Voice Messaging In Transition

Once upon a time, voice mail was the preferred messaging solution for large enterprises. In the 1990s, voice mail networks connected systems throughout almost all large enterprises, using both proprietary and standards-based networking. By the beginning of this decade, most sources agree that email had eclipsed both phone calls and voice mail as the most common form of internal business communication. Even the business customers, partners and suppliers have shifted to email as the communication vehicle of choice, since email is less disruptive than a phone call, can be sent at any hour of the day, and provides a written record of the event. Whenever you choose to upgrade your voice mail systems, and whatever system you select, be sure to focus on the benefits for your enterprise, your customers and the users. Use the knowledge you gained from studying your information and from interviewing your users to design new applications and to update your processes.