Recently I got an inquiry about writing an IVR Application in C++ from a beginner. And I remembered how I struggled to find some resources or simple, easy-to-understand source codes to get started! Finally I gave up of finding any such C/C++ resources and worked really hard to read the sample source codes bundled with Dialogic System Release! So, I thought I should try to write step by step instructions to write a simple IVR application for a beginner just to play a WAV file when a caller calls the IVRS number. ( There are many tools to develop IVRS, but writing IVR Application in C++ has many advantages!)

Hardware and Software Tools Requirement:
1. PC with minimum one PCI Slot free.
2. Dialogic D4 PCI board.
3. MS Windows XP operating System installed in the PC
4. MS Visual Studio C++ 6.0 ( comes with MS Visual Studio 6.0)
5. Dialogic System Release 5.11 or 6.0
6. Dialogic Global Call protocol 3.0 or higher. GC 4.0 is bundled with Dialogic System Release 6.0.

1. Once you have acquired the above, you need to install the Dialogic D4 PCI board in the free PCI slot of the PC, then switch on the PC. Windows XP may pop up a window informing a new device found. I normally ignore the pop up and click on the cancel button.

2. Insert the Dialogic System Release CD. It should start installing the System Release Software automatically. If it does not, I go look for the SETUP.EXE and double click on it. One may even download the Dialogic System Release Software from Dialogic website. I normally ask the vendor to provide me link to download from whom I buy the Dialogic Board.

3. I select complete install and tick everything! While doing it might complaint some SNMP board found, I just click OK! After it is successfully installed, Windows XP installs its driver in pop up window! You do not need to do anything there!

4. It will ask for rebooting the System. Just reboot.

5. Now, after the reboot, go to program files, Dialogic System Release, and then click Configuration Manager – DCM.

6. It should start trying to detect the Dialogic D4 PCI board! If it detects, it will show up if not, your bad luck, you may have to redo STEP #2 through #5 after uninstalling it!

7. If the D4 PCI board is detected successfully, just start the board by clicking the GREEN Play Button! It will take some time to start and it may sometime give error in starting too! Normally I right click on the D4 PCI board and then click on the Restore Default option and it normally starts successfully after that. On successful start, the GREEN Play button become inactive and STOP button will turn RED and become active!

After successful completion of this 7 steps, you may now think of writing your IVR application! Just to remind, you must always start DCM ( Dialogic Configuration Manager) before you attempt to run your application.

Part II will come soon.

CTI, IVR, CTI Board, IVRS

Synway has entry level 4 port CTI Board. The special feature about his board is, it is connected to PC through USB port. It simply means, you can now have IVR Software demo ready on your laptop!

This module looks like a Modem and most probably easiest to install. Unlike PCI based board like Dialogic D4 PCI or Digium AEX 410, where PC is required to be opened and inserted on it PCI slots, this module does not require you to open your PC as it is connected through USB.

It can be used in 4 Port IVR Application. It has all required features to build an intelligent IVRS. Few important features are:

1. USB1.1 Bus Support
Includes USB1.1 bus; supports hot-swap and PNP (plug and play) features; provides portable application and easy installation without the need for any external power supply when it serves as a virtual phone or uses trunk channels.

2.Various CODECs Support
Offers a large selection of voice CODECs, including G711 A-Law, μ-Law, Linear PCM, IMA-ADPCM, MP3 and VOX.

3.Hardware Serial Number & Authorization Code Identification Circuit
Each voice box has a unique hardware serial number and an authorization code identification circuit, designed for software safety. Users can apply to our company for an exclusive authorization code.

4. Realtime Analog Line Voltage Detection
Determines whether the phone line is broken and judges the pickup/hangup behavior of the phone on a same line.

5. Calling party info (Caller ID) detection/transmission, DTMF and FSK support; adopts the echo cancellation algorithm conforming to the telecom standard; supports the Barge-in feature for IP phone application and speech recognition.

For more information about this card,  Download SHT-4B/USB.