Ring the right team, every time.
A ring group rings a group of people together when a number is called or a caller picks a menu option. Ring everyone at once, or one after another in turn, on any device.
A call comes in, the group rings, someone answers
A ring group, sometimes called a hunt group, makes sure a team of people share the calls instead of one phone ringing out while everyone else misses it.
- A call reaches the groupA caller dials a number routed to the team, or picks an option on your auto attendant. The call is handed to the ring group rather than a single extension.
- The group rings togetherThe members ring the way you have set it up, either all at once or one after another in turn, on whichever devices they are signed in to.
- The first person free picks upWhoever is available answers, and the call connects. The rest of the group stops ringing and gets on with their work.
- If no one answers, the fallback catches itWhen nobody picks up in the time you allow, the call drops to your fallback, so it never just rings out.
Set up the group to match how the team works
Every team answers calls a little differently. Choose the pattern, the timing and the fallback that fit yours.
All at once, or in turn
Ring everyone together so the first person free picks up, or ring members one after another in turn. Other patterns are available, so you can spread the load the way your team prefers.
Per-person timing
Set a delay and a ring time for each member. Bring senior staff in first and add others a few seconds later, or give everyone the same window. You decide who hears the call and for how long.
A fallback for every call
When no one answers in the time you allow, send the call to voicemail, to another ring group, or into a call queue to wait in order. No call is ever left ringing out with nowhere to go.
Add and remove members fast
Manage the group in the portal in seconds. New starters, cover for holiday, a busy month on sales: drop people in and take them out as the team changes, with no engineer visit and no extra charge.
Members on any device
A group can mix devices. The same call can ring a desk phone, the browser and a mobile app at the same time, so whoever is free answers wherever they are working that day.
Plays nicely with the rest
Point an auto attendant option, a direct number or a business-hours rule at a ring group, and chain groups together. Build the call flow that gets every caller to the right team.
When to use a ring group, and when to use a call queue
They both share calls across a team, but they suit different moments. Many businesses use a ring group and fall back to a queue when everyone is busy.
Use a ring group when
You want a team of people to ring together and the first person free to pick up. It is ideal for a small team, a sales line or a shared office number, where calls are usually answered quickly.
- Calls reach a team, not one person
- Most calls are answered fairly quickly
- You want a simple, fast set-up
Use a call queue when
Calls can stack up and you want callers to wait in order with hold music rather than ring out. It suits a support line or a busy team where everyone is often on a call at once.
- Callers hold in order with hold music
- Several calls can arrive at once
- No one should ring out to nothing
Need callers to wait in order?
Set a ring group to fall back into a call queue, so a quick team answers most calls and busy moments hold in turn instead of ringing out.
See call queuesCommon questions
How many people can be in a ring group?
You can add as many members as you need for a team, and you can create as many ring groups as you like. Members are added and removed in the portal in seconds, so the group keeps up as people join, leave or move between teams. There is no engineer visit and no extra charge.
Can a ring group ring everyone at once or one after another?
Both. You choose how the group rings. Ring everyone at once so the first person free picks up, or ring members one after another in turn. You can also set a delay and a ring time per member, so you can stagger who hears the call and for how long.
What happens if no one in the ring group answers?
You set a fallback. If no one answers in the time you allow, the call can go to voicemail, to another ring group, or into a call queue to wait in order with hold music. Calls are never left ringing out with nowhere to go.
Can ring group members use their mobiles?
Yes. Members can answer on the iOS or Android app, in the browser, or on a desk phone. A ring group can mix devices, so a call can ring a desk phone and a mobile at the same time and whoever is free picks up wherever they are.
Which plan includes ring groups?
Ring groups are part of the phone system and are included on the Standard plan at £6.95 per user per month. There is no separate licence to buy. You can build as many ring groups as you need at no extra cost.
The rest of your call handling
Make sure the right team picks up
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