November’s Feature Of The Month: Bridged Extension
Bridged extensions help expand the availability of individual network extensions, even for the busiest users.
When an extension is constantly ringing on a single phone, the extension can be connected to additional phones through a “bridge.” This lets the bridged extension appear – and be used— by one main phone and multiple secondary phones to help ensure the call can be answered even if the main phone is being used or the main user is away. To help keep track of these bridged phones, the main extension will appear on the main phone’s display along with the extension of each additional bridged phone.
Integrating additional phones raises the likelihood that an incoming call will be answered, especially in busy industry environments such as law and real estate. For instance, if a company CEO or manager cannot personally answer a call, an assistant may answer the call on their own phone if it has been programmed to include the CEO’s extension. The assistant may then forward the call or request a message to be relayed later. This secondary phone group can include hundreds of phones, which network managers can customize through call mapping paths that designate the order in which each phone or phone group rings.
Since modern business calls aren’t limited to the office, bridged extensions aren’t limited to desk phones. By programming the extension into a secondary user’s mobile softphone application, incoming calls can be answered even if this user is not currently at their desk. Should the call be missed by all users, the bridged extension system will provide bridged users with a notification.
Bridged extensions make it easier to connect with partners, customers, vendors, and everyone who helps a business stay productive and successful.
Benefits:
- Call forwarding to mobile softphone applications
- Missed call notifications
- Bridged extensions status
- Bridged call alerts
- Custom connection mapping path
- Easy main or secondary phone status verification
Bridged Extensions
Problem:
A new law firm is getting successful—and fast. The team is excited to take on new clients but find themselves overwhelmed by the influx of new calls. While every partner has their own extension, calls only ring on their desk phones, and as the partners are now more likely to be on an existing call or away from their desk, it’s harder for clients to get in touch. Each call offers crucial case information, and the firm needs a way to tend to their clients while keeping them from busy signals or voicemail greetings..
Solution:
SmartChoice helped expand the reach of firm’s busiest extensions. By creating bridged extensions, SmartChoice let the number on a partner or other user’s main desk phone connect to another secondary phone. These extensions can now be used on multiple devices, including ones used by the firm’s assistants. If the main device is being used when the extension is dialed, the incoming call will ring on a secondary phone so that the caller may be sent to an appropriate extension or leave a message. By providing their clients with better access to their team, the firm is able to get the details they need to win their cases, and continue to grow and succeed.
