[Asterisk-Users] Switchboards

[Don Brearley]

Hello,

I am still researching my dive into Asterisk at my workplace, and I was wondering about how switchboard
activities are handled..   Right now, a call comes into our switchboard, and the operator forwards them
to the appropriate line, thus freeing up the primary number and allowing more calls in.  Everyone on
campus has a direct-dial line as it is right now.  I want to eliminate most of those lines, and switch everyone
to extensions instead. 

If I understand correctly, with Asterisk, i'll need to figure out how many lines are in use at any time
(i'll say 20% to be safe) -- so I'll need to have roughly 25-30 POTS lines "on standby" for inbound calls?

The way I see it in my head is, a call comes in on the primary number, and the operator will forward
them to the correct extension, and Asterisk will route the call to another circuit, freeing up the
primary line.  Is this correct?

(Sorry for my lack of correct terminology.. still getting familiar!)

- Don