Set Up Call Coverage on an Extension

You are able to choose how you want Skype for Business to handle incoming calls when you're away from your work phone or when you want someone else to take your calls. Coverage options include forwarding your calls to another person or extension or having another extension simultaneously ring. You can also configure coverage details, like how long your phone should ring before sending callers to your voice mail or another contact.

Call coverage options can be easily configured from the Skype for Business client on your computer. The Call Forwarding drop down menu is in the lower left corner of the Skype for Business client. Your current setting is always displayed next to the drop-down arrow.

Turn Off Call Forwarding

When you want to remove the current call forwarding setting, follow the steps below.

1. From the Call Forwarding menu, select Turn Off Call Forwarding.

Set Call Forwarding

When you want to forward your calls without ringing your phone, follow the steps below

1. From the Call Forwarding menu, choose Forward Calls To.
    
2. From the Forward Calls To options, select either:
   • Voice Mail to have the call sent directly to voice mail where the caller may leave a voice message.
   • New Number or Contact and type a name or extension in the search box to find a contact, click on one to select it, and click OK.
   • My Delegates to forward the call to a contact set up as your delegate (see Edit My Delegates).

Set Simultaneously Ring

When you want to ring your phone and another extension when a call comes in, follow the steps below.

1. From the Call Forwarding menu, choose Simultaneously Ring.
    
2. From the Simultaneously Ring options, select either:
   • New Number and type an area code + number in the box when you want another phone to also ring, like a cell phone.
   • My Delegates when you want your calls to also ring on your delegates phones (see Edit My Delegates).
   • My Team-Call Group when you want your calls to also ring on your team-call Group members phones (see Edit my Team-Call Group Members).

Choose where unanswered calls go

When you want to change what happens when a call to your extension is not answered, follow the steps below.

1. From the Call Forwarding menu, choose Call Forwarding Settings. Note that the settings described above can also be changed from this window.
    
2. In the Call forwarding window, your current call forwarding settings are described in the first line of the white box.
    
3. Click the link next to Unanswered calls will go to.
   
    
4. Click the drop-down next to Send unanswered calls to the following to either choose Voice Mail or a New Number or Contact.
    
5. Click the drop-down next to Ring for this many seconds before redirecting to determine how long your extension will ring unanswered before taking this action.
    
6. Click OK to save these settings and go back to the Skype for Business – Options > Call Forwarding window.

Edit my Delegates

When you want to add delegates who can make and receive calls on your behalf, follow the steps below.

Note that setting up delegates doesn’t automatically forward your calls to them. Make sure to choose an option under Simultaneously ring or Forward my calls to when you want to enable delegates for call coverage.

1. From the Call Forwarding menu, choose Call Forwarding Settings.
    
2. From the Call Forwarding Settings window, click Edit my delegate members.
   
    
3. From the Call Forwarding – Delegates window, follow instructions below to manage your delegates.
   • Click Add, then search for and double-click the contact you want to add as a delegate. Note that Skype for Business creates a Delegates group in your Contacts list automatically when you add delegates.
   • Check the box next to Receive Calls to enable your delegates to take your calls.
   • Select a time from the drop-down menu next to Ring your delegates after this many seconds to specify the delay before your delegates’ phones ring. Note that your unanswered calls setting should allow enough time for delegates to answer first.
   •  Click on a delegate name, and then click Remove to delete a delegate.
     

Edit my Team-Call Group Members

When you want to add a group of people who can answer your phone calls when you are not available, follow the steps below.

Note that setting up a team-call group doesn’t automatically forward your calls to them. Make sure to choose an option under Simultaneously ring or Forward my calls to when you want to enable your team-call group for call coverage.

1. From the Call Forwarding menu, choose Call Forwarding Settings.
    
2. From the Call Forwarding Settings window, click Edit my team-call group members.
   

3. From the Call Forwarding – Team-Call Group window, follow instructions below to manage your Team-Call Group.

• Click Add, then search for and double-click the contact you want to add as a member. Note that Skype for Business creates a Team-Call Group group in your Contacts list automatically when you add members.
• Select a time from the drop-down menu next to Ring your team-call group after this many seconds to specify the delay before your groups’ phones ring. Note that your unanswered calls setting should allow enough time for members to answer first.
•  Click on a member name and then click Remove to delete a group member.