smrtPhone's Video Calling Functionality
Video Calling will be available for all smrtPhone users, no matter what subscription plan you choose or which CRM. There are some differences depending on your smrtPhone subscription, and how the logs show in your CRM depends on which one you use.
Video Calling Plans
We provide you with 2 versions of this functionality:
Free Video Calling - for all smrtPhone Users
2 participants in the video call
Up to 30 minutes
No recording
Logged in smrtPhone Video Logs and in your CRM
Free of charge
Advanced Video Calling Features - for smrtPhone Pro subscribers only
smrtPhone Pro subscribers have access to Free Video Calling, as listed above (2 participants, <30 mins, no recording) plus access to pay-as-you-go advanced features including:
Up to 50 participants in one conference
Up to 4h with your conference participants
Recording storage inside smrtPhone
Logged in smrtPhone Video Logs and in your CRM
Per-minute charges will apply (see how here)
Video calls can be initiated from your Web App Dialer, Chrome Extension, CTI dialer, and Mobile Apps.
While the video call is powered by smrtPhone, it takes place in a browser tab, which means the recipient only needs a browser to participate.
Video Call Logs are also available for everyone inside the smrtPhone Web App Billing & Logs section.
Basic Requirements
To use smrtPhone Video Calling, you must have functioning speakers, camera, and microphone that you've allowed access
For more information on audio/visual best practices: Hardware and software best practices for using smrtPhone and smrtPhone Quality Best Practices ⇢
How to Make a Video Call
Video calling is easy!
You generate a link from the dialers or Recent Calls. If you have consent, you can text them the link, or you can copy and send it by email. Then, they can join you in the video meeting.
Follow these quick steps to start your first video call:
Access Video Call from:
Web App, Mobile App, or Chrome Extension's Dialer
Web App, Mobile App, or Chrome Extension's Recent Calls
Web App and Mobile App's Inbox
Web App, Mobile App, or Chrome Extension's Call Summary (before finalizing the call)
Type the Name or the Number
Depending on your choice, you can either type the name or the number that you intend to ask to join in a video call, or hit the camera icon and start a video call with a selected contact or number. These are your options:
In the dialer's box, you can start typing the name or the number you want to invite to a video call.
In Recent Calls or Contact Page View inside the dialers, click on the camera icon 🎥.
When you finish the call, the Call Summary pop-up inside the dialers allows you to click on the camera icon 🎥 to start a video call.
In the Inbox, you can start a video call from one of your conversations. On the right-hand side, in the Actions drop-down menu, you find the option to video call that particular number/contact.
Send the Invite
A pop-up notification will prompt you to send an SMS message to your contact with a link for them to join the video call. You can just modify the text of this message, or leave the template as-is, but please don't edit the included link.
Send Invite & Start option - Automatically sends the SMS with the link and opens the window with a video conference
Start Video Call option - Opens the conference room, but you have to copy and send the link via any method or else no one will be able to join you. No link will be automatically sent with this option, its delivery method is up to you
Hardware prep
Once ready to join, choose if you want to use the camera and the microphone. They can be toggled off at any point during the video call and even replaced with other devices.
Join and enjoy
Press Join and wait for your contact to join.
If you are not A2P 10DLC registered, you cannot send the link via text. You have to copy-paste the link and send it via other ways if you don't have an active A2P campaign, or your receiver will not get your invitation.
Consider adding this text to the messaging template you submit as an example for an A2P 10DLC Campaign.
Receiving a Video Call Invite
When a contact receives the Video Calling invite via SMS text message, they will click the URL to join your call (Chrome Extension and Mobile App) or copy-paste the link (if you open the Web App Inbox). No matter where they accept the invitation from - whether on a computer or from their cell phone - it will open a browser tab for them to join the video call.
As the host did, the guest also needs to set a name to be displayed in the video call, and once in the room, modify setup for the microphone, and camera.
Ending a Video Call
When it comes to ending a video call, as a host, pressing End Session will end the conversation for all participants.
If you decide to action the Leave Session button, the call will continue for the rest of the participants. You can rejoin as long as there is still one participant in the call.
You can receive invitations on all dialers (in any SMS Inbox).
However, sending an invitation is only available on the Web App and smrtPhone Chrome Extension.
Video Call Customization
Once in the call, as a participant, you have different options to work with this video call functionality:
Customizing bar
⬅️ Left
Turn the camera on/off
Turn the microphone on/off
Share your screen
⬇️ Middle
The participants
You can lock the room, not allowing others to join once started
The host can mute all participants at once
Chat - Public or Private
Q&A
Polls - Create a poll on different topics that might come during your conference
Raise hand option
Record (only for the host) - Please ask for everyone's consent to be recorded before pressing the Start recording button!
Whiteboard
➡️Right
Video Call advanced settings
Workspace - Choose the language and decide if you want names on tiles
Video - Pick a different available camera
Audio - Pic the microphone and speakers from the drop-down menu
Virtual background - Select one virtual background from the currently available ones
Components - Where you can toggle on or off different features of the call, and how the audience can or cannot use them. You can modify these at any point if you are the host. As a guest, you have no control over this function.
Leave session
Important Notes about Video Calling with smrtPhone
📲 Recordings are available only for smrtPhone Pro subscribers. You can find all your recordings in Billing & Logs, next to Call logs and SMS logs. In your CRM, the recordings are available where you can find the call recordings.
📝 Video calls are currently showing in Billing & Logs. You can see all the invitations in the SMS Logs, and in the Video Logs menu, you can see all the information available for the: User, Date Created, Video Outcome, From/To Number, and Duration.
💰 Video Calling comes in 2 versions: Free and Advanced (paid). However, SMS & Data rates apply for both versions.
🔃 As a Pro subscriber, you can enjoy both versions. If you use Video calling 1:1 for less than 30 min, it will be free of charge.
