Video calls and knocking

A video call is the quickest way to talk to one teammate: one click and their PlexiDesk rings. A knock is lighter still. It lets someone know you would like a word, and they choose when to answer, with a chat message or by calling you back.

Use a call when you need an answer now. Use a knock when you would like to talk but do not want to interrupt. For more than two people, start a meeting instead. See PlexiiMeet: meetings.

Before you start

• Sign in. Calls and knocks go between signed-in PlexiDesk users. See Create an account and sign in.
• Your teammate needs to be online to answer. See Presence and your status.
• Allow your camera and microphone. The first time you call or answer, your computer may ask you to let PlexiDesk use them. On a Mac, see Allow microphone, camera and screen recording on a Mac.
• Plans. Video calls are part of every plan. Knocking, and calling from the map, start from the People Map, which is part of the Team plan. See People Map.

Call a teammate

From a direct message in Chat:

1. Open your conversation with the person. See PlexiiChat: channels and messages.
2. Click Call at the top of the conversation. Its tooltip reads Start a video call.

In the Message tab of the Plexii panel, the same button is called Meet. In a direct message it calls the person straight away. See Open, move and resize the Plexii panel.

From the People Map:

1. Point at a teammate who is online.
2. Click the video camera beside their name. Its tooltip reads Call and their name.

A call window appears at the bottom right of PlexiDesk. Its top line shows their name and where the call is: Calling…, Connecting…, then Connected. When they answer, their video fills the window and yours sits in the corner.

During the call

The buttons along the bottom of the call window:

The call window stays on top while you work elsewhere in PlexiDesk.

Answer a call

When someone calls you, a card appears at the bottom right with their name and Incoming video call…. A desktop notification appears too, even when PlexiDesk is in front.

• Click Accept to answer. PlexiDesk turns on your camera and microphone and connects.
• Click Decline to turn it down. They see that you declined.

If you are already on a call, a new incoming call is declined for you.

Transcribe a call

A call can be transcribed and summarised like a meeting, with the other person's agreement.

1. In the side menu, under Apps, click Meet in the PlexiiApps group.
2. Under RECORDING, below the Meetings list, tick Transcribe & summarise my 1:1 calls (the other person is asked).

From then on, when one of your calls connects, PlexiDesk starts recording your microphone and asks the other person. They see a note under the video saying that you asked Plexii to transcribe this call, that it is recorded and transcribed on your computer, and that if they decline their voice is never captured and the call carries on.

They click Yes, transcribe or Not my voice. If they have the same setting turned on, that counts as a yes, so they are not asked.

A line at the bottom of the video says where things stand:

To stop recording before the call ends, click Stop on that line. What was recorded so far is still wrapped up when the call ends.

When the call ends, the wrap-up opens with a summary and anything worth following up, and the call is saved in PlexiiMeet as Call with and their name. See Meeting wrap-up and records and Recording, consent and transcripts.

Knock to ask for a word

1. Open the People Map and point at a teammate who is online. See People Map.
2. Click the door beside their name. Its tooltip reads Knock and their name.

When it is outside their working hours, the door becomes a moon, and its tooltip adds (it is after hours for them). You can still knock, but think about whether it can wait.

When someone knocks on you

A card appears at the top right: their name, knocked, and wants to reach you. Choose:

• Reply to open a direct message with them in Chat.
• Call back to start a video call with them.
• The cross to dismiss it.

When PlexiDesk is in the background, a desktop notification tells you who knocked. Click it to reply.

A knock is not kept anywhere. Once you dismiss it, it is gone, and a newer knock replaces the one on screen.

When a call does not connect

Tips

• Knock before you call. A knock lets someone finish what they are doing and reply when they are ready.
• Look at their status first. If someone is in focus or busy, a knock or a recorded message may be kinder than a call. See Send a video or voice message.
• Mind the moon. On the People Map, a moon on the knock button means it is after hours for them.

Common questions

Can I make an audio-only call? Calls start with video. Click Turn camera off once you are connected to talk with audio only.

Can I add a third person to a call? No. A call is between two people. For more, start a meeting. See Start or schedule a meeting.

Can I add a note to a knock? No. A knock just says wants to reach you. To say more, send a message in Chat.

Is a call recorded automatically? No. A call is only transcribed when one of you has turned on Transcribe & summarise my 1:1 calls. The other person's voice is recorded only once they agree, either by clicking Yes, transcribe or because they have the same setting turned on.

Related tasks

• PlexiiChat: channels and messages
• People Map
• Presence and your status
• Recording, consent and transcripts
• Meeting wrap-up and records
• Send a video or voice message