  A: The IWG enables PTT communication with 2-way radios, expanding the reach of communication capabilities.

ZEBRA and the stylized Zebra head are trademarks of Zebra Technologies Corporation, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2020 Zebra Technologies Corporation and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only by the terms of those agreements.
For further information regarding legal and proprietary statements, please go to:
SOFTWARE: zebra.com/linkoslegal
COPYRIGHTS: zebra.com/copyright
WARRANTY: zebra.com/warranty
END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT: zebra.com/eula

Terms of Use

Proprietary Statement
This manual contains proprietary information of Zebra Technologies Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Zebra Technologies”). It is intended solely for the information and use of parties operating and maintaining the equipment described herein. Such proprietary information may not be used, reproduced, or disclosed to any other parties for any other purpose without the express, written permission of Zebra Technologies.

Product Improvements
Continuous improvement of products is a policy of Zebra Technologies. All specifications and designs are subject to change without notice.

Liability Disclaimer
Zebra Technologies takes steps to ensure that its published Engineering specifications and manuals are correct; however, errors do occur. Zebra Technologies reserves the right to correct any such errors and disclaims liability resulting therefrom.

Limitation of Liability
In no event shall Zebra Technologies or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the accompanying product (including hardware and software) be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, consequential damages including loss of business profits, business interruption, or loss of business information) arising out of the use of, the results of use of, or inability to use such product, even if Zebra Technologies has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

Publication Date
December 16, 2020

About This Guide

Introduction
PTT Express client creates Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication capability between disparate enterprise devices. Leveraging existing Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) infrastructure, this solution delivers simple PTT communication without the need of a voice communication server. The client also enables PTT communication with 2-way radios using the Interworking Gateway (IWG). This guide is intended for use by any associate, manager, network engineer or IT administrator who will use the client.
NOTE: This guide refers to Android clients 3.1.x and Windows Mobile/CE clients 1.2.x. Screens, icons, and options may differ on each device.

Related Documents

• Refer to the following documents for associated information about the system.
• PTT Express Installation and Configuration Guide – Provides an overview, general requirements, installation and configuration instructions for the PTT Express.
• For the latest version of this guide and all guides, go to: zebra.com/support.

Chapter Descriptions
Topics covered in this guide are as follows:

• PTT Express Client provides an overview of PTT Express and gives a general description of the PTT Express client.
• Advanced Features describes the advanced features of the PTT Express client.
• PTT Communication describes PTT communication and other useful information.
• Configuration provides information for modifying the configuration file used to configure the PTT Express client.

Notational Conventions
The following conventions are used in this document:

• Bold text is used to highlight the following:
  • Dialog box, window and screen names
  • Drop-down list and list box names
  • Check box and radio button names
  • Icons on a screen
  • Key names on a keypad
  • Button names on a screen.
• Bullets (•) indicate:
  • Action items
  • Lists of alternatives
  • Lists of required steps that are not necessarily sequential.
  • Sequential lists (such as those that describe step-by-step procedures) appear as numbered lists.

Icon Conventions
The documentation set is designed to give the reader more visual clues. The following graphic icons are used throughout the documentation set. These icons and their associated meanings are described below.

• NOTE: The text here indicates information that is supplemental for the user to know and that is not required to complete a task.
• IMPORTANT: The text here indicates information that is important for the user to know.
• WARNING: If danger is not avoided, the user CAN be seriously injured or killed.
• DANGER! If danger is not avoided, the user WILL be seriously injured or killed.

Service Information
If you have a problem with your equipment, contact Zebra Global Customer Support for your region. Contact information is available at zebra.com/support.
When contacting support, please have the following information available:

• Serial number of the unit
• Model number or product name
• Software/firmware type or version number

Zebra responds to calls by email, telephone or fax within the time limits set forth in support agreements. If your problem cannot be solved by Zebra Customer Support, you may need to return your equipment for servicing and will be given specific directions. Zebra is not responsible for any damages incurred during shipment if the approved shipping container is not used. Shipping the units improperly can possibly void the warranty.
If you purchased your Zebra business product from a Zebra business partner, contact that business partner for support.

PTT Express Client

Introduction
The PTT Express client plays received audio only in a hands-free modality delivered through a speaker or a headset. Handset mode of operation is not supported by the PTT Express client.
The PTT Express client supports the following Push-To-Talk use cases:

• Group Call – One to Many
• Private Response – One to One
• Group Call with 2-Way Radios – One to Many (requires IWG).
• allows users to listen to multiple Talk Groups at one time.
• allows a Talk Group to preempt another Talk Group.
• provides flexibility to configure multiple configurations and profiles.
• provides use of friendly names for Talk Groups.
• provides notification status icons to easily see current PTT Express client status. (Applies to Android clients only.)
• is backward compatible with PTT Express client V1.1.
• PTT Express Android client v3.1.46 and above requires a Zebra license to use the app. Refer to the Zebra Licensing User Guide for information on installing license for this app.

The PTT Express client can be configured to contain one or more Profiles. Each Profile can be assigned a unique name and has a set number of available Talk Groups. The Profile name and the Talk Group names are defined in the Configuration file.
PTT Express does not support Bluetooth accessories.
PTT Express is available on the following devices:

Table 1 Supported Devices

TC21, TC25, TC26, TC51, TC52, TC56, TC57, TC70, TC72, TC70x, TC75, TC75x, TC77, TC8000, TC8300, VC80x, VC8300, VC8300, WT6000
Device| Recommended Group Key (Key Code)| Recommended Private Key (Key Code)
---|---|---
SB1| 134-Single| 135-Single
CC600, CC6000, EC30, L10A, MC33, MC33x, MC93, TC20, TC21, TC25, TC26, TC51, TC52, TC56, TC57, TC70, TC72, TC70x, TC75, TC75x, TC77, TC8000, TC8300, VC80x, VC8300, VC8300, WT6000| L2-Single| L2-Double
VH10| 7-Single| 7-Double

NOTE: When using Speaker/Mic with Push-to-Talk, the M1000 accessory is required for PTT Express operation on the VH10, VC80x, and VC8300.

Device Communication
There are two ways to communicate when operating the PTT Express client: Group Call and Private Response. Depending upon the device and the PTT Express client configuration, these can be hard buttons on the device or soft buttons.

• Group Call: Press and hold to start communicating with other voice client users.
• Private Response: Press and hold to respond to the originator of the last call.

Buttons on the device can be configured to perform various functions. Contact your system administrator for exact button functionality.

While a PTT communication button is pressed the user will not be able to use other device buttons to perform separate tasks. In general, pressing multiple buttons simultaneously leads to inconsistent PTT Express client behavior. Also, when the PTT Express client is installed on a mobile computer, the action button is no longer available.

Table 2 Group and Private Key Assignment/Mapping:

Device| Recommended Group Key (Key Code)| Recommended Private Key (Key Code)
---|---|---
MC40| Left side top PTT button (L2)| Left side lower button (L1)
MC55A0| 197-Single| 125-Single
MC67| L2-Single| L1-Single
MC75A0/6/8| 197-Single| 114-Single
MC92| L1-Single| L2-Single

Soft Buttons
The PTT Express client can be configured to use on-screen buttons for Group Call and Private Response. To use the on-screen buttons, touch and hold the button just as you would with the device’s hard buttons.

PTT Audible Indicators
The following tones provide helpful cues when using the PTT Express client.

• Talk Tone: Double chirp. Plays when the Talk (or Private) button is pressed. This is a prompt for the user to start talking.
• Access Tone: Single beep. Plays when another user just finished a call or response. The user is now able to initiate a Group Call or Private Response.
• Busy Tone: Continuous tone. Plays when the Talk (or Private) button is depressed and another user is already communicating on the same talkgroup.
• Network Tone:
  • Three increasing pitch beeps. Plays when PTT Express client has acquired the WLAN connection and the service is enabled.
  • Three decreasing pitch beeps. Plays when PTT Express client has lost a WLAN connection or the service is disabled.

PTT Express User Interface
The PTT Express client User Interface (UI) is highly configurable. The default UI provides basic PTT functionality and can be configured to use Profiles which provide additional customized functionality.

Default User Interface
The default UI provides for basic PTT communication and features.

• PTT Express Notification Icons – Indicates the current state of the PTT Express client. Applies to Android clients only.
• Service Indication – Indicates the status of the PTT Express client. Options: Service Enabled, Service Disabled, or Service Unavailable.
• Enable/Disable Service Switch – Turns the PTT service on or off.
• Talk Groups – Lists all 32 Talk Groups available for PTT communication.
• Settings – Opens the PTT Express client settings screen. (Available on Android clients only)

Profile User Interface
The default UI can be configured to meet the needs of the customer’s solution. The client can be configured with:

• up to 12 Profiles.
• up to 32 Talk Groups in each Profile.
• both hard buttons and on-screen soft buttons for Group Calls and Private Responses.
• ability to display other buttons and controls.

Android User Interface

• Service Indication – Indicates the status of the PTT Express client. Options: Service Enabled, Service Disabled, or Service Unavailable.
• Enable/Disable Switch – Turns the PTT service on or off.
• Profile Name – Displays the name of the current Profile.
• Profile Enable/Disable Checkbox – Indicates that the Profile is enabled (checked) or disabled (un-checked).
• Previous/Next Profile Buttons – Scrolls to the previous or next Profile screen. If at the first or last Profile, the button is not available.
• Talk Groups – Lists (up to 32) Talk Groups available for PTT communication.
• Speaker Icon – Mutes and un-mutes the client. If muted, a call cannot be heard or initiated.
• Settings – Opens the PTT Express client settings screen. (Available on Android clients only)

Android Settings
Use the Settings to configure PTT Express client settings.

• Settings
  • Display Call Statistics – Check to display call statistics on the screen.
  • About – Displays the PTT Express client version number.

Windows Mobile/CE User Interface

• Enable/Disable Checkbox – Turns the PTT service on (selected) or off (unselected).
• Profile Name – Displays the name of the current Profile.
• Profile Enable/Disable Checkbox – Indicates that the Profile is enabled (checked) or disabled (un-checked).
• Previous/Next Profile Buttons – Scrolls to the previous or next Profile screen. If at the first or last Profile, the button is not available.
• Talk Groups – Lists (up to 32) Talk Groups available for PTT communication.
• Mute Checkbox – Mutes (if selected) and un-mutes (unselected) the client. If muted, a call cannot be heard or initiated.
• About – Displays the PTT Express client version number.
• OK – Closes the PTT Express User Interface. PTT service continues to run in the background.

Windows Mobile/CE About Window

PTT Express Notification Icons
Indicates the current state of the PTT Express client. Available on Android clients only.
Table 3 PTT Express Notification Icons.

Audio Feedback

• For Android Clients
  The PTT Express client (when configured) provides audio feedback for:

  • Channel number – whenever the user presses a hard button to change to another Talk Group/Channel, the device speaks the channel number or name. For example, Channel 3, or Apparel.
  • Profile name – whenever the user presses a hard button to change to another profile, the device speaks the profile name. For example, Groceries.
    By default, audio feedback is enabled. It can be enabled or disabled for each configured profile by modifying the configuration file. The PTT Express client can also be configured to set Profiles to different languages. The languages supported are those installed on the device. To view supported languages select Settings > Language & input > Text-to-Speech-output > Preferred Engine

    Settings > Language.

• For Windows Mobile/CE Clients
  There is a small difference in Audio Feedback functionality for Windows Mobile/CE clients. The audio clips for Profile and Channel are not included in the installation. The Administrator has to prepare and store audio clips in a specified folder for the client to use them at run time.
  The Audio clips used to announce Profile and Talk Group changes are located in the following folder: \Application\PttExpress\Audio\ The setting is part of the Profile in the configuration (See Table 14 on page 29).
  For example: <profile id=”1″ name=”Groceries” enable=”true” language=”en”> In the example, language=”en” means that audio clips shall be placed in the following folder: \Application\PttExpress\Audio\en Talk Group/Channel Audio Clip file name format: channel_0000X.wav (Where X = Channel Id).
  Profile Clip Audio file name format: profile_0000X.wav (Where X == Profile Id).
  The audio clips should be .wav files with 8000 samples per second and mono (1) channel.
  NOTE: For VH10, use the following folder to store the audio clips: \Flash Disk\PttExpress\Audio\
  Free third-party tools (for example, Jampal Text To Speech) are available, which allow you to convert text to speech and save the output in .wav format.

Profiles
The PTT Express client can be configured to contain one or more Profiles. Each Profile can be assigned a unique name and have a set number of available Talk Groups. The Profile name and the Talk Group names are defined in the Configuration file.

• Switching Between Profile Screens
  If the PTT Express client is configured for more than one Profile, the user can switch (if configured) between Profiles by:

  • swiping the screen to the left or right (Applies to Android clients only)
  • touching the Previous/Next Profile buttons
  • pressing a hard button.
    When the user swipes the screen or touches the Previous/Next Profile buttons, the new Profile screen appears but is not enabled. The user must touch the Profile Enable/Disable checkbox to enable the current Profile.
    If configured, pressing a hard button switches the client to the next Profile from the currently enabled Profile. The new profile then automatically becomes enabled. The user can continue this process until the desired Profile screen is enabled.

• Selecting Talk Groups
  Each Profile screen can display a list of up to 32 Talk Groups. The home Talk Group is highlighted in blue. To switch to another Talk Group:

  • touch the Talk Group on the screen
  • quickly press the configured button (if configured to change the talk group on a button press).
    The selected Talk Group becomes blue. If the Audio Feedback feature is enabled, the device speaks the Talk Group name or number.

Licensing General Notes
Applies to Android Operating System only. If Ala Carte licensing is not available, a dialog box appears indicating that the licensing is not available. When the user touches the close button, PTT Express process are turned off. The user must launch the PTT Express app again. After restarting the PTT Express app or switching to a new user, wait approximately two minutes until the License Manager app and PTT Express app are up and running. After switching from one Android User Mode to another, user must launch PTT Express application to enable PTT Service.

Advanced Features

Listening to Multiple Talk Groups
The client monitors multiple Talk Groups at the same time. If multiple Talk Group conversations are detected, the client determines which message is heard based on configuration parameters. For example, multiple groups are communicating in a department store. The Manager’s PTT Express client scans all Talk Groups (Hardware and Paint).

Based on PTT Express client configuration, the client determines which Talk Group conversation will be heard by the Manager. In this example, the Hardware Talk Group.

B1 Paint B2 The Manager can then communicate with the Hardware Talk Group.

Preemptor Feature
When configured, a user on a Talk Group can preempt a conversation between other users on that Talk Group. For example, employees are communicating on the Hardware and Paint Talk Group. The Manager hears the conversation between the employees.

For some reason the Manager wants to communicate with all employees, he can interrupt the conversations and send a message to all employees.

When the Manager is done communicating, employees can continue communicating with each other.

Alternative Channels Feature
The Alternative Channel feature allows the PTT Express user to temporarily select another Talk Group other than the Home Talk Group. The user can then communicate on that Talk Group. After a configured time frame, the PTT Express client will return to the user’s Home Talk Group.

PTT Communication

Introduction
PTT communication may be established as a Group Call, Group Call with 2–Way Radio, or a Private Response.
NOTE: For additional information about enterprise devices, see the website at: zebra.com/support.

Group Call
A group call is a call that is sent from one device to all devices on the same Talk Group. To initiate a Group Call:
NOTE: This procedure also applies for communicating with 2-Way radios.
Actual Group Call and Private Response buttons are dependent upon client configuration.
Selection of Profile and Talk Groups are dependent upon client configuration.

1. If configured, select a Profile.
2. Select a Talk Group.
3. Press and hold the configured Group Call button.
4. Listen for the talk tone to play.
   • If you hear the busy tone, release the Group Call button and wait for a moment before you press and hold the Group Call button to make another attempt.
   • If you do not hear a tone, make sure the PTT Express client is enabled and on the network.
5. Start talking immediately after the talk tone plays.
6. Release the Group Call button when you finish talking.

Responding to a Group Call
You can respond to a Group Call by:

• responding with another Group Call
• responding with a Private Response.

Responding with a Group Call
To respond to a Group Call with another Group Call:
NOTE: This procedure also applies for communicating with 2-Way radios.
Actual Group Call and Private Response buttons are dependent upon client configuration. Selection of Profile and Talk Groups are dependent upon client configuration.

1. Wait until you receive an access tone.
2. Press and hold the configured Group Call button.
3. Listen for the talk tone to play.
   • If you hear the busy tone, release the Group Call button and wait for a moment before you press and hold the Group Call button and make another attempt.
   • If you do not hear a tone, make sure your client is enabled and on the network.
4. Start talking immediately after the talk tone plays.
5. Release the Group Call button when you finish talking.

Responding with a Private Response
NOTE: A Private Response can only be initiated once a Group Call has been established.
The initial Private Response is made to the originator of the Group Call.
The steps for making the first Private Response and all subsequent Private Responses are the same. Users cannot initiate Private Responses to 2-way radios. Actual Group Call and Private Response buttons are dependent upon client configuration. Selection of Profile and Talk Groups are dependent upon PTT Express client configuration.
To establish a Private Response:

1. After the Group Call is completed, wait until you receive an access tone.
2. Press and hold the configured Private Response button.
3. Listen for the talk tone to play.
   • If you hear the busy tone, release the Private Response button and wait for a moment before you press and hold the Private Response button and make another attempt.
   • If you do not hear a tone, make sure your client is enabled and on the network.
4. Start talking immediately after the talk tone plays.
5. Release the Private Response button when you finish talking.

Operating Information
Use the following information to operate the PTT Express client:

• Use the device volume control buttons to change the client volume.
• Only one user at a time can initiate a Group Call on the Talk Group. Other users on the same Talk Groups get the busy tone.
• Users can talk for up to 60 seconds (configurable) at a time when communicating on the network.
• A private response is possible for up to 60 seconds (configurable) after receiving a Group Call.
• The initiator of a Group Call cannot initiate a private response until a response (either group or private) is received.
• If you do not hear a talk or busy tone when initiating a Group or Private Response, check 1) the device network status indicator to make sure device is on the network, 2) the client is enabled, 3) the volume level.
• PTT Express communication has been designed to minimize end-to-end audio delay. However, audio delay may be up to two seconds or more depending on conditions of the network.
• While a PTT communication key is pressed, the user is not able to use other device keys to perform separate tasks. In general pressing multiple keys simultaneously leads to inconsistent client behavior.

See PTT Express Installation and Configuration Guide or contact view the website at: zebra.com/support for additional PTT Express client details.

Configuration

Introduction
Configuration of the PTT Express client is controlled by a configuration XML file. The configuration file is divided into:

• Application settings
• Profile List settings
• Channel settings.

Application Settings
The Application setting control PTT Express client functionality.

• General Settings
• Diagnostic settings
• Coexistence settings
• Hard Button settings
• GUI settings
• Group Call/Private Response Transport/Timers settings.

Windows Mobile/CE Clients
To change the application settings, modify ptt_settings.xml located at: \Application\PttExpress\
NOTE: For VH10, ptt_settings.xml is located at: \Flash Disk\PttExpress

Android Clients
To change the application settings, modify ptt_settings.xml located at: /enterprise/device/settings/ptt/

General Settings
Table 4 General Settings:

False = Disabled

false

| false| Ignore keys in lock mode.

(Available on Android clients only.)

ms

| 120000| The amount of time (in milliseconds) that has to elapse after which the device will come out of the mute state. Decimal value in milliseconds: 0 implies an infinite switch. Minimum = 0 ms.

Maximum = 8,640,000 ms. Default = 120,000 ms.

Diagnostic Settings
Table 5 Diagnostic Settings:

None = No logs collected.

Error = Only error logs collected. Warning = Only warning logs collected. Info = Only informational logs collected. Debug = Only debug logs collected.

 | Error|
 | Warning|
 | Info|
 | Debug|