subject: Features Of A Hosted Pbx Phone Service [print this page] Any business enterprise, when looking for a phone system, would keep in mind features that they need in order for them to achieve a more effective and productive communications suite. The more intelligent and robust phone packages are able to give excellent phone solutions to businesses and help them increase their productivity and work efficiency.
Two key features of a hosted phone service are the auto-attendant and extensions. The auto-attendant answers all incoming calls and directs them to the right extension. Service providers offer different sets of auto-attendant functions. Some have custom greetings and dial-by-name directory capabilities, while some contain only basic functions. The auto-attendant is able to handle multiple calls at the same time so that no caller hears a busy signal.
Call waiting goes together with the abovementioned features. Since all calls are answered, some callers would have to wait on the line before they are attended to. Some service providers feature music and messages on hold, enabling users to upload informational messages to be played to callers who are waiting for their call to be answered.
Voicemail catches all unanswered calls so that you do not lose any caller. Service providers have voicemail through email, letting you download voicemail messages as email attachments. No important call is lost.
Call forwarding allows businesses to have a single number that is connected to extensions. Service providers have different settings and answering rules for call forwarding. For instance, the 'find me follow me' feature enables calls to be forwarded to a series of phone numbers, or to a single number which the extension owner may be using. This allows employees to take business calls outside of the office.
Here are the other features that should be present in a comprehensive hosted PBX service:
1. Auto Attendant
2. Extension Dialing
3. Call Waiting
4. Call Forwarding
5. Conferencing
6. Voicemail to Email
7. Toll Free Numbers
8. Web-based call management
9. Complete Call Logs
10. Fax Solution
11. Caller ID
12. Call Transfer
It is best to get a complete hosted phone system. Startups and home-based businesses would benefit greatly from the advanced features of a hosted phone system, since it would help them project a more professional image. Features like call forwarding and voicemail to email can significantly help your employees stay in contact with the clients, regardless of whether they are in the office or out on the road. Even a simple and seemingly trivial feature like music on hold can keep the waiting customers entertained.
A hosted PBX phone system is rated as the best communications solution for small businesses. The features are ideally suited to their communication requirements, and the pricing plans are very affordable. It offers the callers all the functionalities of the traditional PBX phone system through a hosted server, and more.
