Voice Messaging Systems - AT&T MERLIN LEGEND Release 3.1 System Manager's Manual

Applications

Voice Messaging Systems

A voice messaging system (VMS) provides call-answering services and may
provide voice mail services. When choosing or planning a VMS, keep the
following considerations in mind:
Each of the following VMS applications connects to a special tip/ring
(T/R) jack, called a voice messaging interface (VMI) . If you plan to add
voice messaging to your system, ask your AT&T representative to help
you plan for VMI ports for your system. (You may already have enough on
existing modules.)
Voice messaging systems also require that you have a certain number of
touch-tone receivers to interpret the digits entered by callers using touch-
tone telephones. These are supplied on the control unit modules. The
number required depends upon the call volume you anticipate. Discuss
this with your AT&T representative.
You may want to use password access to voice mailboxes, to protect
business and personal privacy.
If you plan to use an outcalling feature (see Table 4–13 for an
explanation), you should consider using calling restrictions to prevent this
feature from being abused by people who may use it to make fraudulent
toll calls.
NOTE:
In Release 3.1 and later systems, all VMI ports are by default restricted
from outcalling in Hybrid/PBX systems, using an extension FRL of 0. VMI
ports are automatically assigned a special Disallowed List that restricts
many types of calls made by fraudulent callers. In addition, these ports
are outward-restricted. For more information, see "Calling Restrictions,"
earlier in this chapter.
The system provides two specific features that work with voice mail
systems: Direct Voice Mail and Coverage VMS. Direct Voice Mail allows
transfer of a caller to a voice mail box, without ringing the mailbox owner
at his or her extension. Voice mail can be designated to cover calls in the
same fashion that a calling group can; Coverage VMS allows a user to
turn this feature on or off and requires a programmed button. Consider
how you will take advantage of these in your company.
IMPORTANT:
Before planning your voice messaging system, see the Security Alert at
the end of this chapter. Also consult "Security of Your System: Preventing
Toll Fraud," in Appendix A, "Customer Support Information."
Table 4–13 describes the services available by product.
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Features and Applications