Auto attendant features can be part of a business PBX console or a traditional multi-line extension key phone system. Other auto attendants can be part of a hosted business phone service, a business suite software package or a lower cost Internet-based or VoIP service.

The benefits of automated attendant products for business phone systems include:

1. Redirects a high volume of callers to appropriate employee phone extensions and voice mailboxes
2. Replaces the need for human operators, saving employee costs
3. Allows callers to get specific pre-recorded business information 24/7
4. Routes callers to menus and fax capabilities
5. Connects callers remotely via VoIP
6. Extends business hours of operation by linking to automated functions like telephone banking

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out about hosted auto attendant products for business phone systems

Hosted auto attendant products for business provide a higher level of technical and customer support than many other options

I recommend: Retail giant Office Depot offers its hosted auto attendant business phone services. AccessDirect Unified Messaging, a service provider, has its Hosted PBX Phone Service with auto attendant. Service provider Voxeo offers its Prophecy IVR Hosting system over a VoIP-compatible platform. Office phone service provider TellMe, a Microsoft subsidiary, not only has its office telecommunications system, it also offers technical service to upgrade and repair your company's phone system including some of the hardware.

Visit web-based auto attendant services websites

Web-based auto attendant services are a lower-cost do-it-yourself alternative to hosted phone services.

I recommend: GotVMail is a web-based lower cost auto attendant service provider aimed at entrepreneurs and small businesses. FreedomVoice Systems has its WebLink Web Interface that includes automated attendant services. The Virtual Office from Packet8 touts a low-cost VoIP service that includes auto attendant services.

Consider hardware/software automated attendant service office phone products

For those businesses with a technical staff, hardware/software office phone products with auto attendant solutions provide a self-maintenance option.

I recommend: Samsung offers a business phone system (hardware and software) that includes voicemail and automated attendant service. Vodavi Communications Systems has the TalkPath voice processing system with its auto attendant solution. Voxeo has its Prophecy IVR Platform Software coupled with its Evolution Developer hosting service.

Consider stand-alone auto attendant software products

If you have a small business and are technically-oriented, stand-alone automated attendant products may be a lower cost self-maintenance option.

I recommend: Australian company, NCH Software, has its Windows and Linux-compatible configure-it-yourself IVM Voicemail Software with auto attendant and more. TalkSwitch has its hardware-software Attendant Console with auto attendant services and VoIP.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many business users have recently begin to refer to a phone auto attendant feature as IVR or Interactive Voice Response.