Getting an IVR System? Some Things to Think About

You’ve decided that you need voice recognition software. Great. Got that out of the way. Now comes the fun part: How do you know what features are offered and which ones you’ll want or need?

According to a good thumbnail sketch by industry observer April Adams of TopTenREVIEWS, there are a few things to think about.

“Will you be using this program long term or short term?” A more important consideration than it might appear at first blush. If you need something for just a few weeks yeah, you can probably get away with the cheaper budget software. But if it’s a keeper, something you want for the long haul, you’ll do yourself a favor by splashing out a bit more cash for the good quality product now.

“What do you need this software to do for you?” Always the first consideration with the purchase of any tool, from a screwdriver to a private jet. Do you want voice recognition software to control your computer as much as possible? Then as Adams says, “it's worth the time and effort to find an efficient product.” (See “haul, long” above). Do you just need some basic commands and dictation? You can get away with a more stripped-down offering.

“Will you need to purchase a headset?” Some come with them, others don’t. You might be able to use a headset you already have. Good quality headsets aren’t that expensive, so don’t sweat it if you don’t have a good one.

“What type of customer support do you need?” Adams notes that some voice recognition software programs offer a help command within their program, while others send you to online forums and FAQs. Depends which you want and are willing to pay for, as the immediate help, as a general rule of thumb, is a bit pricier.

David Sims is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of David’s articles, please visit his columnist page. He also blogs for TMCnet here.

Edited by Juliana Kenny