Dialogic HMP ( Host Media Processing) does not require any introduction to the community of IVR developers. HMP is now part of Dialogic PowerMedia Product Family and is now known as Dialogic PowerMedia Host Media Processing Software (PowerMedia HMP). It has been one of the most used API for developing Dialogic Based large voice applications. One of the biggest advantage HMP is, one does not require any hardware to develop the voice application and to test by using SIP protocol.

We are assuming Dialogic HMP for Windows Operating System. Dialogic provides free license for few ports for development of voice or other Applications which can be used.

What you need to start developing your first IVR application using

Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 are good and stable operating system from Microsoft which works very well with Dialogic HMP. Once can download FREE HMP Software from Dialogic website. The link for downloading HMP software can be found here.

Apart from HMP Software, you will need C++ compiler. One can use Express Edition from Microsoft Website. In order debug and make test call, one should download Wireshark as well as Kapanga Softphone. Kapanga Softphone is easy and requires minimal configuration for using it.

Wireshark can be used to trace and store any data exchanged over Network card on the PC which gives useful information about call setting up, dialing IP, dialed IP, username, port etc.

Installing and Configuring HMP Software

Installing HMP is quite easy. I normally tick everything when it HMP Setup asks for which modules to install and install everything.

Once installation is complete, one should activate the built in single port license. If one has used all default options during installation, one can visit START->ALL PROGRAMS->DIALOGIC HMP->HMP LICENSE MANAGER. It will open a license file by default and one just needs to click on the Activate button and follow instruction!

One needs simply to open START->ALL PROGRAMS->DIALOGIC HMP->CONFIGURATION MANAGER – DCM and right click on the HMP_Software #0 in slot 0/65535 ( or similar ) and click on the Restore Default Option. After that, start the DCM and you are ready to use HMP Driver!

How to Test if HMP is working or not

Easiest way to test HMP is running the IP Media Server demo application that is built in HMP installation and it should be available in C:\Program Files\Dialogic\HMP\demos\IPMediaServer\Release\ with the name of IPMediaServer.exe. Just execute this applicaion by double clicking it and it should display Windows Command prompt, and last line should look something like

CIPDevice::processEvent -> receive GCEV_UNBLOCKED on :N_iptB1T1:P_IP:M_ipmB1C1

Now, you may open Kapanga Softphone in the same machine where you are testing HMP or another machine on the same LAN.

Just type the IP of the HMP Machine and click on Line1 button, You should instantly hear “Main Menu, for voice mail press one blah, blah”

Once you hear it, you are ready to start your own code!

The second part is coming soon!

Without doubt, interactive voice response (IVR) has become the ubiquitous technology in telecommunications applications. IVR solutions have a myriad of uses that are mostly taken for granted, however, the essence of an IVR system is its ability to offer ‘self-service’ for the user, thus it can help to reduce cost and improve the customer experience.

Since introducing the world’s first ‘all-in-one’ voice board in 1998, Aculab has been setting the standard of enabling technology components – e.g., CTI cards – for IVR applications. Whatever your needs for advanced IVR functionality, Aculab has the media processing technology and APIs – voice, fax, call progress, etc. – to drive your success.

Beneficially, Aculab is able to offer a choice; from its range of IP-centric, DSP-based Prosody X boards to its host-based (SoftDSP or HMP) option, Prosody S. And you can use Prosody X for converged or mixed IP/TDM environments, where you still need E1 or T1 PSTN connectivity.

Additionally, Aculab\’s VoiceXML/CCXML interpreter set offers a powerful and scalable design option for platform vendors and service providers alike. It is the fastest, most cost-effective, high performance solution available today, which is an effective combination in any language.

IVR system features and capacities vary depending on the market segments they target. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) may look to enhance their IP-PBX with an IVR-based auto-attendant using Prosody S, while larger companies will require a Prosody X board-based solution for a hybrid contact centre or voice portal, perhaps also using automatic speech recognition (ASR) and text-to-speech (TTS). Carriers and service providers need IVR to provide a wide range of subscriber messaging and large scale, hosted or VAS and mobile VAS service offerings. And, undoubtedly, TEMs (of all descriptions; Tier 1, Tier 2, etc.) and platform vendors supplying these user communities will also benefit from Aculab’s board and software options.

Check out Aculab at http://www.aculab.com/solutions/IVR-solutions.asp