Hacking MCIMAX

by MCI Mouse

MCIMAX is actually MCI's link into the MAX database which contains information concerning many MCI as well as AT&T and US Sprint products.  The data retrievable for each service includes current usage rates and volume discounts for products, comparison matrices, feature and benefit statements for products, guidelines for entering and processing orders, and current product promotions.

This article will deal specifically with MCIMAX, containing information about MCI's domestic products.

MCIMAX can be logged into from an MCI terminal.  I am writing this article under the assumption that you can access the MCIMAX database remotely either via dial-up or network hopping.

From an MCI Terminal ID Screen, type L PREF (for Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Southeast, or International divisions) or L PREFSAC (for Midwest, Pacific, Southwest, or West divisions).

At this point, you will be prompted for a Sign-On Number, Volume Name, and Password.

For Sign-In Number, enter R### where ### is the branch ID number.  The branch IDs go by hundreds (for example, 500 - 536 is the Southwest Division range).

Your volume name is MCIMAX and a password is not required at this time to access the database.  You should now be in the MCIMAX database.

MCIMAX is structured like a book.  There are 26 chapters, A through Z, containing the following information:

A Reserved B Dial "1"/Premier Calling Plans C Operator Services D Corporate Account Services/CAS PLUS E WATS F Hotel WATS G University WATS H PRISM I I PRISM II J PRISM II K PRISM PLUS L MCI 800 Service M Vnet N Fax O MCI Card P Worldwide Direct Dialing Q Digital Gateway T-1 Access R Fractional T-1/DS0 and VGPL S Terrestrial Digital Service 1.5 T Digital Data Service (DDS) U Switched 56 kbps Service V Hospitality Plus W MCI Network X Rate Tables Y AT&T Competing Products Z US Sprint Competing Products

Within each chapter, there are topics, sections, and items (i.e. in Chapter K, PRISM PLUS, Topic 1 is Description, and sections include Description Introduction, Overview, Call Processing, Target Market, and Sales Successes).

The bottom of your screen should contain the pertinent information as to how to select your sections within the topics of a chapter, but if not, you should place an X by the section which you wish to browse.

Another way of accessing information is via the Index.  From your arrow prompt at the bottom of your screen, you can type an Index word or a letter if you're not sure of the exact index entry.

For access to AT&T 800 ReadyLine rates, for example, you would type: ATT 800 READYLINE, RATES

If you simply typed A, you would be given an alphabetical list of topics within the Index from which to choose.  Tab moves from item to item from the list, and an X by the topic will go to that Index item.

Function keys to use with these menus include:

#* PF1 Displays previous page/topic. #* PF2 Displays next page/topic. #* PF3 Exits to MIS logo screen. * PF4 Displays table of contents. #* PF5 Lists the chapters in the volume. #* PF6 Lists the topics in the chapter/volume. * PF7 Lists the sections in the topic. #* PF8 Allows you to type an index entry/displays the index. # PF9 Displays the previous chapter in the volume. # PF10 Displays the next chapter in the volume. #* PF11 Gives access to bookmark or glossary options/shows more options. # PF12 Toggles the menu (at the bottom of the screen) on and off. A # indicates use with Table of Contents and a * indicates use with the Index.

The bookmark function allows you to return to a set screen at any time.

Using the PF11 key to see the options, hit PF9 to set the bookmark.  Then enter a name for the bookmark when asked.  To go back to where you were, hit PF11again.

From the PF11 menu, you can retrieve a bookmark by entering PF10 and choosing the name of the bookmark to return to.

There is also a glossary available in MCIMAX.  If the bottom of the screen's display does not have PF8 indicated as Glossary, hit PF11 to toggle.  Once selecting PF8, use the PF1 key to get a list of glossary terms, and enter the term to be defined at the prompt, or enter a blank line to return to your previous work.

Although this system is not as intriguing as some telecommunications computer systems, it is good to know what you're toying around with if you stumble upon one.  Good luck and have fun!