If your ContactWorld account is enabled to use WebRTC and you have the feature switched on for your individual agent account, you can make and receive calls using your usual computer or device; you do not need a physical telephone. For more information, see ContactPad with WebRTC.
Before you use ContactPad with WebRTC, remember to set up audio devices properly. These devices include microphone, speakers, recording and playback equipment, and browser.
ContactPad with WebRTC is only supported in Chrome.
The first time you use ContactPad with WebRTC, your browser might ask permission to use the device's audio hardware. In Chrome Allow and Block buttons appear. Click Allow.
Setting up WebRTC for ContactPad
To use WebRTC in ContactPad, you or your supervisor must switch the feature on for your individual ContactPad. For information about switching this on, see Enabling WebRTC in ContactPad.
You can also, optionally, add the WebRTC for ContactWorld extension to your Chrome browser to get the maximum benefit from WebRTC in ContactPad. For information about adding the extension, see Adding the WebRTC for ContactWorld extension to your Chrome browser.
Enabling WebRTC in ContactPad
To use ContactPad with WebRTC, perform the following steps:
In ContactPad, click Settings.
A new dialog box appears. If your account has been configured to use WebRTC and you are permitted to control the feature yourself, the Use Softphone check box is available.
- Select the Use Softphone check box to use ContactPad with WebRTC. Click Save. Next time you make or receive a call, ContactPad will use WebRTC.
You can use the Use Softphone check box to switch between using WebRTC and a physical telephone whenever you need to, without help from your supervisor.
Adding the WebRTC for ContactWorld extension to your Chrome browser
For an enhanced WebRTC experience, you can optionally add the WebRTC for ContactWorld extension to your Chrome browser. This extension enables you to configure options such as preferred audio devices, secondary ringing, and auto-answer. On adding the extension, you can also browse away from the Chrome window containing ContactPad during a call. You can open and close any number of Chrome browser windows—even the window containing ContactPad—and the call remains connected. You can also use the extension to answer and control calls from any Chrome browser window.
To add the extension to your browser, perform the following tasks:
- Go to the chrome web store at https://chrome.google.com/webstore.
Search the store for WebRTC for ContactWorld and click to add the extension to Chrome.
If prompted, click to confirm that you want to add the extension. A new browser window opens.At this point a pop up may appear requesting to use your microphone—if so, you will also see an error message in red: WebRTC permissions denied. Click to allow the extension to use your microphone—the error message is replace by a success message in green: WebRTC permissions granted.
- In the new browser window, check that all the messages are green and correct any errors.
Now, when you receive an incoming call, click WebRTC for ContactWorld's icon in any Chrome window to answer and control the call. For information about receiving a call using ContactPad with WebRTC, see Receiving an inbound call using ContactPad with WebRTC.
You can also click the icon during an existing outbound call to control that call in the same way. For information about making an outbound call using ContactPad with WebRTC, see Making an outbound call using ContactPad with WebRTC.
You can open and close any number of Chrome browser windows—even the window containing ContactPad—and the call remains connected.
Optional settings for WebRTC for ContactWorld extension for Chrome
When you have added the WebRTC for ContactWorld extension to your Chrome browser, you can optionally configure various settings. To access these settings, right-click the extension's icon in Chrome's address bar and click Options. The available options appear in a pop-up window.
The following options are available:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
Basic settings | |
| Inbound Auto Answer | If you select the Inbound Auto Answer check box, when you receive an inbound call, ContactPad automatically answers the call and you are connected to the caller. This setting overrides your account settings. Select or clear the Inbound Auto Answer check box to enable or disable the auto-answer feature. By default, the check box is cleared. |
| Outbound Auto Answer | If you select the Outbound Auto Answer check box, when you make an outbound call, ContactPad automatically initiates the call and you hear ringing until you are connected to the target number or agent. This setting overrides your account settings. Select or clear the Outbound Auto Answer check box to enable or disable the auto-answer feature. By default, the check box is selected. |
WebRTC Audio Settings | |
| Auto Gain Control | Select the Auto Gain Control check box to enable automatic gain control. By default, the check box is selected. |
| Echo Cancellation | Select the Echo Cancellation check box to enable echo cancellation. By default, the check box is selected. |
| Noise Suppression | Select the Noise Suppression check box to enable Noise suppression. By default, the check box is selected. |
| Highpass Filter | Select the Highpass Filter check box to enable a high-pass filter. By default, the check box is selected. |
Audio Devices | |
| Input Device | A list of available input audio devices. Specify the audio input device (microphone) you want to use. By default, the extension uses the default input device for your system. |
| Primary Output Device | A list of available output audio devices. Specify the primary audio output device (speakers) you want to use. By default, the extension uses the default output device for your system. When you receive an inbound call or make an outbound call, unless you have selected Auto Answer, you will hear ringing in your primary audio device. When the call is connected, you will hear the other party through your primary audio device. |
| Secondary Ringing Device | A list of available output audio devices. Optionally specify the secondary ringing device (speakers) you want to use. By default, the extension does not use a secondary ringing device. When you receive an inbound call or make an outbound call, unless you have selected Auto Answer, you will hear ringing in your primary audio device. You can optionally select a secondary ringing device. If you do not answer the call within the time period you specify, you will also hear ringing in your secondary ringing device. When the call is connected, you will hear the other party through your primary audio device. |
| Secondary Ringing Delay | The number of seconds before ringing starts in the secondary ringing device. Specify the number of seconds to wait before ringing starts in your secondary ringing device. By default, the delay is 0 seconds. |
Receiving an inbound call using ContactPad with WebRTC
Using ContactPad in the usual way, when you receive an incoming call, instead of your telephone handset ringing, additional buttons appear within ContactPad and you hear a tone through your configured headset or speakers. For information about receiving an inbound call in the usual way, see Receiving an inbound call.
If enabled for your account and in your browser, a web notification also appears. For more information, see Call notifications.
- If you do not have auto-answer enabled for your account, Accept and Reject buttons appear.
- To ignore the call, click Reject. The call ends.
- To answer the call, click Accept. You are connected to the caller. The Accept and Reject buttons are replaced with Hangup and mute buttons.
- If you have auto-answer enabled for inbound calls for your account, Hangup and mute (a microphone icon) buttons appear and you are automatically connected to the caller.
To receive an inbound call using the WebRTC for ContactWorld Chrome extension, ContactPad does not need to be visible in any browser window. You can use the extension in any Chrome browser window.
The buttons appear in the Chrome extension in addition to the existing ContactPad buttons; you can still control the call using WebRTC in ContactPad as described.
- If you have added the WebRTC for ContactWorld Chrome extension, but have not enabled the Auto Answer settings, you can accept or reject the call using the extension. Click the extension's icon in Chrome's address bar to see the available buttons.
- If you have added the WebRTC for ContactWorld Chrome extension and enabled the Auto Answer settings, click the extension's icon in Chrome's address bar to see the available buttons. Hang up and mute buttons appear in the extension and you are automatically connected to the caller.
When you are connected to the caller, you can hear the caller through the speakers that you have configured and the caller can hear you when you speak into your configured microphone.
You can perform any of the tasks described in Receiving an inbound call. During your inbound call, you can also control the call using a WebRTC keypad in ContactPad. For information about using the keypad during a call, see Controlling a call using the WebRTC keypad in ContactPad.
You end a call using ContactPad in the usual way. For information about ending calls, see Ending an inbound call. To hang up, click Hangup.
Making an outbound call using ContactPad with WebRTC
Using ContactPad in the usual way, when you make an outbound call, instead of your telephone handset ringing, additional buttons appear within ContactPad and you hear a tone through your configured headset or speakers. For information about making an outbound call in the usual way, see Making an outbound call.
If you do not have auto-answer enabled for your account, Accept and Reject buttons appear.
To cancel the call, click Reject. The call ends.
To continue with making the call, click Accept. You hear ringing until you are connected to the target number or agent. The Accept and Reject buttons are replaced with Hangup and mute buttons.
If you have auto-answer enabled for outbound calls for your account, Hangup and mute (a microphone icon) buttons apear and you hear ringing until you are connected to the target number or agent.
To make an outbound call, you must initiate the call in ContactPad in the usual way. You can then continue working with the call using the WebRTC for ContactWorld Chrome extension. You can use the extension in any Chrome browser window and ContactPad does not need to be visible in any browser window.
The buttons appear in the Chrome extension in addition to the existing ContactPad buttons; you can still control the call using WebRTC in ContactPad as described.
- If you have added the WebRTC for ContactWorld Chrome extension, but have not enabled the Auto Answer settings, you can accept or reject the call using the extension. Click the extension's icon in Chrome's address bar to see the available buttons.
- If you have added the WebRTC for ContactWorld Chrome extension and enabled the Auto Answer settings, click the extension's icon in Chrome's address bar to see the available buttons. Hang up and mute buttons appear in the extension and you hear ringing until you are connected to the target number or agent.
If the person you are calling answers their phone, you are connected to the target number. You can hear the person who answers the phone through the speakers that you have configured and that person can hear you when you speak into your microphone.
During your outbound call, you can control the call using a WebRTC keypad in ContactPad. For information about using the keypad during a call, see Controlling a call using the WebRTC keypad in ContactPad.
You end your outbound call in the same way as you would end a normal inbound call. For information about ending inbound calls, see Ending an inbound call. To hang up, click Hangup. The only difference is that all outbound calls receive the same amount of wrap up time, as set by your supervisor, while inbound calls receive a wrap up time that depends on the type of inbound call.
Controlling a call using the WebRTC keypad in ContactPad
To control an ongoing call using a WebRTC keypad in ContactPad, click the arrow below the Hangup and mute buttons. The panel expands and displays the keypad.
The WebRTC keypad only appears in ContactPad and not in the Chrome extension.
For information about tasks you can perform during a call using a keypad, see Controlling calls using your telephone keypad.
Ending a call using ContactPad with WebRTC
You end a call using ContactPad with WebRTC in the usual way. For information on ending calls, see Ending an inbound call. To hang up, click either Hangup in ContactPad or the hang up button in the Chrome extension.