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

Store business hours in the sipgate voice menu (IVR) - route calls differently depending on the time of day.

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

When is this useful?

• You want to quickly route callers to Sales, Support, or Accounting.

• You want to play a fixed announcement after closing time.

Prerequisites

• A free phone number (not the main phone number).

• Text for the announcement outside business hours (to record or as MP3).

Step-by-step guide

1. Assign phone number for the voice menu

1. Select a free phone number from (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 for it (e.g., "Main Office").

2. Assign the main phone number to the group to it (customers call this number).

3. Prepare voicemail for outside business 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 in (from step 1). → Result: During the defined times, calls go directly into the voice menu.

5. Define business hours

1. Activate Forward only at certain times.

2. Enter your business hours in (days & times).

6. Forward to voicemail outside the times

1. Check the box for Forward immediately to this destination outside the defined times.

2. Select in the dropdown the voicemail with the announcement stored previously. → Result: After closing time, your announcement plays automatically.

Typical use cases

• Keypad menu (during business hours): "Press 1 for Sales, 2 for Support, 3 for Accounting."

• Outside business hours: "You can reach us Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Please write us an email at …"

Notes & tips

• Keep it short & clear: Max. 10–15 sec. per option.

• MP3 format: Use a clearly understandable recording, moderate volume.

• Test call: After setup, 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 only set as the destination in the forwarding rules is set.