question

michael-harrison1 avatar image
michael-harrison1 asked bjsvec commented

Desktop App - View Only (No Calling Features) for 2nd PC

We frequently run into the situation where either a user has two machines (Desktop and laptop) or the client wants a common inbox for messages that multiple people check. When logging in to the desktop app for the second+ machine they get an error about exceeding the limit of activations. I understand this since the Softphone/Desktop App needs to be tracked as a dialing device.

However, I have yet to set anyone up that uses the SoftPhone as such. It's most common for a user to have a physical desk phone and use the Desktop App as an easy way to manage messaging.

It would be really nice to have a, "View Only" mode without the dialing features enabled. As it is most clients even have me turn off the HUD and incoming call alerts for the Desktop App since it tends to interrupt/steal focus from the active window on the PC. I guess the benefit would be if the View Only mode allowed for multiple logins without the limit exceeded error or E911 message.
topic-default
1 |1000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 1.0 MiB each and 10.0 MiB total.

2 Answers

·
kim avatar image
kim answered
Michael, this is correct the desktop app can only be registered to 1 Computer. So when the user switches computers (moves from the Desktop to the Laptop) they must de-authorize the PC online and then login to the laptop to be able to use Direct Dial. 

Thank you for your suggestion for a feature request.
1 |1000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 1.0 MiB each and 10.0 MiB total.

michael-harrison1 avatar image
michael-harrison1 answered bjsvec commented
Kim,

Thanks for the confirmation.

I totally understand why that is when using the app as a SoftPhone. It would still be nice if it were possible to have an easy way to use the app for message management only. I know I can just ignore the popups and warnings and use the Desktop app that way now but to a client that method has the appearance of being broken or clunky.

Having a client they have to log into the portal deauthorize and the reauthorize their PCs 2 or 3 times a day isn't so much fun for them. Especially since they aren't using the SoftPhone telephony features. They just want to see messages and maybe check missed calls.

It's likely much more technical than my understanding. Just thought if it were something that was being held back by registering the software as a phone/dialing device, many users would see a benefit from turning those features off if it meant they could install the desktop app on more than one PC.
6 comments
1 |1000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 1.0 MiB each and 10.0 MiB total.

kim avatar image kim commented ·
Michael, just to clarify.... you can use the Desktop App on multiple PC's. The feature you will lose is it's ability to use Direct Dial to call out.  If the message "limit reached" pops up, just select OKAY, and it will let you into the Desktop App and you should be able to "view" what you need to.

You may only run into issues if you are logging into both on 2 different PC's at one time. As long as the other PC is off or logged out, you should be okay.
1 Like 1 ·
bjsvec avatar image bjsvec commented ·
You could also consider using the Chrome web app which will actually let you also make and receive calls while the desktop app softphone is active.
1 Like 1 ·
kim avatar image kim commented ·
Great suggestion Brandon! Thank you! 
0 Likes 0 ·
michael-harrison1 avatar image michael-harrison1 commented ·
Thanks for the idea, Brandon! (To make sure I understand correctly, you're talking about the Chrome browser extensions for Gmail and Office 365, correct?)

I was hoping a view only app would be something that would be an easy way to either not get error messages for a workaround or add a way for managers to monitor more than one Inbox from the same PC.

The core issue is a missing feature, Shared Inboxes. I'm seeing this most frequently requested for clients that require a primary inbox for voicemail. Multiple users log into the same account on the Desktop App to manage messages for the company. Generally this is to facilitate multiple receptionists, sales departments, dispatch, etc. We've tried sending email notifications for messages and such but the desktop app has other features that come in handy. The best solution would be to have shared inboxes for incoming messages.

I thought I had posted or followed Shared Inboxes as an idea a while back but I'm not seeing it now. I suppose I should re-post?
0 Likes 0 ·
kim avatar image kim commented ·
Here is a helpful link with user guide:  https://community.ringcentral.com/ringcentral/topics/chrome-extension-upgrade 
0 Likes 0 ·
Show more comments

Write an Answer

Hint: Notify or tag a user in this post by typing @username.

Up to 10 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 1.0 MiB each and 10.0 MiB total.