SCOUG OS/2 For You - June 1997

InfoOnCall

by Terry Warren

It's always refreshing to find a software product which is designed to run exclusively on the OS/2 platform and for that reason alone is worth trying. However, it's an added bonus when the program targets a specific application area in an intelligent and flexible manner. InfoOnCall by TTC Computer Products meets both criteria and should be seriously considered by anyone looking for a combination voice-messaging, message response and automated fax product for a home or small business environment at a reasonable price.

Basics

In the current version there are about 50 card types ranging in scope from simple functions (answering the phone, hanging up, playing a voice file, etc.) to complex (accepting keypad input and branching, executing a program, collecting a set of documents and then faxing them, error handling, etc.). All in all, it seems like a very complete set.

The other resource needed for the program is voice files. These files typically will contain instructions to the caller as to what the currently running application can do, its menu choices (if applicable), other reference material, and the ability for the caller to record responses and messages (if appropriate).

As a user of the system, you create applications (or "scripts") by combining several card types (referencing your pre-recorded messages) to provide the desired overall flow. Each card performs a specific function. The cards are executed in sequential order unless execution of a card causes a branch to occur (yes, this system does support GOTO).

Because of the nature and complexity of supported functions, the system requires (in addition to a real multitasking stable operating system, i.e. OS/2) top end voice modem hardware. Currently there are two versions of InfoOnCall, one of which works with IBM Mwave modems and the other with voice/fax modems built around the Cirrus chipset; the review copy is the Mwave version.

Installation

Installation consists of two parts: modem drivers and application programs. In my case, I did not need to install the drivers since I had added Mwave modem and MM support when I initially installed OS2 itself. The application diskettes (all three of them) installed easily (once I realized that they were numbered incorrectly!). The amount of disk space required for the full product is about 3.5MB (most of which is pre-recorded messages of various types); total install time was approximately 5 minutes.

The program uses audio compression techniques unique to the Mwave modem when creating voice files. The installation performs an appropriate OS/2 registration of this file type to allow automatic association with the Mwave MM drivers (which means that double-clicking on any of these files will "play" the file properly and also that they can be used by any other MM-enabled applications).

Using

You can also open up the InfoOnCall editor directly from the IOC folder created by the installation. This editor allows you to edit a script, execute a script, change the configuration parameters, view online help and more. The editor is used primarily during development and testing of new scripts.

To get familiar with the system, I first ran some simple tests using the sample provided scripts. One of the learning experiences is trying to figure out how to test these scripts when you don't have (at least) two phone lines. When you open the script, one of the editor's menu options is "execute." This item allows the script to be tested in either of two modes: "outside line" or "local test." The latter mode simulates receiving a phone call and continues the script. You can use a telephone handset attached to the modem to respond to keypad entry requests and exercise the script in as much detail as desired.

A detailed log file can also be enabled. When a script is executed, this logfile will receive status data for each card as the card is processed. It logs the card number, description, interaction, etc. and is useful in debugging more complex scripts.

The next step was to create a new script. I spent about twenty minutes producing the simple help-response script shown below.

This script performs as follows:

•   answers phone
•   increments and saves a script variable to track how many phone calls have been received (this is persistent, ie saved across script invocations)
•   announces the call number
•   provides a menu of available options
•   waits for caller to choose an option using their telephone keypad plays pre-recorded message depending on which option was chosen (in a "real" system, this would be replaced by a more elaborate set of choices/responses)
•   asks caller if they want to leave a message and records message if so
•   hangs up
•   repeat above steps

Building a script is straightforward; the majority of the work is in conceptualizing the script flow (I did this by writing out a simple flowchart) and recording the various messages on which the script depends. The flowchart is used to identify the "cards" that need to be in the script and assign numbers to them. Then, using the script editor, create the card definitions and you're ready to test. A card is defined by using the New button. For the card, you pick its type from a drop-down menu list, add a number and create it. Then you can edit it to fill in specific parameters for the card type.

This shows a sample card edit dialog

In this case, the card edit dialog is for the card that plays the options menu and waits on user keypad input. To map the keypad input keys to card numbers, use the "Keypad" button in this edit dialog and you will get the keypad mapping dialog. In this dialog, enter the card numbers for each card that corresponds to a valid keyed input.

This is a sample of the keypad mapping dialog

I also created a few more complicated scripts which exercised some additional functionality. One of these allowed me to phone in, enter a password and then be able to perform any of the following functions:

•   retrieve voice mail
•   retrieve fax documents
•   record a message and have the system then telephone a list of phone numbers and deliver the message to each
•   have the system fax a document to a list of fax phone numbers
•   execute a program on the computer (OS/2 or DOS)
•   store the callerID of the phone from which I am calling

Although the program provides a very usable set of functions (card types), there are a few enhancements that might make it even more powerful. There did not appear to be a way to create a new script; rather I had to copy an existing one and then edit it; this is an annoyance (how to do this might be covered in the hardcopy documentation, see below).

It would be nice to have an API for the program itself so that its functions could be invoked directly from other application programs. Also, the ability to dynamically override system configuration parameters from within the script would be helpful. This would, for example, allow you to record longer messages from specific callers (such as yourself). Being able to directly invoke operating system functions (or even REXX DLL entry points) would be useful (currently you are limited to running a command file or program, but without any interaction to the program).

Documentation, help, support

Summary

The reviewed version is available from the vendor, TTC Computer Products at 3244 Skyway Circle, Suite 102, Irving TX 75038. They can be contacted at 214-594-8103, FAX 214 255-3174, email ttc@gte.net. Their website is