Covering the Basics

Supported Devices

Prevail is compatible with current PC and Mac operating systems.

Necessary Equipment

You’ll also need to use an up-to-date browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, are not supported.

Getting Started

Activating your account

You should receive an invitation to the platform via email. Once you accept the invitation, you'll be prompted to set up your account. Follow the link to create your account.

Once logged in, you’ll be able to update your profile and see your upcoming remote sessions. (Profile settings can be later accessed via the drop-down user menu in the top right.)

Preparing Yourself

Set up your space

You’ll want to be set up in a comfortable, secure, and quiet environment. Additionally, remember to turn off all sources of excess noise such as fans, radios, televisions, etc. and silence your mobile phone.

Lighting

Be sure you’re in a place with ample ambient lighting. Auxiliary front lighting can also help you to appear better on camera, though placement is important. Ring lights are not recommended for glasses wearers, as they can cause excess glare.

Joining a Remote Session

Ensuring a stable connection

Having a good internet connection is imperative. Ideally, a wired ethernet connection is preferred. If using Wi-Fi, make sure you have a strong signal.

Logging into your remote proceeding

You can join a remote session from your dashboard or via the link in the email you received from Prevail Scheduling.

Allowing camera and microphone access

Once you have clicked the link to join, you may be prompted to allow access to your microphone and camera. You’ll need to click “Allow” for your devices to work within the platform.

If you experience issues, you can change the selected mic and/or camera in the settings bar in the Participants panel.

Basic Controls

Accessing audio and video controls

At the bottom of the participants pane, you’ll be able to mute and unmute yourself, turn your camera on or off, and enter or exit full-screen mode. Additionally, you can change your default microphone and webcam here as well.

Moving and resizing panels and/or people

Customization is important. That’s why you can resize the Participants, Transcript, and Exhibit panes to fit your needs by clicking and dragging on the edges. You can also drag and drop the different panes to move them around the screen.

Participants' individual tiles can also be rearranged by dragging and dropping.

All Chat

Need to send a message to all the participants? There is a chat option in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. This is especially useful if you encounter audio issues and need to get the Session Manager’s attention.

Quick Action Tools

Bookmarks

By clicking on a timestamp in the transcript and either pressing the letter B or clicking on the Bookmark quick action button, you can mark a line of testimony and add a note for yourself, too.

Flags

Flags work similarly to bookmarks; however, instead of allowing for notations, they are designed for color-coding.Think of these as adding colored tabs to a transcript.

Clips

Clips create individual video snippets (including the synchronized transcript) that you can save or share for later use.

Note: you can select multiple lines by holding down shift as you click them.

All three of these work product items can be found in the top, right hand corner of your transcript pane. They will also be accessible after the session is over on the post-session page.

Clicking on a flag or a bookmark will take you right to that point in the transcript. Clips are saved in your post-session page for later use.

Request Pause

Need a break? Clicking the Request Pause button will notify the other participants and your Session Manager that you’d like to pause the session. This button will be dimmed if the session is already paused or has been completed.

Load Exhibits

Uploading exhibits is a breeze. Simply click on the quick action button and select the file you wish to upload. This will become visible to you and the Session Manager only. Once presented, it will be accessible to anyone.

Exhibit Management

Viewing and presenting exhibits

Uploaded exhibits can be presented by anyone with access (initially the participant who uploaded them and the Session Manager).

Presenting will share the exhibit with everyone and allow them to follow along as the presenter moves around the document.

Annotating Exhibits

Exhibits can be marked with the handy annotation tools. Participants can draw shapes, highlight text, or draw freehand on any presented file.

Stamping exhibits

Like a court reporter, the Session Manager can add a stamp to an exhibit and enter it into the record upon request.

All exhibits, once presented, will be available (with annotations) during and after the session.