Basic Functionality and Features


NOTE:Multi-Channel, Multi-Access Communications

Following is a detailed functional description of how to use the VCOM Control Panel for  multi-channel, multi-access communications. Note, the system is “Non-blocking” meaning that any number of operators may talk to a single operator simultaneously; no busy condition will result. When a talk is pushed, the audio path is completed with no action required by the called party.



This section covers the basic functionality and features of your VCOM Control Panel.

The control panel can be minimized and will “pop-up” when a new call is received.


Talk/Listen Selectors:

The main display provides a series of buttons referred to as Talk and Listen selectors.  An available Talk selector is red and an available Listen selector is green. Some selectors provide for dual Talk/Listen selector operation. The Talk and Listen selectors are optionally shown with a Selector Legend indicated as ‘L’ for Listen and ‘T’ for talk for operators with color recognition disabilities. If a selector is grayed out, this indicates that the source or destination is not connected to the system and not available for selecting a talk or listen. To activate a Listen to a particular source click a dim green selector. When active the selector will be bright green. To deactivate a listen to a particular source click the bright green selector. To activate a Talk to a particular destination click a dim red selector. When active the selector will be bright  red. To deactivate a talk to a particular source click the bright red selector. To use a selector in momentary mode click and hold the selector; it will deactivate when you release.


Selectors display channel state using the following patterns:

  • Voice activity: color oscillation of selector name
  • Incoming call: fast flash of talk selector 

NOTE: click on the selector to establish a return voice path.

  • Device active tally (e.g. telephone off hook): slow flash of talk selector 
  • In-use tally: slow double flash of talk selector

A selector can refer to either an individual source or destination or to a Group Call or  Party Line. A Group Call is a single selector that activates a Talk and Listen to multiple destinations. A Party Line is a dynamic conference whereby activation of the associated selector automatically makes you a participant of the selected conference.

When talking to a Party Line you talk to everyone who is listening to that Party Line.
When listening to a Party Line, you listen to everyone who is talking to that Party Line.

Note: For iOS and Android OS only
VCOM Control Panels support virtually an unlimited number of channel selectors. If
you have more selectors programmed for your Control Panel than fit on one screen,
use the ‘Next’ and ‘Prev’ buttons located on the Windows bar at the bottom of the
screen to scroll through additional selector screens. If another user calls you on a
Point-to-Point the screen with that user’s selector will appear so you can easily click
on the flashing tally to establish a return voice path.

Selector Configuration




When you log into your control panel, you will see a number of color-coded buttons,  referred to as Selectors that you activate by clicking. There are three primary types of selector configurations that your systems administrator has the ability to program: 
1) Point-to-Point for communication directly between two operators
2) Group Call for communication from one operator to many operators  simultaneously 
3) Party Line for a dynamic group conference

The Selector Configuration can typically be construed by the names on the keys,  which your system administrator has complete flexibility in naming. A Point-to-Point may show an individual’s name or function, such as ‘Sam,’ ‘Director,’ or ‘Plant Mgr.’ A Group Call may be named descriptively such as ‘Paging, ‘Emergency,’ or ‘Security.’ Similarly, a Party Line may be named ‘Conference.’

Selector Colors and Function

  • Gray keys signify an offline Point-to-Point which indicates that the associated Control Panel or Device Interface is not connected to the VCOM Virtual Matrix
  • Green keys are Listen keys. A dim green key signifies an online Point-to-Point  or Group Call channel meaning the operator(s) on the other end of the channel are logged into the system. Party Lines always appear online. You can only listen on a channel when you activate it by clicking on it, changing the dim green key to bright green.
  • Red keys are Talk keys. A dim red key signifies an operator on the other end  of the channel is logged into the system. You can only talk on a channel when you activate it by clicking on it, changing the dark red key to bright red. A blinking red key on a Point-to-Point channel signifies that the operator on the other end is calling you; click on the key to establish a return voice path
  • Green/Red keys signify combined talk/listen keys. Click on the left portion of  the selector to activate a Listen; click on the right of the selector to activate a Talk; click on the middle of the selector to activate a Talk/Listen.

Point-to-Points are typically assigned as talk only to prevent monitoring of other  Control Panel communications. Party Lines typically have talk and listen keys. Group Call channels typically are assigned as talk only. You can listen and/or talk to as many channels as are available on your control panel, simultaneously. Dynamic ‘Answer Back’ selectors indicate incoming calls from clients for whom a dedicated key is not programmed.