Why Are On Hold Messages So Significant for Modern-Day Businesses?

Good communication is the bedrock of any business or any strong relationship. Strong communication ensures that the information is shared well between individuals and companies, and this information sharing maintains long-lasting loyalty. In some odd industries, it is not possible to provide information instantly to customers and clients, and some industries also experience high call volumes. In this situation, the customer care executives have to keep the caller on hold and to make sure that the caller does not disconnect the call, they have to rely too much on on hold messages.

Benefits on hold messages customer connected

These messages can be of different types, like simple music, or verbal advertisements and much more. All of them aim to boost sales and keep the customer connected. These on hold messages come with several benefits, and we have covered them in this post here.

Stop Callers From Disconnecting The Call

No business wants any consumer to go away, but this is very quickly possible if the caller is made to hold the call for too long. In this situation, on hold messages can be very useful, as they will keep the caller interested and diverted from hanging up the call. Complete silence gives the impression that there is no one to reply to their call, and a repetitive on hold message easily frustrates anyone. But this can be prevented very easily by using on hold messages and verbal phone messages or music, etc. These messages give an impression that the company is still connected to you and responds to your query after relevant research.

Prevented very easily by using on hold messages – Ariatech

Market Your Business Easily

On hold messages and phone messages are very very powerful tools for businesses in their marketing and promotional efforts. They can be assumed as “word of mouth” promotion, as the caller will constantly hear your advertisement about your products and services. Since, they will hear the promotional message again and again, it will be recalled very easily at the right time.

Business to seek some crucial information

On Hold Messages Help In Providing Useful Information

Some callers reach out to a company to seek some crucial information and these phone messages can be very instrumental in this. They will help in sharing the relevant information without involving any human or customer care professional. All the questions related to the services or products offered by you can be answered simply through on hold messages, phone messages and through interactive voice response or IVR. You just have to ensure that the option of contacting the customer care department is present on every step of contacting through IVR or on hold messages. This will improve customer satisfaction and reduce valuable human hours.

KSU, PBX and VoIP – Which Office Phone System Is Best For You?

Businesses can choose from different business phone solutions based on their requirements, budget and preferences. There are so many options ranging from KSU to PBX and VoIP. However, the most advanced is VoIP, which offers advanced functionality with all the features present in Key Service Utility systems and Private Branch Exchange systems. VoIP is a cloud-based solution, and this feature makes it more powerful, economical and versatile.

Determining The Best Office Phone Systems

KSU, PBX, and VoIP are all the most powerful telephone systems for small businesses. People have no clue which one to choose, as they all come with power-packed features for small businesses. It is recommended to research all the options and choose the most versatile, modern options that are full of features. Let us briefly understand these three options in this blog post.

Power-packed features for small businesses

Ksu Or Key Service Utility System

Key service utility system is the most straightforward phone system available for offices and businesses. It is a landline-based solution to handle a limited number of phone lines. These systems have basic features like call hold, speakerphone, intercom and paging. The drawback is that it is an expensive option and has minimal features for offices and small businesses.

Minimal features for offices and small businesses – Ariatech

Pbx Or Private Branch Exchange

Another very versatile option for business phone solutions is PBX or on-premise private branch exchange. It has more advanced features and functionalities than its previous contender, KSU, and hence, it is more popular than the former. The top features to expect in PBX office phone systems are conferencing, auto-attendant, music on hold, dial by name, directory, etc. A major advancement compared to KSU systems is that one PBX line can handle several business locations and regulate more lines. It comes with the facility to make and receive calls, and other top features include call routing, call queuing, conference calling, auto attendant, music on hold, etc.

PBX office phone systems – Ariatech

The drawback is that it is more expensive than KSU due to the physical hardware requirements. Moreover, a fully dedicated IT team is needed to control, maintain, and handle your office’s PBX system.

Voip Or Voice Over Internet Protocol

Voice over Internet Protocol technology is also called hosted or cloud-based PBX. It has some out-of-the-box benefits like being very easy to use, improved privacy, automatic call routing, and, most importantly, it is less expensive and a more modern system than KSU and PBX. VoIP phone systems offer several features, and businesses can take advantage of them based on their requirements and preferences. A detailed list of more than 40 features of VoIP phone systems is present below.

• Advanced Call Management
• Call Routing
• Anonymous Call Rejection
• Auto Attendant
• Business Text Messaging
• Call Analytics
• Call Forwarding
• Call Notify
• Call Park
• Call Presence
• Call Pulling
• Call Queues
• Call Recording and Rating
• Call Screening
• Call Transfer
• Conference Bridge
• Custom Music on Hold
• Custom Ringback
• DND
• Extension Dialling (number change)
• Find Me/Follow Me
• Free Local Phone Number
• Hot Desking
• Instant Messaging
• IVR
• Mobile App
• Number Porting (keep existing phone numbers)
• Online Fax
• Priority Alerts
• Push to Talk
• SIP Trunking
• Softphone
• Speed Dial
• Three-way Calling
• Toll-Free Number
• Upgrade Options
• Voice Calls
• Voicemail
• Voicemail Forwarding
• Voicemail Greetings
• Voicemail to Email
• Voicemail to Text
• VoIP Caller ID
• Video Conferencing
• VoIP Switchboard

A Quick Guide on How to Choose the Best VoIP Service Provider

Business phones are transforming and advancing every single day. The latest technology used in business phone solutions is VoIP or voice-over-Internet protocol, and businesses are swiftly shifting from traditional phone systems to advanced VoIP phone solutions. The problem that most businesses face is related to choosing the right service provider. This blog post discusses the concept of VoIP and its benefits, and lastly, we will also go through some essential tips on selecting the best service provider.

Concept of VoIP and its benefits

What Is Voip?

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is a term that describes Internet phone services. This is an advanced version and completely different from the traditional phones and landline phones that we have been using till now. VoIP-based office phone systems use high-speed Internet connections or Wi-Fi to take and make calls. This concept comes with a massive list of benefits, and some are listed below.

• Lower Costs
• Increased Accessibility
• Complete Portability
• Higher Scalability
• Advanced Features For Small And Large Teams
• Clearer Voice Quality
• Supports Multitasking
• More Flexibility With Softphones 

VoIP-based office phone systems use high-speed Internet – Ariatech

Businesses can enjoy a lot of flexibility and freedom by opting for VoIP-based telephone systems. It has made it easy for every business of any size to save money from business phone solutions. Perhaps the most impressive feature of VoIP-based telephone systems is that it is ideal for small companies as well and scaled as per the company’s growth. Amidst this, it is essential to choose the right service provider because not doing this can become a severe challenge for any company. This service provider is responsible for providing the much-needed Internet connection or bandwidth to power all VoIP-based office phone systems. Any power outage or Internet disconnection will influence the telephone systems, and this is another essential factor to determine while choosing the VoIP service provider.

How To Choose The Best Service Provider For Voip Telephone Systems?

A huge list of service providers is available to select the best VoIP service provider. This makes selection more complicated and complex as every company claims to be the best. It is recommended not to rely upon the least expensive service provider as there will surely be compromise on the quality. A quick checklist is presented here to help you choose the best service provider.

Select the best VoIP service provider – Ariatech

Cost Of Local And International Calls

Experts recommend considering the cost of local and international calls while shortlisting service providers for VoIP telephone systems. You must understand that service providers have different plans for outward international calls, and while selecting, you must consider the geographic location of your customers and choose a service provider based on this.

Features Offered In Voip Plans

It is equally important to consider the features of the VoIP plan while selecting a service provider. Ideally, you should focus only on service providers offering features that your business needs the most. But at the same time, there is nothing bad in choosing a service provider that provides the most features at the lowest prices.

Cloud Communication Platforms – The Future of Business Communication

Businesses of all shapes and sizes from different sectors and industries are embracing cloud strategies in communication solutions to drive growth and boost revenue. Cloud technology helps a lot in storing information and has revolutionised how people communicate, collaborate and engage in business relationships. This post offers detailed information on cloud communication and the benefits it brings.

Cloud communication and the benefits and solutions – Ariatech

What Is Cloud Communication?

According to the vendors of communication solutions, cloud communication is an Internet-based voice and data communication tool. It is used for business communication and managing application storage and switching. This communication is hosted by third parties on the cloud that businesses can take the benefit from by outsourcing system management responsibilities. This includes switching, provisioning data storage, and cloud communication and data security.

What Is A Communication Platform?

Communication solutions like digital handsets, Video – Ariatech

Communication platform combines communication solutions like digital handsets, video conferencing software, etc., to enable businesses and organisations to improve workflow. They also help in sharing information in real-time, and most platforms are co-located, and remote teams collaborate and communicate using them. These modes of communication are digital handsets, instant messaging applications, video conferencing software and standard phones.

What Is The Modus Operandi Of Communication Platforms?

Communication platforms are versatile, and once a user is added to a group, he becomes eligible to send text messages, share files, work on projects and synchronise communication. Users can also integrate business apps to optimise productivity and efficiency.

Business Communication platforms for user integration – Ariatech

Typical Communication Methods Used In Cloud Computing

Voip Hosted Pbx

There was a time when cloud services were completely data-centric, but now VoIP has made cloud phone systems an integral part of the packages. VoIP technology provides a flexible and robust solution, and it enables teams to stay connected regardless of geographical borders and deliver seamless performance.

How Does Voip Cloud Telephone Work?

The VoIP technology converts analogue voice calls into data packages that are transferred via an IP network. Using cloud PBX systems, people can communicate with each other within the office and customers globally with a single click. Some common hardware is required, like the Internet-connected softphone, computer, tablet or smartphone.

Using cloud PBX systems, people can communicate – Araitech

What Are The Benefits Of Cloud Telephone Systems?

These systems come with a plethora of benefits. For example, they are cost-efficient as they reduce installation, maintenance, and other smaller expenses. There is 24/7 access provided that a good-quality Internet connection is there. Users can take and make calls, listen to voicemails, and fix messages with the help of an Internet connection anytime, anywhere. Flexibility is another benefit, as these phone systems don’t make it necessary for employees to stay in the office to make and take calls. They can communicate remotely via a computer or a mobile device with an Internet connection.

Cloud–Based Phone Systems – Changing Office Communication Culture

Businesses are still very confused about using cloud-based business phone solutions. They have many questions in mind regarding what they are and how they are better than traditional business phone systems. We dedicate this post to understanding cloud-based phone solutions and some top benefits businesses can avail. Let us start with the definition.

What Is A Cloud-Based Business Phone Solution?

Cloud-based phone systems are a service that allows you to make calls over the Internet and store data in the cloud. This arrangement is highly cost-effective and reliable, but you will need a strong Internet connection to use them. Cloud-based telephone systems are getting increasingly popular among all phone systems available for small businesses. The reason is that they offer reliable, low cost and efficient services with a vast range of business-friendly features.

Cloud-based telephone systems – Aria Technologies

They work entirely differently from traditional analogue phones, and a very impressive feature is that they can be implemented via many devices, such as conventional phones with adaptors, smartphones with apps, computers with calling software or VoIP-enabled phones.

What Are The Pros Of Cloud-Based Office Phone Systems?

Cost–Saving

Studies say that businesses that switch to cloud-based telephone systems can save more than 50% of their expenditure on these business phone solutions. Cloud-business phone solutions and service providers charge less per minute for international calls than traditional PSTN phone connections.

Business cloud-based Telephone systems

Because the Internet powers cloud-based phones, you do not incur long-distance charges for international calls. In fact, long-distance and international calls are included as a ‘free’ feature in most cloud office phone systems packages.

Unified Communication

Another feature of cloud-based telephone systems is that you get a unified communication solution to consolidate your business phone system and several other services needed at your office. You can enjoy benefits like –

•          Voicemail

•          Instant Messaging

•          Chat

•          Video Conferencing

•          Fax

•          Email

•          Social Media

•          Several CRM Tools

Video Conferencing Becomes Very Smooth

With cloud-based telephone systems, video conferencing has become the most used communication method. Remote working culture has gained more power in the last couple of years, and in this situation, cloud-based business phone solutions allow teams working remotely to collaborate and communicate efficiently.

Video conferencing phone solutions – Aria Technologies

Features, Features and Features

Cloud-based phone systems have many features for businesses to use in their day-to-day operations.

The most used are –

•          Call Forwarding

•          Call Routing

•          Auto Attendant

•          IVR

•          Call Analytics

•          CRM Integration

•          Voicemail To Email

•          Video Conferencing

•          Number Porting

•          Click To Call And Many More

What Office Telephone Systems Are Available For Aussie Businesses?

Smarter gadgets and cool software are insufficient to run a business successfully and communicate with clients, contractors and service providers. You will require business phone services, and in their absence, you will surely struggle to compete with your competitors. Business phones are of different types, and a major challenge is of picking the best one for your business. Here is a guide with information on phone system types, their features, pros, cons, etc.

Business phones are of different types – Ariatech

What Types Of Phone Systems Are Available For Business Owners?

Businesses can rely upon six different types of office phone systems for day-to-day usage.

•          Landline Phone Systems

•          Mobile Networks

•          Virtual Phone Services

•          Self-Hosted VoIP

•          Cloud-Based VoIP

•          Hybrid Phone Systems

Let us get a brief overview below.

What Are Landline Telephone Systems?

This is a tried and tested option and has been in use for decades. This version of telephone systems is ideal if this is just the early stage of your business. The top features are quality and reliability, but the problem is that there are no such features like document sharing, image sharing, large data file sharing and so on.

Business Phone top features and quality – Ariatech

How Are Mobile Networks Used In Business Phone Services?

This is one level above traditional cable-based landline telephone systems and uses smartphones and similar mobile devices. According to the vendors of business phone services, this system is also ideal for smaller enterprises where the number of employees is not too high. It involves getting a cellular service provider subscription, and the charges are applicable for international calls, long-distance calls, data plans, international roaming and so on.

What Are Virtual Phone Services?

This version of office phone systems is hugely popular among small and micro-sized enterprises. With the concept of virtual business phone services, the existing landlines can be diverted to designated phone numbers, and this extends business phones available to remote and mobile workers as well. They can be connected to the designated office site, and based on your requirements, some service providers can also provide virtual receptionist services.

Concept of virtual business phone services – Ariatech

What Is Self-Hosted Voip?

VOIP stands for voice over Internet protocol, and it is a telecommunication technology based on digital data transfer. It allows for easier integration of desk-based and mobile phone equipment. These software-based telephone systems are considerably more cost-effective than those discussed above. The concept of self-hosted VOIP involves having an IP-PBX system installed at the office. An experienced IT department will be needed to handle installation, maintenance, upgrading, etc.

What Is Cloud-Based Voip?

According to the vendors of business phone services, this is the most advanced and popular version of office phone systems. This VOIP system is hosted and managed by third-party service providers, and the biggest benefit is the reduction in expenses. You will not have to install hardware or all other services, and maintenance-related costs will also get eliminated. Depending on the business’s requirements, systems can be scaled up and down easily and just like the VOIP system, this one is also a very cost-effective deal.

Advanced and popular version of office phone systems

What Benefits Do I Receive By Switching To VoIP Technology

Business communication was revolutionised with the advent of VoIP technology and DECT handsets. They both combine to let businesses realise that business communication can be more efficient, better and more cost-effective.

What Is The Definition Of Voip Technology?

VoIP is the short form of the term ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol’, and it is also known as ‘voice over IP’ or ‘IP telephony’ technology. This technology delivers voice and media such as text, SMSs, voice and video calls with the help of the Internet.

Technology delivers voice and media

How Does Voip Work?

When you use VoIP on your digital and VoIP phone handsets, they run through the Internet, and the voice is encoded into digital data. This digital data is transferred to the other end of the call and then, again, recoded into voice signals. This process of encoding and decoding is done with the help of codecs. Codecs can encode voice data into digital signals and transfer them through the Internet, and when these signals reach the destination, the codec again transfers those signals into analogue voice data.

How Are Voip Calls Made?

To make calls using VoIP technology, you will require dect handsets at least or digital handsets or VoIP phone handsets. With the help of analogue telephone devices, these calls can be made very easily using VoIP technology services.

Require Dect handsets at least – Ariatech

Digital Ip Phones

To use VoIP technology to its best, you can bring Internet Protocol phones into use that resemble regular phones that we use at our offices and homes. The only difference is that they are made for VoIP-based communication. Hence, they will not connect to your wall socket using a phone cable.

What Are Softphones?

Softphone is a name given to software that loads on your device to allow it to use VoIP services. This device could be your computer, your laptop, your tablet or even your smartphone. The benefit is that since they use the Internet to make phone calls, the expenditure related to this is surprisingly low. You will need VOIP software and some features in your phone like a microphone, speaker, sound card, camera and a good Internet connection.

Use the Internet to make phone calls – Ariatech

What Are The Advantages Of Voip Technology?

Australian business owners can get several advantages by replacing their old business communication solutions with VoIP services and debt handsets.

•          VoIP technology is loaded with features offered for free and some at cost as well.

•          VoIP technology can be used with your existing phone systems as well.

•          This will help you save money on your phone bills.

•          VoIP technology is more flexible than traditional PSTN phone systems.

•          It is the best NBN-friendly option available in the market.

Different Business Phone Systems and Their Unique Features

If you own a business, it would be mandatory for you to invest in reasonable quality business phone solutions. These phones are more than just a necessity to allow you to communicate internally and with clients and other people from any part of the globe. Several factors are there to consider when choosing the right phone system for your business. The most important of them all is the types available in the markets. There are several of them, and they have unique prepositions, characteristics and features. Before you decide on the correct type of phone, let us quickly review the most popular styles that people consider for their businesses.

Virtual phone system

This office phone system is ideal for small businesses where staff is mostly off-site. It allows companies to stay connected with remote workers via mobiles or home phones. It has an extensive call-forwarding feature where all incoming calls can be transferred to the employee’s cell phone or home phone. The biggest pro of this phone system is that it allows remote workers access to telephone system features regardless of where they are.

Traditional Landline System

This version of business phone solutions is ideal for bigger corporations that have adequate budgets to invest in these systems. Apart from the fund, an entire IT team is also needed to maintain these landline systems. They are supported by local or regional phone companies. It runs on traditional copper wiring, and private branch exchange is used to create multiple extensions and provide some essential features like call forwarding and call directories.

It has been a time-tested and highly reliable solution that businesses have been using for decades.

Voip Phone System

VoIP or voice-over-Internet protocol telephone systems are practical for smaller companies that need highly advanced business phone solutions at very affordable rates. This technology has evolved enormously, and currently, it is also ideal for business, where remote employees have to be contacted every now and then. They run on Internet connections, and there are no copper wires involved. It has some advanced features like automated attendance and secure cloud computer integration, and most importantly, it is significantly cheaper as compared to other telephone systems discussed here.

On-Premise Voip System

This system is highly functional, and you can control your business communication system completely. It is better suited for businesses with regulatory requirements. The IT staff at your office would be responsible for its maintenance, repairs, updates and efficient operations.

The Multiple Benefits That Domestic Users Avail From VOIP Phone Handsets

For more than two decades now, voice-over-Internet protocol or VoIP, has been the backbone of the commercial telecom sector. Businesses across the globe rely upon VoIP technology and VoIP handsets to make and receive phone calls using the broadband Internet connection. Now, these handsets and technology are also visible in our homes because of their benefits.

Much More Economical Than Traditional Landline Phones

If you have a broadband connection at your home, you can benefit from VoIP technology with the help of VoIP phone handsets. Your voice calls will be made using the Internet without further expenditure. This way, you will save a good amount of money, and the connection and communication will be of the best quality.

Connection and Communication will be best quality

Easy To Install and Update

Another benefit of VoIP technology is that the hardware is straightforward to install and update. This has been a game-changing aspect and different from traditional phone lines requiring more human resources and expenditure followed by inconvenience and hard work. Calls will be made via your computer or wireless mobile phone.

Benefit of VoIP technology – Ariatech

Use It Wherever You Go

5G technology is already operational in many parts of the world, and it has made video calling or calling via the Internet further easier and more convenient. Using your Internet connection and smartphone, you can make a Voip phone call, and again there would be no extra expenditure involved.

It has made video calling – Ariatech

Wide Range Of Very Useful Features

VoIP phone handsets, as well as VoIP technology both, are equipped with some out-of-the-box and never seen or heard-before features. They have all helped a lot in making this technology further easier. You will get features at no extra cost, and the most beautiful features that can be used at home Aare call forwarding, three-way calling, caller ID, electronic and video messaging and so on. Again remember that all these features would be offered at no additional cost at all.

The Most Common Types of Cyber Threats for Small Business Owners

Compared to a decade ago, people today take cyber threats more seriously and are always proactive about handling them. The reason is that with these cyber-attacks, people and software attempt to maliciously steal your data or cause disruption in your business functioning. 

It is because of these reasons that the popularity of cyber security software has increased incredibly, and people are making them a priority when it comes to handling or managing a server or a network. There are different types of cyber threats for small businesses, and in this post here, we go through the most commonly seen threats from phishing.

Phishing

This attack usually targets users directly through email or other forms of communication like text messaging. In this type of attack, the attacker disguises himself as a trusted contact and attempts to victimise you by sharing your personal data, such as passwords and OTP’s. Small businesses can use checkpoint software to make sure that phishing attempts and phishing scams are diminished right in the beginning.

Watering Holes

Till around five years back, this was not the most common type of cyber-attack, but its use has increased incredibly over the past some years. In this attack, the cybercriminal targets a specific group of individuals or businesses that share the same interest. They will infect one website that is visited the most by those individuals or companies, and here also, social engineering is very effectively used.

Drive By Downloads

According to the cyber security software solutions vendors, this cyber-attack occurs when a user downloads software into the computer. This software is malicious, and once it is in your computer, it will perform the following –

Spy on activity, such as recording keystrokes to capture passwords

Hijack the device by exploiting security flaws

Infect the device by downloading even more software or files that ultimately render the device useless.

This cyber-attack is more effective when the operating system is not updated, and small business owners ignore the security patches of the software.