Call Routing feature for Asterisk IP PBX for your Small Business.

This is Part 4 of the series on Why Small to Medium Sized Businesses (SMB) should be using VoIP.

In this article, I will explain what this feature is capable of for your Small Business.

Small Businesses and Small Offices can take full advantage of Call Routing feature available in Asterisk IP PBX phone system.  Call Routing refers to the ability for the business owners or management to route Incoming Calls in a way that enhances productivity and efficiency.

Below are some of the common features that are available:

• Interactive Voice Response (IVR):  This has been discussed in previous article and can be found by clicking here.
• Call Forwarding:  Depending on set criteria, a call can be forwarded to cell phone, another phone, etc.
  Call Forwarding can be especially useful for a Small Office with mobile employees as you can forward calls to their cell phone, pager, home phone, or any other phone number they can be reached at.  The Asterisk Phone System can call all numbers at once, or in sequence or it can go directly to voicemail.
• Call Parking:  A convenient location to hold a call until the recipient is able to answer by dialing specific code.
  Call Parking is used to put a incoming call on hold at a specific extension.  For example:  a caller asks for Debbie who is already on the phone with another client so the receptionist can park the call to extension 8000.  When Debbie is finished with her call, she can dial extension 8000 and be connected to the caller.  This is useful if the caller does not want to be transferred to a voicemail.
• Calling Queue:  Useful for call centers as it allows a pool of employees to answer incoming calls in order
  Calling Queue is commonly used in a Call Center environment where the incoming calls are placed in a queue that is answered automatically by the next available staff.  This feature can be combined with an IVR so the call will be placed in a queue when “0” is pushed for operator.
• Dial by Name:  Inbound callers are able to dial the correct extension based on the recipient’s first or last name.
  This feature is usually used in conjunction with an IVR.  The caller can punch in the first 3 letters of the first or last name and the caller can be connected to the desired staff without getting the receptionist involved.
• Conference Room:  Virtual conference room where groups can call into
  Allows virtual room where multiple callers can dial in and talk in a group setting.  The conference rooms will have a password which the callers will have to input to join the conference.  A direct number can be assigned to this conference room as well to allow easy access to the Conference Room for people to call into.
• Blind Call Transfer:  Allows you to transfer to another extension without first speaking with the intended reciepient.
• Supervised Call Transfer:  Allows you to ransfer to another extension but the transfer is on hold until you have spoken to the recipient.
• Remote Call Pickup:  Anyone in your group can answer any incoming calls.
  Each department can be assigned to a group and each group can answer each other’s calls.  This is very useful for a Supervisor to have so incoming calls are answered without having to run over to someone’s desk.
• Distinctive Ring:  Depending on criteria, specific calls will ring with a distinctive sound to differentiate

As you can see, Asterisk PBX Phone System is very flexible and can provide your Small Office with features that will enhance productivity.  For more information on these specific features and how it can help your Small Business, feel free to contact me for a no pressure email conversation.

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About Express Interconnect: We are a Portland, Oregon based Small Business VoIP Phone Consultant specializing in implementing quality VoIP PBX system based on Asterisk IP PBX. We can be reached at 503-820-3513 or via email at: support@ExpressInterconnect.com and can help with any questions you might have.

Due to Demand, we have finally branched out into Hosted VoIP Phone Service for Small Businesses.  Our Hosted VoIP Service provides full Asterisk IP PBX functionality in a simple Plug and Play system.

Also, please make sure to visit our on-line store at VoIP Phones Direct for all of your IP Phone needs. We carry Grandstream, Polycom, Snom, Aastra, and Yealink IP Phones with a 14 day money back guarantee and FREE UPS Ground Shipping.

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