Attendant Consoles

Because of the inherent DID feature with Centrex, there is less of a need for console attendants than there is with PBX. The availability of autoattendant service, to assist "lost" callers, further reduces the need for attendant personnel. Some requirements for operator assistance still remain with IP-Centrex, especially in institutions that have a highly mobile workforce, such as hospitals and universities. In that environment a PC-based console, closely integrated with the organization's directories and on-line personal diaries, is the best solution. At the departmental level, an attendant answering position based on a midlevel IP phone, with add-on programmable key modules that usually come in 48-button units, is a good solution.