In general, you just need a Windows computer; either a desktop or a laptop. For Agent Dialer predictive dialing, a good quality USB headset is recommended for each agent.

For text messaging (Use BroadcastBySMS), you may need a Zoom GSM modem if your cell phone does not support 3G with USB connection to a computer. The modem is included in the purchase.

For small call- or text-message volumes, your computer should be at least a Pentium IV computer with 1.5GB memory. For large call or text volumes, your computer should have more power. The type of phone services you use also affects the computer requirement. The following gives you more detailed calculation of computer requirements.

CPU requirement

The CPU requirement largely depends on the number of lines used. It also depends on the usage of speech recognition, text-to-speech, and caller interactions. The more CPU power you have, the better the audio quality and responsiveness. For example, if you use a 1 - 10 channel system for autodialing, you can use a Pentium Duel Core CPU. For a 10 - 20 channel system, use a quad-core Pentium or Xeon CPU. For a 20 - 50 channel system, use a computer with duel processors and each processor with quad core CPU.  For a 50+ channel system, use one of the most powerful computers on the market. As a rule of thumb, use 4-10 lines/channels per core.

Memory Requirement

70 MB (Megabytes) per line. The system performance will suffer greatly if lacking sufficient memory. For example, if you wish to run 100 SIP channels simultaneously, your computer needs a minimum of 7GB memory.

Internet Bandwidth Requirement

For each VOIP channel/line, you need 128 Kbps of both download and upload stream. This requirement does not apply to systems that uses physical phone lines for calls. For more info, please see FAQ question #3.

Operating System Requirement

Any Window based system: Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2008, 2003, 2000

Voicent software can be used with different kinds of phone services.

PBX System

If you are currently using a PBX system, chances are you can directly configure Voicent software to use it without any special hardware. For details, please see using VOIP/SIP for Voicent software.

Internet Phone Service (VOIP Service and SIP Trunk Service)

Almost all VOIP services, such as SkypeConnect, Vonage with soft phone feature, RingCentral, Callcentric, etc, are SIP based, so they can be used directly with Voicent software. For details, please see using VOIP/SIP for Voicent software.

Physical Phone line, MagicJack, Vonage Hard Phone

These work on Windows XP PCs only. Windows 7 and Vista do not support these services. To use these services, you need to purchase a Voicent voice modem ($48) and connect a phone line to the modem. Magicjack works the same way as regular phone line. One caveat for MagicJack is that it does not support call transfer.

The choice of phone services depends on your call volume and calling area (international, long distance, or local). The good news is that you have a lot of choices. But you do need to shop around for a service that fits you the best. The following are some general recommendations.

Large Call Volume

For large call volume (more than 10 simultaneous calls), you'll need to find a service that is for business. Services like Callcentric, which mainly target residential markets, are usually not a good choice. For business VOIP service, you can choose: (1) Skype Connect, which is Skype's SIP service specifically designed for business use. You can get up to 300 channels per account. The outbound calling rate is 0.8 cent per minute. Or, 2) SIP Trunk Service, which is SIP based business phone service. You can find companies like Broadvox bandwidth.com, and many regional providers. Both choices should work with Voicent directly without any special telephony hardware or a PBX system.

Choice #3 is to use a PBX system, which offers you the flexibility of choosing almost any type of business phone service, such as analog trunk, T1, E1, ISDN, PRI, and SIP Trunk. For Voicent software, it does not matter which phone service you choose. As long as your PBX system supports IP phone or extensions, you can configure Voicent software to use the phone service through your PBX system.

Small Call Volume

For small call volume, using an Internet service is a good choice. Signing up for an internet phone service is quick and easy. There is no need for additional hardware or phone lines. All you need is to establish an user account with a SIP service provider. The calling plan fees normally cost less than your hard line phone service, but please compare prices among different providers to see which one offers the best cost savings for you. For more information, please see using VOIP/SIP for Voicent software

For each VOIP channel/line, you need 128 Kbps of both download and upload stream. This requirement does not apply to systems that use physical phone lines for calls; it also does not apply to SMS software. The SMS calls are made from a GSM modem using your cell phone company's cellular network.

A channel is similar to one regular phone line. Each calling instance requires 128Kpbs upload speed and 128Kpbs download speed since voice is two-way communication. Normally the limitation is upload speed. For example, if you have 1.5 Mbps (Mega bit per second) download speed and 512 Kbps (= 0.512 Mbps) upload speed. Even though your internet download speed can actually supports up to 12 channels ([1.5/0.128] = 12), but it can actually only support maximum 4 channels because the upload speed limits the number of channels to 4 (512/128 = 4). To support 12 channels, you need to increase the upload speed to 1.5 Mbps as well. You can do this through your internet service provider.

AgentDialer may require more CPU and bandwidth. If an agent’s computer is not on the same local area network (LAN) as the server computer, additional 128 Kbps per line is required.

It's quick and easy: Just download Voicent software on your computer. It takes 5-10 minutes, depending on your internet speed. After the download completes, click on the button at at the lower right of the download window to install the software.

The installed program will display program icons on your screen after you have installed the software. To learn to use a particular program, open the program, select the Help menu, then choose product walkthrough.

Yes, you should be able to test almost all features. The intention of the shareware is to enable you to try before you buy.

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For the shareware edition, every phone call or text message contains a Voicent ad message. There are other limitations in the shareware edition. For example, AutoReminder has a maximum 5 appointments per day limitation. These limitations should not prevent you from testing the software.

There is no time limit on the shareware edition. We want you to test the software as much as you like before the purchase.

If you wish to purchase a full version, all you need to do is pay for the software, then you will receive a license key that will convert the shareware into a licensed version.

If you have purchased the product, you can request the product license to convert the shareware version to the full version. To do so, open the program, click on Help > Request Product License from the program main menu. After you submit the license request, you will receive the license file through email. The email also contains instructions on how to install your license.

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Voicent application programs including AutoReminder, BroadcastByPhone, Agent Dialer, Flex PBX, IVR studio, and BroadcastBySMS, are separate from Voicent Gateway. The Gateway is the program that makes the phone calls. In order for the application programs to work, a connection with the gateway must be established.

Click on the gateway icon on the taskbar, the status should be running. If Voicent Gateway failed to start, or if your program cannot connect to a running gateway, please check your firewall and antivirus programs. Your firewall or antivirus program needs to unblock the gateway. Your computer may contain a built-in firewall program that blocks Voicent Gateway from accepting connections.

Voicent Gateway normally listens on ports 8155, 8255, 8355, and 8455. The following processes (under the folder C:\Program Files\Voicent\Gateway\bin) are part of the Voicent Gateway:

• vxengine.exe: telephony engine of the gateway
• spengine.exe: speech engine of the gateway
• vgate.exe: the gateway server and client program
• javaw.exe: VoiceXML interpreter and application