Takeaway project

[dolan]

My school project is basically a takeaway ordering system which is going to be made in Access.
I'm stuck with a problem tho, how would I go by making/buying a telephone hook device? Something which obtains the telephone number when someone dials in (the phone must be plugged into the computer somehow). And then is added into Access, and orders can be added and pritned with that telephone number.

It has been done before, because I've seen systems which do this exact task.

Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Singh400]

Something over VOIP maybe? No reason why you shouldn't be able to hook in whatever program for VOIP and yank out the number.

 

[DCrake]

This seems rarther a heavy request for a school project what level of education are you studying?

 

[dolan]

Its an A2-level project, and the task is basically.. do what your client tells you to do, and my client asked this, so ive got to find a solution

VOIP? would i need specific hardware? and how would this link to access?

 

[DJkarl]

What your client is requesting of you seems to be greater than what you should be doing for your course level. This can be done as you've pointed out, you first need something to receive phone calls, VOIP is fine (Voice Over Internet Protocol), but if you don't have a VOIP provider you would need to receive phone calls from a standard analog line, this would require software and a modem.

There is pre-packaged software you can purchase that basically acts like caller ID on your computer, you might want to use something like that to capture the number of incoming calls, then when a call is detected the database can be opened and the phone number added.

 

[dolan]

Wow, where can you obtain the package? will shops sell them?
Besides, its not only an A level project, its what my parents want too (parents own the restaurant)

 

[DCrake]

I suggest you visit your local pizza takeaway and ask them what they use in the way of hardware then at least you are starting off on the right foot.

 

[chergh]

Take a look at http://www.uk-software.com/whoscalling.htm

I'm not recommending the program as I've never used it or heard of the company but it showed up on a quick google and might be of some use to you.

 

[Singh400]

Its an A2-level project, and the task is basically.. do what your client tells you to do, and my client asked this, so ive got to find a solution

VOIP? would i need specific hardware? and how would this link to access?

This is an A2 project? What the hell did you do for A1 then?! Bloody heck.

Personally, I would forget about hooking into the telephone (by whatever means) and just ask them for their contact number. Much easier. And it's what my local pizza place does.

 

[Rabbie]

This is an A2 project? What the hell did you do for A1 then?! Bloody heck.

Personally, I would forget about hooking into the telephone (by whatever means) and just ask them for their contact number. Much easier. And it's what my local pizza place does.

I agree. The actual Access side will be identical regardless of how you capture the number.

 

[dolan]

I have found this:
http://www.mawnet.com/0019en.php
It is a software which gets the Caller ID into the computer by using a modem

But what modem? The site doesn't recommend any routers which it is compatiable with. The software has this DDE to Access, so it can input stuff to the database directly, so it doesnt need any coding which is brilliant!

This should work in the UK becuase the company has a UK telephone support line :S
What UK modems do you guys recommend which works with this program?

almost there
Thanks!

 

[DJkarl]

I have found this:
http://www.mawnet.com/0019en.php
It is a software which gets the Caller ID into the computer by using a modem

But what modem? The site doesn't recommend any routers which it is compatiable with. The software has this DDE to Access, so it can input stuff to the database directly, so it doesnt need any coding which is brilliant!

This should work in the UK becuase the company has a UK telephone support line :S
What UK modems do you guys recommend which works with this program?

almost there
Thanks!

Routers and Modems are quite different. You use these terms as if they are same technologies and they are not. A Modem (modulator-demodulator) converts analog signals to digital and vice-versa so your computer can send data over standard analog phone lines (this is how we connected to the internet before high speed was widely available, or for those of us who are old enough we used modems to dial into BBS's).

A router is more of a gatekeeper for a network, either a local network or the internet. It has many important roles but isn't really what you need for capturing phone calls.

Some companies have combined the two devices i.e some cable modems also serve as routers, however you cannot use these as they are sending signals via a cable line and not the phone line.

Any brand of modem will likely work so long as your computer and OS have drivers for it. I think the easiest method would be to get an external modem, that way you won't need to crack open the case and install hardware.