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Topic Field

You can now turn on a special topic field for your show, this will mean that as well as putting in point information from a caller you can categorise each call with a topic.

Extra filtering options in Call Log

The Call Log now includes filtering options for topic and for On Air State, allowing you to find callers based on the topic they called in about or their on air state so you could see all callers marked as Reject or Used etc.

Import Config from Phonebox 2.5

It’s now even easier for us to upgrade you from your existing phonebox system to version 3 thanks to the ability to import your settings.

Messages Queued indication

The messages screen will now show a different icon if the message is queued to ones that have been saved but are not queued. This means the producer can easily see which calls they have sent through to the studio to be read out and which ones they haven’t.

Customisable screen layout

In previous versions of PhoneBOX the screen layout was fixed, apart from being able to move the chat window around using either a configuration setting or using a button that moved the window over the lines. PhoneBOX now has the ability to move each element of the screen around.

It is also possible to save default layouts, reload them, remove windows completely and reinstate them.

Call Log replaces Phonebook

The Phonebook application has now been replaced with a simplified yet more flexible Call Log which offers advanced searching facilities.

Tabbed info pane

The bottom right hand corner of the PhoneBOX screen still contains the call details, services control etc by default but it’s now tabbed to fall in line with common thinking of other windows based programs.

Directory tab

Previously the phonebook contained a sub section which would allow users to create special fixed global, show and custom phonebooks so each show or the whole station had access to a set of ‘speed dial’ numbers for quick dialling. Now you can have as many directories as you like and it’s possible to set these to be accessed by only certain shows.

Completely resizable devices and lines

PhoneBOX now allows you to specify the sizes of not only on the devices for your client but sets of lines also. The size is specified in pixels, the standard is entered by default but can be altered to suit.

Previous selections recall

When PhoneBOX is reconnected to the server it will prompt you whether you want to reconnect with your previous settings, this means you can get back into your screen as it was originally setup quickly and easily.

Sort options in call log

The call log can be sorted by any of the column headers shown, by simply clicking on those headers in similar fashion to any windows application.

Windows Vista support / .NET2

PhoneBOX client works with Windows Vista and Windows 7. PhoneBOX 3.0 also requires all PC’s to have .NET framework version 2.0 or later installed.

Copy call details to clipboard

It’s possible to copy all the call details (name, phone number etc) to the Windows clipboard so you can then easily paste this information into notepad, a word processing application, an email etc.

Enhanced instant chat

Chat messages can now be viewed on other clients while they are being typed allowing for a quicker response time, this can also be set on a per show basis.

Used on air indication

Calls that have been on a device marked as an “on air” device will now indicate they have been used on air by a red circle appearing around the line number they are on. On air devices generally will refer to TBUs / Hybrids.

Confirm on air hangup

For systems that don’t have a GPIO interface to their desk, PhoneBOX can be set so that it will show a confirmation prompt box when a call that is on air is requested to be hung up, the user will then have to confirm in order for the call to be hung up.

Answer next button / toggle

If you click the drop down arrow by the answer next button in the top left it’s possible to force an answer next to go to a device other than the highlighted one, it’s also possible to toggle to an “answer random” mode which means the answer next button will instead answer a random call not the one that has been ringing the longest.

DTMF Tone Generation

You can now send DTMF tones from within the PhoneBOX environment. This is ideal for situations where you need to navigate through automated call answering menus live on the air.

Point Searching

It’s now possible to search the PhoneBOX database for key words from the Point field. Let’s say that you know a caller yesterday phoned about ‘cats’……just enter that as a key word and PhoneBOX will return all entries with a mention of cats in the Point field.

Caller counting

Now, lucky line 50, really is caller 50! In this great new mode the line numbers are replaced with a number representing the sequence in which calls arrived. Line 50 is easy and straightforward to spot. You can revert to real line numbers at any time.

Directory

Previously PhoneBOX had show and global sections of it’s old phonebook for you to add in your ‘speed dial’ numbers but the phonebook has been replaced with the call log and the global and show phonebooks have been unified into the directory which allows all PhoneBOX positions to make use of a directory of numbers that can be called back in a couple of clicks or a click and a drag.

Definable Line Label Colours

You can define the colours used to label lines that are inactive. Make XD, Jamlines, and other special lines stand out more clearly.

Hold to different hold feed

Ideal for competitions, you can now choose to hold one or more callers to a different hold feed, so they don’t get to hear the programme. This facility is in use by a number of stations running competitions where one party must be kept ‘in the dark’ about answers being given by another party. This facility requires the system to have a PhoneBOX music on hold interface.

Definable Chat Colours

Different workstations can be assigned different chat colours. This means that conversations are easier to follow.

Improved Dockable Bar

The dockable bar now has an enhanced drop call icon making it even easier to use with a touchscreen.

Presenter Mode Options

There is no longer a special presenter mode because now the layout can be fully customised to include only the windows that the presenter needs!

Queue Calls Outside of Queue Mode

Cooperative queuing was one of the features added in PhoneBOX, so that a call queue could be built on one workstation and cycled through on another workstation. It’s now possible to add calls to the Queue without even entering Queue mode. This is ideal for Call Screeners that require constant vision of the line group, but also need to submit calls to the queue.

Call log filter

The call log filter allows you to filter down by dispositions, call state and search point information, any of the filters you create can be saved and called upon again.

Unicode Handling

PhoneBOX is now based around Unicode, which means that any language Windows supports is now supported in PhoneBOX.

Drag from Device to Device

You can move a call between devices with a simple drag and drop. Previously this required either calls to be parked and then un-parked, or, use of the Route function.

Set Font Size for Devices

Different users use PhoneBOX in different ways. Some like lots of space for text, others want to get as many words in as possible. This is why we’ve made the font size for Devices definable.

Separate Prize Winner Email Addresses per Show

Each Show can have its own appointed prize coordinator with a separate email address.