Limit an extension to one sim call?

[RobC]

Is there a way to limit any extension to one simultaneous call? The coronavirus pandemic means that most of our people will be working from home using either the Windows or Android/iOS apps. To avoid exceeding our sim calls limits, I don't want people to be able to use more than one device (using the same extension) simultaneously. Is this possible?

 

[leejor]

If each device is able to register (correctly configured), then no, there is no option to stop the second device from originating a call if the same extension is already on a call.

 

[CentrexJ]

You can't for outbound calls, but you can stop an extension from receiving more than one incoming call by making sure under forwarding rules "Accept multiple calls" is unchecked.

 

[RobC]

Thanks guys. You've confirmed what I suspected. Seems strange that you can limit inbound calls but not outbound.

 

[leejor]

I wouldn't say that is "strange" that you can't limit outgoing calls. Many users have two devices, desk phone and an App (or even two appearances, of the same extension on one set). You'd normally expect them to be using one or the other, but, they are your employees, and should be trusted that if they are at their desk, using the phone, and need to place a second call, that they require that to work. If they are using this for some non-work related reason (personal calls?), then identify who is doing this, let them know this is being tracked, and is not acceptable.

 

[AWS2P]

Do you suspect having several devices set with same extension is a way to call more than once at a time?

You do this? have same extension set on 5 devices, App on smartphone, 2 deskphones, webclient on office computer, windows client on laptop , and never used more than one call at a time.

As ordinary human with only one mouth and 2 ears , i'm not able to speak two or three people same time.

Do you speak really SIP SC limit and not 3CX licence limit ?

 

[craigreilly]

As ordinary human with only one mouth and 2 ears , i'm not able to speak two or three people same time.

I often put a call on hold and make another call to verify some information, then go back to my initial call. Same mouth, same 2 ears.

And at other times, I do a conference call from my phone instead of from 3cx and speak to 2 other people with my 1 mouth and 2 ears.

 

[AWS2P]

Well , Craig you're right

 

[eddv123]

If Simultaneous calls are of concern during this time, also be aware that queued calls can also equate to SC count and also encourage your users to use webmeeting instead of audio conferencing since this will not count in the calls counter.

 

[RobC]

We have recently encountered situations where an individual (who normally works in a remote office and is now working from home) sets up multiple 3CX clients and shares them with other people in their household. 3CX offers no protection against this. The reason I find it "strange" is that 3CX does provide an option to protect against multiple inbound calls to the same extension (which typically cost nothing) but doesn't offer similar protection for oubound calls (which may incur cost). @leejor, you suggest identifying who is doing this and letting them know it is being tracked. Could you elaborate on how to do this?

 

[leejor]

The reason I find it "strange" is that 3CX does provide an option to protect against multiple inbound calls to the same extension (which typically cost nothing) but doesn't offer similar protection for oubound calls (which may incur cost).

One reason this exists is because many users may only have one extension number, but two line appearance and do wish to be bothered with a second call.

We have recently encountered situations where an individual (who normally works in a remote office and is now working from home) sets up multiple 3CX clients and shares them with other people in their household. 3CX offers no protection against this.

How are they able to set up multiple 3CX clients beyond what you provided for them? Obviously you have (somehow) discovered this has happened, let the employee(s) know, you are aware, and that this will not be tolerated. Limit them to one device if suspected of doing this, remove the app from their phone if they take their laptop home and have an app running there. You can track calls made by an extension, make sure that they are aware of this, and that allowing family members to use company resources for personal calls will not be tolerated, after all it is theft. People will change their behaviour if they think you are watching.

https://www.3cx.com/phone-system/call-reporting/

 

[RobC]

As I understand it, anyone that has access to the webclient (or even the Welcome email message) can provision as many devices as they wish and there's no way of stopping them.

You suggest" Limit them to one device if suspected of doing this, remove the app from their phone if they take their laptop home and have an app running there." Apart from threatening them with dire consequences, I'm not aware of any way of removing the app from a phone nor indeed limiting them to one device - that was the very reason for my initial post. I only discovered it was happening by pure luck when checking the console for "Calls in use" and seeing the same extension twice.