How to manage incoming line growth? 3

[jephens]

We don't do a ton of Partner set up work - we manage the basics - adding extensions, voicemail, setting up AA, etc. but we don't have a lot of clients without phone vendors (and maybe now is the time we pass the baton on this particular case)...

A client of ours started small - 2 Incoming lines and 6 extensions and is now up to 4 lines and 20+ extensions. They ordered (without asking us first) two more incoming lines which we're now tasked at adding onto their system. We've got the capacity, my question is how best to get them out to the extensions?

As it stands now, everyone has the four line appearance buttons on their extension, and I am certain buttons 5 & 6 are assigned to speed dial extensions on all the extensions in the office

At some point does it make sense to leave Key mode and migrate to Pools and then get rid of the appearance buttons (where possible) and give them a pool button instead? I'm looking at page 4-52 (and related) in the big Partner ACS guide, trying to wrap my head around it...

Any advice is appreciated.

Jeff

 

[Dexman]

To build out a Partner ACS to support a 4x20 configuration, you're going to need a Partner ACS 2 or 5 module carrier (depending upon what the customer currently has on site.

Please list the current setup including the revision of the ACS processor.

Adding line appearances is fairly easy
I, personally think that 4 lines can be handled easily in key mode so long as the phones are the 18 or 34 variety and can support the various features that the customer uses.

I "FEATURE 00"

http://dexman.webs.com/

 

[Telecomboy]

I would leave it to the client as their option. Do you want to see all 6 lines and delete a couple of speed dials or do you absolutely need those speed dials. It has been my experience that clients with Partner systems usually like showing the line appearances versus going into pool mode. Especially if they are used to answering calls, putting them on hold on line 1/line 2/line 3/etc and then having another extension pickup line 1/line 2/etc. With pooled lines they will begin to have to transfer all calls to get them to the end party.

 

[jephens]

We've already got carriers and expansion room - it was really just a question of how to best handle the appearance.

I think Telecomboy is right - they're going to want to see the lines and will have to give up some speed dials in the process.

Thanks!!

 

[TouchToneTommy]

I had a real estate firm with 14 analog lines, and 18-button sets. Put the system in pool mode, but only assigned lines 9-14 to pool 880, and kept the extensions in Key mode. Then we assigned lines 1 through 8 on line appearances as normal, and pool 880 (which uses 2 buttons) where line 9 and 10 would normally appear. The auto line select was set to grab pool 880's 2nd appearance, 880's 1st appearance, then lines 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. Someone making an outgoing call would be grabbing a line out of the pool, and is unlikely to be transferred, while incoming calls come in starting at line 1, which is where they are answered by reception, put on hold, and the call is announced to be picked up from hold.

 

[jephens]

The issue now is reception seems to be running out of buttons. Most of the staff there only uses VM, Xfer to VM and DND - but reception needs to see who's on the phone, and she thinks she's running out of buttons, since she has the 9 lines which leaves her 21 buttons - and she's using Xfer to VM and Night so she's down to 19.

There's no sidecar option for the 34D is there?

 

[Dexman]

Yes there is. Check out online vendor metrolinedirect. They should have it listed.

I "FEATURE 00"

http://dexman.webs.com/

 

[jephens]

Awesome, thanks Dexman!