Programming Software

The Herald and Pentara Systems were programmed using computer software connected to the UART port by an RS232 cable. This software was rare outside BT but if you bought the system as a Philips TMC KBX100 the software was avaialble.

BT used to do this in "Herald Assembly Centres", the software also produced the parts list, equipment "layout", box connection diagrams, box connection labels and terminal labels. It could do this for a system that had custom software or that was self configured.

Pentara 100E and Plus systems (software later than V8.3) also supported a modem option card which allowed software to be uploaded from a system or to the system over the PSTN.

Herald A and B systems could only be programmed by a computer. The user could only program basic functions such as speed dials and extension buttons.

Herald B8 C (Pentara) and C+ (Pentara Plus) systems could be self configured and most options could be programmed by the user at the "master" terminals but the software provides much greater levels of customisation.

PC versions of the software are attached below. The original software ran on Rair black box or Tandy computers. Fortunately Philips TMC produced IBM PC versions in 1989.

See the instructions in the Word Document Attached and also the Readme files in the software.

H3S is for the old Heralds A and B

HDS is for a Pentara with Version 8 Software (Herald B8, S5102, Pentara or Pentara 100E)

PDS is for a Pentara Plus with Version 10 Software (10.1)