Occasional Telecommuters - Multiple Extensions Per User?

[iamtheari]

Like many, my small business is preparing for the possibility that some or all of our staff will need to telecommute. We are transitioning to 3CX as part of that process. The transition will also allow flexibility that our previous VOIP PBX does not allow. I am hoping to maximize our utility while minimizing our nuisances.

The scenario is basically this: I am at my desk 95% of the time. I do not want my smartphone ringing with work calls when I am physically at work. But I do want to easily make and receive calls using my smartphone, tablet, or computer when I am not physically at work. The out-of-office use varies from a 1-hour car trip to a 1-week out-of-town trip.

With 3CX setting status per extensions rather than per device, it looks like I am forced to choose between two choices (1) assign multiple extensions to each user, with one extension for the desk phone and another for the remote soft phone, or (2) log in and out of my account on my phone every time I switch between working at my desk and away from it.

Is there a better solution that I am overlooking? Thanks for any tips, and be safe out there!

 

[AWS2P]

which kind of smartphones do you use? IOS or Android?

 

[iamtheari]

which kind of smartphones do you use? IOS or Android?

For smartphones, we are BYOD so there are some of each. Mostly iOS. I find the process of logging in and out tedious, and I know that my less sophisticated users will hate it. So I really do hope for a better solution. (The best answer would be for 3CX to have presence per-device, or at least use the presence menu in the app to make logging in and out easier. But I want something that will work today.)

 

[SteveITS]

I find the process of logging in and out tedious

Just so we're talking about the same thing, in iOS if I click my name I get a list of all accounts set up in the app, and can "uncheck" the box to unregister the extension (or check another to switch).

 

[iamtheari]

Just so we're talking about the same thing, in iOS if I click my name I get a list of all accounts set up in the app, and can "uncheck" the box to unregister the extension (or check another to switch).

Thanks. That helps skip a step. I had been clicking the 3-bar icon for the menu, then Settings, then Accounts to get to the same view. It wasn't obvious that my name was a clickable command. Our iOS users may be able to tolerate that. I'll poll those who are in the office today.

 

[SteveITS]

It wasn't obvious that my name was a clickable command

Agreed. I had it pointed out to me. Also the status square in the upper right is clickable.

 

[AWS2P]

This is why iasked you if you were on IOS world or Android, as for now Android version is a step advanced from IOS version. So it's easier to do things for now with android, but in very short time SP5 should come with new IOS version and this time surely IOS will be better than Android

 

[iamtheari]

This is why iasked you if you were on IOS world or Android, as for now Android version is a step advanced from IOS version. So it's easier to do things for now with android, but in very short time SP5 should come with new IOS version and this time surely IOS will be better than Android

How does one handle logging in and out of the Android app? We have one Android user and I couldn't figure it out in the moment I spent trying. Thanks!

 

[iamtheari]

Agreed. I had it pointed out to me. Also the status square in the upper right is clickable.

That square to change presence was one of the few features I did figure out.

If only presence were per-device...or at least optionally so. Add a "ignore this device" presence item to make things easier for those of us who have fat thumbs that often miss the small print of our name.

 

[AWS2P]

if you want to just not having the app ringing stay pressed on 3cx icon, a menu appears then choose silent mode

 

[iamtheari]

if you want to just not having the app ringing stay pressed on 3cx icon, a menu appears then choose silent mode

We just tested it and silent mode still alerts the Android user to the call with a vibration and a visual alert. Since this user is using a personal device, I want to eliminate all alerts and other interruptions when the user is off the clock. For example, if our two receptionists alternate days to watch the phones, this user should not even know if a call comes in on the day the other user is on call.

 

[AWS2P]

then just click on green square top right and switch status to DND

 

[iamtheari]

then just click on green square top right and switch status to DND

Unfortunately, that does not work for our use case because it switches the entire extension to DND. The user in question is our front-desk receptionist. There are really two problems with the DND option. First, the user's personal smartphone would have to be set to ring even when the user is working at the user's desk. Second, if the user is set to DND and someone in the office who is not a receptionist (such as myself) is answering calls to help when the receptionists are busy, there is no ringing phone to alert us to a call coming in and there is no ringing extension that we can dial *20* to pick up.

Does the Android app not have any quick login/logout functionality similar to the iOS app?

 

[AWS2P]

We just tested it and silent mode still alerts the Android user to the call with a vibration and a visual alert.

to disable this you can turn off notifications for 3cx app on smartphone , set this way nothing wake up phone, no ring, no vibration, no visual alert. there is no quick button to do this.

Easy way is to rename a status for example in "NO PUSH" in settings / general settings, choose existing "out of office 2" and rename.
on smartphone side, click on green square on top right then you see all existing statuses and you should found new renamed status , click on icon to modify on right end of the same line, go to bottom and untick notifications push. Done

now for use, you just need to change statuse by cliking on green square and choose NO PUSH status .

 

[iamtheari]

to disable this you can turn off notifications for 3cx app on smartphone , set this way nothing wake up phone, no ring, no vibration, no visual alert. there is no quick button to do this.

Easy way is to rename a status for example in "NO PUSH" in settings / general settings, choose existing "out of office 2" and rename.
on smartphone side, click on green square on top right then you see all existing statuses and you should found new renamed status , click on icon to modify on right end of the same line, go to bottom and untick notifications push. Done

now for use, you just need to change statuse by cliking on green square and choose NO PUSH status .

That's very helpful. Too bad the iOS app doesn't have that feature! I had this user change the Available status to disable push notifications and then I'll rename the Available 2 from "Lunch" to "Working Remotely." Thank you!