V18 Update: A “New” App-like Web Client (PWA)

[N_G]

This update introduces Progressive Web App (PWA) support for the Web Client. This new technology supported by both Chrome and Edge, offers an app-like experience without installing a full app. It enables the web client to remain active, so calls are never missed.

An always active client​

The PWA can be added as a shortcut on the...

Continue reading the Original Blog Post.

 

[Alphabetic]

Is this the "mac app" that's been discussed or is that yet to come?

 

[CentrexJ]

Impressive speed to respond to user complaints Nick! Very nice.

The quick turn around for legacy plug-in for v18/v16U8A, v16 8a beta release and now this should satisfy all customer scenarios for people that had issues. Removed any v18 barrier for customers who are Mac heavy on the client side.

Thank you.

 

[N_G]

@CentrexJ Thank you for the heads up, much appreciated! Yes this PWA technology seems very promising and fast evolving...

@kieferschild - No this is simply an improvement to the web client which gives an app-like feel on all operating systems. Whatsapp and Telegram have this option too in their web client. I believe its a good option for those that dont want to install the full app. This update is not related to the mac app which is still under development. That said, using Edge on Mac (Edge has some nice PWA features) with this new web client gives almost the same result as the future mac app.

 

[jhn]

Really great to see the PWA coming this fast after it was very briefly mentioned recently.

Is it technically possible to modify "X" (close) button behavior - instead of closing the app (which exists the client / unregisters extension) have the app minimized to tray?

Regarding Chrome OS / CloudReady devices - customer of ours is using centralized management (Chrome Enterprise) which allows for pushing additional configuration to PWA apps. Are there any future plans to include configurable parameters for 3CX PWA which could be centrally managed?

Thank you.

 

[N_G]

@jhn thanks for the positive feedback! I will check whether it can be modified but am not so sure. What we do want to do is make it start up again automatically on inbound call which i believe will achieve same thing. Will have to check about these parameters - but i would think its supported out of the box. We use chromeOS ourselves, so we will look into it.

 

[jhn]

@jhn thanks for the positive feedback! I will check whether it can be modified but am not so sure. What we do want to do is make it start up again automatically on inbound call which i believe will achieve same thing. Will have to check about these parameters - but i would think its supported out of the box. We use chromeOS ourselves, so we will look into it.

Hi Nick,
You are 100% correct - app auto-start (and authentication so the extension gets registered) on inbound call will do the trick. It would be nice to achieve the same behavior for all other events (new chat message and so on).

Re ChromeOS / centralized config - perfect, thank you. It would be great if you could (when ready) publish which parameters / config values are possible towards 3CX pwa.

 

[solic]

sorry but i didnt understand how to install
I updated to PBX but after that what should i do ?

 

[conversant]

Great option. The only issue that we are experiencing in testing is that there is no pop-up being displayed on incoming calls. We have confirmed that Chrome is setup to allow the pop-up, but we're not seeing one. The test is running on Windows 10 with the most recent vs of chrome (Version 96.0.4664.110 (Official Build) (64-bit) and windows (Windows 10 Pro 21H2). Everything else that we have tested works great.

 

[N_G]

@conversant You mean the OS notification pop up? Are you receiving the pop ups if you use for example the whatsapp browser app? If not, did you make any change to notifications? Possibly chrome or edge need to be given priority. We will add more info later.

 

[Constantinos Constantinou]

sorry but i didnt understand how to install
I updated to PBX but after that what should i do ?

Hello @solic ,

Check out the blog post that describes the steps on how to install and configure.

https://www.3cx.com/blog/releases/web-client-pwa/

 

[gibbi]

Uff, that came pretty quick. I was wondering where the Chrome extension has gone. I can't install the PWA on Chrome/Ubuntu. The install button is missing on our 3cx-hosted instance. What am I doing wrong?

 

[NikosT_3CX]

@gibbi go to your Management Console >> Dashboard >> Updates and there you will see the Update.
Install it on the PBX ( it will restart services ) and then you can check your browser again.

 

[gibbi]

Great, that worked, thx! I was confused, because the update is a beta.

 

[bllawrence]

Does the PWA have the ability to manage call queues (where a manager can log an agent in or out of the queue) as the windows app does?

 

[SweetAction]

Does the PWA have the ability to manage call queues (where a manager can log an agent in or out of the queue) as the windows app does?

It should have all the functions of the web app since it's really just the web app but installed. (so yes, log people in and out)

 

[Yossiz]

@jhn thanks for the positive feedback! I will check whether it can be modified but am not so sure. What we do want to do is make it start up again automatically on inbound call which i believe will achieve same thing. Will have to check about these parameters - but i would think its supported out of the box. We use chromeOS ourselves, so we will look into it.

Hi Nick, the PWA Client is a wonderful addition!. Any update on enabling X to minimize the PWA app instead of closing it?

 

[N_G]

@Yossiz - thanks for the headsup! No the X button is a standard button in each app and can not be removed. However, the new update we are making will support app push, which basically means that even if a user closed the tab the webclient will notify about incoming call and allows you to open the webclient. I think this basically achieves same thing that you need....

 

[N_G]

@Nathan Sutherland You are right and infact this is fixed in update 3.... No it will not steal focus - nor electron (U3) or PWA