Switchvox - How do I require a password from certain extensions before dialing an outgoing call?

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It is possible to use IVRs to prevent certain phones from dialing outbound numbers unless they dial a password.

There are two steps to accomplish this:

• First, you must alter the extension's permissions to deny all outbound calls by default.

• Second, you must create an IVR that allows the user to call out if they have entered in a correct password.

Step 1. Altering an extension's permissions:

In the Web Admin, under Setup:

1. Click Manage and modify the extension for the phone that you would like to do enable this feature.  

2. Click on the Outgoing Call Rules tab. Remove all outgoing call rules except for internal.

3. Click the "Save SIP Extension" button.

Step 2. Creating the IVR:

There are two IVRs that need to be created. The first IVR prompts the user for a password and sends them to the second IVR if the password is valid. The second IVR prompts the user for a number to dial and then dials that number.

Here is the action list for the IVR #1.

• Play Sound - "Please enter your password followed by the pound key"

• Record Digits - password

• Conditional Clause - If password = 1234 go to IVR #2

• Play Sound - "Sorry, the password you typed is incorrect"

• Go To IVR Menu/Action - IVR #1, IVR menu beginning

Here is the action list for the IVR #2:

• Play Sound - "Please enter the number you wish to dial followed by the pound key"

• Record Digits - set to a variable (number_to_dial)

• Send to External Number - choose the variable (number_to_dial)

Make sure you click the checkboxes labeled "Allow" next to all of the outbound rules you wish to permit the users with the correct password to dial in your "Send to External Number" action.

After your IVRs have been created, the final step is to assign an extension to IVR #1.

• Navigate to Extensions --> Manage Extensions in the Web Admin.

• Click on the "Create A New Extension" button.

• Choose "IVR" for the Extension Type drop-down menu and click the "Create New Extension" button.

• Assign an extension number, for example, 833, and select "IVR #1" and "IVR Menu Beginning" from the drop-down boxes.

• Click the "Create Extension" button.

Once this is done, callers from the phones that you have configured in Step 1 can now dial 833, enter their password (1234 in this example) and enter the phone number they wish to call followed by the pound key.