DID: OverviewDID: Overview
When a CRM system is in use with FaxRush, FaxRush by default will use a 'contact-centric' approach to handling received faxes. This involves using the FaxRush Viewer to view received faxes and to link received faxes to CRM contact records.
Where CRM is not in use, or when a 'user-centric' approach is desired, faxes can be received on the desktop as email attachments, using whatever email application is already in use. FaxRush can either forward all received faxes to a single email address (say to a receptionist, who then forwards the faxes as email attachments) or FaxRush can automatically send each received fax to the correct recipient. Suppose that each staff member, (or each department) has its own fax number, but all these fax numbers are routed into a single phone line (or block of phone lines). How does FaxRush know what number was dialed (so it can forward the fax appropriately)?
The answer is DID/DNIS. DID stands for Direct Inward Dial. DID is usually used in reference to analog phone lines. The equivalent on digital phone lines is DNIS Dialed Number Identification Service. This is the name used for DID when using digital lines (like T1 and PRI lines). This feature allows multiple phone numbers to be routed into one or more phone lines. This allows each employee to have their own fax number and to set up routing of received faxes to the appropriate person based on the fax number called..
With DID/DNIS, multiple phone numbers are routed, by the phone company, into a single phone line (or group of lines) into your office. The phone company signals FaxRush as to which number was dialed using DID/DNIS signalling. FaxRush then takes the right action based on configuration.
DID/DNIS is a feature of the FaxRush Hardware Fax module. DID allows faxes to be routed to recipients automatically, because each user is given a unique fax number.
DID is used only for fax receiving. DID
can be done these ways:
Using a regular analog TR114 behind a PBX or other system that 'pushes' DTMF digits to the Brooktrout board (DTMF DID DTMF DID is done where a PBX or other phone system sends the DID information as DTMF digits into a regular loop start TR114 or TR1034 board.)
Via special analog DID phone lines PLUS DID capable Brooktrout board (North America only) (Analog DID Special analog phone lines used for DID signalling to TR114 models such as the P4C, P2C, P4D and P2D. Analog DID lines are for fax receiving only.)
With a digital circuit (T1) and the appropriate digital TR114 (aka DNIS Dialed Number Identification Service. This is the name used for DID when using digital lines (like T1 and PRI lines). This feature allows multiple phone numbers to be routed into one or more phone lines. This allows each employee to have their own fax number and to set up routing of received faxes to the appropriate person based on the fax number called.).
A single DID phone line is actually associated with a block of phone numbers, for example, 544-3100 through 544-3150 might all ring into a single phone line--your DID line. What is special is that the phone company signals the FaxRush fax hardware, informing FaxRush what number was actually dialed. FaxRush can then take the action appropriate for that number.
When a PBX 'pushes' DTMF signalling to the Brooktrout board, it means that the PBX is attached to a digital line or an analog DID line. The PBX is then configured to route certain calls to 'POTS' ports which are connected to the Brooktrout board. When the call comes in, the Brooktrout board answers the call, and the PBX then sends some digits to the Brooktrout which FaxRush uses as DTMF identification. This is the DTMF DID DTMF DID is done where a PBX or other phone system sends the DID information as DTMF digits into a regular loop start TR114 or TR1034 board. method.
For example, say each sales rep in your firm is assigned a unique fax number. Jane is 544-3125, Joe is 544-3126, Jack is 544-3127. When a fax is sent to any of these numbers, the phone company sends the call down your special DID phone line. When FaxRush answers the call, the phone company signals the actual number dialed, or perhaps just the last for digits, like '3126.'
In FaxRush, you might have '3126' configured as Joe's DID number. FaxRush might be configured so that when a fax comes in for '3126' it is emailed automatically to Joe. A fax to '3125' might be sent to a specific printer near Jane.
Identification. Each user or function has a unique phone number.
Aggregration. Instead of requiring a dedicated phone line for each phone number, a single phone line (or a few of them) receives calls for a block of numbers (10, 25, 50, 100 or more numbers all come into a single line)
Automation. Since each number is associated with a user or action in FaxRush, action can be taken on inbound faxes based on the number dialed by the sender.
Common applications of DID
Each user has a unique fax number. Faxes sent to that user are automatically routed to the user.
Different actions are taken on the fax (e.g. emailing, printing, etc.) based on the number the fax is sent to.
To implement DID, several components are required:
For Analog Users:
PBX or other phone system capable of routing calls to the FaxRush Brooktrout board intelligently and passing DTMF digits to identify the call. Requires a regular analog TR114 behind a PBX or other system that 'pushes' DTMF digits to the Brooktrout board
Analog DID Special analog phone lines used for DID signalling to TR114 models such as the P4C, P2C, P4D and P2D. Analog DID lines are for fax receiving only.:
Brooktrout interface with DID interface (click here for supported models)
DID phone line. Ordinary phone lines cannot be used for DID. A special phone line must be ordered from the phone company.
North American use only. Brooktrout does not support analog DID outside North America.
For Digital Users:
T1 line, provisioned to be Brooktrout compatible
DID phone numbers configured on this circuit
Digital Brooktrout TR114 or TR1034 hardware.
Cost of DID
FaxRush license: DID support is built in to the Hardware Fax module of FaxRush. You will need fax lines available in your Fax Hardware Module for the DID line(s).
For Analog DID: DID capable Brooktrout board.
For Analog DID Phone line (analog DID lines are generally more expensive than a regular phone line, and the installation cost from the phone company can be quite high--check the cost of the line before finalizing your decision on analog DID)
For DTMF DID: PBX ports and associated programming to connect an analog TR114 or TR1034 Brooktrout board to the PBX.