User roaming options

[jercledug]

I'm looking for suggestions on empowering my users who tend not to be at their desks all the time. I know we can external assign to cell phone but that solution isn't desirable because of minute costs, transferring, etc...

We just upgraded to 7.0 and thought the wireless headset answering option was going to fill this gap, but the wireless headset does not tell you when a call is ringing your phone.

My question to you is, how can I enable users to be mobile, roaming around the office, and be able to answer their calls?

Thanks

[eazeaz]

Headsets

We have several people using the Plantronics wireless headsets. They were leftover headsets from the old system. They have a lifter mechanism (that you no longer need with the shoretel phone). However, if you just put the lifter behind their monitor or under the desk, there is a small "Microphone" piece that comes out of the lifter and sticks on the phone, over the speaker.

This microphone listens for the phone to ring, and creates a ringing sound in the users ear while they are away from the desk.

While it is not the cleanest looking solution it does work. My users have no problems/complaints and it works like it used to with the old phone system. The "Rig Job" bothers me way more than them.

I assume that shoretel is working on a headset that will work and provide the same functionality without having to jump through these hoops.

[cburgy]

We have several people using the Plantronics wireless headsets. They were leftover headsets from the old system. They have a lifter mechanism (that you no longer need with the shoretel phone). However, if you just put the lifter behind their monitor or under the desk, there is a small "Microphone" piece that comes out of the lifter and sticks on the phone, over the speaker.

This microphone listens for the phone to ring, and creates a ringing sound in the users ear while they are away from the desk.

While it is not the cleanest looking solution it does work. My users have no problems/complaints and it works like it used to with the old phone system. The "Rig Job" bothers me way more than them.

I assume that shoretel is working on a headset that will work and provide the same functionality without having to jump through these hoops.

Plantronics is going to be releasing the ring detector as a seperate unit here in the very near future. That should solve that problem... I don't know how far they roam but the bluetooth enabled phone will also solve this issue.

[ccrgiro]

Plantronics Wireless Pickup

Plantronics is scheduled to release the special pickup that will notify a wireless headset user their phone is ringing on 12/15...
PN: 76977-01
MRP: $24.99

[Forum]

I think Bluetooth is still limited to something like 33 feet, isn't it?

[cburgy]

I think Bluetooth is still limited to something like 33 feet, isn't it?

Yeah although it is a bit bizzare. Mine sometimes works down the hall.. Not like my 900mhz plantronics. I can easily go outside with that sucker.

[eazeaz]

Plantronics

Anyone have a photo, link, or any other info on the new plantronics part. I will be in line to order.

[jercledug]

Thanks for the info from all of you.

I hope Plantronics delivers on this new device. It was quite a disappointment to hear that wireless headsets users wouldn't be notified on incoming calls.

Jeremy

[eazeaz]

Update

Anyone find or have more information on this part?

[cburgy]

No lifter is NEEDED (such as a HL-10) – a ring detect box (The part # is 78887-01) is needed to get the ringing in the ear piece of the wireless headset.

This will work for CS-50, 70 etc… Also the CS-351/361 oh and the Voyager wireless headsets.
Regards,
John Casselman
Corporate Sales Engineer
ShoreTel, Inc.
408-331-3410 - WORK/FAX/CELL (One # - that's ShoreTel Smart!)
Get Voice Mail, Press 1 to "Find Me/Follow Me"
e-mail: [email protected]

http://www.ShoreTel.com

[eazeaz]

thanks

I feel like an idiot. I cant find that part number anywhere. No references to it even through google......

[lpullen]

If you leave your headset mode on and enable the Handsfree mode (to disable the internal dialtone) you will receive the incoming call notification. The catch is you have to hit the pickup button on the headset TWICE to pick up the call.

We are using the GNNetcom 9300 Headsets We just started using this, so I have no idea yet as to battery life...

[jercledug]

Does anyone know how to make the wireless headset ring sooner? Right now it rings after the second ring.

Not sure if this can be changed or not.

I am using one of the Ring Detect Pods.

Jeremy

[bjr_flip]

How about this for a work around?

Have you ever been asked the following?

"I want my DID to ring my ShoreTel phone and my Cell phone and be able to switch back and forth between them"

Here's how to "twin" you inbound DID calls to both an internal ShoreTel IP phone and an external Cell phone and swap between them:


1) Create a ShoreTel user for "Bob" and assign him to an IP phone with an available programmable button

2) Create another user for Bob called "Bob's Cell"
- Configure this user as an Ext. only user (no MB needed, but you may need to add a MB to support the configuration)
- Configure this user as a "SoftSwitch" virtual user
- Edit the user's "External Call Destination" to the following:
- Check the "Use External Reassignment"
- Enter Bob's cell phone number
- "Activation" = Wait for DTMF

3) Create a Hunt Group called "Bob's DID"
- Assign Bob's DID number to the hunt group
- Set "Distribution Pattern" to Simultaneous
- Add both "Bob" and "Bob's Cell" as members
- Change "No Answer" Destination to the user "Bob"
- Change "No Answer Number of Rings" to 3

4) Customize Bob's IP Phone button
- Program a button on his phone as follows:
- Function = "Barge In"
- Extension = "Bob's Cell"


Now, when a call comes in for Bob's DID it will simultaneously ring both his internal ShoreTel IP Phone and his Cell phone. If he doesn't answer the call, it will roll to his Voice Mail (via Call Handling Mode settings for the user Bob).

If he answers the call on his cell phone (pressing "1" to answer the call) he can then walk into his office and say "just a moment and I'll pick you up on my land line". He presses the "Barge" button on his phone and it will create a 3-way conference call between his IP phone, his cell phone and the third party. Then he simply hangs up the cell phone and continues the conversation with zero interruption or delay.

To swap back to the Cell phone simply transfer the caller to the user "Bob's cell" extension.

[LarryWest]

If you leave your headset mode on and enable the Handsfree mode (to disable the internal dialtone) you will receive the incoming call notification. The catch is you have to hit the pickup button on the headset TWICE to pick up the call.

We are using the GNNetcom 9300 Headsets We just started using this, so I have no idea yet as to battery life...

This is how we use ours and it seems to work fine. Is there any significant advantage to using a ring detector vs. leaving the headset on and listening for the chirp?