Menu
Plays an announcement and waits for a key press. Each digit has its own output: you only connect the ones you announce, and Timeout catches those who press nothing.
At a glance
| Outputs | 12: digits 0 to 9, the star *, and Timeout |
| Fields | Introduction message: and Timeout in seconds: |
| Timeout | from 5 to 60 seconds, in steps of 5, 30 seconds by default |
| Keys read | the ten digits and the star. The # key is not read |
| Attempts | 3 at most in case of invalid input, then the call is hung up |
| Where an announcement is created | Modules, then Audio messages |
How it works
The module picks up the call, plays the chosen announcement, then waits for a key press for the set delay. The announcement stops as soon as the caller presses a key: they don't need to listen to it in full. The delay itself only starts once the announcement has finished.
Each digit is a separate output on the module: you only connect the ones you announce. A key whose output isn't connected to anything is treated as invalid input, and the announcement is replayed. After three passes with no valid choice, the call is hung up.
The Timeout output is taken when the caller has dialed nothing within the delay. If it isn't connected to anything, the call is hung up without a word, which affects everyone who listens without acting, and there are many of them.
Under its title, the module shows the announcement's name and the chosen delay. As long as no announcement is chosen, a question mark is shown in its place.
What to fill in
| Field | What's expected | If you leave it blank |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction message: | an announcement from your installation, in the drop-down list | the module shows a question mark in place of the name, no announcement is played, and the caller has nothing to tell them which key to press |
| Timeout in seconds: | the time given to the caller after the announcement, from 5 to 60 seconds in steps of 5 | until you have opened the module and saved, no delay is written: the delay actually applied is then not the one the module shows |
Step by step
- Prepare the announcement in Modules, then Audio messages. It should state the choices in the order of the keys.
- Go back to the plan's Visual editor, place the Menu module and connect the previous node to its input.
- Open it with a double click, choose the Introduction message: from the list, and set Timeout in seconds:.
- Close the window with Save. The module shows its twelve outputs.
- Connect one output per announced key, and only those.
- Connect the Timeout output, to the greeting, a queue, or a voicemail box.
- Click Save in the editor's toolbar, then Apply changes.
- Make a real call and press each announced key, one after another. Call back one last time without pressing anything, to check the Timeout branch.
If it doesn't work
The announcement replays several times, then the call cuts off. The caller presses a key whose output isn't connected to anything. This is treated as invalid input, and after three passes the call is hung up. Connect that key's output, or redo the announcement so it's no longer offered.
Callers who press nothing are cut off. The Timeout output isn't connected to anything. This is the most common case on this module, and it affects a large share of calls.
The pound key does nothing. It isn't among the keys read by the module. Update your announcement so it no longer mentions it.
The caller hears no announcement and doesn't know what to do. No Introduction message: is chosen. The module then shows a question mark in place of the announcement's name. Create the message in Modules, Audio messages, then select it.
The delay feels longer than what I set. The delay is added on top of the announcement's duration: it only starts once the announcement has finished. To shorten the total wait, shorten the announcement first.
How the call flow is built, explained in pictures
See the Dial plans page