Orchid Dialler Discount

Aiadi

Anyone knows the best way to set up the dialer to use BT for 0845/0870 calls. I am using a CPS (just-dial) but need these calls to go through BT as Just-dial haven't yet advertised their tariff for this type of calls. Also I thing I'd need to continue to use BT every now and then to keep the caller display free. My current settings of the router code is 0845 E (for Exclusion) which routes the call through the original carrier but does this work if you have CPS or do I need something along the line of 1280 prefix. Thanks in advance for any advice. :money:

fbrj

Aiadi wrote:

Anyone knows the best way to set up the dialer to use BT for 0845/0870 calls. I am using a CPS (just-dial) but need these calls to go through BT as Just-dial haven't yet advertised their tariff for this type of calls. Also I thing I'd need to continue to use BT every now and then to keep the caller display free. My current settings of the router code is 0845 E (for Exclusion) which routes the call through the original carrier but does this work if you have CPS or do I need something along the line of 1280 prefix. Thanks in advance for any advice. :money:

I think the cheapest option is:

0845 : peak - dialaround (2p/min); evening and w/end - BT
0870 : peak - 18185 (4p/min); evening and w/end - BT

18185 is also cheap for w/end calls to mobiles at 2p/min (in other words you should consider opening an account with them if you haven't already!). All 18185 calls are subject to 4p connection charge.

Like you I have a dialler and a CPS (although Tele2 and not Just dial).

In the Cwclient routing table set up as follows:

Go to the "Carrier" box and click on a blank line to open up new drop down list....search for "08444624848#### - Dialaround" - save it. Repeat on new drop down list...look for "18185 - 18185" and save that. For BT...if you already have "1280 - Overrride" then that is fine otherwise go to new blank line and find it and save from the drop down list as before. For the sake of this example...let's assume they are, respectively, lines 5, 6 and 7 in your "Carrier" box

Then go to "Routing" box (on Cwclient) - you should already have "Codes" for 0845 and 0870 - two seperate lines. Click on 0845 and set as follows: Make sure it is set as "0845 - Local rate A" (NOT Attribute "E" as you have at the moment)..then (using above example) Day, Night, Weekend should be set 5, 7 and 7 (ie Dialaround, BT and BT). Repeat for 0870, making sure the drop down is "0870 - National rate A" (Not Attribute "E" that you have at the moment)and set Day, Night and Weekend - 6, 7 and 7 (ie 18185, BT and BT).

Save all that..update..send to Orchid.....force dial ...and there you are..(hopefully!!)

Good luck!
ps if you do get 18185..don't forget to also change routing for w/end calls to mobiles!

Aiadi

Very helpful as usual Fbrj. Many thanks indeed for your advice. I'll set up the dialer according to your instructions. The only thing with JDS is that I'd probably be better off leaving evenings & weekend calls to mobiles to go through them rather than 1899 or 18185 as their prices are capped for less than 20 min calls.
Cheers. :beer:

Aiadi

Fbrj, by the way do I set calls to 0800/0500 in the same way (i.e. by using 1280 override and change their attributes to "A" instead of "E"). Thanks very much. :rolleyes:

fbrj

Aiadi wrote:

Fbrj, by the way do I set calls to 0800/0500 in the same way (i.e. by using 1280 override and change their attributes to "A" instead of "E"). Thanks very much. :rolleyes:

My setting for 0800 is as follows (and seems to work!)...not sure what 0500 is!

Find and set to "0800 - Freephone 0800" - on the drop down "Routing" list on Cwclient...it should show Attribute "E" (happens automatically)....then Day, Night and w/end you should set to 0,0 and 0. The zero routes those calls through your CPS. I guess (but am not absolutely certain!) that if you particularly wanted to route through BT then what you suggest should do it...

Orchid set those settings for me...I haven't dared fiddle around with them!

koenig

Why on the Orchid Electronics site does it state there is an optional power supply for the dialler, and then say it is strongly recommended for cable users?

Is the power supply unit just incase your phone line develops a fault, thereby causing all the programmed data to be lost? And what difference does it make if your on a cable line?

ginger_nuts

koenig wrote:

Why on the Orchid Electronics site does it state there is an optional power supply for the dialler, and then say it is strongly recommended for cable users?

Is the power supply unit just incase your phone line develops a fault, thereby causing all the programmed data to be lost? And what difference does it make if your on a cable line?

I think its because the power supply in a BT line is stronger than in a cable line .

Woby_Tide

also the type of phone you use on the line(cable wise) will also affect if you need the power. Using my cordless DECT set the Orchid wouldn't work on cable line but would on a BT line, yet using a 'old style' wired handset both lines worked fine. Bought the power supply and now the cable line works fine too.

normski_2

Just thought I'd add to the Orchid discussions. I have scanned all 40 pages of comments and would say as follows:

I can empathise with the people who found it hard to set up. Fortunately I had no real problems. A couple of false starts, re-setting the box and changing from the default settings to my own plan.

The discussions against having an auto-dialer seem to focus on how many calls with call1899.com it will take for the box to pay for itself. However the real saving should be calculated using the cost of forgetting to use a prefix and the call being routed through your usual carrier.

Mrs Normski is at home in the day and I don't expect her to be a moneysaving geek like myself and know what to dial when. She was generally very good but if she forgot to dial 1899 when she called her mum in the day it was costing us £1.08 for a 40 minute conversation with talk talk rather than 3p. She obviously jabbered on becuase she though it was fixed at 3p.

She also made a call to 118 866 rather than 18866 once by mistake which has been mentioned elsewhere. It all adds up quite quickly. I can sit back at work and know that whoever Mrs Normski calls in the day I know my autodialler will be routing the call the cheapest way.

deefadog

Well said normski!

On another note, as i am through ntl (don't know if it makes a difference) but i have to press the hash key lately to stop the long time it takes to connect, is this a new permament thing and should i re-program the box and add an extra hash??

Thanks