Create Additional Iris Assistants
Explore how you can add and deploy more Iris assistants using the Iris page of the web portal.
Written by Val Campos
Updated at November 9th, 2026
Table of Contents
Step 1: Create an Additional Assistant
Multiple Iris assistants can be created. These different assistants can server different roles and specialize in handling specific requests and calls. For example, a company may have a general assistant that answers initial calls and answers general questions and a second Sales assistant for their Sales number that answers questions about products and directs callers to sales members.
To create more Iris assistants…
- Go to the Iris page of the Stratus web portal.
- In the Assistants section, click the Add
icon.
- In the New assistant menu, select how you want to create the new assistant.
Help Me Create an Assistant
1. In the Assistants section of the Iris page, click the Add + icon.
2. In the New assistant menu, select Help me create an assistant.
3. In the Pick an industry section, select the industry your organization is a part of.
4. In the Use case section, select the type of tasks your assistant will handle that relates to the industry selected in the prior step.
5. In the Complete your assistant menu, input the following:
• Assistant name - Type a name for the assistant for identifying the assistant later.
• Website (optional) - If you have a website that you would like your Iris assistant to train itself from, paste the website's address.
• Main goal - Type a description of the assistant's purpose and how the assistant should handle calls.6. Click the Create assistant button.
Quick Tip: The System prompt used by this assistant will be generated based off the Industry, Use case, and Main goal selected while creating the assistant.
6. Give some time for your new Iris assistant to be generated.
Blank Assistant
1. In the Assistants section of the Iris page, click the Add + icon.
2. In the New assistant menu, select Blank assistant.
3. In the Complete your assistant menu, type a name for the assistant in the Assistant name box.
4. Blank assistants offer an additional, experimental feature called Live Mode that allows this Iris assistant to handle calls while a user completes their own tasks while the call is ongoing.
To set this Iris assistant to use Live Mode, enable the toggle.
5. Click the Create assistant button.
Step 2: Customize the New Assistant
There are a variety of settings that you can adjust for your Iris Assistants to fine-tune their personality, instructions for specific situations, and more.
To view the settings of an Assistant, hover over the Assistant and click the Assistant settings 
icon.
In the Assistant's settings, you can do things like, adjust the assistant's voice, pick an AI model for Iris to use, set up alerts, create transfers for Iris to use, and much more!
IMPORTANT: After making any changes, be sure to click the Publish button.
To test using Iris after making adjustments, click the Test suite button. 
Basic Changes
Welcome Message
By default, the new Assistant will generate a unique greeting for each caller based off the instructions in its System Prompt.
If you have a preferred script that Iris should use for its introductory greeting, you can type out what you would prefer Iris to say in the Welcome message box.
Quick Tip: To find the Welcome message field, scroll down to the bottom of the Assistant tab.
For the welcome message you create, it is recommended to include the following:
• The name of your business.
• Your company's motto if you would like to include it.
• A description of how Iris, an AI Assistant, can help handle their call.
• An ending sentence that prompts the caller to respond with what they are looking to accomplish, such as “How can I help you today?".
Note: After this welcome message plays, Iris will pause and listen for what the caller is requesting. To avoid confusion, make sure Iris asks what they need.
Pick a Voice for Iris
By default, Iris will use the voice, Carina. There are many other voices that can be used instead. To preview these voices and find one that works best for you…
1. Click the voice that is currently in use.
2. Hover over a voice you want to preview and click the Play button that appears over their picture. 
3. If you are happy with a voice, select the voice. 
✔ You should now see the new voice selected.
Iris Tools
Iris assistants offer additional features, or tools, that can be implemented to enhance how they handle calls. These tools include transferring callers to users, call queues, and voicemailboxes, allowing callers to ask to be transferred to a user by name, texting links to callers that ask for specific information and agrees to a text, and taking down a message with a caller's information when a specific condition for the call is met.
Add Transfer Destinations
Some callers that interact with Iris may ask to speak with a specific department or person. You can set where calls should be forwarded when a specific person/department is mentioned.
1. In the Call transfers section of the Settings, click the Add transfer button to add a destination for transferred calls.
2. In the Add transfer menu, input the following:
• Extension - Type the name or extension number of the name, call queue, or auto attendant that would receive the transferred call.
• Transfer to - Select whether to have the user ring or to send the caller directly to this user's voicemailbox.
• When to transfer - Type a description of an event for Iris to listen for to trigger a transfer to this person, department, or voicemailbox.
• Message - If a custom message is needed before the transfer is initiated, type a script for Iris to announce to the caller.
3. Click the Save button.
4. Repeats steps 1-3 for each keyword and transfer that needs to be added.
5. Click the Publish button.
6. To make sure the transfers work as you intended, click the Test suite button.
The Directory Tool
Many auto attendants may use the Dial-by-Name Directory to allow callers to search for and contact a team member directly. This can also be done within Iris using its Directory feature.
If you would like to try out this feature, click the Enable directory tool toggle.
Hide Someone from the Directory
Some users may not need to be searchable by customers within Iris' directory. You can hide a user from the Directory feature by doing the following:
1. Navigate to the Users page.
2. Use the search bar to find the user that should be hidden.
3. Click the name of the user.
4. In the Profile section of the user's settings, go to the Directory Options and deselect Announce in Audio Directory. 
5. Scroll down and click the Save button. 
Some Users are Not Searchable by Iris
If you are noticing that a particular user is not able to be reached by a caller after they ask for that user by name to Iris, that user's “Announce in Audio Directory” setting may be disabled.
More Info: The “Announce in Audio Directory” setting allows a user to be searchable within audio directories.
These directories include the Dial-by-Name Directory that can be set as an option for an auto attendant and Iris' Directory.
If this setting needs to be adjusted for multiple users, you can bulk edit those users so that you do not have to update this setting for users one-by-one.
1. On the Users page, select the users that need this change.
2. Click the Bulk Edit button that appeared. 
3. In the Bulk User Edit menu, scroll down and select Announce in Audio Directory. Make sure its toggle is set to Yes. 
4. Click the Save button to confirm these changes. 
Text Links
Iris can text a link to a caller after a keyword or scenario is met during a call.
To add links that this assistant can share with callers…
1. Click the Add link button. 
2. In the Add scenario menu, input the following:
3. Click the Save button. 
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each link that should be added. 
5. Click the Publish button.
6. To test this feature and make sure the links are being shared correctly, click the Test suite button.
Message Taking
Iris assistants can record a message from the caller when specific conditions are met. This can be a great alternative to having Iris transfer the caller to a mailbox.
1. Click the Add prompt button. 
2. in the Add message taking menu, type instructions for a scenario where the assistant should take a message from the caller. 
3. Click the Save button. 
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each scenario where the assistant should record messages from callers. 
5. Click the Publish button.
6. To test the Message Taking feature, click the Test suite button.
Data Analysis
On the Analysis tab of an assistant's settings, the assistant can be set to collect specific data while interacting with callers.
✔ Data collected by the assistant will be shown while viewing a call's summary on the Inbox tab of the main Iris page.
In the Contact fields section, select whether or not this assistant should collect a caller's name and/or email address for reference later.
Other data outside of the caller's name and email can be collected through custom fields. To learn more about creating custom data extraction fields, review the dropdown below:
Create Custom Data Extraction Fields
1. Click the Add field button. 
2. In the Add field menu, input the following:
• Field name - Type a name that will be displayed in call summaries when this data is collected. Instead of using spaces, use underscores (_).
• Description - Type a description of what information the assistant should listen for and capture that will apply to this field.
• Type - Select what kind of data the assistant will capture. Options include the following:
– Text - The assistant will generate a description that correlates to the instructions given in the Description box. 
– Yes / No - If a caller's response matches 
– Number - 
– One of a set (enum) - 
• Examples (appears for Text fields) - If you selected Text as the type of value Iris will collect, type examples of values that the assistant may collect. 
• Choices (appears for One of a set fields) - If you selected One of a set as the type of value Iris will collect, type a list of values Iris will pick from. To list multiple values, separate each value with a line break. 
3. Click the Save button. 
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each data set that should be collected.
Alert Notifications
Iris assistants can send alert notifications to individuals when specific conditions are met during a call. The triggers that start an alert include, spoken keywords, caller sentiment, and messages taken by Iris. These alerts can be sent as an email and SMS notification.
To create an automated alert for this assistant's calls…
1. Click the Add alert button. 
2. Follow one of the dropdowns below depending on the type of alert that needs to be added:
Keyword Alerts
In the Add alert menu, input the following:
• Trigger - Select Keyword match.
• Name - Type a name for identifying this alert later.
• Match mode - Select one of the following depending on
– Whole word - Select this if the keyword spoken by the caller must be the whole word. This excludes any words that have a keyword as a smaller part of the word (e.g., “support” must be said, so words like “supported” and “supportive” are excluded).
– Substring - Select this if the alert should be triggered when any of the keywords are spoken by the caller regardless of if the keyword happens to be part of a different word.
• Keywords - Type out keywords that will trigger this alert when spoken by a caller.
Caller Sentiment Alerts
In the Add alert menu, input the following:
• Trigger - Select Caller sentiment.
• Name - Type a name for identifying this alert later.
• Caller sentiment - Select whether a call with Positive, Neutral, or Negative sentiment should trigger this alert.
Message Taken Alerts
In the Add alert menu, input the following:
• Trigger - Select Message taken (callback request).
• Name - Type a name for identifying this alert later.
3. In the Email recipients section, type the email address that should receive an email notification when this alert is triggered.
To add additional email addresses, click the Add recipient button. 
4. If a text should be sent to someone when this alert is triggered, type the phone number that should be texted in the SMS recipients box.
To add additional email addresses, click the Add SMS recipient button. 
5. Click the Save button. 
6. Repeat steps 1-4 for each alert the assistant should send notifications for. 
Advanced Speech Settings
In an assistant's Advanced settings, the way the assistant speaks, pronounces things, and handles specific call scenarios can be adjusted.
Fine-Tuning Settings
In the Fine-tuning section, adjust the assistant's emotional tone using the Temperature slider. The speed of speaking for the assistant can also be adjusted.
Audio and Recognition Settings
When an Iris assistant answers a call, it will play the sound of typing softly in the background while speaking with callers. If needed, this audio can be changed to general office sounds or disable completely.
The Iris assistant can also be taught specific phrases, terms, tools, and acronyms that it should recognize when spoken by callers.
Pronunciation Settings
If your Iris assistant is having issues pronouncing particular words, names, and acronyms, you can use the Pronunciation section of the assistant's Advanced settings to set rules for how the assistant should pronounce these phrases.
1. Click the Add rule button. 
2. In the Add rule menu, type a word, name, phrase, or acronym in the Word or phrase box and type its phonetic spelling in the Pronounce as box. 
3. Click the Save button. 
4. Repeat steps 1-3 to add more words, acronyms, names, and phrases that need to have their pronunciation clarified. 
Advanced Call Settings
The Call Settings section of the Advanced settings offers extra features for how the assistant handles different calling scenarios, such as silences, speaking with a voicemailbox, being contacted by a robocall, and speaking with a caller in a busy environment with multiple voices present.
Handling Silences
Some callers may step away from the phone or mistakenly call your organization. To keep callers engaged and active in the call, your Iris assistant can be set to check in after a caller has been silent for some time. By default, the Iris assistant will generate a check-in message, but a scripted check-in message can be used instead. The assistant can also have a limit set for how many times it attempts to check in with the caller.
To avoid Iris leaving a call active longer due to a caller not speaking, your Iris assistant can be set to end a call after a duration of time where the call has been silent. This can also be useful as a deterrent for spam callers that use auto-dialers to place silent calls to confirm numbers are active.
Voicemail Detection
If a caller ever transfers a call with an Iris assistant to a voicemailbox, the assistant can be set to detect voicemailboxes.
When voicemail detection is enabled, the assistant can be set to end the call or leave a voicemail message. If Iris is set to leave a message, a script for what the assistant will say for the voicemail can be set up. The way Iris detects voicemailboxes can also be adjusted.
Spam Shield
Many spam callers use auto-dialers and robocalls to extend the number of people they can contact in a short amount of time. If your organization receives spam calls frequently, your Iris assistant can be set to hang up calls when it detects that the call is automated.
When this feature is enabled, Iris will generate a message that declines the call based off the context of the conversation. If needed, you can create a custom decline message that the Iris assistant should say instead.
NOTE: If your organization regularly receives calls from customers or companies that rely on automated greetings for outbound calls, it may be best to leave this feature disabled.
Background Voice Cancellation
Sometimes callers may be in a loud environment when trying to call your business. Your Iris assistant can be set to cancel out voices that it determines are not the main speaker.
IMPORTANT: It is recommended to test this feature by placing test calls with different conditions. For example, place a test call with other people talking in the background, one test call in a quiet environment, another test call while speaking quietly, and an extra test call where brief responses are given to the assistant.
If you notice that test calls where you are speaking quietly or briefly are not being handled correctly, it may be best to leave this feature disabled.
Step 3: Deploy the New Assistant
Now that the Iris assistant has been customized, it will need to be deployed so that callers can start using the assistant for help with their requests.
Step 1: Create a User for Iris
In order for Iris to be able to receive and route calls, a user will need to be created for it. This can be done by clicking the Create user button.
- If you are not already viewing the assistant's settings, click the Assistant settings icon next to the new assistant.
- Go to the Deploy tab.
- In the Deploy Iris section, click the Create user button.
✔ Clicking this button will have a user named “Iris AI Assistant” created with the extension number 40000. 
Once this user is created, its answering rules will automatically be set to have calls it receives directly forwarded to your Iris agent's Vee address.
Since these changes were made automatically, steps 1 and 2 of the Recommended steps list will now be completed.
OPTIONAL: Set a Backup Destination for Iris
To make sure calls are routed to an alternate destination if Iris ever experiences issues, you can add a destination for “When Unanswered” in the Iris AI Assistant's answering rule.
To do this…
1. On the Users page, search for the Iris AI Assistant user.
2. Click the Edit 
icon next to the Iris AI Assistant user and select Answering Rules.
3. Click the Edit icon next to the Default answering rule. 
4. In the Edit Answering Rule menu, select When unanswered and type the extension number or name of the destination to send calls to if Iris is unavailable.
5. Click the Save button.
✔ You should now see an additional "Forward when unanswered" condition added to the Default answering rule.
Step 2: Forward Calls to Iris
Different businesses can have very differing call flows to meet their specific needs. It is recommended to review how your business' calls route before deciding how Iris should be implemented.
More Info: To learn more about the different ways businesses may have their call routing set up, read the guide below:
Making Sense of Call Routing: A Visual Routing Admin Guide
To review how you can manage and adjust your call routing, read this guide below:
Stratus Basic Inbound Call Routing Guide
Method 1: As a Destination for Calls During a Specific Time
Some companies may prefer that Iris only be used during a specific time, such as their business hours or times they are busy (e.g., meetings, lunches, etc.). This can be done by adjusting the answering rules of a user or Inbound Routing User that are being utilized to perform time-of-day routing.
- Navigate to the Users page.
- Use the search bar to find the user that receives calls from your main phone number.
Quick Tip: For a whole business or a specific site/location, an Inbound Routing User is usually the first destination for calls to a phone number. This routing user's sole purpose is to handle the time-of-day routing of the business/site.
To review your phone numbers and check the destinations for calls going to them, navigate to the Inventory page.
- Click the Edit
icon next to the user and select Answering Rules.
- Click the Edit icon next to the answering rule of a specific time frame where Iris should handle calls.
- In Call Forwarding section of the Edit menu, select User - 40000 (Iris AI Assistant) for the Always box.
- Click the Save button.
- Repeat steps 4-6 for any other answering rules that need to be updated.
- Place a test call to your phone number during the time Iris is active to confirm calls are routing as intended.
Method 2: For Unanswered Calls from a Call Queue
Some business may prefer to have an AI Agent used as a last resort for when all of their team members are busy. To do this, Iris can be set as a queue's destination for unanswered calls.
- Navigate to the Call Queues page.
-
Click the name of the queue or the Edit icon next to the queue needing adjustment.
- Go to the In Queue Options tab.
- Adjust the following to set Iris as the destination for unanswered calls:
- Queue Ring Timeout (sec) - If needed, use the slider to adjust how long agents in the queue should ring (in seconds) before a call is counted as unanswered.
- If unanswered - Make sure Forward to destination is selected.
-
Forward Destination - Type and select User - 40000 (Iris AI Assistant).
- Click the Save button.
- If needed, repeat steps 2-5 for any other call queues needing this change.
- Place a test call to the queue and have your team not answer your call to check that your unanswered call routes to Iris.
Method 3: As the Destination of an Auto Attendant
If you have an existing auto attendant that you would like to still use as a greeting or to give callers specific options before they interact with Iris, you can set Iris as a Dial Pad Menu option.
To set Iris as the destination for calls when a specific option is selected in an auto attendant, do the following:
- Navigate to the Auto Attendants page.
- Click the name of the auto attendant used during the afterhours.
- In the Dial Pad Menu section, click the number that callers should press to reach Iris.
- Update the Menu Prompt of the auto attendant to ensure it mentions that the caller can follow an option to interact with an AI Assistant.
To do so, click the Edit
icon in the Menu Prompt section.
- In the Manage Audio menu, adjust the greeting to mention that callers can press an option to speak with Iris.
Quick Tip: If you would like the auto attendant to send callers to Iris without the caller needing to press a button, you can say “please stay on the line” instead.
- Click the Save button.
- In the Choose a new application section, select User.
- In the Choose the user box, type “Iris” or “40000” and select the 40000 (Iris AI Assistant) user.
- Click the Save button.
- To have the auto attendant send callers to Iris automatically, click the Options button.
- In the Options menu, adjust these two options based off preference:
- If no key is pressed - If the caller should be sent directly to Iris if they caller does not press any keys.
-
If unassigned key is pressed - If the caller should be sent to Iris if they press any key that is not set to send callers to a destination.
Quick Tip: This option may get set to send callers to Iris anyways if Iris will be the only option for the auto attendant and as a backup, just in case the caller is confused and not sure what to press.
- Click the Done button and click the Save button again.
Method 4: As the Only Destination for a Phone Number
If you are not concerned with your business needing time-of-day routing, you can set a phone number you own to solely route calls to Iris.
- Navigate to the Inventory page of the web portal to view your list of phone numbers.
- Click the phone number or the Edit icon next to the phone number that needs adjustment.
- in the Edit menu, adjust the following to set Iris as the phone number's destination for calls.
- Treatment - Select User.
- User - Type and select 40000 (Iris AI Assistant).
-
Notes - If needed, add any special notes about this phone number.
- Click the Save button.
- If needed, repeat steps 2-4 for any other phone numbers needing this change.
- Place a test call to the phone numbers that were changed to confirm that Iris is in use.