Use the speech synthesizer to read alerts in the SolarWinds Platform

The Text to Speech Output action uses the SolarWinds desktop notification client and your computer's speech synthesizer to convert text messages-to-speech messages. The action notifies users of new alerts by reading the alert out loud. This capability is especially helpful for users who are visually impaired or who are not always at their desks to read alerts onscreen.

Download and install the client on each computer that you want to play a sound. Then configure which synthesizer you want to play.

SolarWinds uses Microsoft® Speech Synthesis Engine version 5.0. If you are under active SolarWinds maintenance, you may also install and use other text‑to‑speech engines by visiting the SolarWinds website. The following procedure configures text-to-speech output for an alert trigger or reset.

Due to restrictions on Windows service applications, the Text to Speech action is not available to SolarWinds installations on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 and higher.

1. When editing or adding an alert, click Add Action in the Trigger or Reset Action section of the Alert Wizard.

2. Select the Text to Speech Output option, then click Configure Action.
3. Under Text to Speech Output settings click Download our desktop notification client to download, install, and configure the notification client.

4. Schedule the action by selecting Time of Day > Use special Time of Day schedule for this action. This schedule only applies to the alert action you are editing.
   

   This is often used to prevent an action from occurring during specific windows.

5. Select how frequently this action occurs for each triggered alert in Execution Settings.

6. Click Add Action.

The action is added to the trigger or reset action list, and you can test the action using the Simulate button. When the trigger or reset conditions of the alert are met, the message is read.