Access to Operator: allows incoming callers who cannot determine how to reach a certain department or subscriber to be connected to a live operator to complete the processing of their call. Announce Only Mailbox: provides information recording which can be accessed by mailbox subscribers or callers external to the system. Automatic Check-In to Voice Mail: allows the voice mail subscriber to simplify the access procedure to the system by pre-programming the procedures and allowing the subscriber to access the system by a special code. Automatic Message Deletion: automatically deletes the voice mail message from memory when listened to by the subscriber, unless the message is saved or forwarded to another mailbox on the voice mail system. Bill Stats by Time and Unit: provides the system administrator with the voice mail subscriber's message statistics (total messages, disk usage, total connect time, subscriber access), then processes these statistics through a billing matrix the system administrator has installed to provide bills for each mailbox user. Broadcast Capability: allows distribution of pre-recorded information to mailbox subscribers, departments, or distribution lists system-wide. Busy Notification: informs the caller that the party he or she is trying to reach is on the phone, then provides the caller with voice prompts for additional options, such as: dial another extension, leave a message in the voice mailbox, terminate the call, or hold for the operator. Call Screening: allows each incoming call to be routed to the correct department or individual by providing multiple routing options to the caller through layered voice prompt menus; informs the call recipient that a call has come in, identifies the caller by name, and allows the recipient several options regarding the call. Classes of Service: defines the parameters under which the mailbox subscriber is allowed to operate, such as: functionality, facility access, or restrictions. Client Information: provides a database of information on customers who deal regularly with the organization. Custom Call Distribution: allows the voice mail system to develop a specific distribution list for dispensing pre-recorded information to different individuals, departments, or organizations within the company. Database Backup: saves the system programming and messages via disk, streaming tape, or other storage device, to prevent loss of messages or system programming during a failure of the commercial power supply. Directory: provides a listing of all mailbox subscribers by name and extension number; allows an internal or external caller to the voice mail system to reach mailbox subscribers by entering the first few letters of the subscriber's name if the caller does not have their extension number. Display of Waiting Calls: provides the voice mail subscriber with a visual indication of calls waiting if he or she is using the telephone when a call comes in. Distribution Lists: allows voice mail messages to be sent to specific departments or common interest groups (e.g. sales, accounting, and manufacturing). One message can be recorded and distributed to the selected list rather than to each individual mailbox. Electronic Mail Integration: allows the voice mail system to send an indication to the electronic mail system that the subscriber has received a voice mail message; typically, the subscriber will receive a message on the display alerting him or her to access voice mail for the messages; some systems will accept notification from the electronic mail system and alert the subscriber to access the electronic mail system for messages. Facsimile Integration: allows the voice mail system to access special lines designated for facsimile transmissions. Help Keys: provides system help functions to voice mail system callers, via single-digit codes on their telephone's touch-tone dial pad. Individual Personal Greeting: allows the voice mail subscriber to record a personal greeting to be played for any incoming caller, internal or external; some of the voice mail systems can provide different greetings for internal and external callers. Interruptible Voice Prompts: allows the experienced voice mail user to proceed with voice messaging without listening to all options included in the voice mail system voice prompt menus; depressing the appropriate code key on the touch-tone dial pad of the telephone allows the caller to override the cycle through the voice prompt menus. Introductory Remarks: allows the voice mailbox subscriber to listen to a message, and then insert remarks before or after the message and forward the total text message to another mailbox or distribution list. Message Waiting: alerts the voice mail subscriber to the receipt of a message in the voice mailbox. Message Notification: lets the voice mailbox subscriber designate how often and what time of day the voice mail system will advise the subscribers that they have received voice mail messages and the number received. Message Transfer Capability: incoming messages can be transferred to any voice mailbox in the system. Message Waiting Lamp: provides visual indication to the voice mail subscriber that a voice mail message has been received. Message Delivery Confirmation: informs the mailbox subscriber that the voice messages he or she has recorded have been transmitted to the appropriate individual or group distribution list. Multi-Digit Personal Code: provides the voice mailbox subscriber the ability to change the personal code which supplies security for the subscriber. Multi-Language Voice Prompts: allows the incoming caller to select an alternate language for the voice prompts from the menus provided by the voice mail system. Multiple Call Handling: provides the capability to process more than one call at a time. Networking: connects multiple systems into a single network with full-feature transparency and uniform numbering plan. Offline/Online Programming: supports system administration onsite or remotely while the system is in operation; this capability allows multiple changes to the system without significant downtime, since administration can be completed without interrupting the systems operation. Programmable Mailbox No. Length: allows the voice mail system to accommodate different mailbox number lengths depending on the number of digits used by the telephone system to identify extensions. Return to Operator: allows the caller to access the telephone system operator at any time during or after completion of multiple transactions in the voice mail system. Rotary Default: allows callers who have rotary telephones to dial into the voice mail system then access an operator to complete call processing. Single Key Feature Access: provides access to voice mail system features by dialing single-digit codes. Speed Dialing: allows the voice mail subscriber to program frequently dialed telephone numbers into memory, and then dial the numbers by entering the correct access code. Subscriber Profiles: supplies the system administrator with significant information about the voice mail subscriber, such as: name, extension number, class of service, restrictions, and personal greeting. Time, Date Stamped Message: provides each incoming call message to a voice mailbox subscriber with the time of day and the date the message was received by the voice mail system. Text and Voice Message Entry: allows the entry of text information associated with a voice message for voice mail subscribers who utilize a PC or data terminal. Unlimited Message Length: allows a message to be as long as necessary; message length can be set according to the type of voice message received, number of voice mail users, or number of messages received. Urgent Message Forwarding: allows the caller to label the voice message as important to expedite delivery to the recipient. Visitor Mailbox: allows users access to a voice mailbox for the receipt of messages, but does not allow the full functionality (record personal greeting, forward messages, change passwords, access to other mailboxes). Detailed System Management Reports: provides the system administrator with detailed statistics on the status and functionality of the voice mail system, such as: disk usage, subscriber profiles, total messages received, personal greetings, distribution lists. Fast Forward: allows the voice mail subscriber to move past unimportant sections of a voice message and access the more important portions of the message. Message Review: provides the voice mail subscriber with the capability to move forward, backward, skip, or review any message in their voice mailbox. Skip Message: allows the voice mail subscriber to skip over any voice messages received and access specific messages which may be more important. Back to Top SPECIAL AUTOMATED ATTENDANT FEATURES: After Hours Answering: provides system greetings and routing patterns based on the time of day, day of the week, and whether there are special circumstances, such as an emergency or a holiday. Call Transfer: allows the system to transfer any call to another voice mailbox. Call Screening: provides the recipient of a call with an option to accept the call or forward it to a voice mailbox, operator, or another extension; the system asks the caller's name, then provides this information to the call recipient and offers alternate options to the caller based on the call recipient's response. Customized System Greeting: allows the system administrator to record system greetings specifically for his or her organization. Foreign Greetings: provides the system greeting in the language designated by the system administrator. Immediate Dialing: allows the system to forward a call to the appropriate destination without delay or asking the caller to hold. Multiple Greetings: allows multiple system greetings based on the time of day, day of the week, holiday, or emergency situations. Multiple Operator Positions: provides more than one operator for overflow call processing if the voice mail system cannot handle the call volume or if the callers have rotary telephones which require operator call processing. Priority Processing: labels the voice mail message as important, which allows the system to assign a priority code to expedite delivery of the message. Redirect Calls to Another Extension: allows the caller to direct their call to another destination after completing the call or reaching an incorrect destination; this procedure does not require operator intervention. Single Digit Dialing: allows the caller to access specific voice mail features by dialing single digits with a touch-tone dial pad. Voice Menu Directions for Callers: leads the caller through the call processing procedures by providing multiple options for call routing with multi-level voice prompts. Back to Top | 
