Articles TFLX:
1) Encyclopedia; The FIRST

2) Macworld 89

3) Macintosh Guide Teleflex 89

4) MacWorld PAX 90

5) Macweek MS Mail 90

6) TELEPHONE NEWS Mar 90

7) MacUser 92

8) Voice Processing Feb 92

9) Voice Processing Nov 92

10) Telco's "TFLX User Group"

11) Voice Processing
Lab Report July 94

12) Tidbits Feb 95

13) TFLX News letter 93

14) Cedar Sinai Hospital

TFLX AWARD

AD's

Press Release

TFLX keeps working 6.7 EarthQuake

Original Teleflex unit

Links

TFLX Duet Overview

TFLX

DUET

Script Editor

easy to do, considering the ease and consistency of most Mac hardware and software installations then they will quickly be creating their first script. If they decide to exert their Mac savvy and get to the demo, they will miss a number of TFLX's quirks. TFLX's main quirks are sound and Appletalk. To get the right sound input and output, the proper cables must go in the proper ports. TFLX provides ports for different Mac types, and choosing the wrong port means the difference between silence and sound.

In addition, TFLX's hardware provides volume coi1trol for not only the speaker, but the input as well. This can be confusing; the input knob controls the volume coming from the Mac's audio-out port. These, along with the Mac's software volume control, can mean a mute TFLX system, unless the user pays strict attention.

Where Appletalk is concerned, users must turn Localtalk off. The machine is unable to run scripts when it is on. The user manual only says users should turn Appletalk off, but Localtalk seems to be the real problem. This is due to the fact that the hardware connects to the Mac's serial printer port. However, a test run of TFLX scripts with Appletalk running on Ethernet resulted without problems. and additional sounds can be added.

SCRIPT CREATION ON THE FLY
Creating a simple script for messaging that allows both remote access to voice mail and the ability to make changes to greetings remotely is a simple operation. To begin, the user imports a number of pre-recorded prompts and greetings (called "glue messages") into the TFLX file. These comprise the basis of the script, although messages can be changed or replaced Imports

which means the icon becomes the starting point for the entire script. From there, what the script will contain is entirely up to the user. For a typical message system, users should insert a "tone input" task icon in the script. This icon will recognize the touch-tones that callers press after listening to the initial prompt.

Following the tone input, the user will put in "code" icons that correlate to the touch-tone options given to callers. Users assign numbers to the code icons, which resemble keypad buttons, and smaller scripts then branch off from these. Scripts can contain icons to play greetings, record messages and give options for returning to the main menu. The user can add more codes to the system than the original prompt gives to the caller. This way, TFLX script designers can add codes that enable them to remotely make changes to greetings and perform other operations.

Also branching off the tone input icon is the "non-specific codes" icon, which sets the parameters for tone input mistakes that callers make while in that branch of the script. From there, users can take the system as far as they want, depending on their software modules. A fax-on demand or beeper notification branch can easily be added with just a few more icons.

EVALUATION
For the entrepreneur, small partnership or self-owned business, TFLX is an excellent solution. Providing multiple mailboxes and fax-on-demand is one thing, but the product can be taken much further. Database integration for sales orders with subsequent return faxes of invoices, or automated telemarketing both are possible. The system is dynamic and easy to use, allowing Mac novices and pros to solve their telephony problems cheaply and quickly. VPM

Previous Page

To contact us send eMail. ScottMcTyre@MCFIII.COM