What’s New in September 2021

Users—Reinstall Slack to update Cisco Jabber to the latest version and enable new features.

With Jabber installed, you can quickly start a call with someone by entering a specific command into a direct message window. But if it isn't installed, that same command provides you with a link to installation instructions from your administrator.

Administrators—Use the new command: /jabberconfig to set the link that routes your users to more help with installation.

Before you begin


If your workspace administrator has already installed this app for your workspace, there is no need to perform this action.

Click Add to Slack below, and follow the instructions.

Before you begin


The sign-in address you use with Slack has to be the same address that you use to sign in to Jabber.


Your administrator must enable Jabber as a calling option in Slack.

1

Open a Direct Message (DM) or channel to the person you want to call.

2

Perform one of the following actions:

  • In a DM or channel, click the phone icon and select Cisco Jabber.

  • Click the user's profile, click Call and then select Cisco Jabber.


Install App Updates—To enable recently added features, users that authorized Jabber prior to September 2021 must re-install the Slack app.

Use these commands with the Cisco Jabber app in Slack to call someone in a direct message, a phone number or a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) using Jabber. You can also ask a colleague to call you, and get support information about Jabber using app commands in Slack. Entering a command will create a clickable link in the direct message or channel to launch Jabber.


When making a call using the Jabber app for the first time, Slack will ask you for confirmation. To stop receiving this message every time you make a call, select the box Always open links from ciscotel and click Open Link.

Table 1. App Commands for Jabber

Commands

Description

/jabber

New Feature—Slack installed or reauthorized after Sept 2021

In a Direct Message with another user on Slack, performing this command will provide a Join option to open a Jabber call with that user.

If you do not have Jabber installed, Join directs you to an information page from your administrator with further instructions.

/jabber @[searchname]

Search for a colleague in your directory to call.

/jabber [number]

Calls the phone number that you entered.

/jabber [email address]

Calls the email address that you entered using SIP URI.

/callme

In a Direct Message with another user on Slack, performing this command sends an active call button to your colleague to call you.

1

Sign into your workspace administrator account in Slack.

2

Click Add to Slack below and follow the instructions.

Before you begin


If you're using the free version of Slack, then you can only use a single calling application with the Slack Call button. If you're on a paid plan, (Standard, Plus, Enterprise), then multiple calling apps can be associated with the Call button.

1

Perform one of the following actions:

  • In a web browser, go to your Teams Settings page.
  • Click your workspace name in the top left, and then select Settings and Administration > Workspace Settings.

2

In the Settings tab, scroll down the page, and next to Calls, click Expand.

3

Under Calling Options, check the box next to Cisco Jabber.

4

Click Save.

Calling

This app setting in Slack lets you choose the default calling behavior of the Cisco Jabber calling application. Choose between email address (SIP URI) and phone numbers.

1

In your Slack workplace, click Apps.

2

Click Cisco Jabber.

3

Under the Home tab, select your calling method in the drop-down menu.

Information Page—Jabber Calling

Control what happens when a user attempts to make a Jabber call, but doesn't have Jabber installed. When they type the Jabber call command and click Join, they'll be routed to a Cisco web-page by default. However, you can easily route your users to your own website instead.

Prior to September 2021—Users who authorized Jabber before September 2021 must re-install the app to use the Info page.

1

In any message window, type: /jabberconfig workspace_info_page set https://example.com.

Replace https://example.com with your own URL.
2

To verify your configured info page, type: /jabberconfig workspace_info_page show.

To reset the info page to default, type: /jabberconfig workspace_info_page reset.
3

Repeat steps for each workspace.