Here we will discuss the types of notifications that Visitor Aware uses. To alter these notification settings, please refer to either the "Personal User Settings" or "Managing User Permissions and Access" article.
!! Important !!
If you or the managed user does not have notifications enabled for assigned locations ("receive alerts for assigned locations"), no notifications will be sent with the exception of user-specific emails; password reset, account creation, etc...
Available Notification Types
| Type | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency and Incident Alerts | SMS | In the event of an incident such as a drill or active shooter, if a phone number is provided, and is a mobile telephone number, you may receive text messages when the incident is activated and deactivated. |
| Emergency and Incident Alerts | Phone | In the event of an incident such as a drill or active shooter, if a phone number is provided, you may receive automated phone calls when the incident is activated. |
| Emergency and Incident Alerts | In the event of an incident such as a drill or active shooter, you may receive emails when the incident is activated and deactivated. When an incident is activated, these emails include any attachments for the location such as floor maps, reunification guidelines, etc... | |
| Desktop Alerts | Web Browser | If enabled, web-browser-based desktop notifications will be shown on a per-user basis to notify them of any active alerts against a visitor or volunteer upon their check-in attempt or of any triggered emergencies. Active alerts could include active injunction, positive watchlist match, positive sex offender match, or if an unauthorized person is trying to sign out a student. |
| Visitor Check-In/Out Alerts (SRO) | SMS | When enabled, the user will receive text messages when visitors or volunteers check-in. These messages include the visitor's name, destination, and the building the visitor is arriving. Only available when a valid cell phone number is entered. |
| Student Tardy Alerts (SRO) | SMS | When enabled, the user will receive text messages when students are signed in as tardy. These messages include the student's name, destination, and the building the student is being signed into. Only available when a valid cell phone number is entered. |
| Security Alerts | SMS | Security alert SMS messages are sent for events such as injunction access attempts, unauthorized student sign-out attempts, sex offender matches, etc... Only available when a valid cell phone number is entered. |
| Security Alerts | Security alert emails are sent for events such as: injunction access attempts, unauthorized student sign-out attempts, sex offender matches, etc... | |
| Tipline Alerts | SMS | Receive priority text messages when a new tip is received and is flagged as being critical. Only available when a valid cell phone number is entered. |
| Tipline Alerts | Receive an email when new tips are submitted, the status of an existing tip is modified, or when another user adds a comment to a tip. | |
| Automatic Emails | Receive emails for system-generated events such as end-of-day automatic visitor sign-out, background check usage reports, and more. |
Push Notifications (Watchdog Application):
If the school and associated users choose to implement Watchdog (Visitor Aware's emergency management application), they will be notified on their personal mobile devices of any activated alert through the Watchdog application via push notifications. Push notifications are the type of popup alerts that mobile devices use to notify the user of any recent change/notification within an associated application.
Positive Match Screening Results:
If a positive screening match is made, SMS text messages, emails, and desktop notifications will be sent out to users pending their settings. Within the email message, a side-by-side comparison of the offender and visitor will be displayed for additional reference. As a user, you are able to view this individual's profile within Visitor Aware. Click on the email link (shown below) or access the visitor's profile to view the "Security Checks" tab. You will then be able to click "Details" to view information on their offense.
