We have an Obi110 in our office that is set up to receive calls from 2 different Google Voice numbers.
We are trying to have incoming calls that are not answered (busy/no answer) go to our answering service and are hoping to make use of the Obi.
I tried the number codes (*62, etc) from the Obi-connected landline phone and didn't have much success. I got a long beep after entering in *62, and inputted the forwarding number and got 3 short beeps.
When I went into the Expert Configuration, however, the forward number didn't show up under the SP1- Voice Service. Or under the ObiTalk Service.
I tried to input the numbers manually by unclicking the "ObiTalk Default" and "Device Default" boxes (the only way that I could make the input boxes clickable) and when I clicked "save changes" I got little red exclamation points next to everything I had changed.
So I undid all of the changes and reset it, but I'm still left without the ability to forward calls.
Please help!
peacefrogs,
Welcome
Quote from: peacefrogs on July 17, 2012, 11:25:33 AM
I tried the number codes (*62, etc) from the Obi-connected landline phone and didn't have much success. I got a long beep after entering in *62, and inputted the forwarding number and got 3 short beeps.
That means that the OBi accepted the change you made, as you may have surmised. So far so good.
Quote from: peacefrogs on July 17, 2012, 11:25:33 AM
When I went into the Expert Configuration, however, the forward number didn't show up under the SP1- Voice Service. Or under the ObiTalk Service.
I tried to input the numbers manually by unclicking the "ObiTalk Default" and "Device Default" boxes (the only way that I could make the input boxes clickable) and when I clicked "save changes" I got little red exclamation points next to everything I had changed.
You should not be looking at the Expert configuration to see if the changes were made. In all cases people should look in the OBi unit web page to see if changes were made. That is the only place that matters. I bet if you look there you might be surprised to see what you find. The phone is just another input device like the keyboard on the computer. The OBi can read input from either.
QuoteYou should not be looking at the Expert configuration to see if the changes were made. In all cases people should look in the OBi unit web page to see if changes were made. That is the only place that matters. I bet if you look there you might be surprised to see what you find. The phone is just another input device like the keyboard on the computer. The OBi can read input from either.
Where on the Obi website should I be looking to see if the changes were made?
Not on the web site. You need to look at the web page of the OBi unit itself.
On the unit web page you will see the following:
Confirm if you see the number you typed in along with some reference to SP1 or SP2
Voice Services
SP1/2 Service
Calling Features
Parameter Name
CallerIDName
MaxSessions
CallForwardUnconditionalEnable
CallForwardUnconditionalNumber
CallForwardOnBusyEnable <- Check box should be checked when active
CallForwardOnBusyNumber <- SP1/2(5145551212) some number should be here
CallForwardOnNoAnswerEnable
CallForwardOnNoAnswerNumber
CallForwardOnNoAnswerRingCount
peacefrogs,
Just in case you need to know. To get the ip of the OBi you can simply use the phone directly connected to the OBi and dial:
***1
I'm so sorry, but I need additional clarification. The only "unit webpage" that I'm familiar with is the page I see when I'm changing the settings of my Obi from obitalk.com when I log in.
QuoteVoice Services
SP1/2 Service
Calling Features
Parameter Name
CallerIDName
MaxSessions
CallForwardUnconditionalEnable
CallForwardUnconditionalNumber
CallForwardOnBusyEnable <- Check box should be checked when active
CallForwardOnBusyNumber <- SP1/2(5145551212) some number should be here
CallForwardOnNoAnswerEnable
CallForwardOnNoAnswerNumber
CallForwardOnNoAnswerRingCount
From that page, when I go into "Expert Configuration" I do not see that these boxes are checked. When I try to manually enter in numbers and check those boxes, I get little red exclamation boxes.
Some background reading which may be of interest at the moment.
Managing Your OBi Device Configuration: OBiTALK or OBi Web Page but NOT Both
http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=61.0
You can configure the OBi in 2 different ways. Using the method that you described over the internet using the Expert configuration tool, or locally by using the ip address of the OBi.
I suppose that you can also test it using your cell phone. Pick up the handset (make it busy), call in using your cell phone and see if it gets forwarded to the number that you configured with. Make sure that you dont use the same number as the cell phone that you will be calling in with.
Can you explain to me why the Expert Configuration changes that I made had little red exclamation points? I'd love to be able to just configure it while not next to the Obi (which I'm not right now) but there doesn't seem to be any documentation as to why I got those little error alerts.
OBi Expert Configuration (Introduction)
http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=458.0
You need a primer on the Expert tool. Have a looke at the above mentioned link.
Those two check boxes have caused alot of needless confusion for new users. They are not error messages. They are basically a way to force you to activly enable/disable the Expert tool configuration or to pick up and use the OBi unit settings. It is unusual and not intuitive in my opinion.
QuoteThose two check boxes have caused alot of needless confusion for new users. They are not error messages. They are basically a way to force you to activly enable/disable the Expert tool configuration or to pick up and use the OBi unit settings. It is an unusual and not intuitive in my opinion.
Thanks for the link. The check boxes weren't the error messages I was referring to. After I made the changes and submitted them, little circles with white exclamation points popped up at the righthand side of every field that I had changed with no additional information.
Quote from: peacefrogs on July 17, 2012, 02:13:59 PM
After I made the changes and submitted them, little circles with white exclamation points popped up at the righthand side of every field that I had changed with no additional information.
I don't ever use the Expert tool. I have tried it and prefer to configure the unit directly. I looked over the images on the link that I provided explaining the Expert tool, I don't see anything like you describe. Unless they have changed something recently, I don't see it in that guide. I think someone with more experience with the Expert tool should be more helpful than me.
Don't forget I also suggested that you can make a test call to see if the CF will work. There is no real need to verify any web page to conclude if the setting was accepted. Just test it with a phone call.
Hi, I went into the IP address of the phone itself and the checkboxes for CallForwardBusyEnable and CallForwardNoAnswerEnable are clicked and the number I'm sending those calls to: 855-XXX-XXXX is in there as XXXXXXXXXX (no +1, etc, etc).
But when I run tests they're going to my Google Voicemail box after a great number of rings. It doesn't forward, and I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
"Default" is unchecked. I tried attaching a screenshot but it didn't work. Help please!
CallForwardOnBusyEnable <- Check box should be checked when active (Confirmed Good!)
CallForwardOnBusyNumber <- SP1(5145551212) some number should be here with your Phone PrimaryLine
The Phone PrimaryLine is supposed to be the Trunk that you selected for the OBi to choose automatically to make the outgoing call from. Seems funny that SP1 or SP2, or a reference to Trunk Group or Obitalk Service is not in front of your number. That's how it shows on my box.
Looking directly in the OBi unit, you can find your setting here:
Setup Wizard->Outbound Settings->Phone PrimaryLine = ? <- What do you have here?
Okay I changed the forwarding number to SP1(XXXXXXXXXX) and my Outbound Settings are set to SP1 Service).
I have 2 lines coming into my Obi. Is that an issue? The SP1 is my primary number and the only number that's ever being called into.
Okay, when I leave the phone off the hook and call in it goes to the forwarding number, but when I place a call out and have someone else call in it goes to our general GV mailbox.
When I am on the phone with another number and someone calls in, it goes to the general GV mailbox.
On no answer (when no one is on the phone), it goes to the forwarding number.
So right now, it's working in many conditions, but not the ones that we need the most! What am I doing wrong?
peacefrogs,
You need to remember that GV allows 2 voice channels.
When you take the phone off hook it Forwards OK (GV thinks line is busy)
CallForwardOnBusyNumber (Seems to work)
It seems that when you are talking on the line (SP1 I presume) it goes to GV VM. I'm not certain if the 2nd voice channel is at play at this moment. BTW What number are you forwarding these calls to?
CallForwardOnNoAnswerEnable (?)
On no answer (when no one is on the phone), it goes to the forwarding number.
CallForwardOnNoAnswerEnable (Seems to work)
Let me understand your objectives.
1) You want all calls to be Forwarded?
2) No calls should ever reach the GV VM?
Since you mentioned that all incoming calls use the SP1 number, why don't you disable the SP2 acct for the time being in order to keep it simple.
You may want to look in the GV account settings as well for inspiration (click on the gear icon).
QuoteIt seems that when you are talking on the line (SP1 I presume) it goes to GV VM. I'm not certain if the 2nd voice channel is at play at this moment. BTW What number are you forwarding these calls to?
CallForwardOnNoAnswerEnable (?)
Yes the Call Forward on No Answer IS enabled. We are forwarding these calls to our answering service since we are a small business and trying to proxy a VirtualPBX.
QuoteLet me understand your objectives.
1) You want all calls to be Forwarded?
2) No calls should ever reach the GV VM?
I want calls to be answered by me, but when I am on the phone or placing a call or in the bathroom (aka unavailable) I would like the calls to forward to our answering service. I don't want them to not be answered by a real person.
QuoteSince you mentioned that all incoming calls use the SP1 number, why don't you disable the SP2 acct for the time being in order to keep it simple.
Okay.
QuoteYou may want to look in the GV account settings as well for inspiration (click on the gear icon)
Yea, I've sort of abused this option to its maximum up to this point. The problem is that having our calls forward to both the Obi and the Answering Services means Google rings them both simultaneously, not sequentially, so it becomes a race with the answering service to see who answers the call first.
I'd love to create the option within Obi to have the answering service only take the calls that I can't get to first.
Quote from: peacefrogs on July 18, 2012, 01:56:28 PM
The problem is that having our calls forward to both the Obi and the Answering Services means Google rings them both simultaneously, not sequentially, so it becomes a race with the answering service to see who answers the call first.
Did you consider not having GV forward the call to the other VM service. Let the OBi handle the CF.
QuoteDid you consider not having GV forward the call to the other VM service. Let the OBi handle the CF.
Right now Google Voice is only forwarding to the Obi. The voicemail that's picking up is the GV voicemail.
Jimmates is pretty good with GV settings. Perhaps he can suggest something. He should be along shortly.
There should normally be no problem in handling the call the way you want. Is call waiting also enabled for the phone port?
QuoteThere should normally be no problem in handling the call the way you want. Is call waiting also enabled for the phone port?
I'm not sure how to set that up. Yes, we get beeps in the ear when a call comes in and I'm on the phone, but the incoming call is still going to Google Voicemail and not being forwarded.
Ok.
As long as call waiting is enabled on the phone port, there will be no "busy" status to trigger the call forwarding unless you have two calls active at the same time.
As for call forward no answer, how many rings do you have set for forwarding. Google voice is going to pick up after 4 rings, which could possibly only be 3 on the Obi.
peacefrogs,
Quote from: peacefrogs on July 19, 2012, 10:26:36 AM
we get beeps in the ear when a call comes in and I'm on the phone, but the incoming call is still going to Google Voice mail and not being forwarded.
This is the 2nd GV voice channel at work. I can think of the following 2 different things that you might want to try. By now you are familiar with the location of the OBi settings:
A)CallForwardOnNoAnswerEnable = Ck mark
CallForwardOnNoAnswerNumber = VM tel number
CallForwardOnNoAnswerRingCount = 1
MessageWaiting =?
(I'm not sure if this need to be enabled or disabled. You may need to try both ways)
OR something completely different from anything else that we have tried.B)1) MaxSessions =1
2) Diable all CF numbers from the OBi and use GV to handle the CF using this approach.
I'm not sure how GV handles this setting. There are pros and cons in doing it this way.
Pro: 2nd GV calls should be forwarded by GV to your VM service if the line is being used in a call or off hook (I think)
Con: You can't make 3 way calls on the same SP trunk, since GV offers 2 voice channels. However a work around would be to use the second SP trunk to make the 3 way call.
Of course you loose the call waiting feature. It might be useful to know there is another incoming call and you know that you can pick it up later in the VM. I think another work around for this is to have the OBi fork the call to the SP2 trunk/OBitalk and have the OBi CF features set up only on the SP2/OBitalk trunks.
It's getting a little complicated, I know. Believe me it is no where as complicated as some of the set ups that RonR or others have successfully implemented.
Good Luck!
Okay, thanks to you guys helping me!
I changed the settings just now and ran a test. Right now I've got:
MaxSessions: 1
CallForward on NoAnswer: Enabled
Call Forward on Busy: Enabled
Call Forward No Answer Ring Count: 1
I called into the work number so that it would be occupied and then called it from another phone. The second incoming call rang a few times and then went into our general GV mailbox.
Quote from: peacefrogs on July 19, 2012, 01:25:45 PM
MaxSessions: 1
CallForward on NoAnswer: Enabled
Call Forward on Busy: Enabled
Call Forward No Answer Ring Count: 1
I called into the work number so that it would be occupied and then called it from another phone. The second incoming call rang a few times and then went into our general GV mailbox.
I assume you also got the call waiting beeps when you said "The second incoming call rang a few times and then went into our general GV mailbox."
You know how these things are. Everything is in the details. You've made a lot of changes. You may need to go back to some previous configuration state, so that you may evaluate the incremental differences of every change that you make.
It is not clear what is handling the CF in that setup. Is the the OBi or GV?
As jimates suggested disable the CallWaitingEnable switch in the OBi either by using the phone star code,
or in the OBi itself at:
*57 Disable Call Waiting
<--Star Code using the phonePhysical Interfaces->PHONE Port->Calling Features->CallWaitingEnable
<-- Disable this in the OBiTest it now.
The exclamation mark means that the current value in the field is not managed by Obitalk (and of course is not the default setting).