I was wondering if there is something out there that can provide computer control of some double-throw switches that control our incoming phone lines.
Let me explain: We have 4 analog phone lines coming into our office. During the day, they bring calls into and out of our company PBX system. Our company provides electric motor repair services. I am the IT person for the company and generally familiar with electrical devices/electronics.
We recently installed a computer to handle our after-hours technician calls. The computer is running a program that takes incoming calls, gives the caller an option of choosing a location, then puts the caller on hold while dialing whichever technician is responsible for the location and connects him to the caller.
Our phone installer installed 4 simple toggle switches on each of the incoming phone lines. When the switches are in the up postion, calls go to our PBX system. When they are down, calls go to the after-hours calls computer.
At 5:00 PM every day, someone has to manually flip the 4 switches down. In the morning at 8:00 AM, someone has to flip them up again so that incoming calls once again go to our PBX.
Having this "manual" element in the system is a real pain. Someone has to be designated to do this task, and there is always a worry that it may be forgotten some time. And also someone has to be present to do it.
I was wondering if there exists something out there--somewhere--that could automate this process for us. Something that is computer-controlled would be nice--just set it to switch the switches at the appointed times. If it had the ability to have someone call in and do it that way would be a great additional option. Or being able to do it from an internet connection.
There is, however, one very important consideration with any system we might implement. When the switches are manually switched at the close of the business day, I have to make sure that no one is currently using that line or I would interrupt their call. So sometimes I have to wait before flipping one of the switches until a call is completed.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I am hoping that someone can offer a suggestion....it is truly appreciated!
Let me explain: We have 4 analog phone lines coming into our office. During the day, they bring calls into and out of our company PBX system. Our company provides electric motor repair services. I am the IT person for the company and generally familiar with electrical devices/electronics.
We recently installed a computer to handle our after-hours technician calls. The computer is running a program that takes incoming calls, gives the caller an option of choosing a location, then puts the caller on hold while dialing whichever technician is responsible for the location and connects him to the caller.
Our phone installer installed 4 simple toggle switches on each of the incoming phone lines. When the switches are in the up postion, calls go to our PBX system. When they are down, calls go to the after-hours calls computer.
At 5:00 PM every day, someone has to manually flip the 4 switches down. In the morning at 8:00 AM, someone has to flip them up again so that incoming calls once again go to our PBX.
Having this "manual" element in the system is a real pain. Someone has to be designated to do this task, and there is always a worry that it may be forgotten some time. And also someone has to be present to do it.
I was wondering if there exists something out there--somewhere--that could automate this process for us. Something that is computer-controlled would be nice--just set it to switch the switches at the appointed times. If it had the ability to have someone call in and do it that way would be a great additional option. Or being able to do it from an internet connection.
There is, however, one very important consideration with any system we might implement. When the switches are manually switched at the close of the business day, I have to make sure that no one is currently using that line or I would interrupt their call. So sometimes I have to wait before flipping one of the switches until a call is completed.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I am hoping that someone can offer a suggestion....it is truly appreciated!