IVR & Auto Attendant
Answer every call professionally. Route callers to the right destination with custom voice menus — included at no extra cost with every PBXme virtual number.
What is an IVR Auto Attendant?
An IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system answers calls automatically and presents callers with a menu of options — “Press 1 for Sales, Press 2 for Support” — routing them to the right extension, queue, or department without needing a live receptionist.
On PBXme, your IVR is a fully configurable call menu built directly into your phone system. It handles unlimited simultaneous inbound calls, plays your custom recorded greeting, and routes callers based on keypad input (digits 0–9).
Every virtual number on PBXme can be forwarded to an IVR. There is no additional charge.
IVR Features at a Glance
- Custom recorded welcome greeting per IVR
- Keypad routing for digits 0–9
- Multi-level menus (IVR within IVR)
- Route to extension, queue, ring group, conference room, voicemail, or another IVR
- Fallback routing for no input or invalid key
- Handles unlimited simultaneous calls
- Accessible via extension 1800 on any SIP device
- Included free with every virtual number plan
How to Set Up Your IVR
Three steps from sign-up to live call menu.
In your PBXme portal, go to IVR settings and create a new auto attendant. Give it a name and assign it an internal extension number.
Upload a pre-recorded audio file or dial extension 1800 from any SIP device to record your greeting directly. The greeting plays to every caller who reaches this IVR.
Assign an action to each keypad digit (0–9). Each key can route to an extension, call queue, ring group, conference room, another IVR level, or voicemail.
In your number’s Dynamic Forwarding settings, set the destination to your IVR. Every call to that number now goes through your auto attendant.
Where Each Key Can Route
Each digit (0–9) can be independently mapped to any of the following destinations.
| Destination Type | What It Does |
|---|---|
| SIP Extension | Routes directly to a registered SIP device or softphone |
| Call Queue | Places caller in a queue until an agent is available |
| Ring Group | Rings multiple extensions simultaneously or sequentially |
| Conference Room | Drops caller into a PIN-protected conference room |
| Voicemail | Sends caller to a specific extension’s voicemail box |
| Another IVR | Routes to a second-level IVR for department sub-menus |
| PSTN Number | Forwards to any external mobile or landline number |
| Time Condition | Routes differently based on day/time rules |
Common IVR Use Cases
How businesses use the PBXme auto attendant.
Multi-Department Routing
Press 1 for Sales, 2 for Support, 3 for Billing. Each key routes to a different team extension or queue.
Multi-Language Menus
First level offers language selection. Each language key routes to a dedicated IVR with region-specific options.
After-Hours Handling
Combine IVR with Time Conditions to play a different message outside business hours and route to voicemail.
Virtual Receptionist
Replace a live receptionist with a 24/7 auto attendant that never misses a call and scales to any call volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IVR included free with PBXme?
Yes. IVR and Auto Attendant are included at no extra cost with every virtual number plan. There are no per-menu or per-call charges.
How many IVR levels can I create?
You can create multi-level IVRs by routing one IVR key to another IVR. There is no system-imposed limit on depth or number of menus.
How do I record my IVR greeting?
You can upload a pre-recorded audio file in your portal, or dial extension 1800 from any registered SIP device to record the greeting directly over the phone.
Can one IVR handle multiple virtual numbers?
Yes. Multiple DIDs can be forwarded to the same IVR. You can also create separate IVRs for each number if you need distinct menus per number.
What happens if a caller presses an invalid key or does nothing?
You can configure a fallback destination for invalid input and for no input (timeout). Common fallbacks are voicemail or a repeat of the greeting.
Start Using IVR Today — It’s Free
Every PBXme plan includes full IVR and Auto Attendant. Get a virtual number and set up your call menu in minutes.