Business Phone System with Auto Attendant

Yes. You may route as many of your Talkroute phone numbers to the auto attendant as needed. You may also choose to route some of your Talkroute phone numbers to the auto attendant and route other numbers directly to your phones or another destination.

The auto attendant gives you the ability to create 10 (0-9) menu options (also known as single digit extensions). However, you can add more menu options by adding submenus to your auto attendant.

A common example of this is to have multiple submenus that provide different 0-9 menu options based on the language that was selected by the caller.

You may add as many submenus & menu options as needed.

Yes. Menu options may be forwarded to a single phone or multiple phones. You can also choose to ring your phones in a specific order or at the same time.

Yes. Menu options may be routed to a single desktop user or multiple desktop users. You can also choose to ring your desktops in a specific order or at the same time.

Yes. You may upload or record custom messages to play when the caller enters a specific menu option.

Yes. Menu options can route callers directly to a specific voice mailbox.

You may add as many directories as needed to your Talkroute phone system.

Interactive voice response (IVR) and an automated attendant are both tools for managing incoming calls, but they work a bit differently. An automated attendant is a basic system that greets callers and directs them to the right extension or department, often based on their input.

On the other hand, IVR is more advanced and allows for two-way communication. It uses pre-recorded messages and voice recognition to help callers complete tasks like checking account balances or scheduling appointments. Think of an automated attendant as a virtual receptionist service, while IVR is a more interactive solution for handling phone calls.

The cost of an automated phone system depends on the features and the provider. For a simple automated answering service or auto attendant phone system, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $50 per month per user.

More advanced systems, like those with interactive voice response or virtual receptionist services, can range from $50 to $100 or more per month. Additional costs may include setup fees and charges for extra features like call recording or advanced call handling.

Good news! Talkroute’s phone system starts at just $19 /mo and $5 /mo per additional user!

For Talkroute’s pricing, you can check out our flexible plans here.

For a small business, phone system costs vary based on the size of the team and the features needed. Basic systems with auto-receptionist capabilities can start at around $20 per user per month. If you need more robust features like IVR, mobile apps, or advanced call flow management, the price can increase to $50 or more per user per month. Small businesses typically spend $300 to $1,000 upfront for hardware like desk phones, depending on the setup.

Good news! Talkroute’s phone system starts at just $19 /mo and $5 /mo per additional user!

Automated phone systems are great for managing incoming calls and keeping things organized. They allow businesses to provide 24/7 assistance, direct callers efficiently, and reduce the need for full-time receptionists. These systems also improve call flow and ensure that phone calls are handled during or outside working hours.

However, the downside is that some callers may find automated attendants or virtual receptionist services impersonal, especially if they struggle with complex menus or voice recognition systems.

Automated phone systems use pre-recorded messages, call routing, and, in some cases, voice recognition to manage phone calls. When a caller reaches the system, they are greeted by an automated attendant or auto-receptionist, which provides menu options.

Based on the caller’s input, the system routes the call to the correct department, extension, or voicemail. These systems are programmed to handle incoming calls efficiently, even outside business hours, ensuring smooth call handling and better customer service.