Uploading Leads

[ken4]

We currently have our leads in Windows Sql hosted webserver. Can ViciDial be connected to that server and access those leads or do we have to upload all leads into the Dialer before we start calling?

If we have to upload all the leads before calling starts - do we have only 2 options of adding/uploading leads namely (1) Using the basic lead loader URL in the Browser or (2) Using the Super Lead Loader Option in the Browser?

Our leads are in somewhat different format than what's listed as default in ViciDial. Would that affect the leads that would be uploaded?

[mflorell]

You cannot use another database to dial from. You do need to upload leads with either of the web lead loaders or the command-line lead loader. Or if you know some programming you can write a script to to the import from one DB to the other.

[ken4]

Thanks for your prompt response. Our leads are in somewhat different format than what's listed as default in ViciDial. Would that affect or cause any conflicts to the leads that would be uploaded?

Our format is something like this:

Loan Amount
Interest Rate
Tel Number
First Name
Middle Initial
Last Name
Co-Borrower First Name
Co-Borrower Middle Initial
Co-Borrower Last Name
Street Address
City
State
Credit Rating

[kchung]

You can 'stuff' data into any of the columns as long as it meets the table's crieria. For example, to calculate GMT offset, the column 'phone code' needs to be populated with a correct country code (ie, 1 for north america). Also, some fields like gender and birthday are data specific, so you can't stuff data into there unless it fits the format.

I have an idea on how to make the leads database suit everyone's needs but I'll save it for after evaluating version 2.0.

[ken4]

Is there a way to include some of data fields or columns that are not included in the default format. For instance, can we include Loan Amount, Interest Rate, Co-Borrower Name, etc. in the data that is uploaded?

Thanks

[mflorell]

We usually put data like that into the vendor_lead_code, security_phrase, email and comments fields if needed.

Or for more fields or customized data we will create a new table and use a web form to access the data per call.

[ken4]

In that case, can we change the names of those columns or fields so there is no confusion for the agents? If those names can be changed, how do we access the data table and make those modifications? In Windows, we use Enterprise Manager to access SQL database...how do we do it here?

Thanks for your response.

[kchung]

Has the lead loading process and it's associated database tables changed much from 1.x to 2.x?

[mflorell]

To change the field names you would have to edit the vicidial.php code.


As for changes in the lead loader. We fixed a few bugs in 2.0 but did not change much functionality or the default format. Phone numbers can be loaded in from 7-12 digits in length and the alt_phone field is now scrubbed of all non-digits.

[ken4]

Would we run into some problems/complications if we edit the vicidial.php code? Would that affect or alter other things - if we change the field names but keep the number of fields same?

Alternatively, can we create a duplicate table with the same number of fields but different fields names and delete the default one? Would that cause more problems?

Appreciate your feedback. Thanks

[mflorell]

You can change the text that appears in from of the field names, but if you change field names you will have problems.

[ken4]

So, if I am understanding this correctly - would we have problems if we change the text of the fields names?

[mflorell]

Yes

[ken4]

In that case can we change the Text in the GUI? Would that be ok?

Thanks

[mflorell]

Yes