FreePBX Features
| Feature | Explanation | Requirements |
| ADSI On-Screen Menu System | ||
| Automated Attendant | Allows callers to be automatically transferred to a user's extension without the intervention of a receptionist. e.g. select 1 for sales, 2 for support... | |
| Blacklists | A list of persons or organisations that have incurred disapproval or suspicion and therefore penalised. | |
| Blind Transfer | Ability to transfer a call to another extension without the need to wait for the other person to pick up. | |
| Call Details Record | A log of all calls made including: source no., destination no., call duration, date, time etc | Third party database if records are to be stored in format other than text file. |
| Call Forward on Busy | Calls are automatically forwarded to another extension or phone if the phone is busy. | |
| Call Forward on Busy | Calls are automatically forwarded to another extension or phone if the phone is busy. | |
| Call Forward on No Answer | Calls are automatically forwarded to another extension if not answered after a defined number of rings. | |
| Call Monitoring | Allows a supervisor to listen in on a phone conversation. | |
| Call Parking | Allows a call to be 'parked' on a virtual extension and then picked up by a third party by dialling in to that extension. | |
| Call Queuing | Allows multiple calls to be placed in a queue and answered by the next available operator. | |
| Call Recording | Recording of a phone conversation for later playback. | Significant amounts of disk space may be used (approx. 16KB/sec of recording). |
| Call Retrieval | Page a person who then can pick up the call. | |
| Call Routing | Directs the call to the correct extension based on a Direct In Dial (DID) number. | |
| Call Snooping | Allows a supervisor to listen in on active calls across a group of phones. | Privacy Policy for staff. |
| Call Transfer | Transfer a call to another extension. | |
| Call Waiting | Allows switching between two simultaneous calls. | |
| Caller ID | Displays the callers phone number on the phones screen. | Remote phone must send caller's ID. |
| Caller ID Blocking | Block a call based on the callers phone number. | |
| Call ID on Call Waiting | See the phone number of a second caller whilst talking to the first caller. | |
| Calling Cards | ||
| Conference Bridging | Create a conference call between multiple parties at multiple locations using different phone types; e.g. conference call a local extension, remote fixed line, mobile and VoIP connection all in one conference. | |
| Database Store/Retrieval | Store call information in a database for later retrieval. | Third party database such as MySQL. |
| Database Integration | Ability to access a database during a call to provide such information as a customers outstanding balance. e.g. Asterisk can whisper the callers balance or name in your ear just before putting the caller through. | Third party database. |
| Dial by Name | Dial a customer by their name using the phones numeric keypad (using the same technique used when sending an SMS). | |
| Direct Inward System Access | ||
| Distinctive Ring | Different Rings based on caller ID or selection the caller makes whilst interacting with the auto attendant. | Handset must support multiple ring tones. |
| Distributed Universal Number Discovery (DUNDI?) | DUNDI is a peer-to-peer system for locating internet gateways to telephony services. | |
| Do Not Disturb | Incoming calls are automatically routed to Voicemail, reception or alternate extension. | |
| E000 | Emergency Services Number | Requires VoIP provider who supports E000 |
| ENUM | Electronic Telephone Numbers Mapping. | |
| Fax Transmit/Receive | Via AsterFax | Limited Faxing built in to Asterisk. Full featured faxing requires AsterFax. |
| Flexible Extension Logic | ||
| Interactive Directory Listing | Allows inbound callers to lookup a persons extension by their name. | |
| Interactive Voice Response (IVR) | Advanced system for call handling allows callers to navigate a menu system by dialling a number offered from a range of options. e.g. Please dial 1 for sales, 2 for admin.... Allows for creation of systems such as making credit card payments, entering of timesheets etc. | |
| Local and Remote Call Agents | Staff can log onto the PABX from any phone using a login ID allowing them to make and take calls as if they were in their office. | |
| Music on Hold | No external device is required. Ships with a reasonable selection of tracks. | Music loaded onto server. Asterisk ships with basic selection. |
| Music on Transfer | Music plays when transferring calls between extensions | As per Music on Hold |
| Predictive Dialler | Used by outbound call centres. Starts dialling a number based on statistical model of when it is expected that the next agent will be available. | statistical model of when it is expected that the next agent will be available. Third party add on such as 'Vicidial'. |
| Privacy Manager | If a remote callers ID is blocked, the Privacy Manager prompts the call to manually enter their phone number which can then be used to check against a blacklist or whitelist. The call may then be blocked or let through as appropriate. | |
| Overhead Paging | Allows an overhead speaker to be 'dialled into' and an announcement made. | Specialised paging device. |
| Protocol Conversion | Allows the interconnection of disparate phone networks: e.g. connect a Telstra call to a VoIP call. | Standard protocols supported include: TDM, SIP, H.323, LAX, SCCP. |
| Protocol Conversion | Allows the interconnection of disparate phone networks: e.g. connect a Telstra call to a VoIP call. | Standard protocols supported include: TDM, SIP, H.323, LAX, SCCP. |
| Remote Call Pickup | Allows a call to be picked up at a remote location. | |
| Remote Office Support | Ability to connect phones located in a remote office to the office PABX as local extensions. | Internet or VPN connection at both locations. |
| Open Settlement Protocol (OSP) | OSP provides a way for ISPs to support billing for voice and fax over IP services. | OSP compliant billing package. |
| Roaming Extensions | Individuals are given an extension number rather than phones having an extension. A person logs into the phone in the morning (using a PIN) and all calls to their extension are then routed through to that phone. Single sign in is also available, so that logging into Windows will also log you into the phone next to the computer. | Single Sign On requires an O/S dependant script. Contact Asterisk IT support for details cs@flexihostings.net |
| Route by Caller ID | The ability to connect a call to a given extension, call queue or group of extensions based on the callers phone number. | |
| SMS Messaging | Requires an SMS Gateway. | |
| Spell/Say | The ability to have the 'text' read or spelt to the caller. E.g. read out an email. | |
| Streaming Media Access | Streaming Media is the rapid transmission of audio and video in packets over the internet. | |
| Supervised Transfer | A call transfer made by an automatic device such as a Voice Response Unit which attempts to determine the result of the transfer - answered, busy, ring but no answer - by analysing call progress tones on the line. | |
| Talk Detection | Ability to detect when a person is talking. Useful for detection of answering machines. | |
| Text-to-Speech | The ability to have the 'text' read to the caller | Festival - Open Source 'Text-to-Speech' engine. |
| Three-Way Calling | Connect three people into a mini conference call | |
| Time and Date | Have the time and date read to the caller | |
| Transcoding | Convert between the different methods of compressing voice. | |
| Trunking | Connect to the PSTN. E.g. connect a standard telephone line (analog or digital) to the PABX | Requires a trunk card such as Digium TDM400. |
| VoIP Gateways | A network device that converts voice and fax calls, in real time, between PSNT and an IP network. | |
| VoiceMail | Ability to record a message from a caller when you are away from your desk. Includes ability to deliver the voicemail message via email as well as the standard flashing light on your phone. | |