software that answers phone and has options

[16k_zx81]

Can anyone suggest software (preferably free) that will do phone answering and stuff like "press 1 for new business, press 2 for after-sales support" etc etc?

I dont mind paying for software if anyone knows of something not horribly expensive that will do the job.

Basically what I am trying to do is to get some of the often repeated stuff recorded so that I dont have to spend any more time than I have to answering calls.

So all the software needs to be able to do is record messages from customers, and offer "press #" options for different services, then relay different messages depending on keypresses.

Thanks

Jim

 

[BM-Networking]

Asterisk? Maybe something prebuilt like TrixBox or IncrediblePBX?

 

[SAG]

What you are looking for is called an IVR (Interactive Voice Response).

What kind of phone system do you have?

 

[16k_zx81]

I dont have a phone system. just a landline and lots of computers.

...

 

[SAG]

I dont have a phone system. just a landline and lots of computers.

...

Then I will likely be of no help.
I can only say this:

I have heard of hosted IVR systems, where your number is forwarded to them for the IVR and then it rings back to your landline (with a new DID supplied of course). I've only heard of them.

You could install an Asterisk server with an FXO card then get a SIP phone or ATA phone adapter. FXO cards can be expensive.

It is *possible* to use certain "stock" modems as FXO cards to accomplish the above. But I believe they would have to be full duplex (almost certain of that part) and only a few chipsets have the software to support it. Of course, that was a long time ago that I heard of that being done.

Or find something along the lines of this that suits your needs:
http://www.nch.com.au/ivm/index.html
(I specifically looked for something based in your area)

 

[FremontPC]

A discussion on that using PBX in a flash:

http://www.pbxinaflash.com/communit...g-voicemail-box-as-announcement-only-box.927/

and a card to peruse:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TDM410P-...n_15&hash=item337c25dc7e&_uhb=1#ht_6766wt_906

 

[AndyM]

Hi Jim,

Many many moons ago, there was the word (and the fax), and the word was TalkWorks Pro from Symantec. Alas, Symantec don't make TalkWorks Pro any more, but there are a few alternatives:

http://www.faxtalk.com/index.htm

http://www.ventafax.com

Never used either of the above, but I do still have a copy of TalkWorks Pro with manual etc. If you are interested, PM me.

Andy

 

[16k_zx81]

Hi Jim,

Many many moons ago, there was the word (and the fax), and the word was TalkWorks Pro from Symantec. Alas, Symantec don't make TalkWorks Pro any more, but there are a few alternatives:

http://www.faxtalk.com/index.htm

http://www.ventafax.com

Never used either of the above, but I do still have a copy of TalkWorks Pro with manual etc. If you are interested, PM me.

Andy

Yes, Andy, that's what I need. The fax thing is not really relevant as that's a separate line, but the message system looks promising. Both options are a bit pricey, but have bookmarked them and will search a. Bit using these keywords as footholds.

Will pm you re the Symantec product.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[DCGPX]

Bit of a tangent but I recall in my distant brain cell that years ago, ie circa late 90's that Cheyenne software bundled with most modems did a basic job of what your after!

I setup different voice boxes that were accessed via options.

Very basic but then it did work well.

No idea what the equivalent will be that free.

Then along came broadband as dial up modems went!

 

[nlinecomputers]

If people will not leave voicemail why will they tolerate this? I HATE phone systems and getting one for a small computer shop would just make me slam down the phone and move on to the next company that has a human answer the phone. YMMV but I think such a system anymore will cost you new clients.

 

[DCGPX]

If people will not leave voicemail why will they tolerate this? I HATE phone systems and getting one for a small computer shop would just make me slam down the phone and move on to the next company that has a human answer the phone. YMMV but I think such a system anymore will cost you new clients.

There is that of course!!

 

[oldtech]

A unused PC, this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digium-TDM-...957?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec58ddf7d

and www.freepbx.org

Should get you where you want to be.

 

[16k_zx81]

If people will not leave voicemail why will they tolerate this? I HATE phone systems and getting one for a small computer shop would just make me slam down the phone and move on to the next company that has a human answer the phone. YMMV but I think such a system anymore will cost you new clients.

Your opinions usually interest me Nline, but you will see from the original question that Im not asking for any critique of the idea itself.

.

Still keen to hear from anyone who knows of anything with current availability... and also, thanks very much to everyone who has responded on topic so far.

.

 

[16k_zx81]

A unused PC, this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digium-TDM-...957?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec58ddf7d

and www.freepbx.org

Should get you where you want to be.

Thanks I appreciate the reply.

It looked great until I saw the docs which looked like about a week (or at least several days) setting it up and testing it.

Pfft...

A freaking computer answering machine - why is this so bloody hard?

 

[YOCS]

Thanks I appreciate the reply.

It looked great until I saw the docs which looked like about a week (or at least several days) setting it up and testing it.

Pfft...

A freaking computer answering machine - why is this so bloody hard?

Check out ooma http://www.ooma.com/products/business . It's not free but it's cheap. Works for me.

 

[oldtech]

Thanks I appreciate the reply.

It looked great until I saw the docs which looked like about a week (or at least several days) setting it up and testing it.

Pfft...

A freaking computer answering machine - why is this so bloody hard?

Don't let the docs freak you out - the system builds directly from the iso - has a gui interface making configuration pretty simple. Takes one quick trip into linux terminal to run a command to autoconfig the card.

Guessing it would take you 4 hrs max.

 

[Secc]

Hi 16k_zx81,
I remember using Supervoice about 15 yrs ago and i think it will do all that you require. Its not free but the latest version is $79. You can download a trial version to try it out.

website: http://www.supervoice.com

Hope this helps
Secc

 

[nlinecomputers]

Thanks I appreciate the reply.

It looked great until I saw the docs which looked like about a week (or at least several days) setting it up and testing it.

Pfft...

A freaking computer answering machine - why is this so bloody hard?

So what exactly are you needing? A PBX so that you've got extensions or a IVR menu board. Press one for sales, two for tech support, three for bookkeeping.... or both? Or just voice mail?

 

[16k_zx81]

So what exactly are you needing? A PBX so that you've got extensions or a IVR menu board. Press one for sales, two for tech support, three for bookkeeping.... or both? Or just voice mail?

All I need is a system that can answer the phone, play a message, then play different messages based on user numerical key presses, and finally, record their message if required

It's a single line

Landline

No other infrastructure.

I remember setting up stuff like this in win 3.1 and 98, years ago. Back in the days of dial up, this was pretty common, basic software.

Funny how things change...

 

[DocGreen]

I just setup my own FreePBX box to test it out... so far I'd have to agree that going this route could be exactly what you need. All it's cost me is time... and to me it's entertainment, so I don't mind, lol.