Sub menu in Merlin Messaging 1

[retiredtelco]

What are sub menus used for in the Merlin Messaging world? Can I get an example of how a sub menu is used?

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Part of the Automated Attendant recording:
"To hear a directory of extensions, press 4....."
"For driving directions to our site, press 5..."

Selector Code 4 plays a Submenu (1 through 99, but for logical reasons I would use Submenu 4 here):
"For Fred Flintstone, enter extension 100;
For Barney Rubble, enter extension 101;
For XXX, dial XXX......"

Selector Code 5 plays Submenu 5:
"If coming from the North, take Highway 101 and exit at Main St......."


From a submenu, you can call another submenu from a selector code, press *4 to repeat the menu, *# to return to the previous menu. The dial-0/timeout option is whatever it is in the Auto Attendant the sent you to the submenu.


Announcements can be used in place of submenus for things like directions or information, that doesn't require interaction from the caller, BUT, if the caller doesn't press 0 or *4/*# at the end of the announcement, the call is disconnected, so I rarely use announcements.

 

[merlinman]

I recommend you avoid Hwy 101 at all costs. But what do I know.

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman

-merlinmansblog.blogspot.com

 

[retiredtelco]

Thank you TouchTone Tommy, this really clarifies sub menus.

 

[retiredtelco]

If using a sub menu, can I use a single digit instead of three digits? Such as dial 1 for patients dial 2 for doctors?

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Submenus are like nested auto attendants. They have selector codes 1 through 9 (but not 0, that is only in the original AA)

Lets say your extensions are all in the 300 range. If you want callers to be able to dial extension numbers directly, Selector Code 3, in both the Auto Attendant and the Submenus must be set to "Direct Extension Transfer", so that when the system hears the caller press 3, it will wait for additional digits to make up an extension number, and then transfer there

So you can use Selector Codes 1, 2, and 4-9 for single digit actions.

Auto Attendant:

"If you know your party's extension number, you may enter it at any time.
For doctors, press 1....."
1 plays Sunmenu 1
3 is the first digit of an extension number


Submenu 1:
"For Dr. Smith, press 1
For Dr. Jones, press 2
For Dr. Retiredtelco, press 4....."
1 transfers to Dr. Smith's extension number
2 transfers to Dr. Jones' extension number
3 is the first digit of an extension number
4 transfers to Dr. Retiredtelco's extension number

Play with them, you'll quickly see how they work!