Grasshopper β After-Hours Setup
How to forward after-hours calls to PupPilot on Grasshopper.
Setup Note
Grasshopper is a virtual system with no desk phones. Calls route to cell phones or existing landlines.
How Grasshopper Works
Grasshopper is a virtual phone system β it routes calls to your existing phones (cell, landline, or softphone) without desk phone hardware. Call routing is managed through the Grasshopper Account Portal at account.grasshopper.com. Key concepts: Extensions (virtual routing destinations), Call Forwarding (to external numbers), and Hours of Operation (time-based routing).
Call Flow
Open Hours
Caller
Main Number
Staff phones ring
Staff answers
After Hours
Caller
Main Number
Forward
PupPilot answers
Setup Steps
1
Log in to Grasshopper
Go to account.grasshopper.com and sign in.
2
Go to Extensions Settings
Navigate to
Settings β Extensions. Select the main extension that receives incoming calls.3
Set Hours of Operation
Under Hours of Operation, define your business hours (e.g., MonβFri 8 AM β 6 PM).
4
Configure After-Hours Forwarding
In the after-hours call handling section, select Forward to Number and enter your PupPilot phone number.
5
Save and Test
Save your changes. Call your Grasshopper number after hours to verify PupPilot answers.
Important Notes
- Grasshopper is a virtual phone system β there are no desk phones. Calls route to cell phones or existing lines.
- You can record a custom after-hours greeting before forwarding to PupPilot.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Calls don't reach PupPilot | Check the extension's call forwarding settings at Settings β Extensions. Verify the PupPilot number is correct. |
| After-hours forwarding not activating | Verify the Hours of Operation schedule is configured correctly. Check that the timezone matches your clinic location. |
| No desk phones available for transfers | Grasshopper is a virtual system with no desk phones. Use staff cell phones or a separate VoIP number for transfers. |
| Calls loop between PupPilot and your system | The internal number is forwarding to PupPilot on no-answer. Change the fallback to voicemail. |