Anybody know about outgoing-message only phone services?

[oracle58]

Our YMCA needs a local service that can handle dozens of simultaneous calls and deliver a short pre-recorded message about game or program cancellations, etc. Our phone system can't handle this kind of load, and the local phone company (Verizon) can only offer a line that can answer up to 3 calls at a time. Our Avaya system can already do that.

I can't even find the correct term for this type of service. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Doramius]

You can call a local service and get a business system set up. then you have to buy your own equipment. It's the equipment that does the whole routing & message routine. There has to be extensions, and again, the equipment is what will run to the different extensions. The extensions are either different phones or basically a waiting /switchboard where people are on hold and the calls are answered in the order they enter the queue. This is the method I am most familiar with, but with the new technology out there, I'm sure they might have some new way of doing it.

[oracle58]

Doramius;

Thanks for the quick response!

We already have a good business system (Avaya) and a channelized T1 line. Our 4 voice-mail ports arenn't enough to handle several hundred calls that we receive during bad weather, and our front desk just gets swamped trying to keep up. Plus, Avaya wants $4,600 to $5,700 to upgrade us by 6-8 ports. Too much for our budget.

Our exec. director used to work in Cincinnati, and said that Cinn. Bell had a service that could handle up to 20 calls at a time. They didn't have to buy any equipment or upgrade their system, and paid about $15 a month for the service. Verizon can't do this, and they're the only game in town right now. I haven't found a service like this locally.

[Doramius]

You may have a big stumbling block there. Some areas get suffocated by one company's monopoly. It'd be difficult to figure out all your alternatives without knowing what's available, but it sounds like you trapped between a rock & a hard place.

Do you have a website specifically for your center? It won't help with the phones, but it can provide immediate info. if inclement weather hits. If you already have one, the only other option is to upgrade or find a new business system. It may be good, but if there's a better & newer system that's cheap and can handle more calls, then you might want to do a change over & sell the old system. Again, It doesn't sound like there are many alternatives available to you.

[oracle58]

Yeah, we've decided to just make do with the present system, I understand that after the 4 voice mail ports are full, calls continue to ring until all the last incoming line is hit, then it goes to the front desk. If we keep the OGM short, maybe we can handle most situations.

As for the Web site, yes we have one, I'm just not sure if we have direct access to it, or if updates have to go through our Metro office, which is closed evenings and weekends (when most games that could be cancelled would happen).

Thanks again for your suggestions.

[offline]

Does your telco offer information lines? Why not
rent one of those? The only problem, calls would
not be free to those dialing up.

[oracle58]

Offline;

I'm not sure if that is what you would call the service Verizon quoted to me. I do know that we can't use anything that our members would have to pay to use.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[BJ_M]

route them to india - everyone else is doing it..

[offline]

route to india

[offline]

A bit left of field but why not get your local radio
station to run a free spot at a certain time(s) during
bad weather and let your clients know to listen in ??
Might reduce some of those calls?

[Doramius]

True, Some AM stations and a few FM stations are happy to allow public sponsored programs to contact them and let them know about certain cancellations. However, they all have different criteria. I know of some radio stations that will not air anything unless the building itself is noted as CLOSED. Others will announce the certain closed programs. It also helps if the workers of your building call in for promotional programs or show up at station sponsored events. They will often notice and make mention, building an affinity. After that, it's like they're showing up once a month to sponsor a dance at the YMCA. It's happened in many areas.

[oracle58]

We already have 2 local TV stations doing this for us, but of course we still get calls.

[Doramius]

"I just saw on the TV that you're closed today. I'm calling because I wanted to know if Volleyball practice has been cancelled."

"Yes, everything has been cancelled."

"Does that include basketball?"

"Yes. That means that the building is closed to the public."

"Why are you still there?"