BRUCE@ccavax.camb.com (Barton F. Bruce) (12/04/90)
A customer (a hotel) got a call from someone selling a service that I am curious about. My first opinion is that it is an automated AOS, but maybe it has some merit, and maybe we should look at it. They provide 'free' hardware that sits on each outgoing trunk. I loath the idea of 'advertising' for an AOS, but here goes. I am basically copying from the blurb they faxed to me. "Product Summary The Automatic Call Processor (APC) is designed to operate with any telephone system. Initially the unit is totally passive while it monitors local and long distance calling. It then intercepts only those calls which are dialed as 'operator assisted calls', such as 'calling card and collect calls'. The APC then stores billing information, which is forwarded to a billing agent. The hotel receives a monthly commission. Product Features - Routes operator assisted calls to 'local telephone company'/AT&T, or the operator service of choice. - Site owner or manager can determine rates. - Produces detailed reports for all calls processed. - Provides for validation of calling card and phone numbers. - Automated operator voice prompts the user through the steps to complete collect or credit card calls. Product Benefits - Significant increase in 'bottom-line' revenue. - No change in present equipment. - No change in present service. - No cost or charge to install and use. - Service may be canceled at any time with no obligation." Well there it is. Apparently the 'machine' asks you to enter you credit card or whatever, and then just dials the call on the trunk as a plain 1+ ddd call. The captured billing info is later polled for and used to bill the customer. Obviously I need to find out a lot more details about their billing algorithm, and what the machine's options are, and how current customers like/dislike it. They claim it is nice for the customer to be able to put the calls on whatever credit card they want, rather than just AT&T's (this hotel is on AT&T SDN and all 10xxx access has to be blocked simply cuz there is NO SAFE WAY to do otherwise. 950 works, and 800 calls are free). But most customers use a credit card to pay for the room and getting the charges posted to the guest's account is quite automatic for DDD calls now, and definitely at lower rates than AT&T CC service. Sure this would let them use a different credit card, but they won't see the bill for a month, and if there is some dispute (NO ans supervision is available) it is a hassle to deal with it that much later. It is better to have them squawk the next morning. They claim to be collecting what the LD carrier (e.g. AT&T) would have been getting for handling CC service, and spliting it with the property. If the property wants to ream the customers, fine, or the property can take almost nothing other than the cost of the call. They will bill and send commission checks accordingly. Could they be getting billing done on an AT&T card while the call went DDD, or are they letting those calls go straight through to ATT as 0+ calls? The sales person spoke of a 'window of opportunity' of 12 to 18 months. Does this just mean there will be many competitors offering this by then, or that AT&T and others will be charging less and kicking back equivalent amounts by then for operator services? She was new, and couldn't answer all my questions. By now she probably has learned more answers. The equipment was "Teltronics". There was a company by that name in Lakeland Florida years ago the made toll restrictors and coin phone add in gagetry for the independant market ( this is pre COCOT era knowledge of them). Is that who it is? Anyone know more? Anyone curious could call the company offering the service and see what you think. I assume you should 'be' in hotels (or other similar resale situations) or a consultant... (I have NO connection with these folks at all.) Try: Liz Bourikas Atlantic Phone 200 Walnut Street; Suite D Saugus, MA 01906 phone 1.800.225.3912 phone 1.800.370.8000 fax 1.617.233.0063 If anyone has any knowledge of the company or their product I would love to hear it. Send me mail, and I will summarise what is found out. I will not quote anyone directly without their permission.