I want to just reiterate what the Telex Radio Dispatch System is.
Telex provides an integration with multiple communications systems. This is commonly used in an environment where dispatchers communicate on multiple communications systems. The Telex C-Soft console provides dispatchers a point and click interface to interact with the various communications systems. Dispatchers can increase or decrease audio volumes from a specific radio system. They can also click on a specific radio system and, through their headset, talk on a particular radio system. The Telex Radio Dispatch System also allows for a phone system integration.
For example, consider an ambulance company. Their ambulances provide services for town A, town B, town C. All these towns communicate on specific radio channels. The ambulance company has radio towers and systems that connect to each radio channel/network. For each radio channel/network/town, Telex has a VoIP adapter that converts the radio communications to VoIP. The Telex system multicasts the audio from the radio system to the dispatchers.
For Cisco centric people, think Cisco IPICS.
We were brought in to integrate a Cisco CallManager phone system with the Telex system.
The primary problem we had was the integration between the physical phone and the Telex C-Soft Dispatch console. The physical integration is provided via in-line adapter connected to the phone (See Part 1). Often a NENA compliant phone is used. Cisco, as well as most other vendors, do not have NENA compliant phones (We later learned NENA compliant phones can cost several thousand dollars a piece). When an inbound call is presented to the dispatcher, they can answer the call by clicking on the appropriate icon on the dispatch console.
We connected a Cisco IP Phone to the Telex in-line adapter. On an inbound call, the dispatcher had to physically press the appropriate button on the phone to answer the call. This would not work, the customer wanted to use the C-Soft Dispatch Console to click and answer the call.
We tried removing a physical phone all together and use the C-Soft SIP phone. This worked ok for receiving calls. The C-Soft SIP phone was configured as a basic SIP phone in CallManager. To place outbound calls, dispatchers had to append @10.1.1.1 (CallManager's IP Address) to every outbound call, either internal or external. I held out hope the SIP client would work, but it looked to me like a freeware no frills SIP softphone. For the customer, this was a no go.
We found a small company in California which produces a box which connects to a physical phone (pretty much any phone) and provides the proper signalling to integrate with Telex (Sorry I don't have the companies name right now, but I can find it on request). With this box, dispatchers could click to answer the call, however C-Soft didn't pickup the audio.
After much troubleshooting we found the phone system needed to generate a tone or a beep when the call was answered to cause C-Soft to "hear" the call and mix the audio. After banging our heads together a co-worker suggested enabling the "call recording tone" on the dispatchers phones. This is normally used to play a tone to callers indicating the call is being recorded. We were not using a call recording system, but playing this tone caused the C-Soft console to recognize the call and mix the audio.
Telex Radio Dispatch System Integration with Cisco Unified Communications. Part 1
Telex Radio Dispatch System Integration with Cisco Unified Communications. Part 2
Billy,
ReplyDeleteGreat thanks for the information. We went through a very similar process last year with connecting our Cisco IP 7975 phones to the Telex HB3+ utilizing a self made phone cable. It works, or I should say allows us to use 1 headset, but get no functionallity of one system. That is why we were looking at the Telex SIP and adding the phones to the C-Soft console. We have asked our Telex Rep for a list of customers using the SIP to try and get some perspective before buying the product, but are still waiting for the list. It is great to hear from someone else with similar programs. We will continue to check this blog for any other updates you provide. Thanks again.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in hearing about the box from the small company in California.
Thanks,
James
jbuchanan@presidio.com
Thanks to Mike for reminding me were these came from.
ReplyDeleteTHP-700RTS Telephone Headset Radio Transfer Switch
With Dry Switch Closure Model: THP-700RTS
http://www.dynametric.com/THP-700RTS_Telephone_Headset_Radio_Transfer_Switch.aspx
Detailed Description:
The THP-700RTS is an interface between telephone consoles or Automatic Call Directors and radios with headsets. It outputs a dry switch closure for use by the radio to transfer the headset from the radio to the telephone. It also outputs analog audio of the telephone conversation to a recorder, if desired. An RJ-11 jack outputs the recorder audio on pins 3 & 4, and the dry switch closure on pins 2 & 5 of the jack (see diagram). The audio output need not be used if recording is not desired.
The THP-700RTS detects an audio signal on the incoming telephone talk path and connects the headset and simultaneously outputs the dry switch closure. An LED indicates to the operator that the telephone talk path is connected. The dry switch closure and the headset connection are maintained as long as there is audio signal on the phone. After a settable quiet time of 5 to 30 seconds (usually 10 seconds) on the phone, the dry switch closure opens and the headset is disconnected and reverts to the radio.
A “TALK” push button adjacent to the LED on the THP-700RTS will toggle the headset connection from the telephone to the radio and back again. If the LED is ON (headset connected to telephone), the push button will revert the headset to the radio (opens the dry switch closure). If the LED is OFF (headset connected to the radio), the push button will reconnect the headset to the telephone. The push button allows the immediate connection of the headset to either radio or telephone. The telephone call must be placed ON HOLD for the headset to remain connected to the radio.
There are three adjustments available to accommodate individual phone installations. The units are adjusted at the factory to normal settings that work with most telephones. Do not readjust unless it is indicated after testing on the particular telephones. Follow the adjustment instructions if it is necessary.
Bill,
ReplyDeleteWhat version of C-Soft Dispatch Console that you are using? I don't believe that you have to append the @10.1.1.1 for every outgoing call.
I believe at the time that was required, but that was 1 year ago.
ReplyDelete