Original Post by Kevin McMahon
Ring…ring…ring…oh great, it’s that annoying salesperson from Acme Inc. that won’t stop calling. You’ve ignored their calls and voicemails at work, but they relentlessly continue to call. You start thinking to yourself, “I wish I could block their number and prevent their calls from coming through!” For situations like this in the past, corporate users faced no other option but to let these calls go to voicemail and delete them after a message had been left. But in today’s world of advanced Unified Communications services, that no longer needs to be the case.
Using Unified Communications as a Service
By using Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and related technologies, businesses can harness the communications power of integrated enterprise messaging, presence, telephony, video and web conferencing, and more. In the scenario above, the end user request is: control call traffic to and from their individual phone.
The solution to the user’s quandary is: a tool like Phone Control, giving employees the ability to eliminate time wasters like unwanted calls while ensuring that critical calls still get through.
Phone Control – Giving power to Phone Users Everywhere
Phone Control is basically a web portal that provides users with intuitive tools that enhance the capabilities of enterprise communications systems. This web-based application lets employees manage and redirect the routing of their incoming calls, provides them with the ability to visually manage their voicemail, enables them to create personalized call directories, and gives them access to their call logs.
Manage Incoming Calls – Your Way
Through Phone Control’s web portal, users can configure several call-handling settings pertaining to their individual extension. For instance, incoming calls can be redirected based on time, day, or number – without requiring assistance from support staff. Moreover, using the ‘Find Me’ or ‘Urgent Call’ feature, important calls get right through. And remember Mr. Persistent from Acme Inc.? Simply set up their number for ‘Virtual Ring’ and while the number rings for them, the call will never reach your extension or be put through to voicemail! Hallelujah! Productivity goes up as employee happiness abounds.
Easily Manage Voicemail Messages
West IPC’s Phone Control allows users to manage voicemail messages with ease. Using this tool they can create voice mail distribution lists; moreover, they also have the ability to enable email notifications for new voicemail messages. In this way, users are able to better prioritize incoming calls – at a glance.
More Reasons to turn your Phone into a UC Power tool
UCaaS services like Phone Control provide users a multitude of benefits. On top of delivering advanced call management tools that end users can utilize to control the incoming calls to their extension, it also frees up IT and other support staff from everyday administrative tasks.
Furthermore, employees experience enhanced productivity, regardless of their location, as they are also protected from calls that can cause needless interruptions and hinder efficiency using ‘Virtual Ring’ and ‘Privacy Guard’. Say goodbye to Mr. Won’t Stop Calling, once and for all!
Phone Control Feature Breakdown
Personal Call Management
This feature provides each user with control over how their calls are routed. It allows employees to create their own calling rules based on incoming number, day, or time. The settings include: block, forwarding to a number or direct to voicemail, priority or urgent call, virtual ring, find me, or forward when busy/no answer.
Visual Voicemail
At a glance, users can obtain full control of their voicemail mailbox, with an easy-to-use visual interface. As shown in the ‘Manage Voicemail’ snapshot above, the name and phone number of each voicemail message received are displayed – plus the time and length of the message. Using this tool, employees can listen to their messages, forward them to email or voicemail, or even create or manage their individualized voice mail distribution lists.
Phone Directories
This handy feature includes a search function that provides users with quick access to the correct number. Using this tool, employees can access and manage both personal and company directories. And within the directories, they are able to: make a call by clicking on any entry in the directory, sort entries by either name or number, and set up or modify their own speed dial lists.
Call Logs
With call logs, users have a documented history regarding calls to and from their extension that are answered by voicemail. Using this feature, it is easy for employees to add this information into their personal directories. This can be especially useful for sales staff members that are following up with clients and vendors.
Privacy Guard
This is the function we want to use to block our good friend, Mr. Relentless Caller. Privacy Guard protects users from nuisance calls. It enables employees to activate a call screening service to ward off unidentified callers. Additionally, users can set up an access code that allows known callers to bypass this feature.
Password Administration
This simple ability frees up support staff to work on more high-end issues. It gives each user the ability to change both their voicemail and web portal passwords. In a sizable enterprise, this can save a great deal of time and money in support costs.
What are you waiting for? Another call from Mr. Persistent Unwanted caller? Instead, use Phone Control to transform your business phone into a powerful Unified Communications tool that blocks out interruptions and maximizes your daily efficiency.
