Dialing Configuration File (predial.ini)Dialing Configuration File (predial.ini)The Dialing Configuration File (DCF)
Configuring the DCF in OmniRush
Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Note: 'Simple' dialing takes two forms:
All numbers in a given area code are dialed as local calls (7-digit dial), all calls outside that area code are dialed as 1 + 10 digits (standard long distance)
All numbers are dialed as 1 + 10 digits, regardless of area code
Simple dialing can be established simply by setting either the local area code in the fax module (for method 1 above), or by setting a bogus area code (like 999 or 000) to achieve dialing like method 2 above.
For more flexible (or convoluted...) dialing, keep reading.
OmniRush offers a range of dialing options. These range from the simple (dial 9 before the number) to the very complex (e.g. some ‘local’ calls are dialed with area code, other ‘local’ calls are dialed with 1 + area code, and other ‘local’ calls are dialed with 7 digits).
First, let’s clarify terms:
A U.S. phone number has three components:
(707) 543-2747
The first portion is the area code, the next three digits are the exchange, and the last four digits are the number. (This is approximate. In many cases, the exchange is taken only by the first one or two digits, the balance constituting the number, however the phone number is written the same way, with a three digit block followed by a four digit block.)
When we speak of dialing, there are five main dialing modes:
1. Local. A seven digit dial (e.g. 543-2747)
2. Ten digit-dial (707-543-2747)
3. One-plus-seven (1-543-2747)
4. One-plus-ten (1-707-543-2747), or standard long distance
5. Some Prefix plus one of the above (e.g. 8,1-707-543-2747)
Variations would include any prefixes, including conditional prefixes (conditional based on the area code or exchange portions of the number).
Note that dialing modes 1 and 4 above are handled by OmniRush without needing a dialing configuration file (DCF, also referred to as predial.ini). A DCF is not needed in these cases unless the area code is split (e.g. within the same area code, some numbers are dialed as seven digits and some as one-plus-ten). Dialing modes 2, 3, and 5 as well as other variations, require the use of a DCF (PREDIAL.INI).
The PREDIAL.INI is a text file, created with Notepad or the DOS based EDIT utility and placed on the local drive of the OmniRush Server (usually in the "C:\Program Files\Z-Firm LLC\OmniRush\" directory, but it can be in any directory local to OmniRush). The file can have any name and any extension.
Here is a PREDIAL.INI example:
[PREFIX]
801=1-801
801-220=
801-230=
801-231=
801-24=
The PREDIAL.INI above will dial 1 + area code + number for all calls in the 801 area code except for those phone numbers that begin with: 220, 230, 231, 24 These numbers will be dialed as 7 digits.
If you need to dial area code + number for calls in one or more area codes, and 1 + area code + number for the rest. Here is a sample PREDIAL.INI that dials 10 digits for two area codes, and 11 digits for the rest:
[Prefix]
281=281
713=713
The [Suffix] section of the predial.ini works the same as the Prefix section, and allows access codes and other suffixes to be dialed. Be sure to use plenty of commas so that the suffix is entered when the phone system is ready for it. E.g. if all numbers in area codes that begin with 9 need a suffix, it might look like this:
[SUFFIX]
9=,,,,,23229
Remember to set the area code in OmniRush Settings | General to blank (or bogus, like 999) if you are using PREDIAL.INI because this setting will override the predial.ini behavior.
PREDIAL.INI prefix or suffix support. OmniRush supports PREDIAL.INI for prefix and suffix dialing only based on the phone number (area code and/or exchange). Refer to the GoldMine documentation on predial.ini or to the documentation here for more information.
OmniRush has several DCF features that go above and beyond the GoldMine predial.ini feature. Sometimes, a need will arise to dial one prefix (or lack of a prefix) for long distance numbers, but have a prefix for local numbers. This example demonstrates a special extension to the predial logic that can be used in OmniRush. OmniRush allows a wild card on the area code, so that only the first one or two digits of the area code need to be in predial.
; This predial.ini will dial 9, + 7 digits for all local numbers,
; (the 602 area code)
; and 7, + ten digits for all other area codes
;
[PREFIX]
; All area codes that start with
; 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9 are dialed with a
; prefix of 7, and then a 10 digit
; dial
1=7,1
2=7,2
3=7,3
4=7,4
5=7,5
; Area codes that begin with a 6 are handled below
7=7,7
8=7,8
9=7,9
;everything in 602 gets a prefix of 9
;Other area codes that start with
;602 are dialed with a prefix of 7
;and a 10 digit dial.
602=9,
601=7,601
603=7,603
604=7,604
605=7,605
606=7,606
607=7,607
608=7,608
609=7,609
;This covers the rest of the area
;codes that start with a 6
61=7,61
62=7,62
63=7,63
64=7,64
65=7,65
66=7,66
67=7,67
68=7,68
69=7,69
Once the DCF has been created, copy it to the OmniRush hard drive.
Stop the OmniRush fax module(s).
Navigate to Modules | <Your OR Server>, right click, and select General Settings
Set the Dialing Instructions File to your DCF
In the OmniRush Settings | General area, be sure to set the area code to either blank or a bogus value (like "999"), as this logic will trigger prior to the predial.ini behavior.
Start the OmniRush fax module
To monitor exactly what your DCF is doing, right click on the OmniRush fax module in Administrator. Select Monitor Module, then press the button with the blue dot next to the circling squares. This allows you to watch the exact number being dialed on a job by job basis.
In some cases, editing the document in notepad will result in the file being named predial.ini.txt Be sure to set explorer to show all files and all file extensions, or better yet use winfile.exe (File Manager), or a shell replacement that shows the full file names with extensions.
The number one cause of dialing problems is a problem with the GoldMine contact1->status field, that controls whether a number is US or International. The symptom is that OmniRush will dial numbers as ten digits (e.g. exactly as entered into GoldMine, without the ‘1’ prefix).