Then, using the computer's modem dials the phone number, inserting the access code, if necessary. Dial '10-10' companies have grown rapidly in visibility and in number in recent years. These companies promise to lower the cost of long distance calls by 'dialing around' the regular long distance company. The companies are accessed by first dialing a 7 digit code. These structures are based on the time the call is made, how long you talk, where you are calling from and calling to.
Some companies also charge a monthly minimum.
The rates and the promotions change so often that keeping track of the best deals can be a mind-numbing task. Using its own database, which can be updated over the Internet, CallWatch sorts through dozens of individual rates to select the best rate for the call about to be made. Reports are available to provide the user with a summary of the total length and cost of calls for each carrier and show the details of each individual call. CallWatch includes an easy to use contact manager that keeps track of names, addresses and phone numbers and can exchange information with Microsoft Outlook. Beagle Software designs and distributes Windows-based utilities that bring the power of the Internet to the desktop of the user.