CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Charleston AFB implemented a new voicemail system for base members to use on office phone lines Tuesday.
Callpilot is a state-of-the-art messaging system first made available to the 437th Comptroller Squadron and will be available to the rest of the base May 1. The 437 CPTS received it first because they had to transition from their own voicemail system to the base's.
"We're making sure that we can fix any hiccups and get some more training along the way so we can be prepared to answer questions before we start adding new members from the rest of the base," said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Washburn, 437th Communications Squadron assistant NCO in charge of voice network systems.
Costing $340,000, Air Mobility Command funded the base's purchase of Callpilot September 2007 so approximately 6,800 phones on base will able to have the new voicemail system. Since it was purchased, voice network systems officials have been testing, training and familiarizing themselves with the program and its software.
"We would ask that if there is anyone out there who uses a standalone answering machine attached to their phone that they replace them with voicemail," said Tech. Sgt. Lisa Spicer, 437 CS voice network systems craftsman. "We have the system, so we want to utilize it as much as we can."
Mailboxes will be assigned to individuals and not groups to ensure the security of the box. When an individual has his own mailbox set up, no one can access it or make changes. However, telephone maintenance members can be contacted via e-mail to reset a password once the user has been verified at 437CS.SCMP2@amc.af.mil.
When someone calls a phone number with the new voicemail system, they will be transferred to the voicemail if there is no answer or if the line is busy.
"It's more efficient because now people won't have to wait on hold or keep getting a busy signal when they call someone," said Sergeant Washburn. "It also makes sure there are zero missed calls because people are able to leave a voicemail."
To access or set up the voicemail, users can dial 3-8889. Note that the box number will be the user's five-digit telephone number and the password "12" (i.e. 1233494). Once into the system, users will be allowed to change their password. When finished, dial "82" to proceed to the greeting area of the system. Members will then be able to record a personal verification (name) or an internal message (for people who call within the base).
"Just be patient when you're setting it up and contact telephone maintenance if you're having trouble," said Sergeant Spicer.
Any base phone line is capable of hosting the voicemail system. When there is a voicemail in the inbox, the voicemail or message waiting button will light up for multi-line phones. For single-line phones, there will be a stutter dial tone.
If there are any questions or issues, contact Sergeant Spicer at 963-3494 or Sergeant Washburn at 963-3490.