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From: kam@dlogics.COM (Kevin Mitchell)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Answering Machine as Room Bug
Message-ID: <12443@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 22 Sep 90 05:40:44 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 667, Message 5 of 12


We have had similar problems with a voice mail system we were
evaluating here at Datalogics.

We have over 100 phones on Centrex, with some third party call
direction equipment for the receptionist, and a setup that connects
you to the paging loudspeakers if you dial 8 from any phone.

People would try to make intraoffice calls. After four rings, they
would figure the person wasn't at his desk, so they'd flash the
switchhook, dial 8, and announce "XYZ please call 3NNN" or somesuch.
Immediately afterward, the voicemail system would ask the entire
company if they would want to leave a message via the loudspeakers.

You see, the "dial 8" is just another extension, and the switchhook
flash had the effect of transferring the voicemail system to the
paging extension.  When the paging system "answered," the voicemail
would announce. After about a month of listening to this, we decided
against the voicemail system.  It turns out that people would rather
leave computer mail instead.

Now, we only have to smirk at the occasional accidental connection of
the operator to the paging system.


Kevin A. Mitchell                (312) 266-4485
Datalogics, Inc                  Internet: kam@dlogics.UUCP
441 W. Huron                     UUCP: ..!uunet!dlogics!kam
Chicago, IL  60610               FAX: (312) 266-4473