I love Uma Thurman. The Kill Bill movies? They are totally awesome. I even dug her in the film adaptation of Even Cowgirls get the Blues. But I’m not here to talk about that Uma … although I totally could for, like, pages and pages. No, today I’m here to fill you in about Ooma, the coolest anthropomorphic name for a total phone system. You’ve seen those cutesy commercials, but just what is an Ooma, and what does it do? Sit back, grab a cup of coffee and I’ll fill you in on the details and benefits of Ooma for offices.
What is Ooma?
Ooma is a device that provides low-cost phone services to home and businesses, using your high-speed internet connection instead of a conventional phone line. However, it is more than just a simple internet phone system, and it can offer both private and business customers a bunch of advanced features.
Say Hello to Enterprise-Grade Service
Just because you’re a small business, doesn’t mean you can’t have a full suite of corporate-grade business phone services. In addition to calling features such as unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada, call-ID and a free transfer of your current business number, Ooma also has some pretty nifty office features. These Include:
Virtual Receptionist
You can set up Ooma to automatically greet and direct incoming calls, and even answer common customer questions, or advertise your product or offers. So, yeah, Ooma does indeed talk.
Advanced Office Features
Ooma gives you all the features of more expensive and more complicated office phone systems, such as call forwarding to your mobile device using the Ooma app, conference calling, faxing, call logging, and my personal favourite, on-hold music. Oh yeah. Nothing says “success” like having clients listen to adult contemporary music while they’re on hold. The system is pretty expandable too, and can host up to 20 users (with additional hardware). Each user can have their own extension, and private voicemail account with customizable and personal settings to forward messages to your emails. And if your staff is on the go a lot, Ooma has great mobile features like the aforementioned call forwarding to your cellphone, plus voicemail forwarding, multi-ring and virtual extensions.
Need Help Setting It Up?
Ooma is a pretty simple system to install, however I’m more of a techie than most, so if you prefer to have someone else take care of setting it all up, consider the Geek Squad service if you’re going to get Ooma for your office. The Geek Squad team can configure Ooma, integrate it into your existing home/office network, and then give you great tutorials on how to use Ooma, including how to adjust the messages on the virtual receptionist or upload audio clips, how to add extensions and additional phone numbers, and add options to the receptionist’s menu. You’ll also learn how to upload some Kenny G for the on-hold music. For more details call 1 800 Geek Squad (1-800-433-5778).
All jokes aside, Uma … darnit … Ooma seems like a pretty decent small business phone solution, which does away with having to use traditional phone lines, and offers a whole suite of really useful corporate-grade features. You may be a small business, but Ooma for offices may help you look like you’re in the big leagues … at least phone-wise.
