| The Zeus IP media server is a programmable
PC-based PBX which gives administrators the ability to program specially
customized applications, and also gives users extensive desktop call
control management. Defined as an integrated media and application server,
Zeus is a complete software suite of telephony-based products. The suite
includes interactive voice response units, voice mail, unified messaging,
and VoIP. Utilizing a scripting language similar to Visual Basic to
control its features and functionality, Zeus offers users the ability to
modify and create their own services based on their specific needs. This
capability does not require extensive programming on the user's part and
it presents a unique opportunity for users to customize their own
telephony solution.
The scripts used with Zeus control the system's actions, and include
those that tell the server lines to execute such functions as answer
incoming calls, play audio messages, and collect DTMF (dual tone
multi-frequency) digits. Each of these features requires at least one
script line to implement its functionality. Voice mail, for example,
requires a script to answer the call, send the caller to voice mail, and
then hang up. This scripting language is what gives Zeus its flexibility
and allows customers to create the services that they need implemented.
INSTALLATION
The Zeus installation was very straightforward. The setup process was
quick and did not present any major problems. We were prompted to install
the text-to-speech engine, MS data access components, the Zeus application
(advanced telephony services platform), HTML help updates, and Acrobat
Reader.
Once the setup was complete, the last thing we needed to do was to
create an icon for starting the VoIP NMS (Natural Microsystems) services
batch file. This DOS application controls the CT Access Server. Since it
loads the board configuration and starts the relevant services, it is
required to be running before the Zeus application can be initialized.
DOCUMENTATION
All documentation files were on the CD in .pdf format. The topics were
divided into several files. While each file was thorough, it was difficult
to complete a global search or to find information on a more vague subject
topic. For example, if we weren't able to specify exactly what it was we
were looking for, then we had to guess which file to open or search each
of them one at a time. One of the online help's nice features was that it
was easily accessible from the Zeus application. Pressing the F1 function
key while in an active window brought up specific information for the
topic displayed in that window. Overall, we found the online help to be
very useful.
FEATURES
The Zeus IP media server consists of several applications that work
together to provide multiple telephony capabilities. The scripting
language utilized by the Zeus media server makes it possible to offer the
following enhanced services while allowing the ability to create new
IP-centric services as well:
- Auto-Attendant.
- Intelligent Routing.
- Unified Messaging.
- Call Screening.
- Find Me/Follow Me.
In addition to these features, the Zeus suite also supports outbound
telemarketing, least cost routing, and wake-up and remind me services.
Future enhancements include a new drag-and-drop graphical designer and
pre- and post-paid calling card support.
OPERATIONAL TESTING
T&S provided us with custom scripts which enabled us to test the
IP-based auto-attendant, voice mail, integrated messaging, and general IVR
capabilities by initiating the automated system and simulating call
situations. Before the sample scripts could run, we needed to satisfy a
few requirements. The checklist included modifying the command line
properties for the application icon, modifying the configuration file, and
setting up the voice mail administration.
Once we modified the icon properties to load the correct scripts, we
were ready to test the IVR capabilities by making test calls into the Zeus
system. We used a Teltone line simulator, which connected to the card in
the media server, and then connected to a standard analog telephone. We
picked up the handset and dialed into the line that was connected to the
simulator. We immediately heard the text-to-speech engine reciting the
main menu options as read from the configuration file we had instructed it
to use.
First, we wanted to test the analog-to-IP capabilities, so we selected
the first option from the automated menu, which was to place an IP call by
name. We entered the first few letters of the last name of our test user
and were able to select the correct extension as a list of users was
recited directly from the database. After selecting the name, we choose to
leave a voice mail along with a callback number. We entered a phone
number, followed by the "#" key, and were returned to the option
menu where we selected to send the message with normal delivery. Once it
was sent, we hung up the phone and again dialed into the Zeus system. This
time, we selected the voice mail administration option from the main menu.
After inputting the test account's mailbox ID and password, we were able
to successfully retrieve the voice mail message from our mailbox.
Unfortunately, the callback feature was not available at the time of this
review, but was scheduled to be implemented by the end of 2000, according
to T&S representatives. This feature will give users the option of
having Zeus automatically place a call to the callback number for them.
Next, we wanted to test the IP connection capabilities of the Zeus
system. From a test PC running NetMeeting, we keyed in the IP address of
the media server and placed the call. Within seconds, we heard the
text-to-speech automated menu. So we were able to successfully connect to
the Zeus media server via IP. Unfortunately, that was the extent of this
test. Without a gateway or a gatekeeper, NetMeeting will not recognize
DTMF digits as input. Because of this, we were not able to use the
onscreen keypad to select any of the options from the voice menu.
As a final test, we wanted to run through the procedure of making an
outbound IP call. The first step was to run the IPXLate.exe utility that
resides in the Zeus program directory. This is the utility used to define
the association between phone numbers and IP addresses. The dialog box was
very intuitive and involved only a few steps. First, we clicked the Add
button and typed in the phone number that we intended to dial for testing.
Next, we selected the interface as "h323." In the destination
field, we typed the IP address of the test PC. We updated the view and our
new entry information was displayed and saved in the upper portion of the
dialog box.
With NetMeeting running on the test PC, we dialed into Zeus with an
analog phone via the simulator and selected "2" from the main
menu to place an outgoing IP call. When prompted, we entered the phone
number that we had previously defined using the IPXLate utility. On the
test PC, we heard a short ring before seeing a dialog box pop up and
announce that we had a call. We accepted the call and were connected
immediately with the analog phone connected to the Zeus server. While we
didn't experience more than the usual second or so delay in speech, we did
notice that the volume of the call was extremely low, which made it
difficult to hear the person speaking. Currently, the slider bar provided
as part of the Zeus application for volume control only affects the
recorded voice files, and not the voice or text-to-speech volume.
Included with the Zeus suite are utilities that allow for further
account administration. Among these were two that we used extensively and
found to be very useful. The Event Monitor allowed us to view active
events, such as services and processes. The monitor reported details of
any errors, including severity, the time that it occurred, and the
application that generated the error. We found this helpful because it
showed us details of the call activity as close to real time as possible.
It gave us the ability to monitor this information and to ensure that the
processes and services were running efficiently.
The Voice Mail administration utility was also helpful. It allowed us
to add, delete, and modify user records. We added a few new user accounts
so we could see what was involved in populating a database. This was a
quick and painless process, and the menus and dialog boxes were very
intuitive. Options that we were able to set within this dialog box
included mailbox IDs and passwords, storage limits for voice mail, and
voice mail notifications such as e-mail, audio, and paging.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
First, we'd like to mention that one drawback of the current version of
Zeus is that it only works with NT Workstation and no other platforms. In
our opinion, extending its compatibility across other platforms would make
it an even more attractive solution to more companies. We would like to
note that there are plans for having interoperability with Solaris in the
future.
Another area for improvement is with the voice mail administration
utility. It would be helpful if the utility allowed for the use of common
hotkeys. For example, it would be advantageous to be able to use the
"F5" key to quickly refresh the screen to display an updated
tally of new messages. Or perhaps an automatic refresh would be ideal for
this application.
Our last improvement concerns voice mail administration as well. When
you forward a voice mail to another extension, the system does not save a
copy of the original message in your mailbox. This function would be a
beneficial improvement to this feature.
CONCLUSION
Overall, we were satisfied with the performance of the Zeus IP media
server. Although we were disappointed to realize that some of its
capabilities have yet to be implemented, we found it an effective product
with useful features and an intuitive interface. Specifically, we feel
that the use of a scripting language to employ its advanced features
allows users both the power and the freedom they need to produce the
desired results. By allowing users to design custom-built services, they
are more likely to achieve a complete and accurate solution that meets
very specific business needs. We recommend it as an option to consider
when searching for an effective tool to achieve a reliable telephony
solution.
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