In need of a hosted, XML-driven IVR & PBX platform.

[This Isatest]

I'm having trouble finding a hosted IVR & PBX solution. It seems the
only options are VOIP platforms, which I want to avoid (due to
reliability and sound quality issues).

The idea is quite simple. I want to develop a script in PHP which
enables me to post XML to an API server, receive data from the server
(such as a confirmation and/or result) and insert the incoming data
into a MySQL database. 80% of the need would be sending prerecorded
voice messages/reminders to multiple recipients. The remaining 20% is
the need for an inbound solution. Once somebody places a call to one
of my telephone numbers, it generates an inbound call result/info in
real time, sends data to my server to be gathered in the same manor as
the outbound scenario. Gather/parse the data, insert into a MySQL
database, etc.

I'm proficient enough to develop something on my end, however, I'm
looking for help or tips on a reliable platform or company that uses
real phone lines (not VOIP).

Thanks for your time and I hope someone could point me in the proper
direction. Frustration (over the past month) has definitely set in!

-Ken

[Doug McIntyre]

Post by This Isatest
I'm having trouble finding a hosted IVR & PBX solution. It seems the
only options are VOIP platforms, which I want to avoid (due to
reliability and sound quality issues).

Thats mostly because the gear that can do it was also developed as
VoIP gear. All of VoIP doesn't have problems with sound quality.
Many ILECs and CLECs use VoIP internally with no way the end-users
can tell that they may be going over IP trunks instead of TDM trunks.

As another example, Comcast Digital Voice is all VoIP.

It is easier to take and do the IVR functions when the call is handled
via VoIP or simular technologies. General purpose voice to IP Gateways
are ubuiqitous and fairly cheap. OOTH, gear that does TDM to voice
processing gear tends to be very proprietary and expensive. (ie. Brooktrout/Dialogic).

Post by This Isatest
The idea is quite simple. I want to develop a script in PHP which
enables me to post XML to an API server, receive data from the server
(such as a confirmation and/or result) and insert the incoming data
into a MySQL database.

You don't really want a PBX, although that may be what what things
tend to fall under for an umbrella term. IVR is good.
But you may want to hunt down VoiceXML product offerings.

http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/VoiceXML


Although all the companies that I know that do this sort of thing run
their own equipment and phone lines, and strongly prefer to do so
without outsourcing (or at least the RFCs I got as a service provider
to provide this sort of service to people at the time; were looking for
way cheaper than anything could be provided).

I guess if I was developing it, I'd get a cheap PRI from a CLEC,
possibly colo'ing my server in their data center. Plug it into either
something built around opensource like Asterisk, or go full-scale with
Cisco gateway gear.

[ChyrillStucker]

ChyrillStucker had written this in response to
http://forums.cabling-design.com/telecomtech/In-need-of-a-hosted-XML-driven-IVR-PBX-platform-5885-.htm

Post by This Isatest
I'm having trouble finding a hosted IVR & PBX solution. It seems the
only options are VOIP platforms, which I want to avoid (due to
reliability and sound quality issues).
The idea is quite simple. I want to develop a script in PHP which
enables me to post XML to an API server, receive data from the server
(such as a confirmation and/or result) and insert the incoming data
into a MySQL database. 80% of the need would be sending prerecorded
voice messages/reminders to multiple recipients. The remaining 20% is
the need for an inbound solution. Once somebody places a call to one
of my telephone numbers, it generates an inbound call result/info in
real time, sends data to my server to be gathered in the same manor as
the outbound scenario. Gather/parse the data, insert into a MySQL
database, etc.
I'm proficient enough to develop something on my end, however, I'm
looking for help or tips on a reliable platform or company that uses
real phone lines (not VOIP).
Thanks for your time and I hope someone could point me in the proper
direction. Frustration (over the past month) has definitely set in!
-Ken

-------------------------------------

Hello Ken,

I certainly understand your deed. I would recommend my VoIP provider
TheRealPBX. Also I would suggest you discuss all your requirements with
their support team, they will provide you with the best possible plans
including the features that you require. I’m sure this would help you
resolve your confusion.



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