Partner ACS Proc R6.0 3 lines, 1 fax, and Busy Signal HELP!

[cfunk11]

HI All,
Currently our small office is utlizing 2 voice line and 1 dedicated fax line. Our call volume has increased the past few months and very often, both outside lines are tied up causing calls into our office to be busy.

We would like to eliminate the possiblity of incoming callers hearing busy signals, what are some ways using our existing partner acs processor(3x8) R6.0 with VMM pc card(plugs into slot).

Our criteria:
-1 dedicated fax number for incoming. Outgoing can be any available line.
-To eliminate busy signals.
-3 outside lines (includes dedicated fax line). [The boss will not pay for an additonal 4th line]

Any Suggestions? or economical approach to eliminating busy signals?

REX

 

[Dexman]

One suggestion, if it hasn't already been done, is to have the LEC hunt incoming calls from line 1 to line 2.

Another option is to add Call Waiting to both telephone lines.

 

[paul144]

The only way that they are not going to get a busy is if you have more incoming lines.
You can take the fax completely off of the system to free up that CO, or add call waiting.
Other than that, you are going to have to expand the system and bring in more incoming lines.

 

[itpphoneguy]

Hi Rex,
I hate to say it, but the only way to make sure callers don't get a busy is to put voicemail on the line from your LEC. Call waiting means that the in progress call has to be put on hold without losing the original caller. The proper way to do this is to add another line.
-Chris

 

[cfunk11]

The call waiting sounds interesting. Are there other purposes for the call waiting feature other than to keep the incoming calls ringing forever until a line is free?

Are there features for a line from the phone company where if a caller is on the call waiting line then after a set amount of rings, gets transfered to a VM box provided by the phone company with an anouncement message.

REX

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Start by changing the ALS on your phones to select the FAX line first, then lines 1 and 2 for outbound. At least that way, you'll keep the incoming lines free more often.

You can get a voice mail box provided by the telephone compnay or an answering service, then get "Call Forward on Busy/No Answer" on the 2nd line to point to the mailbox. Get "Call Forward on No Answer" on the 1st line, and of course have line 1 hunt to line 2 when busy.

Turn off your Auto Attendant and use the voice mail card for internal messaging.