6 Answering Rules

The Answering Rules icon as seen in figure 6 will take you to your answering rules center. Answering Rules are how you control what devices ring, how long those devices ring for when receiving a call. It is also where you can configure what to do with a call that goes unanswered.

Clicking the Answering Rules icon in will take you to your Answering Rules center as seen in figure 6.0. Here you will see your answering rules listed. Every account is configured with a Default rule that cannot be deleted.

If you have multiple answering rules configured the answering rule that is currently infect will say Active next to the rule. Every rule is displayed with their name. A description of how the rule will route the call and the options to edit or delete (except the default) the rule.

6.1 Ring for __ seconds / Ring Time

When you click on Answering Rules you will see the option to set the Ring for seconds as seen in figure 6.1. This is what controls how long a call attempts to ring you for.

To set the ring time out click the drop-down to select how many seconds you would like calls to ring before sending the call to voicemail or the specified destination entered into the When unanswered field in the active answering rule.

If you do not want a ring time out, meaning you want your phone to ring forever, select Unlimited at the bottom of the drop-down.

6.2 Allow and Block Phone numbers

To the right you will see the Allow and Block button as seen in figure 5.2. This allows you to enter certain phone numbers to allow or prevent them reaching you. Clicking the Allow / Block button will open the Allow / Block window as seen in figure 6.2.a

On the left is the allowed numbers. This allows you to add numbers that are blocked by the domain so you can still receive calls from that user.

Phone numbers added to allow will also let the call bypass Call Screening. If you have Call Screening enabled in an answering rule but want certain phone numbers to not have to record their name when calling you, add them to the allow field. Then when that number calls you, they will be sent directly to you and not have to record their name first like other callers not listed.

Block allows you to add phone numbers
you do not want to be able to reach you.
To add a phone number to Allow or Block,
simply enter the number into the respective field and click the plus sign to add the phone number.

6.2.1 Block anonymous or unknown

You can block all anonymous or unknown callers simply by clicking the check box next to Block anonymous or unknown.

6.3 Add Rule

Time Frames are a set period of time which covers when we want certain events to occur such as our phone to ring. When configuring a new answering rule you must first chose when the rule will be in affect by selecting a Time Frame as seen in figure 6.3.1.

6.3.2 Enable

The enable options lets you easily enable and disable the rule from being in affect. A check in the box means the rules is enabled and will be in affect during the selected time frame.

When Call screening is enabled, callers record their name. After they record their name, then your devices will ring. If you answer the call, it will play the users name and allow to press 1 to be connected or hang up the call and have them be sent to voicemail or wherever your Call Forwarding options are configured to send unanswered calls.

6.3.3 Do Not Disturb

The Do not Disturb option as seen in figure 6.3.3 will prevent calls from reaching your devices and send the call to voicemail if voicemail is enabled or disconnect the call if voicemail is not enabled.

6.3.4 Call Screening

6.3.5 Call Forwarding

The Call Forwarding options as seen in figure 6.3.5 will route calls based of the options selected. When entering a destination, it can be anything you would like, another user or another telephone number that does not have to be associated with your account or even on the system.

6.3.5.1 Always

Always will forward the call to the destination entered in the Extensions, phone number, or phone field every time your account received a call.

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6.3.5.2 When Busy

When Busy forwards calls only when you are already on the line.

6.3.5.3 When Unanswered

When unanswered dictates where to send the call when the Ring For X Seconds has been reached.

6.3.5.4 When Offline

When Offline routes the call to the desired destination entered into extension, number, or phone field when the user’s devices are offline. If you use a softphone on your laptop and shut down the softphone this is where your calls are forwarded.

6.3.6 Simultaneous Ring

The Simultaneous Ring options,
also known as SIM ring for short, seen in figure 6.3.6 allows you to configure what devices ring when receiving a call. Clicking the Simultaneous Ring box will allow
you to ring more than just your extension and allow you to ring other extensions or phone numbers as well.

Enabling this option will make sure your extension rings when sim rings is enabled.

6.3.6.2 Ring all user’s phones

This option will ring all devices registered to your account.

6.3.6.3 Answer confirmation for off net numbers

This option lets the user know the call is forward from their phone system and gives them the option to be connected to the user by pressing 1 or hanging up the call so they are not connected with the forwarded calling party.

6.3.7 Just ring user’s extension

As seen in the bottom of figure 6.3.a this option is only available if Simultaneous ring is not enabled. If Just ring user’s extension is enabled, it will just ring your default device configured under your account.

6.4 How to create new Answering Rule with Simultaneous ring

If we wanted to create a rule when receiving an incoming call during business hours to ring our extension for 45 seconds before sending the call to voicemail, then after 10 seconds ring our cell phone, then after 30 seconds ring a receptionist’s extension 1003. Then go to voicemail after business hours we would:

1. OntheAnsweringRulepagewewouldadjusttheRingfortimeoutoptionto45 seconds.

2. Create a new rule by clicking Add Rule in the Answering Rules center.

3. On the Add an Answering Rule window select the Time Frame you would like

   the rule to be in effect.

4. Make sure Enabled has a checked box.

5. Click the Simultaneous ring option under Call Forwarding.

6. Click Include user’s extension to ring our phone.

7. Enable Answer confirmation for offnet numbers so our cell phone voicemail does

   not take the call if our voicemail answers the call.

8. In the Extension, number, or phone field enter your cell phone number you

   would like to ring then click the Ring Delay option and slide to 10 seconds. 

9. Then click the plus sign next to the Extension, number, or phone field and in the new window that appears enter the extension of the receptionist 1003 and click save. Your rule should look like the example in figure 6.4.

10.Once the answering rule is created you will see it appear in the answering rules list as seen in figure 6.4.b. If the time frame you select is in effect, then you will see Active next to the rule.

11.To send calls directly to voicemail afterhours click the edit icon for the default answering rules.

12.On the Edit Answering Rule for the default rule, select Always in the Call Forwarding options then enter your extension, select voicemail, and click save.

13.Then slide the rule with the during business hours selected to the top of the answering rules and the default on the bottom as seen in figure 6.4.b.

Now when your extension receives calls during business hours your extension will ring. After 10 seconds your cell phone will start ringing in addition to your extension. Then after 30 seconds have passed it will ring the receptionist at extension 1003. If no one answers after 45 seconds the call is sent to our voicemail.

If a call reaches your extension outside of the selected business hour time frame, then the Default rule would be active and route the calls directly to voicemail.