Activate call forward when not at office? 1

[blinking123]

Is there a way to activate the call forwarding feature if you don't have access to a desk set? I can get into WINSPM remotely, but can't figure out how to make calls to make extension forward to my cell.
Thanks in advance~
Annie

 

[oldclyde]

You don't turn it on thru WINSPM. But you have to set it up to allow it to be done using WINSPM. Look up the feature "Remote Access" and set up your system accordingly. Once your system is set up for "Remote Access", call into the system on a line/trunk that you have programmed for Remote Access and enter the barrier code, if required. To forward calls to an extension, dial *33 while listening to system dial tone. Then dial the forwarding extension number and the destination extension number. If the destination number is a non-local extension, dial a pound sign (#) after the extension number.

 

[blinking123]

Thanks for the answer, oldclyde - we've got a situation where no one can get into the building where the Merlin is housed so we're trying to forward the calls to cell phones from a remote location... but from your explanation and other threads, it doesn't sound like it can be done.

On a related note, is there a way to access the Merlin remotely and actually make calls through it? I realize it would use two trunks per call probably, but it would be wonderful if the outside folks utilized the Merlin's outbound caller ID. Any ideas without too much security vulnerability? And again, the building itself is inaccessible so it'd have to be done via WINSPM.

 

[merlinman]

I guess I have to ask, Why can't you get into the building where the Merlin is housed?

Just exactly what are you trying to do here?

I am not sure that anyone needs to provide the kind of help you are asking for, based on how it sounds.

Again, why can you not get to the telephone system?

Have you been locked out?

Do you really not work there?

Is this really NOT YOUR MERLIN?

 

[jml2665]

I've been in this situation, a couple times, before 911 it was a landlord dispute, since 911 we had one anthrax scare and we were not permitted into the location for a few days, the customers become desperate to gain access to their calls, my advice is to involve their local provider, they can remote forward the incoming lines to another office or even a cell.

 

[merlinman]

I agree, IF, that's what's going on.

Otherwise, it sounds rather fishy to me.

Anyone else?

 

[blinking123]

::laughing::
Ohmy! Actually, we can't get into our own building (yes, we own it) because we're all at an off-site job and the lone person we left behind to manage our calls (i.e. place outbound calls and forward incoming calls to us on an "as-needed" basis) had an emergency, left on a red-eye and in the confusion, took the office keys along ...

I've been a member of this site for a while and you guys have provided tremendous assistance in helping me comprehend the Merlin over the past couple of years.
I agree, in hindsight, my queries could appear "fishy" so please accept my apologies if my naivete and lack of a full explanation raised concerns.

In the meantime, the keys were overnighted and the situation remedied - it simply brought to light a glaring problem we never anticipated and want to be better prepared for future scenarios (weather related emergencies, etc.) Thanks again...
Annie

 

[merlinman]

Well, you need one thing more than Clyde mentioned.

If each Extension had AUTHORIZATION CODE, you could use the REMOTE ACCESS FEATURE Clyde mentioned.

WHen I set up AUTHORIZATION CODE, I use something easy to remember, such as, if the extension number is 123, then the AUTH CODE I set up would be 123123.

Each extension you are going to do this with needs a UNIQUE AUTH CODE.

 

[blinking123]

Good suggestion on the carrier forwarding - we ended up doing that on our toll-free but our local numbers are all DIDs and the carrier was unable to forward them off of the PRI to a switched service like our cells.
We changed all our voicemails to say leave a message/ we'll call you back and set up outcalling to ring our cells whenever anyone left a message.
But it's a unwieldy workaround for these reasons:

1. We enjoy the "sole number" world - our clients have one number to remember how to reach us - and that number is our DID line.

2. When we return calls, we're broadcasting our cell telephone numbers - and we don't want everyone to have those numbers (24/7 ball & chain).

3. Our cells don't reflect our "company name and number" like calls we place via the Merlin and we like to announce where we're calling from appropriately.

4. The carrier forwarded the toll-free to my cell- it was nuts because had no idea we got so many wrong numbers! ... so the AA probably does a great job of screening.

Annie

 

[blinking123]

Thanks for the suggestion of the auth codes - when we get back next week, look for the upcoming despair-filled posts from me when I start banging my head agaianst the console due to inability to figure out how to create unique auth codes.
Have a great weekend!