| Communicating in today's business world has | | | | An Automated Attendant is a phone answering |
| never been easier with email and faxes, but one | | | | system designed to automatically create |
| medium of communication has been around for a | | | | electronic messages. Callers are guided through a |
| long time and will continue to be the most | | | | series of menu prompts generated by the |
| essential part of office communication - the | | | | Automated Attendant and can choose from a |
| telephone. While traditional phones are used mainly | | | | options to better route their call. An ACD |
| in home and office settings, an office phone | | | | (Automated Call Distributor) system helps the |
| system is designed to enable all users to share | | | | Automated Attendant route the incoming calls to |
| the same telephone line rather than using individual | | | | the proper extension quickly and efficiently. |
| telephones. These systems are ideal for several | | | | Businesses like call centers or other offices with a |
| phone users in one location, such as an office or | | | | high-volume of incoming calls coming in at once |
| business department. An office telephone system | | | | utilize ACDs. |
| is much more cost efficient when compared to | | | | The Computer Telephony Integration systems, or |
| traditional single-line plans. | | | | CTIs, are used to connect a computer to the |
| A PBX (Private Branch Exchange) phone system | | | | telephone system. The CTI has the ability to |
| is a phone network created specifically for | | | | collect important information from the incoming |
| inter-office communication. The main purpose of a | | | | calls and records the data into a computer |
| PBX is to be a private network between all phone | | | | system. Companies can use this data for |
| users who share certain external telephone lines. | | | | research and other helpful business functions. |
| This type of business phone system works best | | | | One office telephone system that is steadily |
| for medium to large sized offices, organizations | | | | growing in popularity is Voice Over Internet |
| and companies. A PBX system is cost efficient | | | | Protocol, or VoIP. This system is a completely |
| because you're only using a few lines rather than | | | | digital voice information system that uses the |
| a separate phone line for each individual user. PBX | | | | Internet to make and receive calls. Older analog |
| users are easy to reach within the telephone | | | | telephones can be modified and used with VoIP |
| network by dialing a 3 or 4 number extension. | | | | technology. Other communications equipment such |
| Most PBX phone systems come with additional | | | | as fax machines and cellular phones can be |
| features such as voicemail, call forwarding, live | | | | integrated into your VoIP network as well. The |
| transferring, caller ID and other on-screen text | | | | cost-effectiveness of using VoIP is a great |
| alerts such as reminders and notices. A private | | | | incentive to update your office phone system and |
| branch exchange can be set to automatically | | | | give your business unprecedented access to the |
| answer calls and play an automated greeting. | | | | global community. |