Telephony Products Enhance Convenience, Communication & Distance Learning (1996)

Telephones and POTS (plain old telephone service) lines are one of the most-used technologies in existence, but probably the least appreciated. But now, with the proliferation of interactive voice response (IVR) applications and the move toward computer telephony integration (CTI) in consumer and commercial PCs, this 120-year-old technology is gaining, if not a new-found respect, at least a new appreciation of its capabilities. What this means for the educational arena is that applications only dreamed of by institutions, as well as applications and services that only large institutions could previously afford, are now available to basically anyone who has an IBM-compatible computer and access to a POTS line. * Voice Processing Proliferates Voice processing is the broadest category of telephony products that can be used in education. Applications and services range from simple automated call forwarding to complete systems designed for large institutions. Features that are pretty much standard for all of the products mentioned include voicemail boxes; message storage and retrieval; IVR functions such as homework hotlines; and automated attendant, or answering and transferring of calls. There are four common types of voice processing packages: software-based applications for use on PCs that have a Voice Processing card installed; bundles that include the software and hardware needed to set up a PC to be a voice server; complete systems preassembled by the company and installed at the school; and services that require no special hardware and are operated by the service provider. Some require specific PBXs and telephones to operate; however, most of the services and products will work with virtually any PBX and POTS line. Orion Telecom offers VoiceFX, a software/hardware combination that can answer up to four lines simultaneously on a single computer, with an unlimited amount of mailboxes that are user-configurable. Available in DOS and Windows versions, program files are interchangeable between versions, giving users an easy path when upgrading. The program is highly flexible and can be set up as a simple answering machine, a fax-on-demand system or a voicemail system. The VoiceFX card that comes with the package includes a fax/data modem offering speeds up to 57,600 bps throughput and is compatible with most communications programs. Talking Technology, manufacturers of Voice Ranger voice processing cards, gave its Voice Window the ability to be customized by using the included Programmer's Toolkit. Voice Window supports up to 16 ports of voice processing, and comes bundled with a two-port voice board, software, programmer's toolkit, speaker and manual. The Windows version can be run in the background; a flowchart building process simplifies voicemail and IVR application design. PhoneMaster, by U.S. Telecom, can function as a Student/Parent/ Staff information center, automatically calling and notifying parents of absentees or tardiness, grades, homework assignments, school events and other important issues. Requiring only an IBM-compatible computer and a POTS line, the package can utilize information from existing databases, or information can be entered manually. The system also supports full remote control operation from any touch-tone telephone and lets the system operator remotely record messages, create or delete call lists, change start/stop times, and turn autocalling on/off. AVA Technology's AVA-200 SchoolMate Automated Attendant and Voice Processing System is compatible with Centrex and over 180 existing PBXs. The system is administered via computer or touchtone phone and provides inter-school messaging for board members and administrators, student absentee notification, homework hotline, emergency school closure notification, internal messaging for faculty, athletic/extracurricular activities schedules, and cafeteria menus. …