A list of features a PBX might support:

Please help us explain all these functions - or add other functions!
Also, edit the descriptions and add examples of how to achieve each function in Asterisk, either system wide or per channel type depending on the function.

• Account Code: Account code for dialing calls
• Alternate Number Ring: Assign a different number to same line that rings with a different cadence
• Attendant: Main Operator extension
• Autodialer: Support multiple autodialing techniques
• Automatic Attendant
• PBX Automatic Line Selection
• Automatic Hold
• PBX Automatic Redial
• Automated directory: Automatically connect to an extension by name
• Automatic Call Distribution: ACD
• Barge-In: Allow an extension to break into a call at another extension
• Billed Calls Only: Outgoing calls must be collect or 3rd-party billed
• Boss-secretary functions: The boss'es phone and the secretary's phone are linked togheter
• PBX Busy Ring
• Call Back
• Call Center: Organizations using PBX technology
• Call Forwarding: Redirects all incoming calls towards other extension
• Call Monitoring
• Call Recording
• Call Return: ??
• Call Through: Service for savings on local interconnect charges
• Call Transfer: Hand a call off to another extension
• Call Trace: mark a call in system logs as requiring tracing or special attention
• Call Park: Place a call on hold and allow anyone to dial an extension and take the call
• Call Pickup: Take a parked call off hold
• Call Waiting: Receive a tone indicating another call is waiting for attention
• Calling ID: Identify (or block identification) of caller's phone number or phone number and name
• PBX Calling Plans
• Camp On
• Computer Telephony: technology encompassing many PBX features
• Conference Call: Allow 3 or more parties to connect together
• Consultation Hold: Allow caller to be put on hold while user calls another extension
• PBX Custom Greeting: Change announcement according to special criteria
• PBX Custom Menus: Customized option menus for an automated attendant
• Device Inventory
• PBX Direct Inward System Access: In short: DISA
• Direct Line, HOT line or Private Line Automatic Ringdown: connects directly to another extension (might be the operator) when phone is taken off hook
• Disable Call Waiting: Prevent call waiting for one call
• Do Not Disturb: In short: DND
• Extension Dialing: Dial a number on the system with only 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 digits
• Extension Mobility: Sometimes known as extension roaming
• PBX Failure Alarm: Rings a remote alarm if the PBX fails
• Fax on Demand: Allow the user to be given a fax
• Follow Me: have calls automatically transferred elsewhere
• Forward on Busy/No Answer transfer if line is in use or doesn't answer
• Hunt Groups: transfer a busy number to another extension
• PBX Hold: Allow a call to be kept in the system when hanging up
• PBX Incoming Only: Line cannot dial out
• Incoming Queue: Place incoming calls in a wait list to be answered
• Interactive Voice Response; Automatic call answering and routing
• intercom: solves the problem of yelling to your secretary thru the wall.
• IP Telephony: VoIP calling
• Last Number Redial: dial a code to call the last (regular) number dialed
• Least Cost Routing: routes calls from fixed-to-mobile via cheaper mobile-to-mobile calls.
• Location-Based Routing: Route an incoming call dependent on where the caller is (ANI application)
• Message Waiting Indicator: MWI
• Mobility Extension (Mobex): for connecting mobile phones and other external telephony devices to the PBX.
• PBX Music on Hold: play music or a recording while the caller is on hold
• Night Answer: change where calls go if line is placed in 'night service'
• Non Supervise: Line that can answer without giving supervision allowing a non-charged call.
• PBX Outgoing Only: Line cannot receive calls
• PBX Override Line: Allow a higher-priority user to seize use of a trunk for outgoing call
• PBX Performance Measurements
• Predictive Dialing - Automatically dial numbers connecting live answers to agents
• Public Address - Similar to intercom but uses an external audio system. Example, overhead paging in a warehouse environment.
• Restricted extension: Extension cannot be dialed from outside line or some or all inside extensions
• Screen Pop
• PBX Series Completion
• PBX Seize Call: Allow an extension to take a call from another extension and disconnect the other extension
• Skill Based Routing
• SMS Server: Sending and receiving SMSs on the PC, multiple sending, sending to a closed user group..
• Softphone: Embedded PBX features in web or PC applications
• Speed Dial: ??
• Three Way Calling
• PBX Toll Restriction: Limit calls to certain numbers
• Voice Messaging: voice mail and give greeting / announcements
• Voice Broadcasting: Send recorded phone messages
• Visual Phone Dialer: Visual interface for handling, viewing and monitoring all desk phone call activity from the PC
• Voice Portal:
• Wake-up Call: Automatically send wake up calls
• Web-Based MACs

See Also

• SIP PBX functions: How SIP implements these functions
• Asterisk PBX functions: How Asterisk implements these functions
• Database Systems Corp.: Phone System Features

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