Edit1 - Introduction
In many metropolitan areas across the United States, there are several area codes and various dialing rules that must be applied. To make sure that ReminderPro knows how to handle these variations in dialing, we have provided a tool we call the
Metro Calling Table. With this tool, you can tell ReminderPro how to dial the phone numbers of your patients, so as to ensure the greatest possible success in your calling sessions.
Edit2 - More Information
One of the first things new users should do is setup the basic rules for their area in the
Metro Calling Table. Sometimes you may need to dial a
1 plus the area code. Other times, just the area code and number. And yet other times, just the seven-digit number. The
Metro Calling Table (MCT) allows you to specify the proper dialing rules, not just by area code, but by area code and exchange (the first three digits of the phone number).
The rules can follow one of three forms:
| None | -> Seven-digit dialing (e.g. 555-1212) |
| Ten Digit | -> Ten-digit dialing (e.g. 303-555-1212) |
| Leading 1 | -> 1+areacode dialing (e.g. 1-303-555-1212) |
If yours is a calling area that encompasses multiple area codes and rules, you first should determine the area code in which ReminderPro is locally installed (e.g the 816 area code). Now, determine how 816 numbers are dialed from the office. Is there more than one dialing property for 816, and, if so, which property is most common? Suppose some calls within the 816 area code require long distance dialing but most of the calls only require standard 7-digit dialing. In this case you would start by making an entry in the MCT that covers the general seven digit dialing rule.
To create the new rule, open the MCT by going to
Edit > Metro Calling Table. A screen such as this will display:
With the above window displayed, follow these steps:
- Click New. A window like this will display:
- For the area code, enter 816.
- Leave the exchange blank.
- The setting would be None.
Clicking
OK saves the new rule, applying seven-digit dialing to everyone in area code 816. However, you will need to add additional rules to cover the exceptions to the general rule. If any patients/clients live outside the local 7-digit calling area and require a long distance dial (1-816-555-1212), you will need to add a rule for each exchange that requires special dialing. For example, if in area code 816, the exchange
437 is outside the local calling area, and requires a long distance dial, you will need to add a record similar to this in the Metro Calling Table:
| Area Code | -> 816 |
| Exchange | -> 437 |
| Option | -> Leading 1 |
This second record in the MCT applies a finer rule to your dialing 816 numbers. The general rule applies seven-digit dialing. This second rule applies an exception when the exchange is 437.
Now, say there are patients who live in the 913 area code and this area code requires all local calls to be dialed using 10-digit dialing property (913-555-1200), you would make an entry such as this to the MCT:
| Area Code | -> 913 |
| Exchange | -> Leave Blank |
| Option | -> Ten-Digit |
If some patients/clients live in the 913 area code and require long distance dialing, then you would make separate entries for each long distance exchange within 913. Any area code that is outside your area code and not listed in the MCT and gets imported into ReminderPro will be dialed as long distance (1 + area code) by default. This means that if we are importing client data containing phone numbers with area codes that have no rule in the Metro Calling Table, ReminderPro will dial
1 + area code by default. Any city can be set up this way. You simply need to know the property that is the
most used and make it a global entry. You then make exceptions to that area code rule, by exchange, for the smaller properties. This process requires less data entry.
There are helpful websites you can use to look up exchanges and dialing properties around your local area code and exchange by radius in miles. For assistance in determining proper dialing rules, check out the following:
http://www.localcallingguide.com/lca_listregion.php
http://www.jcsm.com
http://www.nanpa.com
Edit3 - Applies To
All ReminderPro Versions
Edit4 - Support
If you continue to experience the problem after trying this suggestion, or if you have further questions, you may enter a case for our Technical Support Department directly visiting
http://www.inphonite.com/support. Technical Support is available between the hours of 9:00am and 6:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
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