So, now that we’ve talked about the “why” and the benefits and features that cloud telephony provider, Ifbyphone (News - Alert), offers its customers, it’s now time to break into the specifics of how this cloud-based computing benefits companies already using an interactive voice response, or “IVR,” system.
Ifbyphone’s CEO Irv Shapiro (News - Alert) told me a recent podcast that the main advantage is that companies have no upfront capital costs at all.
“Traditional IVR technology from the largest call center equipment manufacturers often run two to four thousand dollars per port,” Shapiro said.
So, for a company looking for multiple ports, or multiple telephone lines, a company is going to spend $50,000 – $60,000 on equipment in order to even try using an IVR experience as part of your business.
“In the case of Ifbyphone, you can get access to all of our application capabilities for $50 a month, month by month, no long term commitment,” Shapiro said. “So, for $50, you can try IVR with your business.
“And then you’re only charged based on usage; you use it a lot you get charged a little more, you don’t use it very much, your total cost of experimenting is $50,” he added.
Hey, $50 compared to $50,000? Sounds like a deal to me.
Kelly McGuire is a TMCnet Web editor, covering CRM and workforce technologies, and anchor of its daily TMC Newsroom video broadcast. Kelly also writes about eco-friendly "green" technologies and smart grids, compiling TMCnet's weekly e-Newsletters on those topics, as well as the cable industry. To read more of Kelly's articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by Kelly McGuire