WombatDialer

WombatDialer is a commercial, highly scalable, easy-to-use and multi-server telecasting system, designed to work with your existing Asterisk-based PBX (Private Branch Exchange) server. It’s a platform-independent web-based application that can run on any distribution of Linux.

The software can be used in telecasting to send a pre-recorded message to a set of receivers, in telemarketing for sending a pre-recorded message to a list of contacts, as well as for voice conferencing, to setup a conference call with many attendants.

Features at a glance

WombatDialer can be used for automated phone interviews, to run multiple prioritized campaigns at the same time or as a powerful real-time monitoring software. WombatDialer is easy to integrate through its HTTP API (Application Programming Interface), and works with recent versions of Asterisk.

Additionally, the software comes with a ubiquitous security model that provides comprehensive auditing functionality, allows users to create programmable actions for uncompleted calls, and provides a collection of “building blocks,” which can be used to build custom-tailored PBX solutions.

Another interesting feature of the WombatDialer application is that it does not depend on third-party services, always running locally. Automated installation is provided on any GNU/Linux operating system using a Docker container (more details can be found on the project’s website).

Available in multiple editions

While the demo version is free of charge, it supports only two channels, expires after one year from the installation, which is fully automatic, and offers forum support only to its users. Mini pack, Midi pack and Large pack editions of WombatDialer are available for purchase on the project’s website (see link at the end of the article).

Prices start from 30 USD (30 CHF/25 EUR) per channel for the commercial editions. Detailed installation instructions, as well as a demo video of WombatDialer’s features can be found on the project’s website.

What is new in this release:

• WombatDialer is future-proof by supporting Asterisk 12 and the upcoming Asterisk 13 right out of the box. It works on any version of Asterisk since 1.4.
• WombatDialer now runs more quickly - we did a number of optimizations on the database layer. The dialer starts automatically when the system is already configured, so you don't have to remember to do it.
• The layout was notably improved - now it looks way better and there is more information available, especially on the Reports and Live pages. We did a large number of tweaks to improve usability - for example, when you are looking at a campaign run, the run refreshes automatically.
• WombatDialer is able to send e-mails on campaign completions - this feature makes your life easier when running large campaigns that take days to complete.
• Improved reverse dialing mode - it is possible to set a completion code when rejecting a call, and the agent's channel is automatically disconnected if the call fails.
• The APIs were improved to set completion codes when rejecting calls, to set extStatus codes through the HTTP interface and to report system health.
• We have an automated test suite. Before releasing, we test Wombat with over one million calls in telecasting, direct-to-queue and reverse modes. This may not make a direct difference to you but it means we have a way to run predictable stress tests and make sure WD will handle real-life workloads.
• We also fixed a large number of little bugs here and there - over 80 items were addressed. Together, these fixes make the experience simpler and smoother.

What is new in version 0.7.5:

• First, we fixed a number of issues to improve the accuracy of call and queue tracking. The bottom line is that the dialer is more efficient when tracking queues and will try to keep them fully saturated at all times. We also fixed a number of error conditions that were reported by our partners.
• Secondarily, we changed the log storage model. This means that logs will no longer make entities impossible to delete. Logs will also be scanned more efficiently for large systems (over 1M records).
• The third important item is that the dialer will now start up immediately as the web application is loaded, unless you just performed an update. This means that you will not have to log in to restart the dialer after a system reboot.
• The fourth important item is that from the Reports page you can now export to CSV the details of all the calls that were placed in a set of runs. This was a popular demand.
• Last but not least, the dialer view is way more clear when tracking queues - you can now see who is logged on, how many calls are being placed, and how many channels are used by that queue.

What is new in version 0.7.3:

• Black lists. It is now possible to filter call lists dynamically when dialing out using one or more Black Lists. Black Lists are lists like any other in WombatDialer that can be used to collect numbers that are not to be called anymore. They can be updated through the HTTP API, so you can control this feature externally and while a campaign is running.
• CSV import / export of lists. You can now prepare lists of numbers to be dialed (with all their attributes) using your favourite spreadsheet and upload them to the dialer through and easy-to-use drag and drop interface. You can also export lists of numbers with attributes as CSV files.
• Separate Agent CLID. A number of times, you want your agents to receive a call which caller-id contains information on the call being made (e.g. the name of the person called, or their CRM id - you choose). You can now have separate caller-ids for the external versus the internal side of a call.
• Attributes substitution. You can now use call attributes in caller-id's, caller presentation and logging code.
• Sortable campaign runs. In the Live page, you can now decide the sort order of campaigns and runs
• Number generator. The number generator can now create correctly set of numbers to be dialed whatever their prefixes
• Better security. On all user-created records, you can now see who created them and who modified them last
• Live dialer status. The dialer box on the main page can be set to refresh automatically

What is new in version 0.7.0:

• Reverse dialing lets you have outbound agents immediately connected when the callee picks up, without the minimal delay of waiting on a queue for dispatching. On top of this we implemented preview dialing, where agents can check the number to dial and approve or skip it - we have a tutorial for this, showing the integration of the default preview panel into the QueueMetrics agent's page at http://blog.wombatdialer.com/post/52639475437/preview . As with most things in WombatDialer, we included all-powerful APIs to roll your own.
• A complete security model that closely mimics the one used in QueueMetrics will let you define multiple, separate "tenants" having their own campaigns while sharing the physical Asterisk infrastructure
• Dynamic Campaigns: runs can now have lists of numbers added (or paused) while they are running. Working fine with "idle" campaigns as well.
• The Live page was improved to display the dialer status and - when using queue end-points - who is the agent currently connected to a call. Also a number of usability tweaks were implemented to make the experience smoother.
• The dialer controls now show extensive queue and agent details to make monitoring easier. Also the dialer supports better syncing to live queues when restarted.
• A number of performance changes will make processing larger campaigns a breeze.

What is new in version 0.6.13:

• This version adds a few interesting things to WombatDialer and should make your life easier when running it in production.
• First, WombatDialer has a better status view of queues: it now prints out the agents present on a queue and their current state, plus the calls (if any) currently queued.
• This way it is easier to understand what is going on in real-time. Also, when a call is connected to an agent, the agent being used is shown on the Live page. WombatDialer also tries to sync the queue as soon as it is brought up, so you always see all queues for your running campaigns even if you restart the dialer.
• The second major change is that call lists are now dynamic. You can pause and add lists on running campaigns, and WombatDialer will immediately respond to the changes you make.
• You can even add lists to idle campaigns, and they will start dialing immediately. For each list, the current high-water mark is displayed. The Live page also includes a check so that you cannot send commands to the dialer if the dialer is currently down.
• One last important change is that the infamous DTSC bug was fixed, so you do not need to restart the dialer multiple times. This will make installation of the system easier.