Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
at about $35. If you'd rather stick to using the computer exclusively, all you need is the
correct software and a microphone; the microphones can be purchased from a place like
Best Buy or Walmart for as little as $5.
VoIP has many helpful advanced features. One of the great features of VoIP is the “auto-at-
tendant,” which allows you to play special music or prerecorded messages to customers on
hold. In addition, an auto-attendant can give customers several choices for directing their
call: sales department, billing department, customer service, and so on. It is, in essence, an
efficient call-management system that can direct callers wherever you choose.
Even if your business is not yet big enough for auto-attendant to make a huge impact,
VoIP's other services are also quite helpful. A feature called “Find Me, Follow Me”
(FMFM) allows employees to take business calls that come to the office from outside of the
office. For example, when you're out driving, a call to the office can be rerouted directly
to your cell phone. FMFM can even be programmed to route calls to certain business lines
first before directing them to a cell phone.
The third huge feature of VoIP is “Presence,” which is similar to FMFM. You can set the
Presence feature to track users, rather than guessing locations as FMFM does. For example,
logging into your e-mail from an outside computer will alert Presence to your location, let-
ting it know exactly where you are. You can also set Presence to make sure you do not get
calls in specific locations—like your meeting room.
VoIP also includes conferencing capabilities. Audio conferences can be held between mul-
tiple people at various distances. You can speak to Joe in Montana and Mary in Wisconsin
while holding a meeting at your office in Alabama. Video conferencing is sometimes avail-
able through VoIP as well. Files can be exchanged between you, Joe, and Mary using VoIP:
Mary can show you the presentation she prepared, Joe can display a chart with your finan-
cial statement on it, and you can pull up the schedule for the next meeting.
A final feature to note is the convergence of different technologies using VoIP. Several
applications can be run using the same system, with all of the applications aware of
everything going on within the system. You can avoid missing an important e-mail by set-
ting the instant messaging system to notify you that you have received a message.
Take some time and look into a VoIP system that might work well for your business, as I
am sure that there is an option that will fit your budget. Single lines with toll-free numbers
included are less that $70 per month and can make or break the sale when it comes to cus-
tomer convenience and giving the appearance that you are a legitimate business.
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