Summary

UNLV is transitioning to Informacast Desktop Notifier (IDN) as the primary software system for delivering mass notifications to campus computers during emergency situations. This new system replaces the former notification software, Omnilert, that is no longer supported. This document provides instructions for installing the application on Windows and Mac computers.

Applies To

This procedure applies to UNLV employees using university-owned Mac and Windows desktop computers and laptops.

When

The software on OIT-managed devices will be pushed out by OIT starting 07/21/26. For non-OIT managed devices, the installer will be available for department IT teams and individuals to install IDN on their own devices. Once installed, IDN will receive emergency communications when the computer is powered on and connected to a UNLV network. Notifications are sent during campus emergencies and system tests.

Requirement

The following requirements must be met for the installation and operation of the Informacast Desktop Notifier:

• University-owned Windows or Mac computer.

• Windows 11 x64+ or MacOS Sonoma (14)+.

• Administrative rights or Make Me Admin for manual software installation.

• University network access or VPN for off-campus operation.

Cost & Charges

• There is no labor charge for this installation procedure.

• There is no additional recurring monthly charge for using this emergency notification feature.

Procedure

OIT-Managed Devices

Software will be automatically pushed to devices by OIT.

Non-OIT-Managed Devices

1. Download the Installation Files: 

   1. Windows

   2. Mac

2. Install the Software:

   1. For Windows: Open the installer file and proceed through the setup wizard. You must approve the legal terms and provide administrative credentials to authorize the installation. Optionally, you may choose to generate a shortcut on the desktop for easier access.

      1. When navigating the setup wizard, you will be asked to choose a configuration method for the IDN. Ensure the Use DNS option remains selected, as it is the standard default selection.

   2. For Mac: Launch the package installer and follow the prompts provided by the setup assistant. Accept the terms of the software license agreement and provide administrative credentials to complete the installation.

      1. Within the Configuration File Server Type segment, activate the Use the following static URL setting and input http://10.1.75.10:8081/InformaCast/resources.

3. Finalize and Validate the Setup:

   1. Once the installation is complete, verify that the InformaCast icon is visible within the task bar (Windows) or the status bar (Mac).

      1. For Windows users, a blue icon indicates the IDN is online, while a red icon signifies a connection issue.

      2. On Mac devices, click the IDN symbol in the task bar and choose Show Status. Review the Current State area on the resulting page. An Online status confirms successful operation, whereas Configuring (needed) indicates the application is not yet active. 

   2. If the icon is not displayed on your system or the IDN is not Online, a system restart may be necessary. Restart your device and then verify the IDN’s status.

   3. If a restart did not resolve the issues, please contact the IT help desk for further support.

Appendix A: Revision History