A standard call queue places callers on hold until an agent is available, with each agent handling one call at a time. The Call Control feature complements a regular call queue by limiting how many calls can simultaneously connect to your phone system, regardless of the number of available agents. This ensures your system isn't overloaded by managing overall call volume effectively.
Think of Call Control like a bouncer managing the entrance to a venue: it ensures the venue never exceeds its maximum capacity. Callers will wait in line until a spot is free. If the queue becomes too long or the waiting time too extended, callers may be turned away or redirected according to your configured settings.
Connected Calls
Limits the number of calls that can be connected simultaneously. Additional callers are placed in a queue (on hold).
Example: If your phone system can only handle 5 simultaneous calls, set this limit slightly lower (e.g., 3 or 4) to ensure lines remain available for outgoing calls.
Hold Calls (Maximum number of calls on hold)
Limits how many callers can wait in the hold queue, controlling queue length and caller wait times. When the limit is reached, new calls exit Call Control and are handled according to the Announce and Hangup When Full settings.
On-Hold Greeting (Yes/No)
Determines whether callers hear a custom greeting before being placed on hold.
- If a custom greeting is provided and this option is enabled, callers hear your customized message before entering the queue.
- If no custom greeting is provided and Announce is enabled, callers will hear the default message: "Please wait for the next available agent."
- If disabled (set to "No") and no custom greeting is provided, callers are placed directly on hold without a greeting.
Announce (Yes/No)
Provides callers on hold with verbal announcements about their current position and other important notifications, including:
- Position changes: Announces the caller’s current position every time their position changes.
- "All our agents are currently busy."
- "The maximum waiting time has been exceeded."
Hold Delay (Maximum hold time)
Sets the maximum duration (in seconds) a caller can wait on hold before exiting Call Control.
- If the limit is exceeded and Hangup When Full is enabled, the call will be disconnected.
- If Hangup When Full is disabled, the call proceeds to the next step in your IVR.
Position Offset
Adds an offset to the announced queue position to better reflect the actual waiting time or caller experience. Useful only when Announce is enabled.
- Example: If your phone system has a separate call queue (e.g., 5 calls queued and 2 agents), set the offset to "3" so the caller's announced position accurately reflects their actual wait.
Hangup When Full (Yes/No)
Determines how calls are handled when the maximum hold queue length or hold time is reached.
- If enabled, calls are disconnected immediately upon reaching the queue limit or exceeding maximum hold time.
- If disabled, calls exit Call Control and continue to the next IVR step or call handling logic.