PINGPAD is a cloud-based video intercom and communication platform that allows visitors, residents, and staff to connect using smartphones instead of traditional wired intercom systems.
In a typical setup, a visitor scans a QR code and the call is routed through the Internet to the recipient’s mobile app, allowing them to answer from anywhere. The system is designed to be easy to deploy, maintenance-free, and scalable across multiple buildings or locations.
PINGPAD enables audio and video calls over the Internet. Visitors scan a QR code to initiate a call, which is routed to users via extensions. Users receive and place calls through the PINGPAD mobile app.
As a cloud-based service, PINGPAD requires no on-site hardware or wiring. Operators simply set up accounts, extensions, and services online, and deploy QR code call boards where needed.
Visitors do not need the PINGPAD app. They can scan a QR code at the entrance, gate or lobby of a building with their smartphone camera to call a specific extension.
Go to PINGPAD website to sign up for a business account and wait for approval from PINGPAD sales team. Once approved, you will receive an email message sent to your registered email address with instructions on how to login your account.
To subscribe to PINGPAD, log into your business account, go to Subscription, and click New Subscription. After completing your business profile and select a service plan, you can configure your service using the following menus:
Use the Roles menu to delegate management responsibilities to members of your team. When you select the Roles menu, the right panel displays the available content sections that can be assigned to others. For example, to assign someone to manage the Extensions section for onboarding or offboarding users, click Edit for that section of the Roles table and enter the member’s login ID in the prompt. Please note that:
PINGPAD subscription provides three methods for assigning extensions to users. Depending on your business needs, one method may be more suitable than the others. In many cases, a combination of these methods offers the greatest flexibility.
Method 1 – Import users via CSV file
This method is ideal for sites with an existing user-to-extension database. You can export your data to a CSV file and use the onboarding script to import users into the PINGPAD system.
During this process:
For detailed instructions and CSV format requirements, refer to the onboarding guide or contact SQUAREPING support.
Method 2 – Self-claim via QR code
This method is suitable for sites without an existing user database. Administrators provide users with:
Users then scan the tag using the app’s Tag Scanner and follow the prompts to claim their assigned extension.
Method 3 – Onboarding console
Users can also be onboarded manually through the Subscription → Extensions console. Administrators can create a range of extensions (e.g., 100–299) and assign users individually by clicking the Onboard button for each extension. The administrator will be prompted to enter user details such as name, email address, and optional phone number. Once submitted, a welcome email is sent to the user with instructions to complete the onboarding process.
Users can off-board themselves by tapping on Disclaim button on the subscription Home Screen of the app, which removes their device from the assigned extension.
Subscription administrator can also offboard users via the Extensions console. This resets the extension and sends a notification email to the user. Multiple users can be off-boarded at once by selecting multiple extensions.
Extensions consist of up to 6 letters and/or numbers, and can be customized to fit your needs—for example, A100, 100A, or 101ABC.
For multi-building properties, simply add a building letter in front of the unit number (e.g., A101, B205) to clearly identify the location of the unit.
This menu allows the subscription manager to configure internal services for easy user access from PINGPAD app. Configured services are displayed in the app, where users can browse and tap to place a call when needed.
Common services—such as Office, Lobby, Security, Maintenance, and Swimming Pool—are pre-defined. The manager simply selects and sets up the desired services for users to access.
On Services screen, simply click on the Add Service button to add and set up a service. After clicking on the button, the subscription manager will be presented a dialog where you can set up the details of a service such as:
followed by optional promotion images and/or text. There is a preview screen on the right to help visualizing how the service contents will be displayed on user’s device.
Please note that the service must be activated using the Activate button associated with the service for it to be listed on user’s device.
To receive user calls, service members install the PINGPAD app on own smart phone, create a user account, and scan a Service Join Tag. This tag is automatically generated and displayed on the left pane of the subscription console, below the menu items. After joining a service, their device is enabled to receive user calls.
Availability can be managed anytime using the Check-in/Check-out slider on the app’s Home screen.
At any time, the administrator can temporarily suspend a service for any reasons. Simply clicking on Pause button associated with the service. Use the Reset button to permanently shutdown a service and clear the setup configurations.
The administrator can create a custom service if the service is not among the pre-defined services. However, this capability is available for Premium plan only.
The Bulletin Board enables management to share announcements, alerts, and updates with users in real time via the PINGPAD app.
To post a message, click Add button on Bulletin Board screen, compose the content, and configure options such as scheduling, targeting, contact point, and notifications. The message composition dialog UI is very much self-explanatory.
Messages will be delivered to all users or specific groups with optional notifications to ensure immediate visibility.
BB message could have:
Yes, you can disable bulletin board service simply by uncheck the Bulletin Board option in the Communication Policies screen. After bulletin board is disabled, PINGPAD app users will no longer have access to bulletin board messages.
Yes, instead of displaying the business logo and extension id on call screen as default, you can switch to display actual caller’s avatar image and name by setting the Caller ID on Call Screen option in Communication Policies.
The Directory Access Control setting allows administrators to show or hide the directory listing for Visitors, Internal Users, and Service Members individually.
Yes, you can edit the message and change the status of the message to either Draft or Expired. This will effectively remove the message from viewable message pool.
PINGPAD supports centralized call dispatch through either:
Administrators can also delegate central call dispatch role to specific service groups based on operational needs—for example, Lobby or Security.
For configuration details, refer to the Call Admission Routing section under Communication Policies.
PINGPAD team is current working on this capability. When done, the account administrator will be able to configure account-wide communication policies as well as to selectively post BB messages to specific group of subscriptions.
Yes, all calls within a subscription are logged for security and auditing purposes. Administrators can search and filter call records as needed.
Call logs are retained in the PINGPAD system for up to 5 years. Administrators can also generate and download reports for selected time periods.
PINGPAD service is provided through your organization, which has subscribed to the service. There is no cost for you as an end user.
PINGPAD mobile app is compatible with all Android smart phones running Android 10 OS or later and iPhone X or later. Some phones from Chinese manufacturers, e.g. Huawei, Xaomi, may also work, but we have not tested on all of them.
If you receive a Welcome message from your organization, your account has already been set up and no further action is required. Simply follow the instructions in the message to install the app and sign in the app.
Otherwise, if you are provided with a Claim Extension QR code, an extension, and a passcode, use the app to scan the QR code and enter the provided details. Once the claim is successful, all incoming calls to that extension will be routed to your device.
To stop receiving incoming calls to an extension, user must disclaim the extension using the Disclaim button on the Home Screen associated with the extension.
You need to obtain a new claim code for your extension from management and reclaim your extension again using the procedure outlined in the answer to question 4.
PINGPAD allows users to create a Ring Group by sharing their extension with other devices. This feature enables multiple users—such as family members or team members—to handle incoming calls for the same extension.
When a call is received, all devices in the group will ring simultaneously. The first device to answer will take the call.
A Ring Group supports up to 5 devices per extension.
Only the primary user who owns the extension can remove a ring group member.
Yes, ring group members can forward a call to another member of the group, as well as to another extension.
The extension access code restricts who can call your extension. Callers must enter the correct code to connect.
You can manage this code in Phone Settings.
Visual caller ID is a function that allows a user to peek at caller’s face for identification prior to answering call. It is a safety feature and applied to visitor calls or all incoming calls. The service administrator has control of this setting to enforce organization-wide communication policies.
By default, visual caller ID applies on incoming calls from external visitors only. It does not apply to intercom user calls unless the Communication Policies is set for VCID to take effect on all incoming calls.
If you just power on your phone, make sure to unlock the phone after power on for Android to complete the startup process. PINGPAD app will not be able to receive incoming call notifications if the device has not yet completed its startup process.
If you phone is already started but you are still not able to receive incoming call notification, please check the followings:
If nothing works, try to start PINGPAD and put it in the background.
By default, visual caller ID applies on incoming calls from external visitors only. It does not apply to intercom user calls unless the Communication Policies is set for VCID to take effect on all incoming calls.
