Add your mobile SMS number to your AtHoc profile

Configuring your AtHoc profile allows you to decide where you want to receive the emergency notifications. 

You can't edit or disable your McGill email (Email-Work) but you should add your mobile phone number as well as a personal email to make sure to receive notifications in a timely fashion.

Steps:

1. Access the online profile: https://www.mcgill.ca/alerts-myprofile
2. Accept the disclaimer.
3. Click the My Profile tab.
   
   
   
4. Click Edit.
   
   
   
5. Add the methods by which you want to receive emergency notifications:
   
   • Text Messaging - Personal is for your personal mobile phone number.
   • Text Messaging - Work is for McGill staff only. Do not enter the same number in the Personal and Work fields. If you do, you will receive duplicate text messages.
   • Email - Personal is used to provide your personal email if you wish to receive notifications to it.
   • Email - Work is automatically included by default.
     
     
     
6. When you are done, click Save.
   

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Install the mobile application on your mobile device (Optional)

Download the application:

• iOS device: IOS installation
• Android device: Android installation

Steps to install and register the mobile app (iOS and Android)

Screenshots for iOS are provided, but the steps for Android are very similar.

1. On the welcome screen, click Get Started.
   
   
   
2. On the Registration screen:
   1. On the Organization field, type McGill.
   2. On the email field, enter your McGill email address.
      
      
      
   3. Following this step will generate a confirmation email.
      
      
      
3. Go to your email application on your mobile device, open the email from BlackBerry AtHoc and click Verify Now.
   
   
   
4. You will receive a message asking you to open the AtHoc application. Click Open.
   
   
   
5. The application will be downloaded and installed. 
   When prompted regarding sharing your location, select Deny. (We do not track your location.) You will then be directed to the application's home screen.
   
   
   
6. On Activate Location Sharing, click the X. (We do not track your location.)
   
7. On Activate Notification, click Allow.
   

The application is now set up. No other steps are necessary.

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Enable notifications

To adjust the parameters of the AtHoc application, head to the cogwheel settings icon of the interface.

• Notifications must be enabled for Emergency communications to be received.
• Critical notifications must be enabled for Critical communications to be received. (Don't worry; our notifications will never include alert sounds.)
• Location Sharing is not used; keep it disabled.

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BlackBerry AtHoc Desktop Notifier application

The BlackBerry AtHoc desktop notifier allows you to receive McGill emergency alerts directly on your Windows or Mac desktop. It runs quietly in the background and uses very little processing time on your computer. In the event that a mass notification is transmitted, a pop-up message will appear on your computer screen. You will need to click the Acknowledge button on the message to make it disappear and continue with your work.

McGill-managed computers will have this application installed by IT administrators. The steps below are optional, if you want to receive desktop notifications on your personal computer.

Remember: you will always receive notifications in your McGill email without any effort on your part. You can also receive notifications via SMS or personal email by adding your mobile number to your AtHoc profile.

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Install the Windows Application (for personal computer only)

IMPORTANT: The AtHoc desktop notifier will be automatically installed on all McGill staff's ITS-managed computers. The version below should only be installed on non-managed computers.

1. Click on Download the Windows version to access the installer location (sign in with your McGill username and password when prompted)
2. Download the installer file (BB-AtHocNotifier-Win-Personal_7.8.X.XX.msi) and double-click to start the installation.
3. When asked whether to allow the app to make changes to your device, say Yes.
4. The installation will proceed.
5. Once the installation is complete, the application does not start immediately. You can restart your computer or search for BlackBerry AtHoc from the Windows search box and open the application manually.
   

   When the BlackBerry AtHoc Desktop Notifier is running, you will see its icon in your Windows system tray.
    

   If you do not see this icon, please restart your computer. 

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Install the MacOS Application

1. Click on Download the Mac version to access the installer location (sign in with your McGill username and password when prompted).
2. Download the installer file (AtHoc ADC Installer_signed.pkg) and double-click to start the installation.
3. Click Continue.
   
   
   
   
4. On the next screen, click Install.
5. Enter your Mac password to proceed with the installation. 
   

Once the installation is complete, you will get a confirmation:

and a new icon in your menu:

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BlackBerry AtHoc Desktop Notifier menu options:

Once the application is installed, you can access the application settings in the system tray:

• Check for New Alerts will check for new alerts. If no new alert has been published, nothing will happen.
• Dismiss all Popups will remove any lingering alert popups from your screen.

 

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Uninstalling the Desktop Notifier

Windows Application

1. Click the Start Menu (Windows icon).
2. Type "Apps" and select Apps & features or Installed apps.
3. Find BlackBerry AtHoc or AtHoc in the list.
4. Click the three dots and select Uninstall.
5. Follow any on-screen instructions. 

Mac application:

1. Go to the application folder and open the AtHoc folder.
2. Double-click Uninstall AtHoc to uninstall it.

 

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