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Microsoft Response Point SP2

I am not sure how this snuck up on me, but today is the day that Microsoft is releasing Service Pack 2 (SP2) for their small and medium business phone platform Response Point.

SP2 adds a number of new features that users have been asking for since SP1 was released last summer. With SP2, the Response Point Auto Attendant feature can now be configured on a schedule. That enables customers to set up the Auto Attendant so it only answers during off-hours, or holidays, or whenever needed. SP2 also adds parked call return. That means that a parked call will ring back to get someone’s attention after a defined timeframe (no longer than 3 minutes). That helps to ensure that customers aren’t forgotten and left on hold forever.

There are many more new features and improvements. There are new technologies for improving call quality, VPN connectivity, analog phone line capabilities, and general overall improvements in Response Point performance. Check out the Microsoft Response Point SP2 site to learn more about the latest features and to download SP2. If you are looking for a resource to really help you understand, deploy, configure, or sell Response Point phone systems, read Harry Brelsford’s Microsoft Response Point Primer - Cut the Strings.

Unifying Phone Communications

Over the past ten years or so, the variety of ways available to connect with an individual has exploded. I mentioned a few posts back how technology has evolved so that you can call, email, instant message, text message, voicemail, etc. to communicate. But, the problem is that there are too many now. When you want to reach somebody, you may have to pick between 3 or 4 phone numbers. As a function of unified communications, a key piece of the puzzle is to try and reduce the options down to a single phone number, which then intelligently routes to the user. Vendors are making strides toward that goal with varying strategies for how to simultaneously ring the desk and cell phone, or methods to leverage wireless network capabilities in the office, but route to cellular when the phone is out of range. I think we’re getting there. Check out Two Options for Cellular Mobile Unified Communications for more analysis of the emerging and evolving solutions for this communications dilemma.