Technical - ACTIUS

The Assocation of Computer Telephone Integration Users and Suppliers

There is an association that brings together both the users and the suppliers of computer telephone integration and voice processing. It is ACTIUS - the Association of Computer Telephone Integration Users and Suppliers. It could help you. ACTIUS is aimed at anyone interested in the techniques, use and benefits of computer telephone integration and of course the closely related area of voice processing. It seeks to bring together users, and suppliers, integrators and other parties. It was launched in the UK, but at the time of writing has members in 12 countries (including North America).
Members
ACTIUS is a worldwide organisation - the countries with Actius members include Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia, as well as good coverage across Europe.
Most of the major industry names are represented - for example just some of the suppliers are AT&T, Nor-Tel, Rockwell from the telephony world; IBM, SCO, Tandem from computing; Dialogic, Periphonics, Vox from voice processing; and so on.
Unlike organisations such as ACTAS, ACTIUS has very strong emphasis on USERS - Users who are already exploiting CTI and Voice, or who may be just venturing into the area. User Members come from all the areas that can benefit from CTI and voice processing - eg Banking, Insurance, Marketing, Travel, Networks, Utilities, Health.
ACTIUS members are those individuals in organisations who are interested in the benefits and use of CTI and voice. A number of organisations have members in different divisions, or indeed in different country subsiduaries.
Scope
ACTIUS is a forum for users, suppliers and interested parties in the area of CTI integrated telephone and data management products and services.
CTI is defined, in the context of ACTIUS, as: 'A functional integration of business application software with telephone based communications'. The scope of this definition embraces applications within the call centre, at the desktop and within the workgroup. The integration applies to voice processing and call processing systems and to the media of text, image, video and voice.
Objectives
The aim of ACTIUS is to provide an open industry forum, for users and suppliers, for interchange and discussion on computer telephone integration and computer telephony products or services. It also aims to explain the benefits of computer telephone integration applications to the broadest possible range of users.
ACTIUS works to clarify the business benefits of these applications, which include integrated voice and database systems for sales automation, customer service and personal productivity, to the general market.
ACTIUS also works co-operatively to develop educational programmes and information campaigns which expand awareness of integrated telephone and computer systems. It does not develop Standards, but does provide input to the regulatory bodies on the subject of computer telephone integration, and keeps its members informed of regulatory implications.
Organisation
ACTIUS is a not-for-profit association. It was formed in the UK, but is not restricted to the UK. Members are welcome from other parts of Europe and worldwide. It may develop activities in other countries or develop liaisons with bodies based in other countries.
A elected Committee runs ACTIUS. It is made up of representatives from both the user and supplier communities - indeed the ACTIUS Charter insists that Users take an active part in running it. Committee members have coordinating roles covering activities such as Finance, External Relations, Publications, Seminars, Exhibitions, Technical, etc.
Membership Benefits
Members receive a number of tangible benefits, as well as the opportunity to communicate with other members about their experiences, needs and concerns. For example:
* The ACTIUS Glossary of CTI Terms - a definitive dictionary of terminolgy in CTI and Voice
* The ACTIUS Members Handbook - a very comprehensive reference document with many tens of tabulations of who supplies what facilities and products - and who is using what. The Handbook also contains Case Studies and other reference informat ion. Further material such as sample Job and Project Management Specifications is planned.
* A subscription to VINE (an industry newsletter formerly called Voice IN Europe). VINE carries ACTIUS news each issue.
* Seminars with leading industry user and supplier speakers, at nominal cost.
* "White Papers" reviewing technical and other matters that could impact ACTIUS members. Members are invited to contribute to study groups and help develop draft and finalise Position Papers.
* Educational materials - eg standard introductory presentations about CTI
It is recognised that members may have different levels of knowledge of CTI and Voice, so ACTIUS does try to structure its activities and materials to help those new to the field, as well as the "improvers" and the experienced.
Summary
Anyone with an interest in CTI can join ACTIUS. They can help influence how the CTI and Voice Processing industry will progress in the near and medium term. They can benefit themselves and their organisations, be they users or suppliers, by sharing experiences and new ideas.

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Doug Glading was one of the founders of ACTIUS and has been its Vice-Chairman for the last three years. He spent many years working in various roles for IBM, latterly on voice cards, ISDN and CTI. He is today an independent consultant and writer in the area of CTI, and has produced a number of ACTIUS publications and presentations as well as building its Charter.
Membership queries about ACTIUS should be made to the ACTIUS Secretary, Brian Robson. Contact Roy on fax 44 1491 410 201 (internat) or 0500 228 487 (from UK), or on the id Brian.Robson@BTInternet.com
World Wide Web pages for ACTIUS are at the URL of http://www.actius.org.uk/ - the ACTIUS site - you can find more information about Actius there (including an on-line application form)

See also
Technical - Information about CTI, etc.
Main Page - Index page for this set.

Comments, queries and messages to: dougglading@cix.compulink.co.uk