Automated attendant for any combination of PBX, centrex and single-line telephones

A method of controlling administration of automated attendant services provided by at least one information services system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing access to switch configuration data, including a physical switch type, for each physical switch connecting subscribers of one of the automated attendant services to the information services system;
• (b) providing access to an access number table with at least one access number for each automated attendant service and a first switch identifier indicating the physical switch type used for transfers to and from a corresponding access number;
• and
• (c) providing access to an extension specification matrix correlating extension numbers to telephone numbers and at least one second switch identifier, for each automated attendant service.

A method of automatically answering telephone calls for subscribers of a first automated attendant service, comprising the steps of:

• (a) obtaining an extension number from a caller using an audio menu to prompt input of the extension number;
• (b) signaling a first physical switch connecting the caller to the first automated attendant service to place the caller on hold;
• (c) calling a telephone corresponding to the extension number input by the caller while the caller is on hold;
• (d) connecting the caller directly to the telephone corresponding to the extension number if said calling in step (c) reaches a called party and an indication is obtained to connect the caller and the called party;
• and
• (e) performing a failed call procedure if said connecting in step (d) is not performed.

An apparatus for automatically answering telephone calls to a telephone of a subscriber of an automated attendant service, comprising:

• caller interface means for obtaining an extension number from a caller using an audio menu to prompt input of the extension number;
• signal means for signaling a first physical switch connecting the caller to the automated attendant service to place the caller on hold;
• out-dialing means for calling the telephone corresponding to the extension number input by the caller while the caller is on hold;
• and
• control means for controlling said signal means to connect the caller directly to the telephone corresponding to the extension number if said calling means obtains an answer from a called party and an indication is received to connect the caller and the called party, and otherwise controlling said caller interface means to perform a failed call procedure .