Auto Alt Threshold Override per list in VICIdial

Auto Alt-Number Dialing is the VICIdial feature that lets the dialer try a Lead's secondary phone numbers once the main number stops paying off. The Auto Alt Threshold Override is a single field on the list-modify screen that decides when that alternate dialing should give up for a record in this particular list.

The threshold is a count of call attempts. Once a lead has been dialed that many times, VICIdial stops placing alternate-number calls for it and only rings the main phone going forward. That keeps you from burning the same record's backup numbers forever.

What the override actually changes

Auto Alt-Number Dialing already has a threshold set at the campaign level. The per-list override lets you change that number for one list without touching the whole Campaign. Say your campaign normally tries alternate numbers for the first five attempts, but you loaded a fresh, high-value list where backups are worth chasing longer. You can raise the threshold on that list alone and leave every other list dialing as before.

One important detail: the override is ignored when Auto Alt-Number Dialing is set to MULTI_LEAD mode. It only applies to the standard alternate-dialing behavior. The default value is -1, which means the override is off and the list simply follows the campaign setting.

How the threshold decides

flowchart TD
  A[Lead ready to dial] --> B{Attempts >= threshold?}
  B -- No --> C[Try alternate numbers too]
  B -- Yes --> D[Main phone only]
  C --> E[Log attempt]
  D --> E

The dialer checks the attempt count for each lead before it builds the dial plan. Below the threshold, alternate numbers stay in play. At or above it, only the primary number is called. Because the count is per lead, a fresh record and a heavily-worked record in the same list can behave differently on the same dialing pass. The threshold does not delete the alternate numbers or change anything else about the record; it simply stops them from being added to the calling rotation once the lead has been worked enough times.

Think of it as a per-list version of the campaign rule. The campaign sets a sensible default for the average list, and this field lets one list lean a little harder or pull back a little sooner. Because it only narrows or widens the alternate-dialing window, it never conflicts with your call-time or compliance rules; those still apply on every attempt regardless of where the threshold sits.

When to bother setting it

• A premium list where alternate numbers are worth more attempts than your usual data.
• A cheap, recycled list where you want to stop touching backups quickly.
• Compliance-sensitive data where you cap total attempts per record tightly.

One practical tip: pick the number with your real dialing pattern in mind. If a list of fresh consumer data typically connects on the first two or three attempts, a low threshold keeps you from chasing backup numbers that rarely pay off. For aged or business data where decision-makers are hard to reach, a higher threshold gives those alternate lines more chances before you give up on them.

This setting lives among the other per-list overrides next to things like the Dial prefix override. For the full picture of how lists feed the dialer, read the lists and leads guide, and if you are still getting your bearings start with what a VICIdial list is.

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