ISI in the News

Please contact Charles Ruykhaver for more information about this press release.

Web access to the entire Infortel-NT application via Citrix Metaframe and Windows NT Terminal Server!

Citrix Metaframe allows access to the entire Infortel-NT application without client licensing! The system's premise is identical to client/server principle, but using thin-client technology. A thin client performs very little data processing (much less than a normal client in client/server technology). The application processing is done in the server. For example, a thin client can be a PC that runs only the graphical interface; thin-client technology is used in Internet access.

Access via Citrix has a number of advantages. Any workstation with Citrix software can gain access to any module of Infortel-NT without the cost of Infortel-NT, Oracle and Windows NT licenses. Also, thin-client technology uses minimal bandwidth, proving faster responses (10 concurrent Citrix users take up less bandwidth than one user with normal client/server access). Access via Citrix also provides an extra layer of security, as the Citrix layer is also password protected.

The software is loaded on the Infortel-NT server and is licensed based upon the number of concurrent users. Hundreds of workstations can gain access to the Infortel-NT modules if the Citrix "client" software is loaded; however, if licensed for five, only five users can access the software concurrently. The user can access the software one of three ways, either via TCP/IP, dial-up routines or the Web. The software can also be put up on the customer's web page, if desired, allowing easy download and installation.

Please note: 512MB RAM is required on the Infortel-NT server.

Call Record Import Utility

The Call Record Import utility was developed to handle the many requests for calling card and cellular call information now provided electronically by local, long distance and cellular companies. This routine eliminates the need for costly customization fees as well as allows the user to be in control for multiple import handling and format changes.

The Call Record Import utility is a user interface that will take call record data from an external source, such as calling cards and cell phones, and import the data into Infortel-NT. The external data must be either on CD-ROM or accessible via a common network drive and in ASCII format and already rated. The data is then matched with the rightful user via an "authorization code" that has been defined to the user. This authorization code is the calling card number and/or cellular numbers that appear in each line of the provided data. Therefore, one report can be generated for a user showing his/her calls made and received from the office PBX and those made with the cell phone or calling card.

Infortel-NT and this import routine can also accommodate data from external users, such as an external sales force, that have no stations at the PBX locations. A "dummy" station is defined in the Infortel-NT database with the appropriate "authorization code" assigned to it. This may or may not increase system size.

The calling card import (ccimport) is accessible via its own icon on the desktop. A template must then be defined, which simply identifies the location of each field in the input record, as different vendors' files may have different file layouts. The user identifies fields to be included as well as file type definition, either delimited or fixed length.

The output file (what is actually imported into Infortel-NT) is then created from the template made above. This file must adhere to a specific format, which is outlined in the calling card import user guide. The user then clicks on "import" and the data is then merged with existing information.

There is no additional charge for the calling card import program. Training on this utility is also included in the training courses for the Call Accounting module. This training includes instruction on how to use the module, but does not include actually creating the import from their data. ISI offers interface creation at an additional charge.

Published Data Dictionary and ReportSmith

We're now offering Borland International's ReportSmith as an option for those customers that desire customized reports. ReportSmith is a 16-bit, client/server-ready report development system (Version 3.0 is full 32-bit). It accommodates large amounts of data simultaneously from a variety of sources including SQL servers, PC databases and mainframes. It allows the engineer to use live data during development and can be used to connect to any ODBC-compliant data source.

The Infortel-NT Data Dictionary is included to be used in custom report creation. The dictionary defines the Infortel-NT database tables and views with a brief description of each column and characteristics of each including datatype, length and constraints. This dictionary can be used to identify Infortel-NT form and field names while developing custom reports or performing application configuration modifications.

ReportSmith has some easy-to-use development tools, but its power comes with substantial complexity. It is geared towards people that have used other reporting engines or have used an open database for reporting. As such, installation is included in the price for ReportSmith. Training allowances will be configured on a case-by-case basis and dependant upon the skill level of the user.

Item Code "Packaging"

Item Code "packaging" greatly simplifies the inventory process. Multiple items of inventory can be assigned to a master code that all pieces apply to. As an example, non-serialized items such as employee handbook, deskpad, in-boxes, bulletin boards, filing cabinets and desk can be grouped into one category, such as "Employee Standard Equipment." This master item can be more easily deployed than assigning individual items to the user. Also the dollar amount assigned to the master code overrides any amount entered for each individual item. Item Code Packaging applies to services and/or non-serialized equipment items.

Email Bills, Work Orders and Trouble Tickets

Bills, work orders and trouble tickets can now be emailed! Email recipients can be grouped together, i.e. multiple people can receive the same bill, work order and trouble ticket with one entry. Bills are automatically emailed, if selected, at the end of the billing cycle through background job routines. Work orders and trouble tickets are scheduled to email in the same manner, however, the background job that controls distribution is set to run every five or so minutes. The work orders and trouble tickets then arrive at the destination within minutes of creation! These bills, work orders and trouble tickets are sent via email as attachments in .txt format.

Printing Work Orders/Trouble Tickets

A new print routine is available in the Work Order and Trouble Ticket modules. The Work Order and Trouble Ticket reports can be created in Word format, text format or sent to a printer.

The Work Order reports can include or exclude the following items: TSR Information Directory Listings Telephone/Circuit Listings LEN Configuration Connectivity Key Sheet Features/Equipment Services/Equipment Basket Assignment Job Assignment

Trouble Ticket Reporting includes: Telephone/Circuit Record Connectivity Features Service and Equipment LEN Configuration Key Sheet Basket Assignment Job Assignment

If these reports are created in Word, the user can take advantage of Word's e-mail capability as well as the other features, such as formatting, font selection, etc.

Interfaces with Unimax's 2nd Nature and Lucent's Terranova and DNA PBX administration packages

Infortel-NT can accept data from these switch administration tools, providing single point of entry for those customers with both PBX Administration and Infortel-NT Call Accounting products. All PBX move, add and change activity is performed from a workstation (the software can be installed on an Infortel-NT client workstation, but NOT on the Infortel-NT server). 2nd Nature and Terranova/DNA then deposit a file on a common network drive that is retrieved by the Infortel-NT application. 2nd Nature passes over name and extension number information. Lucent sends name, extension number and room.

Please Note: The creation of the file from 2nd Nature and Lucent occurs when add, move and change activity is invoked in the PBX. The retrieval of this file in Infortel-NT is a manual process.

Summary SMDR Reject Reports (NQL)

Infortel-NT cannot store data properly if calls are made by extensions or reflect trunk numbers that are not defined in the database. A "reject" report is provided that gives the end-user information on these items. In the past, the user needed to sift through detail information, one line of data per "reject" occurrence. For example, if extension 200 was undefined and made 50 calls, there would be 50 lines of data. This new report provides a summary of rejected call records by type and is much more useful than the old detail report that showed every rejected call record. The call record types are: station, originating trunk, terminating trunk and tandem trunks. Therefore, given the above example, this new report shows one line reflecting 50 calls by station 200.

Oracle 8

Infortel-NT previously utilized Oracle v. 7.3.3. Infortel-NT now takes advantage of Oracle Version 8 that includes many new features, one of which is increased speed.