SUGGESTIONS Transfer directly to voicemail using Grandstream Sidecar

[[email protected]]

So I have a customer with a NEC PBX where the operator has a DTerm Series E phone with two sidecars attached that provide BLF functionality. On an incoming call, she can select the sidecar button first and then selects either transfer button or transfer to voicemail button functions on the DTerm. Basically she chooses the destination and then the function.
With the Grandstream Extension panel GXP-2200-EXT programmed for BLF keys, I am able to use the Transfer button on the phone and select the BLF button for an extension to transfer the call to the appropriate extension. This sequence is opposite the Nec's sequence in that the function is selected first and then the destination. No big deal for transfers and it work just as well.
The problem comes when I want to transfer direct to voicemail. Normally with Asterisk, I can press ##*<dialedExtension#> to transfer a call directly to an extension's voicemail. I thought I should be able on the Grandstream to press Transfer * BLF button to do the same thing but it seems pressing the BLF erases the * from the dial string. The call instead is transferred to the extension as if the * was not entered. I can press Transfer button * <dialedExtension#> and the call goes to the voicemail but this requires the operator to remember all extension numbers and is many more key presses.
Does anyone have any suggestions on this?

 

[[email protected]]

So I have a customer with a NEC PBX where the operator has a DTerm Series E phone with two sidecars attached that provide BLF functionality. On an incoming call, she can select the sidecar button first and then selects either transfer button or transfer to voicemail button functions on the DTerm. Basically she chooses the destination and then the function.
With the Grandstream Extension panel GXP-2200-EXT programmed for BLF keys, I am able to use the Transfer button on the phone and select the BLF button for an extension to transfer the call to the appropriate extension. This sequence is opposite the Nec's sequence in that the function is selected first and then the destination. No big deal for transfers and it work just as well.
The problem comes when I want to transfer direct to voicemail. Normally with Asterisk, I can press ##*<dialedExtension#> to transfer a call directly to an extension's voicemail. I thought I should be able on the Grandstream to press Transfer * BLF button to do the same thing but it seems pressing the BLF erases the * from the dial string. The call instead is transferred to the extension as if the * was not entered. I can press Transfer button * <dialedExtension#> and the call goes to the voicemail but this requires the operator to remember all extension numbers and is many more key presses.
Does anyone have any suggestions on this?

I am not married to Grandstream. If someone knows an operator/receptionist phone that will work as required I am open to suggestions.

 

[progs_00]

Hi [email protected]

The only thing that comes to my mind is to make a different set of BLFs containing the asterisk with the number. In my 2160 it works fine

 

[[email protected]]

Thank you progs_00. I'll try this. Seems a bit expensive though as far as Extension Panel keys.

 

[krzykat]

That's exactly what I had to do. Extra set of BLF's for direct to vmail.

 

[[email protected]]

This does work. Thank you.

 

[progs_00]

Great. Not the most ellegant solution nut gets the job done.
Thanks for getting back
Bye