CTI (Computer Telephony Integration / TAPI)
Introduction
With a CTI solution, phones can be controlled from the computer. One of the most commonly used features is dialing a number from the computer.
This works as follows:
- You dial a number on the computer.
- The computer sends the dialed number to your phone.
- Your phone rings, and you answer the call.
- The call to the desired destination number is established.
For CTI to be used, two components are required:
- A TAPI driver must be installed (Establishes the connection between the computer and the phone).
- A CTI application that supports the TAPI driver must be installed (This application dials the number and controls the TAPI driver).
(TAPI = Telephony Application Programming Interface)
In this guide, you will first be guided through the installation of the "SIP TAPI" driver.
This is a prerequisite for a CTI application to work afterward.
We mention two optional CTI-capable applications in this guide:
- xtelsio
- Outlook (deprecated)
"xtelsio" is a platform-independent application that allows you to make a call from any application (e.g., Internet Explorer, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word, Firefox, etc.).
"Outlook" is a popular application that has a TAPI interface.
Since newer versions of "Outlook" no longer support TAPI, there is no guide available for this.
You are free to choose and install the application that best suits your needs.
This installation guide was created based on Windows 11 and may differ depending on the operating system.
Please note that depending on the application and installation, administrator rights may be required. If you have any questions, please contact your computer administrator. Depending on the user account control settings on your computer, security warnings may appear during installation.
Requirements
To use the CTI function, you need a sipcall user account and a VoIP-enabled phone
(hardphone or softphone).
If you do not have a sipcall user account, you can create one on our website.
If you experience issues with your phone, you can find various helpful guides here.
If necessary, please contact the corresponding manufacturer of the device.
SIP TAPI
This device uses the SIP port UDP 5060 for call signaling by default and the RTP port UDP 3000 for transmitting voice data.
Download "SIP TAPI"
Download the latest version of "SIP TAPI" to your computer.
You can find the current version at this link.
Save the file to your computer.
Extract the downloaded ZIP file. To do this, right-click the file and then select "Extract All...".
Choose the desired destination folder and then click the "Extract" button.
Installation "SIP TAPI"
Open the extracted folder "siptapi-0.2.xx" and follow the path "deploy" -> "x64" -> "Release".
Now select the corresponding "siptapi.tsp" file.
If you are unsure about which system type is installed, you can find this information under
"Settings" -> "About" -> "System type".
Copy the "siptapi.tsp" file to "C:\Windows\System32".
If the following message appears due to the user account control, click "Continue"
to confirm the copying process.
Configuration "SIP TAPI"
Open the Control Panel on your computer and select the "Phone and Modem" option.
If you are opening the "Phone and Modem" option for the first time, you will need to enter your location information
and confirm the settings by clicking the "OK" button. Note: The area code corresponds to your local phone area code.
First, select the "Advanced" tab, and then click the "Add" button.
Select "SIPTAPI Service Provider 0.2.xx" and then click the "Add" button again.
To complete the installation, click "OK."
Select "SIPTAPI Service Provider 0.2.xx" and then click the "Configure" button.
Please enter the data according to the configuration details for the corresponding phone number, which you can view within your sipcall user account, as follows:
- SIP Domain:
<SIP-Server> - SIP Outbound Proxy:
<SIP-Server> - User:
<Username> - Password:
<VoIP-Password>
Confirm these entries by clicking the "Apply" button and then "OK".
TAPI is now fully installed.
Option "xtelsio"
Download "xtelsio"
Download the latest version of "xtelsio" to your computer using this link.
Save the file to your computer.
Extract the downloaded ZIP file. To do this, right-click the file and then select "Extract All...".
Choose the desired destination folder and then click the "Extract" button.
Open the extracted folder "xtelsio_CTI_Client_lite_setup" and then double-click the "setup.exe" file.
Select the desired language and then click the "Next" button.
If you agree with the license agreement, accept it and then click the "Next" button.
Choose the desired installation path and then click the "Next" button.
Choose whether the application should be available for "All users" on this computer or just for the
currently logged-in user ("Current User"). Proceed with the installation by clicking the "Next" button.
Select the desired working directory and then click the "Next" button.
Define where shortcuts should be created and continue the installation by clicking the "Finish" button.
The installation is now complete. Click the "Close" button to finish the installation and start the application.
Configuration "xtelsio"
Open the options for "xtelsio" under the "Options" menu.
Now open the "TAPI Devices" tab and click the "Add" button to link "xtelsio" with the TAPI driver.
Select the "SIPTAPI" driver and click the "OK (Select TAPI Device)" button to apply the settings.
Click the "OK" button to complete the configuration.
The configuration is now complete and "xtelsio" is ready to use.
Making Calls via "xtelsio"
To dial a number from your computer using "xtelsio", highlight the number with the mouse (in any application, e.g., Firefox or Adobe Reader).
Press the "Pause/Break" key on your keyboard to dial the highlighted number.
The key to start the call can be changed in "xtelsio" under "Options" -> "Options" -> "Interworking" -> "Dialing from within other applications".
When your phone rings, answer the call. Your call will now be connected to the desired recipient.
Test CTI Functions
You can now test the new features by making free calls to other SIP phones.
However, for calls to the regular telephone network, which are chargeable, you must first top up your sipcall user account with credit.