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Setting up Overhead Paging in Admin Console

Updated: 04/17/2024

Objective

Set up Overhead Paging in Admin Console.

Applies To

  • Admin Console
  • Overhead Paging
  • FXS ATAs

Procedure

With the 8x8 Overhead Paging System, you can dial an extension number and connect to an announcement paging system. The announcement system is a one-way speaker system, such as an amplifier connecting to a speaker. After dialing the extension number associated with the Overhead Paging system (and an optional password check), the caller can begin speaking immediately.
Disclaimer: 8x8 is not responsible for configuration or deployment of legacy third-party Paging devices, consult the Original Equipment Manufacture for support. 8x8 X Series does not support FXO third-party devices.

Add an Overhead Paging Device in Admin Console

  1. Log in to Admin Console.
  2. Click Devices.
  3. Click Add Device Model.
  4. Select the model of your ATA terminal from the drop-down.
  5. Click Add Device Model.
  6. View your device inventory to confirm that your ATA terminal has been added to the list.

Activating Your Overhead Paging Device

Note: If you attempt to activate your device before the user is saved, you will receive an Activation Server Busy error.
The activation process for an overhead paging device is the same as with a physical extension.
  1. Log in to Admin Console.
  2. Click Users.
  3. Create a user profile and select an available service license for your user, or click Edit (pencil icon) to the right of your designated user. Note: The Overhead Paging license is not a service license. A Lobby license or above should assigned.
  4. Go to Voice Basic Settings and select Analog Device from the drop-down.
  5. Select the model of your ATA Terminal. If you have multiple ATA bases, you will need to create multiple ATA terminals for each base.
  6. Select the Port that your paging system will be plugged in to. Optional: Enter a password for the overhead paging device.
  7. Click Save.
  8. Select to activate your device using a MAC ID or Activation Code.
  9. If you chose to activate your device with the Activation Code, call the registration service from the device and follow the instructions on the call. If you chose to input your device's MAC ID, your device will be activated when you save the user profile.
  10. Once you have activated your device, click Save.

Additional Information

Model-Specific Instructions on Setting up Overhead Paging Systems

* Indicates models that are both FXS/FXO These must be set in FXS Mode. 8x8 does not support FXO based third-party devices.
  • Bogen PCM-TIM
  • Bogen TAMB has been discontinued and not compatible, upgrade to a TAMB2 or other vender that supports FXS
  • Bogen TAMB2
  • Bogen UTI1 
  • Valcom V-2000A *
  • Valcom V-9940
  • Valcom V-9941A *
  • Valcom V-9970
  • Viking PA-2A Overhead Paging System Configuration*
  • Viking PA-15
  • Viking PA-30 *
An Overhead Paging extension can receive calls like other 8x8 Work physical extensions, but cannot make outgoing calls:
  1. Dial the Overhead Paging extension number to speak to the announcement system.
  2. After dialing the extension number, a bell tone will be heard. Talk path is now open for the page. 
    • If the optional password was selected during configuration of the Device Type you will be prompted to enter that password.
8x8 Work Administrators can install Overhead Paging Systems in different zones and have specific extension numbers for each zone, or if the page server supports zone selection a single extension can be used. Note that the 8x8 Overhead Paging solution is not an intercom system, as it only supports one-way announcement. The paging system must be connected via FXS ATA terminal.
8x8's Overhead Paging works with paging systems that have a standard analog phone input (RJ11 Tip & Ring) in FXS mode only and or devices such as page port that require a 600ohm input with an appropriate adapter.
Before you begin setting up a paging group, you add an overhead paging device, specifically an ATA terminal, to connect to your paging system and activate the ATA terminal.