View source for Simplified procedure to initiate a conference (Easy conference)

{{Breadcrumb|0|0|{{dev-en}}|OpenStage}}
{{OS-FD-Access}}{{FD-Sytematics-Box
| family   = {{FD-Cat|OpenStage}}
| model    = {{FD-Cat|OpenStage 15}}<br/>{{FD-Cat|OpenStage 20}}<br/>{{FD-Cat|OpenStage 40}}<br/>{{FD-Cat|OpenStage 60}}<br/>{{FD-Cat|OpenStage 80}}
| relation = {{FD-Cat|SIP related}}
| release  = {{FD-Cat|V2 R2}}
}}

In previous software versions the process of setting up a conference call on an OpenStage IP phone relied upon the user knowing that they must first '''Consult''' to a 3rd party. Only then are they offered the chance to form the conference. This left some users unable to see how to begin the process of
making a conference call from the idle state.

Additionally, in order to set-up a conference call using programmed Free Programmable Keys (FPKs), the user had to have two FPKs programmed; one for '''Consult''' and another for '''Conference'''.

V2 R2 improves this situation in two ways:

# A new context sensitive menu item, '''Start conference''' or '''Add to conference''' is added to call menus for single-connected calls or connected conference calls respectively. Selecting one of these menu items performs a normal consultation, in exactly the same way that the '''Consult''' menu item does. In this way the user sees and can invoke the '''Conference''' feature without having to know that they are really just performing a '''Consult'''. 
# The behaviour of the '''Conference''' FPK function has been modified so that if the FPK is pressed when there is a single call or a conference is connected, a normal consultation call is started. This is equivalent to selecting '''Conference''' from the context menu and is only required to be possible at times when the user can select '''Conference''' from the context menu. Note that the '''Conference''' FPK feature does not make use of an LED associated with the key it is programmed on.

These changes do not affect the fundamental behaviour of the existing conference feature. These changes only introduce an additional, friendlier way to perform the consultation call that is required to begin or add to a conference. Existing conference behaviour including the provision of music to held parties, whether or not a conference is allowed, etc. is not changed or impacted in any other ways than those stated above.

Note also that now it is also possible to reprogram any of the Fixed Function Keys (FFKs) to provide the '''Conference''' function. Such an FFK behaves in the same way as an FPK programmed with the “Conference”
function (see [[Make fixed keys programmable]]).

It is also possible to use the '''Conference''' FPK to make the initial call of the conference.
So pressing the FPK/FFK when the phone is idle presents a normal dialler so the user can dial the first party of their intended conference. There is nothing special about this dialler to indicate that it appeared because the Conference FPK was pressed. Note: While this makes the '''Conference''' FPK appear to behave like any other way of going logically off-hook (e.g. pressing the loudspeaker key), the similarity ends there. So, for example, pressing the FPK again when the dialler is on screen will NOT return the phone to idle.

The following table shows the effect of pressing a '''Conference''' FPK in different call states:

{|
! Call(s) state(s) before ''Conference'' pressed
! Action of pressing ''Conference'' FPK
|-
| No call (Idle State)
| Dialling started
|-
| 1 connected call
| Consultation started
|-
| 1 onhold call
| Consultation started
|- 
| 1 connected call and 1 onhold call
| Conference formed <ref name="formed">In the cases where a conference would be formed, if any individual party (not already a conference member) is in the ''has held'' state (i.e. they have placed the call on hold at their phone) then the conference cannot be formed, the timed ''Not possible'' popup is shown and the call state is restored.</ref>

|- 
| 2 onhold calls
| Conference formed <ref name="formed"></ref>
|- 
| 2 onhold calls( 1 isolated onhold,1 normal onhold) and 1 connected call
| Conference formed (isolated call remains isolated) <ref name="formed"></ref>
|- 
| 2 onhold calls, 1 ringing call
| No Action (Popup ''Not possible'')
|- 
| Local conference
| No Action (Popup ''Not possible'')
|- 
| Large conference
| Consultation started
|}

<references />