All About Voicemail

Automated Attendant

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:21:44 +0000

An automated attendant, in telephone systems, is a software-driven system that answers and routes incoming calls without the intervention of a live operator. Can your business benefit from an auto-attendant voicemail system?

Answering Service Software

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:50:23 +0000

If you need an answering service and are the do-it-yourself kind of person, then you may be interested in "answering service software." That's one of the terms for software that helps you manage incoming phone calls. It's also called call management software; phone message software; call service software; or just telephone software. What answering service software is right for you?

What is Unified Messaging?

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:47:46 +0000

Unified Messaging is the integration of all your different communication media: voice phone calls, email, Instant Messaging, SMS, fax, etc., into one user interface that may reside on a desktop computer, laptop, or mobile device such as a cell phone or Blackberry. With UM, you're always in touch with coworkers and customers, even if they are trying to contact you via a medium that you don't happen to have access to at the moment.

Virtual Office Phone Systems

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:29:44 +0000

A virtual office phone system is a service that provides the efficiencies and professional audio image of a business office without the usual overhead. A virtual office system is ideal for many kinds of small businesses. Find out if one is right for your business...

Voice and Fax Broadcasting

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:10:46 +0000

Phones are generally considered a means for people to reach you, or for you to call a particular person. Faxes can also be sent and received via phone lines, and they usually are point-to-point transmissions. But voice broadcasting and fax broadcasting are ways to get messages to many people simultaneously via phones. These technologies have good and bad uses...

Choosing a Small Business Phone System

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:32:24 +0000

If your business is very small - a sole proprietorship, or a mom-and-pop retail store - you may need just a couple of standard telephones and POTS - Plain Old Telephone Service. But once you have several employees with their own offices, you will need to consider a more sophisticated phone system. Here's some advice on how to choose a small business phone system…

24-hour Answering Services

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:51:07 +0000

The most expensive answering service consists of live operators available 24 hours a day. Do you need a 24-hour answering service? It depends on how urgently people call you and whether you can get a good return on the investment by answering their calls around the clock...

Avoid Voice Menu Mazes

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:03:13 +0000

Are you one of those people who hates Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems - otherwise known as "voice mail jail"? Automated voice menu systems can be annoying, frustrating, and time-wasting. It is especially irritating when a voice-recognition system "didn't understand your request" and makes you repeat yourself in an ever louder voice. Wouldn't it be great to cut through the maze of options and get a live human being on the line? It can be done in many cases, if you push the right buttons or say the right words...

What is Interactive Voice Response?

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:11:41 +0000

If your business gets a high volume of phone calls from customers, you may want to consider Interactive Voice Response (IVR), sometimes called Automated Voice Response (AVR). IVR is a computer telephony system that accepts incoming calls; speaks options to callers; and responds to their voice or touchtone commands with more options or information. Read on to learn more about automated interactive voice response systems...

Setting Up Voicemail

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:02:36 +0000

Setting up voicemail when you first get the service takes a bit of attention and planning, if you want to do it right. Of course, you could simply do nothing except enter a new PIN number to activate your voicemail service. Callers, typically, will get a mechanical voice reciting your phone number, followed by standard instructions to leave a message, and then a beep. That's not very polite, or helpful. Here's how to do it right...

Virtual Receptionist

Fri, 21 May 2010 13:42:28 +0000

Many small businesses are using virtual receptionists these days, outsourcing the job of answering incoming customer calls, and taking voice mail messages. Can your small business benefit from having a virtual receptionist? Read on...

Telephone Answering Services

Thu, 20 May 2010 18:12:03 +0000

Telephone answering services have been around for decades. Answer United, for example, is one company that has been answering other people's phone calls for over 45 years. Voicemail, even though it's essentially free, has failed to kill off the telephone answering service. There are several reasons for that. Here are some reasons for hiring an answering service that uses real humans...

Internet Voicemail Services

Mon, 10 May 2010 15:59:01 +0000

Are you looking for a better way to manage your voicemail? These online voicemail service providers offer an array of services for individuals and small businesses who want the convenience of handling voice messages online, and a professional sounding "virtual office" presence for callers...

Get a Toll Free Number

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:21:12 +0000

"I have an online business and would like a toll-free number for customers to reach us. How do 800 or toll-free numbers work, and how can I get a specific number that I want?"

Virtual PBX

Tue, 04 May 2010 15:26:46 +0000

When shopping for a new business phone system you will undoubtedly hear the term "virtual PBX" many times. Millions of businesses, from large enterprises to sole proprietorships, use a virtual PBX (Private Branch Exchange) to save money while enjoying first-class telephone features and benefits. Here's how it works...