If you’ve called Park Tower’s office or its various stations  lately,  you may have encountered some new features.

Until recently, we’d been renting phone equipment. But in October, that out-of-date and costly system was removed. In its place went a computer-based model using “FreePBX-Asterisk.” Principal among its many advantages is the ability to add features and actions as our needs develop.

Was the new system expensive?  Much less so than renting, because we’ve now purchased the phones. Servers and programming were generously donated by a tech-savvy board member, David Nicosia.

David will be the go-to-guy for tweaking, maintenance and updates. But it’s a popular system and back-up assistance is available from numerous outside sources.

So what’s new? During normal times, you don’t notice much of a difference. The phone rings and one of the personnel answers. However, if staff is occupied and no one can answer immediately, your call goes into a queue and an automated voice announces an estimated wait time.

If the wait becomes too long, you  have transfer options to the office, front desk, Health Club, and garage. Or you can leave a detailed voice message.

So, if you are asked to press 1, 2, 3 or 4 for one of those stations, or are invited to leave a message, don’t fret. Those options are there to help and may even enable you to complete your business in one call.

Staff  is enjoying the improved communications and has developed a system for reviewing voice messages and responding to requests for assistance.

One more way Park Tower is keeping up with the times.

by Mike Magliane