A Couple of Pointers

I have been rather quiet on the blogging front - an indicator that the PABX front has seen an unprecedented increase of activity for the last lifetime (feels like that anyway!). However, in the process I have discovered a couple of pointers I would like to share with you:

BusinessPhone and DECT
When installing an ICCU2 in the third cabinet of a Aastra/Ericsson BP250, use CSM to initialise the system (CSM is truly a lifesaver for cordless setup). However, even though the PABX is known to be limited to 3 cabinets, you must specify the system as having 4. Therefore, in CSM, set System = 4 for a successful installation.

MX-ONE Free on Second Access
This one kept me busy, as I am used to the BP as opposed to the MX-ONE architecture. If you would like an extension to be able to receive calls even when busy on the first line, program an available DSS/BLI button for ODN2. This allows the user to select whether he wants to be activate incoming calls on his second line or not. Hence, press the programmed button (the ODN2 button) - when the light is burning the feature has been activated and the user will receive calls even when busy on the first line. Press the same button again and the light will be extinguished - the feature has been disabled and the second incoming caller will get busy tone or be diverted on busy (depending on the extensions setup).


Hope these pointers help!

Softphones

Back Stage is an Ericsson softphone. This means all the hardware of a phone is replaced with special software that is now used to communicate with the PABX. All it needs to work is the necessary server applications (Business Link and Back Stage server applications) with their respective clients (Business Link and Back Stage) installed on the client PC. I did try to get BP3 mode to work, but I could not get out of evaluation mode - it never wanted to detect the license on the PABX. BP2 mode, however, works great.

Note:

1. Windows firewall blocks outgoing speech (e.g. One way speech, can't hear Back Stage user, Back Stage user can hear calling/called party).

2. Always ensure you have the latest Business Link and Back Stage SW installed (server and client).

3. MS Outlook contacts can only be imported from the Contacts, no support for the Global Address book.

4. Although a BP3 "VoIP" mode is available, I got the best results with BP2 "VoIP and TAPI" mode.

Unified Messaging

An amazing feature - causes late nights, high blood pressure and depression. When it works though, BEAUTIFUL! However, the built-in fax server is a nightmare (probably 'cos it is my debut installation). So, for other first-timers, note the following:

1. Use an external Fritz modem (has to be a Fritz modem).
2. The fax number must exist in the user's setup.
3. The system must receive CLIP.
4. Fax services must be installed. (Ensure the Ericsson Fax plug-in on the client's side has receive enabled.
5. XP must have SP3 for the plugin to work.
6. SUMS can be setup with only a fax number and no assigned extension. However, the setup can not be edited and should a problem occur, delete and recreate.

Note: You can not do a loop test from the one channel into the other channel on the same modem. For best results, adhere to the above pitfalls and set it up on the clients exchange with DID.


Enjoy the setup!

Ericsson CCA

So I have this call centre I have to setup with all the bells and whistles...except for an IPU. Yup, all connection to the PABX is via V.24 - bear in mind this is CCS and BLink, therefore each of them require a V.24 connection. If you are having difficulty setting up the BLink part, have no fear as there is a discrepancy between the documentation available. Setup that worked with me (CPU-D5, R16):

11: O&M Centre with RASC and MS or CTI
1: US-ASCII
19200 baud
0: Master
CTI

Also while setting up CCA, I could not get it to read the CCS database - I was pointing it to the wrong directory. Make use of the directory C:\Program Files\Ericsson\CCSv4\Config.

Ericsson BP Hotel

In setting up a recent site for a Hotel, using a Ericsson BP250, I discovered that the hotel phones were not barred during check in/out. The procedure completed successfully, but the extension remained open despite being checked - out. The setup of the PABX had the extensions setup as guest phones - no joy. In the end, the operator had been adjusted to 4777. By changing the operator to 9 I managed to get the call barring to work. Further experimenting proved that the operator (not the SWB!) had to be 9. Any other number and call barring with check in/out does not work.