Nortel Networks manual Attendant Console features, Computer compatibility

Chapter 1 Introduction to Attendant Console 9

Attendant Console features

There are many features and benefits associated with Attendant Console.

Computer compatibility

Attendant Console combines telecommunications with personal computing to make your job easier, faster and more efficient.

Use of existing hardware	You do not need to purchase additional dedicated hardware to use the
	power of Attendant Console. If you have the minimum computer
	requirements, all you need is the software that lets your computer
	communicate with the Business Communications Manager 2.5 system.
Multi-tasking	Attendant Console works in a multi-tasking environment. You can use
	your computer for other tasks such as word processing in addition to
	attending to calls. You can quickly switch from computer tasks to the
	Attendant window if there is an incoming call.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Attendant Console has a GUI that has sophisticated features but is less complicated than other attendant consoles. You can easily select the buttons to process incoming calls. Very few key strokes are needed for most activities. For example, answering an incoming call and transferring it to an extension usually requires two steps: clicking a Loop button to answer the call and double-clicking the icon beside the called party’s name to transfer the call.

The GUI provides at-a-glance information about the progress and status of calls. Before you answer a call, you know the caller’s telephone number and how long the caller is waiting. If a call transfers back to you, the Attendant Console window immediately displays the status of the call.

The readily available online Help ensures that Attendant Console is easy to learn and use.

Because performing normal attendant functions is faster with a GUI, you can do other tasks while you use Attendant Console.

Advanced software capabilities

Some of Attendant Console’s advanced software capabilities are:

Visual call announcing and	When a telephone is busy with a call, an attendant can send caller
control	information to the telephone’s two line display area. The person called
	can use display buttons to control the call. This prevents important
	calls from being lost.
Backup attendant	Incoming calls can be quickly and easily transferred to a backup
	attendant at a different location than the main attendant. This means
	that a backup attendant does not have to leave their desk to cover for
	the main attendant.
Overflow attendant	Overflow calls are transferred to an overflow attendant. Consequently,
	calls are not lost during busy periods.

Attendant Console User Guide