Wanted: BCMS-Vu parallel port key!

[mmcalli]

Does anybody have a 5 or 10 user Parallel port key that they are interested in selling? This could be from someone that migrated from BCMS to full blown CMS.
The 1 user key just doesn't cut it. Any other good ways to do real-time monitoring of skills/agents? I'm looking at the N-Focus product now, but wonder what other cost-effective options are out there. Thanks fro your thoughts.

 

[PBXJay]

Not a great suggestion but did it at my last job-too cheap to spring for the 5 user...

If you have c-lan connection...
Give the person in question DSA/ASA have then use it in GEDI mode, if they are only monitoring. Set them up with a user name that is restriced by what commands they can use. This will let one user log on using the 1 key for bcms, and another can use the Gedi and issue the command to monitor the spit. I believe it will let 5 connections at same time (one being the rs232 connection to the admin consul if you have one)

It worked but they were not happy that they didn't have all the functionality of the software with the canned reports etc...
-Jay

 

[mmcalli]

PBXJay,
Yeah, I've done that already. Thanks for the input though. The problem is the 5 connection limit into the Prologix. BCMS-Vu needs 1, I WANT two, and I've got 4 department managers that need visability into their groups--and others that want it. Besides sales and support groups at our main location, we've got call centers in Davis, CA and Sofia, Bulgaria connected to our switch via MCK's that need the visability. I figure the 5 user BCMS-Vu would do it along with a couple ASA connections but the 10 user BCMS-Vu would be ideal. Any more creative ideas?

 

[Blueline]

I have a 5 user key and the R2 software, all unopened and unused.
System was ordered with CMS, delivered with BCMS but resolved before installation.
Still have BCMS.

 

[TheTiGuR]

Blueline

Do you still have the key, and if so, how much are you willing to part with it for? If more appropriate to contact me through e-mail, please do so at:
csimiskey at westhost dot com

I am in the process of setting up call stats but am missing this piece of hardware. I am looking into other alternatives, such as tri-line's software, but I am more familiar with BCMS vu having used it at a previous company. Thank you for your time.

 

[mmcalli]

Can you give more info on what Tri-line has to offer?

 

[TheTiGuR]

Tri-line is setup to use quite a few different phone systems and can connect either through the equivalant of the DCE port on the definity or if you have a CLAN card or equivalent IP access. So far I have been impressed with them, the support has been great and getting a 14-day free trial to make sure everything works is quite nice as well. I have had problems in testing with my laptop and they are making sure that once all the hitches get worked out that I still get a full 14-day trial. The price is reasonable as compared to other solutions at somewhere around $2100 USD. I would recommend at least checking them out if you are still looking for a solution.

 

[mmcalli]

TiGuR,
Are you referring to TIM Professional from

http://www.tri-line.co.uk/

?
If so, this looks like a nice Call Accounting system but I don't see anything there that would enhance/replace BCMS Vu.
If not, please provide a link or contact info for the product your referring to.
Anybody else know of replacements or alternatives to BCMS Vu?

 

[TheTiGuR]

mmcalli,

Yes, that is the package I am referring to. For me, I am not enhancing or replacing anything, I am starting from scratch, so it should work well for me. I generally prefer to go with solutions from the same company, but from what I have found, TIM Pro seems to have more value for my CEO's dollar. We may grow out of it, but for now it looks to be a good base to start of.

 

[mmcalli]

I'm getting ready to purchase Tapit from Trisys. They have a particular report that breaks out the outbound and inbound calls for each Sales agent--who is supposed to make 75 outbound calls/day. The web interface of TIM looks much better than Tapit's though. BCMS Vu is geared more toward gathering metrics on your call center operations--especially inbound. It's other main use is to drive a wallboard display that gives Q status in near real time.
The N-Focus program does the same basic stuff as BCMS Vu but allows you to access the information via web pages through a Tomcat webserver. I believe the newer BCMS's allow for this but not the ver 2.12?? we're running.
BOL with your application.

 

[Jolagues]

thanks for the info on N-Focus it looks like a great program

José

Please let me know if this was helpful

 

[mmcalli]

An update on our InFocus experience.
It was helpful in the fact that it got rid of the concurrent user limits with BCMS-Vu and uses Java web pages that don't require a client install, but the version I tried was pretty immature. No ability for sorting your lists of VDN's, Agents, etc. so they displayed in random or as added order, so it was a pain to find things. Also seemed slow on refresh rates (20sec). It looks like they have a newer version but I haven't tried it yet. Our salesguy was helpful and nice but I didn't experience a mature support team. I also discovered that once I had it installed and running and had expressed interest in it--the initial pricing I had been quoted before I installed it was no longer valid. Of course, it was several months after the quote but I also felt that they used lower initial pricing to break down the barriers and get their foot in the door and once they knew I was interested--the price went up--and it wasn't cheap either. Just get a quote that your happy with that's good for several months and have management approval to move on it quicker than I was.
We wound up installing a MAPD board and purchasing the Intel Netmerge CPS API's for writing a dialer application, also in Java, so that gave us the ability to get and display ACD queue and agent info. The info refresh rate is faster via our method (ASAI MAPD--Intel API's) so we're happy. Trying to roll-your-own is not reccomended unless you have the programming resources and/or the CTI equipment in place already. Hope this helps.

 

[eseibert]

I have a 5 user license that we're not using since we've upgraded to CMS. Let me know if you're interested.

 

[mikewasser]

I have 2 10 user USB license keys for BCMS if anyone is interested.

 

[ADnashville]

My two cents to mmcalli;

We did, our company, purchase N-Focus [it's not InFocus as you incorrectly state] after a thorough trial. You must have trialed an older version based on your comments. With our configuration we currently get under a 3 sec refresh rate. I also checked out this company with a list of their users, and repeatedly heard the exact opposite on the support team. My personal experience has been exceptional service. As to cost, again I'm not sure where you are coming from. This product ended up being 1/3 less than what we had been considering to purchase, and there was no "bait and switch" like you claim to have experienced [there's got to be more to your story than your telling here].

For those of you who read these threads, and are in need of a good compliment to CMS or alternative to BCMR [BCMS-Vu], you need to check this company/product out for yourself. By the way, even some Avaya BP are promoting this solution.

AD

 

[Jolagues]

I agree with ADnashville

I have had nothing but good experiences with N-focus we have just recently purchased another N-focus set up for our new site. as far as pricing I did not experience a bait and switch and the pricing was well below that of BCMS vustats.

José

Please let me know if this was helpful