Calling Groups covering to VM w/ Messaging module ...

[mrdom]

Hi everyone:

I've been trying to find a good post on how to do this, and have only had luck finding posts with the looping trick on the PCMCIA cards which I did on an earlier system that worked GREAT. I've got a partner 7 system with an 8-port Partner Messaging module. Trying to piece together a few posts I found, here's what I've done thus far:

1. I have extensions 11, 13 and 14 programmed into Calling Group 74.

2. I went into system programming and made sure that the Transfer Return Extension (306) for each VM port was set to itself and not ext. 10.

3. I went into Partner Messaging and created mailbox 74. I told the system that this extension doesn't have a phone. I then made it a phantom mailbox using option 9 that would send all messages to extension 11.

4. I modified the auto attendant to transfer the caller to ext. 74 when the caller presses 5.

When I call in and press 5, the VMS responds with "your call is being transferred", but then I immediately get the greeting I recorded on mailbox 74. It doesn't actually ring the group first. Did I miss a programming step?

The other question I have is: What if an internal user dials the calling group? Will those calls cover to voice mail as well? We basically have one person who's at 3 different locations in the building all day, and we want to be able to ring that calling group to get a hold of him at the three locations both internally and externally, and if he doesn't answer, for the call to go to VM and then the message redirected to his desk phone (ext. 11).

Many thanks for helping me through this!

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Set the phone status for 74 to "With a Phone", so the call will actually transfer out of the auto attendant and to the calling group.

Calls transferred from an internal extension to the calling group will return to the extension that made the transfer. SO, I would suggest creating Ext. 51 pointing to Auto Attendant No. 1, and give it Auto VMS Coverage, with 1 ring. Transfer the caller to 51, but stay on the line. When the auto attendant answers, press 5 and THEN hang up.

OR, you could create mailbox 54, pointing to AA number 4. Extension 54 gets Auto VMS Coverage, again with 1 ring. In AA number 4, record the greeting to say "Please hold, your call is being transferred", disable all selector codes, and set the Dial-0/Timeout option to Transfer to Ext. 74. Internal users transfer the caller to Ext. 54, the caller hears the "Please hold" message, it rings the calling group, and on no answer, mailbox 74 answers.

 

[mrdom]

As always, Tommy, your help is right on and most appreciated. I actually used both of your suggestions and the system is now responding to internal and external calls just the way the user wants it. I was a bit nervous that caller id would drop somewhere in the transfers, but it carries through to each set. Thanks, Tommy, for the help.