BKE started this topic @ 10:25 on 15/08/2005
Hi We are looking at providing a telephone answering service but need a little advise.
We really need to know how exactly we are going to connect all our clients calls to our offices, as a diversion seems to be rather costly to the client?
We are trying to source a telephone system that has a different tone dependant upone the company that have been called?
We would like to run this as cheaply as possible for our clients- any information and advise will be greatly appreciated.
Ta Louise
RE: Telephone Answering Services advise needed
sibell | 25/08/2005 09:03 PM
We really need to know how exactly we are going to connect all our clients calls to our offices, as a diversion seems to be rather costly to the client?
Diversion is the most common route for a customer to get their calls over to you. However you can arrange to get a group of 0845 numbers from a service provider and issue these to clients, some providers offer instant routing changes online so with a few mouse clicks you can route the 0845 number back to the clients normal line or arrange for time of day routing to your lines or the clients lines (this method is not that common as means the customer has to change their phone number).
If the customer already has an 0800/0845/0870 number etc, their current provider will hopefully be able to arrange instant routing changes or time of day routing for them.
We are trying to source a telephone system that has a different tone dependant upone the company that have been called?
Again the most common route is to arrange for ISDN lines to be installed with DDIs (Direct Dial-In) numbers to an ISDN phone system. The system will route the connected numbers and the choice of how to identify the call is up to you but can include CTI – Pop up screen on the PC, telephone display showing the company/client name allocated to the number or just different keys on a telephone that will light up when each individual DDI number is called. The customer then simple diverts their current line to the DDI number you allocate.
An alternative is to again arrange for an 0845 number that can be issued to clients to use or route their calls to – some providers offer a service where an announcement is made to you before you are connected to the caller (i.e. “call for John Smith & Co”), some providers can send the 0845 number as the A-Number for Caller Display/ID so you or a telephone system can identify the number and perhaps allocate a company/client name to it.
Regards
Simon
------------------------
RE: Telephone Answering Services advise needed
odeniyi | 26/08/2005 02:26 AM
Hi Louise,
We could potentially help you here at an affordable pay as you grow price as well.
We could offer you a set of 0845 numbers to issue to your clients whereby the identity of the 0845 number is displayed to the answering agent.
For example customer 1 has 0845 XXX XXX1, customer 2 has 0845 XXX XXX2 and so on. When a call comes in for customer 1, you will see 0845 XXX XXX1 displayed on your screen. An incoming call for customer 2 shows 0845 XXX XXX2 and so on.
If you program the 0845 number against the allocated customer on your phone, the customers name will appear allowing answering agents to easily identify which client the call is for.
Furthermore each 0845 number could be set up to route to another answering agent if the first agent is busy. Each number can also have calls routed according to the time of day and day of week.
The great thing about this solution is there isn't a diversion cost! However, your clients would need to use the 0845 number as their main number. This solution would scale well up to 4/5 answering agents beyond which you would require a different solution.
As a catch all, we could also offer voice mail with voice messages being sent as attachments to an email.
Our pricing structure is based on a setup charge and a monthly rental per number. You can control all the functionality via the web.
This solution means no expensive set up costs and you pay as you grow.
Let me know if you want to know more.....
all the best,
------------------------
Olu">href="http://www.ecademy.com/account.php?op=view&id=22087">Olu Odeniyi
Reducing cost, removing pain with Online Data Backup, Virtual Switchboards & Virtual Call Centres
New Prospect Business Solutions
RE: Telephone Answering Services advise needed
TelecomIT | 01/09/2005 01:14 PM
Hi. Hope you have found a solution to your needs?
Please feel free to take a look at our site:- www.telecomit.co.uk we currently supply numbers to a call answering service and the partnership works well. Perhaps you can teem up with a telecom provider who will help you in your quest (they will be making money from you after all!).
If you need any help please drop me a line
Telecomit
RE: Telephone Answering Services advise needed
nduen33 | 14/09/2009 07:48 PM
It would seem that you would need a person that specializes in answering service and call center IVR routing and display information. We utilize an internal routing system that allows our agents to see which company is calling based on the toll free number that was punched in for the client. There is no need from our side to provide a special number to our clients, but rather our internal routing system is set up so that when a clients toll free is dialed our system recognizes the number and tags it for the agent.
------------------------
Telephone Answering Service
RE: Telephone Answering Services advise needed
webwhites | 14/09/2009 08:43 PM
I would recommend www.numbergroup.com - you can choose your free 0800/0845/0871 numbers for free and is billed every 6 months!
This is the only company that deal direct, rather than other companies which are the middlemen!
I have had my 0800 number for a few months now and it gets diverted to my mobile. You can change the number it diverts to as many times as you wish, just send them an email and it's usually done within 2 hours!
Hope this helps,
------------------------
Mr. Microsites
"Mobile Phone Compatible Websites"
w: www.mrmicrosites.co.uk
e: info@mrmicrosites.co.uk
t: 01642 688 655
Twitter: @mrmicrosites
RE: Telephone Answering Services advise needed
virtuallysorted | 18/09/2009 03:01 PM
Hi Louise,
You'll actually find everything you ever wanted to know about starting a telephone answering service here:
SVA GUIDE TO CALL ANSWERING
The divert doesn't need to be at the client end if you arrange the phone number. What you are looking for is a provider who will give you CLI identification on the incoming calls and you can then have an address book on your phone which flashes up the number which is being called.
I really would recommend getting the guide - it's clear from your questions that you haven't really investigated this very well and it's easy to get ripped off by unscrupulous telecoms sales guys.
Caroline
------------------------
Caroline Wylie
www.virtuallysorted.com
www.SocietyOfVirtualAssistants.co.uk
RE: Telephone Answering Services advise needed
jeconomides | 21/09/2009 11:34 PM
At a slight tangent, If you are going to be offering this sort of service, and will be looking for new clients, you might be interested in a free webinar I'm running soon.
"Build a Thriving Virtual Assistant Business with Get Clients NOW!" - pre-register for free intro webinar via via the contact us page. Click here
Let me know if you need more information on this.
Kind Regards,
Jason
------------------------
Jason Economides - Rainmaker and Author of Marketing Newsletter "Low Hanging Fruit"
For lots of FREE stuff on marketing and business development visit:-
http://www.eco-services.co.uk
Free Tips on Twitter: Http://www.twitter.com/jeconomides
Licensed Facilitator of Get Clients Now!™, the only 28-day marketing program for start-up professional services businesses. Get Clients Now!™ is a trademark of Wings for Business LLC, and is used under license. www.getclientsnow.com