AT&T 518-455-710 manual Determining the Number of Attendants Required, Backup Call Answering Mode

Backup Call Answering Mode

In Backup Call Answering mode (Figure 1-2), incoming calls ring at the recep- tionist first. If the receptionist doesn’t pick up within a specific number of rings, the Attendant answers the call, playing an announcement that prompts the caller to either choose a route or hold for the receptionist. Backup Call Answer- ing mode is useful when you want the receptionist to personally answer as many calls as possible.

Call rings immediately at receptionist. If receptionist does not answer within preset number of rings (per Attendant’s Answer Delay), call will ring at both receptionist and Attendant; either receptionist or Attendant can answer.

Figure 1-2 Backup Call Answering Mode

Determining the Number of Attendants Required

For Immediate Call Answering mode, if you can estimate the number of calls you receive every hour during peak incoming call volume, use these guidelines to determine the number of Attendants you need:

Less than 18 calls per hour	=	1	Attendant
18–74 calls per hour	=	2	Attendants
75–150 calls per hour	=	3	Attendants
More than 150 calls per hour	=	4	Attendants

If you cannot estimate the number of calls you receive per hour, then deter- mine the number of Attendants based on the number of lines to be answered by the Attendant(s):

1–2	lines	=	1 Attendant
3–5	lines	=	2	Attendants
6–8	lines	=	3	Attendants

If you use the Attendant only for Backup Call Answering mode, or only after hours to answer but not route calls, you probably need only one Attendant. However, if call volume is heavy, you may need more.

The maximum number of Attendants is four (4).

Setup Decisions 1-5