sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Avaya - Lucent Telephones & Systems Avaya Definity Programming

Hello I am hoping that someone could help me out. I am starting a new job soon that has a Avaya Definity phone system. I have been working on a Siemens Hicom for the last 4 years and have no real experence with the Avaya line. I did work on a couple of the small "Partner" systems but I doubt it is at all close.

I was hoping someone might have some manuals or insight on how to tackle this beast. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Partner Vs. Definity only have the Avaya name in common. As far as programming and/or hardware similarites, there are none.

Be ready to learn

It really is just a learn as you go experience. The Definity is however a fairly easy system to admin as far as moves and changes. The systems should have come with a cdrom called Definity ECS Administration and Call Center which is usefull for admin and having the search function beats trying to find something in the manual.

As a company employee who a number of years ago was tossed into handling the telephone system I can tell you the following.... take a programming class. It is well worth the time and costs.

I appreicate all the advice. I started on Monday and have gotten to play around with the Avaya Site Administration software. Now if someone could explain to me what a VDN is and what it does...or a vector...then I will be off and rolling.

Are they like phantom's? Just trying to understand how it all ties together...

This may help. You have alot of reading ahead of you. There goes the weekend....

https://support.avaya.com/japple/cs...oductID=149068&temp.releaseID=280648

Think of VDN(vector directory number) in the same regards as a LDN(listed directory number)
Really just points a number to a vector. Think of a vector as a Macro. Its a way of getting calls to jump through hoops, go to a que, wait, go here, ring this phone, play a message telling callers your call is important, play hold music, etc... etc....

The best thing about the Definity programmers is the built-in "HELP" button. And it's in the DOS, Windows, and Avaya terminal, programmers. I was handed one in '92 and managed to get it back up and running, once I got RMATS folks to reset the password. Of course, the next thing they did was send a guy out to disable the remote access modem.
I've been working on them and programming them off and on ever since. They have their own language, but once learned it makes as much sense as any other manufacturers language. And the Definity will do some things you won't believe until you are asked if it will and research it.
I had 1 DID number that went to an extension, then a group, then another extension, etc, etc. If no one answered it, it would bounce around in the system for half an hour, then go to the operator. Got complaints, but they wouldn't let me change it. "Can't you fix this? But it still has to go in this order." In fact, I think that's why we lost the customer, after 3 years. The Honchos wanted it fixed, but my contact wouldn't let me make any changes until approved by number's owner, who of course would not allow changes.
John C.