If you are considering or implementing a OneVue Notify Bell Scheduling system, below are answers to common questions.
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How do I know this will work with our PA system? |
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Most PA system manufacturers provide for an auxiliary two-wire connection to trigger pulse tones as an alternative to direct controls and audio options. Consult with the system manufacturer or integrator for more information, or contact Primex technical support with your PA system make and model and we’ll check our PA system compatibility library.
This is a hardwired connection from the terminal block on our Notify Bell Controller device to your PA system, so the two must be in close proximity to each other.
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Our entire district uses the same bell schedules. Can OneVue support this? |
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Yes, each Bell Controller can be assigned to the same bell schedule. A bell schedule contains a collection of default and exception bell schedules. Default schedules identify the typical week to week, day to day bell rings, while exception schedules are for half days, late start days, exam weeks, etc. |
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We have a grammar school and middle school at the same location that shares the same PA system but they each have different schedules. Can your Bell Controller support this? |
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Yes, each Bell Controller can support up to two relays to trigger different bell schedules. You will manage the bell schedules assigned to each relay from OneVue. If you have more than two locations with different schedules, you would need another Bell Controller. |
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We have differences in our bell schedules each day of the week, so while Mondays are typically the same schedule each week, they’re not the same as Tuesday, and so on. Can you support this? |
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Yes, bell schedules can support as many default schedules as necessary for different school year date ranges and days of the week. |
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Can your system play .wav files for bell rings? |
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No, not at this time. OneVue does provide several ring types and you can also create custom ring types. |
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Our PA system is in a location where there is no AC power. Do you have a battery option? |
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No, the Bell Controller only has a battery backup option. Due to a Bell Controller has to check-in to OneVue to download bell schedules, we cannot support a battery-powered option; only AC and PoE options are available. When operating only on battery backup, the device will only operate for a few hours and ring the bells provided the PA system has power. |
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Our Wi-Fi network is spotty at best. What do you recommend to accommodate this? |
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We recommend the Bell Controller connects to an Ethernet network with AC power or a Power over Ethernet (PoE) network as a more reliable alternative. Our Bell Controller can independently ring bells on schedule for up to 7 consecutive days without access to a network. If a device is offline (no network connection) for longer than 7 days and does not download at least one complete set of the next 7-day schedule, the bells will not ring. You can also set up alerts to notify staff when a Bell Controller is offline. |
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We currently pay an outside service company thousands of dollars every summer to reprogram our school bells. Are there any hidden costs in the OneVue Notify system? |
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No, there are no hidden costs. OneVue offers monthly or annual subscription options that are based on the number of devices. Once the Bell Controller is connected to your PA system, from OneVue you can schedule your own bells from your desktop or laptop computer, tablet, or even a mobile phone. It’s that easy. |
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I’d like each school to be responsible for its own bell schedules. Can we give staff access to the schedules they are responsible for? |
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Yes, from OneVue you can designate staff from each school with a Scheduler role and assign higher-level maintenance tasks to administrative users. Each school Scheduler role only has access to the bell schedules they are responsible for, while administrative users have access to all schedules and other system settings. |
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How can I ensure that my clocks are synchronized with the bell schedules? |
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The Bell Controller has a built-in clock that is synchronized with time received from an NTP server and changes automatically for Daylight Saving Time based on your time zone, just like Primex OneVue Clocks. |