Though Answering Rules and Time Frames are separate tabs, they are so interconnected that describing them together makes sense.
Time Frames
Time frames allow you to control the scheduling of the system. You configure time frames using the Time Frames page. To display this page, click the Time Frames icon at the top of the page:
Three common time frames are:
- Open Hours (for example, M-F 9am-5pm)
- Holidays (Independence Day, Thanksgiving, New Year’s, and so on)
- Default (all other times)
Time frames can be both shared (system-wide and set by the administrator) or personal to your extension.
Learn more on How-To Add and Edit Time Frames.
Answering Rules
After you set up your times frames, you can create different answering rules for your time frames. You configured answering rules using the Answering Rules page. To display this page, click the Answering Rules icon at the top of the page:
The left side of the answering page has a Rings for ‘x’ seconds drop-down list that allows you to specify the maximum ring time (one ring is generally 5 seconds). When that time expires, the caller will be forwarded to the Call Forward When Unanswered rule if defined; otherwise, the caller will be forwarded to voicemail if enabled. The right side of the Answering Rules page has buttons for adding answering rules, and specifying allowed and blocked numbers.
The active rule is the topmost rule that matches the conditions in the corresponding time frame. You can change the order by using the arrows at left of each rule to drag the rules.
Learn more on How-To Add and Edit Answering Rules.