# How do I store business hours in a voice menu (IVR)?

With a voice menu (IVR), you direct callers to the right place by pressing a button. You can also automatically play a message with information outside your opening hours (e.g. opening hours).

#### **When is this useful?**

* You want to quickly route callers to Sales, Support, or Accounting.
* You want a fixed announcement to play after business hours.

#### **Requirements**

* A free phone number (not the main phone number).
* Text for the announcement outside business hours (to record or as an MP3).

#### **Step-by-step instructions**

**1. Assign phone number for the voice menu**

1. Select a **free phone number** from the list (not the **main phone number**).
2. Store this number in the **IVR** (voice menu).\
   \&#xNAN;***Note:** The number is used only to forward to the voice menu.*

**2. Create group with main phone number**

1. Create a **new group** (e.g. “Main line”).
2. **Assign the main phone number to the group** (customers call this number).

**3. Prepare voicemail for outside hours**

1. **Activate voicemail for the group.**
2. **Store announcement:** Record text or **upload MP3**\
   (content: opening hours, alternative contact methods, callback note).

**4. Set group routing to IVR during business hours**

1. Open **Group routing > Edit**.
2. Under **Forwarding rules** enter **Immediately** the **IVR number** \
   (from step 1).\
   → **Result:** During the defined times, calls go directly to the voice menu.

**5. Define business hours**

1. Activate **Forward only at certain times**.
2. Enter your **opening hours** (days & times).

**6. Forward to voicemail outside business hours**

1. Check the box for **Forward immediately to this destination outside the defined times**.
2. Select in the **dropdown** the **voicemail** with the announcement previously stored.\
   → **Result:** After business hours, your announcement plays automatically.

**Typical use cases**

* **Button menu (during opening hours):**\
  “Press 1 for Sales, 2 for Support, 3 for Accounting.”
* **Outside opening hours:**\
  “You can reach us Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Please send us an email at …”

**Notes & tips**

* **Keep it short and clear:** Max. 10–15 sec. per option.
* **MP3 format:** Use a clear recording, moderate volume.
* **Test call:** After setting up, make a test call during and outside business hours.
* **Error pattern “loop”:** Check whether the **main phone number** is really assigned to the **Group** and the **IVR number** is used only as the destination in the **Forwarding rules** is entered.


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