Why Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is essential for Businesses
To stay head and shoulders above your competitors these days, you have to invest in top-notch technologies. Interactive voice response ( IVR ) has been one of the must-have technologies many businesses have invested in over the years and there’s a good reason for this.
IVR systems have a great impact on businesses small or large and have stood the test of time. Most importantly, businesses can gain a competitive edge over other businesses with an IVR system and IVR Payment Processing, because it can improve your business operations and increase efficiency.
An IVR system is made up of a computerised system that aids in answering incoming calls and sends them to the suitable destinations within your business premises. You can retrieve vital information from the database using this platform, and it’s easy to automate tasks that will require a team of professionals.
What to Know About Interactive Voice Response
There is a deep-rooted history concerning the use of an interactive voice response system. This system was introduced into the business industry as a means to quickly and efficiently automate business processes. The idea was to save a small business’s operation time spent answering customers’ inquiries. Hence, it guarantees quick opportunities to serve customers in need of the information they are looking for.
For many businesses, the IVR system offered an opportunity to use an unrefined kind of self-service technology available in many phone systems worldwide. The first models of auto business assistants came with limited functionality and allowed less interaction. For many businesses, they had to invest in improved and high-security protocols.
Significantly, it was not easy to make improvements on the systems as they were not designed to keep up with growing business operations and customer demands. Businesses needed to grow, and they had to go for a solution that will keep them afloat and effectively satisfy clients’ needs, this pursuit led to the advent of IVR and IVR Payment technology. Advancements in the telecoms industry, more so the interactive voice response systems functionality, can be attributed to improvements in the earlier models. New and better technological developments like computer telephony integration (CTI) guarantee the effective exchange of information between phones and computers. CIT technology makes it easy to input telephone information into databases, and it can be stored based on customers’ account information.
Computer telephony integration makes it easy for a computer system to execute automatic call transfers and dialling. These systems utilise a dual-tone frequency signalling (DTFS) to facilitate effective information exchange between phones and computers. More features like Automated Speech recognition (ASR), has impacted how customers make inquiries.
Types of Interactive Voice Response Systems – What to Know
The key types of IVR system widely used these days include:
1. Inbound IVR Systems
Inbound IVR systems are widely used to automate a business’s answering and calling processes. Caller-routing is an excellent application whereby a caller presses the phone’s touch screen and is immediately directed to a specific destination.
These systems can as well be used in retailing to offer services and products over the phone. Other areas include telephone banking, loan application, and the healthcare sector to provide discharge and admission records.
2. Outbound IVR Systems
Outbound interactive voice response systems help remind clients of upcoming meetings and appointments. These systems offer a means to save more as a business can streamline the entire process using an automated system to make multiple calls. This is an incredible way to improve employee productivity while focusing on other essential duties or aspects of their work.
How IVR Systems Can Benefit Your Small Business
IVR systems are a valuable investment and will impact your business significantly in several ways:
• Guarantees 24/7 effective communication. You can answer customers’ inquiries without any worries regardless of the time of the day or night.
• They increase customer satisfaction. These systems automatically help cater to volumes of calls and without any shortcomings.
• Lowers cost of business operation. There is no need to hire multiple workers as this system will automatically handle relevant calls or queries.
• Enjoy customised customer support regardless of the language one is using.
• All calls are recorded for future references and analysis.
Implement IVR Best Practices into Your Business
Interactive voice response technology offers your business a means to grow and overcome competition. These systems provide a means to keep in touch with customers and avoid unnecessary communication difficulties. You shouldn’t have any reservations about investing in these telecoms systems as the benefits are potentially business-changing.
Working with Teleproject UK we can discuss your requirements and tailor a system to meet your needs.