How to set up calling rules to manage call types on Digital Voice for Business
What are calling rules?
Calling rules in Digital Voice for Business let administrators control and manage the types of calls that can be made and received within your organisation. With calling rules, you can:
- Control call types: set rules for different types of calls and numbers, such as internal calls, UK numbers, mobile numbers, international calls, freephone, operator-assisted calls, directory enquiries, premium rate numbers, and specific digit strings.
- Manage outgoing calls: allow, restrict, or set up authorisation codes for outgoing calls. Additionally, you can set up call transfers to specific numbers.
- Manage incoming calls: manage and restrict incoming calls based on specific criteria.
How can calling rules help my business?
- Cost Management: by restricting certain types of calls, you can control and reduce costs associated with premium rate or international calls.
- Security: limiting call types can help prevent unauthorised or fraudulent use of the phone system.
- Productivity: ensuring that employees can only make necessary calls can help maintain focus and productivity.
- Customisation: You can tailor calling rules to fit the specific needs of different departments or users within your business.
Setting up calling rules in Digital Voice for Business
As a Digital Voice for Business administrator, you can use calling rules to control and manage the types of calls that can be made and received, at both user and business levels.
You can set different rules for:
- Calls within the same business.
- UK numbers.
- Mobile numbers.
- International calls.
- Freephone.
- Operator-assisted calls.
- Directory enquiries.
- Premium rate 09 numbers.
- Service numbers.
- Specific digit strings - these are number patterns that you set yourself.
How to find the calling rules feature
- Log in to the Digital Voice for Business portal.
- From the dashboard, select Features on the left.
- In the Calling rules tile, click on the settings icon.
How to manage outgoing calls
- From the Calling rules feature tile, select Outgoing calls.
- Then, select Manage rules. Here you’ll find the options to manage all the pre-configured call groups, like calls within the same business, international calls, premium rate numbers, and more.
- Once you’ve made the changes, select Save.
The controls you have for outbound calls are:
- Allow - the call is automatically authorised.
- Restrict - the call won't be put through, and the user will hear an announcement explaining that it's not allowed.
- Authorisation code – only users with an authorisation code can make this type of outgoing call. You can learn how to set up authorisation codes below.
- Transfer #1, #2, #3 - this will transfer anyone who tries to make these types of calls to a number that you specify. You can learn how to set up Transfer #1, #2, #3 below.
How to set up Authorisation codes
- From the Calling rules feature, select Authorisation code.
Here you will find any existing Authorisation codes. - To add a new code, select Add code.
- Enter the code you wish to set (between 2-14 characters long) and enter a description.
- Select Save.
How to set up Transfer #1, #2, #3
- From the Calling rules feature, select Transfer Numbers.
Here you will find the three transfer numbers and the location these calls are being sent to. - To add a new number select Manage numbers.
- Enter the destination you wish the caller to be transferred to.
- Select Save.
How to manage incoming calls
- From the Calling rules feature, select Incoming calls.
- Select Manage rules.
Here you have the option to manage the calls that you receive at this business. - Select Save.
How to restrict specific numbers for incoming calls
- From the Calling rules feature, select Digit strings.
Here you’ll find any digit strings you’ve already created. - To add a new number, select Add Digit string.
- Choose a name for the set of digits you want to block, so you can find them later - you may want to include the digits in the name, so it’s easily identifiable.
- Enter the number you want to restrict. Using the star key (*) in place of digits at the end of the number, for example 0800*, would block all 0800 numbers.
- Click Save.
- Once saved, select Digit plans from the left.
- You can now set the rules for Outgoing digit plans and Incoming digit plans by clicking the settings icon.