Phone number extension separator

[muelle60]

Hi,

we use english office 2003. If we enter a new phone number in a contact,
outlook formats the number like this: +49 (89) 12345 x 67

We syncronize our contacts to an windows mobile client (5.0). If I try to
make a call, the client only calls +49 (89) 12345

The extensions is lost. I think the problem belongs to the german windows
mobile and this is not able to call with this "x". I tried to change the
contact to +49 (89) 12345 - 67, then it works.

Is is possible to change the extension separator from "x" to "-".

Thanks.

Christian

 

[Roady [MVP]]

That is not an extension number but a Direct Inward Dialing number.

An extension number is not the last 2, 3, or whatever number of digits of a
full telephone number. An extension number is an automated way of telling
the switchboard to which internal number of the central phone system you
want to be connected. The company would then only have one valid outside
telephone number. So you would be using a full phone number + an extension
number.

This is pretty dated when compared to today's businesses where they have
reserved a range of full telephone numbers and where everybody will have its
own full telephone number.

In your case; you shouldn't be using extension numbers at all ;-)

 

[muelle60]

I dont understand, why this is not an extension number:

I am entering +49(89)12345-67 into phone dialog. After this I double click
on the number. I will get the check phone number dialog. Here I can see:

Country/Region: Germany
City/Area code: 89
Local number: 12345-67
Extension: <empty>

I change the local number to 12345 and extension to 67. After closing the
dialog I see +49 (89) 12345 x 67

Why I can use this extension? Where Do I find the describtion of this
externsion field?

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Perhaps you understand with an example.

Direct Inward Dialing;
General telephone number of business:
+49(89)1234500
Telephone number employee 1:
+49(89)1234501
Telephone number employee 2:
+49(89)1234502
Telephone number employee 3:
+49(89)1234503
etc...

Extension;
General telephone number of business:
+49(89)1234500
Telephone number of employee 1:
+49(89)1234500 x01
Telephone number of employee 2:
+49(89)1234500 x02
Telephone number of employee 3:
+49(89)1234500 x03

The extension is like calling a central number and then getting to hear
"Press 01 for employee 1, press 02 for employee 3, press 03 for employee 3,
etc..."

Surely you are not calling to such a system?