External alerts for a calling group. 1

[telecomtekperson]

I looked at the manual, they dont recommend using external alerts because the alert is a constant ringing. SO, what would you use. The customer went to Radio Shack and got one of those ringers/flashers (t/r). That is not working.

Where can I get something that will work?

 

[TouchToneTommy]

a 4400 set, mounted where everyone can hear it. Not to be used as an actual phone.

 

[merlinman]

Well, If you are trying to do an alert for a CALLING GROUP, you may be stuck using an MFM from an MLX.

The old CHIME would do it's own interruptions.

Is this for a calling group?

Do you have MLX Sets?

 

[telecomtekperson]

No, all 4400 sets. This customer has been getting advise from MetrolineDirect's help desk on how to set the system up (they sold him the system) And they told him an analog device on hhis 016 would work as an external alert.

OH, yes MM, this is an external alert for a que group (770).

 

[merlinman]

Well, that's strange, I thought their sales support knew what they were talking about.

If you look at what it says in the FEATURE REFERENCE, you will find something like this:

"When the number of waiting calls" = or greater" to
"Calls-in-Queue Alarm Threshold setting" ..........the calling group members can be notified in either of two ways:

Through an external alert connected to an MLX telephone by using a Multi-Function Module (MFM)..."

The fea ref goes on and mentions use only a strobe blah blah blah, but there's a chime that does it interrupted as well.

THAT IS THE ONLY WAY to get an audible, YOU MUST USE AN MFM FROM AN MLX SET PERIOD.

So, now you gotta' get an 008-MLX, 1 MLX Set and 1 MFM and a CHIME, if they really want this.

-OR-

Just put a button on their phone and tell 'em to look at this!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[TouchToneTommy]

I stand by my 4400 set comment above - had a customer using inbound calling groups, only had TDL and S/L sets, didn't read the manual carefully enough and tried to use a chime on a S/L port. Of course it didn't work. However, a TDL station can be made to "ring" to alert the calling group. We hung two 4400 sets above a doorway in the bull pen so everyone could hear them.

No elegant by any means, but got us out of a jam.

 

[merlinman]

Were these 4400's Members, or how did you get them to alert?

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Go to the section called "Calls-in-Queue Alarm Threshold"

It says the system does not block the programming of any extension jack (including extension jacks used for telephones or operator consoles) as an external alert to provide the calls in queue alarm. Programming a telephone or console extension is not recommended, because the telephone alerts continously with a tone while the number of calls in the Calling Group queue is equal or greater than the programmed threshold or theshold 3. Single line telephones do not ring or generate any kind of tone, nor does any device connected to an MFM that is set for tip/ring operation.

So a TDL set will obnoxiously alert when the queue is full.