Do the CISCO Business Edition 3000 serves as an auto attendant

In Cisco Business Edition 3000, the auto attendant serves as the virtual receptionist; that is, the caller receives an automated greeting and series of prompts in order to successfully transfer the call to a user without the assistance of an operator. The following options describe the auto attendant support.

Note Auto attendant uses the same internal components as voicemail. Auto attendant is turned on by default, and you cannot turn it off. The system can handle up to 12 simultaneous calls to voicemail and auto attendant.

• The auto attendant uses a single menu for both business and closed hours (default); the auto attendant plays the same greeting and set of prompts during both business and nonbusiness hours. Cisco Business Edition 3000 automatically comes with a sample menu that provides the following functionality. If you do not want to use the sample menu, you can upload another menu that can be used by the system.
  

Note Cisco recommends that you install QuickTime Player plugin in your respective browser so that the audio greeting playback controls works as expected. Cisco Business Edition 3000 supports QuickTime Player with a minimum version of 6.

• The auto attendant plays a greeting announcing that the corporate directory has been reached.
  
• The auto attendant requests that the caller enter the extension on the phone to transfer the call.
  
• If the caller does not enter the extension quickly, the auto attendant requests that the caller enter the extension again.
  
• The auto attendant transfers the call to the user of the extension.
  
• The auto attendant requests that the caller reenter the extension of the user when the system cannot find the extension.
  
• The auto attendant plays a farewell prompt.
  

Tip The auto attendant does not support a different menu for holidays.

To use the auto attendant, you must first configure the Voicemail and Auto Attendant Extension setting in the dial plan. You can configure this setting

• Through the Cisco-provided .xls data configuration file in the Cisco Business Edition 3000 First Time Setup Wizard (for initial deployment)
  
• On the Dial Plan page in the Cisco Business Edition 3000 First Time Setup Wizard (during initial deployment if you do not use the Cisco-provided .xls data configuration file)
  
• Under System Settings > Dial Plan in the Cisco Business Edition 3000 Administrative Interface (after initial deployment)
  

After you configure the Voicemail and Auto Attendant Extension setting in the dial plan, configure the Auto Attendant page in the Cisco Business Edition 3000 Administrative Interface (select System Settings > Auto Attendant). After you set it up, remember to test your auto attendant functionality.

Cisco Business Edition 3000 shares a single pilot extension for both Voicemail and Auto Attendant features.

• If the Voicemail is enabled and the user dials the Voicemail or the Auto Attendant extension, the call will be connected to the Voicemail. Press the pound (#) key to switch to Auto Attendant.
  
• If the Voicemail is disabled and the user dials the Voicemail or the Auto Attendant extension, the call will be connected to the Auto Attendant. Press the star (*) key to switch to Voicemail.
  

Note The external callers will always be connected to the Auto Attendant.

Note Auto attendant uses an internal user called operator. You cannot edit or delete this user, and it does not display in the Search User page. In addition, you cannot add a user with the user ID of operator. (User IDs should indicate who the user is, not the functions or tasks that the user perform.) Do not assign the Voicemail and Auto Attendant Extension that you configure in the dial plan to the user that is your operator.

Example

Assume Main Number = 4011000, Voicemail is enabled, and Auto Attendant extension = 1999. When you call 4011999 from PSTN, call will directly go to Auto Attendant System and will enable the PSTN users to call any extension they want to speak. If the users want to switch to Voicemail System, they can press the * (star) key in the Auto Attendant menu.

Example

Assume new user = 1001, Voicemail is not enabled, and Auto Attendant extension = 1999. Add a new user (1001) and associate a usage profile with Voicemail not enabled. When you call 1999 from 1001, the call will reach the Auto Attendant System and will enable the users to dial any number they want to speak. If the users want to switch to Voicemail System, they can press the * (star) key in the Auto Attendant menu.

Example

Assume new user = 1002, Voicemail is enabled, and Auto Attendant extension = 1999. Add a new user (1002) and associate a usage profile with Voicemail enabled. When you call 1999 from 1002, the call will reach the Voice Mail System. If the users want to switch to Auto Attendant System, they can press the # (pound) key in the Voicemail menu.

Example

On the phone set Call Forward All to Auto Attendant number. When you try to make a call to DN, call will be forwarded to Auto Attendant number.

Example

In the usage profile, you can set Forward Busy Calls To / Forward No Answer Calls To to the Voicemail / Auto Attendant number.

Note The Voicemail and Auto Attendant Systems share the same pilot extension. The Voicemail capability of the user who makes the call determines where the call should be delivered to. If the user has Voicemail enabled, dialing the Voicemail / Auto Attendant pilot extension will transfer the call to the Voicemail system. If the user does not have Voicemail enabled, dialing the Voicemail / Auto Attendant pilot extensionwill transfer the call to the Auto Attendant System. External or outside callers will always reach the Auto Attendant System.