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Using the Push-To-Talk (PTT) Functionality

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The Push-To-Talk (PTT) feature allows dispatchers to communicate with officers and other dispatchers without leaving Ally. With the PTT feature, Ally users can communicate with officers that use LTE devices or Motorola Solutions radios. 

To use the PTT feature, your agency must request that Motorola Solutions enable it, and then your login for PTT must be set up. When you are set up as a PTT user, you receive an email with your credentials. You must enter your credentials in Ally, and install a plugin to use the PTT feature.

The PTT feature divides users into types:
  • Dispatchers: Ally users that are using the Dispatch screen from a desktop or laptop.
  • Mobile Users: Users that have a radio or LTE device. They might also be Ally users.
The Ally PTT feature only works with the following:
  • A desktop or laptop (your device cannot be a mobile phone or tablet)
  • Windows 8.1 or Windows 10
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome 45 or higher, Microsoft Edge 91 or higher
If you try to use the PTT feature without using a compatible device, operating system, or browser, then you either will not see any PTT elements, or they will be unavailable.

Setting Up Your PTT Login


Your User Profile record stores the information for your PTT login.

To set up your PTT login:
  1. Open your User Profile record. See the article "Using Your Profile Record."
  2. Click the Profile Settings tab.
  3. In the PTT Settings area, enter your MDN and activation code. These values are provided to you in an email when you activate your PTT account. 
  4. Click Save in each field. 

Installing the Plugin (Internet Explorer & Chrome)


A plugin must be installed to use the PTT feature. 

To install the plugin:
  1. From your User Profile record, in the PTT Settings area on the Profile Settings tab, click Install Plugin. The download starts. If it doesn't, make sure you've allowed popups in your browser.
  2. Once the download is complete, install the plugin. Follow the instructions in the install wizard.
  3. If you use Chrome, you also need to add an extension to the browser. When you start the download, you'll be directed to the Chrome Web Store with the extension displayed. Add the extension to your browser to complete the setup. 
NOTE: If you don't install the plugin, then each time you open the Dispatch screen, a window opens, warning that the PTT feature can't be used. You can choose to install the plugin, close the window, or click Ignore so that the window doesn't open again. 

NOTE: If you've installed the plugin, but PTT is not working, then you need to update your plugin. Uninstall the plugin, and then install it again to get the latest version.

Installing the Extension (Edge)


By default the extension is not supported in Edge, but Edge can install Chrome extensions. Log in to Edge and follow the previous steps to install the Plugin. You may be directed to the Chrome Web Store automatically. If not, follow these steps:

  1. Go to: KodiakWebPoCPlugin - Chrome Web Store (google.com)

    1. You will see something like this:

  2. Click Add to Chrome. Note that this will add the extension to Edge, not Chrome.

  3. Once it’s been added, you will see this message:

Using PTT on the Dispatch Screen

Once the PTT feature is set up and the plugin is installed, when you open the Dispatch screen, the PTT features are available. You can only use the PTT feature on one screen at a time. Therefore, if you have two Dispatch screens open, only one will have the PTT feature available.

NOTE: Dispatchers have priority on the floor. Mobile users cannot take the floor from a dispatcher, but a dispatcher can take the floor from a mobile user.

To use PTT:
  1. Select the user or talkgroup to communicate with. Your agency decides on the users and talkgroups when the PTT feature is enabled. Contact your administrator for more information.
  2. Select and hold the PTT button to begin the communication and acquire the floor. Only one person can hold the floor at a time. 
  3. Release the button to release the floor. Talking for three straight minutes also releases the floor.
  4. To end the communication, select the End button. If no one has acquired the floor for 12 seconds, then the communication is automatically ended.
  5. If someone uses the PTT feature to communicate with you, their name or talkgroup is populated in the field. Select and hold PTT to acquire the floor.

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