TexBox Direct 

TexBoxDirect is a managed service offering “Real-Time character-by-character Text” on Windows, MAC and Linux computers allowing the TexBoxDirect user to make/receive landline and mobile textphone calls.

TexBox has a proven track record providing seamless accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing customers and staff throughout various organisations such as councils, utilities, services and businesses.

How does it work?

TexBoxDirect uses a browser based JAVA application "TexBox Communicator" enabling any Windows, MAC or Linux computer to have instant textphone capability without the need for software installation. This is particularly useful for ease of deployment throughout an organisation via existing IP infrastructure and being browser based you will always be sure the latest version of the application is available.

TexBoxDirect provides real-time, character-by-character text which is the standard form of text-telephony communication used commonly between textphones (also known as Minicoms). In addition to calls from textphones, calls can also be made to the service using "Textphone-Online" which is a web textphone usually embedded in a company's web page or "TexMee" which is a smartphone application available for iPhone and Android.

Web Page		TexBox Direct Service
Textphone
Smartphone
			Various Departments / Agent Workstations

There is no need for additional hardware or software as the application is launched via your web browser. All logged-in TexBoxDirect agents within your organisation will be visible to other TexBoxDirect agents in the user list.

Agents are able to:

• Make calls to and receive calls from customers or members of the public who use textphones.

• Receive calls from customers or members of the public via the company's website using Textphone-Online.

• Receive calls from customers or members of the public using the TexMee smartphone application.

Running the TexMee app. Lists the companies registered to the TexBoxDirect service. Selecting any of the companies from the list initiates a real-time text call.		The company’s welcome message is displayed to the caller.		The call is connected via IP to a logged-in TexBoxDirect user. A live-text conversation can now take place.

We would assign your company with an access number and a number of agent usernames and passwords to log-in to the system via internet. Textphone calls to the access number will be routed to your logged-in agents via the IP network. Optionally we can list your company in the TexMee directory to allow calls directly from a smartphone to your agents.

Incoming Call Features

• Welcome message - An automated customised welcome message which may include your company name is transmitted to a caller prior to the call being routed to a TexBoxDirect agent.

• Direct Dial call routing - Calls are routed to a specific TexBoxDirect agent or group of agents depending on assigned access number.

• Interactive text menus for callers - Additional option menus for each access number can be displayed to callers allowing them to interactively choose a department/group to connect to.

• Text answerphone - If no TexBoxDirect agents are logged in to the service to take a call, a text answer machine will automatically prompt a caller to leave a message.

• V.18 Technology - TexBoxDirect is the only service to offer this feature. The TexBoxDirect service is designed to connect directly with any textphone. This means a caller is not required to dial via a modem gateway service for modem compatibility reasons.

TexBoxDirect agent application - TexBox Communicator

What Does the caller see on their textphone when calling TexBoxDirect

(Note: The diagrams showing the conversation screen are an example of one type of textphone. Other textphones may only have a single line of text displayed. In both cases the text scrolls off the screen character by character when new text is received).

Textphone caller dials the TexBoxDirect access number to your company and receives the following automated message.
A “Connecting” message is then transmitted to the caller while the TexBoxDirect service checks if a TexBoxDirect agent is logged in.
If logged in, the TexBoxDirect agent then receives an incoming call notification. Once the TexBoxDirect agent answers the call, a “Connected” message is transmitted to the caller.
The TexBoxDirect agent then types or sends a preset personal greeting message to the caller.
A text conversation can now take place.

In the case that no agents are logged in, the answer machine option is automatically presented to the caller.

Textphone caller dials the TexBoxDirect access number to your company and receives the following automated message.
The TexBoxDirect service detects that no TexBoxDirect agents are logged in and transmits the answer machine message.
To leave a message, the caller presses “y” on their textphone keypad.
“Type the message followed by GA:” is then transmitted to the caller.
The caller types a message.
“Message saved, Thank you for your call, Bye…” is then transmitted to the caller and the service ends the call.
Messages are stored in a message box and can be retrieved when TexBoxDirect agents are logged-in.

Incoming Call Notification to TexBoxDirect agents

• Visual notification - TexBoxDirect agents are notified of Incoming calls by a pop-up window.

• Audible alert - If soundcard and speakers are available on the computer, an agent is notified by a ring sound.

Transfer Call

• Once a call is received, a TexBoxDirect agent can choose to deal with the call or if necessary can transfer the call to another TexBoxDirect agent.

Outgoing Call Features

• Make calls to textphone users.

• V.18 Technology - TexBoxDirect is the only service to offer this feature. The TexBoxDirect service is designed to connect directly with any textphone. This means that you are not required to dial via a modem gateway service for modem compatibility reasons.

• Calls from text to voice - Calls to external voice phones can be made by adding the BT TextDirect prefix to the beginning of the number you wish to dial which would engage a text-to-voice relay operator into the call automatically when needed.

Internal calls between staff

• Make text calls between workstations within your organisation - Similar to a telephone system, staff (hearing as well as deaf) can make internal real-time text calls to one another.

Post Call Features

• Save text conversations - Conversations may be saved by the TexBoxDirect agent.

• Print saved text conversations - Saved conversations can be printed to your default printer.

Other Optional services

• Textphone-Online - This option is an application embedded into your website allowing your customers to communicate directly with your TexBoxDirect agents in real-time text.

• TexMee - This is a smartphone application allowing your customers to communicate directly with your TexBoxDirect agents in real-time text.

To view flash tutorials for the TexBox Communicator application click here

Last updated :12/01/2012