Coverage

[platinum8]

I expect this is simple for most but I'm new to administering this box.
Have a group of 5 MLX stations that cover to VM. User wants those stations to ring, then ring/flash on a button at a department phone, then cover to VM if unanswered.

Anyone care to demonstrate my ignorance more than I already have?

Thanks, Al

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Add a Primary or Secondary Coverage button for each of the extensions on the Department phone.

Spkr
#00
Press an unused button, with a light next to it
Dial *40
Dial the Extension Number to cover
Press Enter.

 

[platinum8]

Thanks Tommy, We have been able to use secondary cover buttons for individual extensions but the user wants to point a group of 5 sets to one button (monitor several stations on one button).
That's the part I think can't be done but I didn't know if anyone on this board might have a workaround.

Al

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Not with voice mail in the picture - otherwise the Department phone would become the group coverage receiver for the other senders.

So, if they don't want to burn a button for each extension, I guess they are SOL

 

[merlinman]

Well, there is another way, although some what muddy.

Do you have any T&R Ports in this system?

You know, the ones a FAX Machine can connect to?

Tell us yes, and we can share a nasty little secret.

(TTT will agree with my definition.)

 

[platinum8]

MM,
OK you have piqued my interest now. We have enough TR ports available for the stations we want to monitor (at least for the time being).
Please type slowly so I can understand.

Thanks, Al

 

[merlinman]

What you can do is to use a "LOOP AROUND".

Plug one end of a LINE CORD into one of the UNUSED T&R Ports, (Determine the Extension number of THAT PORT, let's just call it 711) then plug the other end into an UNUSED LINE.

Assign COVERAGE for the EXTENSIONS you want to buttons on 711.

ASSIGN THE LINE TO THE PHONE you want to have this coverage, and now 711 will ring in as a line.

You may need more than one of these if there are a lot of calls received. (That is, if 711 gets busy a lot.)

 

[platinum8]

MM,
Thanks a bunch. I see where this would roll all 5 stations to a single button but then the caller wouldn't get the VM greeting for the original destination.
I've used some of these port loop around solutions on other systems and they always seem to lead to some other issue down the line.
I think TTT's earlier SOL response is going to be the final answer.

Thank you both for your help.

Al

 

[TouchToneTommy]

They'd still get the original VM coverage - "711" has a coverage button for all 5 extensions, and when it rings it rings into a CO port that is mapped to the covering extension. If it goes unanswered, it's just as if the covering extension had the 5 coverage buttons.