Is there anyway to have the TVS50 present an option to forward a caller to my cell phone? Right now I have a Custom Service that plays a message that gives out my cell #, but it'd be nice to have it call the # directly.

It's connected to a 624-5 using both ports (two extensions on the 624 side).

Is it possible to maybe create a dummy extension on an unused port/extension on the 624 and always forward that port/extension to my cell #? Or could I do that by having a phantom extension? Right now I don't have a free port, but I might buy the 8 extension expander card.

I think you'll need a DISA/OGM card to route and forward calls PRIOR to the TVS50 picking them up. Can't remember that off the top of my head though... I will look it up and post back.

But I still want the TVS50 to be the first line of defense....

Here's my scenario:

I have two CO lines...One for my home and one for my business.

On the 2nd CO line (my business), I have a custom service tree in the TVS50 that behaves as such:

"You've reached the office of xxxx....Please press 1 to leave a message, press 2 for emergency tech support, or press 3 for company info". Right now, pressing 2, I have a custom service that plays a message "Please hang up and dial xxx-xxxx" which is my cell phone.

What I'd like, is instead of playing the message, just go ahead and forward the caller to my cell phone. It probably can't work as I suppose the TVS50 would have to call out on the 2nd CO line and then transfer the call to that 2nd line...But I thought there must be some creative way.

Here's what we do for our emergency service. In the outgoing message, callers are instructed to press a number and this routes them directly to a mail box. This mailbox is assigned its own class of service that enables message notification. The mailbox is set up to provide delivery of the message left in the emergency box to three of our staff members' cell phones. If the first tech doesn't get the message, it goes to the next in que. All three have agreed to leave their phone on all weekend and will be compensated if they have to perform work. The mailbox's message tells the customer that their message should carefully detail their issue and that it will be forwarded to our emergency paging system. It also tells them this is for emergency situations only and that non-emergency calls will be returned during standard business hours. What's a non-emergency situation? A common example would be a Time Warner Cable DVR breaking down. Our guys typically answer all calls but have an out if need be. PS - You set up call forwarding in the class of service menu and the notification devices in the mailbox menu. Don't need a DISA card if you have the TVS50. I've tried it and don't like it. Forwarding messages does the trick and allows for some call filtering.

This message was edited by tnova on 02/14/05 17:15 ET.

Yes it can be done. I'll post later.

Thanks tnova, an interesting solution....

Hey QQQ....Good to see you again (from the old AVS days)

I've had some more time to think about this, and here's one solution I've perhaps thought about:

I know that I can send the caller to an extension from a custom service. What If I take an unused extension, temporarily plug a phone into, and permanently forward that extension to my cell #.

Then on the TVS50, I send the caller to that extension? I only have two CO lines and they are not setup for hunting as one is designated for my home and one for my business. So what would happen? Could the 624 temporarily use the other line to forward out, without having to set it up for incoming hunt/rollover? What if both lines were in use when it tried to forward? Then what?

Exactly Robert, that's one way to do it. Also, play with the call screening feature on your voice mail box and that may give you some ideas. I'm pressed for time at the moment but I think you've figured it out.

p.s. You need to get at least one more line no matter what if you want this to work well. You'd have to test what the TVS50 would do if both lines were in use.

p.p.s. If you only have one business line and no hunting, and in house voice mail instead of the phone company, what happens when someone calls and you are on the phone? They get a busy signal? Call waiting?

Cool....I'll take a look.

When you have time, please do post more on your thoughts. I still wonder about the behaviour with only two CO lines, and what actually happens on the dial out.

I have another question too on this 624...When adding a 0x8 expansion card only, not the 3x8, does it show up on ports 9 to 16 or 17 to 24....I found a tidbit in the archives at ablecomm that suggests I'll have to use ports 17 to 24 when programming.

17 through 24 on the kxta62470 only.

Thanks Fred