BLF keys (Busy Lamp Field) and Speed Dial keys let you add one-touch buttons to a phone. These buttons can monitor an extension’s status or dial an extension faster.

This guide shows how to add BLF or Speed Dial keys to an extension using BLF Manager in Orbit. 

It also shows where templates live, but keeps templates simple since parts of that flow may still be changing.

What you will learn

• Open BLF Manager and select an extension

• Add a new key and choose what it does (BLF, Speed Dial, and other options)

• Set the destination extension

• Add a label, or leave it blank for a dynamic label

• Save your changes

• Where BLF Templates are located and when to use them

Before you start

• Make sure you are inside the correct customer tenant.

• If you are a regular user, you may only see your own extension in the list.

• If you are an admin, you may see more than one extension.

Step 1: Open BLF Manager

1. In the left menu, click BLF MANAGER.

2. On your screen, you will see a page titled BLF Manager.

3. In the middle of the page, you will see a message like Select an extension to begin.

Step 2: Select the extension you want to edit

1. In the extension list, click the extension you want (example: Operator (1000)).

2. Once selected, the right side will load the BLF configuration for that extension.

3. At the top-right of the configuration area, you will see buttons like:

• Save as Template

• Save Configuration

Step 3: Review the BLF configuration options (quick check)

Near the top of the configuration panel, you may see:

• DSS Key Start (example: 33)

• Cart Only (checkbox)

• Clear Unused (checkbox)

If you are just adding keys, you can leave these as they are.

Step 4: Add a new BLF or Speed Dial key

1. Scroll to the table where you see columns like:

• POS

• BLF

• Destination

• Label

• Actions

2. Click Add New Key.

A new row will appear where you can set the destination and label.

Step 5: Enter the destination extension

In the new key row:

1. Click into the Destination field.

2. Type the extension number you want to add (example used: 102).

3. If a dropdown list appears, select the correct extension.

If the dropdown shows “No data available,” it usually means the demo tenant has limited extensions. You can still type the extension number if the field accepts it.

Step 6: Add a label (or leave it blank)

In the Label column, you can:

• Enter a custom label, or

• Leave it blank

Best practice

Leave the label blank if you want a dynamic label that updates automatically when the extension name changes later.

Step 7: Save the configuration

1. Look for an alert like Unsaved changes near the top of the panel.

2. Click Save Configuration.

Once saved, your new key is applied to that extension.

Optional: Use the Templates button inside BLF Manager

On the top-right of BLF Manager, you may see a Templates button. This is used when you want to apply a saved layout to multiple extensions.

If you are only configuring one extension, you can skip this.

BLF Templates (Optional and simple)

Templates help when you want the same BLF layout on many extensions.

Step 1: Open BLF Templates

1. In the left menu, click BLF TEMPLATES.

2. On your screen, you will see a table with template names and actions.

3. At the top-right, click New Template to create one.

Step 2: Create a template (basic fields)

On the New BLF Template screen:

1. Enter a Template Name (example: Reception Desk BLF).

2. Enter a Description.

3. Leave Active Template checked if you want it usable.

Step 3: Add BLF keys to the template

In the BLF Keys area:

1. Click Add Key.

2. In the popup, choose:

• Key Number (1–50)

• Function Type (example: BLF)

• Extension to Monitor

3. Click Add Key to save that key.

Note: You may see a message at the bottom reminding you to add at least one BLF key before saving the template.

Step 4: Edit an existing template

1. From the BLF Templates list, click the pencil icon under Actions to edit.

2. Update the template details or keys.

3. Save changes.

Key tips

• If you are setting up one extension, use BLF Manager and skip templates.

• Leave labels blank if you want them to update automatically later.

• Always click Save Configuration after adding keys.

Troubleshooting

I do not see other extensions

If you are not an admin, you may only be allowed to see your own extension.

The extension dropdown shows “No data available”

This can happen in demo tenants. Try typing the extension number directly if the field allows it.

I added a key but nothing changed

Look for Unsaved changes and click Save Configuration.