Phone Setup For Executive Assistant?

[graphictech3]

We are having an executive assistant start that will be working for four executives.  What sort of features should I consider adding to her line on her 7965 phone, that would be important for her?  Intercom features?  Being able to see if their lines are in use?  Could really use some advice here.

[Amit Sharawat]

You can use shared lines with BLF.

You can use speed dial and intercom.

you can use privacy button on the executive's phone so that they if there extensions are not seen busy...

Like this there are other features as well, please go through CUCM feature guide:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/admin/10_0_1/ccmfeat/CUCM_BK_F3AC1C0F_00_cucm-features-services-guide-100.html

~Amit

[Rob Huffman]

Hi Brett,

Good question!

There are many options for this type of setup as Amit nicely noted (+5)

You probably need to talk with the Exec's and EA to see what their expectations for call handling are. Do the Exec's want all their calls screened? If so you may want to use Shared Lines & Intercom;

Shared Lines -

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/admin/8_0_2/ccmsys/accm-802-cm/a03dn.html#wp1100362

Intercom -

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/admin/8_5_1/ccmfeat/fsgd-851-cm/fsintrcm.html

The Exec's may want all calls to go to EA's number first and then be transferred, if so, you may want to use BLF/speeddial;

BLF/Speeddial - 

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/admin/8_5_1/ccmfeat/fsgd-851-cm/fsprsnc.html#wp1155652

The Exec's may just want to call forward their phone on occasion to the EA for meetings etc. if so, you will want Call Forward override so the EA can still transfer to them if required;

Call Forward Override - 

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/admin/8_0_2/ccmsys/accm-802-cm/a03dn.html

Or they may want the whole nine yards in which case you may want a Manager/Assistant setup in Shared or Proxy Line mode;

Manager/Assistant (Shared Line) - 

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/admin/9_0_1/ccmfeat/CUCM_BK_CEF0C471_00_cucm-features-services-guide-90/CUCM_BK_CEF0C471_00_cucm-features-services-guide-90_chapter_0100111.html

Manager/Assistant (Proxy Line) - 

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/admin/9_0_1/ccmfeat/CUCM_BK_CEF0C471_00_cucm-features-services-guide-90/CUCM_BK_CEF0C471_00_cucm-features-services-guide-90_chapter_0100110.html

As you can see there lot's of options and no "one size fit's all" solutions so you will have to work with them to see what setup they require.

Cheers!

Rob

[graphictech3]

Thanks, that's a great jumping off point.  Really was looking for a list of common features used for EAs, as I don't know all of the features CUCM has (I've only used a subset) and also don't know what are some typical EA setups... so this is a great start.

What are some example scenarios of how the intercom function is used?  Does the EA use it to talk to the Exec or vice versa usually?

[Rob Huffman]

Hi Brett,

Glad to be of some small help!

Intercom is generally a two way street, wherein the EA may Intercom the Exec to let them know they have an important call waiting or perhaps the President is in the waiting room. The Exec may use Intercom to to contact the EA to look at their calendar, set up a meeting while they are already on another call etc. etc.

Cheers!

Rob

[Tagir Temirgaliyev]

I ussually did monitoring lines and speed dial