Step-by-Step Instructions from the Avaya 9508 User Manual You Actually Need

Skip the Manual. Get the Steps That Matter.

The Avaya 9508 user manual is thorough and long. Most people don't need all of it. They need to know how to transfer a call, set up voicemail, change the ringtone, or forward calls to another number. This guide pulls out the instructions that come up most in day-to-day office use and presents them in plain, simple steps.

Bookmark this page. It covers everything your team actually needs to know.

Getting to Know Your 9508

Before jumping into the how-to steps, here's a quick map of the keys you'll use most:

• Call Appearance / Feature Keys (24): the buttons along the left and right sides of the display. They handle incoming calls, outgoing calls, and programmed features. Press the left/right arrow keys to see two additional screens of buttons.

• Message lamp: the light at the top of the phone. Solid means new voicemail. Flashing means an incoming call is ringing.

• Soft keys: the four buttons directly below the display. Their labels change depending on what you're doing: idle, on a call, in a menu, so they always show what's relevant to that moment.

• Volume key: adjusts ringer, speaker, and handset/headset volume independently

• Mute key: silences your microphone. The lamp lights up, so you know you're muted.

• Phone key: exits any menu and returns the display to the normal phone screen

Making and Answering Calls

Making a Call

If you're not already on a call, just dial the number. The first available appearance button is used for the call automatically. Alternatively, press a specific appearance button first if you want to control which line the call uses.

You can also dial first and then lift the handset, or lift the handset and then dial.

Answering a Call

When a call comes in, lift the handset or press the flashing appearance button. Press the Speaker key to answer hands-free without lifting the handset.

Adjusting Volume During a Call

With the call connected, press the Volume key and use the + and − keys to adjust. Volume is adjusted separately for whichever device you're currently using: handset, headset, or speaker, so changing it on one doesn't affect the others.

Transferring a Call

Blind Transfer (Transfer Without Announcing)

Step 1: While on the call, press the Transfer soft key.

Step 2: Dial the extension number you want to transfer to.

Step 3: Press Complete or hang up. The call transfers immediately without waiting for the other person to answer.

Announced Transfer (Transfer After Speaking First)

Step 1: While on the call, press the Transfer soft key.

Step 2: Dial the extension. Wait for the person to answer and announce the caller.

Step 3: Press Complete to connect the two parties and drop yourself from the call.

Placing a Call on Hold

Press the Hold soft key during an active call. The call appearance button flashes slowly to indicate the call is on hold. To return to it, press the flashing button.

To make a second call while someone is on hold, press an available appearance button and dial normally. Switch between calls by pressing the relevant appearance button for each one.

Setting Up Call Forwarding

Forward All Calls (Unconditional)

Press Features. Use the up/down keys to highlight Forward and press Select. Use the up/down keys to highlight Forward Unconditional and press Select. Highlight Fwd Unconditional and press On. If no destination is currently set, the display jumps to the destination field. Automatically enter the number and press Save.

To turn it off, follow the same steps and press Off.

Follow Me (Forward to Another Extension Temporarily)

Press Features. Use the up/down keys to highlight Forward and press Select. Highlight Follow me To and press Select. Dial the number of another user or press Dir to select from the directory. Press Save.

This is useful when you're working at a different desk and want calls to follow you there temporarily.

Accessing Voicemail

Press the Messages key. If your system uses Avaya Voicemail Pro, this connects you directly to your voicemail box. Follow the audio prompts to listen to messages, change your greeting, or set your PIN.

The message lamp on top of the phone lights solid when new messages are waiting. It turns off once you've listened to all new messages.

Using the Contacts Directory

Press the Contacts key. Use the left/right keys to select which directory to view: Personal or the shared system directory. To add a new personal contact, press New. To edit an existing one, highlight it and press Edit. Use the up/down keys to switch between name and number entry, then press Save when done.

You can store up to 100 personal contacts on the phone.

Adding a Contact From Your Call History

Press the History button. Use the left/right keys to select which calls to show: All, Missed, Incoming, or Outgoing. Highlight the entry you want to save, then follow the prompts to add it as a personal contact.

This is the fastest way to save a number after receiving a call from someone not already in your directory.

Changing Your Ringtone

Press the Avaya Home button. Select Screen & Sound Options and press Select. Select Personalized Ringing and press Select. Scroll through the available ring patterns. Press Save once you find the one you want.

Turning the Ringer Off

Press the Avaya Home button. Select Call Settings and press Select. Select Disable Ringer and press Change to turn it on. Press Save.

The phone will still show incoming calls; visually, the appearance button flashes, but it won't ring audibly.

Changing Your Default Audio Path

Press the Avaya Home button. Select Call Settings and press Select. Select Audio Path and press Change to switch between Speaker and Handset as the default audio path for calls. Press Save.

Setting this to Speaker means calls automatically go to speakerphone when you dial without lifting the handset.

Setting Up En Bloc Dialing

En Bloc dialing lets you enter a full number before the call is placed, similar to how a mobile phone works, so you can correct digits before dialing.

Press the Avaya Home button. Select Call Settings and press Select. Select En Bloc Dial and press Change to set it to On. Press Save.

Changing Your Security PIN

Press the Features soft key. Select Phone User and press Select. Select Set Security PIN and press Select. Enter your current login code if you have one and press Done. Enter your new code, then press Save to complete the change.

Display Status Indicators You'll See on Screen

The 9508 shows status indicators on the display that tell you what's happening with your phone at a glance. D means the phone is forwarded. N means Do Not Disturb is active. G means you are a member of a hunt group. OUT OF SERVICE means one or more of your hunt groups is in out-of-hours mode. NO USER means the extension is not currently logged in.

If the Status soft key appears on your idle screen, press it for more details on whichever state is active.

Need More From Your Avaya System?

The 9508 has more features than most users ever discover, including call recording, group memberships, self-administration of button assignments, and more. If your team needs training on the full feature set, or your phone isn't behaving the way it should, a qualified Avaya support provider can help get everything working and configured the way your business needs it.