Desktop Alerts Overview
Overview
The RedFlag Desktop Alerts feature allows organizations to send urgent or important messages directly to employee desktop devices. Messages appear as visual pop-ups or overlays that interrupt the user’s screen to ensure visibility and engagement. This feature is especially useful when immediate attention is needed, such as during critical incidents, IT disruptions, or company-wide announcements.
These alerts take the form of a desktop takeover—a full-screen, half-screen, or corner-screen message that appears on top of any application the user is working in—guaranteeing the message cannot be missed.
Key Benefits
- High Visibility
Messages appear directly on desktops—even if the user is not actively checking email or text messages. - Desktop Takeover Capability
Ensure immediate attention with full-screen or modal alerts that override active windows until acknowledged or dismissed (based on configuration). - Real-Time Delivery
Send alerts instantly to online desktop devices, with delivery and acknowledgement reporting. - Custom Branding & Headlines
Customize alerts to match your organization’s branding and tone, and select from predefined headlines to streamline messaging. - Message Targeting
Deliver messages to specific groups of desktops, either manually selected or based on profile attributes.
Desktops vs. Recipients
Understanding the difference between desktops and recipients is key to using the RedFlag system effectively:
| Desktops | Recipients | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Devices with the RedFlag Desktop App installed | Individuals who receive messages via email, text, or voice |
| Use Case | Used to send visual desktop alerts | Used to send messages via traditional communication channels |
| Visibility | Messages appear as pop-ups or overlays (desktop takeover) | Messages are delivered to personal contact info |
| Targeting | Device-based targeting through Desktop Profiles | Person-based targeting through Recipient Profiles |
| Message Delivery | Delivered directly to the device | Delivered to the individual, regardless of device |
| Typical Environments | Common in shared device or kiosk settings | Common in personal, mobile, or office communication scenarios |
Grouping Desktops and Recipients
Desktops and recipients can be included in the same groups, making it easy to send alerts to both device-based and person-based targets. Group types include:
- Static Groups
Add desktops and recipients manually or via bulk upload. - Dynamic Groups
Automatically group desktops and recipients based on matching profile data (e.g.,Job Title,Department, etc.). - Geofence Groups
Include both desktops and recipients based on:- Static profile address data
- Real-time device location
- Manually entered geofence coordinates
Why They're Treated Separately
RedFlag treats desktops and recipients as separate profiles to support flexible deployment environments:
Shared Devices:
In environments like hospitals or retail, multiple users may log into a single desktop device during different shifts. A desktop alert ensures the message reaches the workstation, regardless of who is logged in.
Recipient Messaging:
Recipients receive messages through personal contact channels such as email, text, or voice. These messages are tied directly to the individual.
Desktop Messaging:
Desktop alerts are sent to the device itself, ensuring visibility even in shared-use scenarios.
Multi-Channel Messaging
Messages can be sent to both desktops and recipients simultaneously using RedFlag’s multi-channel messaging interface. This ensures full coverage across both personal and shared environments.
🛡️ Note: Using desktop takeover ensures maximum visibility for urgent alerts, especially when recipients may not have immediate access to mobile or email channels.