Part IV - Sample Application Guides

This section will provide several different flowcharts and examples of applications. Voicemail, datelines, information hotlines are just a few of the many possible applications of the Voice Service Bureau. You can pick one, or several. Multiple applications can be run on the same machine. You could easily have 4 phone lines, with line 1 answering as an office line, line 2 as a dateline, line 3 as a real estate search, etc.

Important: The initial box greeting that a caller hears when they call in is determined under Maintain, Switch, then double click on each individual line and enter the appropriate box number under 'destination'. Just be sure each line is pathed to the boxes you want the caller to hear. It is possible for any boxes created on the system to be accessed from any phone line - so the way you set up your boxes, and box numbers, will determine their availability to callers.

To avoid the callers objections about voice processing in general always keep your  questions to a minimal length. Ask generic questions so you will fit as many people as possible within the ranges of talking classifieds (screening capture/search boxes).

The software allows many privileges so new members joining the database can have access to functions ranging from minimal features to maximum. In other works, you can define that a first time caller gets 15 minutes of free access and is then blocked. Once they pay their bill, the system operator can upgrade the user's privilege remotely.

When callers enter their preferences for matches on real estate, dates, restaurants, etc. via touchtone, the system will limit the number of matches to a pre-set high or low. This should be observed to maximize the caller's throughput on the voice system.

In terms of fees, you can establish that clients have one week's worth of access for $10 or 4 weeks for $20. Remember that you have no costs in operating the business other than the fixed telephone line expense.

If you add the FaxTalker module, pictures of mailbox owners (not implemented) (or houses or cars) can be sent to those requesting them upon demand. Typically a member desiring to have their image added would mail a picture in for manual scanning. This maximizes the quality of the image. There are other ways like allowing the user himself to do this. However, this is risky and may yield poor results.

There are several ways for callers dialing in to be connected to clients outside the system. The first is using 3-way calling where the telephone company connects two parties over 1 line with flashhook. The second uses call bridging with two telephone lines when three-way calling service is not available from your local provider. Depending upon local phone rates it may be more practical to transfer the call rather than bridging or three-way. It all depends upon zone usage.

Sample Database Provided: script follows the diagram