We’re delighted to announce some great new features and improvements on our Press1 virtual switchboard.

• Custom Call Whisper Recordings
• Call Forward with Confirmation
• Pressed Digit Included in Voicemail
• Improved Notifications
• Google Analytics Integration

Custom Call Whisper Recordings

Call whisper is a feature which allows the called party hear a ‘line announcement’ before the call is answered, allowing the caller prepare for the call.
Previously the line announcement was fixed at “line 1″, “line 2″ etc.. and you needed to remember if “line 1″ was sales or support…

We’ve updated this  feature to allow custom recordings for each ‘line’

How to use it:
Login to your Press1 control panel and scroll down to the end of the ‘Recordings’ page. You will see recordings labeled “Whisper x:”, upload recordings here for the appropriate whisper depending on the menu option chosen by the caller.

Call Forward with Confirmation

This is a new feature especially for forwarding to mobiles with voicemail active, when the called party answers the phone they will be prompted to press ‘1′ to accept the call. If the called party does NOT press ‘1′ the call hangs up and the call is processed as if it was never answered.

This feature is especially good for ‘hunting groups’ ie. when you want to ring one mobile, followed by another, followed by another and so on. Previously there was a possibility the first mobile would be off or unreachable and the call would go to straight to voicemail, the press1 system would consider the phone answered and it would never ring the next in line. Now using confirmation the voicemail will answer the call, but because confirmation is not received, the next phone in line will ring..

How to use it:
When building your call flow, select “Forward to Number (confirm):”.

this feature also includes call whisper

Pressed Digit Included in Voicemail

Previously when you received a voicemail you had no idea which menu option had been pressed. Now the last number the caller pressed is included in the voicemail text.

How to use it:
This feature is active by default, you can see new title ‘Pressed’ in the email content.

Improved Notifications

Notifications are now more flexible, we’ve left the original notification when call answered (you might have seen a new ‘label’ on your notifications indicating “call”) but you can now also add notifications anywhere in your call flow and include ‘labels’ so you can identify where the notifications originated. You can also set individual email addresses which means notifications can go to anyone you choose.

How to use it:
To use this feature simply select the action ‘Send Notification’ when building a call-flow,enter the email address you would like the notification to go to and the label which will be used in the email.

To give an example of how this might be used. Let’s say we have two people answering phones in a ‘hunting group’, firstly the call goes to Alice, if Alice is busy or unavailable then the call follows on to Bob, if Bob is unavailable then the call follows on to voicemail.  We want Alice and Bob to get notifications of the calls they miss.

Here’s an example of how this setup might look.

Google Analytics Integration

You can now plot your callers activity on Google Analytics.  This is perfect if you are using your switchboards to track add campaigns or if you just want to see graphically how many people choose a certain option.

You simply add analytics tracking anywhere you wish in the call-flow using a unique label to identify where in the switchboards call flow has been visited.

How to use it:
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to getting started.

1) Setup an new domain on your analytics account called YOURNUMBER.user.press1.co.uk  (Where you replace YOURNUMBER by your switchboard number)
2) Take the analytics account code (begins with UA-) and enter it in Press1 on the ‘Account Details’ page.
3) There are default tracking points which will start collecting immediately ( ‘call’ – when call arrives,  ‘open-call’ -routed to open menu  and ‘closed-call’ ) – You can also optionally add additional tracking points in your call flow with action ‘Google Analytics Track’, enter any label which relates to the position on the switchboard (for example 1-open when caller presses ‘1′)
4) Wait for your data to come in (should be updated after about an hour)

TIP: Your analytics domain status needs to be ‘collecting data’ on the Overview page (in Analytics),  if it’s failing to start collecting click ‘Edit’ , then in the top right ‘Check Status’

To view data in analytics select  ‘Content‘ from the Analytics menu, each label you entered will be  represented as a ‘page title’ and ‘page views‘ (not Visits) will represent the number of times the tracker has been ‘hit’.

Do post or email us if you have feedback.
Press1 team

A virtual switchboard gives you a new phone number that can be redirected to any landline or mobile number of your choice, meaning that wherever you are your phone will be answered and you won’t miss out on important calls from your customers; but your virtual switchboard can be used for so much more…

1. When placing adverts in trade journals and magazines you can never be sure quite what your ROI is, who would have called you anyway even without the advert? By using a separate virtual switchboard number you can monitor the calls coming from your advert showing you exactly how much business is being generated.

2. This can be taken further still; which marketing channel is working hardest for you? By using different numbers in different places, again you can monitor the results and make informed tangible decisions on where your marketing budget is working the best.

3. By using the local number option from your virtual switchboard in publications such as local papers potential customers will think they’re using a local company. People like to think they’re supporting local businesses, this may seem a bit sneaky but if it gets you more sales so much the better.

At the end of the day all the above options could be done with ‘normal’ phone lines but you would have to go through the hassle and expense of installations and 12 month+ contracts, with a virtual switchboard extra numbers are easy to set up and simple to cancel once you’ve got the results you were looking for.

O2 – was 10.96p/min now 6.76p/min
Orange - was 11.04p/min now 8.41p/min
Vodaphone - was 11.04p/min now 3.87p/min
T-mobile – was 11.04p/min now 7.04p/min
Hutch 3G – was 11.04p/min now 10.99p/min

Rates shown above exclude VAT.

All rates can be viewed here – http://www.press1.co.uk/home/rates.html#U

Running a small business, be it from home or from your own office space, is always going to take up a lot of your time and multi tasking is a skill that if not already present will be learnt very quickly.

One of the best things to hear when starting out in business is the sound of the phone ringing, clients wanting information and putting business your way, but after a while the interruptions can actually hinder your business. Each time you stop to answer the call and then the subsequent query the task at hand gets put to one side and at times may even be forgotten.

By using a Virtual Switchboard some simple procedures can be put in place to help manage your phone related time and make your day run smoothly and more effectively. Here are some ideas that could save you time and make you more money:

• Have a professional and well worded voicemail message; encourage your caller to leave not only their name and number but also a short message explaining their query
• Reserve a ‘timeslot’ in your day for returning calls; customers don’t mind leaving messages so long as they can be sure they will get a reply
• Use your Virtual Switchboard system to manage all your calls. You’re never ‘engaged’ with a Virtual Switchboard so you can be sure every call will be answered meaning no customers are lost
• Make the most of the Virtual Receptionist function within your Virtual Switchboard; have often asked questions such as opening hours or a contact address pre recorded
• Forward your calls instantly to relevant people. For instance if you have an outsourced marketing or finance department by allowing your caller to ‘press 2 for marketing’ you not only make yourself look bigger you also save yourself from asking your caller to ring another number

By managing your calls efficiently using a Virtual Switchboard you can work smarter, making you more effective in your operations.

The first impression a new customer gets when they call your company is the switchboard greeting. Do your brand justice by ensuring your recorded voice greeting is as professional as it can be. Whilst Press1 can provide professionally recorded voice greetings from£15 here are some tips if you wish to do it yourself:

• Use a quality microphone for best results
• Don’t talk directly into the mic or you will get ‘pops’
• Sit yourself comfortably upright and maintain the same distance to the mic
• Breath normally
• Do a few practice runs
• Don’t speak too quickly, callers need a chance to listen
• Place the FULL TEXT you are recording on the computer screen in clear view using a legible font (you should not have to scroll) or print to a sheet of paper
• A good recording program to use is Audacity, it’s free – video for using here – http://www.press1.co.uk/home/screencasts.html
• The native format for recording is 8Khz PCM mono, use this or the recording will be re-sampled leading to loss of quality
• If you don’t have a mic on your computer, you can dial into your switchboard and use the voicemail feature to record a file. You will receive voicemail attached to your email which can be uploaded to the ‘recordings’ page

As a special offer this week we are offering 1 free professional recording (up to 50 words) with every new switchboard. (Offer not valid if promotional discount is being used). Sign up today and mention this offer to us.

We’re glad to announce we now have national coverage for local numbers.

Local numbers can be added to an existing switchboard for only £6.99 per month (ex. VAT).

The following is a list of codes now supported (drop us an email if your looking for a code not on the list).

0121 – Birmingham
0131 – Edinburgh
0141 – Glasgow
0151 – Liverpool
0161 – Manchester
0203 – London
0207 – London
0845 – NTS Low Call
0113 – Leeds
0114 – Sheffield
0115 – Nottingham
0116 – Leicester
0117 – Bristol
0118 – Reading
01200 – Clitheroe
01202 – Bournemouth
01204 – Bolton
01205 – Boston
01206 – Colchester
01207 – Consett
01208 – Bodmin
01209 – Redruth
0121 – Birmingham
01223 – Cambridge
01224 – Aberdeen
01225 – Bath
01226 – Barnsley
01227 – Canterbury
01228 – Carlisle
01229 – Barrow-in-Furness
01233 – Ashford
01234 – Bedford
01235 – Abingdon
01236 – Coatbridge
01237 – Bideford
01239 – Cardigan
01241 – Arbroath
01242 – Cheltenham
01243 – Chichester
01244 – Chester
01245 – Chelmsford
01246 – Chesterfield
01248 – Bangor (Gwynedd)
01249 – Chippenham
01250 – Blairgowrie
01252 – Aldershot
01253 – Blackpool
01254 – Blackburn
01255 – Clacton-on-Sea
01256 – Basingstoke
01257 – Coppull
01258 – Blandford
01259 – Alloa
01260 – Congleton
01261 – Banff
01262 – Bridlington
01263 – Cromer
01264 – Andover
01267 – Carmarthen
01268 – Basildon
01269 – Ammanford
01270 – Crewe
01271 – Barnstable
01273 – Brighton
01274 – Bradford
01275 – Clevedon
01276 – Camberley
01277 – Brentwood
01278 – Bridgwater
01279 – Bishops Stortford
01280 – Buckingham
01282 – Burnley
01283 – Burton-on-Trent
01284 – Bury-St-Edmunds
01285 – Cirencester
01286 – Caernarvon
01287 – Guisborough
01288 – Bude
01289 – Berwick-on-Tweed
01290 – Cumnock
01291 – Chepstow
01292 – Ayr
01293 – Crawley
01294 – Ardrossan
01295 – Banbury
01296 – Aylesbury
01297 – Axminster
01298 – Buxton
01299 – Bewdley
01300 – Cerne Abbas
01301 – Arrochar
01302 – Doncaster
01303 – Folkestone
01304 – Dover
01305 – Dorchester
01306 – Dorking
01307 – Forfar
01308 – Bridport
01309 – Forres
0131 – Edinburgh
01320 – Fort Augustus
01322 – Dartford
01323 – Eastbourne
01324 – Falkirk
01325 – Darlington
01326 – Falmouth
01327 – Daventry
01328 – Fakenham
01329 – Fareham
01330 – Banchory
01332 – Derby
01333 – Peat Inn
01334 – St Andrews
01335 – Ashbourne
01337 – Ladybank
01339 – Aboyne/Ballater
01340 – Craigellachie
01341 – Barmouth
01342 – East Grinstead
01343 – Elgin
01344 – Bracknell
01346 – Fraserburgh
01347 – Easingwold
01348 – Fishguard
01349 – Dingwall
01350 – Dunkeld
01352 – Mold
01353 – Ely
01354 – Chatteris
01355 – East Kilbride
01356 – Brechin
01357 – Strathaven
01358 – Ellon
01359 – Pakenham
01360 – Killearn
01361 – Duns
01362 – Dereham
01363 – Crediton
01364 – Ashburton
01366 – Downham Market
01367 – Faringdon
01368 – Dunbar
01369 – Dunoon
01371 – Great Dunmow
01372 – Esher
01373 – Frome
01375 – Grays Thurrock
01376 – Braintree
01377 – Driffield
01379 – Diss
01380 – Devizes
01381 – Fortrose
01382 – Dundee
01383 – Dunfermline
01384 – Dudley
01386 – Evesham
01387 – Dumfries
01388 – Bishop Auckland/Stanhope
01389 – Dumbarton
01392 – Exeter
01394 – Felixstowe
01395 – Budleigh Salterton
01397 – Fort William
01398 – Dulverton
01400 – Honington
01403 – Horsham
01404 – Honiton
01405 – Goole
01406 – Holbeach
01407 – Holyhead
01408 – Golspie
01409 – Holsworthy
0141 – Glasgow
01420 – Alton
01422 – Halifax
01423 – Harrogate/Boroughbridge
01424 – Hastings
01425 – Ringwood
01427 – Gainsborough
01428 – Haslemere
01429 – Hartlepool
01430 – North Cave/Market Weighton
01431 – Helmsdale
01432 – Hereford
0143435 – ???
01435 – Heathfield
01436 – Helensburgh
0143757 – ??
01438 – Stevenage
01439 – Helmsley
01440 – Haverhill
01442 – Hemel Hempstead
01443 – Pontypridd
01444 – Haywards Heath
01445 – Gairloch
01446 – Barry
01449 – Stowmarket
01450 – Hawick
01451 – Stow-on-the-Wold
01452 – Gloucester
01454 – Chipping Sodbury
01455 – Hinckley
01456 – Glenurquhart
01457 – Glossop
01458 – Glastonbury
01460 – Chard
01461 – Gretna
01462 – Hitchin
01463 – Inverness
01464 – Insch
01465 – Girvan
01466 – Huntly
01467 – Inverurie
01469 – Killingholme
01470 – Isle of Skye – Edinbane
01471 – Isle of Skye – Broadford
01472 – Grimsby
01473 – Ipswich
01474 – Gravesend
01475 – Greenock
01476 – Grantham
01477 – Holmes Chappel
01478 – Isle of Skye – Portree
01479 – Grantown-on-Spey
01480 – Huntingdon
01482 – Hull
01483 – Guildford
01484 – Huddersfield
01485 – Hunstanton
01487 – Warboys
01488 – Hungerford
01489 – Bishops Waltham
01490 – Corwen
01491 – Henley on Thames
01492 – Colwyn Bay
01493 – Great Yarmouth
01494 – High Wycombe
01495 – Pontypool
01496 – Port Ellen
01497 – Hay-on-Wye
01499 – Inveraray
01501 – Harthill
01502 – Lowestoft
01503 – Looe
01505 – Johnstone
01506 – Bathgate
0150767 ????
01508 – Brooke
01509 – Loughborough
0151 – Liverpool
0152064 ?????
01522 – Lincoln
01524490 ?????
01525 – Leighton Buzzard
01526 – Martin
01527 – Redditch
01528 – Laggan
01529 – Sleaford
01530 – Coalville
01531 – Ledbury
01535 – Keighley
01536 – Kettering
01538 – Ipstones
0153954 ??????
01540 – Kingussie
01542 – Keith
01543 – Cannock
01544 – Kington
01545 – Llanarth
01546 – Lochgilphead
01547 – Knighton
01548 – Kingsbridge
01549 – Lairg
01550 – Llandovery
01553 – Kings Lynn
01554 – Llanelli
01555 – Lanark
01557 – Kirkcudbright
01558 – Llandeilo
01559 – Llandyssul
01560 – Moscow
01561 – Laurencekirk
01562 – Kidderminster
01563 – Kilmarnock
01564 – Lapworth
01565 – Knutsford
01566 – Launceston
01567 – Killin
01568 – Leominster
01569 – Stonehaven
01570 – Lampeter
01571 – Lochinver
01572 – Oakham
01573 – Kelso
01575 – Kirriemuir
01576 – Lockerbie
01577 – Kinross
01578 – Lauder
01579 – Liskeard
01580 – Cranbrook
01581 – New Luce
01582 – Luton
01583 – Carradale
01584 – Ludlow
01586 – Campbeltown
01588 – Bishops Castle
01590 – Lymington
01591 – Llanwrtyd Wells
01592 – Kirkcaldy
01593 – Lybster
01594 – Lydney
01595 – Lerwick,Foula & Fair Isle
01597 – Llandrindod Wells
01598 – Lynton
01599 – Kyle
01600 – Monmouth
01603 – Norwich
01604 – Northampton
01606 – Northwich
01608 – Chipping Norton
01609 – Northallerton
0161 – Manchester
01620 – North Berwick
01621 – Maldon
01622 – Maidstone
01623 – Mansfield
01624 – Isle of Man
01625 – Macclesfield
01626 – Newton Abbot
01628 – Maidenhead
01629 – Matlock
01630 – Market Drayton
01631 – Oban
01633 – Newport
01634 – Medway
01635 – Newbury
01636 – Newark
01637 – Newquay
01638 – Newmarket
01639 – Neath
01641 – Strathy
01642 – Middlesbrough
01643 – Minehead
01644 – New Galloway
01646 – Milford Haven
01647 – Moretonhampstead
01650 – Cemmaes Road
01651 – Oldmeldrum
01652 – Brigg
01653 – Malton
01654 – Machynlleth
01655 – Maybole
01656 – Bridgend
01659 – Sanquhar
01661 – Prudhoe
01663 – New Mills
01664 – Melton Mowbray
01665 – Alnwick
01666 – Malmesbury
01667 – Nairn
01668 – Bamburgh
01669 – Rothbury
01670 – Morpeth
01671 – Newton Stewart
01672 – Marlborough
01673 – Market Rasen
01674 – Montrose
01675 – Coleshill
01676 – Meriden
01677 – Bedale
01678 – Bala
01680 – Isle of Mull – Craignure
01681 – Isle of Mull – Fionnphort
01683 – Moffat
01684 – Malvern
01685 – Merthyr Tydfil
01686 – Newtown/Llanidloes
01687 – Mallaig
01688 – Isle of Mull – Tobermory
01689 – Orpington
01690 – Betws-y-Coed
01691 – Oswestry
01692 – North Walsham
01694 – Church Stretton
01695 – Skelmersdale
0169797 ???
01698 – Motherwell
01700 – Rothesay
01702 – Southend-on-Sea
01704 – Southport
01706 – Rochdale
01707 – Potters Bar
01708 – Romford
01709 – Rotherham
01720 – Isles of Scilly
01721 – Peebles
01722 – Salisbury
01723 – Scarborough
01724 – Scunthorpe
01725 – Rockbourne
01726 – St Austell
01727 – St Albans
01728 – Saxmundham
01729 – Settle
01730 – Petersfield
01732 – Sevenoaks
01733 – Peterborough
01736 – Penzance
01737 – Redhill
01738 – Perth
01740 – Sedgefield
01743 – Shrewsbury
01744 – St Helens
01745 – Rhyl
01746 – Bridgnorth
01747 – Shaftesbury
01748 – Richmond
01749 – Shepton Mallet
01750 – Selkirk
01751 – Pickering
01752 – Plymouth
01753 – Slough
01754 – Skegness
01756 – Skipton
01757 – Selby
01758 – Pwllheli
01759 – Pocklington
01760 – Swaffham
01761 – Temple Cloud
01763 – Royston
01764 – Crieff
01765 – Ripon
01766 – Porthmadog
01767 – Sandy
01768 – Penrith
01769 – South Molton
01770 – Isle of Arran
01771 – Maud
01772 – Preston
01773 – Ripley
01775 – Spalding
01776 – Stranraer
01777 – Retford
01778 – Bourne
01779 – Peterhead
01780 – Stamford
01782 – Stoke-on-Trent
01784 – Staines
01785 – Stafford
01786 – Stirling
01787 – Sudbury
01788 – Rugby
01789 – Stratford-upon-Avon
01790 – Spilsby
01792 – Swansea
01793 – Swindon
01794 – Romsey
01795 – Sittingbourne
01796 – Pitlochry
01797 – Rye
01798 – Pulborough
01799 – Saffron Walden
01803 – Torquay
01805 – Torrington
01806 – Shetland
01807 – Ballindalloch
01808 – Tomatin
01809 – Tomdoun
01821 – Kinrossie
01822 – Tavistock
01823 – Taunton
01824 – Ruthin
01825 – Uckfield
01827 – Tamworth
01828 – Coupar Angus
01829 – Tarporley
01830 – Kirkwhelpington
01832 – Clopton
01833 – Barnard Castle
01834 – Narberth
01835 – St Boswells
01837 – Okehampton
01838 – Dalmally
01840 – Camelford
01841 – Newquay
01842 – Thetford
01843 – Thanet
01844 – Thame
01845 – Thirsk
01847 – Thurso/Tongue
01848 – Thornhill
01851 – Great Bernera/Stornoway
01852 – Kilmelford
01854 – Ullapool
01855 – Ballachulish
01856 – Orkney
01857 – Sanday
01858 – Market Harborough
01859 – Harris
01862 – Tain
01863 – Ardgay
01864 – Abington
01865 – Oxford
01866 – Kilchrenan
01869 – Bicester
01870 – Isle of Benbecula
01871 – Castlebay
01872 – Truro
01873 – Abergavenny
01874 – Brecon
01875 – Tranent
01876 – Lochmaddy
01877 – Callander
01878 – Lochboisdale
01879 – Scarinish
01880 – Tarbert
01882 – Kinloch Rannoch
01883 – Caterham
01884 – Tiverton
01885 – Pencombe
01886 – Bromyard
01887 – Aberfeldy
01888 – Turriff
01889 – Rugeley
01890 – Coldstream/Ayton
01892 – Tunbridge Wells
01895 – Uxbridge
01896 – Galashiels
01899 – Biggar
01900 – Workington
01902 – Wolverhampton
01903 – Worthing
01904 – York
01905 – Worcester
01908 – Milton Keynes
01909 – Worksop
0191381 ????????
0191449 ????????
0191558 ????????
01916 – Newcastle Upon Tyne
01920 – Ware
01922 – Walsall
01923 – Watford
01924 – Wakefield
01925 – Warrington
01926 – Warwick
01928 – Runcorn
01929 – Wareham
01931 – Shap
01932 – Weybridge
01933 – Wellingborough
01934 – Weston-Super-Mare
01935 – Yeovil
01938 – Welshpool
01939 – Wem
01942 – Wigan
01943 – Guiseley
01944 – West Heslerton
01945 – Wisbech
01946 – Whitehaven
01947 – Whitby
01948 – Whitchurch
01949 – Whatton
01950 – Sandwick
01951 – Colonsay
01952 – Telford
01953 – Wymondham
01954 – Madingley
01955 – Wick
01957 – Mid Yell
01959 – Westerham
01962 – Winchester
01963 – Wincanton
01964 – Hornsea/Patrington
01967 – Strontian
01969 – Leyburn
01970 – Aberystwyth
01971 – Scourie
01972 – Glenborrodale
01974 – Llanon
01975 – Alford/Strathdon
01977 – Pontefract
01978 – Wrexham
01980 – Amesbury
01981 – Wormbridge
01982 – Builth Wells
01983 – Isle of Wight
01984 – Watchet
01985 – Warminster
01986 – Bungay
01988 – Wigtown
01989 – Ross-on-Wye
01992 – Lea Valley
01993 – Witney
01994 – St Clears
01995 – Garstang
01997 – Strathpeffer
0203 – London
0207 – London
02380 – Southampton
02392 – Portsmouth
0247 – Coventry
02820 – Ballycastle
02821 – Martinstown
02825 – Ballymena
02827 – Ballymoney
02828 – Larne
02829 – Kilrea
02830 – Newry
02837 – Armagh
02838 – Portadown
02840 – Banbridge
02841 – Rostrevor
02842 – Kircubbin
02843 – Newcastle
02844 – Downpatrick
02866 – Enniskillen
02867 – Lisnaskea
02868 – Kesh
02870 – Coleraine
02871 – Londonderry
02877 – Limavady
02879 – Magherafelt
02880 – Carrickmore
02881 – Newtownstewart
02882 – Omagh
02885 – Ballygawley
02886 – Cookstown
02887 – Dungannon
02889 – Fivemiletown
02890 – Belfast City
02891 – Bangor
02892 – Lisburn
02893 – Ballyclare
02894 – Antrim
02897 – Saintfield
02920 – Cardiff
02921 – Cardiff

With the rise in home workers, freelancers and portfolio workers home working is changing from a select few and moving mainstream.

Growth in technology is enabling this. What’s more not only can you now work from home efficiently you can portray your home office, startup or small business to be a lot bigger than it is.

Cloud computing and the internet make this possible. Here are 5 tools you can use to make this possible:

1. Virtual switchboards. A virtual switchboard like Press1.co.uk can provide you with a professional pbx system with no hardware and a fraction of the cost. For some organisations making it look like there are departments for sales, customer support and finance can give it the feel of a bigger business when in reality it could be a one man band. You can also ensure you never miss a call as you can divert the switchboard to as many phone numbers as you want – mobiles or landlines.
2. VOIP. Voice Over IP allows you to make and receive calls over the internet wherever you are in the world. Rather than using a static phone line say from BT you can install VOIP technology on your computer dialing people at a low cost from wherever you are. Skype is the poster child for VOIP and great for calling other people on Skype, when calling landlines or mobiles a service like freespeech.co.uk would be more cost effective.
3. Project Management and collaboration tools. The great thing about cloud computing is the cloud’s market leaders work just as well for startups as they do blue chip organisations. Usually priced on a per user basis solutions are scalable. Managing projects with multiple teams and parties, Basecamp claims that 1000 customers a week are signing up its project management/collaboration service. The free Google Docs tools allows you to work on documents, spreadsheets and PowerPoint with your customers wherever they are.
4. Meetings. Having a meeting, doing a presentation or demonstrating your software online is made easy with tools like GoToMeeting, the market leader for web conferencing and online meetings. Use this, wow your customers with the technology and present as if you were in the same room.
5. Website. Technically in the cloud as a website could be hosted on any server anywhere these are not often thought of as being in the ‘cloud’. Your website though can position your company bigger than it is. Making it look like a website a larger company would have and using a respectable phone number on it (not a mobile) and an 0845, 0844 or 0800 for a national company builds trust and credibility.

Online tools which are becoming ‘industry standards’ are just as accessible for startups as they are for bluechip organisations now. These tools can help position your business to look bigger than it is, helping you reap the awards of this bigger identity.

Some press1 users  report their customers have trouble getting through today.

This is due to flooding in one of BT’s exchanges which has had a knock-effect leading to widespread phone problems.

Read more at the BBC

Note: The press1 network has not been affected at all by this outage, all problems are related to routing on BT’s network.

We have moved our Blog away from wordpress.org to our own homepage. If you are subscribed to our blogs RSS feed you will need to update your link/bookmark.

The Blog is a great way for us to keep in touch with you. We will keep you updated with new features and tips for using the press1 system.

If you have not done so already you subscribe to blog updates using the ‘RSS’ feed at the top of the page.

If you don’t know how to use RSS feeds check out
http://www.whatisrss.com/