Group Call Distribution (#206)
Description
This System Programming procedure assigns outside lines to Hunt Groups. Doing so allows outside calls to ring directly into a Hunt Group instead of being answered and transferred by the receptionist. You can assign lines to Hunt Groups
Related Features
■You must use Hunt Group Extensions (#505) to assign extensions to Hunt Groups.
■If you assign lines to Hunt Group 7 for the voice messaging system’s Automated Attendant Service, you may want to adjust when the lines should ring in the group. See VMS Hunt Delay (#506) and VMS Hunt Schedule (#507) for more information.
■If you are using a voice messaging system, you have two Group Call Distribution options:
–If you want Automated Attendant Service for some or all lines, Assign (setting 1) those lines to Hunt Group 7.
–If you want calls to route directly to the voice mailbox of a specific user after four rings, choose VMS Line Cover (setting 3) for those lines and assign a line owner in the voice messaging system. For more information on voice messaging system options, refer to the documentation shipped with the voice messaging system.
As an alternative to the VMS Line Cover setting, you can use Line Coverage Extension (#208) with VMS Cover. This provides more flexibility because it lets you specify the number of times calls ring (using VMS Cover Rings (#117)) at the user’s extension before going to the user’s mailbox. In addition, if the user’s extension has Do Not Disturb on, calls on the line can go immediately to coverage.
Considerations
■Each outside line can be assigned to only one Hunt Group.
■If a Hunt Group that has outside lines assigned receives an outside call and all members of that Hunt Group are busy (or have Do Not Disturb on), the caller hears ringing, which continues until the call is answered.
Examples
Here are some useful applications for Group Call Distribution:
■Place the extensions of employees who work in a department in a Hunt Group and assign one or more outside lines to the group. Doing so lets outside callers ring the group directly without having to be transferred by the receptionist. For example, a
