leads-lists
GMT offset (lead)
A number stored on each lead that tells VICIdial the lead's local time zone so the dialer only calls during the hours allowed for that area.
The Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) offset is a number on every lead that records the lead's local time zone, written as a difference from GMT — for example -5 for US Eastern or -8 for US Pacific. VICIdial reads this number before it places a call so it knows what time it currently is where the person actually lives.
This matters because dialing rules are tied to the lead's local clock, not your server's clock. When you set call times on a campaign — say 9am to 8pm — VICIdial uses the GMT offset to decide whether each lead is inside that window right now. The same logic backs your permitted calling hours and any calling curfew you've configured, which keeps you from accidentally dialing someone at breakfast in their time zone.
Where the offset comes from
The offset is set when leads are added. The lead loader can look it up automatically from the area code, or you can supply it in your upload file. If a lead's phone number prefix doesn't map cleanly to a region, VICIdial may store a default or leave it blank, which can cause the dialer to skip the lead or call at the wrong hour.
- A blank or wrong offset is the usual reason a good lead never gets dialed.
- Daylight-saving shifts are handled by VICIdial's settings, not by editing each lead.
If you spot leads sitting in a list that never connect, check the GMT offset first. A quick fix is to re-run the loader's area-code lookup so each record gets the right time zone before it returns to the dial cycle. Getting this value right keeps you compliant and keeps the hopper full of leads that are actually callable.
Related terms
Calling curfew
A calling curfew is the band of hours during which outbound calls are allowed, typically blocking early mornings and late evenings in the lead's local time.
Call times
Call times are the rules that say which hours of the day a campaign is allowed to dial, so you don't call people outside legal or sensible windows.
Lead
A single contact record in VICIdial holding a phone number plus fields like name and address, the basic unit your campaigns dial.
Lead loader
The VICIdial tool that imports a file of phone numbers and contact data into a list, mapping each column to the right database field.
Permitted calling hours
The window of time during which the law allows telemarketing calls, set by the time zone of the person you are calling, not your own location.
Phone Number Prefix
Digits VICIdial adds to the front of a lead's number before dialing, used to add area or country codes or to route through a carrier.