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Voicemail in the small business workplace is on it’s way out. In the consumer space, the exodus is being lead by younger adults that are using text messaging. In the small business workplace, which has had explosive growth, the exodus is being led by small businesses that realize voicemail is no longer an acceptable alternative for managing their inbound calls. Although a live answering service is presently the only alternative to voicemail, the small business community has generally avoided answering service companies and for good reason. Most answering service companies are over 10 years old and have built their systems on top of the 134-year-old, public telephone network. Their complex and limited technology often results in unacceptable service levels in these companies. Next generation cloud-based answering services have emerged in the last three years, that solve a lot of the issues associated with the technology being used presently by most answering service companies. Because they are cloud-based, these companies are generally significantly less expensive than the existing answering service companies and more affordable to very small businesses. Their systems are built on the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) network allowing a confluence of messaging capabilities. Call transferring and message taking for multiple contacts can be done with one click. Messages can be automatically forwarded via text message or email or both. Links can be provided so that virtual receptionists can view directions to the company being called, on Google, so the can give directions. Even the companies schedule can be viewed with one click. The potential opportunities for unified communications for small businesses are endless. Imagine a virtual receptionist, on a cloud-based, small business answering service platform being able to see the callers and contacts locations on Google maps and being able to tell them how far away they are if one is driving to meet the other. Cloud based technology, the VOIP network, and the exodus of small businesses from voicemail are all combining to create a new industry - affordable, effiicient , call answering for very small businesses. About Jim Plunkett Formerly a lead engineer on the cleanup of the nations worst hazardous waste sites, Jim entered the dot com world in 1999, Co-founding Vacation Harbor (think Air B&B 1.0). Jim is presently Co-founder of US Answer a cloud-based answering service and mobile app for small businesses.
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