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August 27, 2013

ALICE Receptionist Stakes Its Claim at StartupCamp8

By Allison Boccamazzo, Content Producer

StartupCamp8 is one of, if not the most, exciting aspect for many every year at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Tonight’s event – the only entrepreneur pitch event focused exclusively on the communications sector – welcomed four great contenders all seeking to pique the interest of this year’s judges with the end goal of major investment. Among these four startups was ALICE Receptionist, self-described as the world’s only virtual receptionist to connect customers with employees.



Headed by co-founder and CEO Mike Yoder, the company manages visitor traffic to enterprises to help enhance overall building management and customer satisfaction. The reasoning behind this solution, Yoder reasons, is that a growing trend in commercial buildings is a lack of front desk service. More and more companies are becoming unwilling to employ a full-time receptionist; however, for those frequently greeted by an empty lobby, they know that this is a critical element of business engagement and success.

ALICE uses VoIP and SIP to enable two-way communications between the customer and the lobby. The solution covers all of the bases, including: greeting visitors, alerting employees and ultimately connecting people via one- and two-way video or audio. ALICE is based on the premise of interactive information. Planned features include visitor check-in and badge printing; meanwhile, more advanced capabilities include building directory on the screen, interactive maps and interactive information.

The company’s target market includes the enterprise, and more specifically, government agencies and universities. Simply put, ALICE helps solve companies’ pain points. The startup currently boasts more than 60 paying customers to manage visitor traffic to its building.

The company’s strategic approach consists of three layers: defining the market, identifying the pain points that exist for the customer, and creating an appropriate price point. “ALICE is a solution that not only provides new revenue stream for partners, but it solves a problem for their customers,” Yoder explains.

Bottom line: Alice is all about providing a comprehensive, live interactive customer experience. It serves a function while dually enhancing the appeal of the front office. The company was well-received by the audience and the event’s panel of judges – it’s clear that great things await this innovative startup.




Edited by Rachel Ramsey
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