Section 570 - TAPI Installation Guide
DBS-92-570
Issued April 2000
3
Introduction
Most businesses already use computers and telephones extensively in their day-to-
day operations. With few exceptions, however, business telephone and computer
systems have historically remained independent entities - no interaction or
common communication was possible between the two types of systems. Recent
advances in technology have made possible the merger of the two systems into a
cohesive and more effective communications and operational office tool. The
technology which makes this possible is called Computer Telephony Integration
(CTI).
The possibilities for CTI are endless. For instance:
- customer information for an incoming customer call could be
automatically displayed on a customer representative’s
computer screen based on the caller’s phone number.
- a computer-based phone directory may be used to not only look
up a phone number but also initiate the call.
- the vast array of PBX features may be more easily utilized using
computer screen icons and prompting instead of complicated
telephone feature access codes and procedures.
What are the advantages to CTI?
- increased access to information
- more effective communication
- more effective use of the telephone system
- more timely response
- improved customer satisfaction
One of the most significant emerging standards in CTI is
Windows™ Telephony
Applications Programming Interface (TAPI)
from Microsoft Corporation.
TAPI allows a PC to be connected to a telephone extension and used to control
incoming and outgoing calls through that extension. Typical desktop applications
that might be used with TAPI include Contact Managers and Personal Organizers.
The Panasonic TAPI product provides the necessary interface between a DBS and
a PC-based TAPI application. This product consists of a TAPI Adapter and the
Panasonic TAPI Service Provider (SP) software.
