Set up Inclement Weather Alerts for Changing Remotely 4

[AJ800]

What is the best way to set up the system to:

1. Alert employees that the office will be closed or closing/opening at a certain time
2. Alert outside callers that the office is closed or will be closing/opening at a certain time

We had adjusted our hours for the holidays and I set up a condition system in VMPro, but that need to be done beforehand on the server and dates/times would trigger appropriate forwarding, etc. One idea we had was to set up an extension for employees to call into to see if there was a message from a boss confirming the office is closed (the boss would call in first to change the voicemail message). For the outside callers, we would have to simply add the recording to the menu setup in VMPro preceding the main menu recording, but again, that must be done on the server beforehand. We can't predict weather and may need to adjust hours and/or close before working hours, so I was hoping this could be done by phone somehow? Any suggestions on how this can be done?

 

[AACon]

So many examples of this floating around.

Setup a module, call it weatherinfo. Create a user variable called "on".
Menu, 1, 2 3.
Option 1 Enables the weather info message by setting a user variable called "on" to 1
Option 2 disables the weather info message by setting a user variabled called "on" to 0
Option 3 allows you to record a message to weatherinfo.wav or whatever.

In your auto attendant, before you hit your first menu, do a "test user variable". If it is a 1, go to a generic action that plays the weatherinfo.wav file, then goes to your day or night menu, whichever you want (probably night/closed?)
If the variable is 0, which means no one turned it to 1, just go about your normal business.

You can setup a DID to point to the weatherinfo module, make sure you pin protect it.
Or, in your auto attendant, make a hidden option like *99, and point it to the module.

You can create a shortcode to point to the weatherinfo module interanally, maybe only allow the shortcode from a managers/boss phone.



-Austin
ACE: Implement IP Office

 

[AJ800]

Thanks. Can you link me to an example of this?

 

[CarGoSki]

Yeah Austin. Bring him some coffee and doughnuts while you for an exact example. And quit complaining. And when you are done type up his resume and do his taxes.

 

[AACon]

I just wrote the entire example up, but if you need a link, here you go...
thread940-1724193

-Austin
ACE: Implement IP Office

 

[CarGoSki]

hehehe... that is a great example Austin. Star worthy.

 

[AJ800]

Hey, I'm a complete newbie on this system (despite it being installed for roughly a year now) and I've been getting a number of special requests (with short time-frames to produce results in) which seem to require some good training and quick know-how on this system that I never got. The help here has been outstanding so far, even though much of it isn't literally step by step down to the exact information to enter in fields and such (which is what anyone would hope for), so I greatly appreciate what he and others here have assisted with as it, at least, pointed me in the right direction to operate a rather sophisticated set of programs such as VMPro and IP Office and both combined. Searches here, on the web and within the software itself have been vague and/or ballpark at best, so the replies I have gotten I appreciate very much. No need for sarcasm. Thanks guys.

 

[AACon]

You see, the problem is that *some* of us are Professionals, and this is our lively hood. We come here to provide help on *problems* or provide creative ways to do things. What you are asking is something we've all learned from courses, or through trial and error, and many of us charge for. I know I enjoy programming things on here, but this stuff is pretty basic, which could be found through searches on here. So, pardon us if we're seem "sarcastic", but it's more like "succinct", because this comes up ALL THE TIME, basic things like this. But hey, you got the info you needed to at least get it started, be creative from there. If you need more help, I'm more than happy to point you in the direction of some good Learning Partners that would set you up with a class.

-Austin
ACE: Implement IP Office

 

[AACon]

You know what, sorry if any of us come off sarcastic or rude.
I hope I helped you with your question. I don't have any direct links to examples, but that should get you started. Just reply again if you need more help. That's what we're here for, really. We've all been there.

-Austin
ACE: Implement IP Office

 

[AJ800]

I see what you did with the link there...lol.

But seriously, as mentioned, if you haven't most of this before, using "variables", "conditions" and "modules" & various other items & terminology between IPO and VMPro can be intimidating & confusing and takes some guidance to first locate, and then understand thoroughly to make them work specifically to how management needs them. I apologize for my level of ignorance in all this, but also as mentioned, I'm tasked with doing certain things in this system that were never before my responsibility but somehow became mine regardless of other priorities I have here... and rather than upsetting management by spending hours/days trying to search for and piece various bits of information together to then first TEST it for our purposes, instead, I could leave a few posts here, where I've had the MOST success getting help, to help get me started, at least. I assumed it was a collection of more experienced users than myself chiming here but perhaps didn't realize that some of you here "charge" to do this. Again, thanks for your help thus far and if it seems like I need someone to hold my hand, I won't lie, I probably do...lol. I'll look into getting some kind of official training for this in the future so I won't need that level of assistance, but for now this is actually the best I've got to work with. I understand your point of view but thanks for understanding me, too.

 

[CarGoSki]

My advice is to use Austins example since it is present in your thread and a classic example of your request. And if what he typed is completely foreign to you then perhaps you should enlist your installer to help you build your function. One stone > two birds.

You can also employ stall techniques at work to say you need design time. May buy you a week or two. Not sure why they consider you the expert who can whip up magic quickly when this stuff can get deep. Good luck

 

[AACon]

Like I said, if you need more help, just let us know.

I should restate, NONE of us CHARGE to help people on this site. We work for pink stars. A lot of users (those guys on the right side of the screen) do this work (not this site) as their day job. So if we answer every single question with a step-by-step, it takes money out of our pockets (possibly) when a customer comes here to learn to do something rather than going to a BP.
Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he bypasses the professional fisherman who's livelyhood depends on people that can't/won't fish.

I only say this because I've received notifications from people "nevermind, cancel the ticket, I figured out how to do it from google/tek-tips". I've had customers reference MY posts before, haha.

no biggie though.

-Austin
ACE: Implement IP Office

 

[Westi]

star worthy Austin

Joe W.

TeleTechs.ca
FHandw, ACSS (SME), ACIS (SME)


“This is the end of the world, make sure to buy your T-shirt before it is too late"
Original expression of my daughter

 

[AJ800]

Well guess what guys... AA's post, in fact, did help out. With the help of his mini-guide, some playing around and also some searching before AND after seeing his post, I was able to tackle half the battle of what was required (enough to satisfy the core requirement) and have an idea of where to begin, at least, to complete the task. Unfortunately, I could not complete the entire requirement today since I ran out of time since we were closing early because of the weather here (which is what this was all for), hence the pressure from management of getting it done ASAP.

Just as a footnote and testimony here: We currently have 3 separate companies, not including ourselves, who set up and maintain our phone system, and I have actually had more success at fulfilling our requirements with assistance from users here than through the various support channels provided. The responsibility of this system was bestowed upon me since I, as "the network guy", was called on to participate in the installation process where my company aimed to save a buck or two and where the installation parties fell short, although I have no background in installing/maintaining phone systems. We're constantly given the runaround and sometimes it seems no one knows what the hell they're doing anyway, which is somewhat understandable since there are so many 'moving parts' to this system. As a result, we have little faith when it comes to timely and acceptable solutions from our support system. The installation took MONTHS (nearly a year) to complete because of all the runaround, mistakes, etc., our original installer was laid off during the process and our new installer forwarded us to the 3rd company for any further support once he completed his part of it.

That said, once again, I applaud and thank those of you here who do provide useful information as it is valuable to us newbies who barely know where to start and have limited resources and time to work with. I'm still amazed and thankful how fast and detailed replies are compared to other forums, and I can only hope that you guys can forgivingly try to understand the position of someone like myself and how much your help is appreciated.

 

[AJ800]

Well guess what guys... AA's post, in fact, did help out. With the help of his mini-guide, some playing around and also some searching before AND after seeing his post, I was able to tackle half the battle of what was required (enough to satisfy the core requirement) and have an idea of where to begin, at least, to complete the task. Unfortunately, I could not complete the entire requirement today since I ran out of time since we were closing early because of the weather here (which is what this was all for), hence the pressure from management of getting it done ASAP.

Just as a footnote and testimony here: We currently have 3 separate companies, not including ourselves, who set up and maintain our phone system, and I have actually had more success at fulfilling our requirements with assistance from users here than through the various support channels provided. The responsibility of this system was bestowed upon me since I, as "the network guy", was called on to participate in the installation process where my company aimed to save a buck or two and where the installation parties fell short, although I have no background in installing/maintaining phone systems. We're constantly given the runaround and sometimes it seems no one knows what the hell they're doing anyway, which is somewhat understandable since there are so many 'moving parts' to this system. As a result, we have little faith when it comes to timely and acceptable solutions from our support system. The installation took MONTHS (nearly a year) to complete because of all the runaround, mistakes, etc., our original installer was laid off during the process and our new installer forwarded us to the 3rd company for any further support once he completed his part of it.

That said, once again, I applaud and thank those of you here who do provide useful information as it is valuable to us newbies who barely know where to start and have limited resources and time to work with. I'm still amazed and thankful how fast and detailed replies are compared to other forums, and I can only hope that you guys can forgivingly try to understand the position of someone like myself and how much your help is appreciated.

 

[AACon]

I knew it would! Glad it worked out for the most part.

I know what you mean in the last part of your post. It sounds like you've had a run in with "those guys". "Those guys" do whatever they can to sell hardware/services, and totally fudge everything up and stick it to you. I've sadly worked for companies like that. Some BP's just suck, sadly, and make the rest look bad. Others are great, but sub work out to lowest bidder, and that isn't good for anyone (sounds like government work...). Sorry to hear that it's been a bad ride.

-Austin
ACE: Implement IP Office

 

[AJ800]

Option 3 allows you to record a message to weatherinfo.wav or whatever. "

Well, you've succeeded at making me hesitant to continue to ask questions here (!), BUT if it's not too much to press on a little further, and yes, I have searched, could you so kindly guide me to where I can begin to configure recording a message (from an external phone) that can be recorded, changed and listened to remotely? (Admins can call in from home to record and confirm their message, then activate the emergency system so that employees/clients can hear that message & call in to find out what is going on and what to do in case of an emergency or bad weather).

So far, I'm set up to turn the emergency mode on and off from outside with a prerecorded message. Great to start with, thanks, but situations can change that won't fit that basic model. As you guys mentioned, this system goes DEEP.

 

[AACon]

You would point the 3rd menu option to a 'edit play list' option, under configuration actions. Put the 'weatherinfo.wav' or whatever you'd like to call it in the specific tab/file path. They will get prompted to listen/rerecord/save when they hit this.

So, remotely, they would have the option to enable/disable and change the recording.

-Austin
ACE: Implement IP Office

 

[AJ800]

Once again, thank you. See, I would never have related "edit play list" with most of that capability. So many possibilities and options, it's hard to know what's what.

 

[tlpeter]

AJ800, i think most of us are willing to help you because we like to see you use the IPOffice instead of ditching it by lack of a good BP that can support you.
We do not like cheap end user trying to save 10 cents
When you understand variables and conditions i really think you will like VMPro (and the IPOffice) very much.
Good questions always seems to be answered well over here

BAZINGA!

I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!