Nowadays, business phones are being equipped with features that would have needed additional requirements back in the days. No one had the inclination that one day, all of these features will be packed into just one device. However, what seemed impossible then was achieved, and now, businesses are enjoying this new-era of technology that provides them with all the necessary labor saving features. VoIP vendors are making it easier for businesses as they are providing them with cost effective and top-notch solutions that make for a comprehensive communication system.

Intercom and call paging are two out of the aforementioned features. The main function of these two features is to deliver messages very fast to a certain department or even the whole company. They allow you to reach a specific employee or department in no time. They are only available within your network, throughout a building, or a room. They serve as a means of communicating quickly and efficiently.

Now, although both features promote quick and efficient communication, there are subtle differences between these features that are worth mentioning. Let's take a close look at these differences one by one.

CALL PAGING

Call paging is a one-way communication system that works via a VoIP phone system to speakers on an IP phone. What do we mean by saying one-way communication? When an announcement is made over a speaker, and this announcement doesn't require an immediate answer, it is commonly known as a one-way communication.

Call paging delivers clear and precise messages. It is an ideal option when you do not need a response, or an immediate one at least.

Let's make use of an example to give you a better understanding of what we are talking about. You have been to airports before and you have definitely heard announcements like "All the passengers on flight XXX to Los Angeles, please get on board", right? Or in big stores, when an announcement like this is made to call the attention of a manager. All of these functionalities are made available through call paging. This kind of communication can be likened to rhetorical questions; you say something but you do not require a reply.

Just like the airport example, call paging works with the same mechanism in your business. It provides you with the ability to reach any of your employees whenever they are within the company. You'll be able to broadcast a message through a set of extensions and speakers instead of informing your employees on at a time. Your employees may often be on the move, but they'll still be available for you and your urgent announcements. They will be notified and made aware of when and where they are needed, or if there will be an event or conference in the company

INTERCOM

Intercom is a two-way communication system. It works via a phone system by making use of a speakerphone on IP phones.

We are not going to break the tradition, so we'll explain what two-way calling is. Unlike one way calling where all you do is to listen, two way calling allows you to listen and also respond.

In the case of the intercom, announcements or/and messages are usually transmitted through headphones or speakers to reach an employee when he/she is away from their office desk phone. Intercom is quite interactive as it enables the recipient to give a quick response if needed.

Think of this system as being walkie-talkies. You might want to connect with an employee who cannot access his/her handset at that particular moment. Without the need to stop for each telephone call, you can connect with the intended employee personally, leave the message, and even get a quick answer.

THE COMBINATION OF THEM

If you cannot choose between these two options, you can simply do what most businesses do. How, you might ask? The answer is simple; just make use of both of them. The VoIP phone system allows you to combine these features. You can use handsets or loudspeakers to broadcast the main message, and your employees can reply the message from any handset by simply entering a code.

Are you already considering this feature? If yes, then we have succeeded in delivering to you the main message we intended to share with you.