Ring Element Callflow

[Ring] is the basic Callflow element that is usually used for a direct line or extension number. It may also be used in an office where all incoming calls direct to one User or Device only, or to forward calls to an off-net number such as a mobile phone or another landline number. You can also create a Ring callflow for a group of users to create a Hunt Group.

Configuring a Ring Callflow

To begin configuring a Ring Callflow, access the Callflow section of the UC-Line Portal [Phone > Callflows] & click on the [Create New Flow +] button. From the table of elements on the right side, drag the Ring element into the Callflow Designer.

Callflows

Begin configuring ring options by clicking on the [...] button on the Ring Element, followed by [Settings]. If done correctly, the Ring Element Settings window will display.

Ring Element Callflow

1. Timeout Minimum time to ring. If the device is not answered in this time, call flow moves to the next element.
2. Endpoint Tabs Tabs 1, 2 and 3 allow you to choose from Users, Devices or Groups as an endpoint.
3. Off-Net Number Tab Tab 4 allows you to set an off-net number, such as a mobile number, as an endpoint.
4. Endpoints List Tabs 1, 2 and 3 will each show a list of available Users, Devices & Groups on your account which can be set as endpoints by clicking on the [+] to add them to the Selected Destinations. Tab 4 allows users to enter an off-net number as an endpoint.
5. Selected Destinations Selected Users, Devices, Groups & Off Net Numbers will appear here when selected.

Extra Options

6. Extra Options
Clicking [>] will populate a list of Extra Options which can be applied to the Ring Element.
Broadcast Media: Allows you to select a piece of audio that will play to both the calling and called party when an inbound call is answered. The audio plays for both parties and once it has completed, you may begin speaking to commence the call.
You can choose from existing media files that have been uploaded to this account or click on [Add new media] to upload a new file.
Ringtone Pattern: There are five ringtone patterns to select from. Ringtone patterns are used to distinguish between internal and external calls and identifying key callers.
Caller Display:

Caller Display enables the user to add a Caller ID Name (which can be displayed on IP phones who receive the call) to their callflow Ring Elements.

Default - This is the default option, and all existing callflows will use this option. When this option is selected, we don't send a Caller ID Name, but the Caller ID Number is displayed (you will see 'anonymous' for the Caller ID Number if CLIR is enabled).

  1. Contacts Lookup - If this option is selected, we will look at the User's contacts to see if the incoming phone number is already stored in the customer's contacts. If it is, we will display the contact's first and last name.
  2. If the callflow design means that the call is not sent to one specific User, we will lookup the customer contacts that are shared among all of the targeted Users.
  3. Custom: You can hard-code a name for calls that come through the callflow. Example: Name a callflow branch MD Sales or FL Support.
    Please Note: This option features a free-text field. The input text displays in the Caller ID Name field when the device linked to this callflow is called.
  4. Called Number: Here you can pass the number that the caller dialed in the Caller ID Name field. An excellent feature to help distinguish who your caller is trying to reach.

Example: A caller from 018887777 calls 015242000.

  1. Caller ID Name: 015242000.
  2. Caller ID Number: 018887777.
Caller Privacy:

Caller Privacy determines how contacts are displayed in the following ways:

  1. Default: The chosen default Caller ID settings will display, whether it is a specific Caller ID or anonymous.
  2. Always Anonymous: Caller ID will display as anonymous.
Called Number: Displays the number the caller dialed to reach you instead of their Caller ID or Anonymous.

Panasonic KX-HDV230

The image to the left shows the difference between Caller Display and Caller Privacy, This scenario is set to Caller Display: Custom. We have entered Caller Display in the text box, Caller Privacy has been set to Called Number.

After reviewing and choosing your ring endpoints, click [OK ✓] to return to the designer and continue adding to this Callflow. Additions, for example, could possibly be a [Voicemail] or click [Save] if you are happy with the Callflow configuration. Name and describe your Callflow before exiting for future reference.

Note: The Endpoint order can be altered under Selected Destinations using drag and drop. Be sure to link your new ring element Callflow to a number to complete activation. This is done in the Numbers section.

Creating Ring Groups

You can create Ring Groups by adding multiple destinations to the Ring Element.

Ring Element Strategies

Once a 2nd destination is added, a Strategy dropdown menu will display at the top of the window with four different options. Each of these strategies is explained below.
Ring Element Callflow

[ i ] Loop: This configuration rings every destination one-by-one for 10 seconds, beginning with the first destination, then starts over again. This process will last for 59 seconds.
Ring Element Callflow

[ i ] Random: This configuration rings all destinations at random for 8 seconds each, ending after 20 seconds.
Ring Element Callflow

[ i ] Sequential: This configuration rings each destination, from first to last, one by one, for 8 seconds each.
Ring Element Callflow

[ i ] Simultaneous: This configuration rings all destinations at the same time for the Timeout value.

Note: The order that each device rings for Loop and Sequential strategies can be changed under Selected Destinations using drag and drop.