Call Processors are also known as "Automated Attendants". They're the "Press 1 for So-and-so" messages you get when you make a call. Typical applications for the University are to route calls that are made to your main number to the various members of your staff without having to go through a live receptionist, and possibly take care of some frequently asked questions that can be answered without the need to talk to someone.
Call Processors are a part of the Voicemail system. The simplest Call Processor is built into every Voicemail Mailbox. It's called your "Personal Operator" and it can be configured when you first get your account or anytime thereafter. Your Personal Operator is an option you can give callers when they reach your voicemail. During your personal greeting the caller can press "0" and during regular business hours (8AM-5PM M-F) the system will transfer the caller to whatever campus or Local off-campus number (No Long Distance numbers) you've asked us to assign as your Personal Operator. An example of your greeting would be, "You've reached me, but I can't take your call right now. You can press 0 to be transferred to the front desk during regular business hours or leave a message after the beep".
The more elaborate Call Processors can be used as the personal greeting of your current voicemail account or for a campus phone number without a phone physically connected to them.
If used for your personal greeting your message would say something like, "I can't take your call right now but you can press 1 for Harry or 2 for Sally or stay on the line and leave me a message after the beep".
If used as a main number without a physical phone connected, your caller would hear something like, "This is the XYZ department, please select an option from the menu. Press 1 for this person doing this job, press 2 for this person doing this job". These Call Processors can also transfer to a number you choose if the caller waits and doesn't do anything or doesn't have a touch-tone phone: "Stay on the line and you will be transferred to the main desk". If your intention is just to provide information then it can be set to hang up after the message is finished.
Call Processors take the same space on the system as a Voicemail box, and the charge is the same, $2.00 a month. If you need extra Call Processors ("Press 9 for more options"), then there is an additional $2.00 a month charge for those also.
If you're interested in a Call Processor, think of what you want it to say and write it all down. Telecommunications can go from there with the programming. You will be responsible for recording the announcements, but we'll guide you through the setup. Your Call Processor Mailbox will have a Security Code only you know just like your current Voicemail Mailbox, and you can access it from any phone if you ever need to change the message.