Partner ACS: Ring Ext 10 & 23, pickup Ext 23 to answer calls

[VerandaBandB]

I'm sure something like this has been asked before or maybe not. This was setup on our system in the past, but due to lightening we lost the system and all setup so trying again.

I want to have inbound calls ring Ext 10 and 23 simultaneously. If I pickup Ext23, I want it to automatically pickup the inbound call (without having to put in any codes to pickup). If no one answers the inbound call at either extension, I want the call to go to VMS.

After reading all of your answers, I'm sure this is a no brainer for you "in the know" experts, but not so easy for a not-so-expert user.
Thanks for your help!

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Program Ext. 10 and 23 for Immediate Ring on the lines. Then decide on what you want to answer if neither of them takes the incoming call. The Auto Attendant or a specific mailbox. That will determine how you program the lines from there.

Now, once the call has been answered by the auto attendant or a mailbox, and the caller presses 0, the call is going to go to just Ext. 10.

 

[VerandaBandB]

Thanks TTT, I'm a newbie, can you give me the programming steps? You are on the right track. Ring both extensions with immediate ring, want to answer on either ext when I lift the handset. NOTE: Ext23 is a regular off-the-shelf phone, Ext 10 is an 18D. Right now, when I lift the handset on Ext23, it picks up a free line. Next if no answer, I want VMS to prompt to press 0 to go to the receptionist (and if possible ring both extensions again), then if no answer, go to Mailbox for ext10. Hope that helps you help me.....THANKS TONS!!!!

 

[TouchToneTommy]

OK, to set the extensions to ring on the initial incoming call:

At Ext. 10, Feature 00, Left Intercom Twice, Right Intercom Once, dial the extension number of the phone you want to change (either 10 or 23), then:

The lines will light up. Solid Green means Immediate Ring, Slow Flashing meand Delayed Ring, and Fast Fluttering means No Ring. Touch each line to toggle to the next setting, do it until the lines are all Solid green.

Feature 00 to exit.


Now assign the lines to the Automated Attendant:

Feature 00, Left Intercom Twice,

#206-7-(2-digit line number)-1. Do this for each line.

#506-(1 for Day or 2 for Night)-(2-digit line number)-(the number of rings before the AA should answer from 0 to 6). again, do this for each line.

Feature 00 to exit

If you can tell me which Voice Mail system you are using, you might be able to ring both extensions on a o-out. I'll need to know the model and release. Or at least exactly what you hear when you dial Intercom-777.

 

[VerandaBandB]

It is a Parnter Mail VS R3.0.

Right now the system rings Ext10, After 4(?) rings, I think AA picks up and says "Press 0 to go to receptionist or dial the extension you want". If I press 0, it rings Ext10, then if not answered goes to Mailbox for Ext10.

If we go with the setup you are thankfully recommending, then when the user presses 0 to go to receptionist will it again ring Ext10 AND Ext23?

 

[TouchToneTommy]

No, with VS-R3 the only option for a caller pressing 0 is to ring Ext. 10.

More current versions of Partner Messaging allow you to group the extensions, transfer to the group, have a mailbox answer and deposit the incoming message in mailbox 10.

You could try this: Put Ext. 10 and 23 in Calling Group 4, which is Ext. 74, set a selector code to transfer to 74, and have the recording say press 9[/i] to go to the receptionist. 9 transfers to the group, rings 10 and 23, when not answered the call returns to the voice mail, which answers and says "Transferring to Receptionist" and sends the call to just Ext. 10, and if still not answered, mailbox 10 answers.

It does NOT remove the 0 option from the available options, so if a caller presses 0 anyway, you're back to the original senario of ringing 10 only.

 

[VerandaBandB]

That's okay 3T. I can work with that.
I just tried your steps on your original reply. Everything's good until I get to the #506 step. On my system that is VMS Hunt Delay (1 for Immediate, 2 for Delay). Can you tell me what you think #506 should be?
THX!!!

 

[TouchToneTommy]

OK, you have an older ACS - so your only choices here are 1=Immediate (2 rings) or 2=Delayed (4-rings)

 

[VerandaBandB]

okay, did all that (selected 2-Delayed) for #506. Here's what I've got happening. Ext10 & Ext23 ring on an inbound call, but I can not pickup on Ext23. When I pickup 23, it picks up an available line, not the line ringing....

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Are you absolutly sure that it is Ext. 23?

If it is programmed to ring on the imcoming calls, it will pick up the ringing line when you lift the handset.

Are you sure it is ringing?

It can also be programmed for No Access or Out Only on lines, which would prevent it from connecting on incoming calls, but those settings would also prevent it from ringing.

Also, since it is a single line phone, normally you would program it to connect to the Intercom first, and then the Outside lines. This is in regard to lifting the handset when it is NOT ringing. This is so that you can call other Internal extensions, or press 9 to access the outside lines.


Go to Ext. 10, and dial Intercom 23. Make sure that the correct phone rings and you can answer it by lifting the handset. Then, lift the handset on Ext. 23, get the outside line, "flash" to get to the Intercom, and dial Ext. 10. While Ext. 10 is ringing, observe on the display the extension number that is calling, make sure it is 23.

Then check #302-23-(line number) to make sure that it is not restricted from answering the lines.