Do I need an IVR system?

[iffy]

I need a service where when people call the office, a short message plays and tells the customer our services and latest offers. I would need to edit the message on the system frequently as I have new offers all the time.
The thing is that an IVR system seems to be awfully expensive. Is there another alternative out there?

 

[leemason]

You don't need an IVR system as such. What you are really after I would imagine is a call queuing system. This can be set to have an initial welcome message and then a repeating comfort message so that callers on hold waiting for the call to be answered get this announcement. There are a number of ways for this to be done that don't cost a lot. What sort of phone system do you have at the moment?

 

[iffy]

Thanks for the reply buddy. I have a very old system. Its about 20 years old at least

 

[leemason]

You could look at upgrading it for a more modern system that can support the sorts of functions that you need. Otherwise you could look at cloud based queuing services. These can accept calls, play welcome messages, and comfort messages until you answer the phone to the customer.

 

[iffy]

I think I would opt for the cloud based as I want minimal hassle

 

[SaltireTelecom]

We can get you set up with a cloud based system. Which basically offer you a Welcome Message then route it to your number or you can go for a Cloud VoIP system which do the same but means you could make outbound calls too.

 

[leemason]

I think I would opt for the cloud based as I want minimal hassle

In order to do that on your current telephone number you could need to move that number to a VoIP provider and then have a new number to route that back to for you telephone system to pickup the calls. If you wanted a new number for callers (maybe an 03 number) then this could be setup separately to accept calls and the forward them to your office number.

 

[emilly421]

You can use multi-channel cloud based system to replace your IVR system. Such system will allow monitoring of queries, recording and will allow you edit messages according to your company’s latest offers.

 

[ukwebhosting]

Hi

How about http://www.ringcentral.co.uk/

Very reasonable pricing without the outlay

Paul

 

[InTheCloud]

This could be a good time to review your whole telephony set-up? Rather than getting a bolt on service, have you looked into taking your whole phone system to the cloud, as mentioned above, cloud hosted VoIP. Our IVR service only costs £2.99 per month and allows you to change the prompts as frequently as you like. All by uploading a recorded file. It can also reduce your phone bills substantially, although VoIPs quality and availability is dependant on your internet connection, which another thing you may have to consider before moving to VoIP

 

[Quest Cloud Solutions Ltd]

I'll second what others have said; if your phone system is very old and you're looking for additional features, now might be the time to upgrade it.

A Cloud-hosted VoIP system will offer the queuing and recorded messages features, as well as things like call recording, simultaneous ringing of mobiles, etc., all for a low monthly cost rather than buying phone system hardware upfront.

Happy to send you pricing and the features and benefits list if you'd like? Might make your decision easier?

Cheers,

Ryan

 

[maxine]

I dislike them too as you can guarantee that what ever you want to talk about isn't covered by the IVR options

 

[Levi]

Inbound queu with a recorded message...

It should cost you virtually nothing to get setup and maintain.

As others have said, it might be worth you renewing your entire setup.