automated position is maintained action block 1508 the call being set up is monitored from the automated position action block 1510 if a disconnect is detected the call is disconnected action block 1512 if an answer is detected the call is completed conventionally action block 1514 if a busy signal is detected or a timed no answer is detected then an offer to set up a vms call is announced to the caller action block 1516 from the automated position action block 1516 during the announcement if an answer is detected then the call is completed conventionally action block 1514 if a spoken 34 no 34 is detected the spoken 34 no 34 is ignored action block 1517 in order to allow the caller to wait for a possible answer and to detect a disconnect leading to the disconnection of the call action block 1512 after the customer stops waiting however if the customer after responding 34 no 34 to the vms prompt continues to wait for a possible answer and exceeds a specified time out period the caller will be prompted for a final time i e 1516 if a 34 no 34 is detected the call will be disconnected i e 1512 if a spoken 34 yes 34 a keyed 9 for y or yes or a keyed 867 equals vms is detected then the forward connection to the called customer is released action block 1518 the same action is performed if the calling customer keys 867 prior to.