Interactive Voice Response or IVR is among the most sought after features when it comes to human-machine interactions in telecommunications. What IVR essentially accomplishes is that it allows users to interact with computers through the use of dual tone multi-frequency and voice inputs. In other words, when you encounter voice responses through automobiles, or through a telephone line, and so on, it is usually IVR that gets down at work and makes voice communication possible. The IVR is basically an interactive voice response that you get for simple human-computer interactions and dialogues, to help you navigate a simple interactive process.

The automated attendant is the system that allows you to interact with the computer or gadget, without the aid of a telephone operator or any human actor to intervene and guide you through the process. A good example of where you might have encountered an automated attendant is on a menu system, such as ‘dial 1 for technical support’, ‘2 for sales assistance’, and so on. This is also the system that comes into play when you need to transfer calls to voicemail, or redirect calls to a different number, and so on.

Overall, based on the descriptions that we have seen above of the two systems, if we had to look at the differences in operation between the two, we can say:

1. First of all, the automated attendant is characterized by the telephonic options that you get when you call a number, redirecting you to the various communications amenities that you can access depending on your requirement. IVR, on the other hand, is more advanced in terms of the levels of response, technology and interaction.
2. The most important difference is that IVR is also equipped sometimes with voice recognition technology; therefore, the level of interaction between you and the computer is far more advanced as opposed to in an automated attendant.
3. While both systems aim to eliminate the intervention of a human interceptor such as a receptionist or a telecommunications operator, the automated attendant permits only a limited dimension to the interaction with limited options. However, IVR is more advanced and nuanced in its interactive ability and options provided to the user.

How often have you left your office or home to find out having missed an important sales call? If yes, then you must surely have wished for a way to stay connected with everyone at all possible times. While missing an important call can result in or lead to loss at work, there is an immediate need to find a solution. In such a case, you can always start off by merging your telephone and broadband connection through VoIP services. Starting from lowering your overall monthly expenses on telephone bills, the benefits of integrating voice phone systems to your working environment go longer down the road. Read More…

Nowadays, running a business is backed up with responsibilities of minimizing the impact of your business on the environment. This would necessarily mean giving a second thought to your outdated customary business models, and shifting to better and eco-friendly ways of doing business. In order to take a big step in the direction of minimizing wastage, you can always think of cloud computing as the new mantra for coloring your business green. Read More…

Phone phobia is still one of the major afflictions among business owners, you might be easily able to relate that to yourself. Now the thing to worry about here is that many small business owners like you are unable to get their hands on expensive separate sales department setups in order to enjoy unremitting profits. Whether you like it or not, phone and sales still come in pairs as far as increasing the revenues and profits are concerned. The phone surely is one of the best mediums for increasing sales, regardless of the new shiny tools available in the 21st century business world.

Better Communication, Better Business

The importance of phones in a small business can never be left unnoticed. You need to remember that your customers will always pick up their phones to reach you for every little inquiry they may have. Whether it is a pre-sales inquiry or after sales support or just a simple follow-up, an unanswered phone call will mean one happy client less. The internal sales department will spread a word about your products and services to the potential market, thereby increasing your sales and ROI.

Phone Sales ROI and VoIP Services

Installing expensive phone systems in your small business organization can definitely be a bank breaking deal. If you have somehow managed to get them installed, you surely must follow some quick tips for improving the sales ROI.

• Improved mental state and frame while making sales calls
• Create impactful communication
• Spend time in cold call training to identify things that can and cannot impact the sales

If, however, you are still wondering about investing in an internal sales department, then availing the benefits of VoIP services would be an ideal option for you. Integrating VoIP services with your existing solutions will not only save a good amount of investment, but will also improve the efficiency and ROI quite easily. With VoIP service providers offering innumerable quality features to the businesses in lieu of affordable charges, reaching a break-even in a matter of 6-8 months and then a better ROI is not a distant dream.

So, if you still haven’t given a thought to having an internal phone sales department, thinking about VoIP integration would be a worthy investment.

In contrast to the customary telephone service providers, VoIP firms provide businesses with a wide variety of features in lieu of no extra charges. With certain VoIP companies providing more than 40 features in their entry-level plans, it might become difficult for you to fully understand the function of each and every feature, and make optimum use of them in day-to-day operations.

In light of feature assessment, here are some high-end VoIP features explained in detail for you. Some of them might look like neat gimmicks at first glance, and may very well be your favorite features once you’ve gotten to use them. Read More…

After TEVA Canada adopted a network utilizing Microsoft SharePoint, Strategy-Nets and Moxie, they announced an unprecedented 95% order fulfillment rate for 2011. At the same time, IBM announced that they had reduced completion time by 30% and had a 33% reduction in component costs.

But as Bloomberg let on that monitoring trend in online sentiment was leading to accurate stock predictions, even industry giants like Microsoft were suffering the effects of an outdated one-way communication system. Escaping a potentially devastating 62% dissatisfaction rate in customer service provision through the generation of blogs, websites and forums, Microsoft, along with all these other companies, demonstrated the power of streamlining networks. Read More…