COMET™ VoiceMail Automated Attendant
Dialogic based DOS Software
COMET is a full-featured multi-line Voice Mail, Automated Attendant
and Audiotex software system for DOS based Dialogic platforms.
You may actually be looking for a modern-day Voice Mail, Automated Attendant solution...
COMET is MS-DOS Based Software. We developed COMET back in the 1980's to run on MS-DOS based computer systems. If you are not familiar with MS-DOS or with systems using the Dialogic platform, this is probably not the solution you are looking for. We have many modern-day solutions for VoiceMail and Automated Attendant systems such as VoicePro Multi-line Phone System for in-house installation and the iTeleCenter Hosted PBX with toll-free number included.If you want a Dialogic/DOS solution, read on...
Good things don't go away. COMET used to sell for $500 per line when DOS was popular. Now get a trusted, well tuned, feature rich system, for a fraction of the original cost. As long as the demand is there, we'll continue to make it available for download. Now you get an eight-port system for only $99. Each additional four-port increment is $99. See System Requirements below for details of what you need to run COMET.COMET System Requirements
- An IBM compatible 286, 386, 486 or Pentium with one free ISA slot for 4 lines.
- Five megabytes of free hard drive space for program and data files.
- The computer needs only four megabytes RAM.
- One GigaByte of hard drive space provides 83 HOURS of recorded messages.
- MS-DOS version 5.0 or later, or Windows 95/98 booted in MS-DOS mode.
- Dialogic Voice Processing board as noted below.
COMET is MS-DOS based and requires a 386, 486 or Pentium computer that boots into DOS. Why MS-DOS? Because COMET is a multitasking application that handles up to 64 lines simultaneously, and it does its best when not being interrupted by the operating system for the processing of other tasks.
For systems over 12 lines, the computer needs a parallel port for a dongle (software lock). The hard drive holds one hour of recorded messages for each 12 megabytes. That's 83 HOURS of speech recording per GigaByte.
If you use COMET as an Automated Attandant or any type of call routing, in order to transfer calls the system must be installed behind a PBX or on lines that have three-way-calling such as Centrex. The system transfers calls to extensions or to outside numbers with a hook-flash, dialing sequence.
Phone Systems Supported
COMET is compatible with PBX's that support hook-flash transfer and DTMF (touch-tone) dialing, and have analog lines with standard touch-tone telephones.Dialogic Boards Supported
COMET works with the following Intel-Dialogic ISA boards:
D/21B, D/21D, D/41B, D/41D, Dialog/4 or a D/121B.
The 12 line D/121B requires an LSI/120 Loop Start interface with a Station Adapter providing 12 RJ-11 jacks. T1 interfacing for 24 lines requires two D/121B boards with a DTI/211 T1 interface board.
Quick Installation
You can quickly install COMET with its self guided installation program. And it's just as easy to change parameters with user-friendly maintenance menus!Integrated Modules
COMET is an integrated software package which contains modules for various applications and tasks.-
Voice Mail
Manages all telephone messages. Contains all major features found in other much more expensive voicemail systems, as listed below.
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Automated Attendant
Transfers calls to chosen extension and monitors for completion. If no answer, it plays a greeting and takes a message. Caller may select an extension or a menu option.
Example: "Hello. If you know the extension you want, enter it now, or press 1 for sales or 2 for tech support."
See below for complete Auto Attendant feature list.
Note: In order to transfer calls, the system must be installed behind a PBX or on lines that have three-way-calling such as Centrex. The system transfers calls to extensions or to outside numbers with a hook-flash, dialing sequence.
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TeleTree Menu System
Prompts caller for touch tone menu selections. Menu options can be used to select other menus or play recorded information.
Popular use: Interactive information, voice bulletin board, schedule of events, and directories.
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Voice On Demand
Lets you place announcements and/or prompts anywhere in a tree menu that you can change remotely via the supervisor's mailbox. -
Remote Call Routing
Transfers incoming calls to any location in the world. Actual number is programmed into the system and the caller does not need to know the number called.
Example: "Press 1 for sales, press 2 for tech department."
Note: In order to transfer calls, the system must be installed behind a PBX or on lines that have three-way-calling such as Centrex. The system transfers calls to extensions or to outside numbers with a hook-flash, dialing sequence.
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Name Directory
When a voicemail user records their name, they are automatically placed in the name directory. A caller can find anyone by entering the first three letters of their last name.
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Traffic Tracking
Provides call counts and length of time callers are on line.
Popular use: For system personnel to keep track of system utilization. Call counts for 900/976 services.
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Call Accounting and Billing
Shows the length of all calls, and if it was a user logon, announcement only, or notification (with the number called), and other information useful for billing purposes. -
Alternate Language
Lets a caller dynamically switch to an alternate language prompt file an any phone line without interfering with what language is being used on other lines. Any mailbox can also be specified to use an alternate language. -
Talking Classifieds
Browse and respond to mailbox greetings by category. This can be used to create Personal Ads, Dating Services, and Voice Classified Advertising . -
Utilities
COMET also contains a Utility Subsystem which is useful for enhanced applications development. You don't need to be concerned with this unless you have special custom requirements.
Easy System Maintenance
COMET comes with a menu driven utility program that allows setting and changing system parameters. This program has a built in context sensitive HELP feature. Press the [F1] key any time and on-screen help info guides you with the information you need. You don't have to spend time looking for the information in the manual. It's all there on the screen when you need it.Complete Documentation
The COMET Installation and Programming Manual
starts with a Quick Install section and includes sample screens with
details about proper Dialogic driver installation, a quick installation guide, how to use all the included subsystems, Applications Programming, Automated Attendant Menu Design, Voice Mail Programming, System Maintenance, Call Accounting Reports, Phone System Integration, Definition of Error Codes, and Advanced User Topics.
It also includes a Voice Mail User's Guide for all your voice mailbox users.
COMET includes all supporting material (software, drivers and manual) via the Internet so no shipping is required. The complete documentation is on-line so feel free to review it before you buy to be sure this is what you want.
If you prefer a printed manual, you can order our 308 Page printed Installation and Programming Manual for COMET direct from our publisher.
General Features
- Highest quality and competitive pricing
- Quick automated installation
- Easy menu driven customization
- Professional human speech voice prompts
- Knowledgeable customer support staff
- Expandable to 64 simultaneous phone lines
- Run several applications simultaneously
- Port specific or DID/DNIS specific applications
- Management Reports for call detail and system errors
- Detailed Installation and Users Manual
- Callers may override prompts
- Rotary callers may be transferred to operator
- Time of day and weekend modes
- Local Area Networks supported
- Graceful and immediate shutdown options
- Forgives and handles hardware failures
- Traffic and disk space reports over the phone
- Full features for a TAS environment
- Screen Display: Port activity, call log, disk usage, custom name.
- Reports: Inbound/outbound call accounting and billing
Trunk Types Supported
COMET interfaces with most PBX's and hybrid key systems and supports the following incoming line types...- Regular Home/Office Central Office lines
- Direct Inward Dialing (DID)
- T-1 DNIS (requires 24 line support)
- Centrex
- Three-Way-Calling
Voice Mail Features
- Mailboxes: Up to 10,000 with on-line new user tutorial for first time logon.
- Classes of service Up to 8.
- Class of Service Programming: Maximum messages and message length, retention period, enable options, Toll Saver.
- Message Types: Normal, urgent, broadcast, distribution, scheduled delivery, return receipt
- Mailbox Types: User box, administrator, message only, announcement only, custom interactive menu, distribution lists, debit mailbox.
- Message Playing Actions: Play, replay, pause, fast forward and rewind, save, skip, erase, reply, transfer (with or without comment), time/date/sender of message.
- Record Message Actions: Record, review, append, cancel, send, send urgent, send scheduled, send to many.
- Notification Types: Message notification, reminder and wakeup; Voice, digital and tone pagers, Sky Tel pagers; Direct page with callback number.
- Pager Notification: Pager notification can be specified for "urgent only" or for all messages. The pager will display the users voice mail box or phone number.
- User Mailbox Control Options: Password, name, greeting, message notification and wakeup contact number and time, language of prompts, debit usage time.
- Administrator Authorization: Security codes, callout areacodes per box, create and delete mailboxes via touch tone. Both system maintenance and voice mail maintenance are password protected.
Automated Attendant Features
- In-house supervised call transfers.
- Transfer calls to any requested extension.
- Up to four digit extension numbers.
- Up to 10,000 extensions.
- Privacy and Call screening.
- Voice mail for unanswered or busy extensions.
- Automatic Dial-By-Name Directory.
- Custom Operator Handling.
- Programmable audiotex for pseudo extensions.
- Programmable PBX parameters.
- Standard flash hook and touch tone control.
Remote Call Routing Features
- In-house or outside remote call transfers.
- Transfer calls to preprogrammed extensions.
- Up to 12 digit phone numbers.
- Long distance dialing strings.
- Conference outside transfers.
- Standard flash hook and touch tone control.
Custom Menu Features
- Add your own interactive menus with options that go to other menus, to Voice-On-Demand announcements, to other applications, or to voice mail.
- Time of day and weekend programming.
- Unrestricted number of menu categories.
- Log of caller responses.
- Change prompts and Voice-On-Demand remotely.
- Unique Applications per line or DID number.
Traffic Tracking Features
- Speaks call counts and length of calls.
- Speaks number of hangups.
- Speaks available message space.
- Speaks time remaining in debit mailboxes.
Full Telephone Answering Service (TAS) Support
If you are planning to run a voice mail answering service, COMET contains a list of important features that guarantee your success. (The following features work only with DID or T-1 lines, not with POTS lines)...- Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and T-1 DNIS Support
Allows you to sell individual phone numbers. Each mailbox has its own phone number - TOLL SAVER
Your customers can check for messages without paying for the call. - LIMIT PROTECTION
COMET allows you specify the maximum number of simultaneous calls any specific mailbox should accept. This keeps your system from getting "maxed out" by someone advertising on radio or television. - CUSTOM AUTO ATTENDANT TREES
Besides plain voice mail, you can sell your customers interactive tree menus. The phone number you give them will ring direct to their custom menu. Set up any menu with options that branch out to more options and/or to announcements, other applications, or to voice mail. - DEBIT MAILBOXES
With the debit feature, you can have customers prepay for a certain number of minutes of usage and add more minutes at any time. This is great for selling 800 toll-free voice mail. - PAGER NOTIFICATION
Pager and voice notification can be specified for "urgent only" or for all messages. The pager will display the users voice mail phone number. - CALL ACCOUNTING AND BILLING
Shows the length of all calls, and if it was a user logon, announcement only, or notification (with the number called), and other information useful for billing purposes. This works on regular POTS line too! -
ALTERNATE LANGUAGE
Lets a caller dynamically switch to an alternate language prompt file on any phone line without interfering with what language is being used on other lines. An alternate language can also be specified on a voice mailbox basis.
Order COMET Online
Enter your order on-line and receive download instructions within 24 hours! No dongle required for 4 to 12 lines. You may order extra lines in 4 port increments. A dongle will be shipped to you for larger systems. Includes 30 days of email support.
You can also order our 308 page printed
Installation and Programming Manual for COMET direct from our publisher.
