Remco Barende
2005-Apr-01 14:32 UTC
[Asterisk-Users] What's the use of a multi line phone?
Sorry for this n00b type question but what is the use of a multi line phone? Occasionally I see discussions going on about this subject but with a single phone you can only answer one call at a time (at least I can with only one phone). What would you need the extra lines for?
Well, in the Asterisk arena, it allows a few nice things... If you are on one call, you can see your second call come in on a new line and choose to put the current on hold and answer it or just ignore it. It allows you the ability to leave someone on hold at your station while calling someone else. Maybe to confirm a problem for someone but not with them on the line for isntance. Asteriskj is nice enough to allow you to turn this feature on or off at the server (call Waiting) so you can have a 1 line phone or a multi line phone at your choice. W -----Original Message----- From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Remco Barende Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 2:33 PM To: Asterisk Users List Subject: [Asterisk-Users] What's the use of a multi line phone? Sorry for this n00b type question but what is the use of a multi line phone? Occasionally I see discussions going on about this subject but with a single phone you can only answer one call at a time (at least I can with only one phone). What would you need the extra lines for? _______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Noah Miller
2005-Apr-01 15:03 UTC
[Asterisk-Users] Re: What's the use of a multi line phone?
> Sorry for this n00b type question but what is the use of a multi line > phone? > > Occasionally I see discussions going on about this subject but with a > single phone you can only answer one call at a time (at least I can > with > only one phone). > > What would you need the extra lines for?Usually for a business. Our business policy is for a person to answer every incoming call immediately (and then put them on hold as necessary). Sometimes our receptionists will have to field four or five calls before they can begin to properly route calls to their intended destinations. Also, most of our staff (the non-receptionists) like to be able to do the call waiting thing and answer new calls as they come in, even if they need to continue with their current call. True, this could be done with call waiting, but most users find it easier to just push a line button, and the multiple line appearances on our phones allow things like the ability to see caller ID of new incoming calls when they are still in a call, and then the ability to conference calls together. Most of this can be done with callerID, Meetme, or other features, but it is just easier on a multiple line phone. Another use: Some multiple line phones (like the Snom phones) can do shared call appearances like an old key phone system. This would mean that, for example, Judy is always "Line 5" on everybody's phone. Press line 5 and get Judy - if line 5 is lit up, it means Judy is on a call.
A great many things are cheaper than Cisco phones.... What you say is completely true. But for some, the other way is just more convenient. Either way will work. It is just a matter of preference. W -----Original Message----- From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Andres Tello Abrego Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 9:40 AM To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] What's the use of a multi line phone? But that kind of functionality can be achived with a creative dialplan, and queues, and I belive, is far more cheaper that having cisco 7960 phones... And also, it doesn?t need a lot of creativity... Add info to the CID so, it will display the department they line is trying to get... Race Vanderdecken wrote:> Also you can have several numbers terminating to one desk. That way > you can be the sales guy and the repair guy at the same time. I like > the Cisco 7960 because it has 6 lines. > > Also it makes it easier to test, you only need one phone to make test > calls. > > Race Vanderdecken > Tyranny Works. > > -----Original Message----- > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Wiley > Siler > Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 4:39 PM > To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion > Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] What's the use of a multi line phone? > > Well, in the Asterisk arena, it allows a few nice things... > > If you are on one call, you can see your second call come in on a new > line and choose to put the current on hold and answer it or just > ignore it. It allows you the ability to leave someone on hold at your > station while calling someone else. Maybe to confirm a problem for > someone but not with them on the line for isntance. > > Asteriskj is nice enough to allow you to turn this feature on or off > at the server (call Waiting) so you can have a 1 line phone or a multi > line phone at your choice. > > W > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Remco > Barende > Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 2:33 PM > To: Asterisk Users List > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] What's the use of a multi line phone? > > Sorry for this n00b type question but what is the use of a multi line > phone? > > Occasionally I see discussions going on about this subject but with a > single phone you can only answer one call at a time (at least I can > with only one phone). > > What would you need the extra lines for? > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users >_______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users