This week we are focusing on a more technical topic, "auto-dial extension". This means that phone numbers with an extension added are dialed without requiring any action from the user.
To do this in the designer, simply put a “,” after the end of the root number before the extension. For example, if you want to dial your institution’s number for mental health resources which is 544-123-1234 ext 45, then in the designer you would put the following:
For Response Teams
The auto-dial extension is helpful for many groups, but particularly for response teams. In an emergency, teams can open up a conference call and add an extension so that team members can connect immediately, as the auto-dial extension allows users to reach an extension directly. This saves precious time in an emergency for response teams.
For Secondary Resources
Auto-dial extension can also be used for secondary resources, such as campus support resources. Users can be directed straight through the extension to reach the specific contact. This makes it easier for students to reach the resources they need, improving user experience.
To implement this capability for your own safety app, all you need to do is add a comma before a contact’s extension in the online dashboard as we showed in the previous screenshot. This is only applicable for the most recent versions of the iOS, Android, and Blackberry operating systems.
If you have any questions about adding auto-dial extension in your school’s safety app, don’t hesitate to reach out.
What do you think of this new capability? Will your school be adding auto-dial extension? Why or why not? Comment below and let us know what you think!
