Create a Conference Auto Attendant

If you have multiple conference bridges configured, it may be difficult for your internal and external users to join conference calls. One way of allowing callers to join conferences hosted by conference bridges is to use a conference auto attendant.

A conference auto attendant is a type of auto attendant that is configured to have callers either dial into or select the conference bridge they want to route their call to. Using a conference auto attendant can make it much easier for external users to dial into and join a specific conference bridge. 

Step 1: Add a Conference Auto Attendant

A conference auto attendant will allow callers to enter in the extension number of a conference bridge to join an active conference. This is a good option if an account has many conference bridges for users to join. 

To create a conference auto attendant to use to route calls to different conference bridges…

1. Navigate to the Auto Attendants page. 
   
2. Click the Add Attendant button.
3. In the Add an Auto Attendant modal, fill in the following information:
   
   • Name - Type a unique name to identify the auto attendant with.
   • Extension - Type in an ion number that is not yet in use.
   • Time Frame - Use the dropdown to select default (all the time).
4. When you are done, click the Add button.

Step 2: Configure the Conference Auto Attendant

Now that a conference auto attendant has been added, you can configure it to read off a message and route callers as needed. You can set an auto attendant to allow people to join a conference bridge by having them dial the extension number of the conference bridge or press an option on their dial pad.

To prepare a conference auto attendant for routing callers…

1. Ensure that the Menu Prompt tells callers to how they can reach a conference call by doing one of the following:
   • Use a general statement that prompts callers to dial the extension number they know to call into a conference that they wish to join.
     
   • List out the numbers on the dial pad that the caller can press for a specific conference call.
     
   • List out the extension numbers the caller can dial to reach a conference call.
     
     

     Quick Tip: If there are a lot of options for callers to choose from, it is recommended to add “To hear these options again, press [NUMBER or STAR]” to your menu prompt so that callers know they can press a dial pad menu options to play the greeting again.

     

      
2. If you listed options that the caller can press, use the Dial Pad Menu section to add conference bridges to the numbers. 
   
   
3. If you are adding an option for callers to press to hear the greeting again, click a number option and select Repeat Prompt.
   
4. Click the Options button to further configure the conference auto attendant.
5. Ensure that Enable Dial by Extension is selected to allow callers to dial the conference bridge's extension number.
   
6. Configure the If no key is pressed and If unassigned key is pressed options if callers should be routed to a specific conference bridge if they don't press a key or they press the wrong key, 
   
7. Click the Done button.
8. Click the Save button.

Contact the Conference Auto Attendant

Using the conference auto attendant, users can enter the extension number of the conference bridge they need to join. This can be especially useful if your organization uses multiple conference bridges. 

As an Internal User

As an alternative to calling a conference bridge directly, users can opt to call the conference auto attendant instead. 

Any user on your account can get in direct contact with the conference auto attendant by either…

• Calling the extension number of the conference auto attendant. 
• Have their call transferred to the conference auto attendant's extension number.

As an External Caller

Users calling from a cellphone and people outside of your organization can join a conference using the conference attendant by either…

• Calling a dedicated phone number for the conference auto attendant.
  

  Route a Phone Number to the Conference Auto Attendant

  In order for people outside of your organization to be able to use the conference auto attendant to reach a conference bridge, a phone number can be routed to your conference auto attendant. 

  1.  Navigate to the Inventory page.
  

  2. Click the phone number that you would like to designate for your conference.
  

  3. Use the Treatment drop-down to select Auto Attendant.
  

  4. In the Auto Attendant box, type and select the name of the conference auto attendant. 
  

  5. Click the Save button.

  ✔ You should now see that phone number routing to the conference auto attendant in your Phone Number Inventory.

  

   

   

   
• Calling a user in the organization and having their call transferred to the conference auto attendant's extension number.