Microsoft TAPI is an Application Programming Interface which allows an application to make and take phone calls as well as other telephony related functions. Specifically designed for Microsoft Windows, TAPI is affectively a standard on the Windows platform and as such is supported by an extensive range of applications.

There are two parts to TAPI:  a provider and an application.  The provider is a system such as a PABX which is able to make phone calls on behalf of an application. The provider provides an implementation of TAPI which needs to be installed on each Windows PC that wants access to the PABX.  The application is then programmed to talk to TAPI and make a request to the provider such as 'Dial 555 1234'.

As TAPI is a standard, any application which is 'TAPI' enabled can talk to the provider.  As an example: Microsoft Outlook is 'TAPI' enabled, which means that you can click on a contact from within Outlook and an option to 'Dial' the contact will appear.  When you click the 'Dial' option, Microsoft Outlook will send a TAPI request to the provider who will make the call.  Typically the phone on your desk will ring, when you answer it the Asterisk PABX will then call the selected contact.

Many applications are TAPI enabled, including most contact management software such as ACT!

Asterisk can also provide custom software development services to TAPI enabled in-house applications. For more information call us on 1300-629-329 or email on support@asteriskit.com.au.