Phantom Voice Mail!?

[jolo07310]

CCM4.0 and Unified 4.0

We have a lot of users that dont need physical IP Phone, but they need voice mail box. What they need is that have our receiptionist transfer calls to their extension, then it forward to their voice mail box, so that the users can check their voice mail.

For example:

Can I create CTI port(ext.1000) at CCM, and assign ext. 1000 voice mail to Unity? Is that going to work??

Or someone has better ideas??

Thanks in advance.

[travis-dennis_2]

Hola!

CTI Route points will work but given the same circumstances I think I would do "Dummy Phones". As in create a phone with using a fake MAC addree (111111111111 or similar) assign the DN on the phone, set it to forward all to VM and you are done. This way gives you the added flexibility to forward those users calls to another number (cell phone, etc) should the need arise. This way just give you more options and still gets you what you need?

Hope this helps!

Please remeber to rate all replies.

[jmessina]

why not use a device profile?

[rimon.vallavanatt]

Hello,

This works as well:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/voicesw/ps556/products_tech_note09186a00800dea82.shtml

[jolo07310]

Ok guys, I already tried all different metholds that u guys provided to me.

Number 1:

Create dummy MAC address:

It will work as real IP Phone, but waste time if we need to create hundreds of them.

Number 2:

Create Voice Mail Profile:

The fastest way to create, but you think you need IP Phone feature in the future, please use number 1.

Thanks guys

[lfulgenzi]

We decided against dummy phones and device profiles for a number of reasons. In particular, a dummy phone shows as an unregistered phone, this can raise flags as to broken phones, etc. Having to come up with unique MAC addresses and managing these can be another issue. Device profiles have similar issues with MAC addresses.

The major reason was that CTI route points allow you to have a large number of DNs rather than the limited number on the 7940s.

After talking with a number of S.E.s they supported and confirmed that CTI route points would be the best way to go.

Simply forward them to voicemail pilot/profile and check the forward all to voicemail option.

[rhegde]

I think if you add CTI port,that will add more device weight (6) to the Callmanager than adding a dummy phone (1). Correct me if I am wrong.

[lfulgenzi]

I'm pretty sure we were told that if the CTI route point does not register to a call manager there is no weight associated. These CTI route points do not register.

[sdrennan]

In CM 4.0 there is a feature which allows you to have just a Directory Number. If you create a Phone with DN then delete the phone you will find that the DN remains and will route to Vmail if you have configured this. Not sure if you can add just a DN without first creating the phone first then deleting it

[lfulgenzi]

Sounds more like a bug to me! I would hate to have to delete a phone and have the number hanging around.

My admin staff will freak if they have to delete a number after they delete a phone.

[rcfoltz]

I would create a CTI Route Point, on line one configure a DN=#XXXX and set Forward All to the VM Pilot Point. Then have you receptionist transfer calls to the person by transfering to # + 4 digit extenion. This will go right into theoir VM and you only need to one Route Point and 1 Line on it. Users can check their VM by dialing # + their Extension, when their greeting starts hit * then follow the prompts.