dmSwitchboard12 - Using a PSTN phone as an extension
One of the most powerful and unique features of the dmSwitchboard12 is the ability to use traditional telephones on the PSTN (eg. landlines and mobiles) as extensions. Although they are the most reliable and widespread of technologies, there are some functional requirements that need to be addressed with the advanced options of the Phones tab of the plan editor.
Inbound Calls
1) Who is this call for?
All we have to play with before the call is answered is the CallerId - which we pass through just as normal.
However, to give extra information before committing to take the call, you may select to use a "whisper". This is where the system tells you a little about the call (eg. it's a call for "Fred Smith of the Sales team"). This brief announcement can be skipped - just press "1" - but gives you the chance to answer the phone in a professional manner.
The whisper should be in a female voice and say "dmSwitchboard12 call for <Person's Name>, <Team's Name> team" (eg. "dmSwitchboard call for James Smith Accounts team").
Note that most SIP phones will have this information displayed on their screen.
2) How can I Accept or Reject the call?
If you select the "Whisper + 1 to accept" option, you can decide what to do with the call on the basis of the whisper.
- Press 1 to take the call
- Press any other number (eg. 2) to reject the call
If you hang up or simply ignore the message, the call will go elsewhere (eg. voicemail) but that might incur a delay to the caller.
This feature is also an important way to prevent callers (especially to a team extension) being put through to a mobile phone network message or voicemail.
Outbound Calls
You can make outbound calls through your dmSwitchboard12 using your mobile or landline. This can be useful for:
- Appearance of calling from "the right place"
Calls made in this way can have the same caller ID as if you'd made them from a SIP handset (i.e. your personal, team or reception DDI)
- Possibly saving money on outbound calls
dmCalls12 rates are often cheaper than fixed line suppliers - Call internal extensions
Even when they're closed to the public
Here's how to do it:
Setup
1) In the plan, under the "Phone" tab, click on "Adv Options". You will see the Advanced Options for your extension's phone setup.
2) Check the box marked "CLI Autologin" (and verify that the number next to it is the number of your mobile or the landline you want to make calls from).
3) Save and Activate the plan
Use
Then call your Personal Extension from your phone (You can use the DDI dedicated to it, or go in via the reception dept and key in your extension number - eg. 304). You will be greeted by the DialUp Access Menu that invites you to place the outbound call.
(You don't need to listen to the whole menu - you can just dial anyway)
Key in the number followed by # (eg. 0 2 0 7 0 6 0 1 2 3 4 #). If you make a mistake, press * and the system will invite you to try again.
The system will then read the number back to you (can be useful when calling from a phone that has a dicky keypad!). Press * at any time to re-enter, or # to just get on with it.
Advanced Use
We have found various tools that make this using facility really easy and reliable. A free iPhone app called "Phonecard" allows you to set up "calling card" accounts that make placing calls via dmSwitchboard12 as easy as calling from the normal phone using your address book.
Link to Phonecard on iTunes AppStore https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/phonecard/id289545021?mt=8
New feature October 2015: To enable efficient use with Phonecard, if you prefix the outbound number with "97", it will just do it without feedback or any confirmation being required. So dialling 9 7 0 2 0 7 0 6 0 1 2 3 4 # will place the call quickly.
DIAL SEQUENCE
Dial Access = <Your DDI>
Pause = 1 second
Dial = 97
Dial Contact
Dial = #