User`s guide

User’s Guide Voice mail operation

D.1

Voice mail operation

Your phone system provides accurate and timely messages. Others will become more comfortable leaving you

voice messages if you promptly retrieve and respond to your messages.

VOICE MAIL key

For direct access to all voice mail features, such as picking up messages or transferring directly to mailboxes:

• On a 48-Key or 24-Key Feature Phone — Use the blue VOICE MAIL key. It will blink whenever you have

one or more new messages, and the display will show you how many new and old messages are stored for

you on the ESI system.

• On a 12-Key Feature Phone — Assign key code 579 to a programmable feature key (see “Programmable

feature keys,” page C.3, and “Optional features,” page F.12). Until this has been done for your phone,

your mailbox is disabled. (When you try to access a disabled mailbox, the system will notify you that it’s

disabled.) You still can retrieve previously left messages and access user programming, but the mailbox won’t

be able to receive new voice messages. Therefore, to enable the mailbox, assign key code 579 to a

programmable feature key.

• On an ESI Cordless Handset — Use the blue-outlined VOICE MAIL key. The display, directly above the

VOICE MAIL key, will show an “envelope” icon when you have one or more new messages.

Personal greetings

Initially, your mailbox has a generic greeting: “You have reached the mailbox for extension xxx. Dial 0 to reach

the operator or begin recording at the tone.” You can record up to three different personal greetings in your own

voice indicating your availability to return calls.

Examples

Sample greeting 1: Hi, this is [name]. I’m away from my desk or on the phone right now; so please either dial zero to

reach our operator, or leave me your name, number and message at the tone and I’ll get back

to you as soon as I can.

Sample greeting 2: Hi, this is [name]. I’m out of the office. You may dial 1 2 2 for my assistant or, if you prefer, you

may leave me a voice message at the tone — I’ll check in regularly — or, if it’s important, dial 4

to reach me on my cell phone.

Sample greeting 3: Hi, this is [name]. I’m away from my desk at the moment. To reach the operator, dial zero.

Otherwise, leave your name and phone number at the beep so I can return your call.

Depending on auto attendant usage and your personal preferences, you may wish to include one or more of

these options in your personal greetings:

Option Instruction

0 To reach the operator

1 To skip directly to the record tone (or “beep”)

4 To perform off-premises “reach-me” (see “Off-premises ‘reach-me,’” page D.3)

8 To the main greeting (if your system is using the auto attendant)

XXX An extension number of another user

Note: Option 4 is available only when personal greeting 2 has been recorded.

You can change any personal greeting as often as necessary, by just recording over a previously recorded

personal greeting.

Warning: Do not delete all of your personal greetings; make sure at least one always remains. Deleting all the

greetings will turn off your mailbox.

These sample greetings refer to certain features which may not be activated for your extension; consult your System Administrator for additional

information, if necessary.