Ucm6xxx Call Center Guide
Ucm6xxx Call Center Guide
Ucm6xxx Call Center Guide
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 4
Table of Tables
One of the major functionalities that a VoIP system must provide are call center features, allowing SMBs to
implement their own local call center and better serve their customers by phone calls.
There are hundreds of different hardware/software providers across the globe that integrate call center
functionalities into their solutions, and every call center system has its pros and cons. When selecting the
right call center system for your business, contact center, or call center, it's important to decide which
features you want your phone system to have.
Grandstream Networks, being the leading manufacturer of VoIP equipment, has built into its well-known
UCM6XXX IP-PBX series many call center features that businesses are requesting and will continue to add
more options to attend to its customer’s needs. On the following guide, we will cover in detail all the major
modules and features provided by UCM6XXX IP-PBX series that will help you run your own call center in
the most possible efficient way.
Call Queues
UCM supports one of the fundamental building blocks of every call center system, that is call queues.
UCM6xxx
Callers
Users can also set other useful features and options that we summarize on the following table:
Option Description
Configure the maximum number of calls to be queued at once. This number does
not include calls that have been connected with agents. It only includes calls not
connected yet. The default setting is 0, which means unlimited. When the
Max Queue Length maximum value is reached, the caller will be treated with busy tone followed by
the next calling rule after attempting to enter the queue.
If a failover destination is configured, when the maximum value is reached, the
following caller will be transferred to the failover destination directly.
Configure the number of seconds before a new call can ring the queue after the
Wrapup Time last call on the agent is completed. If set to 0, there will be no delay between calls
to the queue. The default setting is 10 seconds.
Retry Time Configure the number of seconds to wait before ringing the next agent.
Max Wait Time The default setting is "0" which means unlimited.
Note: It is recommended to configure "Wait Time" longer than the "Wrapup Time".
With this feature, users can configure a failover destination to which send callers
when the call timeout or when all agents are busy, there are two modes for this
feature:
• Failover destination after Max wait time: for this mode, users need to
configure the Max Wait Time under call queue basic settings to set the call
Destination queue timeout and set the destination to where send callers after this timeout.
• Triggered failover destination (configuration using the fields below):
This mode is useful in case all agents are busy and you want to prompt
periodically the caller to choose between stay waiting on the queue or press
a button to be transferred to a failover destination (Ex: an IVR, another queue
or an external number).
Configure the voice prompt cycle (in seconds) of the call queue. Once all agents
Destination Prompt are busy and the voice prompt will be played, and you can press the appropriate
Cycle
key to transfer to failover destination.
Custom Prompt When playing a custom prompt, press 1 to transfer to failover destination.
Select failover destination to send callers after pressing 1 upon hearing the
Destination
custom prompt.
Enables agent login/logout feature for static agents (supported only on GXP21XX
Enable Agent Login
phones with fw higher than 1.0.9.18). refer to [Agent Easy Login].
Configure whether the callers will be disconnected from the queue or not if the
queue has no agent anymore. The default setting is "Strict".
• Yes: Callers will be disconnected from the queue if all agents are paused or
invalid.
Leave When Empty
• No: Never disconnect the callers from the queue when the queue is empty.
• Strict: Callers will be disconnected from the queue if all agents are paused,
invalid or unavailable.
Configure whether the callers can dial into a call queue if the queue has no agent.
The default setting is "No".
If enabled, the UCM will replace the caller display name with the Call Queue name
so that the caller knows the call is incoming from a Call Queue.
Replace Display Name
This option can be useful when an agent is a member of multiple call queues and
wants to see from which call queue is coming-in.
Enable feature codes option for call queue. For example, *83 is used for “Agent
Enable Feature Codes
Pause”
Dynamic Login If enabled, the configured PIN number is required for dynamic agent to log in. The
Password default setting is disabled.
This option can be used to set customized alert-info header when sending call
Alert-Info signal from the PBX to agent’s phones, thus allowing to have distinctive ringtone
for call queue calls.
Below are the steps for basic creation and configuration of call queues from the UCM’s web GUI:
1. Access the UCM web GUI under Call FeaturesCall Queue.
2. Click on “Add” to create a new call queue.
3. Specify the call queue extension number under Extension field.
4. Define a name for this call queue.
5. Configure the call queue strategy under Strategy.
6. Go to “Agents” tab to select available agents to receive calls.
7. Press Save button and apply the new changes.
For Agents configuration and management, please check [Agents Management] for more details.
Virtual Queue
A new function named Virtual Call Queue has been added to the UCM’s call queue module, this allows
customers to receive a callback instead of waiting in an ACD queue.
After a customer’s waiting time exceeds a configurable threshold, he/she will be prompted to choose
between stay waiting on the queue or leave a call-back number without losing his position in the queue.
When it’s his turn, the UCM will place automatically a call to the call-back number.
This feature can be enabled and configured under the advanced settings of each call queue, and it does
support two modes:
• Offer menu after timeout: The caller will be prompted by a menu to set callback number or
continue waiting after the virtual queue threshold period was exceeded.
• Triggered on user request: The menu will be prompted to the caller once he/she presses 2.
Music On Hold
UCM supports also Music on hold, which is largely used on call center systems. Once
a call reaches the queue, the customer will be usually prompted with an IVR menu and
listen to a music on hold while waiting for an agent to take the call.
The music on hold files are managed under PBX SettingsMusic On Hold and once
this is done, users can assign to each call queue a specific music on hold as desired.
Agents Management
Call center agents which handle incoming queue calls and outgoing calls with
customers on a daily basis can be defined in two different ways:
➢ Static Agents
The administrator can assign static agents to a call queue using the following
steps.
Note: The maximum number of static agents for a queue depends on the UCM model as shown below:
➢ Dynamic Agents
The second method by which agents can be used is to give them the flexibility to dynamically login and
logout from the call queue, this way the agent will log-in once arrived at the office and logout when leaving.
For this, the administrator needs to configure the login code by following below steps:
1. Access the web GUI menu Call FeaturesCall QueueDynamic Agent Login Settings.
2. Set the login/logout extension postfix (Ex: * for login and ** for logout).
3. Save and Apply.
Once this is done, the administrator can instruct the agents that they can use the queue extension number
followed by the corresponding postfix in order to log in/out respecting working hours.
➢ Agents Pause
When an agent needs to take a break (for lunch as an example) they can simply dial the “agent pause”
feature code *83 then when he/she is back they can change the status to available by dialing the “agent
Unpause” code *84.
These codes can be customized under Call FeaturesFeature CodesFeature Codes menu of the
UCM’s web GUI.
➢ Agent Easy Login
This feature the static agents to easily login/logout from their call queues using a simple button press to
either login or logout. From their phone they can see the list of call queue that they are members in, and
once they are in office they can choose to which call queues to login and after the end of the day they can
press a button again to logout, thus removing the pain to remember the dynamic login/logout code and the
queue extension number.
• Linear
The calls will ring at agents’ phones following an order previously
configured. Only for static agents.
• Least Recent
The system selects the agents who have not answered the phone for
the longest period.
• Fewest Calls
The system assigns the call to the agent with the lowest number of
calls answered so far.
• Random
Ring a random agent.
• Round Robin
Ring the agents in Round Robin scheduling with memory.
Call Control
Agents have full control over the calls with the support of almost all known features that are needed within
a call center system for day to day operations, these features set include the following:
• Call park
To use these features, the users have two options.
For example, the agent can use “Transfer” button on his phone in order to transfer call or use the UCM’s
corresponding feature code for call hold in order to put a call on hold.
Note: For this first option, make sure to Enable Feature Codes under Call Queue Advanced settings.
The Agent can access to his/her user portal under call queue CTI where they can see active calls and have
option buttons to operate and control the call, more details will be provided later on this document.
Monitoring
UCM supports some of the interesting monitoring features that are usually used within call center systems
by supervisor and coaching personnel to assist agents during critical situations. These features can be
used either via specific features codes or using CTI interface.
Call Barging
With call barging, supervisors can use feature codes after enabling the Spy option under Call
FeaturesFeature Codes page to do the following operations:
• Listen
In “Listen” mode, the extension monitoring the call can hear both parties in the active call but the
audio of the user on this extension will not be heard by either party in the monitored active call.
• Whisper
In “Whisper” mode, the extension monitoring the call can hear both parties in the active call. The
user on this extension can only talk to the selected monitored extension and he/she will not be heard
by the other party in the active call. This can be usually used to supervise calls.
• Barge
In “Barge” mode, the extension monitoring the call can talk to both parties in the active call. The call
will be established similar to three-way conference.
Same operations can be performed using the web GUI of the UCM from call status page and switchboard.
Whisper Coaching
As mentioned above, one of the three modes for call barging in UCM is the
Whisper mode. This mode allows supervisors and coaching personnel to
assist agents during critical situations which require intervention. Whenever
the agent answers a call, the call conversation audio will be forwarded to the
supervisor, and the supervisor's audio will be forwarded to the agent for
instructions but not to the customer.
Statistics
UCM has also built-in call queue statistics for performance measurement and agent’s evaluation, thus
helping managers and supervisors making the right decision to improve the call center day to day
operations. The call queue statistics provided by the UCM have some amazing filtering options which can
be used to get every detailed information about the performance of each queue separately or the full
system.
➢ Supervisor configuration
To setup and give special permissions for monitoring and control to the supervisor account, following steps
can be followed:
1. Access the UCM web GUI under Extension/TrunkExtensions and edit the agent’s extension.
2. Go to features Tab and under “Monitor Privilege Control” select the extension of the supervisor.
3. Press Save and go under Call featuresFeature Codes then “Enable Spy”.
4. Go under Call FeaturesCall QueueAdvanced settings and select the supervisor’s extension
under Queue Chairman option, this will give the supervisor control through the switchboard.
5. Save and apply the changes.
The following figure shows a sample view of the call queue statistics page.
GS Affinity
Grandstream Affinity is an easy to use CTI application allowing interaction with Grandstream
GXP17xx/GXP21xx IP Phones series. GS Affinity provides a smooth call management and control
interaction between phones and computers running the application. Using GS Affinity CTI application, users
will be able to get benefits from following major features:
• Complete call control (call answer, call hold, DND, call forward, conference, call transfer etc.…).
• Incoming calls notifications on desk computer allowing caller numbers to be screened against a
database to collect or provide more information related to caller.
The second way Grandstream provides CTI solution the web based switchboard under call queue, following
section will give more details about this option.
Switchboard
UCM has a simple and easy to use switchboard for real time monitoring of call queues and performing
different operations which include:
Users can access to call queue switchboard via two different methods that we will be discussing next.
Users could log into their web GUI portal using the extension number and user password. When an
extension is created in the UCM6XXX, the corresponding user account for the extension is automatically
created. The user portal allows access to a variety of features which include user information, extension
configuration and CDR as well as settings and managing value-added features like webRTC, Fax Sending,
Call Queue, Wakeup Service and CRM.
Each agent can log into his/her user portal account and access to the switchboard of the call queue(s)
where he belongs, below figure is an example:
From the command button on the proceeding call, the agent has the ability to transfer the call or Hangup
using a simple click.
Queue Chairman
Another way to access to switchboard is to design under the advanced settings of the call queue a “queue
chairman” which will provide a CTI interface for supervisor while logging using their user portal.
From the switchboard, the queue chairman has more advanced features and control over the call queue,
which include the following:
You can see from below figure a sample switchboard of a call queue chairman or “supervisor” and which
obviously has more advanced control over the call queue than the normal agent user portal access as
discussed on the previous section.
CRM
Customer relationship management (CRM) is a term that refers to practices, strategies and
technologies that companies use to manage and analyze customer interactions and data
throughout the customer lifecycle, with the goal of improving business relationships with
customers.
The UCM support CRM API for two well-known CRM solutions, SugarCRM and Salesforce,
this allows users to look for contact information in the Contacts, Leads and / or Accounts
tables, shows the contact record in CRM page, and saves the call information in the
contact’s history.
CRM Interaction gets more interesting as well if we consider the integration with CTI app
developed by Grandstream [GS Affinity]. Where the agents will get contact, information
displayed on their screen and get a link to go directly to the contact’s CRM page, allowing them to handle
the call ins more customized way and give the client better experience.
➢ CRM Configuration
To setup connection between UCM and CRM, please follow below steps:
After this, each agent should log into his/her user portal to enable CRM connection and login via their
credentials. Steps should be as following:
1. Access the UCM user portal and navigate to Value Added FeaturesCRM.
2. Enter connection credentials Username, Password and security token.
3. Save and Apply and confirm login status.
The UCM has support for a full built-in IVR (auto-attendant) module which is required by every call center
telephony system. Users could create up to 5-level IVR system to customize callers experience with key-
pressing events to be directed to the right customer service (sales, marketing, tech support …)
All IVR settings are centralized and can be managed under the menu Call FeaturesIVR.
Users could follow below steps in order to setup key pressing events for IVR cascading:
1. Access the UCM web GUI under Call FeaturesIVR then edit the main IVR.
2. Navigate to the Key Pressing Events tab.
3. Select a key, then select one of the available destinations (You can select another IVR to set multi-
layer IVR).
Another feature that is considered major for any call center system, is call recording. The UCM has support
for call recording either to be enabled automatically on the call queue settings or via feature codes during
the active calls. The admin can enable auto recording under each call queue to keep track of call records
under the system for later agent monitoring, assessment and verification usage.
Once the auto record feature has been enabled on a call queue, the system will start recording all calls that
are received on the specific queue in wav files which can be accessed from the following path:
Call FeaturesCall QueuesQueue Recordings.
Then the user can:
After we have presented the call center features that are supported on the UCM, we will move on the next
part of this document to cover a sample scenario and step by step configuration of these features from the
web GUI.
Centralized Mode
Scenario Overview
The company ABC has different departments (Sales, Marketing, Support…) and needs to manage incoming
calls per department.
In order to implement the described scenario, users can follow the below procedures:
1. Create three call queues named sales, marketing and support and make sure to set the correct
ring strategy. [Call Queue Configuration]
The following table summarizes required settings for each queue respecting the requirements.
Table 2: Call Queue Basic Settings
2. Create the main IVR and set the key pressing events as below [Key Pressing Configuration]
3. Enable dynamic agent login for tech support personal 1015, 1016 and 1017 [Dynamic Agents]
4. Configure extension 2000 as the queue chairman [Supervisor configuration]
5. Configure the virtual queue and enable position announcement on each queue [Virtual Queue
& Position Announcement configuration]
6. Setup outbound rule for client’s callback feature, as followed:
• Access the UCM web GUI under Extension/TrunkOutbound Routes.
• Add new outbound rule and name it (you can name if for ex: call center callback).
• Set pattern as _0X. assuming 0 was the prefix configured on call queue advanced settings.
• Set Strip to 1 digit. This to remove the prefix from the number that the customer left.
• Select through which trunk you want to callback the customers.
• Save and Apply.
7. Setup UCM to SugarCRM connection [CRM Configuration]
Company ABC has been successful and expanded its existence with two additional branch offices for
customer technical support, in this case the headquarter office UCM still maintain centralized CRM
integration services and call distribution to branch offices where each UCM runs its own branch sub-call
center for technical support.
Once an incoming call reaches the main UCM, users will be asked to select from which region they are
calling to be directed to the correct technical support office. The following figure shows the new distributed
call center architecture of the enterprise.
Configuration steps
Following steps can be followed in order to meet the new company requirements:
1. Make sure that UCM for Branch 1 and 2 have separate extension range than headquarters UCM.
2. Configure peer trunk between headquarter and branch offices for site to site connectivity, please
follow this guide in order to setup the trunk.
3. Edit the main IVR to add new options for regional office redirection under key pressing events.
[Key Pressing Configuration]
Note: You can add local IVR for each branch office in order to set customized regional prompt.
4. Create call queues for each branch office where you put the corresponding agents extensions.
And choose the adequate ring strategy (i.e. Ring All). [Call Queue Configuration]
5. Setup virtual queue and position announcement on each queue [Virtual Queue & Position
Announcement configuration]
6. Configure the outbound routes on each branch office in order to route callback calls through the
SIP peer trunk to the main UCM which will reroute over
Note: The number from branch UCM should stay with the callback prefix so that when it reaches the main
UCM, it can match the outbound rule that routes call back requests.