Auto Dial Control File Maintenance

Auto Dial Control File Maintenance can be found on the Sales Management File Maintenance menu, 3-10.  A different version of the same program is also found in the Tele-Sales, Contracts, and Collections modules.

 

The auto-dial feature is available in the Contact Entry programs found in the Tele-Sales, Collection, and Sale Management modules.  The auto-dial feature is also available in Enter Meter Readings.  This feature replaces the need for the operator to dial the phone number to contact the customer for the meter reading.  The dial command is given and the call is made through a modem connection.  There is required operator set up to use this feature.  The set up functions are shared by all of the programs that have the auto-dial feature.  Thus, activating the feature for one module basically activates it for all of the modules.  This also means changing any of the fields through the Contract module affects the auto-dial feature being used in any of the other modules.

 

For those of you already using auto-dial in the other modules, the Auto-Dial Control File is already set up and activated.  If the auto-dial has never been used at your site in any of the modules, there is needed assistance from the LMS Support Department prior to implementation of the feature. This includes defining the hardware and software needed to use auto-dial.  There is a nominal fee for this implementation.  The connections to the modem varies based on whether a PC or a CRT is used.  Thus, even after the initial set up for one module, there may be additional charges to activate the feature for more operators in other modules.

 

The first step to activate the feature is to contact the LMS Support Department.  They deal with the hardware requirements.  In order for the program to function with auto- dial, the feature must be activated in the Auto-Dial Control File.  The LMS Support Department needs to assist you in the proper set up of the Auto-Dial Control File.

 

Enter Data

 

Upon entry to the program, the cursor is at the Fld. prompt.  If auto-dial is already activated at your site, the fields 1 through 3 are already set up.  Changing them is allowed, but this affects the other operators using the auto-dial feature in the other modules, which are Tele-Sales, Contract, and Collections.  If auto-dial has never been used at your site, all four fields must be filled in.  Entering a field number displays the New Data prompt.  An up arrow at New Data returns to the Fld. prompt.  A slash at Fld. or New Data cancels any of the changes made and exits the program.

 

 

Field 1. Modem Control Characters:

 

This field is used to define the appropriate modem commands needed to dial out of the system.  This varies based on your phone system.  The LMS Support Department assists you in the proper set up.  If this is left blank and an attempt is made to use auto-dial in the programs, the feature is not functional.  (50 Alphanumeric)

 

2. Seconds To Wait For 'Pick Up The Telephone' Message (ex: 5.5 secs = 55):

 

This field is used to store the number of seconds delay between the system dialing the phone number and the message Pick Up The Telephone displaying.  Thus, the field represents the amount of time needed for the modem to dial the telephone number.  This wait period must be at least 2 seconds and no more than 20 seconds.  If a number is entered outside of this range, the message Dialing Wait Must Be At Least 2 Seconds And No More Than 20 Seconds appears.  The cursor returns for re-input.  A good time has been 3 seconds, but you may need to experiment with this.  (Enter 20 to equal 2.0 or 2 seconds - 20 - 200)

 

Enter Data  (Cont’d)

 

 

3. Seconds To Wait Before Modem Leaves The Line (ex: 5.5 secs = 55):

 

This field is used to store the number of seconds delay before the modem leaves the line.  This is the amount of time the operator has to pickup the line before the line goes dead.  This wait period must be at least 2 seconds and not more than 60 seconds.  If a number is entered outside this range, the message Answering Wait Must Be At Least 2 Seconds And No More Than 60 Seconds appears.  The cursor returns for re-input. A good time has been 7 seconds, but you may need to experiment with this.

(Enter 20 to equal 2.0 or 2 seconds - 20 - 600)

 

Following is a completed Auto-Dial Control File.

 

Sales Management