Mitel Connect Client - External Assignment Number Setup

What Is External Assignment

This feature is accessible through your Mitel/ShoreTel Connect application that is installed on your computer.  The purpose of External Assignment is to allow you to use another device or house phone or any other device that to take the place of your desk phone.

This is a perfect option for Remote workers.

How External Assignment is Different

While other features of the Connect system allows you to receive calls to your cell phone, this particular feature will allow you to not only receive calls but make outbound calls with the Connect client working alongside it.

How to Set Up and Configure Mitel Connect External Assignment

Let’s go ahead and get started on how to get that set up.

1.  Go to your Connect client on your Desktop

2.  Click on the Account name (ours is Demo)

Notice the first area is called Primary Assignment. This is how the phone calls normally range into you. For the most part it probably rings to your Desk phone.  However, you can change by clicking External Assignment.

3.  Click External Assignment

A box will appear, notice it will Ask for a Label name and then a Number.

4.  Enter a descriptive name and the phone number of the device you want to use (ie cell or home number)

5.  Now you want to enter in the configuration for how you want to receive each call.

6.  First, enter in the number of rings you want to set it for. This means how many times you want your phone to ring before it goes to the next option (usually voicemail) if you do not answer the call.

You have two options for how calls are handled. Let's go over them and how they handle both inbound and outbound calls each. 

Press 1 to Connect

1.  For inbound calls, the system will call your number (cell, home number etc) and when you answer the call, the Mitel system will tell you that a call is coming in and gives you the caller ID of that inbound call. 

You then decide if you want to take the call or not.  Press 1 to take the call, or ignore if you don't.

2.  For outbound calls, this means that when you dial an outbound number, the Mitel system will first call your designated external number, and then let you know you’re being connected to make the outbound phone call. 

**TIP:   When using Press 1 to connect option, set the # of rings to be higher because while you are answering the call through the system the caller is actually still hearing the phone ring while you are listening to the Mitel system message.

However, by the time you are listening to the Mitel system message about pressing 1 to connect, three rings have already passed and the system will have either hung up the call or moved onto whatever next steps you have configured (ie go to voicemail). 

So set this number to at least 5 as shown in the image above.

Automatically Connect

1. For inbound calls with this setting, a call will come in and when you answer it will automatically connect you to the caller.   The same applies for Outbound calls where you make an outbound call and it automatically connects.  

2.  When finished click the Add button.

How to Make an Outbound Call Using Mitel External Assignment

1.  Enter the Number you want to dial in the Number field and click the Call button to the right

2.  There will be a slight delay and then the system will dial your Cell number (or other number you entered in Extension Assignment per the instructions above

3.  You will hear your cell number ring.  Pick up the call and now Mitel will call the outbound number you are trying to call

4.  You can now treat the call like a normal call.  Your work number will be displayed, not your personal device.   

A Few Notes:

• Once connected whether for inbound or outbound, the status of the call will show as usual in the Active call section of your Connect app.

• The same functionality will apply such as Hold, Transfer, Hang Up
• Despite the fact you’re using your personal phone, your caller will only see your business caller ID and number.  They will not know you are actually using a different phone number such as your cell or home phone.