Automatic Route Selection - AT&T Merlin II Release 3 System Manual

How to Program
1 Enter programming mode by sliding the T/P
switch to P. (Digital phones: Dial #33.)
2 Dial **.
3 Press the line buttons in the order you prefer.
4 To program other features, dial ** again.
Otherwise, leave programming mode by sliding
the T/P switch to the center position. (Digital
phones: Dial #00.)

Automatic Route Selection

DESCRIPTION
CONSIDERATIONS
3-16 MERLIN II System Features
The Automatic Route Selection (ARS) feature allows you to specify how the
system can route toll and local calls to minimize costs for the business. Routing
calls efficiently is especially important if the system:
Has several different line pools, such as local, WATS, foreign exchange, or tie
lines
Uses an alternate long distance company
You determine the most efficient and cost-effective routes for calls to different
area codes and exchanges and enter that information in the system. With ARS
in place, people simply press the Pool Access button and dial the telephone
numbers they want to reach, without selecting particular line pools or dialing
special routing digits. The MERLIN II system directs the call to the line pool
that has designated as the best one for that type of call. If all the lines in the
first-choice line pool are busy, the system routes the call to the second-choice
line pool and so on.
You can further reduce telephone operating costs by using ARS in combination
with other cost-saving features such as Allowed Lists and Call Restriction.
Only systems administered as pooled systems with ARS can use this feature.
See "System Type."
In order to administer ARS, you must have a completed set of Forms 5a
through 5j, Forms for Automatic Route Section, located in the MERLIN II
Communications System Release 3 Planning Guide.
Valid digit entries for "Other Digits" (listed under the "Other Digits" heading
on any of the Forms 5b and 5j) are: 0-9, *, Hold (Pause), Recall, and Transfer
(Touch-Tone Enable). The # entry is not valid.
How to Use
1 Lift your handset or press Speakerphone.
The MERLIN II system connects you to the first free line in
your Automatic Line Selection sequence.
I