Setting up AlphaCom integration

AlphaCom integration

This article will explain how to setup and configure basic AlphaCom integration on a Exigo system.

Exigo and AlphaCom is integrated with each other using SIP.
The basic use cases for this integration is to do public announcement form the intercom and include intercoms in alarm distribution from Exigo.

 Before you start configure it is important that all Exigo devices have been updated to the latest software/firmware. 
          Use only software/firmware from the same Exigo package.

For updates to the AlphaCom see this page.

Configuration Overview

Exigo Management Tool (EMT) is used for setting up the integration in Exigo.

EMT

AlphaPro is used for setting up the integration in AlphaCom.

AlphaPro

The Web interface is used for all devices.

From Exigo there is two types of actions defined:

• Action Calls - from AlphaCom to Exigo.
• AlphaCom features - from Exigo to AlphaCom.

Exigo will use numbers from 98001 and upwards to start activities in Exigo on incoming activities. Outgoing from Exigo can define any number.

Action Calls and AlphaCom features

What the different directory numbers will trigger in the AlphaCom system is based on the configuration of the AlphaCom.

AlphaPro Configuration

Basic configuration on the AlphaCom contains two steps:

• Define and map IP addresses to the Exigo Node (the Exigo controller).
• Define and set up the group which Exigo should call.

Step 1. Define and map IP addresses to the Exigo Node

Select Create Exchange to create the Exigo SIP node in your AlphaCom system:

AlphaPro - Create exchange

Set the IP adress for the Exigo PSC as the SIP Trunk Line:

AlphaPro - Set the Exigo PSC IP address as the SIP Trunk Line

Set up Net Routing:
Go to Exchange & System > Net Routing:

AlphaPro - Setup the Net Routing

Select Insert:
Select the Exigo node:

AlphaPro - Setup the Net Routing

Select ACDP Link: SIP Link (31)
Also tick of Exigo Node

AlphaPro - Setup the Net Routing

Press OK.

Step 2. Defining Directory Numbers

The next step is to add the directory numbers which are used in Exigo. These numbers are from 98001 to 98099.
Select Directory and Features:

AlphaPro - Directory and Features

Here you need to add the number of directory numbers/Action Calls you need.
Add a directory number 98001 with feature number 9 (Call a User).

AlphaPro - Directory and Features

This will give you a number that are automatically in All Call 84, and can also be added to groups.
Give the Directory Number a descriptive text in Display Text.
The User will look like this:

AlphaPro - User

Check the SIP Station box.
The Related to Trunk must be set to the correct Exigo SIP Trunk.

EMT Configuration

There is 3 main configurations that needs to be done in EMT:

• The AlphaCom node needs to be added.
• Actions Calls and
• AlphaCom features also needs to be configured.

Step 1. Add the AlphaCom node

First step is to add the AlphaCom node to the system.
In Components view expand the External Devices.
Drag the AlphaCom to the System > Integration:

EMT - Add the AlphaCom node

Type in the IP address of the AlphaCom.

Step 2. Action Calls

For the AlphaCom to trigger features in the Exigo system one or more Action Calls needs to be added.
In Components view expand External Connections.
Drag Action Call to System > Integration > Action Calls:

EMT - Add Action Call

Then you can add input action to the Action Call. We will use Live Speech in this example.
In Components view expand Input action.
Drag Live Speech to System > Integration > Action Calls > 980xx > On Connect

EMT - Add Live Speech

In the pop up select:

• Activation: Start.
• Destination: The zones you want the Live Speech.
• Priority: Default priority is 50.
• Chime: Select the desired chime.

Press Done.
To make the Live Speech stop you also need to program Live Speech on disconnect.
This needs to have Activation: Stop.

Step 3. AlphaCom Feature

Adding an AlphaCom Feature allows Exigo to trigger activities in the AlphaCom.
In Components view expand External Connections.
Drag Action Call to System > Integration:

EMT - Add AlphaCom Feature

Each AlphaCom Feature relates to one feature number, typically a group number such as 85, 86 and so on.
In this example we will use the group number 85 to trigger a group call in AlphaCom.

Each AlphaCom Feature can be assigned to different zones in the system.
Best practice is to have a dedicated zone for the AlphaCom.
Add a new zone to the system and give it an descriptive name (for example AlphaCom).
Drag AlphaCom Feature to the new zone:

EMT - Add AlphaCom Feature to the Zone

 Changes to SIP configuration require a reboot of the Exigo System Controller.

The group call from Exigo need to be adjusted on the AlphaCom.
In this example we have used group 85.

AlphaPro - Configure group 85

Exigo does not have an M key, and the group should therefore be set to Automatic M-key.
Best practice is to let the Exigo system control the gong. The AlphaCom group should therefore have No Gong set.
Be sure to include the members that you want to be part of the group.
The Exigo - AlphaCom integration should now work.

Group Calls from AlphaCom to Exigo

It may be useful to use Group Call to call from AlphaCom to Exigo.
In order to make this work SIP Stations must be allowed in Group Calls.

Allow SIP Stations in Group Calls

In Exchange & System > System > VoIP
Tick of Allow SIP Stations in Group Calls and as default speakers in SX Conference

In the Group Call to Exigo the Automatic M-key must be ticked of.

Automatic M-key

Automatic M-key from all stations (or alternative Automatic M-key only from SIP calls).

Exigo - AlphaCom Priorities

Exigo has 100 priorities while AlphaCom and SIP has 4.
Outgoing activities from Exigo will be translated based on a priority mapping:

EMT - Priority Mapping

Control output: Audio activity

External Audio Sources is used to make a control output trigger on an specified external audio source.
External audio sources can be a station in an AlphaCom system or a station in a SIP system which is integrated into Exigo.
An external audio source must be defined in the Exigo system. This will be handled as any other source and can then be used to trigger control outputs depending on the audio activity function.

Availability

This function is available from Exigo 1.3 and newer.