Voicemail - No Password from Assigned Number

[splumbtree]

When calling from your assigned ViaTalk number to retrieve Voicemail, how about a feature that doesn't require entering your password? SunRocket has this feature where they have an input blank on their Voicemail options where you can enter one number that doesn't require a password when retrieving any voicemails. The only security risk I see is if someone was at your home and knew how to retrieve ViaTalk's voicemail system. Of course you would have to opt in by filling in your number in the blank provided by ViaTalk or the system wouldn't work this way, so you would still have to authorize this in the system options.

[bubbanc]

or if someone knew how to spoof your caller ID info (which is very easy to do... I get calls from the Whitehouse all the time). This is very bad security practice. I'd recommend you programming your VM password into an autodial sequence instead.

[sbradshaw]

When calling from your assigned ViaTalk number to retrieve Voicemail, how about a feature that doesn't require entering your password? SunRocket has this feature where they have an input blank on their Voicemail options where you can enter one number that doesn't require a password when retrieving any voicemails. The only security risk I see is if someone was at your home and knew how to retrieve ViaTalk's voicemail system. Of course you would have to opt in by filling in your number in the blank provided by ViaTalk or the system wouldn't work this way, so you would still have to authorize this in the system options.

I would like to see this option. If people want more security, they can choose not to enter in an exception number.

[jnuzzi]

I would like to see this also. I hate having to enter my password every time I check my VM.

[IronHelix]

how easy this is to do depends on how viatalk's backend system is wired in regards to voice mail. Obviously we don't trust callerid for VM access, so it would have to auth you based on if you are calling from the adapter's sip account. This might require some routing tweaks...

[Agrajag]

I've said this elsewhere. VT needs to dump the "Comedian Mail" system entirely. BTW, does anyone have any clue what Comedian Mail is??? Is that the name Asterisk gave to their voicemail?

The only reason I know the name is that when VM got screwed up a few times you'd be told the name by the prompt and get nowhere past that.

The current setup is filled with complications that don't need to be there. Having to select the next voicemail, for example, is silly, redundant and annoying. I delete the first one, queue up the next one for me please. Why should I have to remember to hit "6" to get to it?

I also would like a default for the saved messages to go to "Old" unless I specifically override it. Having to place it each time is annoying.

Plus, if VT does their own voicemail app I might finally have a shot at my favorite feature, unlimited personalized greetings!

[jnuzzi]

I agree that VT's VM systems is in need of an overhaul.

As far as unlimited personalized greetings, I am not sure how many I would care to set up.

[chas3]

I don't mind the caller-id security risk as nothing on my voicemail is that important. It would be great to be able to allow several numbers have no password access like home, my cell, wife's cell. I used a calling card for years that had up to 5 numbers that you could give direct access. Even when calling in through the toll free voice mail number, automatic authentication could save much time.

[Agrajag]

jnuzzi, my point with personalized greetings is that right now you get, at most, two. One main one, one more for a special group.

I'd like to get that extended beyond two. If you're going to go up, might as well go all the way.

[jnuzzi]

If you're going to go up, might as well go all the way.

Agreed :)

[sbradshaw]

jnuzzi, my point with personalized greetings is that right now you get, at most, two. One main one, one more for a special group.

I'd like to get that extended beyond two. If you're going to go up, might as well go all the way.

Yeah, sounds like a limitation of the current vmail software. If it eventually gets upgraded, I would like to have several different outgoing messages as well. Definitely tie that into Custom Call Routing where you could select a particular outgoing message if you send them to vmail.

[Agrajag]

Exactly. At that point those hard-coded messages could just be in the "default" bucket. We could actually have any routing messages we wanted then. I want this number to go to voicemail and play this message: "Hello Fraternal Order of Police. I know I donated to you in the past but I am now asking you to remove me from your call list. I will contact you when I am ready to donate again. Please understand that I support your organization and look forward to working with you again."

[DracoFelis]

We could actually have any routing messages we wanted then. I want this number to go to voicemail and play this message: "Hello Fraternal Order of Police. I know I donated to you in the past but I am now asking you to remove me from your call list. I will contact you when I am ready to donate again. Please understand that I support your organization and look forward to working with you again."
Or even:
"Hello xxxxxx. I'm currently away on vacation until xxxx, but I wanted to be sure you could reach me while I'm away. My cell number is xxx-xxx-xxxx, and I'll be staying at the xxxxx hotel who's number is xxx-xxx-xxxx. Please feel free to contact me at any time."

The point is, it would be really handy to be able to assign non-default VM greetings, that we could then pick with the custom call routing feature. In that way, we could leave a message for a single person/business (identified by which phone number they are calling from) that is unique to them. Not only would this be useful for "take me off your calling list" messages, but it would also be extremely handy for giving out key personal messages unique to them specifically. For example, you may not want every caller to know you are going to be away from home (or how to reach you), but you may have a handful of people you do want to leave a message with that detailed info for!

So consider this another vote for this feature. I think customized VM messages (that we can pick from using custom call routing) would be extremely handy to have!

[Agrajag]

Exactly. I also believe this becomes a HUGE hook feature. It's something you can have that really keeps you tied to ViaTalk unless everyone else picks up on it (and that's not too likely for some time). Why leave when you lose all the wonderful personalization?

As I've also said, I'd like the granularity to be able to also assign not only numbers to greetings but also dates and times. That way it's automated. I can leave very detailed messages for people when I know I'm away but that go away on their own when I'm back.

Imagine all the jokes too. I'd record my mother's voicemail and use it for just her number when she calls. She'll be totally confused.