Fundamentals of Call Vectorin g
3-12 Issue 4 September 19 95
Each of these control flow types is fully described in the upcoming chapters.
NOTE:
Call Vectoring has an execution limit of 1,000 steps. Once a call enters
vector processing, a ‘‘loop counter’’ keeps track of the number of vector
steps executed. If the loop counter exceeds 1,000, a
stop
command is
executed.
NOTE:
An implicit wait of one second is provided after every seven vector steps if
vector processing is not suspended during any one of these steps (see the
wait-time
command manual pages in Appendix A, "Call Vectoring
Commands").
Termination vs. Stopping
For the p urposes of this g uide, the expression

vector processing terminates

means a call has completely l eft vector processing. This occurs when the call is
alerting at an agent’s station, is a bandoned by the calling party, rec eives a
forced disconnect or a forced busy, or is successfully routed to an extension or
to an off-premises number.
It is important to differentiate between

vector processing termination

and

stopping

, the latter of which is caused by the
stop
command or by the execution
of the final step in the ve c tor. Whereas vector processing termination removes
the call from the queu e if the c all i s q ueued, the
stop
command prevents the
processing of new vector steps

but leaves the call in queue

as the calling party
receives feedback, such as ringback. If vector processing stops and the call is
not queued, the call is dropped.
Vector processing termination and the
stop
command are discussed and
illustrated later in this gui d e .
Programming Capabilities
The Call Vectoring co m m ands can perform a num ber of functions relevant to
processing telephone calls. A brief explanation for each of these functions
follows.
■Providing call treatments. The caller can be provided with a recorded
announcement exp laini n g tha t, at the moment , an agent cannot answer
the call for some reason (for example, there are no a g ent s available, the
work day is over, etc.). Announcements also provide the caller with
instructions and encouragement. Also, audible feedback (silence,
ringback, system music, or an alternate aud io or music source) or a busy
tone can be provided to the caller. Provisions can also be made to delay
vector processing a specific number of seconds before the next vector
step is executed. Also, when necessary, the call can be disconnected.
Finally, a session with voice mail (AUDIX) c an be in it iated.