Toshiba Strata DK40 - Linking ACT! 3.0 with Stratalink

Computer Telephony Integration Linking ACT! 3.0 with StrataLink
8-48
Strata DK40 I&M Manual Spring 1999
Refer to the Strata DK40 Programming Manual or DK Library CD-Rom for more details.
Using ACT! 3.0 with StrataLink
ACT! 3.0 provides a TAPI compliant interface that can be linked with StrataLink to provide
an extremely powerful application working with a Strata DK system. This combination of
using TAPI and StrataLink overcomes many limitations of ACT! 3.0. This includes handling
multiple calls, having screens "pop" when calls are connected, and automatically opening the
search to all records for each "screen pop" action.
When using ACT!, it is important to understand its capabilities and limitations so it can be
used properly. The purpose of this bulletin is to assist you in understanding how to install, set
options, and use ACT! as a TAPI application with the Strata DK system.
This application's bulletin provides ideas for linking ACT! 3.0 to the Strata DK system, but
always consult your ACT! manuals when customising ACT! for your application. This
bulletin only supplies ideas and set-up parameters to create an interface for linking the
telephone network information with the ACT! database. For more in-depth information on
the features, capabilities and settings for ACT! you should consult the supplier or
manufacturer of the software.
Linking ACT! 3.0 with StrataLink
Act! 3.0 contact management software package, in conjunction with the StrataLink utility,
can tightly integrate with the Toshiba TAPI Service Provider. For outgoing calls, ACT! uses
its TAPI interface to dial the number to the TAPI Service Provider. For incoming calls, TAPI
messages are sent to StrataLink from the Toshiba TAPI Service Provider. StrataLink applies
the conditions and filters to this event, which causes ACT! to lookup the phone number in the
database. Any matching entries are displayed in a "Screen Pop".
A number of considerations should always be applied whenever calls are being controlled
with CTI applications such as ACT! The method that the application handles the search
routine can impact whether the screen will match the call. ACT! sequentially selects records,
reducing the number from which to choose with each selection. This can be a problem if
calls are transferred to the CTI enabled phone.
2435
Microsoft Windows PC
DDE
Link
TAPI
Service
Provider
TAPI
DLL
(Windows)
Strata-
Link
ACT!
3.0
Strata DKT
RS-232 Link
RPCI to COM Port
Figure 8-28 Overview of how Act! works with StrataLink and TAPI