8x24 DR5 Line Configuration

[RampageRick]

Just got hired as network admin at a golf course. Had IT stuff clinched, but had to learn Norstar 8x24 very fast. Got the system working well now, but they just asked me to upgrade it, at the lowest possible cost. All of the phones are M7208s except for a single M7324 for reception.

They're currently running 6 loops from the telco.
Lines 1-3 are a circular hunt on xxx-3300
Lines 4-6 are a circular hunt on xxx-3380
All of our calls come in on 3300, and outgoing calls can be made on any line. The downside is with only 3 lines we've been having clients getting busy signals.

Now, they want to upgrade to 8 loops. I want to configure it like so:
Lines 1-6 circular hunt on xxx-3300 for incoming
Lines 7-8 on xxx-3380 for outgoing.

I know the 8x24 can accomidate 8 lines without an upgrade, but from what I've read the 7208 phones can only use 6 actual line buttons. The handset buttons are set for line 1 through line 6, then intercom and handsfree, which the managers wish to keep this arrangement. What I want to do is configure lines 1-6 for direct access on each phone, with lines 1-4 set to Incoming Only. Then, I want to create an outgoing Line Pool, using line 8, 7, 6, 5 in sequence, accessed by dialing 9. Lines 7-8 are the primary outgoing lines, but 5-6 would provide additional access at peak times.

Basically I need feedback on my plan. I wish I could take the system offline to experiment, but oh well. I may get a chance to play with lines 7-8 by myself, I just won't give any other DNs access to those lines. I haven't found any good instructions on setting up a Line Pool, so I will appreciate any instructions you can give me. I am picking up this stuff fast, in one week I've learned how to reconfigure sets, change names, configure voicemail, and I learned alot of it from this forum.

 

[MarvO1]

Your plan will work.
Go into CONFIG then item 4, MISC. to check your line pool code.
Go to item 2, LINE ACCESS and give all the sets access to the pool.
Go to item 1, TRK/LINE DATA and assign the lines to the pool. The pool will automatically use line 8 first, working its way down the numbers like you want.

MarvO said it

 

[MarvO1]

Another thought for you: You don't even need to have the users hit 9 first, if you set the PRIME LINE for all the sets to POOL A, or what ever pool you are using. That way, when they pick up the handset, or hit handsfree, it will give them the pool. To make an internal call, they would have to hit the intercom button first. Kind of depends on if most calls are outbound, or internal to other extensions.

MarvO said it