RE: [asterisk-users] Hotels...
PMS is the correct term for the hotel billing systems. Property Management System. Problem is that they are all proprietary interfaces and it is very hard to get the major companies to work with you. I've done so in the past. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of C F Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 8:27 PM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels... Interesting you said PMS? here is the definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMS On 8/7/06, Brian Vincent (C) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ideally you'd get billing to work by integrating directly with the property management software. Most of the big PMS systems, such as SMS, LMS, and FRS, have custom serial drivers written for them that interface with the PBX and related systems. The PMS software is responsible for activating long distance on the phones, adding/removing voicemail boxes, and collecting billing records. It may also do really complicated things like suiting. I don't think you're going to be able to get any of that. For that reason alone, are you sure Asterisk is the right solution? Maybe a little Mitel system would work with their software? Okay, now assuming you have a nice GUI to rebuild mailboxes, you'll have to decide if it's worth restricting/unrestricting phones for long distance. Keep in mind housekeeping staff may like to make international phone calls. It may be easier to just sell calling cards and open up the lines for free local calls (usually local calls incur a surcharge of $1 - $1.50.) Are there conference facilities involved? Do you need special pricing for provisioning lines there? I like the idea of using those Audiocodes boxes, but will fax services work with them? In theory I think they do, but we've had problems passing data over them. Can the Audiocodes boxes drive message waiting lamps? I can't remember, but you'll need that. Wake up calls? Asterisk supports it (Trixbox has a nice implementation), so be sure to test that. Is this a multiproperty hotel and will you need to support 911 to different buildings? --- Brian Vincent Copper Mountain Telecom [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dovid Bender Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 10:07 AM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels... I have to bid on a hotel contract, but there are some things I don't know how to do -- but clearly Asterisk has been used by hotels before, so I figure someone on here must have some answers: 1) While the majority of the phones will be SIP, there will be a couple hundred analogs (due to wiring logistics); what should I terminate them into? 2) Phone activation at check-in/phone de-activation and billing at check-out. Are there GUI tools for this, or should I write my own back/front end? 3) Anything else that those familiar with hotels have bumped into that might not be obvious at the outset? Thanks! -Ken Ken, Long time no see on the list welcome back. 1) The best thing would be is to get a channel bank. Xorcom has one that I believe works over USB though never tried it so I cant comment on it. 2)I dont think there is any software out there for hotels per say but there has been talk about working some of the open source billing programs out there in to a custom app. The only reason why I would go for writing your own is A)You have more control. You can build it for your own custom needs for the ground up. B)People have asked about it before. While I dont know the market size I am sure that you can resell it once you are done. Dovid ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users __ Confidentiality Warning: This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s), are confidential, and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, retransmission, conversion to hard copy, copying, circulation or other use of this message and any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, and delete this message and any attachments from your system. Thank you. __ ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http
Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels...
Question: Are you planning to use ADSI to signal a Messege light on the phones? On 8/7/06, Ken D'Ambrosio [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have to bid on a hotel contract, but there are some things I don't know how to do -- but clearly Asterisk has been used by hotels before, so I figure someone on here must have some answers: 1) While the majority of the phones will be SIP, there will be a couple hundred analogs (due to wiring logistics); what should I terminate them into? 2) Phone activation at check-in/phone de-activation and billing at check-out. Are there GUI tools for this, or should I write my own back/front end? 3) Anything else that those familiar with hotels have bumped into that might not be obvious at the outset? Thanks! -Ken ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users -- --- Andrew Latham - AKA: LATHAMA (lay-th-ham-eh) [EMAIL PROTECTED] - [EMAIL PROTECTED] If any of the above are down we have bigger problems than my email! Hind sight is most always 20/20 or better. --- ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels...
I have to bid on a hotel contract, but there are some things I don't know how to do -- but clearly Asterisk has been used by hotels before, so I figure someone on here must have some answers: 1) While the majority of the phones will be SIP, there will be a couple hundred analogs (due to wiring logistics); what should I terminate them into? 2) Phone activation at check-in/phone de-activation and billing at check-out. Are there GUI tools for this, or should I write my own back/front end? 3) Anything else that those familiar with hotels have bumped into that might not be obvious at the outset? Thanks! -Ken Ken, Long time no see on the list welcome back. 1) The best thing would be is to get a channel bank. Xorcom has one that I believe works over USB though never tried it so I cant comment on it. 2)I dont think there is any software out there for hotels per say but there has been talk about working some of the open source billing programs out there in to a custom app. The only reason why I would go for writing your own is A)You have more control. You can build it for your own custom needs for the ground up. B)People have asked about it before. While I dont know the market size I am sure that you can resell it once you are done. Dovid ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels...
Ken D'Ambrosio wrote: I have to bid on a hotel contract, but there are some things I don't know how to do -- but clearly Asterisk has been used by hotels before, so I figure someone on here must have some answers: 1) While the majority of the phones will be SIP, there will be a couple hundred analogs (due to wiring logistics); what should I terminate them into? 2) Phone activation at check-in/phone de-activation and billing at check-out. Are there GUI tools for this, or should I write my own back/front end? 3) Anything else that those familiar with hotels have bumped into that might not be obvious at the outset? Thanks! -Ken Ken, I can comment on the analog phones: get AudioCodes gateways. They come with up to 24 FXS ports. You can install on on each floor/whatever. -- Kristian Kielhofner ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
RE: [asterisk-users] Hotels...
2) Phone activation at check-in/phone de-activation and billing at check-out. Are there GUI tools for this, or should I write my own back/front end? The integration with the hotel systems for the activation/deactivation and billing can be tricky. Check the archives for some discussions on this topic. ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels...
On 8/7/06, Ken D'Ambrosio [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I have to bid on a hotel contract, but there are some things I don't know
how to do -- but clearly Asterisk has been used by hotels before, so I
figure someone on here must have some answers:
1) While the majority of the phones will be SIP, there will be a couple
hundred analogs (due to wiring logistics); what should I terminate them
into?
Use channel banks, I like the Adit 600 which can take 48 FXS per 2
T1s, or one CMG card for 48 channels (however to actualy utilize the
CMG you loose a slot which is 8 channels so it only goes for 40
channels). A quad T1 card will then allow you to utilized 96 channles
over 2 Adit 600s.
2) Phone activation at check-in/phone de-activation and billing at
check-out. Are there GUI tools for this, or should I write my own
back/front end?
The easiest way to do this is to have the outbound extens defined for
the phones (zap channels or the like) to go thru a check in the
asterisk DB, and the asterisk DB is updated by the checkin/checkout
program thru a shell command something like this:
/usr/bin/asterisk -rx database add OUTBOUNDACTIVE/ZAP4=1
exten = _1NXXNXX,1,GotoIf($[${DB(OUTBOUNDACTIVE/ZAP${CHANNEL:4:1})}=1]?50)
;if the value is one goto 50 and continue dialing
exten =_1NXXNXX,2,Congestion()
;if we got here then the value is NOT 1 so disallow dialing
exten = _1NXXNXX,50,Dial(whatever)
3) Anything else that those familiar with hotels have bumped into that
might not be obvious at the outset?
Thanks!
-Ken
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RE: [asterisk-users] Hotels...
Ideally you'd get billing to work by integrating directly with the property management software. Most of the big PMS systems, such as SMS, LMS, and FRS, have custom serial drivers written for them that interface with the PBX and related systems. The PMS software is responsible for activating long distance on the phones, adding/removing voicemail boxes, and collecting billing records. It may also do really complicated things like suiting. I don't think you're going to be able to get any of that. For that reason alone, are you sure Asterisk is the right solution? Maybe a little Mitel system would work with their software? Okay, now assuming you have a nice GUI to rebuild mailboxes, you'll have to decide if it's worth restricting/unrestricting phones for long distance. Keep in mind housekeeping staff may like to make international phone calls. It may be easier to just sell calling cards and open up the lines for free local calls (usually local calls incur a surcharge of $1 - $1.50.) Are there conference facilities involved? Do you need special pricing for provisioning lines there? I like the idea of using those Audiocodes boxes, but will fax services work with them? In theory I think they do, but we've had problems passing data over them. Can the Audiocodes boxes drive message waiting lamps? I can't remember, but you'll need that. Wake up calls? Asterisk supports it (Trixbox has a nice implementation), so be sure to test that. Is this a multiproperty hotel and will you need to support 911 to different buildings? --- Brian Vincent Copper Mountain Telecom [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dovid Bender Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 10:07 AM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels... I have to bid on a hotel contract, but there are some things I don't know how to do -- but clearly Asterisk has been used by hotels before, so I figure someone on here must have some answers: 1) While the majority of the phones will be SIP, there will be a couple hundred analogs (due to wiring logistics); what should I terminate them into? 2) Phone activation at check-in/phone de-activation and billing at check-out. Are there GUI tools for this, or should I write my own back/front end? 3) Anything else that those familiar with hotels have bumped into that might not be obvious at the outset? Thanks! -Ken Ken, Long time no see on the list welcome back. 1) The best thing would be is to get a channel bank. Xorcom has one that I believe works over USB though never tried it so I cant comment on it. 2)I dont think there is any software out there for hotels per say but there has been talk about working some of the open source billing programs out there in to a custom app. The only reason why I would go for writing your own is A)You have more control. You can build it for your own custom needs for the ground up. B)People have asked about it before. While I dont know the market size I am sure that you can resell it once you are done. Dovid ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users __ Confidentiality Warning: This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s), are confidential, and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, retransmission, conversion to hard copy, copying, circulation or other use of this message and any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, and delete this message and any attachments from your system. Thank you. __ ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels...
Interesting you said PMS? here is the definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMS On 8/7/06, Brian Vincent (C) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ideally you'd get billing to work by integrating directly with the property management software. Most of the big PMS systems, such as SMS, LMS, and FRS, have custom serial drivers written for them that interface with the PBX and related systems. The PMS software is responsible for activating long distance on the phones, adding/removing voicemail boxes, and collecting billing records. It may also do really complicated things like suiting. I don't think you're going to be able to get any of that. For that reason alone, are you sure Asterisk is the right solution? Maybe a little Mitel system would work with their software? Okay, now assuming you have a nice GUI to rebuild mailboxes, you'll have to decide if it's worth restricting/unrestricting phones for long distance. Keep in mind housekeeping staff may like to make international phone calls. It may be easier to just sell calling cards and open up the lines for free local calls (usually local calls incur a surcharge of $1 - $1.50.) Are there conference facilities involved? Do you need special pricing for provisioning lines there? I like the idea of using those Audiocodes boxes, but will fax services work with them? In theory I think they do, but we've had problems passing data over them. Can the Audiocodes boxes drive message waiting lamps? I can't remember, but you'll need that. Wake up calls? Asterisk supports it (Trixbox has a nice implementation), so be sure to test that. Is this a multiproperty hotel and will you need to support 911 to different buildings? --- Brian Vincent Copper Mountain Telecom [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dovid Bender Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 10:07 AM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels... I have to bid on a hotel contract, but there are some things I don't know how to do -- but clearly Asterisk has been used by hotels before, so I figure someone on here must have some answers: 1) While the majority of the phones will be SIP, there will be a couple hundred analogs (due to wiring logistics); what should I terminate them into? 2) Phone activation at check-in/phone de-activation and billing at check-out. Are there GUI tools for this, or should I write my own back/front end? 3) Anything else that those familiar with hotels have bumped into that might not be obvious at the outset? Thanks! -Ken Ken, Long time no see on the list welcome back. 1) The best thing would be is to get a channel bank. Xorcom has one that I believe works over USB though never tried it so I cant comment on it. 2)I dont think there is any software out there for hotels per say but there has been talk about working some of the open source billing programs out there in to a custom app. The only reason why I would go for writing your own is A)You have more control. You can build it for your own custom needs for the ground up. B)People have asked about it before. While I dont know the market size I am sure that you can resell it once you are done. Dovid ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users __ Confidentiality Warning: This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s), are confidential, and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, retransmission, conversion to hard copy, copying, circulation or other use of this message and any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, and delete this message and any attachments from your system. Thank you. __ ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels...
LOL - PMS = Property Management System Bart C F wrote: Interesting you said PMS? here is the definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMS On 8/7/06, Brian Vincent (C) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ideally you'd get billing to work by integrating directly with the property management software. Most of the big PMS systems, such as SMS, LMS, and FRS, have custom serial drivers written for them that interface with the PBX and related systems. The PMS software is responsible for activating long distance on the phones, adding/removing voicemail boxes, and collecting billing records. It may also do really complicated things like suiting. I don't think you're going to be able to get any of that. For that reason alone, are you sure Asterisk is the right solution? Maybe a little Mitel system would work with their software? Okay, now assuming you have a nice GUI to rebuild mailboxes, you'll have to decide if it's worth restricting/unrestricting phones for long distance. Keep in mind housekeeping staff may like to make international phone calls. It may be easier to just sell calling cards and open up the lines for free local calls (usually local calls incur a surcharge of $1 - $1.50.) Are there conference facilities involved? Do you need special pricing for provisioning lines there? I like the idea of using those Audiocodes boxes, but will fax services work with them? In theory I think they do, but we've had problems passing data over them. Can the Audiocodes boxes drive message waiting lamps? I can't remember, but you'll need that. Wake up calls? Asterisk supports it (Trixbox has a nice implementation), so be sure to test that. Is this a multiproperty hotel and will you need to support 911 to different buildings? --- Brian Vincent Copper Mountain Telecom [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dovid Bender Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 10:07 AM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: Re: [asterisk-users] Hotels... I have to bid on a hotel contract, but there are some things I don't know how to do -- but clearly Asterisk has been used by hotels before, so I figure someone on here must have some answers: 1) While the majority of the phones will be SIP, there will be a couple hundred analogs (due to wiring logistics); what should I terminate them into? 2) Phone activation at check-in/phone de-activation and billing at check-out. Are there GUI tools for this, or should I write my own back/front end? 3) Anything else that those familiar with hotels have bumped into that might not be obvious at the outset? Thanks! -Ken Ken, Long time no see on the list welcome back. 1) The best thing would be is to get a channel bank. Xorcom has one that I believe works over USB though never tried it so I cant comment on it. 2)I dont think there is any software out there for hotels per say but there has been talk about working some of the open source billing programs out there in to a custom app. The only reason why I would go for writing your own is A)You have more control. You can build it for your own custom needs for the ground up. B)People have asked about it before. While I dont know the market size I am sure that you can resell it once you are done. Dovid ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users __ Confidentiality Warning: This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s), are confidential, and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, retransmission, conversion to hard copy, copying, circulation or other use of this message and any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, and delete this message and any attachments from your system. Thank you. __ ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users ___ --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http
