Multiple pools 1

[stroyer74]

We are running Merlin Magix 2.2 in Hybrid/PBX mode. Currently I have all our incoming lines assigned to the default 70 pool and all users have access to it by dialing 9.

I am adding some additional phone lines that will be for outbound calls only but need to be restricted to an "executive" group. I have added the new lines to pool 890 and I can access the new pool by dialing 890 from a SA button.

The purpose for the extra pool is for certain users to have access to extra lines if the main pool is full. The way the system currently functions is: user picks up phone and gets SA, dials 9 for an outside line from pool 70, gets a busy signal, hangs up, picks up again and gets SA, dials 890 for an outside line on pool 890.

What I would like to happen is: user picks up phone and gets SA, dials 9 for an outside line, if pool 70 is busy, system will automatically check user's security for pool 890 and, if allowed, automatically pick up a line from pool 890.

I had thought at using Automatic Route Selection might do the trick, but now that I've read up on it more, I think I may be wrong on that. Anyone have any suggests that I could check out?

Thanks in advance,
Sheldon

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Add pool 890 as the 2nd route to the exsiting routes, but give it a FRL of 4 instead of the default 3. Then raise the FRL of the executive phones to 4 also.

 

[stroyer74]

TouchToneTommy,

I have added the 890 pool as route #2 for both the default toll and default local selections.

I tried FRL of 4 and set my phone at FRL 4 - but it does not pick up the new lines (pool 890).

I tried moving my phone's FRL to 6 - but got the same results.

Last, I moved the FRL level of the pool down to zero - but got the same results.

Am I missing something here. BTW, not sure if it makes a difference or not, but we do not have any special routing set up; the ARS is just as it defaults. All of our lines are standard analog phone lines with no special long distance plans.

Thanks
Sheldon

 

[stroyer74]

I spoke a little too soon. I was just able to access one of the new lines. Now I'm unable to. I'm assuming that maybe it has something to do with how many of the lines are being used in pool 70?

In case you are wondering, the way that I am accessing the new lines is by picking up SA, dialing 9 and getting an outside line. After I dial the first 2 digits of a phone number, my phone displays the trunk label so that I know which line I'm on. I hang up and repeat the process, and it picks up the next available line. I continue this until I reach the upper limit of pool 70 - then try accessing pool 890. Maybe there is a better way to try testing it.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

It's not going to pick pool 890 until all the lines in pool 70 are busy.

You could reverse the order of the pools. Make pool 890 with a FRL of 4 be the first entry, and then pool 70 with a FRL of 3 be the 2nd entry. Extensions with FRL of 4 would access 890, or if all the 890 lines are busy they would access pool 70. Extensions with FRL of 3 go directly to pool 70.