ETA for feature releases?

[sbradshaw]

Just looking for a status update on when the new features and tweaks will be coming out. I remember a posting saying it was to be in December. Anything that can be released right now? :)

[Brendan]

In the very near future.

-Brendan

[dalydose]

Do you have any 'hints' as to what might be included in this new feature set???

ANY chance that...say..."Fax to Email" might be in there somewhere?? ;-)

[Brendan]

A limited phone-based control panel, and the dial-in dial-out features will be up for testing this evening.

-Brendan

[sbradshaw]

A limited phone-based control panel, and the dial-in dial-out features will be up for testing this evening.

-Brendan
Very cool! :)

So will these be considered Beta? Do you want feedback on these features?

[novavoiper]

Don't see anything on VTInside or here.

[sbradshaw]

Don't see anything on VTInside or here.
I was just wondering the same thing. Wonder if an e-mail was supposed to be sent out.

[novavoiper]

if you dial your number and hit * instead of going to voicemail it goes to the "ViaTalk Menu" where you can check VM, remote dial, alter forwards, send broadcast message, set speed dial numbers.

Two flaws so far:
-when I remote dial the pound key triggers a transfer, but it doesn't transfer anything. this also makes it impossible to use most IVRs
-when you press 9 to repeat the menu it disconnects

there also does not appear to be a way to navigate up the menu.

but it's a good start!

[sbradshaw]

if you dial your number and hit * instead of going to voicemail it goes to the "ViaTalk Menu" where you can check VM, remote dial, alter forwards, send broadcast message, set speed dial numbers.

Two flaws so far:
-when I remote dial the pound key triggers a transfer, but it doesn't transfer anything. this also makes it impossible to use most IVRs
-when you press 9 to repeat the menu it disconnects

there also does not appear to be a way to navigate up the menu.

but it's a good start!
Good catch. I listened to the entire menu...then before I could select anything it disconnected me. I guess this is why Brendan said it would be ready for testing tonight. :)

[sbradshaw]

After doing some more testing with this new feature, the problem I am experiencing consistently is that if I wait about 3 seconds after any of the automated responses end, I get a busy signal (basically get disconnected). However, if I respond quickly/immediately to every prompt, what I have tested so far works great (still need to test dial-in/out). But as I said, pauses of about 3 seconds (after an automated response ends) results in a busy signal.
VT, can you look into that?

In the meantime, I will continue testing. Thanks for the great work VT! This is really nice. I can see this also as a basis for many more features being controlled through the phone without complete reliance on the web-based CP. Awesome!!

Edit: Suggestion - In the process of fixing this time-out problem, what would be nice is to allow about 10 seconds for someone to make their menu selection after the complete menu options have been given. If not made, repeat the menu again. After waiting again for another 10 seconds, and assuming there is still no key entry from the user, either provide some additional assistance or have it politely say "goodbye".

[Brendan]

Please continue to post any issues you are experiencing here, they should all be ironed out by sometime on monday.

-Brendan

[sbradshaw]

One thing I notice in my CP call logs when I use dial-in/dial-out, it shows my incoming call to my home phone o.k., but does not indicate where I called out to. Somehow, I would like to know what calls have been placed through dial-in/dial-out and where to. Don't really know how that would look. Maybe instead of an "ANSWERED" status in the incoming call log, it can say "dial-in/dial-out" and provide another column to list the dial-out number. Or maybe a separate log is now needed to show that info. Whatever is implemented to show these calls, it really needs to be intuitive so that the call logs do not get confusing as to what is going on.

Also, I noticed that when I use the dial-in/dial-out feature, it uses my originating CID (not my VT CID). Personally, I would prefer to have it use my VT CID when it dials back out and not my cell phone CID. Wish there was some way to have that choice in the menu...to select between using originating CID or VT CID.

Thanks VT! Dial-in/Dial-out is awesome!

[proudlion]

..... I noticed that when I use the dial-in/dial-out feature, it uses my originating CID (not my VT CID). Personally, I would prefer to have it use my VT CID when it dials back out and not my cell phone CID.


I totally agree with that suggestion.

Again, thank you ViaTalk for your obvious commitment to continuing to enhance the product, features, and service.

ProudLion

[biomesh]

When accessing the menu, it prompts for a 4 digit pin. I have a pin longer than four digits, as the CP allows 4 to 8 digits. Is there another pin involved or is this just a bug?

[NY Tel Guy]

When accessing the menu, it prompts for a 4 digit pin. I have a pin longer than four digits, as the CP allows 4 to 8 digits. Is there another pin involved or is this just a bug?
I experienced the same issue and then I shortened my password to 4 digits and now it works.

[VTIain]

I extended the wait time for the menu and it now should loop when it timesout instead of hanging up. We're working on the password issue right now to make it accept any length. We also have the call logs for the dialout calls separated, but they will be automatically moved to your regular call logs.

Keep posting any other flaws. We appreciate the feedback. Thanks

Iain

[Brian in MD]

Hmm...just a first thought...I have simulring enabled, going to my cell phone. Typically my cell phone voicemail will pick up the call, so if I call my VT number to access these features, I can't. Not sure how to get around this, as I'm sure VT doesn't want to eat a ton of costs for people dialing into the toll free numbers, but just something to maybe think about.

[sbradshaw]

We also have the call logs for the dialout calls separated, but they will be automatically moved to your regular call logs.

Iain, maybe I don't understand what you had said here. When I use the dial-in/dial-out, it only shows as a single incoming call. I would love to see an indication that the call was a dial-in/dial-out call as well as the time duration and destination of the dial-out portion of the call.

Also, as I use dial-in/dial-out, I would like to see the CID of my VT line show at the destination instead of my originating CID (in this case, my cell phone). There are just too many originating phone numbers that I would not want to appear in the CID. As I really am dialing out of my VT service when I use this feature, I would only like that CID to be used/shown. Thanks. :)

[Fisamo]

I agree that the outbound CID for dial in/dial out calls should be the ViaTalk line. For what it's worth, that's how the CallVantage remote dialing feature works. I'd also like to second the notion mentioned on BBR that one should not have to dial their own line to access the remote menu feature. If ViaTalk didn't want to enable this feature on the tollfree line (understandable), a network of local numbers would be nice. One reason I'd prefer to be able to access the remote calling feature without calling my line is that I wouldn't want to disturb people at home when I'm simply trying to place a call. (I even thought of setting anonymous call routing directly to voicemail, but some phones can't be made anonymous--my work PBX, for example.) The other option is to custom call route my work phone to voicemail, but I'd have to mess with the web control panel any time I wanted to place a call in that case. What a pain!

[NY Tel Guy]

I extended the wait time for the menu and it now should loop when it timesout instead of hanging up. We're working on the password issue right now to make it accept any length. We also have the call logs for the dialout calls separated, but they will be automatically moved to your regular call logs.

Keep posting any other flaws. We appreciate the feedback. Thanks

Iain

BUG Report:
Using this feature to call an IVR system, the minute you hit the # pound key, screaming Sally comes on and says: "Transfer" (your then receive about 3 seconds of dial tone) and then she comes back and says: "I am sorry that's not a valid extension", you are then returned to the original call but you cannot use the pound key, as used by most Voice Mail Systems.

[sbradshaw]

In the DSLREPORTS forum, it was reported that you cannot dial anything other than an 11-digit number using dial-in/dial-out. The poster pointed out that he could not call 411 on the dial-out, which would be free for him through his VT line, but not from his cell phone. So the ability to use 411 with this feature was requested.

[sbradshaw]

I just tried the phone-based CP again. Once I entered the menu, I let it walk through each of the 5 options. I then waited a few seconds to see what would happen if I did not enter anything. It went to a fast busy signal. So it appears as though it is still timing out instead of looping back to the beginning of the menu when nothing is entered.

[Fisamo]

I did the same from my mobile phone. It disconnected on me after saying "Press 9 (or was it 8?) to repeat this menu."

[jandy]

Just used the dial-in, dial-out feature for the first time, and it worked perfectly.

Echoing one poster from the dslreports forum, I would also like for this option to work with the 1-866 voicemail number. That would be very handy when traveling on business.

[Heat305]

In the very near future.

-Brendan

Hi Brendan I have been monitoring user input on dslreports lately and have seen you and Michael actively helping unhappy clients. I have decided to give the service a try so here I am. Few things I wanted to ask as far as features. Would " Music On Hold " be a future feature on the companies list ? Would be nice for my callers on hold to listen to music instead of dead silence. Since I just signed up this might not be the right place to add this, but at my checkout I can't recall if I selected the option for " BYOD ". I have my own but never got prompted at checkout for a mac or serial number, I want to use my own device. Will this be requested later on from me by you guys? Or did I forget to add it. Your assistance is much appreciated. Thanks in advance. :D

[KLH]

Hi Brendan I have been monitoring user input on dslreports lately and have seen you and Michael actively helping unhappy clients. I have decided to give the service a try so here I am. Few things I wanted to ask as far as features. Would " Music On Hold " be a future feature on the companies list ? Would be nice for my callers on hold to listen to music instead of dead silence. Since I just signed up this might not be the right place to add this, but at my checkout I can't recall if I selected the option for " BYOD ". I have my own but never got prompted at checkout for a mac or serial number, I want to use my own device. Will this be requested later on from me by you guys? Or did I forget to add it. Your assistance is much appreciated. Thanks in advance. :D

With BYOD, ViaTalk does not need your MAC or serial address. You must configure your device to connect to ViaTalks servers. You can check their FAQ online for the information needed to configure your device. You can also pull up some info from the control panel to help you configure your device.

[Heat305]

With BYOD, ViaTalk does not need your MAC or serial address. You must configure your device to connect to ViaTalks servers. You can check their FAQ online for the information needed to configure your device. You can also pull up some info from the control panel to help you configure your device.

Then I guess all I need to do is wait for my credentials to be mailed to me. Thanks for the info.:D

[Heat305]

In the very near future.

-Brendan

Hi was wondering if VT offers a specific number when dialed from my line for reaching tech support? Example, let's say I wanted to call the 1-866 number to get tech dept for assistance with my VT line, does VT offer like " 611 " or some other combination of digits when dialed from our line to get tech support instead of dialing the lengthy 1-866 number? If you do I couldn't find it on the FAQs page. I know some Voip providers do this also. Doesn't have to be specifically " 611 " digits but something similar. Thanks in advance.

[VTIain]

Just a quick update on this feature. I adjusted the password field for those of you using longer than 4 digit passwords. If your password is more than 4 digits, your first 4 digits of that password will grant you access to the remote menu. The reason for this is only so there is no confusion when the voice asks for a 4 digit pin. Future releases will incorporate different length passwords. Thanks.


Iain

[Ptrowski]

Just a quick update on this feature. I adjusted the password field for those of you using longer than 4 digit passwords. If your password is more than 4 digits, your first 4 digits of that password will grant you access to the remote menu. The reason for this is only so there is no confusion when the voice asks for a 4 digit pin. Future releases will incorporate different length passwords. Thanks.


Iain

Hi Ian. For the remote service on dslreports it was mentioned there is a 200 minute limit for the remote dial out feature. Is that true?

[sbradshaw]

Any new feature releases ready for testing? I understand there are many in the works, including a new web interface.

Is a more advanced Call Broadcast on the list? Would love to see a more advanced Call Broadcasting feature. One that would allow multiple call groups, ability to import both names and phone numbers (including the ability to refresh an entire grouping from a text file), and even record multiple messages that could be saved and used more than once. Also, the current limit of ten broadcasts per month is a huge limitation. As long as these calls are counted against an account's minutes (so that abuse would be easily seen and dealt with), I would not see the reason behind a monthly limitation on number of broadcasts or number of people in a broadcast group. Because of the limitations, I have not been using this feature. I will if it receives the necessary improvements and less restrictions. :)

[Fisamo]

Hi was wondering if VT offers a specific number when dialed from my line for reaching tech support? Example, let's say I wanted to call the 1-866 number to get tech dept for assistance with my VT line, does VT offer like " 611 " or some other combination of digits when dialed from our line to get tech support instead of dialing the lengthy 1-866 number? If you do I couldn't find it on the FAQs page. I know some Voip providers do this also. Doesn't have to be specifically " 611 " digits but something similar. Thanks in advance.

Try *4357 (*HELP). :)

[Heat305]

Try *4357 (*HELP). :)

Tried *4357 and got a female recording saying ' please wait while I connect your call ' and then got a busy signal. Is this normal or is the number not accepting calls after certain hours since I am on MST zone. By the way I received my credentials via email and my service was up and running. Will update in the future about the service over all and decide if I should upgrade my calling plan.

[Fisamo]

I haven't tried *help in a while, but last I heard it was working. Maybe it wasn't used that often? I agree with you, though, that just setting 611 as the connection to tech support would be the way to go. That was telephone repair with POTS for as long as I can remember (at least when I lived in CT).

[Brian188]

If you want to and are not provisioned you can add
|<611:18666267150>S0 to the end (before the close of the parentheses) of your dial plan, and remove the 6 from [3469] so it is [349] at the beginning. If you do that 611 will connect right to VT support. To make it a little easier you can make it 211, 511, 711, or 811 instead. That way you don't have to mess with the [3469] at the beginning of the dial plan.

If you are provisioned, you can ask VT to make the change for you.

[Heat305]

If you want to and are not provisioned you can add
|<611:18666267150>S0 to the end (before the close of the parentheses) of your dial plan, and remove the 6 from [3469] so it is [349] at the beginning. If you do that 611 will connect right to VT support. To make it a little easier you can make it 211, 511, 711, or 811 instead. That way you don't have to mess with the [3469] at the beginning of the dial plan.

If you are provisioned, you can ask VT to make the change for you.

VT tech support emailed me back saying they had programmed my line with "611". I entered it in the dial plan and it still does not work, still getting a busy signal when I dial "611" or "211". I have emailed them back and waiting a response. I have also tried your advice Brian188, but no luck. Any other suggestions? I have pasted two examples of the dial plans with the added feature so you can see how it looks.

(*xx|*xxxxxxxxx|*xxxxxxxxxxxxx|*xxx|xxx|xxxx|[349]11|0|00|[2-9]xxxxxx|1xxx[2-9]xxxxxxS0|xxxxxxxxxxxx.|011xxxxxxxxxx.|011xxxxxxxxxx|<611:18666267150>S0)
(*xx|*xxxxxxxxx|*xxxxxxxxxxxxx|*xxx|xxx|xxxx|[3469]11|0|00|[2-9]xxxxxx|1xxx[2-9]xxxxxxS0|xxxxxxxxxxxx.|011xxxxxxxxxx.|011xxxxxxxxxx|<211:18666267150>S0)

[Brian188]

If VT is going to program it for you, then don't do anything to your dial plan. If you change your dial plan, and VT programs your line for 611 it won't work, because the dial plan and VT will be conflicting.

You would only change your dial plan if you are not provisioned (as I said in my original post), and VT could not or would not add the feature for you. Being provisioned VT has to make the change for you otherwise, the change will not 'stick' it will be erased the next time your adapter is updated by VT.

[Heat305]

VT emailed me back with a dial plan with the "611" included in it. Works fine now. I am using my on device by the way. Thanks Brian188 for the assistance. Thanks VT.:D

[akogan82]

I haven't had a chance to test the dial-in dial-out feature it sounds great. My opinion here is a bit different from what I read here about caller id. The times I would be using this feature is when dialing in from my cell phone, for example my house is a local call and if I want to make a long distance call I can call my house number and dial out saves me $$$. For the caller id I want my cell phone to come up that way if no answer I can get a call back. My brother is on the myfav plan from tmobile and when he is low on minutes he can use this service to get a few free calls towards the end of the billing cycle, so when his friends decide to call him back at 1am they don't call the house based on the caller id his cell phone caller id should be displayed.

Hope it makes sense.

AWESOME SERVICE, not just this feature but VIATALK ROCKS!!!

[Brian188]

Keep in mind the Dial in Dial out feature is limited to 200 minuets per month (which if you ask me is plenty). because VT doesn't want a bunch of people using it and abusing the system. In other words one account and 10 people using it to make unlimited calls.

[akogan82]

That 200 minutes is plenty to save from going over the cell phone minutes at the end of the billing period.

[akogan82]

Ohh btw where are these new features listed, I'm trying to find it.

[Brian188]

Ohh btw where are these new features listed, I'm trying to find it.

This one is not listed. It is still in beta. You'd only know about if your watching the forums or someone told you.

[ronjwilson]

Is the Remote Dial feature still working? I just get looped back to the main menu when I try to use it.

[sbradshaw]

Is the Remote Dial feature still working? I just get looped back to the main menu when I try to use it.

It's not working this morning. I am also experiencing the loop-back. I suggest you submit a ticket to VT to look at this. :)

[gavmitchau]

I totally agree with that suggestion.

Again, thank you ViaTalk for your obvious commitment to continuing to enhance the product, features, and service.

ProudLion

YES!!! Just today I really submitted 2 suggestions and have found them both VERY well recieved. This sort of receptive attitude by a company to its customers is awesome.

[sbradshaw]

YES!!! Just today I really submitted 2 suggestions and have found them both VERY well recieved. This sort of receptive attitude by a company to its customers is awesome.

Once VT officially takes their VTWhite Private Label Solution into production, you will see more features come out.

I'm as anxious as anyone about getting new features. But I would personally prefer to hash a feature request out between customers and with VT input before a feature (or feature tweak) begins to be developed. That way it is developed correctly the first time.