Patent ID: 8687785

Claim:
A private branch exchange (PBX) system comprising: a first interface to connect with a network; a second interface to connect with a telephone device of a caller; and a unit operable to control a connection between the first and second interfaces for an outbound call from the telephone device of the caller to a remote telephone device of a callee connected to the network, the outbound call requiring a valid authorization code; and a processor subsystem coupled with the unit and operable to: receive the outbound call dialed by the caller to a number of the callee, the outbound call requiring the valid authorization code which the caller lacks; hold the outbound call in a queue; initiate communications with a telecommunications device associated with a first supervisor; present, through a graphical user interface (GUI) window displayed on a screen of the telecommunications device associated with the first supervisor, information about the outbound call and a selectable option to allow or deny the outbound call, the information comprising a name of the caller and a reason for the outbound call, the supervisor having authority to allow or deny the outgoing call; and provide, on a GUI window of the telecommunication device, a selectable option to consult with the caller, a selectable option to communicate with a telecommunications device of a second supervisor, and a selectable option to forward the outbound call to the telecommunications device of the second supervisor, prior to allowing or denying the outbound call; wherein the unit is further operable to: make the connection for the outbound call to the remote telephone device associated with the number of the callee in response to the first supervisor selecting the selectable option received from the telecommunications device of the first supervisor that indicates the first supervisor is allowing the outbound call; and drop the outbound call in response to the first supervisor selecting the selectable option received from the telecommunications device of the first supervisor that indicates the first supervisor is denying the outbound call and provide the first supervisor with a dialog box for communication with the caller allowing the first supervisor to enter a reason for dropping the outbound call.