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Leo Laporte A technology journalist, author and broadcast personality. His specialties lie in computers, the Web, video games, digital music and consumer electronics. |
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Amber MacArthur An experienced Web content and usability strategist, Amber is also a tech journalist who specializes in Internet, software, and gadget trends and tips. |
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PhoneValet is comprised of the software to configure it’s multiple services and a USB to RJ11 external dongle which connects to a phone line (you can purchase more than one dongle to support multiple phone lines). With a software add-on called PhoneValet Anywhere an unlimited amount of users can access messages via a secure web browser interface.
An administrator sets up mail boxes for each user which can be accessed by a number punched in on a phone by the caller – your typical voice mail interface. Each user can record their own personalized message or a canned greeting can be assigned.
A mailbox doesn’t necessarily have to act as an voice mail recorder. For example, you might want to create a special greeting that simply gives information to a client or friend but doesn’t allow messages to be left (good for theatres, tip of the day boxes, directions, whatever…).
Each incoming and outgoing call is logged to user given parameters and addresses from Apple’s Address Book can be easily imported. The log can be searched and is spotlight aware – great for accurate phone records, see who your kids are talking to – whatever you can think of. Calls can be recorded for technical support services or to accurately take notes from afterwards. Calls can be returned or made directly from within PhoneValet using Apple’s internal or external modem and the app supports voice dialing plus more advanced dialing features using Jon’s Phone Tool.
When calls come in PhoneValet can present a user a visual call display on all computers on the local network so you know who’s calling and who should field the call. The software can be trained to play certain greetings to certain callers or play individualized ring tones for that contact.
Voice mail can be accessed remotely either over the phone or through it’s web interface and you can add comments to a call through this interface to remind you of it’s content or for followup reminders. The application will also email the actual voice recordings as compressed audio attachments from any mailbox to particular users configured in advance.
PhoneValet also supports routing of faxes to either Apple built-in fax capabilities or to more robust solutions like PageSender.
I personally use this incredible telephony solution and I can’t recommend it enough. The product comes with a 30-day trial, although because it uses a hardware assistive device a prospective user must pay up front to try it out.
RELATED LINKS
Parliant.com/
Smileonmymac.com/pagesender/index.html?phonevalet
Jonsphonetool.com/
Macmedics.ca
PRODUCTS SHOWN
PhoneValet Message Centre - $169 US / line
PhoneValet Anywhere - $59.95US
ABOUT THE GUEST
Jeff Barrett started MacMedics 8 years ago when he saw an unfilled need for Mac support for the home and small business user. During this time MacMedics has become one of the premier Mac support consultant companies in Toronto servicing the myriad needs of its diverse clientele.
