AT&T Call Management System Supervizor's Manual

Page 1
585-214-071 Issue 1 October 1991
Call Management System
for MERLIN LEGEND Communications System
Supervisor’s Guide
Page 2
Copyright 1991 AT&T All Rights Reserved Printed in U.S.A.
AT&T 585-214-071 Issue 1 October 1991
Notice
Every effort was made to ensure that the information in this book was complete and
accurate at the time of printing. However, information is subject to change.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Interference Notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference, in which case the user will have to correct the interference at his or her own expense. For additional FCC interference, registration, and repair information, see the information located at the back of this book.
This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
Trademarks
MERLIN LEGEND is a trademark of AT&T. MERLIN is a registered trademark of AT&T. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Warranty
AT&T provides a limited warranty to this product. Refer to the “Limited Use Software
License Agreement” card provided with this package.
Ordering Information
The order number for this book is 585-214-071. TO order additional books, call
1800432-6600 in the U.S. and 1800255-1242 in Canada. For more information
on how to order this and other system reference materials, see “About This Guide.”
Support Telephone Numbers
AT&T provides a toll-free customer helpline 24 hours a day. In the U.S. call the AT&T Helpline at 1800628-2888 if you need assistance when installing, programming, or using your system. In Canada, call one of the following Technical Assistance Centers for service or technical assistance:
Eastern Canada and Ottawa: Ontario: Central and Western Canada:
1800363-1882 1800387-4268 1800663-9817
Page 3
Contents
1
About This Guide
Documentation Conventions
Related Documentation
How to Order Documentation
Introduction to CMS
CMS Supervisor’s Responsibilities
Basic Terms and Key Concepts
Automatic Call Distributor
Lines and Line Groups Agents and Agent Splits Shift Configuration
Main Splits and Secondary Splits
lntraflow and Intraflow Threshold
Logged Out State and Available State After-Call-Work (ACW) State Automatic After-Call-Work (Auto ACW) State
Supervisory Login/Logout
Call Management Answer Delay, Force Delay, and Pri
A Typical CMS Application
CMS and Bon Voyage Travel Bon Voyage Travel’s Other Call
CMS and Other Businesses
Day-to-Day Operation of CMS
Traffic
ority Lines
xiii xiii
xiv xv
1-1 1-2
1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-4
1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-5
1-6 1-6 1-7
1-7
1-7
1-10 1-11 1-11
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Contents
2
Using Your PC with CMS
Starting CMS Setting the Date and Time
Set the Date
Set the Time 2-4 CMS Screen Layouts 2-5 Entering and Editing Data
Editing Prompt and Function Keys
Guidelines for Entering
Alternate Editing Keys Simple Editing Procedures Getting Help
Leaving CMS
Data
2-1 2-1
2-3 2-3
2-8 2-9 2-10 2-11 2-11 2-12 2-12
3
iv
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
Assigning Splits
Add Agent Remove Agent Move Agent Replace (Substitute) Agent New Agent Change Split ID
Agent Directory
Assigning Line Group Options
Changing Answer Delay
3-1 3-3
3-8 3-9
3-10 3-11 3-11 3-12 3-13 3-14 3-17 3-18
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Contents
Changing Force Delay Programming Automatic After-Call-Work (ACW)
Programming Call Flow
How Intraflow Works Programming Considerations Programming Instructions Assigning Splits Turning Flow On/Off Setting the Intraflow Threshold Turning All-Ring On/Off
Clearing Agents
Saving a Changed Configuration .
Naming or Renaming a Shift Configuration
Selecting a Startup Configuration
Backing Up and Restoring Shift Configurations
Backing Up Shift Configurations Restoring Shift Configurations
3-20 3-20 3-22 3-22 3-23
3-24 3-25 3-26 3-26 3-27 3-29 3-30 3-32 3-33 3-34 3-34 3-35
4
Changing System Options and
Programming Exceptions
Changing System Options
Adjusting the Service Level Limit Adjusting the Abandoned Call Threshold Setting the Audible Alarm Adjusting the Delay Message Length Entering Your Business Name
Programming Exceptions
Instructions for Selecting Exceptions
4-1
4-3 4-5 4-6 4-7 4-7 4-8 4-9 4-10
v
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Contents
Agent Exceptions
Talk Time ACW (After Call Work) ACW Time Limit Refused Call
Split Exceptions
Abandon Calls (Number of Abandoned Calls) Calls Waiting (Number of Calls Waiting) Oldest Call (Oldest Call Waiting)
Avg Speed (Average Speed of Answer)
Line Group Exceptions
Lines Busy (All Lines Busy) HoldTime Maximum (Maximum Line Holding Time) HoldTime Minimum (Minimum Line Holding Time)
Assigning External Alerts to Exceptions
Conditions for Assigning Alerts Assigning Alerts to Line Buttons
4-13 4-14 4-15 4-16
4-17 4-17 4-18 4-19 4-20 4-21 4-22
4-23 4-24
4-25 4-26 4-28 4-29
5
vi
Changing or Removing Line Button Assignments Assigning Exceptions and External Alerts
Simultaneously
4-31
4-32
CMS Telephones and Telephone Programming 5-1
CMS Supervisor’s Telephone
Supervisor’s Mode Changing Agent Status Group Page Barge-In Lights
5-2 5-6 5-7
5-7 5-8 5-8
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Contents
Agent Phones
Line Buttons
Work State Buttons (Available, ACW)
Announcing Availability
Automatic ACW
Call Handling
Answering CMS Calls Answering Non-CMS Calls Answering Extension Calls
Placing Outside Calls
Placing Extension Calls
Conferencing a Call Transferring Calls
Optional Headset and Headset Adapter
Headsets with MLX Telephones
Headset Buttons
5-10 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-12 5-13 5-14 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-16 5-17 5-18 5-19 5-19 5-19
Headset Operation Considerations Feature Interactions
Headsets with Analog Phones
Optional Headset Button
Using MERLIN LEGEND Features with CMS
Feature Button
inside Auto Dial
Notify
Manual Signaling
Agent Assist Transfer to Split or Queue . All-Ring Operation Ghost Telephones and Cover Buttons
Ringing Options
5-20 5-20 5-21 5-21 5-21 5-22 5-23 5-23 5-24 5-24 5-25 5-25 5-26 5-27 5-28
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Contents
6
Personalized Ringing
Telephone Programming
Telephone Programming Instructions
Supervising CMS
Startup Procedures
Making Agents Available for CMS Calls
Agent Telephone Button Requirements Agent Telephone Work States Changing Agent Status
Monitoring Call Management
Using the System Status Screen
Line Group Information Split Information Function Keys
Using the Split Status Screens
Agent Status Split Status Call Flow Information
Function Keys
Using the Line Status Screen
Line Status
Line Group Summary Split Status Call Flow Information Function Keys
Using the Events Log Screen
Function Keys
5-29 5-31 5-31
6-1
6-3 6-7 6-7 6-8 6-10
6-11 6-13 6-14 6-15
6-17 6-18 6-20 6-21 6-22
6-22 6-24 6-25
6-26 6-27 6-27 6-28 6-29
6-30
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Contents
Multiple View Only Monitors
Dynamic Reconfiguration
Beginning Dynamic Reconfiguration
Function Keys
Reconfiguring Splits
Add Agent
Remove Agent Move Agent Replace Agent New Agent Change Split ID Go to Configuration Screen
Agent Directory
Changing Line Group Options
Answer Delay
Changing Force Delay Changing Automatic ACW
Reconfiguring Call Flow
Assign Splits
Flow On/Off Set Intraflow Threshold All-Ring On/Off
Using the Stored Shift Configurations Screen
Select Configuration
Save Configuration
Rename Configuration
Choose Startup
Selecting Day or Night Service
Change to Night Service Change to Day Service
Printing CMS Screens
6-30 6-31 6-32 6-33 6-34 6-35 6-35 6-36 6-37 6-37 6-38 6-38 6-38 6-39 6-40
6-41 6-41 6-42 6-43 6-44 6-45 6-46 6-47 6-48 6-49 6-50 6-50 6-51 6-52 6-53 6-54
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Contents
7
Generating Reports
Keeping Historical Data Accurate
Types of CMS Reports
Daily Agent Split Summary
Daily ACD Calls Other Daily Calls Additional Data
Cumulative Agent Split Summary Daily Split Report
Time ACD Calls Other Calls
Additional Data for Daily Calls
Cumulative Split Report By Day Cumulative Split Report By Hour Daily Line Group Report
Time ACD Calls Traffic Num Delay Anne Other Calls
Additional Data for Daily Calls Cumulative Line Group Report By Day Cumulative Line Group Report By Hour Events Log Report
How to Generate Reports
Generating Reports Summary on Generating individual Reports Summary on Generating All Reports
7-1
7-2 7-4 7-5 7-6 7-7
7-8 7-8
7-10 7-10 7-10
7-12 7-13
7-14 7-16 7-18 7-20 7-20
7-20
7-21 7-21 7-22 7-22 7-24 7-26
7-28 7-28 7-32 7-32
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Contents
8
Report Screen Messages Exiting from Reports
Archiving and Restoring Data
Transferring Historical Data onto Diskettes
Saving the System Tables File Saving Historical Data Files Erasing Files from the Hard Disk
Generating Historical Reports
Saving the Current System Tables Restoring the Historical System Tables Restoring the Historical Data Files
Resuming Data Collection
Erasing the Historical Data from the Hard Disk
7-33
7-34
8-1
8-2 8-4 8-5 8-6 8-6 8-7 8-7
8-8 8-9 8-9
9
Restoring the Current System Tables
Troubleshooting
Error Messages
Warning Messages
System Errors
What They Mean What to Do
If CMS is Managing Calls Correctly If CMS has Stopped Managing Calls
Other Messages
8-10
9-1 9-2
9-7 9-17 9-17 9-17 9-18 9-18 9-18
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Contents
Other Problems
Call Management Problems Agent Problems External Alert Problems
Fallback Plan
A
MERLIN LEGEND CMS Factory Settings
GL Glossary
9-21 9-21 9-25 9-26 9-28
A-1
GL-1
IN Index
xii
IN-1
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About This Guide

This guide assumes the Call Management System (CMS) has been initially installed and programmed. It provides the CMS Supervisor with information on each aspect of CMS operations and CMS programming for effective management, maintenance, and customization of CMS.

Documentation Conventions

Several special symbols and typefaces appear in this manual. For example,
keys that appear on your
[F1]
(function key
(up arrow)
[^]
[ v ] (down arrow)
[< ] (left arrow)
[ >] (right arrow)
<
>
[ ] (tab key)
[ ] (enter key)
<
When two keys must be pressed simultaneously, it is shown like this:
<
[^] +[ ] press the up arrow and tab key simultaneously).
>
keyboard are shown like this:
F1)
xiii
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About This Guide
Different typefaces are used throughout this guide:
This typeface represents information the system displays,
This bold typeface represents information you enter.
This italic typeface represents a system response:
such as prompts.
Sample screens from Bon Voyage Travel (a hypothetical business) are used throughout this guide. Explanatory material is often “keyed” to these screens with circled numbers (callouts) such as:
1
O.
Refer to the callouts on the
screens as you read the explanatory text.
In some instances, prompts that take up only one line on the display are represented in the text on two lines. When this is the case, a backslash (\) is used to show the break occurs in the text but not on the screens.
Prompt lines on screens show blanks (and a cursor) where you need to enter information. In the text, an underscore is used to identify where you enter information, as shown below.
ANSWER DELAY :
Group Letter: _
How Many Seconds:
PC responses may differ from the ones printed here, depending on the ver-
sion of the MS-DOS® program you are using.

Related Documentation

Other documents are available to help you setup, use, and maintain CMS with the MERLIN LEGEND system. These documents are:
CMS Planning Guide and Forms CMS Installation and System Programming Guide CMS User’s Quick Reference
xiv
MERLIN LEGEND Communications System System Reference
Page 15
About This Guide

How to Order Documentation

The CMS documents listed above come with the system. You can order
TM
additional copies of those documents or the related MERLIN LEGEND
sys­tem documentation from the AT&T Customer Information Center. To order, find the order number in the table below and call the telephone numbers given on the inside front cover of this guide.
Document
Order Number
CMS
Planning Guide and Forms
585-214-050
Installation and Programming Guide 585-214-010
User’s Quick Reference (packages of 15)
585-214-070
MERLIN LEGEND Communications System
System Reference
555-610-110
xv
Page 16

Introduction to CMS

This section provides a brief overview of the Call Management System (CMS), and the responsibilities of the CMS supervisor. A typical CMS application is shown using the example of an imaginary business called Bon Voyage Travel.
CMS is an automatic call distributor (ACD) that answers calls and connects them to available agents. When there’s more than one agent available for a call, CMS connects the call to the agent who has been idle the longest. If no agent is available, CMS connects the call to a delay message and then places the call on hold until an agent becomes available.
Your MERLIN LEGEND Communications System and CMS work together to meet your call management needs. Your AT&T account manager or authorized dealer configured MERLIN LEGEND and CMS configurations based on your particular call management needs. The implementor installed and initially programmed your system based on these configurations.
You, the CMS supervisor, should become familiar with the basic configuration of your system. As you observe how CMS manages your incoming call traffic on a day-to-day basis, you can begin to fine-tune your system for more efficient call management and more useful call-management reports. As your needs change, you will want to change the system’s option settings to meet
these needs.
1-1
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Introduction to CMS

CMS Supervisor’s Responsibilities

In many cases the MERLIN LEGEND system manager and the CMS supervi­sor are the same person; in other cases, the two roles may be assigned to different people. However, if different people are assigned to each role, the MERLIN LEGEND system manager and the CMS supervisor must work closely together to define the needs of both the MERLIN LEGEND system and CMS.
While the MERLIN LEGEND system manager is responsible for systemwide CMS options and features (such as line types, line assignments, and System Speed Dial codes), most of the CMS operation is the responsibility of the CMS supervisor. The primary function of CMS is to distribute incoming calls to available agents. If agents are not available, CMS cannot perform its primary function. Therefore, keeping agents available to answer calls is one of your main duties as the CMS Supervisor. Anything you can do to ensure agents are actively taking calls, not placing calls or doing anything other than CMS activities, is in the best interests of your call handling goals.
The CMS Supervisor’s responsibilities include:
Creating shift configurations of line groups and agent splits. (See Chapter 3, “Programming CMS Shift Configurations.”)
Changing system options and programming exceptions as business
4,
needs change. (See Chapter
“Changing System Options and Pro-
gramming Exceptions.)
Programming the attendant console and agent telephones and assist-
ing agents in the use of the MERLIN LEGEND system features that they use to handle CMS calls. (See Chapter 5, “CMS Telephones and Telephone Programming.”)
Monitoring line status, split status, call traffic, and system problems during call management. (See “Monitoring Call Management” and “Dynamic Reconfiguration,” in Chapter 6.)
Generating reports. (See Chapter
7,
“Generating Reports.”)
Using system status information and the Management Information Sys­tem (MIS) data in the CMS reports to maintain efficient call
1-2
CMS Supervisor’s Responsibilities
Page 18
Introduction to CMS
management and agent productivity (See Chapter 7, “Generating Reports,” for ongoing data collection and Chapter 8, “Archiving and Restoring Data,” for storing CMS report data.)
Troubleshooting (See Chapter 9, “Troubleshooting.”)

Basic Terms and Key Concepts

The terms and descriptions in this section provide the key to understanding
how CMS works. More information about each of these aspects of CMS is included in the relevant sections of this manual. Additional CMS terms are included in the glossary.

Automatic Call Distributor

CMS is the automatic call distributor (ACD) for the MERLIN LEGEND system. CMS distributes calls that come in on the MERLIN LEGEND system telephone lines assigned to CMS.

Lines and Line Groups

The MERLIN LEGEND system telephone lines assigned to CMS are organized
into line groups. Usually the incoming calls for a line group are of the same type. For example, the lines for incoming sales calls are in one line group and the lines for service calls in another. CMS accommodates up to a total of 28 lines assigned to up to four line groups.

Agents and Agent Splits

Incoming calls are answered by agents who are assigned to agent splits. A split is a team of agents who handle the same type of incoming calls. Each split is assigned to answer calls for one or more line groups. There can be up to six splits, with a maximum of 28 agents in a split. However, no more than 28 agents can be active in CMS at any one time.
Basic Terms and Key Concepts 1-3
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Introduction to CMS

Shift Configuration

A shift configuration is an arrangement of line groups and agent splits for managing calls. You can create up to six different configurations to handle different calling patterns in your business. However, only one shift configuration can be active at a time, and no more than 28 agents can be in
that configuration.

Main Splits and Secondary Splits

In a configuration, some splits are main splits and others are
secondary splits. A main split has primary responsibility for answering calls
A
for a line group.
secondary split answers calls for a line group only if the
main split for that group is overloaded.

Intraflow and Intraflow Threshold

The sending of calls to agents in a secondary split is called intraflow.
Intraflow can be turned on and off. The number of seconds that the call waits in the main split before it is sent to the secondary split is called the intraflow
threshold.

Logged Out State and Available State

When call management begins for a shift, the agents in the shift configuration are in the logged out state. CMS keeps statistics on other calls made by agents who are logged out, but doesn’t send calls to them, so the agents have to signal CMS that they are ready to receive calls (in available state).
They do so by touching the programmed button labeled
Available
on their
telephones (MERLIN LEGEND system telephones).

After-Call-Work (ACW) State

When agents need time to complete work on their most recent CMS call (such as processing an order or updating a record), they can leave the avail­able state and enter the after-call-work (ACW) state by pressing the pro­grammed button labeled
ACW
on their telephones. CMS does not send calls
to agents who are in this after-call-work state, but it does keep statistics on
1-4
Basic Terms and Key Concepts
Page 20
Introduction to CMS
them. To return to the available state from the after-call-work state, agents simply touch their
Available
button.

Automatic After-Call-Work (Auto ACW) State

The automatic after-call-work (Auto ACW) feature automatically places agents into the after-call-work state upon completion of an ACD call. During that time, agents receive no calls as they complete their work. The CMS supervi-
sor can program a specific amount of time for this after-call-work state. When the time specified in the Auto ACW parameters elapses, agents are automati­cally made available. Agents can make themselves available before the specified time elapses by touching their
Available
button.
In addition to using the
Available
and
ACW
buttons on their phones to move from work state to work state, agents in an active shift configuration always know what state they’re in by the status of the lights next to the buttons.
Available
ACW light on=
Both lights off= logged out state
When agents touch the
next to the
light on = available state
after-call-work state
Available
Available
button goes on. When they touch the
button to enter the available state, the light
ACW
button to
move from the available state to the after-call-work state, the light next to the
Available
button goes off, and the light next to the
ACW
button goes on. Agents who plan to be away from their phones for an extended period or who are doing work unrelated to CMS can also log themselves out of CMS. They move from the available state to the logged out state by touching the
able
call-work state to the logged out state by touching the
button and thus turning off its light. Likewise, they move from the after-
ACW
button and turn-
Avail-
ing off its light. Also, agents will be placed in the logged out state if they fail
to answer calls transferred to them by CMS.
Basic Terms and Key Concepts 1-5
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Introduction to CMS

Supervisory Login/Logout

The CMS supervisor can change an agent’s work state from the CMS PC or the supervisor’s console. From the Split Status Information screen, the super­visor simply enters the agent’s ID at the appropriate prompt and enters the new status (Logged out/Available/ACW). From the console, the supervisor presses the agent’s Inside Auto Dial button then a programmed feature but-
ton for the desired work state.

Call Management

Call management is the automatic distribution of calls within a shift configuration. When a call comes into CMS, the system goes through this sequence of steps:
1. CMS looks for an available agent in the main split assigned to the line group for the incoming call.
2. If an agent is available, CMS answers the call and transfers it to the agent who has been available the longest.
3. If no agent is available, CMS waits a certain number of seconds, then answers the call and connects it to a delay message. The length of
time CMS waits before answering the call is known as the answer delay.
If an agent becomes available at any time during the answer delay
interval or during the delay message, the call is transferred to the agent.
4. If no agent has become available and the delay message is finished, CMS puts the call on hold.
5. As soon as an agent is available, CMS transfers the oldest waiting call to the agent.
6. If the call has waited a certain amount of time (the intraflow threshold), it may be sent (intraflowed) to an avail
able agent in the secondary split (if
intraflow is on).
1-6
Basic Terms and Key Concepts
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Introduction to CMS
Answer Delay, Force
Delay, and Priority Lines
The CMS supervisor can modify the basic call management sequence by
using the CMS answer delay and force delay options, and by making one or more CMS lines priority lines. When no agent is available to answer the call, the answer delay setting determines how long a call rings before CMS answers and connects it to the delay message. With force delay active, all calls are connected to the delay message whether or not there are available agents, and callers hear the entire message before being connected to an agent. Calls coming in on lines that have been designated priority are answered before any other waiting calls.
A
Typical CMS Application
The following example shows how Bon Voyage Travel Agency, an
business, uses CMS to manage revenue-producing incoming call
CMS and Bon Voyag
At Bon Voyage Travel, agents plan and book trips for several types of custo­mers. Most of the travel agency’s orders are placed by phone, so CMS is an .
important part of the agency’s daily business transactions. In general, Bon Voyage’s customers fall into one of three groups: those who
plan personal travel, those who plan charter group travel, and those who plan corporate travel. To handle these three types of calls and to manage the fre­quent overflow of calls, the agency divides the customer telephone lines into
four line groups and organizes agents into four splits, as shown in Figure 1-1.
e Travel
imaginary
traffic.

A Typical CMS Application 1-7

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Introduction to CMS
Public Line Group
555-1816 555-1808 555-1818 555-8515
Special Line Group
555-8532 555-8518 555-8531
Charter Line Group
555-0911 555-0912
C
o
555-1913
555-0914 555-0915 555-0916
Corporate Line Group
D
o
555-0917 555-1918
Calls routed to main split
Calls intraflowed to secondary split
Figure 1-1. Bon Voyage Travel’s CMS
The following description of each split and its line groups is keyed to the figure with circled numbers (callouts).
1-8 A Typical CMS Application
Page 24
Introduction to CMS
1
O
2
O
Personal Travel Split
The Personal Travel split and book their personal vacations. There are seven agents in this split.
Calls come into this split on two line groups: the Public line group
and the Special line group
lines (555-1 816, 555-1808, 555-1818, and 555-851 5), which are adver­tised in the Yellow Pages, local newspapers, and national travel maga­zines.
The Special line group has three lines (555-8532, 555-8518, and 555­8531 ), which are reserved for valued repeat customers who may book several trips with Bon Voyage Travel each year.
Charter Travel Split
The agents in the Charter Travel split arrange trips for groups and fre-
quently book trips for local and national holiday clubs. There are
seven agents in this split.
Calls to this split come in on the Charter line group of six numbers: 555-0911,555-0912, 555-1913, 555-0914, 555-0915,
and 555-0916. Occasionally a customer who has previously made
travel arrangements through a holiday club may call one of these
numbers to make personal travel arrangements. In such cases the
agent in the Charter split who receives the call transfers it to an agent
in the Personal Travel split. (This feature, called Transfer-to-Split, or
Transfer-to-Queue, is explained in detail later in this guide and in the
CMS Installation and System Programming Guide.)
.
handIes calls from customers wanting to plan
A
O
B
O.
The Public line group consists of four
C
O
which consists
3
O
Corporate Travel Split
The Corporate Travel split handles business trips for large corpora-
tions, This split, consisting of two agents, is the main split for the Cor-
porate line group
group are 555-0917 and 555-1918.
Since both the Personal Travel split and the Corporate Travel split han-
dle individual trips, the Corporate Travel split serves as a secondary
split (a backup split) to handle call overflow from the Personal Travel
split.
D
O.
The telephone numbers for the Corporate line
A Typical CMS Application 1-9
Page 25
Introduction to CMS
4
O
Support Split
The number of agents available for CMS calls in Bon Voyage Travel’s fourth split, the Support split, varies according to the incoming call traffic. The employees who staff this split have primary responsibilities that do not involve CMS, such as bookkeeping, advertising, and trip packaging. But since these people have some experience as travel agents, they are often asked to back up the Charter Travel split when call traffic is heavy on the lines in the Charter line group the Support split becomes a secondary split covering the Charter line group.
People assigned to the Support split are often away from their desks, so calls coming into the Support split on the Charter lines ring at all phones in the split. Then the Support person who is free to answer the call can pick up the nearest telephone. (This feature, called All-Ring
operation, is explained in more detail later in this guide and in the CMS
Installation and Programming Guide.)

Bon Voyage Travel’s Other Call Traffic

C
O.
That is,
All of Bon Voyage Travel’s phones and outside telephone lines are part of the agency’s MERLIN LEGEND Communications System. However, some
phones and outside lines are not assigned to the Call Management System.
They operate outside of CMS. Agents and non-agents use the lines not assigned to CMS for all outgoing
calls and all non-revenue-producing incoming calls. It is recommended that CMS lines not be used to place outgoing calls or to accept non-revenue pro­ducing incoming calls.
Because this guide focuses on the operation of CMS, it refers to the com­ponents of Bon Voyage Travel’s MERLIN LEGEND system that are not assigned to CMS only when necessary to clarify some point about CMS
operation.
1-10
A Typical CMS Application
Page 26
Introduction to CMS

CMS and Other Businesses

Bon Voyage Travel’s line groups and agent splits are typical for a travel agency. Other businesses would have other names for their line groups and
splits. For example, a wholesale distributor might have line groups and splits for inside sales and customer service (such as order tracking), while a bank may have line groups and splits dedicated to specific types of loans and cus­tomer services (credit card and billing inquiries). A brokerage firm may have line groups and splits for stock quotes and customer orders.

Day-to-Day Operation of CMS

Your day-to-day interaction with CMS primarily involves monitoring system status during call management and using dynamic reconfiguration to make any needed changes in the configuration being used to manage calls.
The following example illustrates how the CMS supervisor at Bon Voyage Travel interacts with the system during a typical day.
At
9 a.m. each business day, Pat P. switches on Bon Voyage’s PC and starts managing calls with the weekday configuration. All agents are automatically in the logged out state when call management begins. Pat uses the MERLIN LEGEND system Group Page feature to ask the agents in some splits to touch the
Available
button on their telephones to signal they are available to begin answering calls. Another split is using a line group with Auto After Call Work; they automatically become available when the calls start coming in.
Pat makes several changes to the current configuration during the day. First, Pat removes Tom Baker from his position in the Personal Travel split because he is on vacation. He moves a new agent into Tom’s position in that split, and
tells the agent to move himself to the Available state. As the peak calling hour approaches, Pat turns on intraflow for the Charter
line group. Pat uses the Group Page feature to tell the agents in the Support split that they may now receive calls for the Charter line group. The Support split is a secondary split for the Charter line group.
Throughout his shift, Pat takes time out from other work to monitor the System Status screen, the Line Status screen, and the Split Status Information
A Typical CMS Application 1-11
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Introduction to CMS
screen. He can use the [^] + [Prt Sc] keys to print any of these screens if he
wants to. The screens provide a detailed picture of activity throughout the system. Using different screens, Pat can tell when to turn intraflow on or off,
when a new agent may be having trouble handling calls, or when all lines in
line group are busy. Pat can use Dynamic Reconfiguration to correct these
situations as they occur.
Pat has set an external alert to be triggered whenever more than three calls are waiting. This way he can be immediately aware of this condition no matter where he is in the room. Also, agents are immediately aware of this condition and know, without Pat telling them, that they have to move on to the next calls quickly.
When Pat notices that three calls are waiting in the Personal Travel main split, and there have been several abandoned calls, he turns on intraflow to allow waiting calls to be sent to the Corporate Travel split (the secondary split for the Personal line group). Pat also increases the answer delay (the length of time calls ring before CMS answers them) so callers spend a little less time on hold and any long distance charges on their line could be reduced.
a
Pat has a new agent in the Corporate Travel split. Yesterday, Pat spent time with the new agent, explaining the telephone features he’ll be using. As the new agent answers CMS calls for the first time, Pat watches the Split Status screen to see when the new agent is on a call, and then joins the call using the Barge In feature or by pressing the line button for the agent’s call. (A tone is heard when the call is joined.) In this way, Pat is able to give the agent advice on handling calls.
Pat also looks at the Management Information System (MIS) reports to deter­mine if Bon Voyage Travel has an efficient number of lines and agents. He prints some of the daily reports to review hourly call activity for the day and prints cumulative daily and hourly reports to help develop a CMS profile for
the business.
If the Events Log Report lists many occurrences of the all lines busy excep­tion, it signifies that many people hear a busy signal when they call. Pat can use exception information like this to decide if more lines should be added to some line groups.
1-12
A Typical CMS Application
Page 28
Using
This chapter gives instructions for using your PC for the CMS Supervisor’s
activities. The basic operations described here are starting CMS, setting the time and date, and entering and editing data. For further information about the operation of your PC, refer to the manuals provided with your PC.
Your PC with CMS

Starting CMS

The first step in using CMS is to start the program. The first CMS screen that appears is the CMS Main Menu (Figure 2-1). This menu is the gateway to CMS programming and to running call management. To start CMS and display the CMS Main Menu:
1. Turn on the computer.
CMS starts automatically from the autoexec.bat file, and displays the CMS
Main Menu
2. To select an item from the Main Menu, press the appropriate function key (for example, [F4] to program, or administer, CMS).
Starting CMS 2-1
Page 29
Using Your PC with CMS
Bon Voyage Travel
CALL
FOR
F Start
lCall Mgt
MANAGEMENT
THE AT&T MERLIN
(c)1991by AT&T
MAIN MENU
F1 -
Start Call Management
F4
- Administer CMS (Agents, Lines,
Print Reports
F5 -
F8 -
Exit to DOS
F Admin F Print 4 CMS
SYSTEM
Configurations )
5Reports
CMS
LEGENDS
CMS R3.O 5:47p 03/04
(C MS)
F1O -
Help F Exit 8 to DOS
Figure 2-1. CMS Main Menu
2-2 Starting CMS
Page 30
Using
Your PC with CMS

Setting the Date and Time

CMS uses the date and time from MS-DOS. The date and time are important parts of your daily CMS statistics and must be represented correctly on your PC screen. To change either the date or the time, follow the procedures below. (When in CMS, you can check the time and date by looking at the
upper right-hand corner of any CMS Menu screen).
NOTE:
The date must be changed at the beginning of each year, and the time must
be adjusted for daylight savings time.

Set the Date

To check or change the date on your PC:
1
. When the CMS Main Menu appears upon starting CMS, press [F8] (Exit
to DOS).
2. When the DOS prompt appears, type date then press [ ] .
The following message appears on your screen:
(Example):
Current date is mm - dd – 19yy Enter new date: (mm-dd-yy)
The current date is displayed, where Day= day of the week, mm = month, dd = day, and yy = year.
3. If the date is correct, press [ ].
<
<
If the date is incorrect, type in the correct date (for example,
4-08-19XX) then press [ ]. XX represents the year.
<
4. To return to CMS, at the prompt, type cms.
The CMS Main Menu screen appears.
Setting the Date and Time 2-3
Page 31
Using Your PC with CMS

Set the Time

To check or change the time on your PC:
1. When the CMS Main Menu appears upon starting CMS, press [F8]
(Exit
to DOS).
2. When the DOS prompt appears, type time and press [ ]
The following message appears on your screen:
(Example):
Current time is HH:MM:SS. XX Enter new time:
where HH = hour, MM = minute, SS = second, and XX = one hundredths of a
second.
3. If the time is correct, press [ ] .
<
<
If the time is incorrect, type in the correct hour and minute (for example,
19:03
then press [ ] . MS-DOS works on the basis of a 24-hour
<
clock, so if you want to enter the time as 2:30 p.m. you must type 14:30. MS-DOS keeps track of the seconds and hundredths of seconds for
you.
4. To return to CMS, at the prompt, type
cms.
The CMS Main Menu screen appears.
2-4 Setting the Date and Time
Page 32
Using Your PC with CMS

CMS Screen Layouts

This section describes the layout of CMS screens. If you have questions about MS-DOS, the layout of your keyboard, or other information about your PC, refer to the accompanying manuals.
Figure 2-2 shows a typical CMS screen layout.
1
O
2
O
3
O
4
O
5
O
Bon Voyage Travel
AGENT SPLITS
Agent
Split 1 PERS 2 CHART 3 CORP 4 SUPPT 5­6-
Configuration #2 - CONFIG_2 You cannot cancel this prompt. Answer ‘Y’ or ‘N’ CLEAR AGENTS: Are You Sure? (Y/N):
F Cancel
1 Prompt
Pos ID
Split
Agent
Pos ID
Group Lines Delay Delay ACW A PUBLC 4 B SPECL 3 C CHART 6 D CORP 2
Splits Intra
Gp Main Sec Flow
A-­B-­C-­D--
FPrevious F 5 Field 6 Field
ADMIN CMS R3.0
LINE GROUP OPTIONS
Num Answer Force Auto
5s 5s 5s 5s
CALL FLOW
off off off off
Next
4:llp
off off off off 0s
Flow All
Spl Thresh Ring
1
30s off
2
30s off
3
30s off
4
30s off
5
30s off
6
30s off
03/04
0s 0s 0s
F Enter 8 Data
Figure 2-2. Typical CMS Screen
CMS Screen Layouts 2-5
Page 33
Usinq Your PC with CMS
.
The following types of information appear in each area of the screen. Each
number below corresponds to a number to the left of the screen,
1
O
2
O
ID line.
Information area.
information for a particular screen.
The ID line contains: Business name. Status indicators concerning problems with the PC hard disk, the
connections between CMS and the MERLIN LEGEND system control unit, or the connections between CMS and the voice announcement unit and/or printer. For information on resolving problems, see Chapter 8, “Troubleshooting.”
CMS
Current CMS mode: started. DAY or NIGHT indicates calls are being managed using Day Service or Night Service mode (explained later in
manual). ADMIN indicates CMS is being used for programming
instead of call management. Print Reports screen.
CMS Release number.
Time and date.
This area contains screen names, menus, or status
appears when the system is first
REPT
this
appears when you use the
3
O
2-6 CMS Screen Layouts
Error line.
Error messages indicate that you made an invalid entry, such as
entering a number in a field where only letters are valid.
Exception messages indicate that one of the exception thres-
holds you have set has been reached, and an unusual or undesirable situation may be occurring.
System messages indicate that part of CMS is malfunctioning (for
instance, the voice announcement unit is not working).
In many cases, the PC beeps when a message appears in the error line. Exception messages and system messages remain on the screen until another message overwrites them or until you move to another
Three types of messages can appear in the error line:
Page 34
Using Your PC with CMS
screen. Error messages remain on the screen until you correct the error.
4
O
5
O
Prompt line.
appear after you press most function keys or in response to certain error conditions.
When no prompt appears, the words F10 - Help appear to the far right in the prompt line to remind you that pressing [F10] lets you access
the help screens.
Function keys.
current meaning of the function keys on your keyboard. The function
keys are used for different activities on each screen (except [F10], is always access to a help screen). When you press a function key, a new screen or a prompt appears. When a prompt appears, the function key labels change to permit data entry functions.
This line contains requests for your input. Prompts
The Iabels at the bottom of the screen tell you the
which
CMS Screen Layouts 2-7
Page 35
Using Your PC with CMS

Entering and Editing Data

You can enter and edit data only on certain CMS screens. These screens display the data entry prompt and the editing function keys. For example, the Shift Configuration screen shown in Figure 2-2 is not an editing screen. If we press [F2] tion of the screen with a box (Figure 2-3).
(Line Groups) on that screen, CMS highlights the Line Groups sec-
Bon Voyage Travel
AGENT SPLITS
Agent
Split
1 PERS
2 CHART
Configuration #1 - DAY
F Answer 1 Delay
Pos ID
16 TOM 17 CLIFF 19 ERNIE 21 DEB
23 BOB 24 SHERM 25 WALT
27 BEN 28 SAM 29 NORM
31 DI A
32 CARLA
33 BJ
35 MAX
F Force 2 Delay
F Auto 3 ACW
Split
3 CORP
4 SUPPT
5­6-
Agent
Pos ID
37 IKE 39 TINA 40 DIANA 42 RON 43 NANCY
ADMIN CMS R3.O 3:13p 03/04
LINE GROUP OPTIONS
Num
Answer Force Auto
Group Lines Delay A PUBLC 4 B SPECL 3 C CHART 6 D CORP 2
CALL FLOW
Splits Intra
Gp Main Sec Flow
1 3 On
B
1 3 On C 2 4 On D
3-
Off
Delay ACW 5s 5s off 30s 5s 5s
F Config
7 Screen
off
off 10s off 15s
Flow All
Spl Thresh Ring
1
10s off 2 3 4 5 6
5s off 30s off 30s off 30s off 30s off
F10 -
20s
Help
Figure 2-3. Line Groups Screen
The Line Groups screen is also not an editing screen. However, pressing any of the function keys on that screen brings up an editing screen on which we can enter specific line group information. Figure 2-4 shows the Answer Delay editing screen that appears when we press [F1]
(Answer Delay) on the Line
Groups screen.
2-8 Entering and Editing Data
Page 36
Using Your PC with CMS
Bon Voyage Travel
AGENT SPLITS
Agent
Split
1 PERS
2 CHART
Configuration #1 - DAY
ANSWER DELAY:
F Cancel
1 Prompt
Pos ID
16 TOM 17 CLIFF 19 ERNIE 21 DEB 23 BOB 24 SHERM 25 WALT 27 BEN 28 SAM 29 NORM 31 DI 32 CARLA 33 BJ 35 MAX
Group Letter:
Split
3 CORP
4 SUPPT
5 ­6-
How Many Seconds:
Agent
Pos ID
37 IKE 39 TINA 40 DIANA 42 RON 43 NANCY
ADMIN CMS R3.0 3:25P 03/04
LINE GROUP OPTIONS
Group Lines Delay A PUBLC 4 B SPECL 3
E
C CHART 6
c
D CORP 2
I
Splits Intra
Gp Main Sec Flow
1 3 On
A B
1 3 On 2 4 On
c D
3-
FPrevious F
5 Field
Next
6 Field
Answer Force Auto
Num
Delay ACW 5s 5s 5s 5s
CALL FLOW
Spl Thresh Ring
1 2 3 4
Off
5 6
off off 30s off off
20s
10s 15s
Flow All
10s off
off
5s 30s off 30s off 30s off 30s off
F Enter
8 Data
Figure 2-4. Answer Delay Editing Screen

Editing Prompt and Function Keys

On each editing screen, an editing prompt appears on the line above the function keys. The cursor moves to the first field of the editing prompt and the function keys change to provide editing capabilities. For the Answer
Delay editing screen, the prompt is:
ANSWER DELAY:
Group Letter: _
How Many Seconds:
Entering and Editing Data 2-9
Page 37
Using Your PC with CMS
The editing function keys for this screen and all editing screens are:
F Cancel
1 Prompt
F Previous F Next
5 Field
6 Field
To enter data at the prompt, simply type in the entry for the field cursor is located. To move to the next prompt field, press [F6]. entry and return to the normal function keys, press [F8]. To cancel the prompt at any time and return to the normal function keys, press [F1].

Guidelines for Entering Data

entering data at a prompt, note the following guidelines:
CMS accepts uppercase or lowercase letters. In the examples in this
manual, entries are usually shown in lowercase letters. On the com-
puter screen, almost all entries appear as uppercase letters, even if
entered as lowercase letters. (However, the system displays agent
names and the business name exactly as you type them.)
Some fields require numbers or special characters. Spaces are not allowed, so use an underscore instead. To enter an underscore, use the shift of the hyphen, located in the top row of the keyboard.
F Enter
8 Data
where the
To save the
Press [F8]
(Enter Data), [Return], or [ ] when you finish typing an entry to tell the computer to process the data you have entered. The cursor can be in any field when you press these keys.
The computer beeps and displays an error message if you have skipped a required field in a prompt and pressed [F8] , [Return], or [ ].
The computer also beeps and displays an error message if you make an invalid entry, such as entering a letter instead of a number. Reenter
the correct data and continue.
2-10 Entering and Editing Data
<
<
Page 38
Using Your PC with CMS

Alternate Editing Keys

In addition to the
tasks.
Table Press
Table 2-1
2-1. CMS
Or
[F1]
[F5]
[^] + [ ]
[F6] [F8]
<
[ ]
editing function keys,
shows these alternate
Editing Keys
Cancel a prompt.
<
>
Move to the beginning of the previous field. Move to the beginning of the next field. Indicate you have finished your response.
other keys perform some of the same
keys.
To

Simple Editing Procedures

After you have entered data, you may need to change the entries. CMS screens include simple editing capabilities as described in Table 2-2.
Table 2-2. Editing Procedures
To
Change a charac­ter in a field
Add characters at end of
an entry
Insert characters in an entry
Move the cursor to the incorrect character and type another character over it.
Press [ >] after the last character and type additional
characters.
Move the cursor to the first character you want to change and retype the entire entry from that character. (You cannot use [Insert] to insert a character between
other characters. )
Do this
Entering and Editing Data 2-11
Page 39
Using Your PC with CMS
Replace a long entry with a
shorter entry
Type over the characters you want to change, then press the space bar after the last character of the new entry. The remaining characters in the previous entry disappear.
For example, to change “Joseph” to “Joe”:
1. Move the cursor to “s”
2. Type “e”
3. Press the space bar. The letters “eph” disappear.

Getting Help

You can press [F10] on any screen to receive more information about that screen and its prompts. To exit a help screen and return to your previous place, press any key. If you press a function key to exit a help screen, you can exit help and then perform the function of that particular function key.

Leaving CMS

You can leave CMS at any time by using the function keys. The exact pro­cedure changes depending on the screen on which you are working. In gen-
eral, pressing [F7] you are at the CMS Menu, make sure you have saved your changes. Once you have, simply turn the computer off.
2-12 Leaving CMS
or [F8] returns you to the previous level of screens. Once
Page 40
Programming CMS
Shift Configurations
This chapter describes the tasks involved in changing your CMS shift configurations, including:
Building and editing shift configurations (assigning splits and line
groups and programming call flow)
Saving shift configurations
Programming shift configurations
Selecting a start-up configuration
Backing up shift configurations.
The shift configuration determined by you and your AT&T Account Manager during the system planning process is set up and CMS is managing calls. Use this section only if you want to change the basic configuration and stop managing calls during programming. If, however, you do not want to make changes at this time, go to Chapter 5, “Supervising CMS, ” where you can go through the steps needed to begin operations. If you want to make changes to the shift configurations while CMS is managing calls, go to Chapter 5 and follow the instructions for “Dynamic Reconfiguration.” Before building additional configurations or changing established configurations, review
“CMS Requirements and Capacities” in CMS Planning Guide, then go on to
the next section in this chapter.
Be sure to record your changes on the appropriate planning forms, found in
the back cover pocket of this guide.
3-1
Page 41
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Figure 3-1, “A Map for CMS Configuration Screens,” shows
the relationship
between the various screens used in CMS programming. To use the map, determine which function you wish to perform, then, starting
with the CMS Main Menu, press the indicated function keys to move down the map to the desired action. For example, to configure line groups, press the following keys
1. [F4]
2. [F1]
3. [F1]
4. [F2]
-To
-To
-To
-To
in order: select the Administration Menu. go to the Stored Shift Configurations screen. select a configuration to build or edit. configure line groups.
CMS MENU
F5
START CALL MANAGEMENT
ADMINISTRATION
MENU
PRINT
REPORTS
F1
STORED SHIFT
CONFIGURATIONS
I
CONFIGURATION
F2 F3 F5
AGENT
DIRECTORY
ADMINISTER LINES
AND LINE GROUPS
SET
OPTIONS
Note: CMS does not manage calls
F1
AGENT
SPLITS
when programming is performed from the Administration Menu. To create or edit shift configurations while CMS is
F3
F2
LINE
GROUPS
CALL FLOW
managing calls, follow instructions for
“Dynamic Reconfiguration” in Chapter
Figure 3-1. Map for CMS Configuration Screens
F6
ADMINISTER EXCEPTIONS
5.
.
32
Page 42
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Creating or Changing
Shift Configurations
Creating or changing shift configurations involves these activities:
Assigning agents to splits
Programming line group options: Answer Delay (the number of seconds a call rings before CMS answers it), Force Delay (forces all calls in the line group to hear the entire recorded message before being connected to an agent, regardless of availability), and Auto
ACW (the number of seconds after a completed call that an agent is
automatically in the after-call-work state)
Programming call flow (assigning main and secondary splits, program-
ming intraflow, and if you want, designating AH-Ring operation for some splits).
Before you can create or change a shift configuration, your lines and line groups must have been identified and programmed by your AT&T implemen­tor or Authorized AT&T Dealer.
Refer to the CMS Agent Splits Planning Form to see how your splits were assigned to your line groups. “
NOTE:
Your CMS does not manage calls while you are using these procedures. To
edit an active shift configuration, follow the instructions in “Dynamic
Reconfiguration” in Chapter 5. CMS must be running under Call Manage-
ment to use dynamic reconfiguration. To create or change a shift configuration, follow these steps:
1
. From the CMS Main Menu, press [F4] (Admin CMS).
The Administration Menu (Figure
3-2)
appears.

Creating or Changing Shift Configurations

3-3
Page 43
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Bon Voyage Travel
F Config 1 List
F Agent F Lines/ 2Directry 3 Groups 5Options
ADMIN CMS R3.O 3:27p 03/04
Administration Menu F1 Build/Edit Shift Configurations F2 Build Agent Directory (Names and IDs) F3 Administer Lines and Line Groups F5 Set Options F6 Select Exception Thresholds to be Monitored F8 Exit From the Administration Module
SELECT ADMINISTRATION FUNCTION
F Set
F Select 6Exceptns
F1O -
F Exit 8 Admin
Help
Figure 3-2. Administration Menu
2. At the Administration Menu, press [F1] (Config List).
The Stored Shift Configurations screen (Figure 3-3) appears.
3-4
Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
Page 44
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Bon Voyage Travel
Last Name
Anders
Baker son Bakerson Chanleys
Chapman Claren Clover Easttree
Fielding
Fielding Hall Honelly
Kiley
Kloner Mailer
F Add F Remove
1 Agent 2 Agent
First Harry Tom Tom Diane Charlie Clifford Ward Clint Sally William Benny BillyJoe Gene Maxwell Sam
F Change
3Agt Info
AGENT DIRECTORY
ID HARRY TOM TOM2 DI CHUCK CLIFF WARD CLINT SALLY BILL BENNY BJ GENE MAX SAM
Last Name Middon O’Rourke Pantilly Patrick Peters Piers Price Reynolds Rice Rice Turner Turtone Turtone Weiss
ADMIN CMS R3.O
First Beth Walter Ernie Bob Norman Benjamin Sherman Nancy Diana Ronald Carla Ike Tina Debra
F Config F Admin
7 Splits
l:25p 07/19
ID
BETH WALT ERNIE BOB NORM BEN SHERM NANCY DIANA RON CARLA IKE TINA DEB
F1O - Help
8 Menu
Figure 3-3. Stored Shift Configurations Screen
3. From the Stored Shift Configurations screen, press [F1] (Select Config).
The function keys change and the following prompt is displayed:
SELECT CONFIGURATION:
Config #: _
4. To edit an existing configuration, enter the number of that configuration. To build a new configuration, enter a number labeled
UNUSED
.
5. Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The Configuration screen appears with the shift configuration you selected.
If you are editing an existing shift configuration, the fields are populated
with the shift configuration parameters. You can change these parame­ters by overwriting previously entered data.
Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
3-5
Page 45
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Figure 3-4 is an example of a Configuration screen for configuration. Notice that all areas on the screen that
building a new
have to do with splits are either blank or display hyphens. The factory settings for the line group options and call flow are also displayed.
Bon Voyage Travel
AGENT SPLITS LINE GROUP OPTIONS
Agent
Split 1 PERS 2 CHART 3 CORP 4 SUPPT 5­6-
Configuration #2 - CONFIG_2
Pos ID
Split
Agent
Pos ID Group Lines Delay
Gp Main Sec Flow
A--
B-­c-­D--
ADMIN CMS R3.0 3:35p 03/04
Num Answer Force Auto
Delay ACW
A PUBLC 4
B SPECL 3 C CHART 6 D CORP 2
Splits Intra
5s 5s 5s 5s
CALL FLOW
Spl Thresh Ring
off off off off
off off off off
1 2 3 4 5 6
20s 30s
10s 15s
Flow All
30s off 30s off 30s off 30s off 30s off 30s off
F Splits
1
F Line F Call
2 Groups 3 Flow
Figure 3-4. New Configuration Screen
Under “Agent Splits” on the left side of the screen:
— Split numbers 1 through 6 are displayed. — Agents are unassigned.
3-6
Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
F Clear
5 Agents
F Config 7 List
F10 -
F Admin 8 Menu
Help
Page 46
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Under “Line Group Options” in the upper right corner of the
screen: — Answer delay is set to 5 seconds. — Force delay is turned off. — Automatic After-Call-Work is set to 0 seconds (off).
Under “Call Flow” in the lower right corner of the screen:
— Main and secondary splits are unassigned (indicated by
hyphens). — Intraflow is turned off. — Intraflow thresholds are set to 30 seconds. — All-Ring is turned off.
6. Determine which, if any, of the factory settings you want to change. Make the changes as instructed in the following sections of this chapter:
Assigning Splits.
Add, move, or remove agents in the splits in a
configuration.
Assigning Line Group Options.
Program how you want CMS to
control the answering of calls.
Programming Call Flow.
Assign splits to groups, set intraflow
thresholds, turn intraflow on or off, and designate splits for All-
Ring operation (optional).
7.
Press
8. Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
[F7]
(Config Screen) to return to the Configuration screen.
to return
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
9. Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press [F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
3-7
Page 47
Programming CMS Shift Configurations

Assigning Splits

Assigning agents to splits is the first step in building a configuration. The list of agents on the Agent Directory screen is your master list of agents. Follow the instructions below to assign agents to splits.
NOTE:
If you want to add an agent who is not listed on the agent directory screen, use the new agent activity ( [F5]
the split and the Agent Directory.
Be sure to add the agent to the Agent Directory P/arming Form and Agent
Planning Form, found in the back cover pocket of this guide.
Split
1.
From the Configuration screen, press [F1] (Splits).
). The agent will simultaneously be added to
The Split Configuration screen (Figure
2.
Follow the instructions given for each activity listed below.
3-5)
appears.
HINT:
You can move between the Agent Directory and the Split Configuration screens by pressing [F8] screen, or [F7]
(Config Splits) from the Agent Directory.
(Agent Directory) from the Split Configuration
3-8
Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
Page 48
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Bon Voyage Travel
AGENT SPLITS
Agent
Split 1 PERS 2 CHART 3 CORP 4 SUPPT 5­6-
Configuration #2 - CONFIG_2
F Add 1 Agent
Pos ID
F Remove F Move 2 Agent 3 Agent
Split
ADMIN CMS R3.O
LINE GROUP OPTIONS
Agent
Pos ID Group Lines Delay
A PUBLC 4 B SPECL 3 C CHART 6 D CORP 2
Splits Intra
Gp Main Sec Flow
A-­B-­c-­D--
FReplace 4 Agent
F New F Change 5 Agent
Num Answer Force Auto
CALL FLOW
off off off off
6Split ID 7 Screen 8Directry
3:39p 03/04
Delay ACW 5s 5s 5s 5s
F Config
off off off off
Flow All
Spl Thresh Ring
1
30s off
2
30s off
3
30s off
4
30s off
5
30s off
6
30s off
F10 - Help
0s 0s 0s 0s
F Agent
Figure 3-5. Split Configuration Screen
Add Agent
1. To add an agent to a split, press [F1] (Add Agent). You can now assign any agent listed on the Agent Directory screen to a split. A split may
up
have
to 28 agents.
The prompt line is displayed as follows:
ADD AGENT: ID:
Pos #:
Split #: _
2. Enter an agent ID.
Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
3-9
Page 49
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
3.
Enter an unused position (extension) number between 10 and 67.
NOT
Enter a split number (1 through 6). You may have up to six splits.
4.
use extension numbers assigned to the CMS PC.
DO
Press [F8]
5. Configuration screen.
Repeat steps 1 through 5 to add another agent, or press [F7] to return
6.
to the Configuration screen.
7.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
8.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
Remove Agent
To choose this activity, press [F2] (Remove Agent). You can now
1. remove an agent from a split. (The agent entry remains listed on the
Agent Directory screen.)
The prompt line is displayed
REMOVE AGENT : ID:
(Enter Data) to save your data and return to the Split
to return
as
follows:
3-10
Enter an agent ID and press [F8] (Enter Data) to save data and return to
2. the Split Configuration screen.
You are prompted to enter y or n to confirm your request.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to remove another agent or press [F7] to return to
3. the Configuration screen.
4.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
to return
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen. Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
5.
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
Page 50
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Move Agent
1.
To choose this activity, press [F3] (Move Agent). You can now shift an
agent from one split to another or from one extension to another.
The prompt line is displayed as follows:
MOVE AGENT : ID:
Enter an agent ID.
2. Enter a new position (extension) number, or press [F6] (Next Field) to
3.
New Pos #:
New Split #:
skip this field. If you skip this field, the agent keeps the same extension
number.
4.
Enter the number of the agent’s new split. Press [F8]
5.
(Enter Data) to save data and return to the Split Configuration
screen. Repeat steps 1 through 5 to move another agent or press [F7] to return
6. to the Configuration screen.
7.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
to return
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
8.
to return to the Administration Menu.
[F8]
Replace (Substitute) Agent
To substitute one agent for another at a particular position (extension), both agents must exist in the Agent Directory.
1. To choose this activity, press [F4] (Replace Agent).
The prompt line is displayed as follows:
REPLACE AGENT : Pos #
:
New Agent ID:
2. Enter the extension number of the agent you want to replace.
3. Enter the agent ID of the agent you want in the extension.
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4.
Press [F8] (Enter Data) to save data and return to the Split Configuration
screen.
The agent originally assigned to that extension is removed.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 to replace another agent or press [F7] to
5. return to the Configuration screen.
6.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7] to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
7.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
.
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu,
New Agent
1. To choose this activity, press [F5] (New Agent). You can now add an agent who is not already listed on the Agent Directory screen.
The agent is simultaneously added to a split and to the Agent Directory screen. The prompt line is displayed as follows:
NEW AGENT : First:
Last Name:
ID:
Pos:
\
Split #: _
2. Complete the fields as follows:
Last name: up to 12 letters, numbers, or special characters First: up to 8 letters, numbers, or special characters
to return
3-12
ID: up to 5 letters, numbers or special characters
Position: a 2-digit MERLIN LEGEND system extension number (1 O
through 67)
(Do Not
use extension numbers assigned to the CMS PC.)
Split: a number from 1 through 6
Remember, IDs must be unique.
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Press [F8] (Enter Data) to save data and return to the Split Configuration
3. screen.
The new agent is added to the Agent Directory and is assigned to a split.
4.
Repeat steps 1 through 3 to add another agent or press [F7] to return to
the Configuration screen.
5.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7] to return to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
6.
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
Change Split ID
1.
To choose this activity, press [F6] (Change Split ID). You can now
assign or change the ID for a split. Split IDs make it easier to identify splits on screens and in reports. Although each split ID must be unique, a split and a line group can have the same ID.
The prompt line is displayed as follows:
CHANGE SPLIT ID:
2.
Enter a split number from 1 through 6. Enter a new split ID (up to 5 letters, numbers, or special characters).
3.
4.
Press [F8]
(Enter Data) to save data and return to the Split Configuration
Split #:
_ New Split ID:
screen.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 to change another split ID or press [F7] to
5. return to the Configuration screen.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7] to return
6.
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
7.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
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Agent Directory
1. To view the Agent Directory, press [F8] (Agent Directry) from the Configuration screen or press [F2] (Agent Directry) from the Administra-
tion Menu.
An Agent Directory screen like the one shown in Figure 3-6 appears.
You can refer to this screen while building a shift configuration, or you can change agent information.
Bon Voyage Travel
Last Name
Anders Harry
Bakerson Bakerson Chanleys Chapman Claren Clover Easttree Fielding Fielding Hall Honelly Billy Joe BJ Kiley Kloner Maxwell MAX Mailer
F
Add
1 Agent 2 Agent
F Remove F Change
AGENT DIRECTORY
First
Tom Tom Diane Charlie Clifford CLIFF
Ward
Clint Sally SALLY
William
Benny BENNY
Gene GENE
Sam
3Agt Info
ID HARRY TOM O‘Rourke TOM2 DI CHUCK
WARD CLINT Reynolds
BILL
SAM
ADMIN CMS R3.O
Last Name
Middon
Pantilly Patrick Peters Piers Price
Rice Diana Rice Ronald Turner Turtone Turtone Weiss
First Beth BETH Walter Ernie Bob Norman Benjamin Sherman Nancy
Carla CARLA Ike IKE Tina TINA Debra
F Con fig 7 Splits
l:25p 07/19
ID
WALT ERNIE BOB NORM BEN SHERM NANCY DIANA RON
DEB
F10 - Help
F Admin 8 Menu
Figure 3-6. Agent Directory Screen
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Programming CMS Shift Configurations
.
2. If you want to make changes to the Agent Directory, press the function key for the activity you want to perform (add agent, remove agent, or change agent information).
3. Perform the activity as described on the following pages.
NOTE:
Record any changes you make on the Agent Directory Planning Form, found in the back cover pocket of this guide.
4. Press [F7]
[F8]
If the Agent Directory contains more than 30 agents, [F5]
(Config Splits) to return to the Configuration screen, or press
(Admin Menu) to return to the Administration Menu.
is labeled “Next Page.” Pressing this key allows you to look at the second page of agent information. When the second page of agent information is being displayed,
is labeled “Previous Page,” and pressing it returns you to the first page of
[F5] the Agent Directory.
Adding Agents to the Agent Directory NOTE:
If any agent is regularly assigned to more than one split, give that agent a different ID for each split. Then use the appropriate ID when you add the agent to a configuration. The different IDs provide separate tracking of the agent’s statistics in each split. For example, Tom works in split 1 and split 4, depending on the call traffic. Tom’s supervisor added him to the directory twice. Once with the ID TOM1 and again as TOM4.
To add an agent to the Agent Directory do the following:
1. From the Agent Directory screen, press [F1]
The function keys change and the following prompt appears:
ADD AGENT :
ID:
Last Name:
.
First:
\
2. Enter the agent’s last name at the prompt (up to 12 letters, numbers, or special characters, such as * or #).
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Enter the agent’s first name at the prompt (up to 8 letters, numbers, or
3. special characters).
Enter the agent’s ID at the prompt (up to 5 letters, numbers, or special
4. characters).
Remember, each ID must be unique. The IDs appear on the screen in uppercase letters, even if you enter lowercase letters.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
5.
Removing Agents from the Agent Directory
IMPORTANT:
If you have been managing calls and recording historical data for an agent, removing the agent may delete the agent’s historical data. If you have any historical reports that have not yet been printed, print them
before you remove the agent. Otherwise, you may lose the data for that agent. If you are archiving the historical data, be sure to copy the sys­tem tables as well as the data files. For more information, see Chapter 8, “Archiving and Restoring Data.”
To remove an agent from the Agent Directory, do the following:
1.
From the Agent Directory screen, press [F2] .
The function keys change and the following prompt appears:
REMOVE AGENT : ID
2.
Enter the agent’s ID.
A confirmation prompt like the one shown below appears:
3-16
REMOVE AGENT : ID:
Type y to confirm your request or n to deny it.
3.
4.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
TOM2 (Baker son, Tom) ? (Y/N) :
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Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Changing Agent Information
To change agent information in the Agent Directory, do the following:
From the Agent Directory screen, press [F3] (Change Agt Info).
1.
The function keys change and the following prompt appears:
CHANGE AGENT INFO : ID:
First:
Enter the agent’s ID.
2. Move to the field(s) you want to change. Information will not change in
3.
Last Name:
\
the fields left blank.
4.
Press [F8]
(Enter Data).

Assigning Line Group Options

You can program your CMS to use any, some, or all of the following line
group
Descriptions and programming procedures for these options are given on the following pages.
options when handling incoming calls:
Answer Delay Force Delay Automatic After-Call-Work (ACW)
To program line group options:
1. From the Configuration screen, press [F2]
A box appears around the Line Group Options portion of the screen and the Line Group Options function keys are displayed (Figure
(Line Groups).
3-7).
2. Follow the instructions in this section for the options you want to pro-
gram.
NOTE:
Record any changes you make on the CMS Options Planning Form, found in
the back cover pocket of this guide.
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Bon Voyage Travel
AGENT SPLITS
Agent
Split 1 PERS 2 CHART 3 CORP 4 SUPPT 5­6-
Configuration #2 - CONFIG_2
F Answer F Force 1 Delay
Pos ID
2 Delay
F Auto 3 ACW
Split
Agent
Pos ID
ADMIN CMS R3.O 3:57p 03/04
LINE GROUP OPTIONS
Num Answer Force Auto
Group Lines Delay A PUBLC 4 B SPECL 3 C CHART 6 D CORP 2
CALL FLOW
Splits Intra
Gp Main Sec Flow
A-­B-­c-­D--
off 2 30s off off off off
Delay ACW 5s 5s 5s 5s
F Config 7 Screen
off off off off
Flow All
Spl Thresh Ring
30s off
1
3
30s off
4
30s off
5
30s off
6
30s off
F10 -
0s 0s 0s 0s
Help
Figure
3-7.
Line Group Options Screen
Changing Answer Delay
If an agent is not available when a call first rings, CMS allows the call to ring for a certain number of seconds before it answers the call and connects it to the voice announcement unit. If an agent becomes available during that period, the call is transferred immediately to the available agent, not the
voice announcement unit. Answer delay is the number of seconds CMS waits
before it answers a call. The factory setting for answer delay is five seconds.
Think of answer delay as a trade-off between the time a customer spends listening to ringing and the time the customer spends on hold. You can set a different answer delay value for each line group, depending on the type of lines in the group and the amount of time the caller is likely to wait before an agent is available.
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Consider these factors when choosing an answer delay value for a line group:
If you have toll lines (such as 800 lines), you begin paying for a call as soon as the line is answered. If calls are likely to be on hold before an agent is available, you can increase the answer delay value in order to decrease the amount of time on hold.
You can increase the answer delay if you know callers have to wait for an agent. Callers may be less likely to hang up if they wait longer for CMS to answer but spend less time on hold.
To change the answer delay, do the following:
1.
From the Line Group Options screen, press [F1] (Answer Delay).
The editing function keys appear with this prompt:
ANSWER DELAY :
2.
Enter a group letter (A-D). Enter the number of seconds (0 through 99) a call should ring for that
3.
Group Letter: _
How Many Seconds:
group before CMS answers. The factory setting is five seconds, the approximate time from the
beginning of one ring to the beginning of the next.
4.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The Line Group Options screen reappears and the answer delay for the
specified line group is updated.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 to adjust the answer delay for another group,
5. or press [F7]
6.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
to return to the Configuration screen.
to return
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
7.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
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Changing Force Delay
The force delay option controls the transfer of calls to and from the voice announcement unit. If force delay is on, calls that arrive for a group are not transferred to an agent until callers have heard the entire message, even if an agent is free. If it is off, they are transferred to an agent as soon as one
becomes available. If answer delay is set to zero and force delay is on, all incoming calls connect directly to the voice announcement. This means that callers hear the delay message even when agents are available.
Remember that the force delay option can sometimes cause calls to back up, especially if your delay message is long.
To change force delay, do the following:
1.
From the Line Group Option screen, press [F2] (Force Delay).
The Force Delay editing keys appear with this prompt:
FORCE DELAY :
Type in the group letter for the line group you want to program.
2. Press [F8] (Enter Data),
3.
The setting toggles automatically to on or off, depending on the setting
Group Letter: _
before
you made the change. (The factory setting is off.)
4.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 to adjust the force delay for another group, or
press [F7]
5.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
to return to the Configuration screen.
to return
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
6. [F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
-
Programming Automatic After-Call-Work (ACW)
The automatic after-call-work option provides for hands-free operation allow­ing an agent to use an automatic answer headset adapter. After an agent completes a call, the automatic after-call-work option automatically puts that
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agent into the ACW state for a programmed period of time. When that time has elapsed, auto ACW makes an agent available to receive calls.
The agent remains in the ACW state for the number of seconds programmed for that line group (1–999). During the ACW period, the agent can complete the necessary paper work related to that call without pressing the
Available
buttons on the telephone. When the agent completes the paper-
ACW
or
work related to the previous call, he or she can manually override the automatic ACW state by pressing the Available button on the telephone.
To program Auto ACW, do the following:
1.
From the Line Group Options screen, press [F3] (Auto ACW).
The following prompt appears near the bottom portion of the screen:
AUTOMATIC ACW: Group Letter: _ Seconds:
2.
Enter a group letter (A through D) for the group to be programmed. Enter the number of seconds (0 through 999), for the number of
3. seconds agents are to be in the ACW state.
NOTE:
“0” means the Auto ACW feature is not in effect.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
4. Repeat steps 1 through 5 to program auto ACW for another line group,
5.
or press [F7]
6.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
to return to the Configuration screen.
to return
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
7.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
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Programming Call Flow

The way CMS routes incoming calls to agents is called call flow. Call flow programming includes the following:
Assigning a main split and an optional secondary split for each line
group
Turning Intraflow on or off
Setting an Intraflow threshold for each split
Designating splits for All-Ring operation (optional).
To program call flow, you should understand main and secondary splits, intraflow and intraflow threshold. If you are unclear about these aspects of CMS, refer to the Glossary.
NOTE:
Record any changes you
the back cover pocket of
make on the CMS Options Planning Form, found in this guide.
How Intraflow Works
If a call comes in and no agent is available in the main split, the call is treated
as follows:
1.
The call continues to ring in the main split for the answer delay interval you established (see “Line Group Options,” page 3-17).
2.
CMS answers the call and connects it to the voice announcement unit for a delay message.
The call is put on hold (or connected to Music-on-Hold) and is added to
3. the waiting calls in the main split.
4.
The call is intraflowed (sent) to an agent in the secondary split if all of the following conditions are met:
3-22
— The call is the oldest call eligible for intraflow into the secondary
split.
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.
— The amount of time the call has waited (that is, from the time the call
started ringing until present) has exceeded the intraflow threshold
for the main split. — There is no available agent in the main split. — There is an available agent in the secondary split. — The oldest waiting call in the secondary split has not waited longer
than the intraflow threshold for the secondary split.
Once the call is transferred to an agent the caller will hear ringing.
5. If there is no agent available in the secondary split, the call remains waiting in the main split. The call is answered by the first available agent in either the main split or the secondary split (if the secondary split’s intraflow threshold is not exceeded by another call).
If an agent becomes available at any step, CMS immediately transfers the
call to that agent.
Programming Considerations
If your only consideration in building a shift configuration is to have every call answered as quickly as possible by any available agent, you can assign all of your agents to one split and make it the main split for all of your line groups.
You cannot have more than 28 agents in a split. If you assign all 28 to one split, there can be no agents in other splits to receive intraflow calls. There­fore, there are no secondary splits and you would not need to program for
intraflow in that shift configuration. Consider these points when establishing your intraflow threshold(s):
How long do you want your customers to wait for an agent in the main
split if there are agents available in your secondary split? Remember, the waiting time starts as soon as the call begins ringing, Answering this question helps determine a reasonable intraflow threshold for the main split.
If your secondary split serves as a main split for another line group,
you may not want that split to accept intraflowed calls if it is busy with
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Programming CMS Shift Configurations
its own calls. The secondary split’s intraflow threshold determines how long its own calls may wait before the split refuses to accept intraflowed calls. If a secondary split is not a main split as well, you don’t need to set a threshold for that split.
Programming Instructions
1.2.From the Configuration screen, press [F3] (Call Flow).
The Call Flow Configuration screen (Figure
Press the key for the task you want to perform. Instructions for each
task are given on the following pages.
Bon Voyage Travel
AGENT SPLITS
Agent
Split 1 PERS 2 CHART 3 CORP 4 SUPPT
5-
6-
Configuration #2 - CONFIG 2
Pos ID
Split
3-8) is
Agent
Pos ID Group Lines Delay
A PUBLC 4 B SPECL 3 C CHART 6 D CORP 2
Splits Intra
Gp Main Sec Flow
A-­B-- off c-­D--
displayed.
ADMIN CMS R3.0 4:03p 03/04
LINE GROUP OPTIONS
Num Answer Force Auto
5s 5s 5s 5s
CALL FLOW
off
off off
Delay ACW
off off off off
Flow All
Spl Thresh Ring
1 2 3 4 5 6
0s 0s 0s 0s
30s off 30s off 30s off 30s off 30s off 30s off
F Assign 1 Splits 2 On/Off 3 Thresh 5 On/Off
F Flow F Set FAll-Ring
Figure 3-8. Call Flow Configuration Screen
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Creating or Changing Shift Configurations
F Con fig 7 Screen
F10 -
Help
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Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Assigning Splits
To choose this activity,
1.
Press [F1] (Assign Splits). You can now assign main splits and secon­dary splits to line groups.
The prompt is displayed as follows:
ASSIGN SPLITS :
Secondary Split #: _
Line Group Letter: _ Main Split #: _\
Initially, all splits are unassigned; choose which split answers calls for
each line group.
If you do not want to assign a secondary split,
leave that field
unchanged.
To remove a secondary split already assigned
to the line group, type a
hyphen in that field.
2.
Enter a line group letter (A through D). Enter the number of the main split (1 through 6) that is to answer calls
3. for the line group. (If the field is left blank, it remains unchanged.)
4.
Enter a secondary split number, or enter a hyphen if you do not want to assign a secondary split for intraflow. (If the field is left blank, it remains
unchanged.)
5.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
6.
Repeat steps 1 through 5 to assign a split to another line group, or press [F7]
7.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
to return to the Configuration screen.
to return
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
8.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
to return to the Administration Menu.
[F8]
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Turning Flow On/Off
Main and secondary splits must be identified in the Call Flow section of the
Configuration screen for intraflow to work. To choose this activity:
1.
Press [F2] (Flow On/Off). You can now turn intraflow on or off for a par­ticular line group.
Each line group’s intraflow status appears in the Intraflow column of the Call Flow area of the screen. The prompt is displayed as follows:
.
CHANGE INTRAFLOW :
Enter a line group letter (A through D).
2. Press [F8]
3.
The intraflow designation for that line group automatically changes from Off to
On
or vice versa.
4.
Repeat steps 1 through 3 to turn intraflow on or off for another line
(Enter Data).
group, or press [F7]
5.
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
Line Group Letter: _
to return to the Configuration screen.
to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
6.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
Setting the Intraflow Threshold
To choose this activity:
1. Press [F3] (Set Thresh). You can now set the intraflow threshold for each split. This threshold is based on the number of seconds the oldest
call has been waiting in a split. The initial setting is 30 seconds.
to return
3-26
The prompt is displayed as follows:
SET INTRAFLOW THRESHOLD:
Threshold (seconds) :
Split #: _\
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Programming CMS Shift Configurations
2. Enter a split number (1 through 6).
3. Enter the number of seconds from 0 through 999.
4. Press [F8]
(Enter Data).
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to set the intraflow threshold for another split, or press [F7] to return to the Configuration screen.
6. Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7] to return. to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
7.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
Turning All-Ring On/Off
You can program certain splits so that each call rings at all agents’ tele-
phones and an available agent closest to a telephone can answer the call. (In normal CMS operation, a call rings at only one agent’s telephone.) All­Ring operation is useful for splits in which agents are not always near their
telephones.
NOTE:
AlI-Ring operation is dependent on both your CMS configuration and your
MERLIN LEGEND system programming.
NOTE:
When All-Ring operation is in effect, agents can not log in or out. That is, all phones will ring regardless of agent availability.
To make an All-Ring split:
1. Assign a “ghost” agent as the only member of the split. Your MERLIN LEGEND system administrator must give you an unused extension number for your “ghost” agent.
2. See that your “real” agents have Cover buttons on their telephones that correspond to (cover) the “ghost agent’s” extension number.
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3. The real agents do not need to be assigned to a split. If you do assign them to a split, they cannot be in the same split as the
“ghost” agent. Consult the CMS Agent Splits Planning Form to see
which of your splits, if any, should be All-Ring. This form should be in the pocket of the back cover of this guide.
If you change a split from All-Ring operation to normal operation, remove the
“ghost” agent and add the real agents to the split.
For more information on setting up an All-Ring split, see the discussion of this topic in “Agent Splits” under the general heading “Planning the Call Manage­ment System” in the CMS Planning Guide.
For more detailed information on how “real” agents use a Cover button to
up
pick
calls to a “ghost” agent in an AH-Ring split, see “Using a Cover But-
ton” and “Answering Calls in All-Ring Operation” in Chapter 5, “CMS Tele-
phones and Telephone Programming,” in this manual. To choose this activity:
1.
Press [F5] (All-Ring On/Off). You can now change a split from automatic call distributor (ACD) to All-Ring operation, or vice versa.
In the All-Ring column of the Call Flow area of the screen, that a split has All-Ring operation, and operation.
The
prompe is displayed as follows:
CHANGE ALL-RING OPERATION :
2.
Enter a split number (1 through 6). Press [F8] (Enter Data).
3.
4.
Repeat steps 1 through 3 to change another split to All-Ring or ACD
operation, or press [F7]
Choose an activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
5. to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
On
off
indicates normal ACD
Split #: _
to return to the Configuration screen.
indicates
to return
3-28
6.
Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press
[F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
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Clearing Agents

To clear agents from a configuration:
1. From the Configuration screen, press [F5] This clears all agents from a shift configuration.
The prompt appears as follows:
CLEAR AGENTS :
2. Type y or n and press [F8] (Enter
Are you sure? (Y/N) :
Data).
NOTE:
If you accidentally clear agents from a
configuration, you can restore
them.
1. Press [F7] (Config List), to select
the Stored Shift Configurations
screen.
2. Press [F1] (Select Config).
A prompt asks if you want to save your previous editing changes (which includes clearing the agents).
3. Type n to restore the cleared agents.
(Clear Agents).
3. Choose another activity from the Configuration screen or press [F7]
to
return to the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
4. Choose an activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press [F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
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Saving a Changed Configuration

When you build a new shift configuration or make changes in an existing one, the word
(changed)
configuration number. You can store the last edited configuration in a previ­ously unused configuration or store it in place of another configuration.
For example, you could change configuration 1 and replace the original with the updated copy. If you want to keep the original shift 1 configuration as
well as the updated copy, you can store the copy in an unused configuration number by following the procedure outlined below.
1.
From the Configuration screen, press [F7] (Config List).
appears on the configuration list to the left of the
The Stored Shift Configurations screen (Figure
Press [F2] (Save Config) on the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
2.
The word (changed) appears next to the configuration you last edited and the prompt appears as follows:
SAVE CONFIGURATION :
Press [F8] (Enter Data) to save the edited configuration under the same
3.
Into Config #: _
3-9)
appears.
configuration name and number as the original (in other words, to replace the original with the updated copy).
or Enter a configuration number and press [F8]
(Enter Data) to save the
edited configuration under a different configuration number.
The prompt appears as follows:
SAVE CONFIGURATION :
NAME? (Y/N):
where x is a number 1 through 6 and
Replace Contents of Config X -\
NAME is
the name of the configuration.
3-30
The number and name of the configuration you changed appears in this
prompt.
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.
Bon Voyage Travel
F Select 1 Config 2 Config 3 Config
F Save
F Rename
STORED SHIFT CONFIGURATIONS
DAY (startup default)
1-
2
- CONFIG_2
- UNUSED
3 4- UNUSED
- UNUSED
5 6-
UNUSED
F Choose 4Startup
ADMIN CMS R3.O 4:17p 03/04
F10 - Help
F Config
7 Screen 8 Menu
F Admin
Figure 3-9. Stored Shift Configurations Screen
4. Type y to confirm your request or n to cancel it.
5. Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The function keys change.
6. Choose another activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press [F8] to return to the Administration Menu.
Saving a Changed Configuration 3-31
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Proqramminq CMS Shift Configurations
. .
Naming or Renaming
a Shift Configuration
When your CMS was installed, at least one shift configuration was built for you. You can have a total of six different configurations or call handling pat­terns in your CMS. If you do not name the configurations when you begin to build them, the system automatically supplies the name “Config x,” where x is the number of the configuration (1 through 6). We recommend, however, that you name the configurations so that their identity is meaningful for your busi­ness.
For instance, a business may require these configurations:
Shift 1
Shift 2
Night
Weekend
In this example shift 1 and shift 2 configurations are for the two weekday shifts of agents. The night configuration is for calls after business hours that are answered at a central answering extension, such as a guard’s desk. The weekend configuration is for weekends and holidays.
NOTE:
Night Service mode is different from a night configuration. During Night Ser­vice, CMS connects all incoming calls to a message and automatically disconnects the calls when the message is over. For more information, see “Selecting Day or Night Service” in Chapter 6.
To name or rename a configuration:
1. Press [F3]
The prompt appears as follows:
RENAME CONFIGURATION :
(Rename Config) on the Stored Shift Configurations screen.
Config #: _ New Name: _
2. Enter the configuration number (1 through 6)
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Naming or Renaming a Shift Configuration

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Programming CMS Shift Configurations
Enter the new name (up to 10 letters, numbers, or special characters).
3.
NOTE:
Configuration names can contain as many as 10 letters, numbers, or special characters. Spaces are not allowed, so you may want to use underscores instead.
4.
Press [F8]
The function keys change.
5.
Choose another activity .from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press [F8]
(Enter Data).
to return to the Administration Menu.

Selecting a Startup Configuration

You should select one of the six shift configurations to be invoked automati­cally during the CMS startup procedure. However, if you want to choose a configuration each time you begin managing calls, do not select a startup configuration at this time.
To choose this activity:
From the Stored Shift Configurations screen, press [F4] (Choose
1. Startup).
The prompt appears as follows:
CHOOSE STARTUP CONFIGURATION : Config #: _
Enter the number of the configuration you want to use as the startup
2.
(Enter ‘-’
for none ) \
configuration, or enter a hyphen if you do not want a startup configuration.
Press [F8]
3.
The words (startup default ) appear next to the configuration you
selected.
4.
Choose another activity from the Stored Shift Configurations screen or press [F8]
(Enter Data).
to return to the Administration Menu.
Selecting a Startup Configuration 3-33
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Programming CMS Shift Configurations

Backing Up and Restoring Shift Configurations

You should routinely make a backup copy of your shift configurations. That
way the most current version is available to use if you need to restore your system after a problem.
You should also copy the system tables at the same time you copy the shift configurations. The system tables contain the Agent Directory and line assignments CMS needs to interpret the shift configurations.
NOTE:
You should copy the system tables each time you make a change in your
shift configurations. The most current system tables are then available to interpret each day’s historical data. Both the shift configurations and system
tables fit on one floppy diskette.
Backing Up Shift Configurations
To make a backup copy of your shift configurations and system tables, follow these steps:
1. From the CMS Main Menu, press [F8]
2. Insert the diskette labeled “CMS Backup” into disk drive A.
3. At the DOS prompt, type the following commands to change to the cmsmgmt directory (a subdirectory within the CMS directory) on the hard disk.
cd c:\cms\cmsmgmt [< ]
4. To get into the cmsmgmt directory on the floppy diskette, type the fol­lowing commands.
a:
[< ]
cd a: \cms\cmsmgmt
[< ]
(Exit to DOS).
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Backing Up and Restoring Shift Configurations
Page 74
Programming CMS Shift Configurations
5. To copy all your shift configurations from the hard disk onto the floppy diskette, type
copy c: Shift*. cms a:
[< ]
6. To copy the system tables onto the floppy diskette, type
copy c:systbls. cms a:
7.
Remove the data backup disk when the light on disk drive A goes out.
[< ]
8. Write the current date on a label and attach it to the duplicate.
9. To return to the cms directory on disk drive C, type these commands:
c:
[< ]
c:
cd\cms
[< ]
Restoring Shift Configurations
If you ever lose a shift configuration (for instance, if you clear a configuration by accident), restore the desired configuration (or all configurations) from the duplicate as follows:
1. Repeat steps 1 through 4 in the previous procedure.
2. To restore all your shift configurations from the duplicate onto the hard disk, type:
copy a: shift*.cms
c :\cms\cmsmgmt
[< ]
To restore a single shift configuration from the duplicate, type:
copy a:shiftX.cms
c:\cms\cmsmgt
[< ]
(Replace X with the number of the shift configuration.)
3. To restore the system tables from the duplicate copy onto the hard disk, type:
copy a:systbls.cms
c:\cms\cmsmgt
[< ]
4. Remove the data backup disk when the light on disk drive C goes out.
Backing Up and Restoring Shift Configurations
3-35
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Programming CMS Shift Configurations
For more information on restoring CMS after system problems, see Chapter 9, “Troubleshooting.”
3-36
Backing Up and Restoring Shift Configurations
Page 76
Changing
System Options and
Programming Exceptions
This chapter explains how you can program your CMS to meet the call management needs of your particular business by:
Changing Options.
abandoned call threshold, and message length. You can also set your
PC to beep whenever an unusual or undesirable situation occurs.
Define your business name, service threshold,
Programming Exceptions.
as talk time and refused calls) that are appropriate for your business.
System options and exceptions were determined by you and your AT&T Account Manager during the system planning process. Use this section only if you want to change the basic configuration and stop managing calls during programming. If, however, you do not want to make changes at this time, go to Chapter 5, “Supervising CMS, ” where you can go through the steps needed to begin operations. If you want to change options and exceptions while CMS is managing calls, go to Chapter 5 and follow the instructions for “Dynamic Reconfiguration.”
Figure 4-1, “A Map for CMS Options and Exceptions,” on page 4-2 shows the relationship between the various screens used in this aspect of CMS programming.
Select and program the exceptions (such
4-1
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
To use the map, determine which function you wish to perform, then, starting with the CMS Main Menu, press the indicated function keys to move down the map to the desired action. For example, to turn the alarm on or off, press the following keys
in order:
1. [F4] -To
2. [F5]
3. [F3]
STORED SHIFT CONFIGURATIONS
-To
-To
F1
Note: CMS does not manage
calls when programming
is performed from the
Administration Menu.
select the Administration Menu. go to the Set Options screen. turn the alarm on or off.
CMS MENU
F4
START CALL
MANAGEMENT
AGENT
DIRECTORY
ADMINISTRATION
MENU REPORTS
ADMINISTER LINES AND LINE GROUPS
SET
OPTIONS
F2
F3
F4
PRINT
F5
SERVICE LEVEL
ABANDON THRESHOLD
ALARM
DELAY MSG LENGTH
ADMINISTER EXCEPTIONS
ON/OFF
F6
F1
F2
F3
F4
AGENT EXCEPTIONS
SPLIT EXCEPTIONS
LINE GROUP EXCEPTIONS
ASSIGN
ALERTS
BUSINESS
F5
NAME
Figure 4-1. Map for CMS Options and Exceptions
4-2
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions

Changing System Options

You may reset several system options. Initial settings are in effect for these options until you define new values. The options are listed below (with factory
settings in parentheses):
Service Level Limit (20 seconds)
Abandoned Call Threshold (10 seconds)
Audible Alarm (’on’)
Delay Message Length (10 seconds)
Business Name
To begin changing system options, do the following:
1. From the CMS Main Menu, press [F4]
The Administration Menu appears.
(Admin CMS).
2. From the Administration Menu, press [F5] (Set Options).
The Set Options screen (Figure 4-2) appears. This is the screen used to select
system options.
Changing System Options 4-3
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
. .
Bon Voyage Travel
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
FService 1 Level
FAbandon F Alarm
2 Thresh 3 On/Off
SET OPTIONS
Opt ion
Service Level Limit
Abandoned vs.
Audible Alarm (On/Off)
Delay Message Length
Business Name
Incoming Call Threshold
FDelayMsg FBusiness 4 Length 5 Name
ADMIN CMS R3.0
Value
10 sec
2 sec
On
10 sec
Bon Voyage Travel
4:33p 03/04
F10 -
Help F Admin 8 Menu
Figure 4-2. Set Options Screen
The function keys appearing on this screen are: — [F1] — [F2]
(Service Level). Used to adjust the Service Level Limit value.
(Abandon Thresh). Used to adjust the Abandon vs. Incoming Call
Threshold value. — [F3] (Alarm On/Off). Used to turn the Audible Alarm on or off. — [F4]
— [F5] — [F8]
(DelayMsg Length). Used to adjust the Delay Message Length value.
(Business Name). Used to enter or change your Business Name.
(Admin Menu). Used to return to the Administration Menu.
4-4 Changing System Options
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions

Adjusting the Service Level Limit

The service level is a measure of how quickly your customers’ calls are answered. The service level is the percentage of calls that were connected to agents within a specified number of seconds (called the service level limit). For instance, during a particular hour your agents may answer 9070 of the CMS calls within 20 seconds.
Since the length of time between the beginning of one ring and the beginning of the next is about 5 seconds, 20 seconds equals about four rings. The fac­tory setting, 20 seconds, may be too long or too short for your requirements and you may want to adjust it.
The service level limit is measured from the time a call first rings until the call
is connected to an agent. This can include answer delay time (if any), time connected to the voice announcement unit (if any), and time on hold (if any).
You need to decide how quickly you want the majority of your calls answered.
The service level is displayed on the System Status screen and is continually
updated while CMS is managing calls. If the service level drops below an acceptable level, it may indicate the need to activate Intraflow or to add more agents to a split. To reset the service level limit:
1.
From the Set Options screen, press [F1 ]. (Service Level). You can now
adjust the Service Level value.
The prompt is displayed as follows:
SERVICE LEVEL: Calls should be seviced within \ n seconds. n:
The percentage of calls within the value chosen will be displayed on the reports.
2.
Enter a number 1 through 999. Press [F8] (Enter Data).
3.
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
4.
Choose another activity
from this screen or press [F8]
to return to the
Administration Menu.
Changing System Options 4-5
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions

Adjusting the Abandoned Call Threshold

One important function of CMS is tracking the number of abandoned calls, that is, the number of callers who hang up before they’ve been connected to an agent. if a CMS agent services a call in an amount of time less than this threshold, CMS considers the call abandoned. Occasionally an abandoned call gets transferred to an agent. When this happens, the agent answers the call and finds no one on the line.
The purpose of the abandoned versus incoming call threshold is to discrim­inate between those abandoned calls that are connected to agents and calls that are actually handled by the agents. Distinguishing serviced calls from abandoned ones gives a more accurate picture of the service level of your system.
To establish a realistic abandoned call threshold, you need to know how long agents usually spend talking to callers. If your agents usually spend at least
30 seconds talking to each customer, then you can assume that most calls that took less than 15 seconds were probably abandoned calls. However, if your agents often receive calls that take only a few seconds to handle, you may want to set a low abandoned call threshold, realizing that the possibility of mistaking an abandoned call “for a “real” call, or vice versa can increase.
You should evaluate the factory setting (10 seconds) for the abandoned call threshold in light of these factors. If you decide to reset the value, you should
have a good idea of how long your agents spend on each call to reduce the
possibility of mistaking “real” for abandoned calls. You may have to do some experimenting.
To adjust the Abandoned Call Threshold value:
1. From the Set Options screen, press [F2] (Abandon Thresh). You can now adjust the Abandoned Call Threshold value.
The prompt is displayed as follows:
ABANDON THRESHOLD: Seconds:
2. Enter a number 1 through 99.
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
3. Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
4. Choose another activity from this screen or press
[F8]
to return to the
Administration Menu.

Setting the Audible Alarm

When the audible alarm is on, your PC beeps every time an exception mes-
sage, a system message, or an error message appears. An exception occurs when a service or performance threshold you set has been exceeded. The alarm is helpful since it alerts you to potential problems, should you not
be looking at your PC screen. To turn the alarm off:
From the Set Options screen, press [F3] (Alarm On/Off).
1.
When On the PC beeps, and when Off the PC doesn‘t beep.
Each press of the key sets the alarm to off or on.
2.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
Choose another activity from this screen or press [F8] to return to the
3. Administration Menu.

Adjusting the Delay Message Length

You can set the delay message length so that CMS can check for errors in the delay message unit. The message length must be properly set for your call traffic because of its effect on the number of calls CMS can manage
within a given period of time. For this reason you may want to keep the mes-
sage as short as possible.
When the message starts playing to a caller, a timer is started. If the mes­sage has not ended within five seconds of the delay message length you
Changing System Options 4-7
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
specify on the options screen, the following warning message appears on your screen:
WARNING –
Message Unit Problem.
Check Message Length.
The factory setting for the message length option is 10 seconds. To change the delay message length:
1.
From the Set Options screen, press [F4] (Delay Msg Length). You can now adjust the Delay Message Length value.
The prompt is displayed as follows:
SET DELAY MESSAGE LENGTH :
2.
Enter a number 1 through 99. Press [F8]
3.
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
4.
Choose another activity from this screen or press [F8] to return to the
(Enter Data).
Seconds: –
Administration Menu.

Entering Your Business Name

You can enter the name of your business (up to 20 characters) in this field so that it appears on all CMS screens and reports. You can use both capital and lower case letters. The system does not, however, accept the space charac-
ter. Use the underscore character (_) to designate a space. To enter your business name,
1. From the Set Options screen, press [F5] (Business Name). You can now enter your Business Name.
The prompt line is displayed as follows:
ENTER BUSINESS NAME :
2. Enter a business name (up to 20 characters) including underscores.
4-8 Changing System Options
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
3. Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
4.
Choose another activity from this screen or Press
[F8]
to return to the
Administration Menu.

Programming Exceptions

An exception message indicates that a particular performance threshold has
been reached or exceeded and an unusual or undesirable situation may be occurring. Exceptions allow you to customize performance goals for each split or line group. For instance, you may establish a threshold of 3 minutes
4
as an acceptable talk time for one split and time for another split. You may want to use CMS for a few days before you select your exceptions and set your exception thresholds. In the meantime, all exceptions are set to off.
minutes as an acceptable talk
When you turn on an exception, you receive an exception message on your
PC screen whenever a threshold for that exception has been reached or exceeded. For instance, you may choose to receive an exception message when an agent has refused a call or when all the lines in a line group have
been busy for a certain number of seconds. If you want your PC to beep when an exception occurs, turn on the audible alarm option described in “Changing System Options,” page 4-7.
External lamps or bells can also be used as alerts to visually notify agents when certain exceptions occur (see page 4-26).
Exceptions are an important management tool as they free you to do more
productive work. Instead of constantly monitoring system status on your PC, you can set certain exceptions to notify you when problems arise.
Most businesses need only two or three exceptions. Using all the exceptions available or setting unrealistic exception thresholds merely gives you unus-
Programming Exceptions 4-9
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
able or inappropriate data. Consider these points when choosing the excep-
tions for your business:
In sales line groups, the exceptions that indicate the length of time all
lines are busy and the number of abandoned calls are important. When all lines are busy, potential customers may not be able to get through and may call a competitor. This could mean lost revenue for your business. Abandoned calls (instances where a caller hangs up before being connected to an agent) signal that there are callers who are tired of waiting for an agent and who might not call back—again, possible lost revenue.
The thresholds for these exceptions depend on the dollar value of each call versus the expense of an additional agent:
In businesses where each call generates high revenue (or where
customer service directly affects sales), the thresholds should be
set low. Thus the exception messages can alert the supervisor
before too many calls are lost.
In businesses where the revenue per call is low, it may not be economical to have enough lines and agents to handle all calls. Exception thresholds could be set high.
In a service business, agent productivity and cost per call may be
important concerns. In this situation, the length of time an agent spends on a call (talk time) and in the after-call-work state may be the most important exceptions to monitor.

Instructions for Selecting Exceptions

To select exceptions:
1. From the CMS Main Menu, press [F4]
The Administration Menu appears.
2. From the Administration Menu, press [F6] (Select Exceptns).
The Exception Settings screen (Figure 4-3), appears.
(Admin CMS).
4-10 Programming Exceptions
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
Bon Voyage Travel
Exception
AGENTS Talk Time >= xxx sec After Call Work >= xxx min ACW Time Limit >= xxx min off - - - - - ­Refused Call
SPLITS # Abandon Calls >= xx # Calls Waiting >= xx Oldest Call Wait >= xxx sec
Avg Speed Answer >= xxx sec
LINE GROUPS All Lines Busy >= xxx sec Line Hold Time >= xx min Line Hold Time <= xx sec
ALERTS Alert Line Button Numbers
F Agent lExceptns 2Exceptns 3Exceptns 4 Alert
F Split
F Group F Assign
EXCEPTION SETTINGS
Split/Line Group—,
On/Off
off - - - - - ­off - - - - - -
off
off off 3/1 2/1 off off 12s/-
off 5s/­off - - - ­off
l/A
10s/2 5s/2
1: 29 2: 30 3: - 4: -
2/B 3/C
3s/- 10s/- -/- -/- -/-
4s/-
ADMIN CMS R3.O ll:20p 03/25
4/D
2/1 -/- -/- -/-
3s/2 -/- -/- -/-
4s/- -/-
5
F10 -
F Admin 8 Menu
6
Help
Figure 4-3. Exception Settings Screen
Use this screen to turn exceptions on or off and set exception thresholds for each split or line group.
From this screen you may also assign line button numbers to external wall­mountable lamps or bells to be used as external alerts. The external alerts can be associated with those exceptions that are displayed with the dividing slash(-/-). When assigned, the external alert Iamp is lit or the bell rings when­ever the corresponding exception occurs. External alerts are discussed in
detail starting on page 4-26.
Initially, all exceptions are set to Off and all thresholds are blank.
Programming Exceptions 4-11
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
The function keys appearing on the Exception Settings screen are:
(Agent Exceptns). Used to select exceptions for agents: talk time,
[F1]
ACW time, agent Iogout ACW, and refused call.
[F2] (Split Exceptns). Used to select exceptions for splits: abandoned
calls, calls waiting, oldest call waiting, and average speed of answer.
(Group Exceptns). Used to select exceptions for line groups: all lines
[F3]
busy, line hold time - rein, and line hold time - max.
(Assign Alert). Used to assign alerts to line button numbers.
[F4]
Exceptions are divided into three types—agent, split, and line group. General
instructions for programming exceptions and assigning external alerts to them are listed below. After you familiarize yourself with the procedures, turn to the descriptions of the type of exceptions you want to program.
To program exceptions, do as follows:
Press the function key for the type of exception you want to program— agents, splits, or groups. Alert assignments are discussed later in this section.
A box appears around the corresponding area of the Exception Settings
screen, and the function key labels change.
Press the function key for the exception you want to program. For example, you could press [F2] (Call Waiting) on the Split Exceptions screen.
if you decide not to program that exception, press [F1] (Cancel Prompt)
to cancel the prompt.
Enter
enter
on
in the “On/Off” field of the prompt to turn the exception on, or
Off
to turn the exception off.
Enter thresholds for splits or line groups. Keep these points in mind:
— You do not need to enter a threshold for each split or line group. If
you don’t want to enter a threshold for a particular split or line group,
4-12 Programming Exceptions
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
simply leave it blank. This feature allows you to turn on an exception
for some splits or groups, but not all of them.
------
To delete a threshold value, enter a hyphen (-) over the value you want to erase.
— You may enter thresholds even if you turn off an exception. For
example, you may want to turn on the talk time exception when call traffic is heavy. During slow periods, however, you might not care how long an agent talks to customers. You may want to turn off the talk time exception then, but still keep the thresholds.
— Skip over fields that you don’t want to change using the tab or
appropriate function key:
Enter an alert number or a hyphen in the field to the right of the slash.
5. See page 4-26 for more on alerts and alert assignments.
Press [F8]
6.
7.
Press a different function key to program another exception on that
(Enter Data) after you make an entry in the last field.
screen.
Press [F8] (Admin Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
8. Press [F8]
9.
(Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.

Agent Exceptions

Agent exceptions let you monitor agent activity. You can use these excep­tions to indicate reasonable expectations for call handling, and to see where
extra training is necessary. You can set different exception thresholds for
each split to tailor the exception for the type of calls each split handles. For
instance, some splits may need more after-call-work time than others.
Press [F1] the Agent Exceptions screen (Figure 4-4). The box in the screen indicates the four agent exceptions: talk time, after call work, agent logged out, and
refused calls.
(Agent Exceptns) from the Administer Exceptions screen to select
Programming Exceptions 4-13
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
Bon Voyage Travel
Exception
AGENTS [Talk Time >= xxx sec After Call Work >= xxx min off - - ­ACW Time Limit >= xxx min
Refused Call
# Abandon Calls >= XX , # Calls Waiting >= xx Oldest Call Wait >= xxx sec Avg Speed Answer >= xxx sec
LINE GROUPS
All Lines Busy >= xxx sec Line Hold Time >= xx min Line Hold Time <= xx sec
ALERTS
Alert Line Button Numbers
F Talk F ACW
1 Time 2
F Agent FRefused 3 Logout
EXCEPTION SETTINGS
Split/Line Group—
On/Off
off - - -
off - - - - - ­off
off - - - ­off off off
off off off - - - -
4 Call
l/A 2/B 3/C
3/1 2/1 10s/2 5s/2 12s/- 3s/-
5s/- 4s/- 4s/-
1: 29 2: 30 3: - 4: -
ADMIN CMS R3.O ll:22p 03/25
3s/2 -/- -/- -/-
10s/- -/- -/- -/-
4/D
2/1 -/- -/- -/-
-/-
5
F10 -
6
Help
F Admin
8Exceptns
l
Figure 4-4. Agent Exceptions Screen
Talk Time
Talk time is the number of seconds an agent is connected to a call. If you turn on this exception, CMS notifies you when an agent’s talk time meets or exceeds the threshold set for that split.
1. From the Agent Exception screen, press [F1]
The following prompt appears:
ON
TALK TIME(seconds): Split 1: – 2: - 3: – 4: – 5: - 6: -
/OFF ?
.—
(Talk Time).
\
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
2. Enter on or off.
Press [F6] (Next Field) to keep the current value.
3. Enter the number of seconds (1 through 999) for the maximum talk time for each split.
To leave the exception turned off for a split, enter a hyphen.
4.
Press
[F8]
(Enter Data) after the last field.
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
5. Choose another activity from this screen, or press [F8] (Admin Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
6. Press [F8] (Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
The following is an example of a message that appears when the exception threshold is met:
*** Split 1
- Agent TOM - Talk Time >= 180 sec
ACW (After Call Work)
The after-call-work state refers to the time agents make themselves tem-
porarily unavailable for calls. If you turn on this exception, CMS notifies you when an agent has been in the ACW state as long as or longer than the threshold set for that split.
1. Press [F2] (ACW).
The following prompt appears:
ACW (minutes) : ON/OFF ?
Split l: - 2: – 3: – 4: - 5: – 6:-
——
\
2. Enter on or off Press [F6] (Next Field) to keep the current value.
3. Enter a number of minutes (1 through 999) for each split. To leave the exception turned off for a split, enter a hyphen.
4. Press
[F8]
(Enter Data) after the last field.
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
Programming Exceptions 4-15
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
5. Choose another activity from this screen, or press [F8] (Admin Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
6. Press [F8] (Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
The following is an example of a message that appears when the exception
threshold is met:
*** Split 3
- Agent BEN -
After Call Work >= 5 min
ACW Time Limit
If you turn on this exception, CMS puts agents in the logged out state when
they have remained in the ACW state for the specified threshold.
Press [F3] (Agent Logout).
1.
The following prompt appears:
AGENT OUT (minutes) :
Split l: – 2: – 3: – 4: - 5: - 6:-
2.
Enter
on
or
off
at the
ON/OFF ?
ON/OFF?
prompt, or press [F6] (Next Field)
\
to keep the current value. Enter a number of minutes (1 through 999) for each split. To leave the
3.
exception turned off for a split, enter a hyphen.
4.
Press [F8] (Enter Data) after the last field.
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
Choose another activity from this screen, or press [F8] (Admin
5. Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
Press [F8]
6.
The following is an example of a message that appears when the exception threshold is met:
*** Split 2
(Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
- Agent MAX
4-16 Programming Exceptions
– Logged Out
– ACW >= 5 minutes
Page 92
Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
Refused Call
If you turn on this exception, CMS notifies you whenever an agent refuses a call.
1. Press [F4] (Refused Call).
The following prompt appears:
REFUSED CALLS :
ON /OFF?
2. Enter on or off.
3. Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The prompt c/ears and the function keys change.
4. Choose another activity from this screen, or press
[F8]
(Admin
Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
5. Press [F8] (Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
The followings an example of a message that appears when the exception
threshold is met:
*** Split 2
- Agent SAM
– Refused Call

Split Exceptions

Split exceptions alert you to unusual or undesirable situations affecting a whole split. For example, you can be notified when the number of calls wait­ing in a split meets or exceeds a threshold you set. Split exceptions can alert you to a need for more agents or faster call handling. Some split exceptions can be used to activate an external lamp.
Pressing [F2]
(Split Exceptns) from the Exception Settings screen selects the
Split Exceptions screen (Figure 4-5). The box indicates the split exceptions:
abandoned calls, calls waiting, oldest call, and average speed of answer.
Programming Exceptions 4-17
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
Bon Voyage Travel
Exception
AGENTS Talk Time >= xxx sec After Call Work >= xxx min ACW Time Limit >= xxx min Refused Call
SPLITS
# Abandon Calls >= xx
, # Calls waiting >= xx
Oldest Call Wait >= xxx sec off Avg Speed Answer >= xxx sec
All Lines Busy >= xxx sec Line Hold Time >= xx min Line Hold Time <= xx sec
ALERTS
Alert Line Button Numbers
FAbandon
1 Calls
F Calls 2Waiting 3 Call
F Oldest
EXCEPTION SETTINGS
On/Off
off off off off
off
off
off 12s/-
off off off
F Avg 4 Speed
ADMIN CMS R3.O ll:23p 03/25
I—-Split/Line Group—
1/A
10s/2
5s/-
1: 29 2: 30 3: - 4: -
2/B
3/1 2/1
5s/2 3s/-
4s/-
3/C 4/D
2/1 -/- -/- -/-
3s/2 -/- -/- -/-
10s/- -/- -/- -/-
4s/- -/-
5
F1O
6
- Help
F Admin
8Exceptns
l
.
Figure 4-5. Split Exceptions Screen
Abandon Calls (Number of Abandoned
Calls)
When a caller hangs up before speaking to an agent, the call is considered
an abandoned call. If you turn on this exception, CMS notifies you whenever the number of abandoned calls in the current hour reaches or exceeds the threshold you set.
1. Press [F1] (Abandon Calls).
The following prompt appears:
# ABANDON CALLS:
ON/ OFF ?
Split 1: - 2: – 3: – 4: – 5: - 6: -
\
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Chanqinq System Options and Programming Exceptions
2.
Enter
on
or
off
to turn this exception on or off, or press [F6] (Next
Field) to keep the current value.
If you want to enter threshold values, enter a number 1 through 99 for
3. each split. If you do not want to activate this exception for a particular split, enter a hyphen.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
4.
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
Choose another activity from this screen, or press [F8] (Admin
5. Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
Press [F8]
6.
The following is the exception message that appears when the exception
threshold is met:
*** Split 2
(Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
– # Abandoned Calls >= 5
Calls Waiting (Number of Calls Waiting)
The calls waiting exception refers to the number of calls on hold and waiting to be connected to agents, and calls in the main split that are eligible for
intraflow to the secondary split. With this exception, CMS notifies you when the number of calls waiting in a split meets or exceeds the threshold you set for that split. The maximum number of calls that can be waiting for a split is
equal to the number of lines assigned to that split. You can assign an exter-
nal alert to this exception.
1. Press [F2]
The following prompt appears:
# CALLS WAITING: 3:-
(Calls Waiting).
ON/OFF ?
/- 4:- /- 5:- /- 6:- /-
(#/a) 1:- /- 2:- /- \
The symbols (#/a) are shown to remind you that the threshold value for the number of calls is entered before the slash, and the alert number (if any) is entered after the slash.
Programming Exceptions 4-19
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
2. Enter on or off to turn this exception on or off, or press [F6] (Next Field) to keep the current value.
3. If you want to enter threshold values, enter numbers (before the slash)
that are less than or equal to the number of lines assigned to each split (1 through 99). If you do not want to activate this exception for a partic-
ular split, enter a hyphen.
4. Enter an alert number or
(See page 4-26 for more
a hyphen in the field to the right of the slash. on alerts.)
5. Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The prompt clears and the
function keys change.
6. Choose another activity from this screen, or press [F8] (Admin
Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
7.
Press [F8] (Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
The following is an example of a message that appears when the exception threshold is met:
*** Split 1
An alert, if assigned, is activated when the threshold is met.
- # Calls Waiting >= 2
Oldest Call (Oldest Call Waiting)
The oldest call is the call that has been waiting the longest (to be answered
by an agent) in a split. If you turn on this exception, CMS notifies you when the number of seconds the oldest call has been waiting meets or exceeds the threshold you set. You can assign an external alert to this exception.
1. Press [F3] (Oldest Call).
The following prompt appears:
OLDEST CALL :
/-5:- /- 6:- /-
4:-
ON/OFF ?
(s/a) 1:- /- 2:- /- 3:- /- \
2. Enter on or off press [F6] (Next Field) to keep the current value.
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
If you want to enter threshold values, enter a number of seconds (1
3. through 999) for each split. If you do not want to activate this exception
for a particular split, enter a hyphen.
4.
Enter an alert number or a hyphen in the field to the right of the slash.
(See page 4-26 for more on alerts.)
Press [F8]
5.
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
6.
Choose another activity from this screen, or press [F8] (Admin
(Enter Data).
Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
7.
Press [F8]
The following message appears when the exception threshold is met:
*** Split 2 -
An alert, if assigned, is activated when the threshold is met.
(Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
Oldest Call Waiting >= 5 sec
Avg Speed (Average Speed of Answer)
The average speed of answer is the average time it takes from the time a call
rings until it is connected to an agent in a given split. This includes the answer delay (the amount of time a call rings before CMS answers it), the time connected to the voice announcement unit, the time on hold, and the time it takes to transfer the call to an agent.
If you turn on this exception, CMS notifies you when the average speed of answer in a split meets or exceeds the threshold you set for the current hour.
You can assign an external alert to this exception.
1. Press [F4] (Avg Speed).
The following prompt appears:
AVG SPEED ANS : ON/OFF? 3
:- /- 4:- /- 5:- /- 6:- /-
(s/a) 1:- /- 2:- /- \
The symbols (s/a) are shown to remind you that the threshold value (in seconds) is entered before the slash, and the alert number (if any) is entered after the slash.
Programming Exceptions 4-21
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
Enter
2. If you want to enter threshold values, enter, to the left of the slash, a
3.
on
or
off
press [F6] (Next Field) to keep the current value.
number of seconds (1 through 999) for each split. If you do not want to activate this exception for a particular split, enter a hyphen,
4.
Enter an alert number or a hyphen in the field to the right of the slash.
(See page 4-26 for more on alerts.)
5.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
6.
Choose another activity from this screen, or Press [F8] (Admin
Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
7.
Press [F8]
The following message appears when the exception threshold is met:
*** Split 3
An alert, if assigned, is activated when the threshold is met.
(Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
– Avg Speed Answer >= 10 seconds

Line Group Exceptions

Line group exceptions alert you to unusual or undesirable situations affecting
lines or line groups. For instance, the all lines busy exception notifies you when all lines in a line group have been busy more than a certain number of seconds.
Press [F3] (Group Exceptns) from the Exception Settings screen to select the
Line Group Exceptions screen (Figure 4-6). The box indicates the line group exceptions which include all lines busy, line hold time maximum, and line hold time minimum.
4-22 Programming Exceptions
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
Bon Voyage Travel
Exception
AGENTS Talk Time >= xxx sec After Call Work >= xxx min ACW Time Limit >= xxx min Refused Call
SPLITS
# Abandon Calls >= xx
# Calls Waiting >= xx Oldest Call Wait >= xxx sec Avg Speed Answer >= xxx sec
—LINE GROUPS
All Lines Busy >= xxx sec
Line Hold Time >= xx min Line Hold Time <= xx sec
ALERTS
Alert Line Button Numbers 1: 29 2: 30 3: - 4: -
F Lines
1 Busy
FHoldTime FHoldTime 2Maximum 3Minimum
EXCEPTION SETTINGS
I—Split/Line Group—
On/Off
off off off off
off - ­off 3/1 off off 12s/-
off off off
1/A
10s/2 5s/2
5s/-
2/B 3/C
3s/-
4s/-
ADMIN CMS R3.0 ll:24p 03/25
4/D
2/1
2/1 -/- -/- -/-
3s/2 -/- -/- -/-
10s/- -/- -/- -/-
4s/- -/-
5
F10 -
l
6
Help F Admin 8Exceptns
Figure 4-6. Line Group Exceptions Screen
Lines Busy (All Lines Busy)
The all lines busy exception refers to the number of seconds all lines in a line group are busy within the current hour. If you turn on this exception, CMS notifies you when the length of time all lines are busy meets or exceeds the
threshold you set. When all lines in a line group are busy, incoming calls are
blocked and callers receive a busy signal. You can assign an external alert
to this exception.
1. From the Line Groups Exception screen, press [F1]
The following prompt appears:
ALL LINES BUSY:
C:-
/- D:- /-
ON /OFF?
(s/a) A:- /- B:- /- \
(Lines Busy).
Programming Exceptions 4-23
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
The symbols (s/a) are shown to remind you that the threshold value (in seconds) is entered before the slash, and the alert number (if any) is entered after the slash.
Enter on or off to turn this exception on or off, or ress [F6] (Next
2. Field) to keep the current value.
3.
If you want to enter threshold values, enter a number of seconds (1 through 999) for each group. If you do no t want to activate this excep­tion for a particular group, enter a hyphen.
Enter an alert number or a hyphen in the field to the right of the slash.
4.
See page 4-26 for more on alirts and alert assignments.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
5.
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
Choose another activity from this screen, or press [F8] (Admin
6. Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
Press [F8] (Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
7.
The following is an example of a mesage that appears when the exception threshold is met:
*** Group A -
An alert, if assigned, is activated when the threshold is met.
All Lines Busy >= 5 seconds
HoldTime Maximum (Maximum Line Holding Time)
The line holding time refers to the number of seconds a line has been in use for a single call, not just the amount of time it has been “on hold.” If you turn
on this exception, the maximum line holding time exception allows you to set an upper limit on the length of time a line is in use. CMS notifies you when the length of time a line has been seized meets or exceeds the threshold you set for its line group.
4-24 Programming Exceptions
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Changing System Options and Programming Exceptions
1.
From the Line Group Exceptions screen, press [F2] (HoldTime Max­imum).
The following prompt appears:
MAXIMUM HOLDTIME (minutes) : Line Group A: - B: - C: - D: -
2.
Enter
on
or
off
to turn this exception on or off, or press [F6] (Next
ON/OFF?
\
Field) to keep the current value. If you want to enter threshold values, enter a number of minutes (1
3. through 99) for each group. If you do not want to activate this excep­tion for a particular group, enter a hyphen.
4.
Press [F8] (Enter Data).
The prompt clears and the function keys change.
Choose another activity from this screen, or press [F8] (Admin
5. Exceptns) to return to the Exception Settings screen.
Press [F8]
6.
The following message appears when the exception threshold is met:
*** Group A –
(Admin Menu) when you finish programming exceptions.
Line XXXXX Hold Time >= 3 minutes
HoldTime Minimum (Minimum Line Holding Time)
The line holding time refers to the number of seconds a line has been in use for a single call. If you turn on this exception, CMS notifies you when the
length of time a line has been in use is less than the threshold you set. If the holding time of a line is consistently short, it may indicate a problem with the line.
1. Press [F3] (HoldTime Minimum).
The following prompt appears:
MINIMUM HOLDTIME (seconds) : Line Group A: - B: - C: - D: -
ON/OFF ?
\
Programming Exceptions 4-25
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