Summary:
Currently, RingCentral requires assigning a phone number to an extension in order to assign a license. This feature request proposes the ability to assign a license to an extension independent of a phone number.
Benefits:
Improved Flexibility: This feature would allow for more flexible license management. Organizations could assign licenses to extensions for users who require features beyond those offered in the base package, even if they don't require a dedicated phone number. For example, a user who needs access to video conferencing capabilities could be assigned a license without needing a separate phone line.
Cost Optimization: Organizations could potentially optimize costs by assigning licenses only to extensions that require them. This could be particularly beneficial for seasonal staff or employees who primarily use softphones.
Enhanced Scalability: Assigning licenses independent of phone numbers would simplify scaling RingCentral usage. Organizations could easily add or remove licenses as needed without having to manage additional phone numbers.
Use Cases:
Assigning a RingCentral license to a user who primarily uses the desktop app or softphone for features like video conferencing, call forwarding, or voicemail transcription.
Granting a license to a temporary or seasonal employee who only needs access to core RingCentral functionalities without a dedicated phone line.
Enabling a license for administrative staff who require features like call monitoring or analytics but don't need a separate phone number.
Implementation:
The implementation of this feature could involve:
Modifying the RingCentral admin panel to allow assigning licenses directly to extensions during the extension creation process or through a dedicated licensing section.
Developing a mechanism to differentiate between licensed and unlicensed extensions within the RingCentral interface.
Conclusion:
The ability to assign RingCentral licenses to extensions without a phone number would provide organizations with greater flexibility, cost optimization opportunities, and improved scalability in managing their RingCentral deployments.