Caller ID Deluxe? Computer database software 2

[ngkatsaras]

We have an OLD Merlin Legend and recently upgraded from T1 to a PRI with Global Crossing. Now we have Caller ID to every phone, but it's not Caller ID Deluxe... it doesn't show the name of the caller.

According to Global Crossing and our phone technician, our system does not support the Deluxe (Names) part.

I would appreciate any additional info regarding this and if there are any workarounds.

What is it that is not supporting the CID Deluxe? Is it the PRI or is it our Merlin Legend? If we upgrade our phone system, will we then be able to get Deluxe?

Is there anything I can plug into my phone, I have an MLX-20L with a DDS port on the bottom, or a way to connect to my desktop computer, some software database that I can input contacts into so it pops up on my screen the info? I seem to recall Goldmine being able to do that... but that's an expensive system. I just want a single user program that will work on my computer. Or ideally just a little Caller ID Deluxe type box that I can plug into the phone and program the names in, associated with the phone numbers.

Thanks

 

[merlinman]

Neither Merlin LEGEND nor Merlin MAGIX PRI supports Caller ID with NAME.

NUMBER ONLY, sorry.

Yes, Goldmine & Act (as I recall) Could allow you to develope your own Number to Name Database, and pop it up on your Computer Screen.

However, That would require either a PASSAGEWAY Direct Connect or a PASSAGEWAY Telephony Server application.

There is a "GOTCHA" with each of these solutions however.

Direct connect works for 1 person at 1 phone with 1 computer, BUT they stopped developing the software for it at Windows 98. I have not been able to get mine to work on Windows XP.

Telephony Server requires an EICON Board and some rather expensive software to link the output to your local area network.

 

[ngkatsaras]

Thanks, I appreciate your information.

This sounds like a great opportunity for a programmer to make a lot of money. If someone would come up with a relatively inexpensive software solution, like maybe $50, I'm sure there would be a great demand for it!

Honestly, I know a little about programming and it seems like this should be a relatively easy thing to do. It doesn't need to be so complicated.

All we need is something that ties into the phone and outputs the Caller ID number from the digital display via serial or USB port to the computer, then all the computer needs is a SIMPLE database, all I need is Name and Phone number. But heck, why not integrate it with Outlook Contacts.

 

[bettyr]

I wrote a VB program back in 1999 that would interface a Win98 machine using Passageway Direct Connect (MLX phone with bridged appearences) running a server app and pass the ANI to a client apps using IP.

If anyone would like to download the code, reply back here.

 

[phonesrus]

Merlinman
On XP you can make a program developed for Win95 thru 2k run in a compatibility mode.
Find the executable or Setup for the program, right-click on it, and under properties go to the compatibility tab, choose the OS it was designed for,click ok and you should have functionality of the program. Don't know if you have tried this, but I have made several programs from Lucent run successfully on my XP box.

 

[ngkatsaras]

bettyr,

I'm interested in the code, but I'm not sure exactly how to interface the phone with my computer/network..

I have an MLX-20L on my desk.. our receptionist has the MLX-28D, which I believe has that connection.

We also have MLX-10D phones.

Which phone would I need to get, that would have the proper connection (is this an RJ45 jack, for ethernet?)

Thanks,

Nick

 

[merlinman]

phonesrus

Have you ever tried it with PASSAGEWAY?

I confess, I have not, and I am so tied up, I know not when I can try.

I have thougt about it, but I was concerned that it was more of a DRIVER COMPATIBILITY ISSUE than an OS Issue.

bettyr

I'd be willing to bet there'd be a ton of folks interested in this. Am I correct in assuming it requires the EICON Board?

 

[phonesrus]

MM
That is the point of the compatibility issue, allowing '98 drivers to work on XP. And no, I have not tried it specifically. I have been able to get some 98 programs to run on XP compatible, that wouldn't even load from a CD
None of our customer base uses CTI on Legend/Magix anymore. Definity Conversant and IVR, yes; but that is usually handled by their in-house IT teams.
My point is that it should be possible to run Passageway on 2k or XP, if you can find the Eicon board and an App.