Incoming exchange calls on line 1 were directed (via ringing-position programming) to ring on 201 and if not answered within 15 seconds were to be re-directed to answering machine #1. Similarly, incoming calls on line 2 were first directed to 202 and if not answered, sent to answering machine #2. The answering machines needed to ring at least six times before they would recognise and answer an incoming call. A two-port analogue adapter was used on port 208 (second channel 280) to feed the two answering machines.

Occasionally one staff member would operate the centre alone.

In this case they were happy to have callers on line 2 ring on 202 and after the no-answer timer expired to be directed to answering machine #2.

However, they wanted to be able to setup a direct call-forward on 201 to direct any incoming call on line 1 to which-ever extension the sole staff member was using (extension 202 being the exception). If not answered within the 15-second time limit, the caller was to be directed to answering machine #1.

Solution
The solution used a series of call-forward paths and was based on the following condition:

C.O. Line / Ringing Position.

Set up line 1 to ring on 201 only and line 2 to ring on 202 only.

Preset Call Forward
System Call-forward path.

Path 1 Name 208     Point 1 208
Path 2 Name 280     Point 1 280

Preset Call Forward

System Call Forward Timer.
Forward Start Timer 15

Preset Call Forward

Extension Preset Path – 201

Path A 1

Preset Call Forward

Extension Preset Table

Call type C.O. Ring Y

Transferred Y

Call Status No answer Y

Service Mode Day Y

Night Y

Preset Call-forward Paths were setup for extension 202 plus all the other extensions. The programming parameters were the same as for extension 201 with the exception of the "Extension Preset Path" which was programmed as per the following table:

Incoming calls on line #1 would ring on 201 only and if not answered within 15 seconds would be redirected to answering machine #1.

Incoming calls on line #2 would ring on 202 only and if not answered within 15 seconds would be redirected to answering machine #2.

Extension to extension calls were unaffected.

If only a single staff member was on duty they would use call-forwarding (F2) on 201 to Direct Call Forward all calls to their own extension. An incoming call on line 1 would now ring at their extension only and if not answered within 15 seconds would be redirected to answering machine #1. Incoming exchange calls on line 2 would ring on 202 and be ignored, eventually being re-directed to answering machine #2.

In the single-person operating mode both 201 and 202 could have been Direct Call Forwarded to (say) 204, allowing the person on duty to answer both lines, but the client did not want to do this.