Project Detail

Description

Overview: I work for a cruise line as the IT Manager. For each embarkation we setup 35-40 workstations for the check-in staff and our table is at the end. If there is an issue with a workstation or it's connected devices (passport reader, webcam, receipt printer) then the check-in agent will come get us to help. If they are on the other end of the row of workstations it can take time to walk down to get one of us and then we all have to walk back to their station.

The Project: What I would like to get is an application that will let the check-in agent alert one of the IT team that they need help. The application will have two parts - 1) Host 2) Master. This host application (for the check-in workstations) will have two options - 1) Call for Help 2) Cancel Call for Help. The buttons should be large enough that they are centered on the screen and unmistakable. The 'Call for Help' button can be green and the 'Cancel' button can be red. If the host application should have the option to show in the task bar or task tray or both. The host should also have a configurable "station name".

On the admin's PC's the 'Master' will pop up over any existing window with a large red or green (as required) window which "station name" has called for help or cancelled the call for help. If there are multiple calls for help alerts they will be listed in order received. Each alert will have an "ok" button to clear the alert. Each alert will have a date/time stamp. There should be an option to play a sound (mp3 format) for each alert which we can choose from the local system.

The client workstations are setup as DHCP clients. The "Call for Help" application should use the TCP/IP protocol for communication to the 'Master' application. The Host alerts should be broadcasting to the entire subnet so that multiple Master instances can be running if needed and each Master will receive the same Alert without having to configure each Host PC. If possible, when an alert is cleared from one Master it will clear from the others too.

Ideally if these can be self running applications that just run when you execute them that would be great. Maybe they read from a .ini file or registry entries. The simpler the better. This should be a pretty simple application to build.

I have a couple of example screenshots of how I can see the screens looking.


Additional files submitted:
Host Screen Example.JPG
Master Screen Example.JPG