Reference9:PBX/Objects/Executive
The Executive PBX object is used to implement the executive/secretary functions. The executive’s telephone registers with this object. Furthermore, two groups can be defined for this object: the primary secretary, which is directly subordinate to the boss, and the secondary secretary, which stands in for the primary secretary.
There is still a third group that can be defined – its members may call the executive directly without the call being signaled on the phones of the secretaries. All calls to the executive are sent to the primary secretaries. If no registration exists for the primary secretary, then the calls are forwarded to the secondary secretary. If no secretaries are registered at all, the calls are forwarded to the executive. All calls to the secretaries are signaled as a diverted call, with the executive displayed as the diverting party.
Every call received by the executive that was previously received by the secretaries is likewise signaled as a diverted call. It is thus possible to adjust the executive’s ring tone, so that it rings differently if the call was initiated by one of the secretaries. If a call is received directly on the executive’s phone, that is, not via the secretaries, it can be signaled with a different ring tone.
Calls diverted from users in the secretary or direct call group to the executive are not forwarded back to the secretaries but ring on the executive phone. This can also be used to configure "secret" phone numbers to bypass the secretaries.
General Configuration Options
The information about general configuration options shared by all objects can be found at Reference9:PBX/Objects.
Configuration Options which can be defined by a Template
Some of the configuration options of a user object can be defined by Templates. More information about these options can be found at Reference9:PBX/Objects/Config_Template
User configuration options
The Executive object support the same options as a User object. The description of User configuration options can be found at Reference9:PBX/Objects/Config_Template
Executive configuration options
The following specifications are made in the Executive section:
- Primary
- The Primary secretary group, when added, may be selected here.
- Secondary
- The Secondary secretary group, when added, may be selected here.
- Direct Call
- The Direct Call secretary group, when added, may be selected here.
- Call Executive
- Calls to the executive are also signaled on the executive’s phone, if this check box is checked. Normally, calls are signaled to the secretary only.
- Use Call offer
- Calls to the executive, which are forwarded to the secretary are offered even if the secretary is in a call and call waiting is disabled.
The executive must be active member in the groups used for the primary and secondary secretaries as well as for the direct calls.
Features available for Executive/Secretary Functions
Monitoring of Secretary Availability
The executive can configure a partner key which displays if the secretary is available. It displays if the secretary is currently logged in the executive primary/secondary group or if it has a call forward configured. Configure the partner key as explained in the related article, Partnertype Secretary.
Additional hint
In case of a scenario with several secretaries subordinating an executive, incoming calls will be directed to the primary secretary first. If the primary secretary is busy it may be required to forward the calls for the executive to the second secretary. This can be done by set the "Busy on ... Calls" to at least 1 for the primary secretary.