Tech

The Auto Attendant Dial-by-Name

Published on:

January 14, 2013

The auto attendant is a valuable feature, one that's replaced switchboard operators in many businesses, particularly where cost efficiency and technological advances are key. In version 5.0.4, this feature has been enhanced to offer a more streamlined user experience. The "start" trigger now automatically initiates dial-by-name mode, allowing callers to search for names immediately without selecting options. The new release also includes direct destination options and the ability to disconnect calls after a set period of inactivity, particularly useful for analog lines. Additionally, the system can now include a user’s cell phone in the dial-by-name mode without the caller being aware.

In many countries you don’t need it - and there isn't even a good translation available. But in other countries you can’t live without it: the auto attendant.

The overall idea of the auto attendant is there's friendly person at the front desk who is taking care of visitors and employees as they enter the company. Many companies actually have such a person, the switchboard operator. With increasing cost pressure and improving technology, however, Mrs. Robot is taking over this job.

If a caller doesn't know the extension number of the called party, Mrs. Robot can look it up for the caller. The telephone dial pad has numbers behind the letters (e.g., 1 also means A, B or C). By entering the name on the dial pad, the auto attendant can figure out which extension the caller wants to reach and can put the caller through. In many cases that’s okay. If the extension has recorded a name, then the auto attendant will use that name for listing options when the search has returned a reasonably small amount of candidates. Certain numbers, like the boss or some VIP employees, however, should not be available in this manner. In these cases, the auto attendant can keep a list of persons who cannot be called directly.

A feature we recently “discovered” is to put the auto attendant automatically into the dial-by-name mode. For this you need to put the magic word “start” into the trigger for the dial-by-name feature: the caller doesn't have to select any option and can instead can start searching for names immediately. In the 5.0.4 release, we took a second look at this feature. Now the caller is pretty much “boxed in” the dial-by-name mode.

Other features like the direct destinations are now also possible in the “boxed-in” mode. For example, the caller can change the language or go to a direct destination. Also, if the caller doesn't press any key at all, the call gets disconnected if the admin tells the auto attendant to do so. This is useful when using analog lines, which have problems with detecting hang-up.

Needless to say, the auto attendant will include the user’s cell phone when calling the extension in the dial-by-name mode, and the caller won't be aware of this. The person being called might be fishing out in the woods, and if the background noise permits, nobody needs to know.

Derniers articles

Voir tous

Keycloak OpenID Connect Integration for the Vodia PBX

Vodia’s PBX now integrates with Keycloak OpenID Connect, providing secure single sign-on for users so they can access all connected applications without repeated authentication. Logging out from one application automatically logs the user out of all connected systems, simplifying user management and improving security. Keycloak, a Cloud Native Computing Foundation project, supports standard protocols including OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML, offering enterprise-grade identity and access management. To ensure proper integration, Keycloak user emails must match the corresponding PBX extension emails. Complete guidance is available in the Vodia Keycloak integration guide, with additional details in the Keycloak official documentation.

September 12, 2025

Vodia Announces Partnership with Comms Group Global

Vodia Networks has announced a strategic distribution partnership with Comms Group Global (ASX: CCG), aiming to expand the reach of its feature-rich cloud PBX solutions across APAC and EMEA. Through this collaboration, Comms Group Global will serve as an official reseller, providing businesses of all sizes with scalable, secure, and integrated telephony solutions. Customers will benefit from advanced call management features, Microsoft Teams integration, and robust security standards, while also gaining access to Comms Group’s SIP coverage in over 65 countries. The partnership enables a streamlined “one-touch” provisioning process, ensuring fast and seamless deployment for enterprises and SMEs seeking to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

September 8, 2025

Why Fax Still Matters in 2025 and How Vodia Makes It Easy

Although many consider fax outdated, it continues to play a crucial role in sectors where compliance, confidentiality, and legal proof of delivery are non-negotiable. Healthcare providers rely on fax to meet HIPAA requirements, while industries such as finance, law, and real estate depend on it for contracts and documents that require signatures or legally verifiable transmission. Unlike email, fax offers confirmation reports that serve as proof of receipt, along with time-stamped records that hold up in legal proceedings. With Vodia’s PBX, digital fax becomes faster, easier, and more accessible than ever before, enabling users to drag and drop documents, monitor transmission progress, and receive immediate confirmations.

September 5, 2025