When calling multi-channel numbers of office centers and large corporations, it becomes necessary to enter extension to contact the right specialist. Cellular and mobile phone subscribers are faced with the use of this option. landlines.
The need to introduce extension numbers is due to line congestion. Many calls are received to the general number of an enterprise or organization; in order not to occupy the line, but to immediately redirect the caller to the right employee, additional combinations of numbers have been entered. A specific code is attached to each line device, knowing which you can easily reach the subscriber you are interested in.
How to find out if you need to enter an extension number in your case:
- the number can be indicated as the contact information of the organization, and it is enclosed in brackets;
- The company's official website on the Internet may contain detailed instructions how to contact each of the specialists;
- call the administrator and find out contact information the person you are interested in;
- during a call on the specified phone number The voice informant will inform you about the need to select an additional number to connect with a specialized specialist.
You can enter the desired combination of numbers manually or using automatic mode. Smartphones and tablets are equipped with programs that allow you to save numbers with an additional combination of numbers and pauses. This is convenient if you often make calls to specialized multi-channel numbers of social services and various institutions.
How to manually enter an extension number on a cell phone
Following the following simple algorithm will help you avoid problems with manually entering a digital combination on your mobile phone keyboard:
- Dial the contact number.
- Wait for the voice informant to respond. After the recommendation to switch the device to tone dialing, you should not take any action. Modern models phones are initially configured for this mode, so you should just wait for the following recommendations.
- The voice of the answering machine will inform you about further options for moving to sections of the service menu or numbers of specialized specialists.
- All you have to do is enter the desired combination of characters or numbers and wait for a response.
Any system can fail. In this case, it is possible to connect with the administrator. In such a situation, you need to listen to the information or ask a specialist to connect you with the person you are interested in.
Automatic call settings to an extension number
All models of modern telephones provide automatic dialing of additional numbers. This function is very convenient if you often call the bank's support service, mobile operator or the office of a large company.
The option provides the ability to enter the full combination of the number and additional digits with pauses in those places where they are needed.
For example, during a call to a consultant cellular communication The voice informant prompts you to enter a combination of characters to connect to one or another profile line. While listening to information, there is a pause, after which you press the desired key. IN automatic mode this number is entered by the device.
To record a contact with an auto-dial extension, follow these steps:
- Open the keyboard and enter the subscriber number.
- Perform one press on the key with the ellipsis “…”.
- The window that opens will display options for dialing functions. Here you need to select “Add pause (2 seconds)” or “Add wait”.
- After recording the interval, enter the additional number.
- Now that the entry is complete, you can save the number to your device's Contacts. When dialing such a number, there is no need to enter additional symbols and numbers.
You can determine how long it takes to dial an extension number during a call. The choice of pause or wait depends on the duration of the interval. During a call using automatic dialing of an additional combination, the device will automatically dial, regardless of its duration. The pause time will be indicated on the screen by a comma “,”. Waiting is represented by a semicolon. If you select standby mode, the following punctuation mark “;” will be displayed after the number.
To understand what the automatic informant means when it asks you to switch to tone dialing mode, you need to understand this issue.
Mobile mode is effortless
After the informant's request, you are wondering: what do you need to do to switch to touch-tone dialing mode on your mobile phone? The answer is that you don't need to do anything because the mobile phone is initially set to this mode. Therefore, mobile phone users just need to enter the extension number.
The informant's request applies exclusively to landline telephone subscribers. This is due to the fact that automatic telephone exchanges in our country operate in pulse dialing mode.
What is the difference between tone mode and pulse mode?
In tone mode, the signal is transmitted as a specific frequency. Walkie-talkies and radios work in a similar way. Similar to how you tune your car radio to your favorite wave, you dial a combination of numbers. The digits of the subscriber's phone number correspond to different frequencies.
Pulse dialing differs from tone dialing in that in this case the signal is transmitted during a certain combination of closing and opening the circuit. Each number corresponds to a specific algorithm of actions. This process is accompanied by audible clicks that the subscriber hears in the handset of a landline telephone while dialing a number. The communication system reads the digital values and converts them into a number.
There are several options to go to tone mode on a landline:
- if your device has a button marked with an asterisk “*”, when you press it, the answering machine will inform you that the phone has switched to tone dialing mode;
- if your device does not have a button with an asterisk, then the letter “T” is used instead;
- instructions for switching to tone mode may be in the instruction manual for your device;
- If the above methods do not suit you, you can use an Internet search engine.
To do this, you need to enter the make and model of the device. This information can be printed on the device body and packaging. After the information about the device, write the word “Instructions” and activate the search. Search engine will offer possible options, among which you can choose the most understandable one and find the information you need.
To switch to tone dialing mode, the “*” and “+” keys, as well as their combinations, can be used. Before you make the switch, you need to find out which option is available for your device.
How to call an extension from a landline phone
Using pulse dialing
Considering that telephone exchanges work with pulse dialing, users may have a question: how to dial extension numbers? To do this, you must use the “*” key immediately after establishing the connection. You need to press the key at the moment when beeps are heard in the device.
It is more profitable to make calls to extension numbers from a landline phone. When calling extension numbers, charges are charged as for calls to landline numbers. Therefore, while talking on a mobile phone, your balance may run out faster than you expect.
Subtleties of tonal range adjustment
Before calling an extension from a landline, you need to figure out how to do this.
You can determine in which mode your device is operating by the characteristic sounds in the handset of the phone. The tonal sound of beeps is characteristic of the tone dialing mode. Clicking and crackling noises are heard during pulse dialing.
If your device has pulse mode enabled, you will not be able to enter an additional combination of numbers. To go to desired mode Explore the capabilities of the device from which the call is made. Using the “*” key or another key combination adapted for this device will make a one-time transition to the tone mode. All subsequent calls will be made in pulse mode.
For certain brands and models of devices there are own combinations keys that help you change mode.
To change the dialing mode, owners of a Siemens Gigaset device must take the following steps:
- press the “Call” button;
- dial “10” to activate the menu;
- press the “1” key, corresponding to the transition to tone dialing.
VoxteL phones have a different dialing option. First you need to use the programming button and enter the key combination “*”, “2”, “2”. After waiting sound signal, you must press the star and the programming button again.
For DECT phones, the developers have provided a key to switch between dialing modes.
Modern Panasonic landline phones are equipped with a mode switch. It is located on the side of the device. The smooth switch in the form of a slider moves to the “TONE” icon to switch to tone dialing mode. In older models of this brand, the transition is performed using the menu.
There are certain nuances that are worth studying before making calls from landline phones in tone mode.
In contacts of organizations using extension numbers, an additional combination of numbers is indicated in brackets. To call such a number, use the following algorithm:
- Dial the numbers of the main number and press the call button.
- Wait for the voice informant to respond.
- Switch your phone to touch tone dialing mode.
- Dial the desired auxiliary number combination, making sure that the device is in tone mode.
Some device models are equipped with a special Pulse-Tone key, this option makes the user’s task easier. After all the manipulations, all that remains is to wait for the connection.
Today, almost every large enterprise organizes correct and coordinated work through the introduction of so-called extension numbers. An extension number is a numeric identifier assigned to a specific line of an enterprise, for example, a specific department. So, you may notice that the telephone number of the company you need to call consists of two parts. The first will mean the main telephone number of the company, while the second (usually indicated in parentheses) will be the same extension number that will connect you with the desired department or person. Not everyone has encountered this or not everyone can do it, so we’ll tell you how to dial an extension number correctly.
Extension number: dialing rules
To begin, dial your main phone number. Usually this is followed by the words of an answering machine, which lists all available extension numbers so that a person can select what he needs and get through. You must listen to the answering machine to the end!
Next, you need to switch the phone (if it is not switched) to tone mode. Tone mode is a dialing mode when you hear beeps of a certain tone (different for different numbers) when you press the phone buttons. Another mode - pulse - is when, when typing, you hear clicks of a certain length (than higher figure, the longer the clicks). There are two ways to connect the tone mode. The first one is on the device itself special button(maybe from the back) "Pulse-Tone". We need it to be Tone. The second method: after listening to the answering machine, press the asterisk “*” button on the device (among the numbers, usually at the bottom). You will hear a characteristic switching sound, give the phone time to switch.
After switching to tone mode, start entering the extension number on your phone (no need to reset, just dial the number right away). You will hear a beep (tone) for each button press, this will mean that you are doing everything correctly.
Sometimes the PBX fails and you may be connected incorrectly. It's okay, just ask the person you've met to dial the extension number and transfer you to where you need to go. As a rule, company employees are concerned about the organization’s reputation and will treat your situation with understanding.
If you need to call using this scheme, it is better to use regular phone, since dialing an extension number from a mobile phone is not always possible. Plus, the money for the call will be read from the very beginning of the connection with the answering machine.
The progress of iOS does not stand still and never ceases to amaze us with its simplicity and ease of use. More and more new features are constantly appearing that make using Apple phones quick and easy.
In this article we will talk about a very simple and convenient feature that will allow us not to waste extra time calling numbers that use the extension system.
What is an extension number?
For example, when calling a company or organization, every second person is faced with a situation where it is necessary to transfer to an extension number in a certain department and connect with the person you need.
You need to switch to the number pad, listen to all the advertisements, select the number you need, which takes time.
But are there really easier ways that don’t require so much time, allowing us to immediately get through to the department we need?
Of course there is, just few people know about it.
Not every iPhone user knows that their phone has the ability to call an extension number.
Below we will describe in detail how to call an extension number from an iPhone.
How to call an extension number from a mobile phone?
For example, you call a company and want to talk to the sales department. You know both the main phone number of this company and the fact that to contact the sales department you will be asked to enter the number 2.
To bypass all the advertising messages and long instructions that all conversations in this company are recorded, simply dial the main number of this company, and then press the asterisk on the numeric keypad for a few seconds. After this, the asterisk will turn into a comma.
After the decimal point, enter the number 2, i.e. the sales department of the company we need. Call.
You can put as many commas as the number of extensions you need to enter. The comma is the so-called pause after each number. This technique will help you save time when calling.
In addition to the “pause”, there is also the “waiting” technique.
Extension standby
If the extension number cannot be entered without listening to the end of the computer conversation, the “waiting” technique will display the extension number until you give the command to enter it.
An extension number is a way to contact a department or employee within a company through single number. Typically it works like this:
You dial the general number, then the automatic menu prompts you to enter the extension
After dialing the extension number, your call is transferred to the desired employee
If you did not dial the extension number, then another condition is met. For example, forwarding to a secretary
Why is it better to use extensions?
1. Saving time for employees and clients, reducing the load on staff distributing calls.
2. Ability to configure different processing scenarios for different extensions
3. Increasing trust in the company through the use of a voice menu
4. No need to pay for renting additional rooms
What mistakes can be made when using extension numbers?
Most often, extension numbers are used with an IVR menu, and common mistakes can be made:
3. Ill-thought forwarding scenarios. What happens if the employee is not there? What happens if a client calls outside of business hours? Etc.
Examples of using an extension number
1. Forwarding to employee mobile phones
If for some reason your employees find it convenient to use personal mobile phones, You can set up forwarding to them from an extension number. So personal cell numbers will remain hidden from clients.
2. Personal managers for key clients
If a certain client is especially important to you, create a separate extension number for him, through which you can quickly resolve all issues. A personal touch can increase loyalty to your company.
3. Dedicated numbers for departments
Departments like accounting always receive a lot of incoming calls and there is no point in using a secretary to route calls every time. It is better to set up a separate extension number.
Very often, in order to reach the right person in the office, you need to dial a specific extension number. Such a system simplifies the work of secretaries or operators who are involved in the redistribution of office calls, and also reduces the time spent waiting for a transfer to the required subscriber. The presence of a system with extension numbers confirms the seriousness of the business and the status of the company.
First of all, dial the main number of the organization and wait for the answering machine. The answering machine will tell you which extension belongs to which department. If you have never dialed an extension number and it is difficult to imagine how to do this, then you can wait for the operator, who will automatically contact you after the end of the answering machine message. Tell the operator who you want to talk to, and you will be redirected to the right person.
The PBX system with extension numbers is the best global practice in telephone communication for businesses of any size, which can be linked together huge amount employees of the same company, even located in different cities, and at the same time occupy only a few telephone lines. And dialing an extension number is convenient way get to the desired recipient without unnecessary delays.
