The use of voicemail has declined significantly over the past decade with the emergence of better alternatives for communications. These technologies include presence, instant messaging, e-mail, conferencing and collaborative workspaces.
This is according to Galdon Data, which says solutions like unified messaging (UM) for telephone calls enable voicemail messages and unanswered incoming telephone calls to be recorded and stored in e-mails for later retrieval. This will bridge the gap left by alternatives to voicemail, since in most modern companies, voice messaging is a minor, low-usage application, it adds.
Galdon Data director, Garry Ackerman, says by implementing UM, organisations can not only improve end-user productivity and business outcomes, but also reduce costs compared to traditional voicemail systems. “In most businesses, the residual value of voicemail is to answer the phone for the few callers who don't have other options.”
According to Ackerman, UM is an add-on to the existing e-mail system - it simplifies and lowers the cost of operations. “It is also a powerful tool to improve business results and productivity.”
Microsoft unified communications solution gives businesses more choice for the way they connect and collaborate in the workplace, claims Ackerman. “We are bringing voice back into the enterprise by weaving it through familiar business processes.”
By combining voicemail, e-mail, phone and video with the power of 'presence', unified communications solutions offer users a single point of contact and makes it easier for them to connect, he adds.
“The UM solution provides users with all their information in one place, eliminating phone calls to check for messages and this increases responsiveness for customers and business transactions,” he points out.
It answers telephone calls and stores the voice recordings in the users' e-mail inboxes, using the e-mail client software like Microsoft Outlook to deliver the messages to the user's desktop PC or mobile device, Ackerman explains.
He adds that other advantages of UM systems include providing users with voice telephone access to their messages, calendars and tasks for convenience in a hands-free mobile situation, or when data links are not available.
Share