Auto-Attendant Phone Systems

What Is an Auto-Attendant?

An auto-attendant (or an e-receptionist) is an automated telephone system that directs callers to specific departments or employees, without the need of human interaction. The various extensions are pre-set and can be selected by dialling the specified number on the keypad, ensuring a smooth forwarding.

Apart from adding a professional touch to your business, an auto-attendant can be an efficient addition to your existing office telephone systems. It will ensure a hospitable reception for your customers every time they make contact with your office. It is therefore essential for businesses to invest in an effective call system that matches their operational requirements. Most auto-attendants are set up over existing VoIP phone systems, but can also be used with PBX systems.

How Much Do Auto-Attendants Cost?

The cost and prices of auto-attendants primarily depend on the size and scope of your business. Apart from the installation charges of around £25 to £50, the monthly subscription charges can range anywhere between £20 and £78. However, a small or medium-sized business with approximately 10 employees can get a monthly subscription plan from £20 to £40.

Market Inspector allows you to get in touch with the leading suppliers of telephone systems who specialise in setting up an auto-attendant feature. By filling in the form, you can receive up to four quotes from the best suppliers of automated telephone systems for absolutely zero cost and no obligation.

Features and Benefits of Auto-Attendants

An e-receptionist, simply put, is part of a business telephone system that allows users to establish contact with their callers or customers without human interface. In addition to providing an internal communication system, it also permits the callers to respond to the pre-recorded messages by using the keypads on their phones. This system uses an Interactive Voice Response System (IVR) that facilitates redirection of calls within or outside of an office and enables users to reach the right person or department.

An auto-attendant offers more complex call distribution solutions for small, medium, or large businesses. In addition to several other features, it offers attributes like:

• software integration
• call monitoring and recording
• remote use access
• conference calls

Benefits of Having an Auto-Attendant

If your business model involves an extensive amount of outgoing or incoming calls from your customers or suppliers, you are probably already aware about the importance of a suitable office telephone system. In addition to guaranteeing effortless internal communication, an appropriate auto-attendant phone system ensures an efficient customer interface for your business. It makes certain that no calls go unanswered while your executives are busy working on something more important at that moment.

An automated telephone system guarantees better customer service for your clients, better operations and supports cost efficiency for businesses. It can be used to the following purposes:

• Advantages of an Auto-Attendant
• To record customised voicemails
• To redirect calls within and outside the office
• To obtain responses and feedbacks from the customers
• To record notifications and group messages
• To establish call distribution, routing and conference call system

Select the Right Type of Auto-Attendant Phone System

The decision of selecting the ideal telephone system depends on several factors like usage, size of the business, number of employees and so on. With a wide range of products available in the market to choose from, it is important that you identify the specific requirements for your business in order to make the best decision. Auto-attendants are available in different scopes to meet various business needs, however, they are generally classified into three types: inbound, outbound, and hybrid.

You can select an ideal virtual receptionist for your business depending on your operational requirements:

Inbound Auto-Attendant System

This telephone system allows users to receive calls from their customers using Interactive Voice Responses. They are usually designed to handle large volumes of phone calls and, thus, are ideal for big organisations with several internal telephone lines. However, they are fit for both large and small businesses that receive big volumes of phone calls on a regular basis.

An inbound auto call system generally uses Private Branch Exchange (PBX) as the switching system that enables redirection of calls within the office. These business telephone systems operate on outside lines that are connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network and are suitable for small, medium, and large businesses depending on their requirements. 

Outbound Auto-Attendant System

This is an integrated telephone system that allows users to make outgoing calls with a recorded message or to connect with their customers. They are typically used by call centers, Govt. organisations, survey companies and small, medium or large businesses, depending on their requirements. Like an inbound system, an outbound call system also generally uses PBX system as a switchboard.

The outbound auto call system may be ideal for businesses models that involve large volumes of outgoing calls using Integrated Voice Responses.

Hybrid Auto-Attendant System

This auto call system, found in most cordless phones, uses the mechanism of both inbound and outbound call systems. This is one of the most advanced systems that allows users to establish IVR network within and outside their offices. Due to its vast features, these phone systems are generally used by large businesses. However, they may also be suitable for small or medium sized businesses depending upon their requirements.

A hybrid auto call system uses a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone system. These systems enable users to place calls over internet instead of phone calls, thereby allowing them to establish large volumes of calls, faster. Even though VoIP systems are perceived to be more suitable for large businesses, they can be just as apt for small- or medium-sized businesses.

Automated telephone systems for small businesses: small-sized businesses can select between inbound, outbound, and hybrid auto call systems on the basis of their operational requirements. You can pick the best suited plans based on the volume of incoming and outgoing calls, prices, mechanisms and more. Several established brands, like CISCO, offer a wide range of products in this category. However, if you you want to save time on an extensive market research, you can always allow us to find the best solutions for your office requirements. 

Why Does Your Business Need an Auto-Attendant?

1. Auto-Attendants Guarantee Fewer Call Drops

An automated phone system allows callers to receive pre-recorded voice messages until the time their calls are answered, thereby ensuring that no calls are missed. The advanced integrated system ensures a superior quality for calls and, thus, an excellent user experience.

2. Voice Broadcasting Guarantees Staff Efficiency

With a suitable call distribution network, businesses can get a better staff efficiency as the office phone lines can operate without supervision. Thus, the employees can utilise their time doing more productive work for the organisation.

3. Automated Phone Calls Guarantee Better Control over Messaging

Businesses can get a better control over their messages by recording decent and professional voicemails on their business telephone systems. You can use customised messages based on your business model and theme to decide the exact tonality and messaging for your customers.

4. Auto-Attendants Are Cost Effective

With an appropriate automated telephone system and call distribution network, users can save on staff recruitment, training, salaries, etc. and get better productivity for their businesses.

Automated phone systems add value to businesses in many unique ways. They can guarantee efficient operations and enable users to save time and resources in the process.

Find the Best Auto-Attendant Phone System for Your Office

Market Inspector guarantees a quick, accurate, and proficient business to business marketplace experience for all its customers. If you are looking for an appropriate automated phone system for your office in the UK, all you need to do is spend just a few minutes filling in a short form on our website and ask for a quote.

Based on your requirements, you can receive up to four quotations from leading suppliers, completely free of cost and without any binding obligations.