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More New Features and Improvements

We have added some more new features to the press1 system

- More flexible time control
- More space for recordings
- Call whisper
- Improved user interface experience

More flexible time control

Previously you could only set the days you were open and a fixed open/closed time for the week.
We have completely revised the time control to allow individual times per day and included an option to close for a lunch break (Phew!).

The time controller has also been updated to ‘remember’ your settings so if you switch to ‘always open’ or ‘always closed’ your ‘defined’ settings will be remembered.
TIP: Use <TAB> to move through time settings, there’s also an auto-complete function which will complete the zero’s for you if you only enter hours (don’t forget to use 24hr clock)

More space for sound recordings

You used to be able to store 10 recordings,  we know some of you found this a bit limiting.
You can now store up to 30 sound recordings on your switchboard (Hurray!) .

Call whisper

We’ve added a new call forward ‘action’ which provides a ‘call whisper’ to announce the digit pressed by the caller.  For example if  someone calls you (and call whisper is active) then presses ’1′, you (the call receiver) will here ‘line 1′ being announced immediately after answering (the caller hears ringing).

To activate choose “Forward to number (whisper)” as the call flow action. This feature is useful if you want to answer the line differently for different menu options or if you have no caller-id and want to be sure it’s  a press1 call.

Improved user interface experience

- We have improved the sound recordings upload facility to provide better feedback (and parallel file uploads).

- We have improved the ‘menu builder’ by making the interface faster and more consistent when adding/removing digits from the call menu.

- Help ON/OFF button is now persistent over login/out ie. of you turn the context help OFF then it will stay off until you turn it back on (even if you logout).

New Call Features and Improved User Interface

We have added some new features to press1 and improved the user interface.

New featured added are:
- Improved ‘call flow’ building: We have a new more flexible web interface for changing the call flow after a digit is pressed.
- Call hunting:  Let’s you perform ‘follow on’ calls (previously only group calling) .
- Call forward timer: setting allows you determine how long phone will ring before next action.
- Go back to greeting: You can now collect a digit, play a message and send the caller back to the switchboard menu.
- Separate busy handling: You can now have a different busy message or voicemail on each menu option (old system had common busy handling)

Read on for more details on configuring each feature

Improved ‘call flow’ building

Now call flow is much more flexible than before, it allows you to customise how the call will be handled after the caller selects a phone digit..

Here’s an example of how to build a basic call flow which forwards to number after the caller presses ’1′ , but if busy will play a message and collect a voicemail.

Step 1. Add a new digit to your switchboard

Step 2. Change the first action to Forward to Number.

Step 3.  Set the number (or numbers, you add up to 3 for group calling) and set ring time.

Step 4.  Add the next step by clicking [+] or add next action

Step 5.  Select the voicemail message you want to play if the ‘forward to’ number is busy

Step 6. Click add next action again and select Voicemail then email. (note that you can’t add any more actions because it will hang up after voicemail is left)

Call Hunting

In the past we only supported group calling (ringing a number of phones in parallel) when forwarding. We now also support call hunting, which means you can have follow on calls.

As an example we will show you how to setup hunting to call a landline phone for 30 seconds, then if there’s no answer follow with a call to mobile.

Step 1. Set the first menu action to Forward to Number.

Step 2. Enter the landline number you wish to forward to and set the ring time to 30.

Step 3. Click the [+] or add next action.

Step4. Set the action to Forward to Number and enter the mobile number with whatever ring time you require.
Note:  If you click Apply Changes without adding anything further the call will be hangup if the mobile is busy or unreachable.

Go Back to Greeting

Many users wanted an option to return to the main switchboard greeting after playing a recording, this menu adds that feature. Of course the call flow builder is flexible, so equally you could return to the main greeting if there’s nobody available to take a call.

Here’s a screen shot illustrating how you would play a message back to the caller after pressing ’1′ (for example to find out your mailing address) then send them back to the main menu.

Separate Busy Handling

We have changed busy/unavailable handling so it’s more intuitive and best of all, not common to all key press options.
This gives much more flexibility, for example you can have individual voicemail per digit chosen (you might want voicemail from sales to go to sales dept, and voicemail from support to go to support dept. ) . Equally you can have customised messages per department.

Here’s a screenshot illustrating the setup of a  separate busy meassage and voicemail email  for ’1′ and ’2′

Planned Work 21-01-2010@17:30 for 3 hours – No Login possible

We have planned maintenance on Thursday 21st of Jan @ 17:30 to improve switchboard functionality.

Work window is from 17:30 to 20:30, during this period there will be restricted access to your online account. CALLS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.

We will have a service announcement on completion to bring you details of the improvements.

VAT reduction

From Jan 1st 2010 VAT was reduced from 21.5% to 21%.
All VAT savings are past on to consumers.

The change in VAT affects pricing as follows

The following charges excluding VAT remain unchanged (ie. the price including VAT will be lower than before)
- All call charges
- All monthly charges

The charges excluding VAT were changed (ie. the price including VAT remains the same as before VAT change)
- All setup/activation fee’s
- Top-ups for Pay As You Use
There is no loss of benefit to the consumer for these changes as the full charge amount is credited to the balance on account (for example the pay-as-you-use top-up will still be 20 but calls are cheaper so the balance will last longer).

All charges can be viewed on our website.

If you are unclear on any issue related to VAT change please do not hesitate to contact support.

Q. Why are you charging 21% VAT ?

21% is the new Irish VAT rate where press1 HQ is based.
There are special rules for telecommunications, broadcasting and electronically supplied services.
In the case of business to consumer services are taxable at the place where the supplier is established.
In the case of supply to UK VAT registered businesses no VAT is charged.

Outage today (5-01-2010)

We had an outage today of incoming call handling.
Fault Start Time: 11:11am
Fault Resolution Time: 12:37pm

Initial fault led to 30% of calls failing, removal of the faulty node led to overload and complete failure of all calls. The faulty nodes continue to be pro-actively monitored, the manufacturers are performing a full investigation.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

New Referral Program

We’d like to let you all know, we have a new referral program.

It’s an easy way for existing customers to benefit from referring others to the press1 service.

It’s very easy to use – no special application forms or subscription is required.

How it works
You get someone new to sign up as a press1.co.uk customer and we will credit your press1 account with the sign-up fee they paid.

Click here to find out more

A new video – How to record sound files in Audacity

Here’s how to record sound files for upload to press1 using audacity – audacity is a nifty cross platform FREE sound recorder/editor

A new video on how to record and upload sound files

Here’s our new vid. on making and uploading sound files

New video’s introducing the press1 control panel

Just released a new video to help users understand the basics of the press1 web control panel