Answering rules are the tool that allows you to manage how your extension behaves based on the time and circumstances of a given call. You can have multiple answering rules that are scheduled, or even multiple rules with overlapping schedules and the rule closest to the top of the list that applies at the time of the call is the rule that governs how the call is handled.
Once you log into your profile and go to the “Answering Rules” tab in your menu, you will have a screen similar to the one pictured below.
Note the following:
Your ring duration (top left) controls how long your extension will ring before a call is considered “not answered”. A ring cycle (the ring and the pause that follows it) is generally about 6 seconds, so the default ring duration of 25 seconds is basically 4 rings before forwarding to voicemail. Your personal Allow / Block list (top right) gives you the ability to block or allow specific calls or classes of call to your extension. The “Add Rule” button (top right) brings up a new answering rule details screen so you can add a new rule. You can click and drag each rule up or down the list using the up and down arrow icon to the left of each row. The “Active” tag is placed next to the name of the rule that is active at any given time. This will be the rule closest to the top of the list whose schedule covers the time in question. The description portion of an answering rule gives you a brief summary of what will happen to a call when the rule is applied. You can click on the pencil icon at the right end of each row to edit how the rule woks from the answering rule details dialog box Once the answering rule dialog box it will look similar to the image below.
You can only have one rule per timeframe, but you can make multiple timeframes that cover the same times if you need rules you can alternate between by rearranging rules to make a different once closest to the top of the list. Each rule can be enabled or disabled via a checkbox making it easy to have a rule you use occasionally that does not need to get rebuilt all the time. Enabling “Do not disturb” for a given rule will send all calls directly to voicemail while the rule is active. Enabling call screening for a given rule will prompt callers for their name and then place them on hold while the phone system calls you, plays the recorded name, and then offers to let you either accept the call, or send it to voicemail. Call forwarding options allow you to change the default behavior of going to voicemail when a call goes unanswered by forcing calls to forward based on certain conditions. Simultaneous ring allows you to have multiple devices or external numbers ring whenever someone calls your extension. The default behavior is to just ring the users primary desk phone. 
All-Mode Voice Knowledgebase
Answering Rules
