Centralize reception functions and reduce office space by consolidating all communications functions into a single location. Each distinct office is provided its own phone number and all calls to that number are automatically routed to the unified location. Scheduling, billing and records may be moved to a new communications office.
Link offices. VoIP creates an internal phone network that includes the main office as well as satellite offices. Each individual has an extension number through which he or she is contacted by anyone, from any office. No more dialing an area code and seven numbers; the extension number alone is sufficient to reach everyone within the company. Plus, calls are easily transferred from one site to another.
Those with their own extension may choose to have their calls transferred to their mobile phones when they leave the office, so they are always available. Seamless integration of a home phone with the office phone system allows staff to reach someone quickly by dialing the extension number. When the doctor or nurse returns a patient’s call from off site, it appears that the call originated in the medical office.
Auto attendant is a popular VoIP feature that eliminates the need for staff members to route calls manually. Based on their menu selection, callers are routed to the correct department or person. A voice mailbox replaces a live person for referrals or prescription requests. A customized message can be created in the event of an emergency that forces the office to close.
Medical video conferencing is becoming more common. Patient evaluations, simple diagnoses, test results and mental health treatments may be provided via healthcare video conferencing. This convenient, potentially cost-saving medium is sure to be appreciated by patients who are too busy, too ill or too disabled to come into the office and wait for an in-person appointment to commence.
Additional features are available. These include call flow management, call forwarding to a colleague or to a cellphone during times of unavailability, voicemail-to-email service, simultaneous ring on desk phone and cellphone, sequential call routing to multiple numbers or extensions, a presence feature that indicates who is busy or on the phone, and call parking that allows a call placed on hold to be answered by the intended recipient from any extension.
Costs are reduced. With VoIP, you no longer need to purchase equipment, find a place to store it, or install and upgrade your phone system. Cloud-based services are activated, operated, managed, maintained and updated by a service provider — like Time Technology — so your IT team focuses on other projects instead of setting up and servicing your telephone system. You also reduce operating costs since you no longer need as many administrative personnel to answer the phones.
