A VirtualPBX.com Tutorial: Web Management
Summary: Managing Virtual PBX® Extensions and/or Systems Using the Web Interface
General
It is possible to manage Virtual PBX® extensions or a Virtual PBX® system over the Web. This makes it easy for extension owners to change their contact phone numbers, mark their extension as "Available" or "Unavailable", log into or out of ACD queues, etc. See the Sample Extension Web-Management Page.
System Administrators can manage an entire Virtual PBX® system by logging in as "Supervisor". See the Sample System-Administrator Web-Management Page.
Not only is extension and/or system management with the Web simpler than by going through the phone menus, but an extension owner or a system administrator can see all of the features and settings at a glance rather than having to try all of the menus.
There is one exception to the statement that web management is easier than the phone menus. It is using the "Speed-Dial" buttons or (for cell phones) the "Pause" character. See the SHORTCUTS tutorial.
Web versus Phone Passwords
The web password must be between 6 and 32 alphanumeric characters (i.e. any keyboard character). A phone password must be between 4 and 10 numbers. This usually means that the phone and web passwords are different. It is possible, however, to have the web and phone passwords the same if the phone password is at least 6 numbers long and if the web password uses only numbers.
Logging In
The First Time:
The first time that a Web interface for an extension is used, it must be set up. To get to the setup page:
- Bring up a web browser and go to the web address: www.vpbx.com.
- Click on Login. This takes you to the Login page. View a Sample Login Page
- Enter your company's Virtual PBX® phone number, the extension, and (the first time only) your phone password. Do not check System Administrator. Click on Submit. This takes you to the setup page.
- Fill out the blanks and define a new web password according to the above criteria. This new web password will be used for all subsequent accesses to the web management pages. View a Sample Setup Page
- Click on Submit. This will take you to the Extension Management Page.
- To Exit: Click "Back" on the browser, exit from the browser, or go to another web address.
All Subsequent Times:
- Bring up a web browser and go to the web address: www.vpbx.com.
- Click on Login. This takes you to the Login page.
- Enter your company's Virtual PBX® phone number, the extension, and your web password. If you do not check System Administrator, you will go to the Extension Web-Management page. If you are a System Administrator and you check System Administrator, you will go to the System- Administrator Web-Management Page. If you are not a System Administrator and you check the System-Administrator box, you will go to the Extension-Management Page. Click on Submit. This takes you either to the Extension-Management Page or to the System-Administrator Web-Management Page as explained above.
- Once in either Management Page, you can simply view how your system is set up or you can make any desired changes. To enter the changes, click on the Submit box at the bottom of the page.
- To Exit: Click "Back" on the browser, exit from the browser, or go to another web address.
Comment:
The Web Management System is very good for seeing an overview of the system, changing phone numbers, etc.
For routine changes, however, such as marking an extension as "Available" or "Unavailable", logging in or out of ACD queues, etc; there is a generally easier and faster way.
Use the speed dial buttons on a phone with the desired menu string stored under a button marked "ACD Login/Logout", etc. or with cell phones use the "Pause" character followed by the desired menu string. With cell phones, use a different stored phone number for each different menu string since cell phones don't have speed-dial buttons.
This method is possible because it is not necessary to listen to the menu prompts before making a menu selection.
See the tutorial SHORTCUTS in Managing the Virtual PBX®.