Automatic call forwarding
A short history of call forwarding
In the early 1980s, France Telecom (now Orange) began offering call forwarding by dialing a simple code on push-button phones.
This became possible with the spread of tone dialing, as DTMF keypads gradually replaced rotary phones.
By dialing a short code (such as *21*) followed by the destination number, every call was redirected without the caller noticing.
Businesses had been waiting for this service: it spared them the poor image of a phone going to voicemail in the middle of the day.
Why automate call forwarding?
The first call forwarding solutions required human action (codes to dial), and mistakes or oversights were common. After a breakdown or an absence, business calls went unanswered.
Automatic call forwarding is the best way to get reliable routing with no human intervention. By pairing a single number with an online schedule, Planitel lets you program forwarding months ahead, track calls in real time and set up no-answer scenarios (cascading calls to backup contacts).
Suited to healthcare, non-profits and industry alike, it keeps critical calls flowing without interruption and removes the risk of errors and lost urgent calls.
How does automatic call forwarding work?
Needs have changed, and so have the tools used to manage call routing.
Call forwarding can now be programmed in advance, and it can ring several mobiles in cascade.
Simply forward your number to a Planitel phone schedule: calls are then routed by time slot to the departments and mobiles of the people on duty, in cascade, using different call distribution methods, or even as simultaneous calls.
This works for an on-call number, a company switchboard, or a call center spread across several answering sites.
Benefits of automatic call forwarding
- No manual steps: no more codes to dial at a set time, and no more forgotten forwards.
- Planned ahead: forwarding is scheduled weeks or months in advance, including exceptions and handovers.
- Cascading calls: if the first person doesn't answer, the call moves on to the next one.
- Remote changes: the schedule can be updated in real time from anywhere, after a lost phone or a sick day.
Planitel: scheduled call forwarding done right
One number linked to an online schedule
Planitel pairs a single number with a dynamic schedule you can reach online. It removes the risks of handling calls by hand, by routing them automatically to the designated contacts according to a predefined calendar.
A hotline or emergency service stays reachable 24/7, with no human intervention. Through a secure, easy-to-use interface, assignments can be changed in real time, even remotely. Every call is logged, with statistics available from a custom dashboard.
Simple, flexible scheduling months in advance
On-call rotations are planned several months ahead, which brings more stability. A hospital department, for example, can plan a whole quarter of on-call shifts, including exceptions and relief teams. If nobody answers, the call is automatically redirected to a backup contact or to voicemail, and the message is sent by email or SMS.
This automation cuts human error and service interruptions. Monitoring features include alerts for uncovered periods, and integration with CRM/ERP tools helps coordinate between departments. Used in healthcare, renewable energy and public services, the solution handles any volume, from a few occasional calls to heavy traffic from remote teams.
Other advanced call forwarding features
Accurate tracking and a full call history
Planitel tracks calls in real time for full visibility. Managers can view detailed statistics: number of calls received, average duration, answer rate.
This data confirms that on-call duties are covered and helps fine-tune schedules. An on-call team can spot call peaks and reorganize its rotation accordingly.
Escalation scenarios and smart no-answer handling
When a call goes unanswered, Planitel automatically triggers configurable no-answer scenarios. After a set delay, the call is passed to backup contacts, so emergencies are handled quickly.
This avoids the risks of manual forwarding. The system notifies teams by SMS or email alerts.
- Reliability: thanks to escalation scenarios, every call gets an answer.
- Flexibility: the schedule adapts to the unexpected, such as an urgent replacement.
- Traceability: detailed tracking keeps the service under constant control.
- Security: the automated process removes the risks of manual handling.
These features fit every sector, ensuring continuity of service and regulatory compliance. They are ideal for hospitals, town halls and technical hotlines.
Automatic call forwarding across every sector
With its programmable, secure system, Planitel adapts to the many sectors that require continuity of service. Its intuitive interface makes on-call management simple, with escalation when a call goes unanswered.
- Healthcare: hospitals, clinics, care homes, on-call doctors
- Public services: town halls, on-call elected officials and technical services (water, roads)
- IT and maintenance: IT maintenance companies and elevator technicians with a 24/7 hotline
- Non-profits: listening lines run by volunteers
- Energy: maintenance of wind and solar farms, industrial sites
Planitel delivers modern, reliable handling of emergency calls.