Design considerations for computer-telephony application programming interfaces and related components

Discusses computer telephony integration (CTI) architecture, including the application programming interface (API) and underlying operating system components and the benefits they can bring to all segments of the computer telephone industry. Although CTI APIs have existed in various forms for more than two decades, the work of crafting the ideal interface continues. As operating systems and telecommunications network technology evolves, so do the APIs and system components that bring together the computing and communications worlds. The author presents some of the considerations that have gone into the design of the Windows telephony application programming interface (TAPI) and which will continue to guide the further evolution of the interface.