BLF (Busy Lamp Field) keys are designed to monitor extensions
For example a receptionist may have a phone with a number of physical or virtual (In the Snom 870’s case) keys that can be configured to light up when a specific extension is making or receiving a call, visually indicating at a glance whether an extension is busy or not
A BLF key can be configured on a Snom phone by accessing the ‘Function Keys’ menu item on the phone’s web interface
A simple illustration would be as follows
Programmable Key 3 P3 is now configured to monitor extension 13
Often we are asked whether a single key can be programmed to transfer a call to a given extension. Well this can be achieved via BLF keys
The following is the procedure for performing a ‘Blind Transfer’ using a BLF
Incoming Call
Call answered on Snom Phone
Press Transfer key
Press BLF key
Done
The following is the procedure for performing an ‘Announced Transfer’ using a BLF
Incoming Call
Call answered on Snom Phone
Press BLF key
Speak to the person at the extension, announcing the caller
Press Transfer
Press Transfer
Done
Another useful tip for configuring the BLF key might be if you were wishing to use the BLF key to ‘pickup’ a call destined for the monitored extension. You may be a PA monitoring your Chairman’s phone, notice an inbound call to his extension and wish to answer it easily on his behalf. In this scenario you would simple configure the BLF key as follows:
