The short answer
Business hours = when your team is available for inbound calls. Set once, workspace-wide.
Calling hours = when your campaigns can dial contacts. Set per campaign, in the contact's timezone.
They are separate settings in different parts of the platform.
Business hours
Level | Workspace-wide (applies to all numbers) |
Controls | Inbound call routing (which mode activates during vs. after hours) |
Timezone | Your workspace timezone |
Where to set | Settings > General > Business Hours |
Example | Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 6 PM ET |
When business hours are on, each phone number can route calls differently during hours vs. after hours. For example: ring your team during the day, route to AI at night.
Calling hours
Level | Per campaign |
Controls | When outbound calls can be made |
Timezone | The recipient's local timezone |
Where to set | Campaign > Configuration > Execution Hours |
Example | 10 AM – 6 PM (in each contact's local timezone) |
Calling hours ensure your campaigns don't call someone at 7 AM their time just because it's noon your time. Consio automatically calculates each contact's timezone and dials within your configured window.
Common mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking calling hours control when your team is available.
No — calling hours only control outbound campaign dialing. If your team is working 9–5 but your calling hours are 10–6, agents can still receive and make manual calls outside 10–6. The 10–6 window only limits the automated dialer.
Mistake 2: Setting calling hours in your timezone.
Calling hours are always in the recipient's timezone. If you set 10 AM – 6 PM and a contact is in California (Pacific time), Consio dials them between 10 AM and 6 PM Pacific — not Eastern.
Mistake 3: Not enabling business hours at all.
Without business hours, your inbound routing doesn't change at night. Calls ring your team at 2 AM the same as 2 PM. Enable business hours and set an after-hours route (usually AI agent) to avoid missed overnight calls.
Where to find each setting
Business hours: Settings (gear icon) > General > scroll to Business Hours section
Calling hours: Campaigns > select a campaign > Configuration tab > Execution Hours
How to set each one
Setting business hours
Go to Settings > General
Find the Business Hours section
Toggle business hours On
Set your workspace timezone
Set your schedule for each day of the week
Setting calling hours
Go to Campaigns > select your campaign
Open the Configuration tab
Find Execution Hours
Set the start and end time (these apply in the recipient's local timezone)
Save
How to verify it worked
Business hours: Call your number during hours — your team should ring. Call after hours — your after-hours route should activate.
Calling hours: Check the campaign dashboard. The dialer should only queue calls during the configured window in each contact's timezone.
Related articles
Configuring business hours & inbound routing — full business hours setup and never-miss-a-call pattern
Creating your first outbound campaign — campaign setup including calling hours
Inbound call routing: 5 modes explained — all routing options for inbound calls