If you’re considering adding messages on hold to your company’s phone system, you’ve probably noticed that there are a variety of equipment formats available to perform the task. And if you already have on hold messages, you may be wondering if the format you currently use is the best. After all, there are cassette formats, CD formats, USB formats… Obviously the newest technology is best, right? I mean, who uses cassettes anymore? Well, when it comes to message on hold equipment, you may be surprised.
Let’s use an analogy, shall we. Imagine your favorite band has a three night engagement to play in your city (okay, so some of you are in small, rural towns where no one ever performs except the high school marching band-but we’re imagining here). The first night, the band arrives at the arena in a 1995 Mercedes. They go in, they play an amazing show and do two encores. The second night, they arrive in a 2000 Ford. Nothing fancy, but it’s reliable and clean…and it gets them there on time to play another stellar performance. The third night, they arrive in a brand new private jet, and give the crowd another flawless show that brings a standing ovation. For the people in the audience, it doesn’t matter how the band got there. All that matters is that they got there and sounded superb.
What the heck does this have to do with telephone on hold equipment, you ask? Think of the band’s performance as your messages on hold; and think of the mode of transportation as the equipment format used to put those messages on your phone system. We’ll let you in on a little secret: the vast majority of cassette and CD drive on hold machines don’t actually play your messages from the cassette or the CD. These are just the vehicles to deliver your messages on hold to a digital memory chip; and that’s what generates the messages to your phone system when someone is placed on hold.
So which format is best? It really depends on your phone system and your personal preference of media. Many of our clients here at Commercials On Hold continue to use cassette download on hold players. Of course, if you like shiny things, you may prefer a CD. Just don’t stand there mesmerized by the pretty lights reflecting off your CD for too long. You DO actually have to place it in the machine so your messages will download. And if you simply enjoy doing everything by computer, you may opt for the USB format. Of course, there are several other on hold equipment formats available.