Most business phone systems are equipped with standard features that help improve employee efficiency like voicemail, call forwarding and Caller ID; but only the most advanced digital phone systems include two high-tech functions as part of their standard office communication systems package. Business phone solutions that offer music- or message-on-hold (MOH) and live call screening functionalities can help businesses take office communications to the next level.
1. Music- or Message-on-Hold (MOH)
Business phone systems that have an MOH feature allow businesses to engage customers while they're waiting to be connected to a company representative. With a telephone system that enables MOH, users can offer music to entertain callers while they're on hold or play a previously recorded message to share information about new products and services. Most office communication systems require a peripheral plug-in device for nearly any MOH activity, but this additional business phone equipment can lead to increased telephone system costs as well as installation and service fees. Additionally, these types of telephone systems limit the administrator's flexibility to create or select MOH materials and should be avoided.
The most cost-efficient and flexible business phone systems include MOH functions as standard features which gives the administrator a higher level of control. These more advanced telephone systems offer prerecorded tracks, the ability to custom-record music and messages, and the option to connect to an external source like a CD player. The best small business phone systems provide outstanding audio quality so time spent on hold is as pleasant as possible for customer. The most advanced office communications systems with MOH functionality also always play recordings from the start-of-loop to ensure callers on hold don't miss any part of the information a company is trying to share.
2. Live Call Screening
Live call screening allows employees to listen to a voicemail message as it's being left through the telephone system. Many communication equipment manufacturers refer to this feature as "monitoring" or "monitor mode." At home, it's easy for users to perform live call screening by listening to a caller as they're leaving a message through the answering machine. However, only advanced business phone systems provide this level of simplicity for small business office communication.
One method of call screening for business telephone systems requires a caller to state their name so it can be recorded. The telephone system then places the caller on hold and calls the user. The user can choose whether to accept the call or let it go. While effective, this method of call screening is time-consuming and often offensive to callers. The best small business phone systems enable live call screening by allowing users to easily listen to any message as it's being left without the caller's knowledge. Some office communication systems will offer live call screening - but only on certain calls. These business phone systems are unable to screen calls that have been transferred from another extension.
With more advanced digital phone systems, users can easily screen all calls with one keystroke. Due to the nature of business, advanced office phone solutions also offer password-protected live call screening so that others can't listen in on messages left at an extension while that user is not present. Finally, the most efficient business phone systems also provide enough voice channels to enable several users to monitor calls using the live screening feature simultaneously without impacting other call processing functions.
Author Resource:
ESI-Tech is leader in Business phone system and other innovative communication products. For more information on pricing visit their website.
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