Design Considerations

The system is easy to design.  As discussed below, we provide worksheets which are easy to complete.  If you desire, call us and we can fill them out together.  

Consider that you only use a telephone system to do two things -- make calls and receive calls.  The telephone system comes up "running" with a default program.  It may work well for you without any further programming. 

System design centers around where to route callers if they can not reach the party they are calling.  One simple approach is to route the caller to voice mail if the user doesn't answer or is busy.  Once the caller reaches voice mail, they can go back to the console operator and have their party paged if desired.

If you have a busy department where calls are not directed to an individual person (i.e. an inside sales rep in an order department), the Automatic Call Distribution feature is useful.  Calls can be routed to the department and the system can provide a recorded announcement if no one is available to take the call ("please remain on the line and your call will be answered in the exact order it was received").  You can even give the caller a choice as to whether to wait or leave a message for a callback.

Telephone Lines

You need to identify the maximum number of calls in progress at any one time.  Add one to that number and that is how many telephone lines you need.  If you have more than one "group" of lines (i.e. separate lines for the order department), determine the number separately for each group.  Don't forget to include lines for callers that are waiting to be answered and for any required "private" lines.  Add one more line for remote programming access. 

Next, you need to determine where you want the calls answered.  Calls can be routed to the operator console, the automated attendant (recording - "Thank you for calling. Dial 1 for sales ...) or to any telephone.

See the sample worksheet -- click on the LINES tab at the bottom of the page. 

Telephones

All you need to do here is determine which type of instrument each user needs and where to route their calls if they are unavailable.   See the sample worksheet -- click on the TELEPHONES tab at the bottom of the page.

Programmable Buttons

Finally, identify which features and lines are common to all telephones.  By placing them on the same button on every telephone, you will immediately know how to use any telephone in the system.

For example, the sample worksheet has "4300" on button one.  Your outside lines are "stacked" under this button (assuming your primary telephone number is 765-4300).  When you receive a call, it comes in on the "4300" button.  When you make a call, press that button.   See the sample worksheet -- click on the BUTTONS tab at the bottom of the page.