⚡Quick answer:
MyOperator’s IVR Builder includes six node types you can combine to design your call flow: IVR Menu, Extension, Department, Message, Voicemail, Input & Response.
1. What’s a “node” in IVR Builder?
A node is a building block in your call flow. Each node performs a specific task—play a message, gather input, route to users, record voicemail, etc. Connect nodes to shape how a call moves through your IVR.
2. Quick reference
Node | Primary purpose | Where it fits best | Common pitfalls |
IVR Menu | Offer keypad choices ("Press 1 for…") | Main menu or submenus | No-input/invalid-input loops; too many menu layers |
Extension | Route to a specific user | Direct-dial use cases | Routing to an unavailable user without a fallback |
Department | Route to a team (multiple users) | Sales, Support groups | Empty/paused agents → missed calls |
Message | Play audio (welcome/anywhere) | Greetings, status updates | Wrong audio format/volume too low |
Voicemail | Record caller message | After-hours/unanswered | No notification path defined |
Input & Response | Capture digits and branch/trigger | Account/Order lookups | Not handling max retries/timeouts |
3. How to add a node
- Open MyOperator › Call Flow Setup › IVR Builder.
- Click Add Node (or drag from the node palette) and choose a node type.
- Configure required fields (e.g., audio file, destination, retries).
- Connect the node to the previous and next steps.
- Publish your changes and place an external test call to verify.
4. Node types (details & examples)
1) IVR Menu
What it does: Plays a prompt and lets callers select options by pressing digits. Route each digit to a target.
Key settings:
- Prompt audio: Select a library file with clear numbering (“Press 1 for Sales,” etc.).
- Valid keys: Digits you accept (e.g., 0–9, *).
- No input / Invalid input: Action after timeout or wrong key (repeat prompt, go to agent/voicemail, end call).
- Retries: Times you’ll re-prompt before fallback.
Fallbacks & edge cases:
- After N retries, route to Voicemail or a Department.
- Provide a “0 for operator” escape where appropriate.
Common pitfalls:
- Too many layers (deep menus hurt CSAT). Keep to ≤2 levels when possible.
- Reusing old audio that doesn’t match configured options.
Example:
- “Press 1 for Sales, 2 for Support; 0 to speak to our operator.”
2) Extension
What it does: Sends the call to a specific user’s extension.
Key settings:
- User/extension: Select the intended agent.
- Ring strategy & timeout: How long to ring before fallback.
Fallbacks & edge cases:
- If the user is offline/busy, route to Voicemail or a Department.
Common pitfalls:
- Pointing to a user who is not assigned to this number/flow.
Example:
- “Press 9 to reach our Billing Specialist.”
3) Department
What it does: Routes to a team (multiple users) according to your ring strategy.
Key settings:
- Department: Choose the team (e.g., Sales).
- Ring strategy: Ring-all, round-robin, or other available methods.
- Business hours: (If used) pair with time-based routing.
Fallbacks & edge cases:
- No active agents → route to Voicemail or Message.
Common pitfalls:
- The department has no active agents or everyone is paused.
Example:
- “Press 1 for Sales” → Department: Sales (ring-all 20s).
4) Message
What it does: Plays audio to the caller (e.g., Welcome at start, Custom anywhere).
Key settings:
- Audio file: Upload/select from Library (follow your “Add audios to library” requirements).
- Placement: Before menus, after a selection, or while transferring.
Fallbacks & edge cases:
- If this is the only node, ensure the flow continues (to Menu/Department) or ends intentionally.
Common pitfalls:
- Low volume or a wrong format causes poor playback. Verify the file meets your KB requirements.
Example:
- “Thanks for calling MyOperator. Your call may be recorded for quality.”
5) Voicemail
What it does: Records a message when no one answers or after hours.
Key settings:
- Greeting audio: Tell callers what to leave (name, reason, call-back number).
- Notification path: Where new voicemails appear (e.g., call logs/notifications) and who reviews them.
Fallbacks & edge cases:
- When the mailbox is not monitored, route to an alternate team during business hours.
Common pitfalls:
- No one reviews the mailbox; callers never hear back.
Example:
- After Department timeout, send to Voicemail with a clear 20–30s prompt.
6) Input & Response
What it does: Collects keypad input (DTMF) like account numbers, then routes or triggers actions (e.g., CRM lookup).
Key settings:
- Expected input: Length/format (e.g., 6–10 digits).
- No/invalid input handling: Retries and where to route after max attempts.
- Actions: Route based on value prefixes; trigger webhook/API (if available in plan).
Fallbacks & edge cases:
- Handle timeout and invalid characters. Provide an operator escape.
Common pitfalls:
- Not validating length; callers get stuck.
Example:
- “Enter your 6‑digit order ID, then press #.” Route 1xxxxx to Sales, 2xxxxx to Support.
5. Limits & behaviour notes
- Keep menus shallow; avoid more than two submenu levels when possible.
- Always define no-input/invalid-input behaviour to prevent loops.
- Ensure departments have active, available agents; set a timeout fallback.
- Use supported audio formats per your “Add audios to library” guidance for reliable playback.
- For after-hours, pair nodes with time-based routing so callers get the right outcome.
6. Troubleshooting
- DTMF not recognised:
- Re-record prompt clearly; ensure callers know to use the touch‑tone keypad. Add a retries path.
- Message doesn’t play:
- Check audio file format and volume; re-upload if corrupted.
- Rings but no answer:
- Confirm department membership and agent availability; verify ring strategy and timeout.
- Voicemails missing:
- Verify where voicemails are listed in your account and confirm someone is assigned to review them.
- Call loops back to the menu:
- Review invalid/no-input routing and reduce retries.
Need help?
Not sure which node to use? Contact Support from the Help menu in your MyOperator dashboard. Include:
- Your organisation name/ID
- The call flow name and affected number(s)
- A short description of what callers should experience