Partner ACS

Manufacturer: Lucent

Model & Software: Partner ACS

Important Note: Use VoiceTrak version 3.40 or higher for special Partner integration features.

Hardware Requirements: Partner ACS


VoiceTrak Parameter Settings:

Global

OffHook Delay

10

Custom Page 2

Message Light On

#09E

Custom Page 2

Message Light Off

#10E

Important: All other VoiceTrak parameters must be set to Default.

Use Tone/Cadence file: PARTIIR3.ATT

Special Partner code

To activate the Partner ACS integration on VoiceTrak, the VOICE.BAT file must include the line SET PBXTYPE=PIIR3.


Notes:

Tone/Cadence Files -

All calls are unsupervised and disconnect is via loop current drop, so the tone & filter file is not as critical as with certain phone systems. Also note that Partner has built-in fax detect, so use of the VoiceTrak fax detect feature would be redundant.


General

The Partner ACS is the best voice mail solution we've seen from Lucent. It is unfortunate that they don't choose to share technical information, but we figured it out on our own. We an STRONGLY recommend it for a GREAT voice mail integration.


Disconnect Tone

The Partner software provides a loop current drop. It is not necessary for system users to 'pound out' to clear the line. Callers or internal system users can simply hang up the phone and VoiceTrak will clear the port immediately.


Camp On

If the Partner multibutton phones have multiple line appearance keys the Call Processing portion of VoiceTrak can send more than one call to the extension at the same time. The called party can place the first call on hold and answer the second call, or simply ignore the call and allow it to forward to VoiceTrak.


Blocking or Non Blocking? Enough call paths?

Be aware of the number of available DTMF senders and receivers on the Partner.


Automated Attendant

Partner software provides great support for AA. Calls may be directed to VoiceTrak on a delay ring or immediate answer basis. Callers will hear the current VoiceTrak Salutation and may select the desired party. VoiceTrak will perform a 'blind' or unsupervised (N) transfer to the extension. If the extension is not answered the caller will be forwarded to the appropriate mailbox.


Voice Mail

Partner software has an EXCELLENT feature. Any Partner multibutton phone can transfer a caller directly to any voice mail box through a soft key or a feature code. Assume a system user is talking over a Partner phone and wishes to transfer the caller to mailbox 15. The user would simply dial <Feature> <1> <4> <1> <5>. The sequence is Feature + 14 + mailbox number. This allows the attendant - or anyone - to transfer a caller to voice mail without causing the desk set to ring first. It's worth programming a feature button.


Types of calls

Direct Calls-

A direct call means a system user calls the voice mail system to retrieve messages. To call VoiceTrak, dial <777>. The Partner sends special codes which prompt the system user to enter a password, if a password is used. Otherwise the system user (or anyone else) will hear the number of new and old messages, and be allowed to listen to messages. NOTE: System users must retrieve messages from their own phones, or from common area phones which do not have mailboxes assigned. System users may NOT retrieve messages from the Partner phone of another system user.

CO Calls-

A CO call which is automatically directed to VoiceTrak will hear the current system Salutation.

CO Calls or intercom calls forwarded to VoiceTrak-

Forwarded calls will hear the current personal greeting of the appropriate system user.

Note that it is possible to forward unanswered intercom and transferred CO calls to voice mail without ringing the desk set. The desk set must have a Partner Do Not Disturb key. If the DND key is on, all calls will transfer immediately to VoiceTrak without ringing the desk set.


Calling to check messages

If VoiceTrak is not used as an auto attendant during the day and the attendant receives calls from outside the office to check messages, an S type mailbox should be used. Assume the box number will be 22. Establish mailbox 22, extension field blank, box type S, rings blank, first name of >zzzCheck=, last name of >zzzMessages= and all other variables as default. The attendant can dial <Feature> <1> <4> <2> <2> and transfer callers to the system to check messages. The caller will hear the opening salutation and may then dial the check message sequence.


Call Forwarding

Do not forward a phone to VoiceTrak. Use Automatic VMS Coverage and the DND key.


Partner Programming

Note that all Partner programming starts with <Feature> <0> <0> <System Program> <System Program> followed by the address to be programmed.


Group Call Distribution [#206]

Assign all outside lines to be answered by overflow to auto attendant to Hunt Group 7 (VoiceTrak group). This is required if VoiceTrak will answer incoming calls in day or night mode. We suggest that in day mode, lines should overflow to VoiceTrak if not answered by an attendant. The night mode button (which should be assigned to the attendant position) should send all lines to VoiceTrak. To use this option, assign the lines to Hunt Group 7 and not to VMS line cover (setting 3). Direct-in lines assigned to an extension should NOT be assigned to group 7, but should overflow from the extension to the mailbox. Refer to Partner documentation on Group Call Distribution for more information.


Transfer Return Extension [#306]

All VoiceTrak ports should be programmed for transfer return to extension 10 or some other extension which is monitored by a human.

Unanswered calls to an extension with VMS Cover active will be routed to VoiceTrak automatically.

Don't designate any VoiceTrak extensions as the transfer return extension for any other extension on the system. In other words, don't designate the voice mail system as the transfer return extension for any multibutton set.

To program: <Feature> <0> <0> <System Program> <System Program> <#> <3> <0> <6> + originating extension (voice mail port) + extension where unanswered call should go (we suggest 10). To program another extension, touch either <Next Item> or <Prev Item>.


Hunt Group Extensions [#505]

All VoiceTrak extensions must be assigned to hunt group 7 - the VMS hunt group.

To program: <Feature> <0> <0> <System Program> <System Program> <#> <5> <0> <5>

Display says: >Group:= - press >7'

Display says: >Extension:= - Enter first VoiceTrak extension

Press Next Data until >Assigned= appears. Press Next Item for next VoiceTrak port. Continue process and assign each VoiceTrak port to hunt group 7.


VMS Hunt Delay [#506]

This determines either immediate handling or delayed handling of calls to the AA. If delay is used, calls can be answered first by a human receptionist and overflow calls can transfer to VoiceTrak. Note that if overflow is desired during the day, delay must be implemented 24 hours a day. Partner does not allow overflow during the day and immediate ring to VoiceTrak at night.


VMS Hunt Schedule [#507]

Outside lines assigned to VoiceTrak through Group Call Distribution (#206) can hunt through the VoiceTrak hunt group all the time (with no regard to the attendant night mode key), or can be tied to the attendant night mode key. The three choices are all the time, during the day (night mode key off), or at night (night mode key on).


Night Service Button [#503]

The night button does not change the VoiceTrak salutation, unlike Partner mail. VoiceTrak ignores the day/night codes sent when the night button is pressed. VoiceTrak offers more flexibility because salutations are implemented based on time, day or date. If daytime overflow is desired, a night service button has no use. However, the night service button can be configured to direct CO lines to VoiceTrak only in the day or night mode (but only without delay).


Automatic VMS Cover [#310]

All extensions with VoiceTrak mailboxes must be programmed for Auto VMS Cover.

To program: <Feature> <0> <0> <System Program> <System Program> <#> <3> <1> <0> and the display will read: "AutoVMS Cover Extension: " The system is prompting for the extension to be covered. To program extension 15, touch <1> <5>. To toggle the AutoVMS Cover on or off, touch <Next Data>. To program another extension touch <Next Item> or <Prev Item> until the proper extension is displayed. Then toggle <Next Data> to make the selection.


VMS Cover Rings [#321]

This system-wide setting determines the number of rings at a station before the caller forwards to VoiceTrak. Valid settings are 1-9, the default is 3.

To program: <Feature> <0> <0> <System Program> <System Program> <#> <1> <1> <7> and enter a setting of 1-0.


Recommended buttons on each Partner multibutton phone

We recommend that each Partner phone be programmed with the following buttons:

Do Not Disturb [F01]

This optional button can be used to send all intercom and transferred calls to VoiceTrak without first ringing the extension. It is not necessary for the extension to have an optional VMS Cover button to use this feature. This button acts as an "All Call Forward" button on other phone systems. We strongly recommend that this button be programmed on every phone so system users can send ALL CALLS to voice mail.

To program: <Feature> <0> <0> <System Program> <System Program> <Central Tel Program> <Extension number to be programmed> <Press the button to be programmed - must have a light> <Feature> <0> <1> Exit.

Transfer to Voice Mailbox [F14]

This very useful key allows the system user to forward any caller to any voice mailbox without ringing the desk set. If the system user is talking to an outside party and wishes to transfer that person to a mailbox, they simply touch this key, dial the mailbox number and hang up. The caller will hear the personal greeting of the mailbox user and be prompted to leave a message.

To program: <Feature> <0> <0> <System Program> <System Program> <Central Tel Program> <Extension number to be programmed> <Press the button to be programmed - must have a light> <Feature> <1> <4> Exit.

Call VoiceTrak key

A soft key should be programmed to dial Intercom 777. System users do this dozens of times each day and this should be a simple process. To program at the individual stations: <Feature> <0> <0> <Mic - erases current setting> <DSS key to be used> <Intercom> <7> <7> <7> <Feature> <0> <0>.

Optional VMS Coverage Button

Note that an optional VMS Cover button can be programmed to toggle whether or not calls will be sent to voice mail after ringing the desk set a few times. We do not recommend use of this feature since it will be seldom used and will occupy a valuable button position. We recommend use of the DND button instead (for use as an all-call forward button) and that VMS coverage be in effect at all times on each station.

Flash to CO line for call transfer via phone company

<Hookflash> #03 when dialed from a VoiceTrak port will send a flash from the Partner to the CO. If the customer phone service includes Centrex (or a similar service) it is possible for VoiceTrak to transfer calls to an external phone number using the VoiceTrak call forward field.