What is the Ring Groups Module used for?
The Ring Groups Module is used to create a single extension number that your users can dial in order to ring multiple extensions at the same time. It also creates a destination to which you can send calls that will ring those multiple extensions.
For example, you could create a Ring Group that will allow your local phones to dial 600, and then all (or some) of the phones in the office will ring. You could also set the Ring Group as a destination in an Inbound Route, so that calls to a DID (i.e., a phone number) specified in the Inbound Route will cause all of the Extensions in the Ring Group to ring when the DID is called. You could also set the Ring Group as a destination an an IVR, so that when a caller presses 1, a group of phones will ring.
Because the Ring Groups module creates a destination to which you can route calls, the Ring Groups Module is related to the any module that can route calls to a destination, including the Inbound Routes Module, the IVR Module, the Time Conditions Module, etc. Because the Ring Groups module is used to Ring Extensions, it is also related to the Extensions Module. Because you can set an optional destination to send calls to if nobody picks up after a certain amount of time, the Ring Groups Module is also related to any Module that can be used as a destination for a call.
Overview
The Ring Groups module provides a method to ring several extensions in a variety of ring strategies. It allows for several useful features such as announcements, CID name prefix, call confirmation and others. Ring groups can include local extensions and DIDs (which become outbound calls from the system).
Adding a Ring Group
Group Description
Provide a descriptive title for the ring group.
Ring Strategy
Choose from the following methods in which the extension list can be dialled:
ringall
This will ring all available channels until someone answers. This is the default.
hunt
This will take turns ringing each available extension.
memoryhunt
This will ring the first extension in the list. After that it will ring the 1st and 2nd, then the 1st, 2nd and 3rd extensions and so on.
*-prim
The first extension listed is the primary extension and this flag changes the behaviour of calls to the primary extension. If set and the primary is “Occupied or FreePBX DND,” the other extensions will not be rung. If the primary is set to “FreePBX Call Forward Unconditional,” then all will be rung.
firstunavailable
This will only ring the first available channel.
firstnotonphone
This will only ring the first channel shown to be off-hook, ignoring call waiting.
Extension List
List extensions to ring one per line or use the “Extension Quick Pick” for quick insertion. You can include an extension on a remote system or dial an external number by suffixing the number with a “#.” For example, “3609319999#” would route out whichever trunk is set for 10 digit outbound dialling or “2000#” would route out whichever trunk is cross-connected to the remote system (via SIP/IAX2) and matches “2XXX” for outbound dialling. See the Outbound Routes user guide for more information.
Extensions that are not suffixed with a “#” will not ring a users Follow Me. To dial Follow Me, queues or other numbers that are not extensions, use “#” at the end.
Announcement
Message to be played to the caller prior to calling the group. See the System Records user guide for information on adding a recording.
Play Music On Hold
The default setting is to play ringing to the caller. Alternately, a MoH class can be set to play instead of ringing.
CID Name Prefix
You can prefix the caller ID name when ringing actual extensions on the system. For example, a prefix of “Sales:” would make a caller ID of “John Doe” appear as “Sales: John Doe.”
Alert Info
ALERT_INFO for devices that support distinctive ringing. For example, “<Bellcore-dr4>.” (For supported phones)
Ignore CF Settings
When checked, agents who attempt to call forward will be ignored. This applies to CF, CFU and CFB. Extensions entered with “#” at the end, such as an extensions Follow Me, may not honor this setting.
Skip Busy Agent
When checked, agents whom are on an occupied phone will be skipped as if the line were returning as busy. This means that call waiting or multi-line phones will not be presented with the call and in the various hunt style ring strategies, the next agent will be attempted.
Enable Call Pickup
Checking this option will allow calls to the ring group to be picked up with the directed call pickup feature using the group number. When not checked, individual extensions that are part of the group can still be picked up by doing a directed call pickup to the ringing extension. This works whether or not this is checked.
Confirm Calls
Enable this if you’re calling external numbers that need confirmation. For example, a mobile phone may go to voicemail and that will pick up the call. Enabling this requires the remote side to push “1” on their phone before the call is put through. Note that this feature only works with the “ringall” ring strategy.
Remote Announce
Message to be played to the person receiving the call, if “Confirm Calls” is enabled.
Too-Late Announce
Message to be played to the person receiving the call, if the call is accepted before they press “1.”
Change External CID Configuration
Select from the follow modes.
Default
This transmits the callers CID if allowed by the trunk.
Fixed CID Value
This always transmits the ”Fixed CID Value” entered.
Outside Calls Fixed CID
This will transmit the “Fixed CID Value” value only on calls that come from the outside. Internal extension-to-extension calls will still operate in default mode.
Use Dialled Number
This will transmit the number that was dialled as the CID for calls coming from the outside. Internal extension-to-extension calls will still operate in default mode. There must be a DID on the inbound route for this. This will be blocked on trunks that block foreign caller ID.
Force Dialled Number
This will transmit the number that was dialled as the CID for calls coming from the outside. Internal extension-to-extension calls will still operate in default mode. There must be a DID on the inbound route for this. This will be transmitted on trunks that block foreign caller ID.
Fixed CID Value
When needed, enter your “Fixed CID Value” here. Digits only with the “+” prefix used in the E164 format.
Call Recording
Always
Always record.
On Demand
Allow the receiving extension to perform on-demand recording toggle with a feature code. This is normally “*1” by default.
Never
Never record and disable on-demand recording on the receiving extension.
Destination if no answer
Choose where to send the call after the ring time has been exceeded. Most often this is set to an extension or general voicemail box.
Save
When finished click Submit, then Apply Changes.