EVoice
Encyclopedia
eVoice is a telecommunications service owned by j2 Global Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:JCOM) that manages incoming and outgoing calls using a virtual phone number. The service was founded in 2000 and re-launched in March 2010 with new features, functionality and pricing targeting entrepreneurs and small businesses. http://mobile.computerworld.com/device/article.php?CALL_URL=blogs.computerworld.com/15672/evoice_google_voice
A virtual phone number makes it possible for mobile professionals to remain accessible regardless of location http://www.bnet.com/blog/smb/how-my-team-stays-connected-with-no-office-and-no-face-time/2922?tag=mantle_skin;content. A competitor to eVoice is Google Voice
. http://mobile.computerworld.com/device/article.php?CALL_URL=blogs.computerworld.com/15672/evoice_google_voice. eVoice provides 24x7 live customer support and email support for users. http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/daily_news/article.php/393516
• Access to local and toll free numbers in the United States and Canadahttp://smallbiztechnology.com/archive/2010/04/tech-round-up-thursday---22-ap.html
• Multiple extensions to facilitate dialing to specific employees or departments
• Call routing to phones selected by the user; sequential ringing allows calls to be forwarded to multiple phones simultaneously or in a specific order
• Call screening. Announcement of callers based on the user hearing the name of the caller; calls can then be picked up or transferred to voicemail
• Voicemail sent directly to email; management of communications via any computer with a standard browser and access to the Internet
• Voicemail to text transcriptions of voice messages delivered as a text message or email
• Conference call
• Professional recorded greetings
• Call transferring to voicemail, extensions, or to another number
• Mobile applications provide availability to the eVoice service via iPhone®, Android® or BlackBerry® mobile devices.
• 24X7 live customer service and support; email support
and Craig Taro Gold. Based at that time in Menlo Park, CA., eVoice was the world's first large-scale, Internet-enabled voicemail system.
eVoice created partnerships with telecom companies including MCI
and AT&T
, as well as web portals and VoIP providers including Qwest, Snowball, and Dialpad.
eVoice was acquired by AOL
in July 2001 and merged into AOLbyPhone. Prior to the acquisition, eVoice raised more than $50 million in funding from idealab!, Nokia
and other top-tier investors.
On June 15, 2004, the eVoice brand name and internet domain were acquired by j2 Global Communications
(NASDAQ:JCOM)http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4002:d8ikur.2.2. j2 Global Communications, Inc. is a global communications services company that offers a variety of voice, email and fax services. The j2 Global network spans more than 4,200 cities and 49 countries around the world.
Overview
eVoice provides toll-free and local phone numbers to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the United States and Canada. http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=95826 The phone number is chosen by the user from available numbers in selected area codes. Based on how the user then configures their eVoice service, the user can then answer calls placed to the eVoice number on devices/phones owned by the subscriber. Users must have an established telephone services in the United States or Canada in order to answer incoming calls.A virtual phone number makes it possible for mobile professionals to remain accessible regardless of location http://www.bnet.com/blog/smb/how-my-team-stays-connected-with-no-office-and-no-face-time/2922?tag=mantle_skin;content. A competitor to eVoice is Google Voice
Google voice
Search by voice is a branded name for a technology to "search by voice on your [digital device]", such as a mobile phone or PC, i.e. have the device search for data upon entering information on what to search into the device by speaking....
. http://mobile.computerworld.com/device/article.php?CALL_URL=blogs.computerworld.com/15672/evoice_google_voice. eVoice provides 24x7 live customer support and email support for users. http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/daily_news/article.php/393516
Features
Features• Access to local and toll free numbers in the United States and Canadahttp://smallbiztechnology.com/archive/2010/04/tech-round-up-thursday---22-ap.html
• Multiple extensions to facilitate dialing to specific employees or departments
• Call routing to phones selected by the user; sequential ringing allows calls to be forwarded to multiple phones simultaneously or in a specific order
• Call screening. Announcement of callers based on the user hearing the name of the caller; calls can then be picked up or transferred to voicemail
• Voicemail sent directly to email; management of communications via any computer with a standard browser and access to the Internet
• Voicemail to text transcriptions of voice messages delivered as a text message or email
• Conference call
Conference call
A conference call is a telephone call in which the calling party wishes to have more than one called party listen in to the audio portion of the call. The conference calls may be designed to allow the called party to participate during the call, or the call may be set up so that the called party...
• Professional recorded greetings
• Call transferring to voicemail, extensions, or to another number
• Mobile applications provide availability to the eVoice service via iPhone®, Android® or BlackBerry® mobile devices.
• 24X7 live customer service and support; email support
History
eVoice was founded in 2000 by Wendell BrownWendell Brown
Wendell Brown is an American computer scientist and entrepreneur best known for his innovations in telecommunications. Brown has founded several well-known companies, including Teleo, LiveOps, and eVoice.-Education:...
and Craig Taro Gold. Based at that time in Menlo Park, CA., eVoice was the world's first large-scale, Internet-enabled voicemail system.
eVoice created partnerships with telecom companies including MCI
MCI
MCI may refer to:* 1101 in Roman numerals*mCi, millicurie, 1/1000 of a curie, a non-SI unit of radioactivity*MCi, megacurie, 1,000,000 times a curie-Company:...
and AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
, as well as web portals and VoIP providers including Qwest, Snowball, and Dialpad.
eVoice was acquired by AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
in July 2001 and merged into AOLbyPhone. Prior to the acquisition, eVoice raised more than $50 million in funding from idealab!, Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
and other top-tier investors.
On June 15, 2004, the eVoice brand name and internet domain were acquired by j2 Global Communications
J2 Global Communications
j2 Global Communications, Inc. is a technology company based in Hollywood, California. Founded in 1995, the company provides messaging and communications services to individuals and businesses worldwide....
(NASDAQ:JCOM)http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4002:d8ikur.2.2. j2 Global Communications, Inc. is a global communications services company that offers a variety of voice, email and fax services. The j2 Global network spans more than 4,200 cities and 49 countries around the world.
External links
- eVoice website
- Inc. Magazine, "The Best Voicemail Management Services," March, 2010
- PC Magazine, "eVoice Gets an Overhaul," March 2010
- Modern Mom Experts, "Your Business BFF," March 2010
- Information Week SMB, "Looking for a Virtual Receptionist?" March 2010
- Small Business Trends, "j2 Global's New eVoice for Small Businesses," March 2010
- SmallBusinessComputing.com "eVoice:A Radically Better Phone Number," March 2010