Our previous system allowed us to configure the Dial Zero option per individual and not just by company. We do not have an operator and the caller may get frustrated hitting Dial Zero and then get routed to the auto attendant (our current setup). There is alot of value in being able to personalize this setting for smaller companies especially. So if an individual user is unavailable and the call goes to VM then the caller has the option to dial 0 and it can go to other user in their department is much more helpful and efficient then being routed back to the main IVR.
This is currently our only alternative:
This is currently our only alternative:
- Create call groups and assign a 2 digit extension for each group.
- Have individuals re-record their VM announcements to say "You have reached the voicemail of XXXXX. I am sorry that I am unavailable at this time but if you would like to reach somebody else in my department, please dial XX, to go back to the main menu, dial Z, or if you would like to leave a message, please do so at the beep" (or something along those lines)
- The system allows you to enter ANY extension during a VM announcement (entered BEFORE the beep - to leave a vm) so this feature is already enabled. You just need to make the caller aware.
