Simultaneous ring and call forwarding are both call routing features built into modern business phone systems, but they serve different purposes. Simultaneous ring alerts multiple devices at once so the first available person answers; call forwarding redirects a call from one number to a specific destination, one at a time. Choosing between them — or combining them — depends on your team structure, working style, and how you want calls handled when staff are unavailable.
What Is Simultaneous Ring?
Simultaneous ring (sometimes called sim ring) causes a single inbound call to trigger multiple devices at the same time. When a customer dials your number, your desk phone, your mobile, and a remote employee's softphone all ring simultaneously. Whoever picks up first takes the call; all other devices stop ringing immediately.
This feature is particularly powerful for small teams where every call matters. If your sales team operates across multiple locations, or your staff frequently move between the office and the field, simultaneous ring eliminates the risk of a call going unanswered simply because no one was at their desk.
On a cloud PBX phone system, simultaneous ring is configured at the extension or ring group level, and you can adjust which devices are included without any hardware changes.
Common use cases for simultaneous ring include:
- A sole trader or small team where any member can and should handle inbound calls
- A field-based workforce that is rarely at a fixed desk
- Customer-facing teams where first-response speed directly affects satisfaction
- After-hours coverage using personal mobiles without giving out private numbers
What Is Call Forwarding?
Call forwarding redirects an inbound call from one number or extension to a defined destination — one step at a time. It is a sequential process: the original number rings (or skips ringing entirely, depending on your configuration), then the call moves to the forwarding destination.
Call forwarding is the foundation of structured call routing. A reception number might forward to a specific staff member during business hours, then to a voicemail box at 5:30 pm. A 1300 number might forward differently depending on the time of day, the day of the week, or whether the previous destination answered.
Common call forwarding scenarios include:
- Forwarding office calls to a mobile when working remotely
- Routing calls to an after-hours voicemail or answering service
- Redirecting calls from a main number to a department or individual
- Failover routing if a primary line is busy or unavailable
Unlike simultaneous ring, call forwarding is sequential and deliberate. It is the right tool when calls need to follow a defined path rather than go to whoever is available first.
Simultaneous Ring vs Call Forwarding: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Simultaneous Ring | Call Forwarding |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Rings multiple devices at once | Redirects to one destination at a time |
| Answer speed | Fast — first available device wins | Depends on destination availability |
| Best for | Small teams, remote workers, fast response | Structured routing, departments, after-hours |
| Flexibility | High — any device type can be included | High — supports time-based and conditional rules |
| Missed call handling | Falls through to voicemail if all devices unanswered | Can chain to another destination or voicemail |
| Hunt group support | Works alongside hunt groups | Core component of hunt group logic |
| Typical setup | Extension or ring group settings | Per-number or per-extension rules |
How Hunt Groups Relate to Both Features
A hunt group is a call routing method that distributes inbound calls across a group of extensions in a defined pattern. Simultaneous ring is one hunt group strategy — all extensions ring together. Sequential hunt groups are essentially call forwarding applied across a group: the call tries extension one, waits, then tries extension two, and so on.
Understanding hunt groups matters because most businesses eventually outgrow simple one-device forwarding or basic sim ring. A cloud PBX gives you the ability to blend both approaches: ring a front-line group simultaneously for speed, then forward unanswered calls to a backup queue or overflow destination.
When to Use Simultaneous Ring
Simultaneous ring is the right choice when speed of answer is the priority and your team is capable of handling any inbound call that arrives.
A two-person accounting firm, for example, might configure simultaneous ring across both partners' desk phones and mobiles. Neither person is tied to a desk, but a client calling the main number will reach one of them within a few rings rather than bouncing through a chain of forwarding rules.
It also suits hybrid teams. Staff working from home, on-site, or travelling can all be included in a simultaneous ring group without any change to the customer experience. The caller dials one number; internally, the team decides who picks up.
Where simultaneous ring can create friction is in larger teams. If ten people's phones ring every time a call arrives, you risk disruption and confusion about who should answer. That is where structured call forwarding and hunt group logic becomes more appropriate.
When to Use Call Forwarding
Call forwarding is the right tool when calls need to follow a predictable path based on time, availability, or business logic.
A strata management company, for instance, might forward their main number to a reception team during business hours, to an on-call manager between 5 pm and 9 pm, and to a voicemail service overnight. The customer experience is consistent; internally, the routing rules do the work.
Call forwarding also handles failover scenarios. If your primary office line is unreachable due to an internet outage, conditional call forwarding can automatically send calls to a mobile or backup number — which is a core advantage of cloud PBX call management over traditional landline systems.
Using Both Features Together
The most effective call management strategies combine simultaneous ring and call forwarding rather than treating them as competing options. A typical setup on a business phone system might look like this:
- Inbound calls hit a ring group with simultaneous ring enabled across four sales staff
- If unanswered after 20 seconds, the call forwards to a support queue
- After business hours, all calls forward directly to a voicemail box with a custom greeting
- Urgent overflow calls forward to a mobile failover number
This layered approach gives you the speed of simultaneous ring during active hours and the reliability of call forwarding rules for every other scenario. On a modern cloud PBX, building this logic takes minutes — no hardware changes, no technician required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can simultaneous ring be set up on a mobile and a desk phone at the same time?
A: Yes. Most cloud PBX platforms support simultaneous ring across any combination of desk phones, mobile numbers, and softphone applications. The devices do not need to be on the same network or in the same location.
Q: Does call forwarding affect call quality?
A: Forwarding to a VoIP extension or a number on the same cloud PBX platform generally has no impact on quality. Forwarding to an external mobile number introduces the quality of the mobile network, which can vary. For business-critical calls, keeping routing within a managed cloud PBX environment is preferable.
Q: What happens if no one answers a simultaneous ring group?
A: The call follows whatever fallback rule is configured — typically a voicemail box, an auto-attendant, or a call forwarding rule to another destination. You define the fallback behaviour in your phone system settings.
Q: Is simultaneous ring the same as a hunt group?
A: A hunt group is a broader concept describing how calls are distributed to a group of extensions. Simultaneous ring is one hunt group strategy (all ring at once). Sequential or round-robin hunt groups use call forwarding logic to route calls one extension at a time. Most cloud PBX platforms support both within the same ring group configuration.
Q: Can call forwarding be set up to change automatically after hours?
A: Yes. Time-based call forwarding is a standard feature in cloud PBX systems. You define business hours, and the system applies different forwarding rules outside those windows — no manual changes needed.
Ready to Improve How Your Business Handles Calls?
Whether you need the speed of simultaneous ring, the structure of call forwarding, or a combination of both, Pickle's business phone systems give you full control over how calls reach your team. Our cloud PBX platform is built for Australian SMEs and includes all the call routing features covered in this article — configurable without technical expertise.
Call us on 1300 688 588 or email [email protected] to talk through the right setup for your business.