"Part-time" coverage of incoming lines

[tjpf2001]

Thank you to all who answer questions on this forum. I learn so much just reading posts. This time, though, I have a question I'm not finding an answer to.

Budget cuts have forced us to eliminate our main receptionist position. Fortunately, our phone system (Merlin Legend 6.1) was set up with multiple operators so we have folks in various departments answering incoming calls. However, all hours are not being covered and we'd like to have someone else answer calls for an hour at the end of the day. I could probably make them an "operator" as well, but don't want all calls to ring at their extension all day. I have figured out how to program a call pickup button to have them pick up calls, but they can't always hear the incoming rings. Is there a way I can make the incoming calls (we have 6 incoming lines) ring at an extension - and turn that feature off and on as coverage is needed?

If I need to explain more clearly or provide current configuration info, please let me know. I am a definite "newbie" to phone systems, so bear with me.

Thanks!

 

[TouchToneTommy]

You could forward the operator phone to the covering phone during the time you want calls covered.

You could put a "night" button on the operator phone and put the covering phone in the coverage group.

You could put a coveage button for the operator phone on the covering phone and change the ring from "no ring" to "immediate ring" during the time you want calls covered.

 

[tjpf2001]

Thanks for the response. More questions: If I forward the operator's phone, will that forward all incoming lines, or just the first (main) line?

How do I create a coverage button on the phone and how do I change the ring?

I'm hesitant to do option #2 because we already have a night button that activates the night menu auto attendant after 5:00 p.m.

 

[tjpf2001]

I figured out how to add the cover button and turn the ring off and on. THanks for the help!