sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Panasonic Telephones & Systems PRI

We might be putting in a TDE100 or NCP1000 with a PRI. This would be my first PRI on a Panasonic.

My question is what is the best way to make calls, put on hold and retrieve calls. This will be a full 23 channel PRI so we won't have line apperance buttons.

I was thinking of just having the customer dial 9 to make a call and make about 5 or 6 call park buttons. Would I need group or loop CO buttons for any reason?

It depends upon the size of the system. I see no reason why you couldn't place the first 5-10 channels as CO buttons for incoming/hold/pickup and at least two loop keys to access the pool of the remaining channels for outgoing calls. I wouldn't waste that many buttons for park. If the system is big enough to require that many park locations, then the users will just have to learn how to park calls manually.

It might not be a bad idea for the attendant(s) to have physical appearances of all 23 channels. Don't be intimidated: PRI channels are just the equivalent of 23 POTS lines. Juggle them accordingly. Don't forget that you can ask the service provider to give you a certain level of incoming/outgoing separation if you are uncomfortable.

There will be around 30 phones. What confuses me is the loop keys. I know you press it to access that group of co's but can't they just dial 9? What's the benefit of having loop keys?

Yeah sounds like a good idea to give the receptionist line appearence. W'ell just give her a DSS console.

Thanks...

You need to have a loop key for the line that was grabbed by dialing 9 to land upon. If there is no key, then there would be no way to place the call on hold and pick it back up.

Let's say that I dial 9 and get line 21. It will show up on my first loop key as if CO 21 was programmed to appear on that button for the duration of my call.

In most cases, people only dial one outward call at a time, but there are occasions where they may want to dial two. Two loop keys should be a minimum on every station.

For comfort's sake, it is generally best to have the first 5-10 channels appear as COs on every phone so they can do the traditional "pick up on line three" stuff without having to worry about parking, etc.

OK, got it.

So I'll put a few loop keys so they can make multiple calls and put some of the first channels for easy access.

You will be fine if you keep the mindset that PRI channels are just CO lines with regard to call handling. I think you have it under control.

There is a little trick that works on the TDA200 but I haven't tested it on the TDE's. the best way to set it up is go to flexible key settings under extension programming and set up one extension and copy that programming to all the others. You can set up to 8 flexible keys for "PDN". If you assign the DID lines to ring down at each individual extension (DID programming), they can answer up to 8 calls each.....with standard looking line appearance. For instance, if someone dials the DID number assigned to that extension...the call will ring in on the first of the eight PDN keys programmed. If a second call comes in it will ring on the second key and so forth. The only weird thing that happens when you set it up this way is that the intercom key will not function...No big deal.....just dial the extension number and then speaker (or pick up the handset) and you will make the intercom call. This is by far the easiest and most reliable way to set it up and will thrill the customer with your expertise in putting his 'ease of use' first.

Forget the group line distribution and the dial 9 crap.....They will just press the line button (aka the way most people are used to using the phone), press speaker (the system will automatically give them one of the PRI lines), or pick up the handset (same as pressing speaker). Again, I must stress that pressing speaker or picking up the handset will not give them an intercom tone. They must dial the extension number first and then press speaker or pick up the handset for intercom calls...no biggie. You must also program an intercept extension (floating estension 500 assigned to voice mail ports) so that voice mail will pick up the calls if the DID line is not answered within approximately 30 seconds (default-can be changed for each line/extension individually or system-wide), otherwise you must program no answer/busy call forwarding for each extension to floating extension 500...which will light up the forwarding buttons like a christmas tree---some customers find it annoying. Good Luck!
:toast:

If you want to minimise the amount of keys, use a group co button (minimum of two for conf etc), this will light when 9 is dialled and give any channel that is in that co group. When the call is then put on hold it will flash allowing the user to retrieve from their phone. But it would need to be transfered to another extension for their co key to light etc. This is the way I have set TDA/TDE's up for must my of customers. Hope this helps

Slight correction, Petratech...
The PDN buttons replace the intercom key. When you go off hook, you are receiving intercom dial tone. They must dial a 9 for outside calls or simply dial the extension number for internal calls.
94astro, the thing to get your client used to is the fact that your line appearances don't show on other phones, so you utilize buttons programmed for specific park zones.
I'm here in So Cal and I do lots of Panasonic/PRI combos (TDA, TDE, NCP). If you need some assistance, I'd be glad to help. Send me a PM.

Thanks for all the help fellas...