RR System

RR ENS

RR ENS Web

Costs

Initial Investment required in dedicated PC and in phone resources.  Cost of phone calls wholesale

Low Annual subscription, with additional costs per call with a premium, based on priority level

Low Annual subscription, with additional costs per call with a premium, based on priority level

Licensing based on concurrent users.  Costs based on number of ports and types of options, not based on size of database.

Additional costs for multiuser systems.  No hidden costs based size of database

No hidden costs for additional users or for size of database

Number of calls per minute limited by your budget.  Supports up to 480 lines on a PC

Typically Larger volume call outs possible, subject to Priority Levels

Typically Larger volume call outs possible, subject to Priority Levels

Installation and Training

Requires hardware configuration and installation using your phone resources

Simple local Thin Client Install

No software installation necessary

Use requires competence.  Some do not require training.  Little training required to activate notification.  Much of training focuses on importing and constructing call out database.

Training available, but not ordinarily required

Training available, but not ordinarily required.

User Interface

Elaborate  or simple tools

Simplified tools

Simplified tools

Graphical Trees allow for more complex organization, with groups and subgroups

List based, lists of groups and lists of individuals

List based

Networked Client

PC w/ Thin Client

Web browser

Messages recorded in natural recorded speech via PC or Telephone.  Text to speech support  scheduled 4th quarter 2004 

Messages recorded in natural recorded speech via PC or Telephone. 

Text to speech, or telephone. 

Data

Fully automated connections to external data sources possible.  Also manual imports and exports

Fully automated connections to external data sources possible.  Also manual imports and exports

Manual Input, Manual Imports,

Data may be retained within your network security umbrella, no outsiders have access

Data may be retained within your network security umbrella, no outsiders have access

Data protected by Enera personnel.  Web interface is public but protected by complex passwords

Inbound Call Control and Activation

Phone based activation more customizable, no organizational authentication necessary

Requires both organizational authentication and user authentication for phone activation

Requires both organizational authentication and user authentication for phone activation

Activation via PLC Device, or external applications using RR API

Activation via PLC Device, or external applications using RR API

Phone, PC

Inbound Call Menu may be customized in detail, may be used to start  scenarios, for Informational messages or to respond to call outs.  Detailed control about time limits on responses

May start scenarios or respond to call outs.  Requires Organizational and Individual authentication with shared service

May start scenarios or respond to call outs.  Requires Organizational and Individual authentication with shared service

Integration with External Communication Systems

Voice, fax, email, SMS, alpha pager, numeric pager, IM (depends on provider), PLC devices

Voice, fax, email, SMS, alpha pager, numeric pager

Voice, fax, email, SMS, alpha pager, numeric pager

Dialup text messaging available using TAP protocol (allows for faster delivery of text messaging)

Text messaging uses Internet for transport, can result in arbitrary delays due to switch congestion issues

Text messaging uses Internet for transport, can result in arbitrary delays due to switch congestion issues

Supports PLC for Input and Output (may be controlled or control electrical switches)

Supports PLC for Input (electrical switches may activate call outs)

No support for local PLC activation without specialized development

Possibility for interoperability with DTMF controlled systems such as Local AM Radio Overrides, GETS system, IM networks, or Conference Bridges (depends on system, can impact call out capacity)

Not supported

Not supported

Out Bound Call Control

Fully customizable delays and retries for busy signals, hang-ups, and various types of communication errors.

More limited control about  line level behaviour:  you can control retries on busy, no answer, hang ups and communication errors, but not delays.

More limited control about  line level behaviour:  you can control retries on busy, no answer, hang ups and communication errors, but not delays.

All messages used in outbound calling may be customized.

Limited System message menu.  No support for pin validation before delivering message, or passwording on message

Limited System message menu.  No support for pin validation before delivering message, or passwording on message

Delayed starts,  restarts, and automatic scheduled starts may be set up for a call out or a scenario

No support for scheduled starts or delayed starts

No support for scheduled starts or delayed starts

Program can handle any type of call outs: primaries and alternates, cattle calls,  calendar schedules, shift schedules.

Less logic in call outs:  everyone in group will be called. More complicated for inbound calling.

Less logic in call outs:  everyone in group will be called. More complicated for inbound calling.

Error Logging

Access to detailed, low level logs for monitoring behaviour of system:  you can trap low level activity at Phone Board level, and internal behaviour of application.

Client reports problems with connections or problems placing calls.  No customer access to low level logs at server level

Browser reports problems with connections or problems placing calls.  No customer access to low level logs at server level

Low level logging can detect in bound callers who log in to hear messages but don’t leave a response

No detailed information about specific steps taken by callers on inbound side available

No detailed information about specific steps taken by callers on inbound side available