[asterisk-users] "conferenced" transfers

[Phil Frost]

I'm wondering how one might implement a transfer where a receptionist introduces a caller to the recipient in a 3-way conference before hanging up, leaving the other two parties connected. Something like this, from the perspective of the customer:

Customer: "Hi. I'd like to buy a widget."
Receptionist: "Great. Let me connect you with someone in sales."
(Customer on hold)
Receptionist: "Hello customer. I have John here with me."
John: "Hello."
Receptionist: "John can sell you a widget. Have a great day."
(Receptionist hangs up)
(John and Customer continue the discussion)

The problem is that in most systems I've seen, the 3-way is accomplished by the handset that initiates the conference mixing the two legs of the call. When that party (in this case, the receptionist) hangs up, the conference is over, and the other two parties are either disconnected or put on hold.

I know there are ways to do server-side conferences - the challenge is making this no harder than a regular transfer, so the receptionist can do it comfortably. The usual model of dialing a number, entering a conference number, passcode, etc, is far too heavy for something as common as a transfer.

In particular, I'm playing with a new Snom 870, and its drag-and-drop conference functionality is really great. However, I'm looking for any suggestions on how people skin this problem from a user interface perspective, and keep it friendly instead of frustrating for receptionists.