Real Wolrd Example of a VDN and DID (Newb)

[harryhoudini66]

I am currently reading the Communication Manager 3 user manual and need some clarifications. I see that it states a VDN is Vector Directory Number. I just don’t know where it fits in the scheme of things. Can someone provide an example?

Internally, if a phone rep needs help from a supervisor, they call our Supervisors. They can reach them by dialing 4100. Is that the VDN? Supervisors have the Skill (MSC Supervisors) assigned to their login ID.

If we want to reach a regular phone rep, we can dial 5002. Is that a VDN? We can reach our IVR by dialing 1100.

Also, can someone provide an example of how Direct Inward Dialing would work? Is this when someone calls our 800 and then presses 1 (if you know your parties extension) and dial 4100?

 

[mreillyeci]

A VDN is the lead number that places a caller into a queue designated for a specific split. That split "Vectors" the call to the appropriate resource within the organization.

Direct Inward Dial (DIDs) are groups of numbers recognized by the PSTN as belonging to an organization and are billed under a single billing number. The phone company doesn't know how the organization assigns those numbers. When you dial a DID the call is sent to the PBX over the DID or inward trunks. The PBX then determines how to route the call. DIDs can be used as VDNs. DIDs are usually assigned to individual users on the system.

The example of the 800 above sounds like an Auto Attendant. Auto Attendants are often part of the voice mail system.

 

[nohuhu]

harryhoudini66,

a vector is a script written in some kind of specialized programming language that tells the system, step by step, what should it do with a call, i.e. wait some time playing music, play an announcement, collect some digits from a caller and route a call to some destination. you can enter 'list vector' in the system terminal to see a list of vectors programmed in your system. enter 'display vector x', where x is vector's number to see what this vector does. nothing too complicated.
a vdn is a number that should be called to launch the vector on this call. you can't call a vector by its own number but you can assign one or more vdns that use this vector and call vdns. different vdns are used for different purposes, i.e. for tracking different incoming numbers, passing different arguments to a vector, and so on.
to see what an internal number is assigned to, issue a 'list usage extension xxxx' command, where xxxx is an extension in question. the command will show you where this extension is used. if it's a regular telephone, it is called 'station'. if it's a vdn, system will show that it's a vdn. if it's a hunt group extension, the system will tell you so. don't be afraid of using system terminal.

p.s. did is just a method of routing incoming calls and mapping them on the internal extensions. for example, if you have a series of local did numbers from 1234100 to the 1234999, it means you can create extensions 4100 to 4999 in your pbx and have it route calls automatically, 1234100 to 4100, 1234200 to 4200 and so on. that's did.
the thing you've described is called 'auto attendant'.

 

[harryhoudini66]

Thank you both for these great explanations. It makes a lot of sense now. We use DID for our branches then. When we call we dial an extension. However, if someone wants to reach them they call (626)535-xxxx.