Alertus App Questions
Please click the question for the answer
1. What is this effort about?
Central State University is committed to providing timely warnings and/or emergency notifications for situations that represent a serious or continuing threat to the campus community. To support this commitment, the University is requesting all faculty, staff, and students install an emergency messaging desktop client, a new method of disseminating critical information to on all university owned assets. In the event of an emergency, this service will issue a “pop-up” message to computers with emergency messaging desktop client installed.
2. Why should I install the client?
Emergency messaging desktop clients will be an integrated method of communications within the Alertus Alerts program and will help meet the requirements of providing emergency notifications and timely warnings as required by the Clery Act. In an effort to maximize safety and the protection of our campus community, all university owned workstations should have the emergency messaging desktop client installed on it. This will ensure the widest dissemination possible for the Alertus Alerts program and provide additional coverage in areas where cellular signal is degraded.
3. Tell me more about the emergency messaging desktop client.
Alertus is a vendor of alerting technology and systems. While they offer many options, Central State University has procured their emergency messaging desktop feature (http://www.alertus.com/desktop/).
4. Where do I go to get the software and instructions for installation?
Office of Information Technology Alertus information page contains the Mac and Windows software and instructions on how to install.
5. Do I have to be an administrator on my workstation to install the client?
6. Where do I go if I need assistance regarding the installation, use, and troubleshooting the emergency messaging desktop client?
Contact the IT Help Desk at (937)376-7007 or helpdesk@centralstate.edu and they will get you to the correct person to assist you.
7. Can I contact Alertus directly if I need assistance?
No. A member of the IT Service Center will assist you the best they can and if possible, contact Alertus on your behalf to continue to seek resolution on your issue.
8. What operating systems will the software work on?
The emergency messaging desktop client will currently work on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 with the .NET 2.0 Framework (or greater) installed, and Mac OSX 10.5+. Your machine will need 7+ Mbs of free hard disk space, network connectivity, and administrative permission for installation.
9. Can I install the client on my mobile device or tablet?
No. This client is for desktop use only. A separate App is available for mobile devices.
10. What sort of messages will come in the form of a “pop-up”?
Only situations that represent a “significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on the campus” will utilize the “pop-up” method of communication to those with the emergency messaging desktop client installed. This service will only be used when absolutely necessary. If you have questions or concerns, please submit a SysAid ticket and IT Help Desk will contact you to assist.
11. What will the “pop-up” look like?
It will always have the CSU logo and specify it is a “Central State University Alert”.
Information Technology
Alertus
Alertus Recipient App
Alertus Desktop