I need a telephony app
laughlin
info or pointers to a newsgroup that would be more appropriate.
Simply put, I'm in need of a Windows-based app that would 1) allow me
to record and store an audio message on my PC and 2) allow that
message to be sent to a small number of people (approx 15) via a local
phone call (i.e., call each person on the list sequenqentially. waits
for the person to answer before playing the message).
The app would allow me to define a distribution list of phone numbers
and would perhaps provide a report on who was successfully contacted.
Is there anything out there that does anything like this? This would
be for home/personal use only.
TIA
Ray Cassick (home)
"laughlin" <laug...@e-mailanywhere.com> wrote in message
news:e92f2cfd.02082...@posting.google.com...
Suzie
wrong. Guaranteed. This is a long post, so it is probably best to
highlight the whole lot and paste it where it is more easily read.
1. First, ensure your PC is a PIII or PIV with at least 128MB RAM, a
USB port and running Windows 2000 Pro Service Pack 1 or 2 (ideal) or
Windows 98 SE (OK).
2. Next, get yourself the Mediaphonics Phonerider USB telephony device
from this source:
TeleVox Software, Inc.
1210 Hillcrest Road
Mobile, Alabama 36695
Contact: Jeff Campbell
phone 800-644-4266 or email je...@televox.com to order.
You can pick up one of these superb devices from there for only $200
(they are still retailing for $399 at some places). Don't even think
about using a voice modem, for reasons outlined below.
3. Set up the device with your PC (instructions given further on), and
then trial these 2 applications: ComSmart (www.iballcom.com) $49.95
and Leadseeker www.acarda.com ($99 for maximum 300 recipients
version). Both can do exactly what you want, and you can read a
comparison below.
So, without any further ado, here are the answers to your inevitable
questions!
Q. So why should I go and get this Phonerider device?
A. voice modems may be everywhere and seem attractive at first, but
their limitations are too numerous for them to be considered a serious
device for computer telephony. For example, modems can't detect line
drop (say, when the remote party simply hangs up) and they can't tell
if/when the call has been answered by the recipient. To get 'round
these problems, all developers of applications designed to work with
modems have to implement 'tricks' in the software like listening for
silence, and if the line is silent for X seconds, disconnecting it, or
requesting the user to press a key to stop the call instead of hanging
up. The first method has the disadvantage of keeping the line busy
when it is not in use. The second method has the disadvantage that
users have to be trained, and there has to be some way of recovery if
they don't press a key to hangup. In practice, it is extremely
difficult to get the application to respond properly to all
eventualities over the line when used with a voice modem, and when
such a combo is left unattended, there is a very high likelihood of
either annoying your contacts or the application hanging/line jamming
or both, from time to time! And let's not even talk about the REALLY
poor sound quality of voice modems (at the best of times). A
purpose-built TAPI telephony device like the Phonerider USB has none
of these constraints - the difference between such a device and a
voice modem is like the difference between fresh alpine air and
breathing in Mexico City in rush hour on a bad day! The Phonerider may
'look' like a conventional modem with additional sockets for a
headset, but BOY are the two beasts different!
Q. Why Windows 2000?
A. Simply because it is the most robust, reliable and stable OS for
computer telephony.
Q. What is ComSmart and Leadseeker?
A. ComSmart is a powerful, conceptually new, all-in-one, all-purpose,
automated-response AND user-interactive computer telephony
application. There is really nothing quite like it. Leadseeker is
specifically a lead-generation autodialer. Both can do what you want,
and both work flawlessly on the platform described above with the
Phonerider USB.
Q. So how do ComSmart and Leadseeker compare for what I want to do?
A. Let's compare ComSmart's autodialing capability (which is just one
of its extensive range of capabilities) with that of Leadseeker.
With ComSmart, you set dialing schedule and recurrence patterns
independently for each contact (if there are any overlaps or
conflicts, ComSmart's queue manager sorts it out automatically) and
you can assign a different audio file to be played to EACH contact.
Preparing the audio file can be as simple as putting on the headset,
pressing record, stopping record when you've finished, naming the file
and assigning it! By the way, you have a lot of control over the
recurrence patterns (eg for each contact you can set the autodial
event as follows: -recur every 2 weeks on Monday and Wednesday-,
-recur on weekdays but not on weekends-, -recur on the first weekday
of every month-, -recur on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for a
total of 40 recurrences- etc.)
With Leadseeker, you set global parameters: start date, stop date and
time period within each day of the week for dialing to be active -
these are applicable to ALL numbers in the list. Leadseeker then just
dials the numbers sequentially during the active period. The ONE set
of information files is played to all recipients and one set of
navigation capabilities is offered to all recpients.
When the recipient takes the call, ComSmart says -press 1 to accept
this call- and when the recipient does, the audio file assigned to
that contact begins to play, and then the opportunity is given (via
touchtone) to the recipient to listen to the information again, leave
a message or hangup. ComSmart labels and collates all messages left by
recipients, ready for you to click and play at any stage. ComSmart can
even automatically call out on a nominated phone number if it receives
a message from a particular person who has been autodialed (based on
Caller ID), or based on a group of messages received. Again,
ComSmart's queue manager handles that.
Leadseeker does not give the option to the recipient to actually
record a voicemail message, but initially plays them a -short message-
WAV file when they accept the call (for example, you might record -Hi,
we are ringing to let you know how you can drastically reduce your
mortgage. Press 1 to find out-) and gives them the touchtone options
to listen to a -more details- message (could actually be an
information piece advising the recipient how and when they will be
contacted if they are interested in further info, how they can order
the product you are informing them about etc), to listen to the main
message again, be added to a -do not call- list or hangup.
Leadseeker can import dialing lists in comma-separated text format,
but with ComSmart you either pre-populate the built-in address book
(PIM) with all your contacts, or import from Windows Address Book.
With Leadseeker, you pay more for the ability to dial more than 300
contacts, but with ComSmart it is unrestricted. ComSmart is more
flexible in many other ways, (and cheaper).
Considering you don't need to import dialing lists and you are not
autodialing an enormous number of contacts, I'd say ComSmart is the
way to go, especially because of its flexibility and all of the other
capabilities it gives you at the same time (and despite the fact that
ComSmart probably takes a bit longer to get a hang of because of all
that functionality packed into those screens - but once you're there,
there's no turning back). However, why not try both.
Oh, I almost forgot! What do the call logs look like? I've got to say
ComSmart's is more comprehensive, but Leadseeker's does the job.
ComSmart's indicates when the call was made, how it was made (manually
or autodialed), and if autodialed, the number of attempts before the
call was taken and a log of those attempts, duration of session,
whether recipient used remote codes, whether a message was left etc.
Leadseeker's log indicates date and time as you'd expect, whether the
autodial was successful or not and the digits pressed by the recipient
(for example if you see that the recipient pressed -6- to listen to
information on how they shall be contacted (the previous -more
details- message might have said -press 6 if you are interested in
being contacted about this service-), then you know to follow-up with
that contact!
Here is some further information you may find useful from iBall
Communications, the makers of ComSmart:
-We have found customers are attracted to ComSmart for a variety of
reasons - some customers have wanted ComSmart simply for its softphone
and PIM capability, others have been interested primarily in the
autodialing capability for surveying/reminding, a company we are
currently speaking with in Canada which is in the resort properties
reservations business is trialing ComSmart for visual voicemail and
for automatically forwarding messages from particular origins/callers
to a nominated phone number. A recent sale was to a 'fire safety
products' company who wanted ComSmart for call logging and charting
and forwarding messages to a nominated phone number based on number of
messages accummulated. However, as is generally the case with new
products which redefine boundaries, we have also found that even
though customers may have been initially drawn to ComSmart because of
one, two or even a subset of specific features, as well as their
perception of what they were getting for the price, they have begun
using ComSmart in unforseen ways as their familiarity and
understanding of the product has increased.
As far as the autodialing capability of ComSmart is concerned, we are
aware of ComSmart being used for both lead-generation, and for
appointment confirmation/delivering notifications to contacts known to
the ComSmart owner (and who have been pre-advised that they will be
contacted in this way).
Most purchasers of ComSmart to date are either using it with the
Phonerider USB telephony device, or are awaiting delivery of the new
Way2Call Hi-phone desktop USB from Exceletel (Way2Call's distributor
in the US). The Hi-phone desktop USB retails for $349 and is designed
to be functionally equivalent to the Phonerider USB. There aren't many
users of ComSmart with voice modems - we have not 'hard wired'
ComSmart to particular voice modems and have purposely not promoted it
for use with voice modems.
On my laptop at home, I have ComSmart, Voiceguide and Leadseeker
installed, all 3 of which I use for different purposes and with all
sincerity I can tell you that when I have demoed these applications to
people, and they witness it all working perfectly with their own two
eyes and ears on a laptop, with just a Phonerider device plugged into
an analog phone line, and a headset attached to the device, they are
flabbergasted - without fail. The device responds to all line events
quickly, accurately and consistently. Beholding this configuration in
action makes such a POWERFUL promotional case for both the
applications and this kind of purpose-built telephony device. A number
of these people have subsequently gone and got Phoneriders on the
strength of this experience, when initially they had no intention of
spending that kind of money on top of whatever voice modem they
happened to have. We are yet to encounter anyone who has made the leap
of faith, purchased the device, who has then regretted the decision.
The momentum of this transition will only build going forward, as
awareness increases-.
By the way, the Voiceguide is a fantastic IVR and multi-box voicemail
service creation application (services are graphically constructed on
the screen - there is no need to do any programming) and services can
range from simple to extremely complex - limited only by your
imagination. Go to to www.katalina.com.au to have a look, and if
you're interested in downloading a trial copy.
Q. So, how do I set up the Phonerider and ensure it is working
properly?
A. Unlike voice modems and the majority of high-end telephony cards,
the Phonerider USB is essentially plug n play. Prior to the device's
release, Mediaphonics used the ComSmart application to prove the
Phonerider USB and prepare it for commercial distribution because this
application was the only single line application which harnessed
virtually every capability of the device. As far as setting up the
device goes and ensuring it is functioning properly, here's a
checklist. What you need are the following items:
Mediaphonics PhoneRider USB Telephony Device (of course)
1 USB Cable
1 telephone handset cable
1 suitable power supply
1 plug for DC IN
latest PhoneRider Win98 and Win2000 drivers
You will require an external 9V DC, 1 AMP power supply. If you have
bought the Phonerider USB device in the US and are using it in the US,
the power supply which comes with the device is fine and you don'tneed
to modify it in any way.
If however the power supply is not appropriate for the line voltage /
wall pin config of your country, or you didn't get a power supply with
the device when you bought it, you'll have to source one. It should be
readily obtainable though. Just make sure it is 9V DC, 1 AMP. Simply
obtain a plug which fits theDC IN socket at the back of the
Phonerider, and solder it to the DC leads of the power supply.
Polarity: the tip of the plug is positive,and the ring of the plug is
negative. (You could cut off the plug attached to the US power supply
if it came with the Phonerider, and solder it to your power supply).
Once the power supply is prepared, plug into the DC IN socket at back
of PhoneRider. Plug one end of the USB cable into the USB socket
ofPhoneRider, and the other end to your PCs USB socket. Plug your
phoneline into the socket marked Line at back of PhoneRider.It is
optional to connect a telephone handset into the socket marked
Telephone on the PhoneRider. If you do plug one in using the supplied
handset cable, you will find that on-hook and off-hook of the handset
sychronizes with activation and deactivation of the ComSmart on-screen
dialpad.
A telephony headset such as the Plantronics LS1 dual-ear unit is
recommended. Cheap, multimedia headsets are no good, and there is also
no need to go overboard and purchase so called call center grade
headsets which retail upwards of $70. Sound quality for both recording
through the mic and full-duplex speech is simply superb with such a
unit. Plug it into the SPK and MIC sockets onthe front of the
PhoneRider. Latest drivers for the device can be downloaded from the
www.iballcom.com website (go to Resources page and scroll down to
where the PhoneRider is shown -the links to the drivers are adjacent
to the picture).
Once you've hooked up the device to the PC and phone line and switched
on, download the approriate driver and follow all prompts during the
driver installation process. Don't even try to run ComSmart until you
pass all the test screens and the PhoneRider driver is correctly
installed. The only test you can omit is Handset-Telephone testing if
you have not connected anything to the phone socket! Double check that
the Phonerider driver you have installed is the correct one for your
OS - Win98 SE or Win2000 (SP2 or prior ideally). The OCCASIONAL glitch
has been observed when Phonerider is set up with Win2000 Service Pack
3 and is running 24x7. Make sure you are running your OS with Admin
Rights. If you pass the Phonerider installation tests, install
ComSmart (download the Full Installation Pack from the ComSmart site
and install. Then, download the Update file and install to your
ComSmart directory).
Once done, follow the instructions PRECISELY as given in theComSmart
Helpfile under section - Working with ComSmart>Setup>QuickSetup>Setup
Tips>Expand All (refer you to the data under both General and Audio).
Follow the audio config. checks and tests. You should be able to
clearly hear test greetings play over PC speakers and headset when you
press the green arrows (ie no distortion whatsoever).
iBall Communications give the following information about
troubleshooting:
"If you experience any problems with setup, first let us know what is
listed under Available Features of Selected Device. Simply transcribe
this to email. If ComSmart is running please go to Help -> View System
Information ->Right Click on the sysinfo part of screen -> Copy to
Clipboard. Paste this information to email and send it to us. This
systems information tells us about the components of your system and
how your environment is set up. We will analyze and advise.
Note that the following can all have an effect: RAM in your system.
How many colors are set in your system. Free disk space. Any
Multimedia hardware installed in your system (eg TV cards, DVD's etc.)
Also note that the OPTIMAL PC for ComSmart is a brand-name, clean,
complete, relatively recent machine running Windows 2000 SP2, with a
decent soundcard. A minimum PIII processor and 128 MB RAM will be
fine. ComSmart can of course be used on both desktop and laptop
machines with the Mediaphonics Phonerider USB"
Becoming familiar with all capabilities of the device through
ComSmart:
ComSmart is THE showcase for what a desktop telephony application and
telephony device can do together! By following this suggested
sequence, you will familiarize yourself with both the capabilities
ofthe ComSmart application and the Phonerider USB device in the most
efficient and effective way. Refer to the Helpfile where appropriate:
-populate the address book with contacts details, and make at least
afew of these contacts favourites-in the message manager, record
personal greetings and rings
-assign the personal rings and greetings to the contacts
-assign general, blocked, out of area and undefined call rings and
greetings
-put WAV, mp3 files in the relevant directory and place a CD in thePC,
and check that ComSmart's media player can play those files locally
over the PC's speakers when the switch on main panel is flicked to
WAV/mp3 files or CD tracks-check that the answering machine announces
the call, plays personalized greetings and records and labels messages
correctly, and automatically hangs up correctly when the caller
terminates the call.
-try a Call Back, where you specify in setup that when comsmart
receives a certain number of messages, it should automatically call
your mobile phone and play you those messages (in call modes select
number of messages before notification, tick skip password and put in
phone number for Call Back). When the requisite number of messages is
left, ComSmart will pop up the queue manager and it will count down to
the call out event. Then you should see ComSmart dial the number, and
launch the call to your mobile. Your mobile will ring, you will take
call, and ComSmart will say YOU HAVE NEW MESSAGES...PRESS 1 TO
LISTEN.You press 1 and ComSmart will play you those messages, after
which you will be given the option to use remote codes to continue. At
this point, press 02 to listen to old messages and recorded
conversations,03 to listen to CD tracks etc.-try using remote codes
this way: call into ComSmart when it is set to answering machine from
your mobile. ComSmart will announce the call in the usual way and when
it starts playing you the personal greeting you have set up for calls
from your own mobile, punch in the Administrator Remote PIN such as
*123* (set under Answering and Recording>Administrator Remote PIN).
ComSmart will say YOU HAVE FULLCONTROL - PLEASE PROCEED. At this stage
you can punch in 02 to listen to old messages and other codes to do a
variety of other things as set out in topic 'remote control' in
helpfile.
-record reminder messages in the Message Manager. go into the event
and task scheduler, set up some some events and assign the reminder
messages. Check that when the event is due, ComSmart pops up the queue
manager, counts down to the event and can both play the reminder
message through the PC's speakers, and can also automatically callyour
mobile (for example), ask you press 1, and then play you the reminder
message. Following the reminder message, ComSmart should ask you to
leave a message, and it should record your message. Check that
recurrence patterns you have set up are triggering the events and
notifications correctly every time, and in the case of an autodial,
ensure that ComSmart reschedules and tries again if you don't take the
call when your mobile rings.
-actually communicate real-time through ComSmart - launch a call by
clicking the phone icon against a number, put on headset and when the
remote party answers, speak as you would over the phone and observe
what is happening on the main screen. Press Record button to record
the conversation. Stop record. Place the recipient on hold by pressing
the hold button, and the action you have assigned for On Hold eg play
files to the party, CD tracks or silence should occur. Patch in audio
while conversing
- go into Message Manager while you are speaking,choose 'Played
Messages', select a message, choose Active playback device as
Phonerider USB adapter 2 Line and press play - both you and the
recipient at the other end of the line should then hear the old
recorded message you have chosen playing (and you can continue to talk
at the same time). When the call finishes, you should see the part of
your conversation which you recorded, sitting in the media player
ready for playing locally or being accessed remotely. Observe how the
call statistics and history manager shows the details of your inbound
and outbound, human and computer-generated calls.
-flick the switch on main panel to Call Service - IVR and operate
ComSmart in this mode.
So there you have it! Hope you find this information to be a valuable
resource.
-Suzie
laug...@e-mailanywhere.com (laughlin) wrote in message news: