PhoneValet by Parliant

Macworld Best of Show 2004

PhoneValet by Parliant is a software and hardware combination that provides multi-line voice mail, call recording, searchable call history, and call-in to control your Mac. I have been installing many computer applications including a TIVO lately, and have found glitches in every single installation except PhoneValet. The installation went smoothly. The PhoneValet package contains the Parliant Telephone Adapter, a USB cable for connecting it to the computer, a telephone cable, and a telephone line splitter. It also includes a genuine, printed User Guide manual with a CD to install the software.

As I said, installation was "glitchless," and once it was done, I was making and receiving calls immediately. The User Guide is a gem. It has a great Table of Contents, it is well written and it is easy to follow. I use AirPort for my wireless network and that stayed untouched while my computer managed voice mail with PhoneValet. I chose voice activation and was thrilled to hear my first caller announced by voice with a large sign displaying the caller's phone number. Naturally, for this feature you need to have Caller ID from the telephone company. The log indicated that I answered the call. As a test, not an ego trip, I then called myself from my cell phone and recorded a voice message. It was logged in PhoneValet's Call Log and I was able to play it back in my voice. Call logging is extensive, as are its functions. It allows dialing numbers from the call log, making comments, and adding call log names to your phonebook. Once in the Call Log you may search, read, play, and record messages. The Report in the Call Log also allows advanced searches.

PhoneValet offers call recording, capturing both sides of the conversation into a sound file. Simply click on any given call in the Call Log and listen to the recording.

PhoneValet's voice mail answers all calls, which could prevent you from receiving a fax with a fax machine or any fax software running on the same phone line. Therefore, PhoneValet offers three ways to receive faxes: using a shared-line fax machine; using Mac OS 10.3's built-in fax; or using the PageSender software, from SmileOnMyMac, which is included in all of PhoneValet's supported Mac OS releases (10.1.5+).

Sound files may be recorded in several formats: 3GPP which is highly recommended by Parliant for its superb audio quality and very small files. The AAC format is provided for compatibility, and WAV format, which has the largest file sizes.

PhoneValet also allows you to run programs on your computer remotely with the Remote Control feature, which uses AppleScripts. And as soon as you think it can't get any better, you'll find that Parliant includes several example scripts. The Today iCal script will read you the list of current event and times in your iCal. The US Weather script will read you the weather, and the Canadian Weather script will let you know the weather in your favorite Canadian city.

You can make calls in many ways: dialing by voice, by Apple's Address Book, from Services in any application, clipboard dialing, and AppleScript dialing. You may also import phone numbers from Apple's Address Book, Microsoft Entourage v.X, Palm Desktop (tested with versions 2.6 and 4.1), Now Contact (tested with v4.2; use the "Default" export template, and Big Island Yo Yo phonebook. You can also export the names and numbers from PhoneValet phonebook, as well as the records in the call log, to a file. I can see this being handy for transferring phone numbers to an iPod, but I did not test it. PhoneValet is a must for individuals or businesses who need more from their telephone.

I am so pleased with the ease of installation and ease of use of PhoneValet from Parliant and with its versatility. I give it 5 out of 5 Apples. It deserves its prestigious award of Macworld Best of Show 2004.

Bio of reviewer: Maria has been a Pennsylvania resident since 1970. She is a native of Nicaragua but became an American citizen in 1964. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Loyola University of New Orleans and her Master of Science Degree from West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Since retiring from the Philadelphia School System as a science teacher and as a science department head, her newfound time has allowed her to become more involved with her Mac and the User Group Community. Her love of the Macintosh goes as far back as 1984. Since joining MLMUG in 1997 she has served as Special Projects Coordinator, Member at Large and currently as President and Vendor Liaison.

Attribution Information:
Article appeared in the MLMUG Journal, August, 2004, in The Dialog a PMUG NL August, 2004, and in MUGSNJ's MugShots, July 2004.

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