What is It? 
If you have phone terminal extensions and Call API access, you are able to receive incoming collect calls from callers on the public telephony network (PSTN) via a web-based interface.
If the call is accepted by your CallNow extension, you will be charged based on the cost of the call to the phone number of the person that wants to contact him using the CallNow center. So, if their call to you is a local call, all you'll pay is 12c flat. However, if their call is from a mobile phone or from an international number, then the standard rates will apply.
Here's some examples of how to use CallNow ...
You can configure a phone terminal extension as a "selective" toll free number. As the call's receiver, you can see who wants to contact you and decide whether you want to call back or not.
CallNow allows extensions to be used as part-time free support, marketing or sales channels.
For example, a small company might assign a single employee with the responsibility for both answering the phone and contacting existing customers "free of charge" in order to offer them technical support. In this type of scenario, you might provide a hyperlink on your web site leading to the CallNow interface where your clients can enter their name and phone number and are then called back by you for assistance.
A salesperson can even include his CallNow URL in his email signature or on his business card. This way your clients are just a click away from your expertise.
How Does It Work?
When CallNow is enabled for a VoIP Server phone terminal extension, a CallNow ID is allocated to the extension. This CallNow ID allows anyone to initiate call requests to your designated extension over the Internet. If you accept their request, the VoIP Server server will call the requester at your expense. For example ...
John has an ezyPBX on the VoIP Server server. He's chosen to assign a phone terminal extension as a CallNow extension. The extension has number 001002 allocated internally and number 02 9037 1234 allocated externally.
John activates this extension's CallNow feature using CallNow ID "john_doe". This means he'll now have a personal CallNow URL allocated to him in this way ...
https://manage.voipserver.net.au/callnow/john_doe
John can then send this link to anyone he wishes to allow access to his CallNow account.
Mary, with phone number 02 9037 5678 wants John to call her. Mary accesses John's CallNow interface at ...
https://manage.voipserver.net.au/callnow/john_doe
... and enters her name and phone number without any separator, eg, 0290375678.
The VoIP Server servers contact John on his internal phone number (001002) and asks for his confirmation of the call.
If John accepts the call, the VoIP Server servers will initiate a call at John's expense for Mary. This will be appear as a regular phone call from John's number, 02 9037 1234, calling Mary's number, 02 9037 5678.
The CallNow configuration allows various customizations for the extension's availability, privacy, security and user interface. Incoming call requests can be accepted automatically or confirmed individually, depending on the caller's phone number and/or name.
The following options are available in the CallNow preferences page ...
CallNow ID - The caller ID for your extension
I am available only in time interval - Your availability for being contacted through CallNow
Do not allow people to contact me - Whether you would like to reject all CallNow requests
Confirmation required before connecting me to caller - Whether you would like to confirm before accepting a CallNow request
Show my name on the public CallNow interface - Make your name public on the CallNow interface
Ask for the name of the caller - Do not accept anonymous callers
Use image validation on the public interface - Use a random validation security image
Message on the public interface - A welcome message for your public interface Once the CallNow preferences are set up and confirmed, the system will generate a CallNow URL. This is set up on the VoIP Server server and can be used by external users to contact the extension and request a call.
The URL can have either of the following formats ...
https://manage.voipserver.net.au/callnow/unique_id
or
https://manage.voipserver.net.au/callnow/index.php?call=uniqueid
IMPORTANT
If image validation is not enabled in the extension's CallNow preferences, anyone can send a call request in just one step, by incorporating?their name and phone number in the CallNow request.
So tread carefully here. If you choose not to enable verification security when enabling the CallNow feature, you WILL be charged for all calls made via CallNow, no exceptions.
